New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-03
THE BATTLE YET UNDECIDED
The Advantage with the Rebels

Special pi.pl.chto The N Y Tribune u, ,se,
have Just arrived from terrific battle on Stones
River in front of Murfreesboro, west side. II has
ragged with unremitting fury two days, and at last
report was not yet decided. 1t is one Of the moss
ferocous battles Of modern times. sustained by both
sides with splendid determination.
Gen. Ro.ecrans marched from Nashville last Fri
day with about $1,000 effective men and 100 pieces
Of artillery and skirmished all the way to the battle
field, the enemy resisting bitterly.
The whole of Tuesday was spent by our forces
accommodating.
Tho enemy was found strongly posted with artil.
lerv on the bank of Stones River, west side, his
aanks resting on Murfreesboro, west side. The
center also had the advantage, on high ground, with
a dense growth of cedar masking them completely.
Their position gave them the advantage OF eross
fire.
Gen. McCook's corps closed 10 on their left on Will
kersons Pike; Ncgley, Of Tbo'nass corps, worked
with great difficulty TO the front Of the Rebel center,
Rousseaus division being in reserve. Crittenden .
corps was posted in comparatively clear ground en-
their left; Palmer's and Van Cleves divisions an
front Woods in reserve.
4 battle was expected all day on Tuesday bat
the enemy merely skirnished and threw few
shells. one Of which killed Orderly Mcdonald, ith
u. s. Cavalry, no, ten feet from Gen. Rosecrans.
That afternoon the Anderson Pennsylvania Cavalry,
an McCook fspks, was dawn into an gmboscnde,
and i,s two Majors, Rosegartsn and Ward, were
killed. Crittcpdens corps los, 4 killed aud II
wounded that day including Adj. Elliott Of the 5'th
Indiana s.yerely McCooks lose was about %.
On the same day the Rebel cavalry made dash
! \ tnrprd n foyv W and
captured 81 prisoners.
| That night dispositions were made TO attack the
enemy in tho morning After dark the enemy was
renorted ma,sing near McCook, obviously 10 turn
our right wing.
This corresponied with the wishes OF Gen. Rose
CRANE who instructed Gen. McCook TO hold hlm in
check stubbornly, while the left wing should be
thrown into MurfreesbOro behind the enemy.
Az daybreak on the last day Of December every
thing appeafcd working WELL The battle had
onened on the right, and our left wing was on
hand.
Az o'clock ominous sounds indicated that fire
was approaching our left Aids were dispatched for
information, and found the forests full Of flying
negroes and struggling soldiers, who reported whole
regiments falling back.
Meantime one of McCooks aids had announced
70 Gen Rosecrans that Gen. Johnston had permitted
the three batteries OF his division TO be captured by
sudden attack of the enemy, and that 1t had sonie'
wba, demorslized our troops it was obvious.
The brave Gen. Sill, one Of our best officers, was
k;Iled. Gen. Kirk wounded, and Gen. Which
killed or missing beside other valuable officers
wounded.
Gen. McCook sent word to hold the front and he
would help him, that II would all work right.
lie now galoped to the front Of Crittenden's left
with his staff 10 order the line Of battle, when the
enemy opened full battery, and empled two sad
dies Of the escort.
Van Clevss division was sent to the right, and
Col. Beatty's brigade in 'front.'
The fire continued to approach on the right with
alarming rapidty, extending to the center, and it
was clear that the right was doubling upon the
left. The enemy had compelled US to make COM
plete change Of front that wing, and were press
ing the center
Gen. Rosecrans, with splendid daring, dashed into
the furious Ere, and sending bis staff along the hne'
started Beatty's brigade forward. Some six bait :
res opened, and sustaining magnificent IRE,
directly tremendous shout was raised along tho
whole line, and the enemy began to fall back rapidly.
The General himself urged the troops forward. The
Rebels, terribly punished, were driven back fully
mile. The same splendid bravery was displayed III
the lines and they advanced though the enemy made
formidable demonstrations on our lef while they
prepared for another onslaught on our right
Meantime, orders had been issued to move our
left upon the enemy, but before they had time to
execute them they burst upon our center with awful
fury, and 1t began to break Rosecrans's DIVISION
was carried into the breach maguihcently BY their
glorious leader.
The enemy again rstreated hastily into the dense
cedar Tickets Again they essayed our right and
again we were driven back. BY this time the num-
Der Of our stragglers was formidable and the pros
PEG. was disoursgipgi but there was no panic.