The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16

whose courage you could not suspect
Perhaps his seriousness and devotion that
day appeared the more striking on that ac-
count He was never ostentatiouS in any
sense, and his eager devotion to religious
exercises on that field strongly impressed
me. l could not shake off feeling of un-
easiness on his behalf. felt happy, how
ever, on 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 But this is an episode
within an episode.
Night was approaching without battle,
when Captain Fisher, Of General McCook 5
staff, dashed up on foaming steed, bear
ing information that Kirby Smith, sup
ported by Breckenridge, had concentrated
on our left. ''Tell General McCook, " said
General Rosecrans, that eff he is assured
that such is the fact, be may drive Hardee
sharply, if he is ready. At all events, tell
him to prepare for battle tomorrow morn
ing. Tell him to fight as if the fate of q
great battle depended upon him. While
he holds Hardee, the lety, under Critten-
den, will swing round and take Murfrces-
boro. Let liardee attack, If he desires. It
will suit us exactly.
General Rosecrans was in high spirits
with the progress Of affairs, and confident
of success. lie remained awake nearly all
night, and at five O'Clock aroused the
staff. vt daylight he attended mass in a
tent adjoining his own, and with Lieut. Col
Gare5che partoOk OF communion, Father
Cooley, OF the 35th Indiana, officiating
After an early breakfast, the staff was
assembled, and communications were re-
celved from the Generals OF the left and
centre. Meantime the roar of cannon Oh
the right indicated battle 1t seven
o'clock started through the woods to
watch the progress of the engagement.
y mile from quarters | met q stream of
stragglers pouring through the thickets,
reporting disaster-"General Sill is killed :;
General Johnson had lost three batteries :;
McCook's line is broken the enemy is
driving us ; rebel cavalry is in the rear
driving our trains" The stragglers gen
orally were not panic-stricken. Most OF
them had their arms, but the negroes, SER
wants, and teainsters were frantic.
The report being made to the General,
he dismissed it summarily, remarking, "All
right, we will rectify it," Soon after, re-
ports were received confirming the tidngs
of disaster. The prospect was gloomy, but
the cheering demeanor of the General re-
stored confidence. The roar of battle ap-
preached alarmingly near and rapidly It
was now ascertained that the enemy had
massed on our right and attacked along its
entire line. Hardee and McCook had
formed their lines upon opposite sides of a
valley, which narrowed toward McCook's S
left. Two of Johnson's brigades were on
the extreme right, and one was guarding
the train. Davis was in the center and
Sheridan on the left. Sill's Brigade was
on the right of Sherridan's division, Shaf-
fer's Pea Ridge brigade in the center, and
Col. Roberts (42d 1llinois) brigade on his
left. Sill was posted on the crest of a hill,
at the narrowest part of the valley. The
enemy advanced upon him in columns of
regiments, masseds six lines sufficient
to break any ordinary line; but Sill GAL
lantly received the shock, and drove the foe
clear back to his original position, where
they reformed. Schatfer and Roberts
were equally successful But Johnson's
division, taken somewhat by surprise, was
swung back like gate, and began to crum-
bic at the tianks. Two of his batteries
Edgarton's and Goodspeed's-were taken
before gun was fired; the horses had not
been harnessed, and some were even then
going to water. This, l understand, was
not the fault of Johnson; who, am told,
had issued prudent orders The enemy's
line, obliquely to ours originally, had
worked around until it tianked us almost
transversely, giving them direct, enfilad-
ing, and rear fire. Johnson's division
melted away like snowbank in spring
time, thus imperilling Davis division,
which was obliged to break. Sheridan
Immediately changed front to the rear,
and his left, adjoining Negley, was forced
into an angle, which gave the enemy the
decisive advantage of cross fire. Still
rallied his men again most gallantly, and
while leading them in charge was fatally
struck, and died at the head of his line,
musket ball entering his lip and ranging
through the brain. Gen. Which, at about
the same time, was captured. Brig. Gen.
Kirk was seriously wounded and the gal
liant Col. Roberts, of the 42d Illinois, while
repulsing fierce charge at the angle, was
killed at the head of his brigade Sherri-
dan had thus lost two brigade comman-
ders and Hoatlings battery. His almost
orphan division was left to protect Negley's
lett, In the centre, both Davis and John
son being sent off from him. But Sherri-
Dan, oy his own noble exertions, held his
division firmly, and the Sth division, under
Negley, by desperate valor, checked the
powerful masses of the enemy until sue
cor could be thrown in from the left and
the reserves. Sheridan having repulsed
the enemy four times, and changed his
front completely in face of the enemy. re-
tired toward the Murfreesboro Pike. bring
ing back his gallant command in perfect