Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-08

mand. are deservedly commended in accom-
panying report of Brig. Gen. Rains.
Gen. Parsons took position southwest of
the works, whence his battery, under COM
mand of Captain Guibor, poured steady fire
into the enemy.
Skirmishers and sharpshooters were also
sent forward from both of these divisions to
harrass and fatigue the enemy and to cut
them of from water on the north. east and
south of the college, and did inestimable SER
vice IN the accomplishment of these pur-
poses.
Col. Congreve Jackson's division, and a
part OF Gen. Stems were posted near Gen.
Rains and Gen. Parsons as a reserve, but no
occasion occurred to call them into action.
They were, however. at all times yigilant and
ready to rush upon the enemy.
Shortly after entering the city on the 18th.
Col. Riyes, who commanded the fourth divi-
sion in the absence of Gen. Slack. led his reg
iment and Col. Hughes's along the river
bank, to a point Immediately beneath, and
west of the Notifications. Gen. Mcbride s
command and q portion of Gen. Harris hav-
ing been ordered to reinforce him. Colonel
Rives, in order to cut off the enemy's means
of escape, proceeded down the bank of the
river to capture steamboat which was lying
just under their guns. Just at this moment
a heavy fire was opened upon him from Col.
Andersonis large dwelling house, on the
summit of the bluffs. which the enemy were
occupying as a hospital, and upon which a
white flag was flying. Several companies OF
Gen. Harris command and the gallast sol
diers of the fourth division. who have won
upon so many battle fields the proud distinc-
ton of always being among the bravest OF
the brave, Immediately rushed upon aud took
the place.
The important position thus secured was
within 125 yards of the eDemy's intrench-
ments. A company from Col. Hughes regi-
meut then took possession of the boats, one of
which was richly freighted with valuable
stores Gen. McBride's and Gen. Harris d.
visions meanwhile calamity stormed and oc
cupied the bluffs Immediately north ofAnder-
sons house. The possession Of these heights
enabled our men to harras the enemy so
greatly that. resolving to regain them, they
made upon the house a successful assault,
aud one which would have been honorable to
them had it net been accompanied by an act
of savage barbarity-the cold-blOOded and
cowardly murder of three defenseleSs men
who had laid down their arms and surrender
ed themselves as prisoners. The position
thus retaken by the enemy was soon regained
by the brave men who had been driven from
it, and was thencefOrward held by them to
the very end of the contest.
The nights 10 the left of Anderson's house,
which bad been taken, as before stated, by
Gems. Mcbride and Harris and By part of
Gen. Stems command under Col. Boyd and
Major Winston, were rudely fortified by our
soldiers, who threw up breastworks as well
as they could with their slender means. On
the morning of the Goth inst, caused a num-
Der of hemp bales TO be transported to the
river nights, where movable breastworks
were speedily constructed out of them by
Gems. Harris and Mcbride, Col. Rives and
Major Winston and their respective COM
mands. Capt. kelley's battery (attached to
Gen. Stems division) was ordered at the
same time to the position occupied by Gen.
Harris force, and quickly opened a very ef
fective fire, under the direction of its gallant
captain, upon the enemy. These demon
STATIONS. and particularly the continued ad-
vance Of the hempen breastwOrks, which
were as efficient as the cotton bales at New
Orleans, quickly attracted the attention and
excited the alarm of the enemy, who made
many daring attempts to drive back.
They were, however, repuised III every in
stance, by the unflinching courage and fixed
determination of our men.
In these desperate encounters, the veterans
of McBride's and Stacks divisions fully sus-
tanned their proud reputation, while Col.
Martin Green and his command, and Col.
Boyd and Maj. Winston and their commands
proved themselves worthy to fight by the side
of the men who had by their courage and
valOr won imperishable honor in the bloody
battle ofSpringfeld.
After two o'clock in the afternoon of the
goth, and after fifty-two hours of continuous
firing, a white flag was displayed by the enc
my on that part of the works nearest to Col.
Green's position, and shortly afterward
another was displayed opposite to Col. Rives.
| Immediately ordered a cessation of all
firing on our part, and sent forward one of
my staff officers to ascertain the object of the
flag, and to open negotiations with the enc
MY, if such should be their desire. 1t was
finally, after some delay, agreed by Col.
Marshall and the officers associated with him
for that purpose by Col. Mulligan, that the
United States forces should lay down their
arms and surrender themselves as prisoners
of war TO this army These terms having
been made known to, were ratified by me and
Immediately carried into effect 5e seq
Our entire loss IN this series of engage
ments. amounts to twenty-five killed and
seventy-two wounded. The enemy's loss
was much greater.
The visible fruits of this almost bloodIess
victory are great-about $500 prisoners,
among whom are Coils. Mulligan. Marshall,
Peabody, White, Groves, Major Van Horn,
and lis other commissioned officers, five
pieces OF artillery and two mOrtars, over 5000
stand OF infantry arms, large number of sa-
bers, about 750 horses, many sets of cavalry
equipments, wagons, teams, ammunition,
more than 100000 worth of cOmmissary
stores. and large amount of other property.
In addition to all this, obtained the reslO-
ration Of the great seal of the State and the
public records, which had been stolen from
their proper custodian, and about 5000 coo
10 money, of which the bank at this place
had been robbed. and which | have caused
to be returned to it.
This victory has demonstrated the fitness
of our citizen soldiery for the tedious opera
tions of a siege, as well as for a dashing
charge They lay for ffty-two hours in the
open air, without tents or covering, regard
less of the sun and rain, and in the very
presence of a watchful and desperate foe, man.
fully repelling every assault, and patiently
awaiting my orders to storm the Notifications.
No general ever commanded Drawer or a
better army. 1t is composed Of the best
blood and the bravest men of Missouri.
Where nearly every one, officers and men,
behaved so well as is known TO your Excel
leucy, (who was present with the army during
the whole period embraced in this report,) it
is impossible to make special mention of in-
dividuals, without seemingly making invidi-
Gus distinctions. But | may be permitted to
express my personal obligations to my vol
unteer aids, as well as TO my staff for their
efficient services and prompt attention to all
my orders.
l have the honor to be,
With the greatest respect.
Your Excellency's ob't serv't,
STERLING PRICE,
Major G neral Commanding.