The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-08-15
Rebel Account Of the Affair at Murs
freesborO.
THE TEXAS RANGERS IN THE FIGHT.

ing halted here for few minutes, the arms
were examined and the plan of attack
agreed upon. Again the word was given
and they moved forward. The Texas RAM
gere had led the advance during the entire
march, and they still occupied the position.
In few minutes more q gun was fired, and
the pickets on the Woodbury. pike we're
their prisoners. Then commenced this dar.
ing charge in good earnest.
Colonel Forrest had assigned the attack
on the first encampment to Colonel John A.
Wharton and his daring Rangers, together
with Colonel Lawton and the Second Geor>
gia Cavalry, whilst he was to lead the re-
mainder against the other forces. The Tex
ans were now fully in earnest, and they
spontaneously awoke the still morning with
their usual terrific yell, which enlivened tn
charge, and when Colonel Wharton, at the
head of the column, reached the point where
he was to turn to the right, he led his men
and dashed forward. By some means the
regiment was here divided, and only one
hundred and twenty men, of all those as
signed to this important work, was found
with him-the remainder of the regiment
and Colonel Lawton's regiment following
Colonel Forrest. Surprising his whole
force with him, lie at once charged through
the brigade wagon yard and through the
Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, portion of
it being here-probably one hundred and
twenty five--then into the Ninth Michigan,
which was just beyond and already formed
in hollow square to receive the charge.
The fire being now exhausted, and the
support failing to come up, they reloaded in
face of the enemy, and bravely charged on
foot or mounted, as circumstances justified,
for four long hours. Surprising all the
while that reinforcements would come to
their relief they heroically battled against
four times their number, who had the ad,
vantage of position and long range of guns,
at every point, inficting terrible havock
upon the enemy. During one of these foot
charles the Colonel, being mounted and
leading this intrepid band, received Sc
we're flesh wound in his arm. But, nothing
daunted, he still retained command until
some time after, when Lieut.. Col. Walker
came up, when be turned it over to him.
He soon effected union with the remain
der of the regiment, and with Major Thorn.
as Harrison, led until the final surrender at
eleven o'clock.
During these four bloody hours, this
small number, soon reduced below a hua-
dred, did the work assigned to thousand
mln, and undoubtedly to their gallantry,
persistent determination and unhinching
charges upon these camps, is mainly attri
butable the final glorious issue. No blame
can be imputed to the other threesfourths OF
the regiment, that kept them from partic-
pating in this most honorable and desperate
conflict, for they were by some strange
blunder led to another part of the field,
where their fighting was unavailiDg. Sure
ly if gallant bearing and glorious success,
gained by desperate fighting, is ever re-
warded in this great struggle for home,
happiness and liberty, then should "Mur-
freesboro" be inscribed in golden letters
upon their battle.fag by order of the CON-
manding general. Modern times does not
furnish an instance where such badge Of
honor and distinguished valor has been
more heroically won or more dearly pur.
chased. But let the figures tell the story
of their deeds of daring and the brilliant
success of that noble band ofl20.
During the different charges they killed
and wounded thirteen of the Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and in the camp of the Ninth
Michigan one hundred and three, as their
officers acknowledge. Among these Lieu
tenant Chase was killed, and Colonel Duff
field was severely wounded. He gives Col
onel Wharton credit for shooting him, and
then pays him we'll merited compliment in
saying that he is the bravest man he ever
saw upon the field of battle. Well might
he say this when hearing the clear voice o.
the gallant Colonel crying out above the
din OF musketry," Charge them, my men
charge them p as they rushed time after
time with renewed courage upon their lines
But this result was not accomplished unit
every fifth man was killed or wounded
During this continuous engagement they
brought out over one hundred prisoners and
fred the brigade wagons-thus destroying
a considerable amount of forage-at the
same time securing large number o.
mules.
Then the surrender of the whole com
mand took place some three or four hun
dred were surrendered from this encamp.
ment. 1t was here the military fight took
place during the morning, and this de.
cided the glorious victory Of the day. For
although the Georgians CALAMITY received
the fire at the Court House, where the enc
my was protected, yet, whilst pouring q
deadly fire into their ranks, be, in return
suffered little. They made charge upor
the battery, but were repulsed, and it wa
surrendered with the remainder. This wa
Capt. Hewitt's celebrated Kentucky bate
ry; whilst the Minnesota Third had no gen
eral attack. But of this hundred ant
twenty, who were thrown, unsustained, upol
greatly superior numbers, every man seem
ed to feel the responsibility of his position
and nobly did each one do bis duty.
Among the most active and daring, an6
at the same time most conspicuous, wa
Adjutant Royston, whose chivalric bearing
was observed whenever duty called and dan
ger was to be met. He was cool on all oc
caslons, and a stranger to fear. Upon Col
Wharton was conferred the honor of bring