Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-07-19
The Attack upon nIurfreesboro

From the Louisville Journal, July Is
We had an interview last evening with
Lieut.. G. H. Blakely, adjutant of the I'd Min
nesota, one OF the regiments attacked at Muir
freesboro on Sunday morning by Forests
cavalry. The force at Murtreesboro, as we
learn from Lieut.. Blakely, consisted of six
companies of the Michigan 9th, two compan-
les OF the 4th. Kentucky, Company A, Capt.
Chilson, and company C., Capt. Unthank,
nine companies of the Minnesota 3d. and four
pieces of Hewitt's first Kentucky battery.
The 9th and the cavalry were encamped in
the edge OF the town. and the Sd and the bat
terry mile and a half outside, on the Nash
vile pike. The forces are part of the 23d
brigade, which is commanded by Col. DUFF
field, lately Of the United States forces of
Kentucky. Gen. Il. T. Crittenden assumed
command of the post on Friday night.
The attack was made on Sunday morning
at o'clock, upon the cavalry and Michigan
regiment, they being completely surprised
So large was the attacking party that the in
fantry could not form in line of battle, and at
ter fighting as best they could for several
hours, the Michigan regiment surrendered.
Our cavalry was of no assistance whatever;
not man mounted his horse, and but one or
two escaped. In the meantime portion of
the enemy had burned the railroad depot,
freight house, containing commissary stores,
and a large warehouse containing forage and
quartermaster's stores. Having compelled
the surrender of the cavalry and infantry in
town, they broke for the battery. Col. Lester
had been advised of the attack, and placed
the battery upon knoll quarter of a mile
from his camp, with his own regiment to sup
port it. The rebels passed around to the
north Of the camp, and driving through it,
burned the officers tents and killed or wound
ed the guards. As they came out of the woods
to make the attack, Col. Lester retained his
fire until they were within forty PAGES of him,
when the battery was opened upon them.
| They were completely disorganized and re-
tired in the greatest confusion Upon the
next charge the infantry and battery both
fired, and the enemy was thrown into contu-
sion second time.
Not relishing such treatment, a portion of
| the rebels went round to the rear for the pur-
| pose OF attacking us i'll the rear as well as in
| front. This, however, was of no avail, for
Col. Lester formed his men in a square, and
| Capt. Hewitt directed his pieces both ways
| A third attempt was made to cut the brave
men to pieces, but the result was the same as
! heretofore. The rebels retired for a WHILE
and Capt Hewitt turned his pieces upon the
town, Smelling it in the most approved style
| 1t is said the town was badly damaged, and
/ az llob hSNpuhlo was VII mrs Ill SGNcIul pldC0S
The fighting commenced again at noon, and
| continued undated till three o'clock, when Il
flag Of truce from the enemy appeared, stating
that the Michigan ninth had surrendered early
in the day, and demanded an unconditional
surrender by the remainder of the forces. 1t
| is said that Il threat was also made that if Col
Lester did not surrender, Gen. Crittenden and
Col. Dufiield-who were taken out of their
beds by the enemy at the outset-would be
Immediately shot. Colonel Lester rode
into town, under the protection of the
flag OF truce, and ascertained that he had TO
encounter force of about four thousand.and
that he could rely only on his own lttlehand-
ful OF men to sustain himself. His ammuni
ton, too, had nearly given out, the battery
having only sixty-tive rounds of case and solid
shot, and the infantry but a few rounds of
cartridges left He returned and after con-
sultation with Capt. Hewitt and his own Off
GERS, it was determined to surrender. which
was done at about 8 r. NJ
The only loss that we can learn among the
officers was the killing of Capt. Rounds. of
the Michigan NINTH Neither the battery nor
the third Minnesota lost any officers. About
twelve men of the third were killed. Itis
thought that at least $50 of the rebels must
have been killed. The strength of the rebels
was about 1000 cavalry-two Georgia and one
Iexas regiment being of the number.