The Sun.
London, England, 1863-01-24 00:00:00

them :

"Nashville, Jan. 8.

" Murfreesboro is entirely deserted. Our army
and General Rosencranz's headquarters have ad-
vanced ten miles beyond that place. The rebel
army is reported to be at Tullahoma. The
Union gunboat W. H. Slidell, T. W. Van Dorn
commanding, has arrived here with 164 prisoners
from Clarksville. She also brought 3,000 barrels of
flour, 10,0001bs. of bacon, 900 sacks of oats, and
2,000 bushels of shelled corn. The gunboat captured
two rebel captains, with horses and mules.
" The river is three and a half feet deep on the
ehoals.

" Nashville, Tenn., Jan. 9.
"One thousand rebel prisoners were sent North
by rail to-day. Two hundred arrived from Mur-
freesboro. General Rosencranz orders all captured
officers to be confined until Jeff. Davis's order is
revoked ; the rebel prisoners to subsist on army
rations, the food contributed by friends to be confis-
cated to hospital use, and the repetition of such
contributions to constitute a gaol offence.
,6 There is a heavy rain to-night. The river is
stationary.

"There are 17 steamers at the foot of Harpeth
Shoals."

Accounts of the battle of Murfreesboro up to the
31st December have already been published. On
New Year's-day there was no fighting, but on
Friday the Confederates attacked in force. The
correspondent of the New York herald says :
" The assault was not less vigorous than had been
that on oar right on Wednesday. But Beatty, with
better spirit and success, defended himself. His
three brigades fought with desperate energy, and
the hail of lead they poured into the first column
caused it to turn and retreat instantly. This column
is understood to have been Breckinridge's division,
and is reported to have been terribly cut to pieces.
Claiborne's column came forward as unflinching.y
to the assault as if that of Breckinridge had not
faltered; and they met with better success. Our
little band could not withstand the numbers now
advanced upon them, and one by one the brigades
began to fall back slowly, giving their artillery
time to recross the stream. The position deserted
by them was soon occupied by the rebels, and as
our men fell back to and crossed Lytle's Creek they
pursued them to the very banks. Their artillery
was moved up, and, on the very hill where Beatty
had just been, poured in upon us a terrible fire.
From either bank of the stream the two forces
poured in upon each other a terrible fire of mus-
ketry, Wood engaging for a short time on the right
of Beatty.

" Negley had been left in reserve for a wise pur-
pose. It now became apparent. By order of
Rosencranz he came up to the reserve, followed
closely in rear by the division of Jeff. C. Davis.
The men of Negley advanced, led by their gallant
leader, with the wildest shouts of enthusiasm. They
pressed forward to the left of Beatty, and on reach-
ing the bank of the stream opened with splendid
effect on the rebels beyond. Negley got the batteries
of Captains Schultz and Nell to work in fine style,
and grape and shrapnel were poured into the rebel
lines. They wavered and fell back slowly. As Davis
came up into line on his left, Negley ordered his
division to advance and cross the stream. With a
bound and a shout the 78th Pennsylvania, Colonel
Sirwell, pushed forward and was the first to cross.
The 19th Illinois and the rest of the two brigades
followed. Davis took the order to include him,
and Beatty was not slow in following. On the other
side, in admirable disorder, but a line sufficiently
good, as Negley remarked, for practical purposes,
the gallant Pennsylvanian suddenly found himself
the senior division commanding on that part of the
field. He looked along the line. A glance of the
eye at Beatty, and Davis told what was in his
heart and his mind. He passed through his ranks,
placed his hat upon his sword, shouted to them to
charge, and led his line to the top of the hill. The
charge was the most desperate and the most bril-
liant of the day. The rebels could not stand it,
but broke and fled. The 78th Pennsylvania cap-
tured the entire 26th Tennessee Infantry, Colonel
Lilliard securing their colours. The 19th Illinois
and 74th Ohio dispute the honour of having taken
what was reported as Douglass's Kentucky Artillery.
" In the assault our men had suffered terribly.
In the 19th Illinois fifty men had fallen. Colonel
Scott, who had been slightly wounded on Wednes-
day, was now severely wounded. Major Guthrie,
of the same regiment, had also been wounded
severely. Captain M. H. Chandler, of Company
F, was killed in the same charge. In the
69th Ohio and 78th Pe:nsylvania the loss is fright-
ful. Captain Cumzeilor, of Company H of the
69th, was killed. I could name others, but their
names will be found in the list of killed and
wounded appended to this.
"I•Tegiey did not halt with this temporary suc-
cess. His batteries were immediately ordered to
cross. The captured rebel battery was put to work,
and poured shell into the ranks of the retiring
enemy. As soon as his batteries came up Negley
moved his whole line rapidly forward. He then
sent word to General Rosencranz that he was driv-
ing the rebel right, and asking for instructions.
Gen. Rosencranz sent word in answer—' Drive 'em.'
" As soon as General Rosencranz had learned
from Negley that he was driving them, and that
they were almost driven to a disgraceful rout, he
ordered the whole line to be advanced. The line,
from right to left, in a moment after, became a per-
fect sheet of flame and smoke. The resistance on
the rebel left and centre was manfully made,
but Polk could no longer sustain himself against
Negley. We could see by the smoke of battle that
Negley was fast getting upon their right flank, and
we could distinctly hear the shouts of victory far in
advance. The men were nerved anew with vigour,
and they pressed forward. In vain the enemy re-
sisted. With their right wing broken it was in
vain to attempt to hold their position. Our men
pushed forward with the most desperate energy,
and drove them rapidly before them. The outer I
works were passed with a shout that must have
made the hearts If the rebels sink within them.
They never paused, and hardly resisted. But, alas
night came at last and saved them
" Negley sent word that night had. overtaken
ee. him,
within view of their works, and in thr
qtuarters of
a mile of Murfreesboro. He would advance
further until he received orders from Genn.
cranz. Would he please say forward, Negley
Rosen-
thought he could take the works. But the line
was halted, and the men lay that night within a
mile of Iqurfreesboro. When Saturday morning
dawned it found them entrenched in the very front
of the rebel works.
"No sooner had the splendid bayonet charge of
Negley been finished than General Rosencranz
ordered the spade to be brought into requisition,
and on the following morning I found our line en-
trenched.
" During the night there were reports that the
enemy had been evaenttting Marfreesbero r ver since
dusk had shaded their movements. I could not
believe it to be so, but this morning the truth was
revealed—the enemy had gone.
" There was nothing more to do than to occupy
the place on Sunday morning. The telegrams will
tell you more of this than I am able to do now.
General Rosencranz moved in about 11 o'clock with
the main army. Stanley and Negley were push-
ing torward after the enemy, who have retreated to
uilahoma or Normandy.
4' Oar 10,53 i 3 heavy, and will amount to at least

1,500 killed and 5,000 to 7,000 wounded. We have
lost about 4,000 in prisoners taken on Wednesday."
The following are the Confederate dispatches in
continuation of those before given :

" Murfreesboro, Jan. 2.

" The enemy retired last night but a short dis-
tance in rear of his position. We had a short and
sharp contest this evening. We drove his left flank
from its position, but an attacking party again re-
turned, with considerable loss to both sides.

" Generals Wheeler and Wharton were again in
their rear yesterday, and captured 200 prisoners, one
piece of artillery, and destroyed 200 loaded waggons.
" BRAXTON BRAGG."
"Tullahoma, Jan. 5.

" Unable to dislodge the enemy from his entrench-
ments, and hearing of reinforcements to him, I
withdrew from his front the night before last. He
has not followed. My cavalry are close on the front.
" BRAXTON BRAGG."
" Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 5, 1863.
"To General S. Cooper, Adjutant and Inspector-

General, C. S. A.

"Sir,—We have retired from Murfreesboro in
perfect order. All the stores are saved. About
4,000 Federal prisoners, 5,000 stand of small arms,
and 24 pieces of cannon, brass and steel, have already
been received here.

"B. S. EWELL, A. A. G."
The following dispatch relates to the Confede-
rate attack on Springfield, Missouri ;
" St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 8, 1863.
" General Curtis has received the following
dispatch from General Brown :

" ' Springfield, Mo., Jan. 8, three p.m.
" ' The enemy are crowding the fighting; but my
men are behaving well. lam holding all the
strong positions. The enemy must fight as I want
to, whether he likes it or not.
" ' General BROWN.'
"Dr. Melcher has just sent the following dis-
patch, dated this afternoon:—

" General Brown is badly wounded. There has
been no severe fighting since noon. The enemy
are in large force. The rebels took one of our guns,
and were repulsed at dark. Militia reinforcements
are coming in, Prisoners say that General Mar-
maduke is in command of the rebels, and will be
reinforced to-night.'

"St. Louis, Jan. 9, 1863.

"Telegraphic communication with Springfield
ceased at three o'clock this morning. The enemy
entered our stockade yesterday afternoon. Our
force was reported to be 2,000 strong, with two
pieces of artillery. Springfield contains a
very large amount of army stores, arms, and
ammunition. Fifteen 4-horse teams and 30 men be-
longing to the telegraphic corps were supposed to be
captured a few miles south of Springfield. General
Brown's left shoulder is badly shattered. He would
have to submit to amputation to save his life.

‘‘ St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 9—Evening.

" Communication with Springfield is still broken.
A party sent from Lebanon to repair the line had
not been heard from, and apprehensions are felt that
they have been captured. The opinion strongly pre-
vails that Springfield has been taken."
The following despatches relate to the attack by
the Federals on Vicksburg :
" Cairo, Jan. 8,

" The steamer from Memphis has arrived. There
is nothing later from Vicksburg. The reason as-
signed by the passengers for the non-arrival of the
steamer from Vicksburg is that the rebels have
planted batteries at Cypress Bend, and thus pre-
vented intercourse for the present. These will be
easily cleared by our gunboats when communication
becomes necessary,

" By way of Grenada reports had reached Memphis
that there had been no fighting since the 29th ult."
" To Major General S. R. Curtis.
" Columbus, Jan. 2, 1863.

" The Rocket left Yazoo River Sunday morning.
General Sherman debarked his army eight miles
above the month, and was fighting hard to get pos-
session of the heights in rear of Vicksburg. Capt.
Gwin, of the gunboat Benton, was mortally wounded
in an engagement with a battery 20 miles up the
Yazoo. The Blue Wing, with valuable ordnance
stores, was captured by the rebels and taken up the
Arkansas River. The Dan. Pollard, with coal barges
in tow, is also. probably taken. We met the New
Era above Memphis, and the Conestoga is cruising
at the mouth of the Arkansas.

" N. P. CHIPMAN."

SOUTHERN ACCOUNTS.

The following official despatch was received at the
rebel War Department on Saturday morning :
" Vicksburg, Jan. 2, 1863.

" The enemy, finding all his efforts unavailing
to make any inroad upon our position here, has re-
embarked, leaving a considerable quantity of en-
trenching tools and other property, and apparently
has relinquished his designs upon Vicksburg.
" J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieut.-Gen. Commanding.
" Hon. he. A. Seddon, Secretary of %Var."
" Vicksburg, Jan. 2.

" Skirmishing continued all day yesterday, but
no general engagement is expected until the arrival
of M,Clernand and Sherman with the balance of
the Yankee army. We are confident of our ability
to hold Vicksburg against any force the Federals
may bring against it.

" This morning our forces advanced against the
enemy, who were erecting works on the lake, caus-
ing them to evacuate their position, leaving 50 stand
of arms, nine prisoners, and all their implements for
cutting fortifications.

" Our forces now occupy the whole country bor-
dering on the lake, the enemy having returned with
their transports and gone down the Yazoo.
" The enemy has left Chickasaw Bayou, and are
reported going on their transport to Snyder's Bluff,
on the Yazoo, where it is supposed they will make
an attempt to storm our works. Oar forces are well
advised of their movements."
On the 26th of December President Davis deli-
vered an address before the legislature of Missis-
sippi. The following are the most important por-
tions of it :

"After a complimentary allusion to Mississippi
and her soldiers the. President spoke of his love
for the old Union. He alluded to it, however, as
a matter of regret that the best affections of his i
heart should have been bestowed upon an object
so unworthy—that he should have loved so long
a government which was rotten to its very core.
He had predicted from the beginning a fierce
war, though it had assumed more gigantic
proportions than he had calculated upon. He
had predicted war, not because our right to
secede was not an undoubted one, and clearly
defined in the spirit of that declaration which
rests the right to govern upon the consent of the
governed ; but the wickedness of the North would
entail war upon the country. The present war,
waged against the rights of a free people, was un-
just, and the fruit of the evil passions of the North.
In the progress of the war those evil passions have
been brought out and developed ; and so far from
re-uniting with such a people—a people whose'
ancestors Cromwell had gathered from the bogs and
fens of Ireland and Scotland—a people whose in-
tolerance produced discord andcathtroohoubsl,ewhereve
wherever
they went—who persecuted
Episcopa-
lians, and every other sect that did notsubsbcurribnet
to their bigoted and contracted notions—who
witches and did a thousand other things calcu-
lated to make them for ever infamous—
the President President was emphatic in his declaration
that under no circumstances would he consent
to re-union. He drew a glowing picture of the
horrors of war, and
and while tears flowedthe avaforrges o f
those
w ht
oh e enemy
suffered,
yet all these would be endured cheerfully before our
manhood and our liberties would be
tosurrendered.
"He alluded briefly to his desiretransfer the .
war upon Northern soil, but the failure
to d
proceeded not from a want of inclination, but
tt h i sf
power. We were not an old established' nation
with armies and navies at our command. These had
to be improvised from the scanty materials to be,'
found within the limits of our own confederacy.
We were blockaded and cut off from other nations,
and everybody knows that we had been an agricul-
tural people, and that our facilities for manufactur-
ing materials of war were extremely limited. Not-
witbstAnding this fact, patent to the most casual
obserTzr, we bad now an army larger than ever