Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1863-01-02
NEWS FROM THE WAR.
RosEcRANs ATTACKS THE REBELS.

RoSECRANS ATTACKS THE REBELS.
Our news from Tennessee has led us to
suppose that a great battle would be fought
near Murfreesboro' on new years day. Gen.
Rosecrans had moved against the rebel army
that was threatening Nashville, and driven it
back to Murfreesboro', capturing some pris-
oners and cannon; and the latest accounts in
on Stones river, near that place. Here is
the account of the first movements of our
troops:-
CAMP NEAR LAvERGNE, Dec. 81, I862.-As
soon as it became certain that Morgan's and
Forests cavalry were engaged in raids north
and west, and that Bragg was mainly deprived
OF cavalry, Gen. Rosecrans determined to
make demonstration against Murtreesboro',
in the hope of possessing himself of sufficient
country to feed his army while the commune
cations were interrupted. Information hav-
ing been received that MurfreesborO' had not
been fortified as reported, Gen. Rosecrans,
on Christmas day, took the field, and on Fri
day his whole army was put in motion. Crit
tenden's and McCook's corps moved on Muir
freesboro', and Thomas, on the Noinsvile
road, moved rapidly, and camped at night at
Lavergne. During the whole march the reb-
els in front kept up skirmishing with our
forces but the movement was not seriously
opposed by any main bydy of the enemy. On
the Murfreesboro road we encountered pick
cts, with Anderson's division, of Hardee's
corps. The whole rebel force fell back slow
ly, and, it is understood, has concentrated for
desperate defence at Murfreesboro
This morning the skirmishing became more
No hoxrA nd - CHI
miles Of Murtreesboro The enemy resisted
with more energy than they did yesterday,
We have captured two pieces of artillery,
which were taken from Grant at Shiloh, and
which belonged to Berdans rebel battery On
reaching Lytle's creek, eight miles from Muir
treeSboro', we found the enemy strongly post
ed in force in front; and here tonight we rest.
General ROsecrans has gained his purpose,
and now has possession of portion of coun-
try on which forage is richer than was sup
posed Whether Rosecrans will attack, or
Bragg evacuate, remains 10 be seen.
NEAR MURFREEsBoRo, Dec. 20, 1862.
On the 9th the army pushed on, with sharp
skirmishing on the right and left. Crittenden
lost two killed, twenty-seven wounded, and
five prisoners. They killed and wounded
some rebels, captured thirty-six Alabama cav
airy, and captured the bridges on Stewards
creek IN gallant SIyle. McCOOk drove Har-
dee from Triuue, which lies due west from
Murfreesboro. The weather was heavy and
the troops fatigued. Generals Negley's and
RosecraDs' divisions now moved to the center,
leaving McCook on the right On Sunday
nothing was done, Gen. Rosecrans declining
to attack on that day. The army was in mo-
ton at daylight on December 20. General
jeff G. Davi. moved upon Murfreesboro in
advance on the right, on Bully Jack road, sew
eral miles north of Triune.
battle on Stewards creek was anticipated,
but, excepting duel between Parsons sixth
United States artillery and rebel battery, at
nine O'Clock A. NJ, to the right of Murfrees-
boro pike, there was no engagement. From
ten to one o'clock all was quiet, our army
crossing Stewards creek from right to left
without opposition. At one we were within
six miles OF Murfreesboro, on the direct pike,
the army still pushing on in splendid style,
McCook, with Davis, Sheridan's and john
sons divisions on the right; Thomas, with
Negley's and Rosseau's divisions IN the CEN
tre Crittenden, with Woods and Vancleve's
divisions in front, and Palmer in reserve on