Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1862-12-25

Federal victoryComplete.



In FRoSr os MuxFRErssoRo, Jan. 9, 1868.
To Major General II. w. Halleck:
On the 18th Of December we marched
from Nashville in three columns, Gen. Nc-
Cook By the Nolansville Pike, Gen. Thorn
a. from his encsmpmeut on Franklin Pike
via Wilson Pike. and Gen. Crittenden on
the main Murfreesboro Pike. Our left
and centre met with q strong resistance.
such as the nature Of the country permits.
The rolling or hilly routes, skirtsd by ce
dar thickets and farms, intsrsected by
small streams with rocky bluff banks. for
med serious obstacles. saao
Gen. McCook drove Gen. Harlee's
corp, a mile and half from Nolansville.
and occupied the place. Gen. Crittendcn
reached within nile and half of La
vergne. Gen. Sherman reached Wilson
Pike, meeting with no serious opposition.
On the 9th Gen. McCook drove Gen.
Hardee from Nolansville. and pushed q
accommodating division six miles towards
Shelbyville, which found that Gen. Har
dee had retreated towards Murfreesboro.
Gen. Crittenden fought and drove the
enemy before. occupying the line Of Stew
arts Creek, and captured some prisoners,
with slight loss.
Gen. Thomas occupied the vicinity Of
Nolansyille, where he was partially sur
prised and thrown into confusion and
driven back. u
Gen. Sherman's division mad repulsed
the enemy four times, and protected the
flank ofthe centre. which had not held its
own, but advanced until this uutoward
event. which compelled me TO retain the
left wing 10 support the right until it
should be rallied and resume a new posi-
ton.
On the Is. the rebels opened by an at
tack on us and were again repulsed.
On the 81 inst. there was skirmishing
along the front with threats of an attack,
until o'clock p. M, when the enemy ad
vanced and threw small division across
Stone River to occupy the commanding
ground.
They were accommodating the ground
occupied by this division. which had no
artillery. l saw a heavy force coming
from the woods and advancing in line Of
battle three lines deep.
They drove our little division before
them after sharp contest. in which we
lost seventy or eighty killed and 375
wounded. They were finally repulsed by
Gen. Negley's division and the remaining
troops of Gen. Morton's Pioneer brigade.
and fed far over the field and beyond their
entertainments. their officers rallying them
with great difficulty.
They lost heavily. We occupied the
ground with the left wing last night The
lines were completed at four o'clock in the
morning.
The 81 inst, was spent in bringing up
and distributing provisions and ammunition.
1t has been raining all day and the
ground is very heavy.
CAMP NEAR MuRrREEsDoRo, JAM 4, 1863.
To Major General fialleck:
Following my dispatch of last evening.
have to announce THE ENEMY ARE
In FULL RETREAT.
They left las. night. The rain having
raised the river. and the bridge across it
between the left wing and centre being
incomplete. l deemed it prudent to With
draw tina, wing during the night.
/ This occupied my time until O'Clock
and fatigucd the troops. The announce
ment of the retreat was known to me at
o'clock this morning.
Our ammunition train arrived during the
night. and to-day was occupied in distrib-
u,ing ammunition. burying The dead and
collecting the wounded from the field oil
battle
Pursuit was commenced by the centre.
the two leading brigades arriving at the
west side of Stone River this evening.
The railroad bridge was saved. but in
what condition is not known. We shall
occupy the town and push the pursuit to-
morrow.
Our medical director estimates the woun
ded in the hospitals at $500. and our
dead at 1000.
We have to deplore the loss of Lieut..
Col. Garesche, whose capacity and gentle
manly department has already endeared
him to all the officers of this command,
and whose gallantry on the field of be-
tie excited the admiration of all.
LOUISVILLE. Jan. .-Murfreesborc adj
vices represent the Federal victory as com
plete. the entire rebel army fleeing towards
Tulahoma in great disorder.
! Our advantages arc decided. Bro cken