J. A. Garfield to J. B. Fry, January 4, 1862

Camp Pardee, January 4, 1862.

DEAR SIR:

Shortly after the date of my last report to you, of December 26, I received intelligence that the enemy had retreated to a hill 3 miles from Paintsville, on the road to Prestonburg, where he is throwing up earthworks. About the same time 300 or 400 cavalry came in from West Liberty and encamped at the mouth of Jennie’s Creek, where they still remain and are actively engaged in marauding and foraging expeditions. Judging from the position of the enemy that he intended to make a stand, 1 dispatched a messenger to Colonel Cranor, ordering him to proceed to Prestonburg via Hazel Green and Burning Spring, sending a strong party of cavalry via West Liberty and Licking Station to drive in the rebel forces on that route and protect Colonel Cranor’s flank, and join him again before he reached Prestonburg. He was then to move down the river and hold himself in readiness to attack the enemy’s position or cut off his retreat. I herewith inclose a copy of my instructions to him.*

The messenger was expected to return on Monday evening, December 30, but did not reach me till Wednesday. On Tuesday, December 31, I moved up George’s Creek 8 miles, with the Forty-second Ohio, five companies of the Fourteenth Kentucky, and MeLaughlin’s squadron of cavalry, and encamped at the foot of Brown’s Hill. I there waited one day the arrival of Colonel Moor’s [Cranor’s?] train, part of which reached me January 1. Six of his wagons have not yet arrived. On the evening of

January 1 my messenger from Colonel Cranor arrived, informing [me] that his regiment arrived at MeCormick’s Gap on Sunday, December 29, and would leave there in conformity with my orders on the following morning. It consumed the whole of January 2 and 3 and required a working party of 100 men to get our train over Brown’s Hill to this point, on the headwaters of Tom’s Creek, a distance of but little more than 3 miles from our former place of encampment. To-day our scouts encountered and drove back a hundred. of the enemy’s cavalry from Tows Hill, 24 miles on the route to Paintsville. Our advance guard is holding the position to-night.

In view of the exceedingly bad condition of the roads, made worse by the heavy rains of the last two days, I have dispatehed a second messenger to Colonel Cranor, appointing Monday next as the time when I hope to drive in the enemy’s cavalry and occupy the mouth of Jennie’s Creek. I am exceedingly perplexed by the non-arrival of Lindsey’s regiment. When I first arrived at Catlettsburg I ordered him to join me as soon as he could obtain the requisite outfit. On Saturday last he broke up his damp and moved to Ashland, as I supposed, on his way up the valley. On Wednesday I heard that he had not yet left Ashland. I then sent him a peremptory order to move forward, but up to this time I have not heard: from him. The two companies of Colonel be cavalry, which were ordered to join me, I have never heard

I stated in my last report that Major McLaughlin’s [cavalry] had no carbines. I turned over to them the rifles belonging to such of the Forty-second Ohio as were sick and on detached duty, and they still use them. The major received a full supply of pistol cartridges a few days ago, but no caps came with them.

The squadron has but very little drill and cannot be relied on for much service, except scout and messenger duty. But, notwithstanding these drawbacks, I shall advance, and shall hope we may at least narrow down the limits of the enemy’s depredations. Since my last report we have had 4 men from Major McLaughlin’s cavalry captured by the enemy?s scouts. We have taken 1 of his men, and Colonel Cranor has taken several more.

I was much in hopes I could have had a howitzer battery. Still, if I had an infantry force in this column equal to the enemy’s I should have no doubt of being able to capture him. I shall try his strength as soon as I can draw him down from his position. I have not yet received any blanks, and hence have forwarded no morning reports. I inclose maps.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel, Commanding Eighteenth Brigade.
Capt. J. B. Fry,
Assistant Adjutant- General.