Immediately on arriving Colonel Garfield, learning the position of this cavalry, but unaware of the whereabouts of the other divisions of the rebel force, immediately commenced the erection of a pontoon or floating bridge across the Paint Lick Creek, at Paintsville. At four P. M. he crossed with eight companies of the Forty-second Ohio, and two companies of the Fourteenth Kentucky, with a view of making an armed reconnoissance, and if possible of cutting off and capturing the cavalry. At two P. M. he had dispatched Colonel Bolles’ cavalry and one company of the Forty-second, under the command of Captain S. M. Barber, with orders to give a good account of the cavalry. But later in the day, on learning the possibility of cutting them off, he had sent orders to Colonel Bolles not to attack them until he had obtained time to get in their rear. Not receiving the last orders, and indeed before they were issued, Colonel Bolles, in obedience to his first directions, crossed the Paint by fording, and vigorously assaulting the enemy, soon put them to flight up the valley of Jennie. In their haste, followed as they were by the cavalry, they strewed the road with their equipments, while here and there a dead or wounded soldier gave proof that they were losing men also. The pursuit was kept up for seven miles, right into the infantry division which was guarding the train. Stationed on either side of the road, that did not permit more than two to ride abreast, it opened a heavy cross-fire on the Union cavalry, compelling them to fall back, and finally to retreat, which they did in good order, having inflicted a loss of twenty-five in killed and wounded, according to rebel account, and losing but two killed and one wounded. Fifteen rebels were taken prisoners. Meanwhile Colonel Garfield, with his command, having remained a short time to fully explore the enemy’s deserted fortifications, (consisting of lunettes, breastworks, rifle-pits and a fort situated on the top of a conical hill,) and wholly unaware of what had taken place, pressed forward to the hoped for consummation of the march. But few miles had been traversed, however, when the evidences of a hasty retreat became so apparent that all were convinced that the enemy had flown. The object of the march having been thus thwarted, an early return to Paintsville became desirable, and it was accomplished at the dawn. BATTLE OF MIDDLE CREEK, KY. JANUARY 10, 1862.