The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-25
Details Of the Fight near Miltonl
Morgan Thoroughly whipped

mounted rebels, commanded by the
guerrilla General John Morgan. Our
force consisted of the 105th Ohio SOih
and 123d Illinois, and 10lst Indiana. be-
sides a section OF The 10th Indiana bat
terry, and Captain Blackburn's comp any
of cavalry, of the Let Middle Tennessee.
the whole under command of Colonel A.
s. Hail. ttIiAI tI|<IE
The expedition secuted through the
country in the vicinity OF Gainesville and
Liberty on Wednesday aud Thursday.
meeting small remembering parties of
the enemy several times, without, how
ever, succeeding in bringing on an en-
gagement
Col. Hall finally determined to return
to Murfreesboro, and on Thursday night
he encamped with his brigade at Au-
burn, seven miles this side of Liberty,
resuming his march early yesterday
morning. lie felt his way cautiously
and safely as far as the village Of Mil
ton, when the rear guard was suddenly
driven in by the enemy.
Col. Hall at once threw out fankers TO
the right and left, and ordered Captain
Harris section Of artillery to shell the
rebels, who were rapidly advancing on
the gallop. Perceiving that the enemy
outnumbered him almost two TO one, Col.
Hall slowly fell back TO the crest of the
hill, where his men would have the adj
vantage of most admirable position,
AMI could prevent at the same time, the
disaster of being surrounded and COM
PEELED to surrender.
The rebels then opened fierce FIRE of
shot and she'll from their battery, and
also advanced in strength on both our
TANKS. Morgan evidently hoped to be
able to throw our men into confusion,
while they were slowly retreating to the
top of the hill, and made direct charges
on our lines forthat purpose. Our ar
tilleTy, however, forced him back and at
length we occupied the hill 80 .
Gel. Hall formed three separate lines of
battle, and so disposed as to command
every approach TO the hill. AT this mo-
men. Of the fight the rebels made the
most stubborn attempts on our right and
left, but were driven back repeatedly with
fearful slaughter.
The soldiers of the Illinois, Ohio. and
Indiana regiments took deliberate aim,
and at several places were forced TO a
hand 10 hand fight They displayed the
most invincible bravery. Our artillery
was so handled as to do splendid execu-
ton. One of the onemy's field pieces, a
rifled six FOUNDER, was shiyered 30 pieces,
while a she'll killed the!gunner belonging
to another aa-a
Morgan failing 10 accomplish anything
on our 1aAks, made an attack on the
rear, but there also he was reached and
repulsed from our commanding position.
We found, in such tremendous storm
of shot, that the guerrilla gangs were lit
orally moved down. Again and again
the rebels persevered, until at length Gt
being two o'clock, and the tight having
lasted three and half hours), Morgan
withdrew his command.
We had supposed him TO be satisfied,
but in a half hour he reappeared on our
front with reinfOrcements, regiment
having arrived from Woodbury.. He made
a fierce attack again, but Withdrew this
time in the utmost confusion, leaving be-
hind ON the field Of battle scores of killed
and wounded. II had been a hard day
for him, and for once in his career he met
with an overwhelming defeat. As the
defeated rebels, repulsed by force of
half their number, galloped away, our
troops raised cheer after cheer, which in :
dicated their enthusiasm and courage.
During the progress of the fight COT
Hall had dispatched a courier 10 MUIR
freesbOro for achievements. The couri-
err msgnified his talk, and represented
that Col. Hall was surrounded and out
Of ammunition. Under these circum-
stances il was thought proper TO send
Col, Minty, with two brigades Of caval-
ry, brigade of infantry, and a battery,
to the assistance of our beleagured
forces. Col. Minty pushed with all
possible speed but when he arrived at
the scene Of the fight, Morgan had left.
II was already nearly dark, but Colonel
Minly, thinking that perhaps the rebels
had not gone far, advanced with his
cavalry through the village and thorough
ly resonnoitered the surrounding coun-
try. Not rebel wasia sight, and our
cavalry returned TO the hill and biVou-
aeked for the night, q fora4
Early this morning Col. Minty dis
patched accommodating parties 70 Gaines
vile, Siatesville, and Liberty. They
returned without having seen the enemy.
Late in the morning, five rebel surgeons
came in with flag Of truce to atterd TO
their wounded, who had been left behind.
AbouG the same time our scouts reported
bat Morgan had retired several miles be-
yond Liberty, rendering pursuit hopeless.
All our forces. Including Col HALLS
gallant command, then returned to Muir
freesboro
The rebel surgeons admit a loss of
three Capiaius killed and two wounded;
three Lientenauts wounded, one mortally;
twnety- eight men killed; eighteen men
morally wounded and one hundred and
fifty seriously or slightly I'M urod. Col.
Grigsby, rebel, had his right arm broken,
and Lieut. Col, Napier, rebel, badly
wounded In thigh, amputated Morgan's
course in this affair is severely criticised
by the rebel surgeons, and they assert
that il win cost him his command
tseeolal Dispatch % tho 0nolnnaii Gazetiel
SECOND DISPATCH. 81,
MURFRERsB0Ro, March Give have
soRss further particulars Of the Milton
lght II took place on the Lascassas
Pike, one or two miles this side OF Mil
ton, which town is twelve miles north
east Of MuTffeesboro. Col Hall was not
returning, as al FIRST reported, He bad
Intended to return some time before, but
lad changed his mind, aud when the at
tack took place was marching to Liberty
The rsbel force came from toward Mil
ton. On their first appearance Col, Hall
fell back some distance aud then took
position. Three OF the rebel regiments