Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-07-25
TUE AFFAIR At MURFREES-
BORO'. TENN.

We had an interview last evening with
Lieut. c. ii. Blakcly, Adjutant OF the 81
Minnesota. one of the regiments attacked at
Murirocsboro' ON Sunday morning by For
rests cavalry. The forces at MurfreesbCrO
As We learn from Lieut.. B., consisted Of six
COMPANIES of the Michigan 9th, two compa-
nicS ol the 4th Kentucky, nine companies OF
the Minnesota 81, and four pieces Of llewitt's
First kentucky Battery. The 9th and the
cavalry were encamped in the edge OF the
town. and the 81 and the battery a mile and
q nalt outside, on the Nashville pike. The
forces are a part Of the 23d Brigade, which
Is commanded by Col. Dutheld, lately Of the
United States forces Of Kentucky. Gen. I.
r. Crittendcn assumed command Of the post
on Friday night.
The attack was made on Sunday morning
at ! O'Clock, upon the cavalry and Michigan
-1mcnt. they being completely surprised
s. lar.,s was the attacking party that the
infantry could not form in line OF battle, and
after fighting as best they could for several
hours, the Michigan Regiment surrendered
Our cavalry was OF no assistance, whatever
not nan mounted his horse, and but one or
two escaped
In the mean time, portion Of the enemy
had burned the railroad depot, freight-hOuse,
containing commissary stores, and large
warehou.e. containing forage and quarter
master stores.
Having compelled the surrender Of the
cavalry and infantry in town, they broke Tor
the battery. Col. Lester had been advised OF
the attack. and placed the battery upon
knoll a quarter of a mile from his camp, with
his own regiment TO support it. The rebels
rassed around to the north OF the camp and
driving through it burned the officers tents
and killed or wounded the guards. As they
clIne out Of the woods to make the attack,
Col. Lester retained his fire until within 40
uaecs Of hlm when the batteries were opened
mon them. They were completely disor-
..anized and retired in the greatest confusion
Cpon the next charge the infantry and bat
tery both fred, and the enemy was thrown
into confusion a second time.
Not relishing such treatment portion oil
the rebels went round to the rear for the pur-
nose of attacking US in the rear as well as IN
front. Tn :, however was OF no avail, ior
Col. Lester formed his men in a square, and
Cart. Hewitt directed his pieces both ways
4 third ATTEMPT was made to cut the brave
men % pieces, but the result was the same
a. before. The rebels retired for whIle,and
Capt Hewitt turned his pieces upon ue
t.wn. shcIing It in the most approved style.
Ii Is said the town was badly damaged, anu
AT last accounts was on lre IN several places
The fighting commenced again at noon
and coni<ued unabated until three Clock
when a Ysg Of truce from the enemy ap--
reared, stating that the Michigan 9TH had
surrendered early in the day, and Demand
in- an unconditional surrender by the re
mlinder Of the forces. It is SAID that
threat WAS also made that, II Col. Lester diG
not surrender, Gen. CrIttenden and Colonel
DuGeld-who were taken out OF their beds
bv the enemy at the Outset-would be I'M
mcdiatly shot.
Col. Lester rode into town, under Irotec-
tion Of the dag Of truce, and ascertalned that
he had to encounter loree OF about iour
thousand and that he could rely only on hls
own little handful Of men to sustain himself
His ammunition too had nearly given out,
the battery having only slxty-hye ROUNDS OF
Gus. and slid shot and the Infantry but a
/ few rounds OF cartridges left. lie returned
/ and, after a consultation with Capt. Hewitt
| aud his olhcc.s,it was determined to surTend-
\ er. which was done at about five IN the al
| tcrno0n.
/ The only loss that We can learn among the
/ officers Is the killing Of Capt. Rounds OF the
/ Michigan 9th Neither the battery nor the
| 81 Minnesota lost any officers. About twelve
men of the 81 were killed. lt is thought
that at least one hundred and fifty OF the
rebels must have been killed.
The strength of the rebels was about 400
cavalry-two Georgia and enc Texas reg'-
| ment being Of the number.
Lieut.. Blakely informs US that the rebels
burned the railroad bridge at Murireesboro'
| and the bridge near by.-LOuisUiRe Journal