Skirmishes at Columbia and Creelsborough, Ky., June 29, 1863

SOMERSET, KY., June 30, 1863.

GENERAL: I have dispatches from Colonel Wolford to 3 p.m. yesterday. The force sent after rebels in direction of Columbia encountered about 60 of them near that place, and dispersed them, capturing 2. The party sent to Creelsborough met some 50 rebels; killed 1 and captured 2 of Duke’s regiment. Five rebel regiments are reported between Horseshoe Bottom and Rowena, on south side of river, but nothing certain is known of their force. It is supposed not more than 250 rebels are north of river. The river will not be fordable in much less than a week. If forage cannot be obtained in Russell County, Colonel Kautz will be ordered to return to this place, leaving Colonel Wolford at Jamestown.

CARTER.

Maj. Gen. GEORGE L. HARTSUFF.

June 29, 1863

LEXINGTON, June 29, 1863 — 11.30 a.m.

General BURNSIDE:

Dispatch from Carthage says enemy, 4,000 strong, are at Granville, and intend crossing soon as river will permit, to attack Carthage. Provisions very short several articles. Judah still on Barren River, unable to cross. Provisions out; forage plenty. He is grinding corn, and will be able to get along until river falls. Hobson occupies Tompkinsville with two regiments cavalry, and has provisions there for Judah; his infantry is at Paces, 14 miles from Tompkinsville. Met no enemy. Prisoners say Morgan and Pegram united, and encamped from Clinton to Albany. All information tends to belief that they intend crossing somewhere south of Burkesville. Water very high everywhere. Green River Bridge, on Columbia and Lebanon pike, washed away. Troops at Jamestown out of provisions. Fishing Creek too high to cross artillery from Somerset. Am afraid I will have to bring troops at Jamestown back to Somerset or Fishing Creek until water falls. Shackelford is at Glasgow. He sent party after guerrillas approaching railroad, and gave them a severe beating, killing and capturing several, and taking several horses, &c. It was, I think, the party that crossed at Creelsborough. The unusually high water disarranges everything with us, and must also with the enemy.

GEO. L. HARTSUFF,

Major-General.