The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-15

I IAlcs Always utfOub maui AnA
TO asceticism, there was something more
than ordinarily impressive ralgl at
bactive in his department that do He
was most pleasant, even ailectiohate, 70
all who approached him, and once or
( twice / discovered him cautiously but in
iensely perusing his prayer book. He |
was one Of that class of men whose cour-
age you could not suspect. Perhaps his |
seriousness and devotion that day APP |
peared the more striking on that account.
He was never ostentatious in any sense. |
and his'esger devotion TO religious exer-
cises on that field strongly impressed me-
/ j could not shake off feeling of uneasi-
ness on his behalf | felt happy, how
ever, in turning the matter over in my
own mind In the belief that no man in
that great army was better prepared to
meet his Maker. Bat this is an episode
within an episode.
We were as confident that day that
there would be battle on the next, as
we were conscious of existence. The
sound of battle was already ominous. A
good many men indeed have already
fallen. Rebels in considerable numbers
were already visible across the plains,
on the opposite side of the river. We
watched them through our glasses with
excited interest. Reports Of menaeing
, movements came in constantly. At last
heavy guns were heard on the left, away
in the distance, and two hours later the
. General was annoyed by official report
! that he rebel cavalry had captured some
{ ofour wagons on the Jefferson pike. Still
. later the daring rascals captured another
train directly in our rear, on the Muir
freesboro pike. A strong cavalry force
> was despatched after them, but gallant
Colonel Burke, posted at Stonard Creek
4 with his 18th Ohio, had already sent
. one hundred and fifty of his men to in
: tercept the marauders, and he recaptured
3 most of the property.
II Night was approaching without battle,
when Captain Fisher of Gen. McCooll's
d staff, dashed up on foaming steed,
: bearing information that Kirby Smith,
). supported by Breckinridge, had concen-
trated on orr left. Tell Gen. McCook, -
y said Gen. Rosecrans, that "if he is as
is sured that such is the fact, he may drive
ID Hardee sharply if he is ready. AT all
le events, tell him to prepare for battle to-
t. morrow morning Tell him TO fight as
if the fate Of a great battle depended
4 upon him. While be holds Hardee, the
~ left, under Critteuden, will swing around
a. and take Murfreesboro, Let Hardee at.
ar tack, if he desires; it will suit us eX'
ca actly."
20 Just now report came in that the re be
or cavalry had captured little squad o
q thirty men, at Lavergne, with the tele
. | Il n,
N Tidd, the telegraph reporter. The ras
h. Gals were at their old tricks, and we hat
r. no cavalry to spare TO attend to them.
id At dark, headquarters took shelter an,
tle supper. Late in the evening it was as
Az certained that the enemy had masse
- heavily on McCook, and would probabl
"a. attack him in the morning. Genera
cir McCook was again enjoined TO fight hare
II and, ii necessary, give ground a littl
rol while The left should swing around int
-. Murfreesboro. General Rosecrans wa
he in high spirits with the progress of al
ms fairs and confident of success. He re
irv manned awake nearly all night, and I
use five clock aroused the staff. At dayligl
hle he attended mass in a tent adjoining b
sat own, and with Lieut.. Col Garesche pal
m took of communion, Father Cooley,
inc the 35th Indiana officiating,
the After am early breakfast, the staff ",
taft assembled, and communications we
len received from the Generals of the lie
di- and center. Meantime the roar of cal
pom non on the right indicated battle
ed seven O'Clock started through the Woo
ers to watch the progress of the engagemer
the A mile from quarters | met stream
ing stragglers pouring through the thioke
TIL reporting disaster" General Sill
fro, killed. General Johnson had lost thr
Try batteries McGook's line is broken {
ing enemy is driving us rebel cavalry is
an the rear capturing our trains" II
ich stragglers generally were not PAM
,ore stricken, Most of them had their arm
ven but the negroes, servants, and teamstC
led, were frantic.
a The report being made to the Gener
a he dismissed it summarily, remarkir
lire "All aight, we will rectify it." Soon
now ter. official reports were received co
Ie- tirming the tdings of disaster. Il
g prospect was gloomy but the cheeri
rcie demeador OF the General restored con
pose dence. The roar of battle approach
nay alarmingly near and rapidly. 1t "
l'e now ascertained that the enemy b
'uen massed on our right and attacked alo
et l its entire lines Hardee and Niece
iac- had formed their lines on opposite ST,
'un- of a valley, which narrowed tow,
'tlle McCook's left, Two of Johnson's Br
not AIDES were on the extreme right and ,
men was guarding the train Davis was
side the center and Sheridan on the L
have SiIPs brigade was on the right Of She
then dams division, Sch@iers Pea RE
that brigade in the center, and Col Rob,
lw' (42d Illinois, brigade on his left.
to was posted on the crest Of hill, at
TO narowest part Of the valley, The enc
you advanced upon him in columns Of r.,
their ments. msssed six lines deeu--sufic,