Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-07-25
NASHVILLE Tenn, July %.

NASHVILLE lem. July IT,
10 me Editor Of che Boston Journal
since sunday morning an intense excitement
has peryaael all classes # our citizens. ~ an
early hour on Sunday a courier arrived on a foam
ils --eei, braEin; the startling news that a bat
ue was going on az Murireesb0ra, d town about
thirty-iour miles from this city, between about
i1t1 Georgia and Texas Cuerrii.as under Colonel
Forrest, and the llth Michigan, "a y inuesota
aud Hcwetts Kentucky Battery under ColoGels
Dufeid and CrJteniea.
The brave fellows Tough. from o'clock ia the
morning until o'clock IN the afternoon, doin /.
terrible execution, aud repulsing every charge
made ny the rebels, hoping Tor re Inducements
from Nashville; but, strange 20 say, although a
thousand men could have been pi .csd there 10 the
short space Of two hours. not an effort was made
90 relieve them aud not until all their ammuni-
ti9n had been expended. did the brave fellows sur
render.
Ia justice 90 Gea. Dumo1i we ought to state
that he Is absent on a Through Of twenty DAYS,
the command Of the forces here devolving upon
Gen. Miller.
About one-,lird Of Murlreesboro' was burned
including the railroad depot ami the hotel. Il IS
said that the depot was burned By the Feierals
10 prevent large quantity Of commissary stores
from falling into the hands OF the rebels but this
needs confirmation. Col Forrest on this o,ca-
sion, showed himself z coli-hearted villain. BY
shooting in cold blood some fifty negroes found in
TIC At4tIAA can AFTER the surrender. lmmell-
ately after the surrender Il the FEDERAL troops.
the rebels burnt the bridge over Stones river and
SO great was their fear Of being captured, that
they did not stop 70 bury their deal but hired the
inhabitants 70 perform the work and Immediately
retraced their steps.
It is reported, and have no doubt Of the fact.
that there was quite large number Of negroes
among the guerrillas. The excitement 10 the city
was increased by the news that the guerillas, az
ter the capture OF cur forces st Murfreesboro',
werefnovIng on Nashville, aud also another party
numbering about ten or fifteen thousand, were
moving on Nashville from the eastward. also that
Gen. Cheatham with another division was coming
by way Of GAINESVILLE. In the absence Of all rela-
bic information. almost panic preva led. so much
so, that many transient persons, who had come
here 20 remain tenn orarily, left the city on Sun
day evening, and crossed to the north side of the
river, and the next morning left for Louisville.
Monday morning came and with 1t N Increase
of the excitement; the secessiOnists were iubIant
gathering in small squads il different portions Of
the eity,prineipally upon the public square, where
they showed their true colors by wishing the re-
turn OF the rebels and manifesting an overbearing
demeanor towards Union men, proclaiming thai
they had spotted their men, and when the Con-
iederates returned they would execute it: circu-
liting the most improbable and exaggerated ae-
counts Of the number Of the advancing forces, and
others Of similar character hich tended 10 keep
Z.
left uhtried 10 increase il. In the meantime the
military had been quietly at work; large bodies
OF troops with several pieces Of cannon, we're sta
toned on the high ground south Of the city; pick
cts we're flung out seven or eight miles, and every
preparation made 10 give the rebels a warm re
ception should they approach the city. Toe news
sp.e d like prairie FIRE that cannon were planted
all around the Capitol on the high bluff overlook
ing the city and commanding every portion Of il.
~ lnoE al AZ uph -hara MI ~
ton. Soon body o; soldiers were seen steadily
moving across the plaza. planting ca nnon at the
head Of South Market street and another on Water
street, and placed In such positions as TO rake
these thOroughfares for mile. Guards were
placed around the guns and the men at their posts
ready for duty. Secesh began to be less exutant
as they saw the preparations made, not only to re-
sist the foe without the city but to crush the foe
within; ami not until il was well understood as a
fixed fact that under no circumstances would the
city ia eiven up until it had been laid in utter
ruins by the battery placed on Capitol HILL did
they alter their tone. Union men feared the foe
within the city, in case Of an attack, more than
tue outside foe and there is but little doubt that
the programme Of seeessionists was, IN case Of an
stack upon the city, TO shoot down from the
houses and lanes every Union man to be found
On Amos, every man you saw you could detect
lie pistol belt we'll filed with the deadly revolver
The loyal men had made up their minds to fght
% the last in defense Of the city, and not
10 leave except the Federal forces shonld be de
Gated. Towards night was received from
Zen. Neagle, some Of whose forces would arrive
n the morrow, and also that portion of General
3uells frces were pushing rapidly in this direc-
ion; a regiment or two lad arrived from Gala |
in and Kentucky, and a feeling Of security began
o be felt.
Yesterday there was a meeting OF the loyal |
iermGn citizens at the Court House. and a large |
0mpany was Immediately enlisted tor the defense |
the city. The arrival # General McCoOk in |
ur city, and the reception Of dispatches from |
zen. elson and Gen. Buell., have served to allay
be excitement. large body Of Gen. Nelion's |
onmand will arrive to-day, and with the troop |
0w at Ma.lTeesboro, we shall be able to cope
ith any force which the rebels can brig against |
:. All Is quiet now, but the utmost vigilance is
rerciseds the guns are IN position, and zen are
sady.