battery, under
Lieutenant Bennett, General Carter commanding, went down the Creek. The
division of General Schoepf did not effect anything, being unable to fall
in with the enemy. General Carter's command, however, was more successful.
They came upon a party of the Rebel Cavalry, who were on the opposite side
of the Creek, and being out of rifle distance, they were inclined to be
quite bold and defiant. But Lieutenant Bennett got his guns in position,
and sent over several shells, which caused them to "skedaddle" in all
directions. It was supposed that his shot killed and wounded several, as
they were seen carrying off a number. They left considerable plunder which
fell into the hands of the Tennessee men.

Seeing no further prospect of drawing out the enemy, the expedition
returned to Somerset, arriving at dark.

Nothing of further importance occurred for some time, with the exception
of an attempt on the part of Colonel Hoskins, with his regiment, and a
part of the Thirty-eighth Ohio, to capture a forage train of the enemy,
but which proved unsuccessful. The weather had now become cold and rainy,
making the roads almost impassable; and, it was thought that nothing would
be done before Spring, as neither party seemed inclined to throw down the
gauntlet. But things were quietly working, and which the following will
show was to some purpose.

On Friday morning, January 17th, 1862, in accordance with orders of the
previous evening, the entire available force then at Somerset, set out, as
was then supposed, for another reconnoisance, towards the enemy's lines.
Subsequent events showed that it resulted far different from what most of
the men anticipated. All camp equipage was left behind, in charge of a
sufficient guard. At an early hour a start was effected; but, owing to the
bad condition of the roads, slow progress was made. The late rains had
swollen Fishing Creek, so that it was almost impassable; and it was at a
late hour of the night ere the Battery succeeded in crossing the stream.

It now commenced raining quite hard, but the men bravely pushed forward,
and, near midnight, arrived at the camp of General Thomas, who had a large
force under his command. They had come over the Columbia road. This was
quite a surprise to all, except such officers as were in the secret.

It now became evident that an exciting time was at hand, and that a
battle was soon to be fought. But little did we soldiers dream that it
would re