The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-07-25
SAINT PAUL. FRIDAY. JULY 25 1867
BATTLE OF MURFREESB0RO

BATTLE OF MURFREESB0R0
Surrender Of the Third Min
nesOta.
G 'rr.spon 3ence of the Chicago Tribune.
LOUISVILLE, KY, July Is.
THE ATTACK
Was made at daylight on Sunday morning,
and was complete surprise. The rebels
knew the position of our troops and the
state Of atilirs thoroughly. They advanced
in overwhelming force, driving the pickets
| before them and entering the town almost
simultaneously. The pickets did not fire
until they had fallen back some distance.
thus not rousing the 9th Michigan until the
enemy was almost upon them. The caval-
ry--company A, Capt. Chillson-w first
attacked and scattered in every direction,
the main force falling into the hands of the
| rebels. Nearer the centre of the Town the
rest Of the cava!ry-company Q. Captain
Unthank, was attacked and captured. Near
the depot and commissary buildings, about
the heart of the town, the 9th Michigan was
attempting to get into position, but failed
to form line and began to fall back on
the Nashville pike, fighting as it retreated.
My informant states that the citizens early
appeared in the streets dressed ard armed
as il ready for the fray and perfectly aware
that the attack was to be made. The run
ming fight was kept up by the 9th under
every disadvantage for some time. the regi-
| ment being enabled at one time to make a
stand, but the overwhelming force, OF the
enemy at last compelled them to surrender.
Their cartridge boxes were soon emptied
aud having no means for further supply
they were compelled to surrender.
THE CAPTURE CT DUFFIELD AND cR1rrENDEN.
Colonel Dufie d and General Crittenden.
weary with the labors OF the past day, and
not s~Spcct.Ig an attack, reposed iD conf
dence and supposed security at the little
hotel which faces the depot in the town.
They were captured while dressing. The
rebels went to their rooms as directly as if
they had known their positions for days, and
little doubt is entertained that the citizens
were the guides. 1t was impossible to offer
resistance. The officers Immediately saw
the situation of affairs and surrendered.
Colonel Duffield is reported mortalIy wound.
ed, but if he was my informant cannot
imagine how, unless by some wanton act of
cruelty on the part of the confederate scoun.
drels This be does not believe was done,
for the rebel officers Forrest and Warner
took pairs to show their distinguished
consideration for the men, and overdid the
thing by their politecess
At the last accounts Crittend7n and
Dufied were doing we'll. and were on their
way to Sparta. Crittenden is from Indi-
ana, and was Colonel of the 9th Indiana.
He was nominated Brigader General
few months since. He was nephew, and
not a SOD, of John j. Crittenden. OF Dus-
field, of Michigan, you are perhaps better
acquainted than l am.
THE DESTRUCTION OF THE DEPOT.
The enemy was uDwse enough to destroy
the depot of the Nashville and Chattanooga
Railroad Company. It was a large and
spacious building, and was used 10 part as
storehouse for our commisssry and quart
ermasteris stOres. Tnus, all these, amount
ing to several thousand dollars 10 value,
were destroyed, although the town had
virtually surreUd dered. In their haste they
also burned the tents OF the officers and
men.
COL LESTER PRFPAREs FOB pEFENCE.
The MinnesOtiaus aud the Kentucky
battery now encamped on the edge of the
town, their camp on the west side of the
Nashville pike forming beautiful suburts
tor the northern part OF the town The
country at this point is beautiful, the green
and level sward being broken only by the
little branch Of Stones Greek, which cross.
es the pike almost within the limits of the
town. The position of the camp afforded
no position for the battery, and on being
apprised OF the attack. Col Lester order.
ed his regiment and the battery to tall back
on the Nashville pike few hundred yards
to high knoll or bill east of the road.
This bill Was on the bank of the creek aud
was partially protected oy a wood. The
artillery hastily went into battery on the
bill aud the Sd Minnesota formed into two
battalions, fl hiking the battery and sup>
porting it. Col. Lester found bis position
an exceedingly strong one, should the rebels
be coDsiderate enough to attack bin BY the
Nashville road, but be remarked with con-
siderable anxiety that the position was easi.
ly fiauked, the creek on bis lett being too
shallow to sfiord him aid, and the country
to the right being level and easily and
quickly occupied. Ills mesgre accounts led
him to believe the force OF The eDemy to be
overwhelming, and though without a
thought of surrender, he and bis men went
into the fight with defeat staring them in
the face. It must be remembered that the
road to Nashville at this time was open
ard clear and that be could have ialleu back
on that point without 6ghtipg, thus saving
the regiment and battery. But Lester pre-.
ferred fighting, and it lie due to him for bis
brave defense of bis hastily chosen position.