Unknown to James A. Garfield, January 14, 1862
Louisville, January 14, 1862.
Colonel Garfield, ecmmanding Eighteenth Brigade, reports that on the 7th instant he attacked and drove the enemy from his intienchments at Paintsville, killing 3 and wounding several; our loss 2 killed and 1 wounded. On the 10th he attacked the main body of the enemy, under Humphrey Marshall, posted on the hills at the Forks of Middle Creek. Skirmishing commenced at 8 a. m.; engaged from 1 p. m. until dark. The enemy was driven from all his positions, and in the night burned most of his stores and fled precipitately. Our force was 1,800 infantry and 300 cavalry. The enemy had 2,500 infantry, three pieces of artillery, and six companies of cavalry. Our loss at Pr estonburg, 2 killed, 25 wounded. The enemyâs loss at Prestonburg, 27 found dead on the field. He carried off his wounded and many of his killed.
We took 25 prisoners, 10 horses, and a quantity of stores.
Colonel Garfield had crossed the Big Sandy to Prestonburg on the
11th. D. C. BUELL, i Brigadier-General, Commanding. General LORENZO THOMAS, . Adjutant-General, Washington.