19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the States

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Narrative of Drummer William Bircher, 2nd Minnesota Infantry

     We encamped in an orchard with a beautiful stream running through it, and it made the best camping ground we had in Kentucky. We were in camp at this place two days, Friday and Saturday, and now was the time to stand our guard and picket duty. Saturday night Company A, Capt. J.W. Bishop, went on picket, and on Sunday morning, January 19, the rebels, under General Zollicoffer, attacked the Tenth Indiana Regiment, and our regiment was quickly ordered to the scene of action. We marched about one and a half miles, through deep mud and rain, to stand support to a battery that was in a field throwing shells at the enemy. In a few minutes our regiment was ordered on to the field of battle. We marched by the right flank, up the main road, then made a left oblique movement, then regimental front, then double-quick time until we met the Tenth Indiana. Falling back -- they having run out of ammunition -- our regiment charged up to a rail fence, and here occurred a hand-to-hand conflict: the rebels putting their guns through the fence from one side and our boys from the other. The smoke hung so close to the ground on account of the rain that it was impossible to see each other at times. The Ninth Ohio then made a charge along the rebel left flank and drove them from their front. Then followed one of the worst stampedes, I think, that occurred during the war. The rebels left their commander, General Zollicoffer, and Captain Baily Peyton dead on the field.

     The rebel loss was 192 killed, 140 wounded, and 140 prisoners. Our loss was 39 killed and 207 wounded. We captured 1200 horses and mules, 100 large wagons, 2000 muskets, and 16 pieces of artillery, also their encampment on the Cumberland River, with all their commissary stores.
Our regiment lost 12 killed and 33 wounded. The dead were taken from the field and buried in one grave at our campground.

From: A Drummer-Boy's Diary: Comprising Four years of Service with the Second Regiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, 1861to 1865, by William Bircher, Newell L. Chester, ed. 1889: St. Paul Book and Stationery Co., page 13. Reprinted in 1995 by the North Star Press of St. Cloud, Inc. ISBN: 0-8739-094-2 (cloth) 0-87839-095-4 (paper)

Billy Bircher was a 15-year-old from West St. Paul Township when he enlisted with his father, Ulrich Bircher on Aug. 14, 1861. Ulrich, a farmer, was assigned to Co. K, 2nd Minnesota as a wagoner and his son became the company drummer for Co. K.

Thanks to Rusty Ayers for submitting this narrative.

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