19 January 1862, Kentucky, War Between the States

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Letter from Lt. Oliver Eckels, Co. D, 31st Ohio Infantry

Camp near Somerset, Ky
January 19th, 1861 [he meant 1862]

I am so far recovered that I rode out with our Regiment & the 17th & Battery to within a half a mile of the rebel pickets & drove them in. We started to make a junction with Gen. Thomas' division, and attack old Zollicoffer; but after going eight miles, we were obliged to return, in consequence of Fishing Creek being swollen by the Cumberland River backing up that we could get no farther and returned to this place last night.

It commenced raining about dark on Friday evening and rained hard all night and the next day and is still raining, during which time both Regiments laid out in the rain without anything to shelter them from the dashing rain all night, with nothing under them but the wet ground, and nothing over them but one blanket. They left their blankets here, and all day Saturday they were exposed to the rain, with nothing to eat but a few crackers & cold boiled beef, washed down with water. At three o'clock they received orders to march back, a distance of eight miles through deep mud & water & the rain a pouring down, and obliged to carry their knapsacks and heavy overcoats soaked with rain. Many did not get to camp until ten o'clock last night. Truly the life of a soldier is a hard one.

The fight was began by General Thomas division this morning, and now we can distinctly hear the booming of artillery. Our Batteries are this moment moving to aid General Thomas.

Now the long talked of fight between our forces and Zollicoffer has begun and ere another week shall roll around startling news will have reached you of a hard fought & desperate battle on the Cumberland River.

We will have five batteries consisting of at least twenty-five cannon on this side of the river. And Col. Boyles is in the Rear of Zollicoffer with a considerable force, and from what information we can get, we think his days are numbered.

The two Tennessee Regiments found Gen. Thomas' forces yesterday & actually plunged through water half way to their sholders [sic] to get to him.

Our Brigade consisting of the 31st, 17th, 38th Ohio & the 12th Kentucky Regiments will probably start for the fight this evening or tomorrow.

All is excitement here today. ever-body [sic] that can get a horse is off to the fight. The 16th is on our right. Glorious news!! We are ordered off immediately to the Ball, and will be off within two hours; now I feel well again and will, I hope get to take part in the dance, anything for a change from inactive to active warfare.

Our Brigade cannot reach there until morning & will be compelled to plung [sic] through fishing creek, which will nearly swim them. But go they must and go it they will with a rush and a huzzas. Boys go for them.

Doubtless many will never see their homes again, but notwithstanding they know this, yet all are willing to go forward to death or victory.

I will inform you of the result of the battle as soon as over.

Still Yours,

Oliver Eckels

--------------------------

Later, l o'clock P.M.

One of General Carter's Aids [sic] has just come in covered with mud, and brings the startling news of the death of Gen. Zollicoffer. The Rebels made an attack on Gen. Thomas with a force of 15,000 men, supported by Artillery -- But Gen. Thomas drove him back to his entrenchments with 6,000 men, killing 400 and losing 300.

Later.  Gen. Zollicoffer was certainly killed in the action. he fell pierced with a ball through his left brest [sic]. They got his sword and watch & many other articles.

Our Brigade is now preparing to move, and will be off in 30 minutes.

Goodby.

O. E.

This letter was published in the Perry County Weekly of New Lexington, Ohio, 29 January 1862. I am indebted to Jo An Sheely of Olympia, WA, for her transcribed copies of these newspaper letters.

Notes:

The "17th & Battery" were the 17th Ohio Infantry and one of the Ohio batteries; see the Order of Battle page.

Col. Boyles  --  presumably Brig.Gen. Jeremiah T. Boyle, although Eckels may have meant Col. Robert Byrd of the 1st Tennessee Infantry.   Neither of these, nor any Union troops, were in the rear of the Confederate forces.

Eckels considerably overestimated the numbers of the Confederate force in the battle, as well as the Federal force engaged, and the losses on each side. See the Order of Battle page.