BATTLE OF WILD CAT.
Early the following morning, in accordance with orders, all were actively
engaged in making preparations to march; and, from certain indications, it
was evident that we were shortly to be called on to take part in our first
battle. It had been reported that the rebels, under Gen. Zollicoffer, were
advancing from Cumberland Gap to attack the Union force stationed at Camp
Wild Cat. The men were all in high spirits at the prospect of soon meeting
the enemy in battle array. At an early hour we were on the march, being
accompanied by the Fourteenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under command of
Col. Steedman.
At noon, we passed through the pretty little town of Lancaster. The
citizens are nearly all Unionists, and they greeted us kindly as we passed
along. A number of ladies brought out such provisions as they had ready
cooked, and gave to us freely. At sundown, we arrived at Crab Orchard,
having marched twenty miles during the day. We here camped for the night,
it raining heavily at the time.
Next morning, after a hasty breakfast, were again on the tramp. After
passing Crab Orchard we left the beaten turnpike over which we had for
some time been traveling; and now commenced the worst trial we had yet
undergone. Over rocks, into ruts, through mud, onward we went; when, about
ten o'clock, reports reached us that the enemy had already commenced the
attack on the First Kentucky Infantry stationed at Wild Cat, and which was
yet some twenty miles distant. We therefore hurried along as speedily as
the rough nature of the ground would admit, and, at four o'clock, halted
at a small creek and were ordered to feed our horses and prepare supper
with all possible dispatch, to be ready for an all night march. Instantly,
all was activity. Ammunition chests were overhauled, and things got in
readiness for the coming battle.
At dark the word "forward" was given, and away we went over hills, through
valleys, and through the interminable mud. Such roads! The one leading to
"Jordan" can hardly be more difficult of passage. The moon, however, was
shining brightly, and all night long we held our toilsome way. No word of
complaint, not a murmur was heard, but with a silence only broken by the
heavy tread of our horses, and the creaking and rattling of the caissons
and gun carriages, we passed slowly forward. We were about to engage in
our first battle for the country we loved; the country that gave us birth;
and that was enough to quicken the blood, to rouse our nerves for the
coming conflict.
At daylight we arrived at Rock Castle River, and here made a halt to feed
horses and get breakfast. On the opposite side of the river lay Wild Cat
Mountain, where we soon expected to meet the foe. Breakfast was soon
dispatched, and on crossing the river, which was done by fording, we were
met by messengers with orders to hurry forward, as the battle had already
begun. Although we had a steep and rugged mountain of some three miles in
hight to ascend, and were much fatigued with our last night's march, the
whip and spur were freely applied to our horses, and hurrying along at
double quick were soon at the scene of action.
In less than ten minutes after our arrival we were in position, and at
once opened on the enemy. They were rather taken by surprise, it being the
first intimation they had received that there was any artillery on the
ground. The fighting, up to this time, had been done by infantry and
cavalry. The Rebels were in a deep ravine, and so thick were the trees we
were unable to obtain sight of them from our position, and were only
guided by the smoke from their guns.
The Thirty-third Indiana Infantry were posted on a hill directly opposite
our battery, while the Seventeenth Ohio and First Kentucky Infantry,
together with a part of Woolford's Cavalry, were stationed away to our
right. The Fourteenth Ohio Infantry were drawn up in line to our left. The
Rebels were making efforts to drive the Thirty-third Indiana from their
position. Every shot from our guns told with good effect, and the battle
continued at intervals during the day. About three o'clock in the
afternoon the firing became quite brisk, and lasted for half an hour. At
this time we rapidly threw shells into the enemy's cover, which they did
not much relish, for their fire soon perceptibly diminished, and finally
ceased. All was now quiet. At dark, one section of our battery, under
Lieutenant Sypher, moved over to where the Thirty-third Indiana held
position. It being through the woods, and as there was no road, the guns
were of necessity dragged by hand; but there were willing hearts and stout
hands at the work, and it was speedily and safely effected.
About midnight the enemy endeavored to outflank us, but in this they were
foiled; for we opened on them, throwing two or three shot, when they at
once fell back to their old position, and all again became quiet.
In the morning, nothing was to be seen or heard of the enemy. They had
doubtless come to the sage conclusion,
"That those who fly may fight again,
Which he can never do that's slain,"
and so had quietly decamped. They had been badly whipped, and only wanted
to be "let alone." Their force was estimated to be about seven thousand,
while ours did not exceed two thousand, and five hundred actively engaged.
The Rebel loss could not have been less than two hundred and fifty killed
and wounded. Our loss was four killed and twenty wounded. Twenty-eight of
the enemy's dead were left on the field, and were buried by our soldiers.
Three of their wounded fell into our hands, two of whom died the next day.
Owing to the wild and rugged nature of the country, immediate pursuit was
impossible, otherwise we would have "gobbled" the greater part of their
force. The ground on which the battle was fought is said to have been the
favorite hunting ground of Daniel Boone, the pioneer of Kentucky. It was
rather a romantic place for a battle.