A Confederate's Experience at the Battle of Middle Creek

The following letter was penned by a member of the 29th Virginia, one of the regiment's in Gen. Humphrey Marshall's small Confederate force operating along the eastern Kentucky and Virginia border, during the Battle of Middle Creek. This small engagement was fought on January 10, 1862 and was part of Col. James Garfield's small campaign in eastern Kentucky. The letter might have you think otherwise, but the battle is generally considered a Union victory, one that helped propel Garfield into the national spotlight. It is seriously under-appreciated and really deserves a thorough study. Maybe one day!

CAMP ON BEAVER CREEK, January 13th, 1862.

For the last week we have been in the midst of stirring events. Last Sunday night our Colonel was notified by General Marshall that “the enemy are reported to be entering Paintville; put your regiment under arms quietly.” We were not attacked there, however, and on Monday morning at 2 o’clock, orders were sent to cook all the provisions we had, and prepare to fall back. We did so, but our regiment was unable to leave camp until half past three o’clock, P. M., and only made some six miles; but such was the execrable condition of the roads, that all the trains did not get over until Tuesday night. We rested, therefore, during that day. Next morning we were aroused at 2 ½ o'clock, A. M., and were ordered to move, expecting to meet the enemy. We did not get under way, however, until about 12 M. After marching a little over a mile, we were ordered to take to cover, as the enemy was in view.— Accordingly the 54th and 29th Virginia Volunteers, and Col. Williams’ Kentucky Regiment [Eastern 5th Kentucky] formed with alacrity on a hillside under cover of a fence, while the cavalry galloped to the front. We had scarcely formed, however, when we were again ordered into line of march, the alarm turning out to be false. We then proceeded to the west fork of Middle Creek, where we remained in camp during the next day, Thursday.

Together with several others, your correspondent spent Thursday night at the house of Mr. George Spradlin, a short distance from the camp, and while at breakfast, on Friday morning, Mr. Spradlin came in and said, “Gentlemen, there are about forty men on the hill out here, and they ordered me to halt.” The entire party then jumped up from the table, without the least ceremony, and made their way back to the camp in safety, notwithstanding they were all fired upon by the Yankee pickets.

THE BATTLE

When we reached the command, we found the forces forming in the forks of Middle Creek to give the enemy a reception, who were advancing in strong forces. Capt. Jeffrey's artillery were placed in battery in the woods, supported by Col. Trigg's 54th Virginia regiment. Colonel Moore's 29th Virginia Regiment was thrown upon a hill East of the East fork of the Creek, and Col. Williams' Kentucky Regiment occupied a higher hill, to the right of Moore's Regiment. After waiting patiently for an hour, the enemy were seen advancing up the valley of the Creek, and scattering themselves upon a range of hills opposite our position.

About one o'clock, P. M., a small party of cavalry showed themselves immediately in front of the artillery; apparently reconnoitering our position. Capt. Holliday's company of Kentucky Cavalry opened fire upon them, and then fell back when a shell was thrown into their midst from one of our guns. The enemy immediately fell back—three saddles being empty. This may be regarded as the opening of the fight—the firing before having been confined to the pickets. The engagement soon became general along our whole line—the enemy seeking to dislodge us from our position on the hills. It would be unjust to them to say that they did not fight well. They made three distinct attacks upon our position—and were three times repulsed by our gallant fellows.

Col. Moore's men stood fire like veterans;— and Col. Williams' men did full credit to the character of Kentuckians as fighting men. Our gallant old Colonel Moore and Lieutenant Col. Leigh were to be found all the time in the front of their men, encouraging them by word and deed to do their duty—and both made narrow escapes. Colonel Williams and Lieut Colonel May, of the Kentuckians, did their duty too, like men. Indeed, all, both officers and men, acquitted themselves well.

The fight lasted until about half-past four o'clock, p. m., with occasional interruptions.— Our forces retained their position until after dark, when they fell back in good order— being compelled to do so to procure subsistence, the enemy having cut us off from our only mill.

Col. Trigg's regiment was held as a reserve, and did not participate in the fight. The gallant fellows were anxious to do so, and were quite restive under the restraint, But as the enemy were repulsed without their assistance, they will have to earn their laurels upon some other field. They will do so as soon as an opportunity offers, for they are fully prepared to maintain the honor of Old Virginia.

So far as we have been able to learn the enemy made no attempt to follow us. Their loss was greatly larger than ours, but what was its extent we have not been able to learn.

The reports of our officers will give all the particulars of the engagement which I have omitted. Particular incidents I must reserve until another time.

List of killed and wounded at the battle of Middle Creek:

• Capt. Bryant's company, 29th Virginia Regiment—Killed—Privates Oscar Pickett, John Pickett, Leftwick Patton, W. Bowers; Wounded—Privates Joshua G. Montgomery, seriously; John Graham, through both thighs; Ivey Milton, slightly.

  
  

• Capt. Jessee's Company—Killed—Private Stanford Jessee. Wounded—Geo. McReynolds, of Russell, leg amputated; Wm. B. Roberts, slightly in the foot.

  
  

• Capt. Hale's Company—Wounded—Jessee Reese, in both thighs.

  
  

• Captain Horne's Company—Benj. Huddle, slightly in hip.

  
  

Total, 5 killed; 7 wounded.

Col. Williams lost—killed and wounded. I have not been able to get their names.

A. A. B.