; John Boyle to Duns, December 17, 1861
Columbia, December 17, 1861.
Brigadier-General THOMAS, , Commanding First Division, Lebanon, Ky. :
GENERAL: General Boyle directs me to say that the pickets from near the Cumberland are in, and report a desperate skirmish and hand. to hand fight between two of Colonel Haggard’s nien and a small party of rebels. The men were in a house when attacked, and succeeded in killing six rebels, with the loss only of two fingers to one man. The affair took place on Marrowbone Creek.
The pickets report that Zollicoffer, with his whole force, has crossed the Cumberland at Fishing Creek and marched toward Somerset. This is corroborated by citizens.
A cannonading was heard during the whole of Monday in the direetion of Somerset. No other news.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
; JOHN BOYLE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
LEBANON, KY., December 17, 1861.
Brigadier-General THOMAS, U. S. A.:
Str: On Sunday, December 14, 9 o’clock a. m., I left Camp Carroll,
on Muldraughâs Hill, with a detachment of 25 men of Company E, Tenth
DUNS
Cnar. XVII] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.âUNION. 503