B. F. Batchelor to his wife - December 19, 1861

Camp Near Green River
Dec. 19th 1861

My dear Wife
I hasten to lay before you the particulars of our first battle near Green River Bridge Ky. on the 17th inst--Our command consisted of Genl Hindman's Brigade & the Texas Regiment. the Brigade contained 300 cavalry, 4 pieces Artillery & two Regiments Arkansas Infantry, in all say 200 men, our Regiment had which is its present strength for duty. The morning was clear and we started for the River at 9 A.M. arriving at the scene of action about 11 A.M. To give you a better idea of our maneuvers I must first state tha tthe enemy have some 20,000 soldiers on the opposite side of the river & the object of our advance was not to occupy this side, but merely to ascertain their strength & damage any detachment of their army from this side. A range of hills on this bank of the river completely hides their forces which are seen only by ascending those hills. The Railroad Bridge had been blown up by a party of Southerners to prevent the enemy from attacking Bowling Green before it was fortified; but there are three fords on the river each having a road leading into the Turnpike at from one to three miles back from the bridge. Over these fords they can pass everything but their heavy siege cannon. Now as we came down the Turnpike these roads lay in our rear, & left us subject to flank movements, & to be attacked in the rear. When within a mile or so from the river Capt Jones' company was sent to the left to ascertain if the enemy wre in that direction; detachments from three other companies were sent out in other directions & in front; this done, the main body of our Regiment led by Col Terry moved forward on the Turnpike till we reached a bridge about one mile from the river & halted. Here we examined our arms and divested ourselves of everything that would encumber us in battle. In about 10 minutes the sharp crack of Minnie Rifles was heard to the left and in front & our advance scouts came in reporting the enemy had crossed the river & were rapidly advancing--About 125 of our men were then ordered to advance obliquely to the left and take position to meet the enemy in that quarter while a courier was dispatched to hurry forward the Arkansas Infantry. We had not advanced more than 40 yards before the enemy, 250 strong, armed with Minnie and Enfield Rifles, opened upon us from a thick woods & fence, which concealed their advance. At the first fire Col Terry's horse was slightly hurt, and raising in his stirrups Terry shouted in a clear loud voice "Charge them boys! Charge!" then bending low with drawn revolver he dashed forward toward the enemy; his words were hardly uttered before a wild shout broke from our ranks & with spurs closesly pressed the column made the charge. Firing from both sides in an instant became general, filling the air with whizzing lead and powder smoke. Our charge was not made in front, but on a line; our column running closely outside the fence, which served the enemy as a sort of breastwork & rest for their guns--Nothing could exceed the brilliancy & daring of that impetuous charge. Our Shot Guns thew up a blaze of fire & shot almost into their faces--the distance between our lines did not exceed ten or fifteen feet & in some instances the boys did not fire until the muzzles of their guns were within a few inches of the Enemy's heads causing horrible mutilation. Shrieks of their wounded filled the air, still the stubbornly held their position till our guns and Six Shooters were nearly exhausted, and more than half their numbers were either killed or wounded. They stood their ground like brave men, but shot too low, killing more horses than men; in fact we were so close, and rushed along their line in such headlong fury--yelling like Demons--that they could no more draw a signt on us than they could on a Meteor. Our lamented Colonel fell very soon after the action began, shot with a Minnie ball through the head; his horse fell at the same moment pierced by three shots--The first thing that arrested my attention in the charge was the situation of Capt Evans; when the charge was ordered he was in command of Wharton's company and ours--and was riding near Col Terry--as I rushed on heading our company I saw Mark engaged in close quarters with a big Dutch soldier who had got over the fence and was trying to run bayonet him--Mark had just shot the soldier who had killed Terry and turning round saw his peril in tiem to get a tree between himself and the shining steel as his antagonist fired tearing a hole in the tree--the fellow then tried to runt he captain through as mentioned. I drew up & was in the act of letting my gun speak when a Ranger passed between us & I had to hold fire--a second more & I heard the report of Mark's pistol which put an end to the struggle. In a moment after a fellow near me fired & then started to run, but my double barrel pet was allowed to report & he sprang into the air & then fell forward to rise no more. Unable longer to stand the rain of bullets from our six shooters the enemy began to run across the field but we leaped the fence & pursued, shooting as we came to them till we reached a ravine sept by their Artillery & we returned to our position before the first fire. I estimate the enemy's loss in our charge at 60 killed--we took few prisoners; in fact the men were too much exasperated after the death of our colonel to take prisoners--they were shot down. While our men were making this charge a detachment consisting of Ferrill's & Holt's companies engaged the enemy on the right of the Turnpike in a corn field & drove them back with great slaughter killing about 30 & wounding as many more. About this time two companies from Arkansas--the Red Rangers & Young Guards--attached the enemy on the left & killed 16 & took 8 prisoners--Genl Hindman now ordered our Regiment to take position in a woods on the right of the Turnpike & hold ourselves ready to sustain the Infantry or Artillery as occasion might require. Not many minutes after this our scouts came in reporting the enemy rapidly crossing the river above & below us & throwing out long forces on both sides to flank & cut us off in the rear; a consultation was held & our Regiment sent out to hold the enemy in check till our wagons retired to the main trunk of the road leading to Bowling Green--we did so, but the enemy kept out of our range & the fighting ended after a fight at intervals of about two hours & a half, leaving about 100 Federals killed & 8 prisoners. On our side 4 were killed, one mortally wounded & Eight who will probably recover. The Federal focrce in Ky is about 100,000; ours about 65,000, but we have no fear of being driven out though they double their force. I don't think they will soon forget the desperate charge of the 17th or ever get their Hessians to fight as well again. I received a letter from George last night; he is still too feeble to think of coming to camps, but says he will not go home till I can return with him--I got my loves letter of the 1st inst--My darling your letters are all received & are properly directed to Bowling Green Ky --Sister sent me some money--you must not send me any as I do not need it; nor clothese for I cannot carry them--shall be happy to see Parson Cook in camps however--his son is well. Kiss fat little baby for her pa--My love to dear Pa and Ma & my precious wife it is not fear that causes me to wish to be at home again, but I would give all I have on earth, but liberty, to hold my darling in my arms once more. For the present, my heart's idol, Good bye.

Frank

Rugeley, H. J. H. ed. Batchelor-Turner Letters, 1861-1864. The Steck Company, Austin, TX 1961.