The New York Herald Newspaper, January 21, 1862, Page 1

THE NEW YORK HER See WHOLE NO. 9263. === ALD. NEW YORK, TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1862. PRICE TWO CENTS. THE IMPORTANT VICTORY IN KENTUCKY. Opening the Road to Hast Tennessee---Defeat of the Rebel Zollicoffer by the Union General Schoepff y A Lif al Pe Woe _ 143 ps a The Opening of the ; Winter Campaign. Brilliant Victory of the Union ‘Troops in Kentucky. Prolonged and Bloody Battle at Somerset. Defeat and Flight of Zolli- coffer’s Rebel Army. General Zollicoffer and Balie Peyton Killed in the Engagement. HOT PURSUIT OF THE FLYING ENEMY. Zollicoffer’s Stronghold at Mill Springs Captured. The Stars and Stripes Waving Over the Rebel Fortifications. eS 4 AlLarge Number of Prisoners and All the Enemy's Cannon and Camp Property Captured. Heavy Lossin Killed and Wound- ed on Both Sides. The Route to East Tennessee ‘Opened. Map of the Scene of Conflict and Vicinity. Sketches of Generals Thomas, Schoepff and Zollicoffer, &e., &e., ae. Cimcinwan, Jan. 20, 1861. A battle took place at Somerset, Kentucky, on Satur- flay, between Goneral Schoopé’s and General Zollicotfer's forces. ‘Tho battle Jasted from early in tbe morning till dark. General Zollicoffer was killed, aud bis army entirely defeated. Our victory has been very decisive, and will result ina rout of the whole force defending tho right flank of Bowling Groen. Acombined attack was made to-day on General Zolli- coffer's intrenchments at Mill Spring, Wayne county, Kentuoky , resulting in a complete victory. The Stare and Stripes now float over the fortifications, ‘We captured all their camp property, and a large num- der of prisoners. Our loss is heavy. General Zollicoffer’s dead body is im the bands of the ‘Unionists. ‘The Lexington correspondent of the Commercial give, the following account of the battle:— Goneral Zollieoffer, earning that the Union forces had at three o’clock Saturday morning, and attacked General ‘Rchoepff in camp. ‘The pickets were driven in at an early hour, and the attack was made before daylight, The battle is reported to have raged with great fury until three in the afternoon, when, General Zollicoffer hav- ing becn killed, the whole force of revels fled in eonfu- sion to their camp. The logs is not stated, but is thought to be heavy. The Balie Peyton killed, is ason of the ex-Member of Congress from Tennessee of that name. Lovsviiz, Ky., Jan. 20, 1862, Gencral Thomas telegraphs to headquarters that on Saturday night General Zollicoffer came up to his encamp- ment, and attacked him at six o’clock on Sunday morn” ing, near Webb’s road, in the vicinity of Somerset. At three o'clock on Sunday afternoon General Zolli- ¢offer and Balie Peyton haa been killed, aud the rebes were in full retreat to their intrenchments at Mill Spring’ with the Union troops in hot pursuit, General Thomas on Sunday afternoon followed up the rebels to their intrenchments, sixteen miles from his own camp, and when about to attack them this morning he found their intrenchments deserted, the rebels bay. ing left all their cannon, quartermaster’s stores, tents, The re- bels, dispersing, had crossed the Cumberland in a steam- horses 1 wagons, which fell into our hands. boat and nine barges at White Oak ercek, opposite their encampment at Mill Spring. ‘Two hundred and seventy-five rebels were killed and wounded, including General Zollicoffer and Balie Peyton, dead, who were found on the field. Tho Tenth Indiana lost seventy-five killed and wound. ed. Nothing further of the Union loss has yot reached here. Wasinxcton, Jan. 20, 1962. The government has received a despatch this evening confirming the news of the glorious Union victory in Ken tueky on Saturday last. Gen. Schoep{f moved with his forces, composed chiefly of East Tennesseoans, from London, and Gen. Thomas, at the head of his brigade, moved simultaneously with Schoepff from Campbellville, The statement received here is, that the federsi troops have possession of Zolli- coffer’s dead body. ‘This demonstration in Kentucky is the opening of the grand campaign, which will result in a continaous move, ment until the rebellion is crushed out. A lator despateh to-night, from General Thomas, gives assurances that upon pursuing the enemy to Mill's Spring ho found they were disorganized and abandoning their wagons, horses, ammunition, stores, &c., and were fying sD consternation, This wipes the rebels out from Eastern Kentucky, and opens the way for Genera) Buell’s grand army to march into East Tennessee, where he will soon unite his for- tunes with our forces from the coast. ‘There is great rejoicing in this city over the news from Kentucky, although it does not surprise some of our Jeading civil and military ofMcials, who have been ex- pecting this movement for some time. It is said that there is no truth in the statement that General Schorp was once a porter in a New York hotel. He was one of the examiners in the Patent Office under Mr. Holt, and it was at the urgent solicitation of the latter that Schnepff was appointed in the army. OUR MAP OF THE LOCALITY OF THE SEAT OF WAR IN THE WEST. ‘The map of Kentucky and Tennessee which wo give to day will be found very interesting, as it contains the loca, tions of many places recently brought into noto by the war, but not te be found on any map of ordinary issue, un less published within a few days. All themore importan, localities are pointed out by means of tho names being written in larger letters than their neighbors, and are consequently easily found ata glance. But the most im, portant, at the present time, of all the places designated on our map, is that of Somerset, the recent scene of Gen. Thomas’ victory and Gen. Zollicoffer's defeat and death, DESCRIPTION OF SOMERSET. The village near which the battle took place is a post village and the capital of Pulaeki county, Kentucky, and i, | situated about six miles north of the Cumberland river, appeared in his rear, marched out of big ttronchments ‘ nd ninoty mifes soyth of Frankfort, she capital of the 24 State. It is the centre of where three turnpike roads meet and cross. ‘The surrounding country is rugged and, billy, and abounds in coal and iron ore, and consequently is unfit for produeing cereals or supplies for man and beast. ‘The village has three churches, ten dry goods stores, a branch bank and an iron foundry. ITS IMPORTANCE IN A STRATEGIC POINT OF VIEW. One of the reasons why the intrenchments near this place have been 0 obstinately held by the rebels and why the Union troops have been determin- ed to gain possession of it, if possible, nas been Decause it is the key to the important roads leading into Tennessee. By following the road running easterly along the northern bank of the Cumberland, it will be found that, having passed Williamsburg, it leads through the mountain pass called Water Gap to the city of Knox- ville, in Tennessee, The possession of this road gives to the Union forces a virtual chance to assist the Unionists of Eastern Tennessee; and no one seems to know this better than the two Tennesse regiments of Union volun. teers under General Schoopf. THE DARING OF THE TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS, The members of theso regiments have been almost mad for the chance which has but now been offered themeviz: to strike at the destroyers of their domestic happiness, and to avenge their wrongs upon those who have driven them trom their homes. Frequently have they sought the opportunity of making incursions upon the rebel camp in companies, even risking military punishment for disobedience of orders, 80 as to be able to wreak their vengeance upon their despoilers. To give some ides of their darii ‘he following is reported of one of the companies:—Having obtained official permission, on the night of the 11th instant, they pushed on even to within a few miles of the rebel General Zollicoffer's posi on on the bluffs, and even got in the rear of the frst lity, of rebel pickets, npon whom they turned and opened a skirmish, They fought for sbout ay hour, succeeding ia Zl \y , The Intrenched Position ef the Rebel Zollicoffler on the Cumberland--- Our Map of the Locality, &c., Showing the Heights he Had Fortified and What They Commanded Before the Battle. Wainy the end in capturing, killing and wounding a number cf the rebels. They do not care about taking the rebels prisoners, but would rather give and receive no quarter, as the banging of the loyalists in astern Tenuessec, which has become known to them, bas enraged them be- yond endurance, and they appear determined not to show ‘mercy unless under circumstances where the rebels lay down their arms and submit. ZOLLICOFFER’S STRONGHOLD. To portray at @ glance the position held by the rebels previous to the recent brilliant victory, we publish » sketch of their stronghold on the Cumberland, and its intrenchments and defences. It is a well chosen position, and, if it bad been as well defended, would have taken our troops s much lomger time than it did to re- duce it. Zolhcofer bad selected the moustainous region on either eide of the Cumberland vy the bend, and oecupied the principal hills commanding al! the approaches by the river from both directions, as wel! as by the valleys of the White Oak and Meadow creeks. Tho bills are high and commanding, and rise almost in ‘the form of bluffs to the following hi Hills ked A, 350 feet above t . Hille marked B, 400 feet above the level. Hills marked C, 300 feet above the level. Hills marked D, 400 feet above the level. The rebel forces were stati on these heights, those om the north side being on the elevation four hundred feet above the river, and consisting of about four thou. sand men; thore on the south about three thousand strong, having the control of the bills, &c., near Mill Spr} and commanding the Meadow Creek Valley. A regiment of negroes was reported to be stationed at the bend of the Cumberland river, and other troops are in the near vicinity ‘Tho geographical position of this intrenchment is as follows —From Somorset, about fifteon mlos, southwort, from Waitsvoro, on the Cumberiand river, twelve miles from Columbia, about fosty miles, southeast, and about six or eight miles below the hoad of steamboat naviga- tion. The position commands all the coal mines and many of the salt wells in that part of Pulaski county south of the Cumberland, and in Wayne and Rusecll ‘counties. ‘The position was deemed by many to be inaccessible to the troops at Somerset, and it was thought that it could only be attacked with any degree of success, even with superior force, from the north side. The ndws that wo have received shows that the fortification has been re- duced; and it now matters but little, except for the pur- poses of history, by what honorable means it has been so conquered. THE STRENGTH OP THE REBELS A FEW DAYS SINCE. Itappears that during the absence of Gen. Zollicoffer | at Nashville, the rebel Major General George B. Critten- den (son of the loyal Kentuckian John J.Crittenden, and trother to the Union General Thomas L. Crittenden) took command at Mill Springs. At that time the febel troops numbered twelve thousand men, intrenched and defended by eleven pieces of field artillery and twenty heavy can- non. General Zollicoffer returned previous to the battle, and doubtless brought some intelligence which caused the rebels to advance as they did. The first despatch particularly speaks of General Schoepi's brigade being in the fight with Zollicoffer. The following regiments compose his brigade, which is a portion of the second division, commanded by General W. Nelson:— 2 COMMANDER OF DIVISION. Brigadier General. WM. NELSON. com Brigadier General. . REGIMEN’ Second Ohio Volunteers. . Seventeenth Obio Volunteers Thirty-third Ohio Volunteers Fifty-ninth Ohio Volunteers. First Tennessee Volunteers Second Tennessee Volunteers. Ohio Battery. FIELD OFFICERS OF REGIMENTS. ND OUIO VOLUNTRERS, Colonet. Lieuter Major. Colonel Lieutenant Colonel. Major...... SEVENTEENTH OU10 VOLUNTEERS. .John M. Connell. . Marshall F. Moore, ... Durbin Ward. ‘TENNESSER VOLUNTEERS. The Tennessee brignde is under the command of Colenel Carter, of the Second regiment. omo naTTERY. ‘This Ddattery is composed of six beautiful pieces of rifled cannon, and is well equipped. The commander of the battery is Captain Standard. GENBRAL THOMAS’ FORCES. In consideration of the fact that the news is at present meagro as to the nature of the attack made by General ‘Thomas, as also of the likelihood that he may still fur- ther follow up his advantages, we do not deem it politic to mention the strength of his force, but merely state that he was in command of the fourth division of General Buell’s army, formerly stationed at Columbia, west of Somerset, His line of march may be surmised from a glance at the map. GENERAL ALVIN SCHOEPFF. Brigadier General Alvin Schoepff is a foreigner by birth, but was appointed by the President a Brigadier General from the State of Maryland. He bas once previous to the present cccasion been in battle array against the aristo- cratic Teanessee Congressman, on which occasion Zolli- coffer bad tried bis prowess, and this attempt of the latter to cut up hig small army was doubtiess for the purpose of avenging what was really a military defeat as far as the rebel general was concerned. It is reported of Gen. Schoepff that when he came to this country he was a poor ‘man as far as bis pocket was concerned, but possessed a talent that was bound to make itself known in time. He ‘at first, not finding anything better to do, asked for and obtained a situation as hotel porter in one of the leading New York hotels, After a time he went to Washington, where he continued to act in @ like capacity until his unvarying politeness and industry brought him under the notice of Mr. Holt, then Commissioner of Patents. Pleased with his appearance, and wishing to do good to what he considered a worthy man, Mr. Holt gave him » situation in the Patent Office. At first his position was very humble, his time being partially Gecupied betwoen the duties of @ messenger and a cleaner and arrangor of the modes, &c., wotil Mr. Holt tried him at more im portant duties, and he always found that whatever was given him to do Alvin Schoepif always did it well. A porition was then obtained for him to exercise his abili ties, which were gradually becoming known to others be- giles himsolf, Mr. Holt watched bim well, took great in torest fa his protege, and miseed no opportunity for bis advancement. ‘When Commissioner Holt was trausforred to the War Department he took Schoepff with him, and as survey was needed in Virginin he was entrusted with it. This brought him under the eye of the then Commander-in-Chief, General Scott, and as his military education and acquirements be- came known to him the veteran General did not overlook them, but continued to employ him on important busi~ ness in connection with the War Department. When the troubles in the ‘country and the recreant retirement of many of the officers of the United States Army wade it necessary to employ foreign officers of military talents Alvin Schoepf was appointed a Brigadier General of volunteers, and ordered to report to ‘he commander of that department in which the State of his benefactor was located. He has made himsclf known at Wild Cat, and again at Somerset, and if given the opportunity there is but little doubt but that he will again be beard of, although Zollicoffer is no longer opposed to him. SKETCH OF GEN. G. H. THOMAS. Acting Major General George H. Thomas is an officer of the United States Army and a native of Virginia, from which State he was appointed to the army. He is be. tween forty and forty-five years of age. He entered West Point as a cadet in 1836, and was appointed a second lieutenant in the Third artillery in July, 1840. He was brevotted a first lieutenant for gallantry and good conduct in the war against the Florida Indians, his commission bearing date November 6, 1941. He was made a fall first lieutenant in April, 1844, and was brevetted a captain for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, in Mexico, taking that rank from September 23, 1846. He was also bre- vetted major for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Buena Vista, which brevet was dated Febru- ary 23, 1847, the rank boing awarded in May, 1848. In 1850 he was appointed the instructor of artillery and cavalry at the Military Academy at West Point. In December, 1853 he was made afull captain of artillery, and on the 12th of May, 1855, was appointed major of the Second cavalry. On the resignation of his senior officers at the commencement of the rebellion, General Thomas was promoted to the lieutenant colonelcy of his regiment, and on the 3d of May, 1861, was made colonel of the Second cavalry. As colonel he had chargo of the United States regular forces under General Patterson, in the Department of the Shenandoah, and led the passage of the troops across the Potomac. He was next appointed an acting brigadier gene- ral inthe same department, in which capacity he served under General Banks. On the 17th of August, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General of Volunteers, and when Kentucky and Tennessee were made into ® separate department, he was orderedfto report to the commander at the headquarters. He has had chargo ef various forces concentrating in that State, and it has been often reported that he gained both the confidence and the loye of those under his command. In the late brigading of the army in that department he was ap- pointed to the command of the Fourth division, with his headquarters at Columbia, and from that place be has ad- vanced upon the rebel Zollieoffer with great success. SKETCH OF GENERAL ZOLLICOFFER. General Felix K. Zollicoffer is described in the rebel army list as a Brigadicr General of the Provisional Army of the'Confederate States, but that document adds that ‘che had seen no military service previous to the present war.’ He was, in fact, political General only. Genoral Zollicoffer has been well known to many of our readers as @ politician and an editor. He was born im 1812, being now about fifty years of age. He served two months’ apprenticeship asa compositor, at the end of which time (viz: in 1829) he took upon himeelfthe management of a newspaper im Paris, Tennessee, he boing at that time only seventeen years of age. In 1884he edited and published the Columbian Observer, and from 1835 to 1887 he was State printer. For along time he dabbled as politician only in State politics, confining his ambition to the State Legisiature. In 1842 he was the editor of an old line whig newspaper in Nashville, called the Nashville Banner, using bis position as a stepping stone to bis elevation to various political positions. On three occasions, from 1843 to 1847, he was elected State Comptroller, and in 1849 he was in the State Senate. Im 1860 he was contractor for building the suspension Dridge at Nashville, and in 1861-2 he again edited the Banner for the purpose of securing his clevation toa membership in the United States Congress. That posi- tion be finally attained, but his ambition was not limited to that goal. He wanted to be Governor of Tennessee, and oven aimed at the highest federal honors, But the democratic party of that day had get com- plete control of Tennessee, and he could not, therefore hope to obtain the bounds of his desires save throug some new medium. He tried the Know Nothing organi zation. That failed him. His star passed into obscura- tion, when secession turned up he embraced it as the means of converting himself from an opaque politica body into a living light in the popular atmosphere. HI {CONTINUED ON EIGHTH P4QB.)