Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1862-07-21
THE REBEL RAID IN TENNESSEE


FIossscE, Rutherford Co., Tenn, July Il -
arrived at this small place, situated about ave
miles from Murfreesb borO, at late hour last eve-
ming, in company with three ofacers Of the Penn
sylvania Seventh Cavalry. The rebels held Muir
freesboro', and telegraph and railroad communi-
ton Is cut Of.
Itelegrapbed you last evening brief account Of
the affair at Murfreesboro', but now enlarge upon
itas follows:
The town, about thirty miles from Nashville,
and which described in my last letter, was in
possession Of the I'd MiRnesota and 7th Michigan
Infantry Regiments, Hewitt's Artillery Of six
pieces, and four companies Of the 9TH Pennsylva-
MIA Cavalry. About four O'Clock yesterday morn
Ing, three regiments Of Texans Rangers and two
regiments Of Georgia cavalry entered the town by
way Of held,, gslo'.d !. ty farmers Of ths nsigk-
logging to the 9TH Pennsylvania Cavalry, most Of
the men being out upon scout
The rebels next visited the camp OF the 9th
Mich gan, and fred upon the tents where the
men were sleeping, killing'and wounding a lafge
number. Our men endeavored to place them
selves In line Of bsttle, but upon perceivng the
number OF the enemy, and receiving the contents
Of another discharge Of musketry, Immediately
surrendered. The 9th Michigan was about seven
hundred strong, and were armed with the En-
field ride. - + 49,.
The Sd Minnesota was located nearly two miles
distant from the 9th Michigan, and numbered
about five hundred men. Immediately upon
hearing the firing Colonel Lester despatched an
orderly to ascertain the cause, and formed his
men into line Of battle, and took position near
Hewitt's battery. Before the orderly returned
the sutler Of the ID Minnesota arrived from the
direction Of the firing, and informed Colonel
Letter that large body OF rebel cavalry had en-
tered the camp Of the Michigan regiment. In a
few moments after the arrival of the sutler nearly
the whole force came dashing towards the COM
mand Of Colonel Lester. The battery opened,
being protected by the Sd Minnesota, who re-
sisted tbs cavalry attack with success.
In an hour after the Rangers made a second
charge upon the battery, but were again success
fully repulsed by the infantry. Subsequently the
enemy retired: and soon the large mill Of Spence
cred, Capt. Hewitt opened FIRE, and threw one
hundred and forty-seven shell In the direction
where the rebels were supposed to be.
Presently the railroad depot was discovered to
be on fre, likewise the residence Of Mr.. Jordan,
prominent Union man. Believing the conHa-
giations to be the work Of the guerilles, the bat
terry again opened In the direction Of the fires,
throwing dozen shells an hour for about eight
hours.
About an hour after the cessation OF the firing
by Capt Hewitt, the whole force made dash
upon the battery, compelling the infantry to fall
nack with loss OF seven men Whether or not
the ammunition was exhausted, no hre was
opened by the battery, and the enemy captured
the SIX pieces In perfect order; the movement be-
Ing so quick that Capt. Hewitt was unable to
spike his guns or injure the Carriages During
this time the Minnesota regiment retired about
quarter OF mile, the Offices Of which held a
consultation al 10 subsequent operations, and
concluded 10 surrender The surrender took
place about three O'Clock p. M, and was uncon.
ditionaL
The Minnesota regiment stacked their arms,
and the ofncers threw their sIdeASm into pile
near by. As the men marched 10 the rear they
struck up Yankee Doodle, and cheered Justify
for the Union
Thus far no men of the Michigan regiment
nave arrived here. Two men belonging to the
.osatefy nave arrived, and about 4 dozen Of the
minnesota, Including the sutler and a negro ser
want All who have escaped, and citizens of the
place, declare that battalion Of negroes assisted
me reoeh IL is believed that most Of the 7th
been informed Of the state Of affairs by courier,
and advised to make for this place by circuitous
route
Nearly all Of the ~ladies" of Murfreesboro' sa-
luted the rebels by waving their handkerchiefs
and singing Dixie, and many men who have,
through the generosity Of the Government at
Nashville, obtained the necessaries Of life from
Louisville, ran out Confederate flags, and gave
Information as to the disposition OF our troops.
The Secessionists Of this place, and that Is the
entire population, are jubilant. and every door.
nine, when l arrived here last evening II is not
daynght vet, and I do not Intend Il shall be
while remain here. Captain Davis, and TIVE
other officers Of the Pennsylvania 7th, start pres
enuy Tor La Vergne, about ten miles distant to-
wards Nashville, whittier 1 shall accompany
them.
No persons have arrived from Murfreesboro'
since last night AID az theIc Is nothing but cavalry
lncioB nave NO dppIcnt nslOns OF an dttdCk upon
Nashville l believe, however, tlIat the rebels
viii go towards Shslbyville, capturing our
squads OF working men and guards, and destroy
Ing the work Of several months The regular
train OF cars from Nashville experienced a narrow
escape. When passing through this town not a
person gave notice Of what was transpiring a
short distance ahead. But while passing over
the Stone river bridge pa triot lodged from OBJ
scurlty, and waving a handkerchief, shouted
"Stop, for Gods sake" The engineer caused the
train to stop, and the man Informed the conductor
OF what was going on but few rods In advance.
As the train ceased motion a shell whistled over
II, and tbs conductor believed that be was sur
rounded, but tascertaining shortly afterward that
as yet he vas In no danger, returned to Nashville
the rebels and we have sustained a great loss
The enemy destroyed all Of our AMMUNITION, and
most OF our camp cquipage. The sutler OF the Sd
Minnesota suffered to the extent Of yearly five
thousand dollars.
We lost about sixteen hundred stand OF small
arms, over fve thousand pounds Of ammunition,
nearly one hundred tents, six brass field pieces
and attachments, and large numDer of horses,
mules, and wagons. Our loss In killed and
wounded io upwards of 200, and about 900 pris-
oners. Gems Dumeld and Crittenden, Of nd lana
are prisoners Gen Dufaeld is slightly wounded
understand that no other officers are Injured
Maj Seibert, Of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, is
q prisoner, and reported wounded. The follow
Ing are the names OF other Pennsylvania COM
missioned ofdcers known 10 be missing Capt.
Essington, Co. B, 7th Cavalry; Lieut.. Rhodes,
Co. =, 7th Cavaly; Lieut.. Beachtel, Co. L. 7th
Cavalry Lieut.. Einstein, Co. NJ, 7th Cavalry;
Lieut.. Childs, Co. g, 9TH Cavalry. The only
damage the rebels sustained was by the nre of
our battery, which was considerable. Their loss
In killed and wounded il believed to be over Ave
hundred.