The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1863-02-13

Gordon. Orderly Sergeant of Go. f, seth
Regt Indiana Volunteers, TO his father. In
Hagerstown of this county, dated
CAMP NEAR MuRFREKsBoRo. TENN,
Jan. 10th. 1868.
wrote you lew lines the day after the
battle TO ease your mind, and now / will
give you brief history Of our doings since
leaving Nashville. Our Regiment was on
an out post duty on the 25th of December,
on the Lebanon pike that branches from the
Murfreesbcro pike about three miles from
town. On the morning Of the Goth We were
aroused from our peaceful slumbers and
ordered to report on the Murfiessboro pike
When we arrived there it appeared as tho
the whole army was moving, and we were
not deceived. We were told General Rose
Grams intended taking Murfreesboro or lose
his army. We fell in with our Brigade as
il approached and marched about six miles
through the mud and rain without molesta-
ton, when to our surprise the report of
piece of artillery brought US to dead halt.
1t was the euemy's gun tina, they had mask
ed. The shot hurt 40 one. Our cavalry,
the 4h Michigan and 4h Regulars arrived
with Colts five shooters and rifles and were
ordered TO the front. They found the enc.
my to consist of battery OF six guns and
about Two thousand of Morgan's cavalry
Our cavalry fought them all day loosing
but few men Tleir loss was fifteen killed
and twenty seven prisoners. This day we
advanced to within one mils OF Lavergne.
a village of about two hundred inhabitants,
" here the rairoad crosses the Murfreesboro
pike. We camped in a strip Of woods. aud
Ia linz of hiatt
few fires as possible. 1t was very disagree
able to us after marching all day 10 the rain.
and soaking wet. We had no tents and
blankets were scarce, for We left everything
at Nashville. except what We had our
backs. Next morning we were called at
5 o'clock. aud ordered 10 he ready to march
at six. The weather clear and pleasant at
the appointed time, ever, thing had the ap
pearance of readiness. The bugle sounded
forward and the troops moved out on the
pike. Our division, commanded by Genl
Palmer, in advance AS we approached the
outskirts of the town we heard the distant
sound of musketry that told us our cavalry
were hurrying the enemy out of their way;
but they were not ready 10 move and made
q considerable stand; but the five shooters
charged on them and they took to flight. our
men capturing eleven, ard we came nigh
taking their battery. On the 9th we ad-
vanced seven miles, to branch of Stones
River. where it was reported tho enemy
were 10 force aud intended making stand.
We were thrown in line of battle and lay
on our arms all night. Sunday morning,
the 29th, we expected battle; but to our
surprise we were ordered to clean our guns.
Rosy" as the boys call him. said he would
not fight on Sunday uni ess attacked. We
lounged around all day and done nothing
but Kill few porkers and watch the move.
ments of the enemy, some of our pickets
and the enemy's agreed to lay down their
arms and approach each other for the pur
pose Of exchanging papers which both par
ties done honorably, and retired to their res
pective posts. The paper our boys got was
the Murfreesboro (rebeI Banner. it stated
the Yankees had evacuated Nashville and
were falling back on Louisville. Of course
We had evacuated Nashville, but were fall
ling forward on Murfreesboro. When night
came we slept undisturbed until morning at
six O'Clock. when the assembly call was
sounded we were ordered to forward in
line of battle. At seven, with a company
from each regiment, to skirmish in front,
We forded The stream without breaking our
line. 1t was about two and half feet deep,
were given no time to wiring the water out
cross in the same manner, and of similar
death
On the evening OF the 3oth we bivouaced
within three miles of Murfreesboro. Next
morning the report of musketry was
heard all around our lines, that told rs
our skirmishers were at work. About eight
o'clock, general engagement ensued on our
right which Gen. McCook's corps occupied.
General Johnson division Commander. in
McCook's corps, surrendered his force with
out firing a gun. His men tonnd it out in
time to make their escape; his artillery men
were watering their horses at the time; and
his batteries were taken, consisting of sixteen
guns. / think not more than four hundred
Of his men were taken. The promptness
of the brigade commanders brought the 9th.
ers off the field in good order; but our right
was turned, it gave the enemy a chance to
flank US. This break caused other divisions
to give way; then ii came our turn and we
held them at bay short time, when they
doubled teams on us. three columns deep,
and made charge. We stood our ground
until they were within twenty yards of US;
we were in cedar grove, some forty yards
from an open field when the charge was
made, and were ordered to retreat rear ten
minutes before We done it. We would have
Jared better had we obeyed at the moment.
for the rebels were almost in reach of some
Of our men before they started. Oar loss
was heavy-near one hundred killed,
wounded and prisoners. The enemy ac-
kIowledge their loss much heavier than
ours Their chance to try their skill was
good when we retrt a;ed through the open
field, for We were scattered by passing thro'
the thicket. When their column came into !
the open field, they were met by force
superior to theirs and repulsad with heavy
loss. In this charge my friend David Fur |
~ fell, and another of our company, John
GRAVITY, with Ave wounded. The battle
ragged all day with heavy loss OF both sides.
On the Ist of January nothing but Skin !,
mishing with an occasional artillery report. /
On the I'd. there was considerably artillery
r