The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16
The MurfreesbOrO Surrender.
SEVERE REFLECTIONS ON COL. LESTE
TIE COURT OF INQUIRY IN THE CASE OF
GENERAL T. T. CRrTTENDEN, FOR THE SUR
RENDER OF MURFREEsBORO, JULY IL, 1862.

NASHVILLE, Tenn, Dec. 23.-The Court
of Inquiry which was called together in
compliance with Special Field Orders No.
10, and consisted of Brigadier General j.
G. Spears, Brigadier General W. B. Camp
bell, Brigadier General J. D. Morgan. and
of which Col. Joseph r Scott, 10Th Hi
nOis, was Recorder - met at Nashville,
Tennessee, December II, 1862, and after
carefully hearing and weighing the testi-
mony brought before them, do find the fol-
lowing facts in the case of General I. I.
Crittenden. The evidence shows:
That he assumed command of the post
at Murfreesboro, on the 18th day of July,
1862, between the hours of nine and ten,
A. NJ.
That he found the camp had been di-
vided for three weeks previous, and the
forces separated
That he rode out on the morning OfJuly
- with Colonel Duffield, commanding ODD
Brigade, and selected a camp, and told
Colonel Dufiield to concentrate the whole
force there at once.
That he rode out and inspected the pick
cts, with the Field-officer of the Day, and
not being satisfied with their strength and
location, ordered Major Seibert, command
ing the cavalry, to double his cavalry pa
trolls on the roads leading to Lebanon and
McMinnville.
That the pickets on these roadswere re-
inforced, but were withdrawn at night, as
it was the custom of the post, and by YER
bal order OF Col. Lester, without the
knowledge of Gen. Crittenden.
That he ordered morning reports to be
made out, and one-fifth of the entire effect
i've force to be detailed as Grand Guard.
That he, during the day, examined the
condition of the Commissary and Provost
Marshal's Departments, and sent for the
Quartermaster for the same purpose, but
found him confined to bed by disease, and
unable to attend to business.
That he examined the Brigade Order
Book, and ordered a plat of the town and
it's approaches to be made.
That he consulted fully and freely with
Colonies Lester and Dutfield, did large
amount of executive business, and was
constantly employed until P. NJ, July 10.
That Colonel Lester informed General
Crittenden that there was no force of the
enemy nearer than Chattanooga, with the
exception of small parties of guerillas; that
there was no danger of an immediate at
tack.
That the attack was made upon the 9th
Michigan Infantry, the 9TH Pennsylvania
Cavalry, and the town, at daylight on the
morning of the 18th of July.
l,ax L. bal,
Immediately overpOwered; that the 9th
Michigan Infantry was promptly formed
and repeatedly repulsed the enemy; that
about eight O'Clock A. N. they took more
sheltered position, which they held until
twelve o'clock, when they surrendered,
their commanding officer being wounded,
and having lost nearly one-halt their num-
Der in killed and wounded.
That before surrendering the command
ing officer dispatched two messages to Col.
Lester commanding Sd Minnesota and bat
terry, requesting reinforcements.
That one company of the 9th Michigan,
as Provost Guard, held the Court House
in town until eight o'clock, when they sur
rendered, after it was set on fire.
That General Crittenden surrendered
himself and staff at s o'clock, having en-
deavored to communicate with his troops,
but failed, owing to the stopping of his
message by rebel guards.
That the Third Minnesota Infantry and
Hewitt's battery of four guns, under COM
mand of Colonel Lester, being one and a
quarter miles from town, and about the
same distance from the 9th Michigan In
fantry and cavalry Immediately on hear
ing the attack on those places, marched
up the turnpike and took position in an
open field, with woods in front, about 600
yards distant, where they remained until
about twelve o'clock, cavalry occasionally
appearing in their front in small parties,
which were driven off by shot and shell
from the battery; after which time they
fell back about one-half mile, near their
camp, and remained their until they sur
rendered.
That not man OF the Sd Minnesota
Regiment or Battery was killed or wound
ed, except one who was wounded by the
premature discharge of his own gun.
That Colonel Lester, under flag OF
truce, had consultation with Colonel
DulllelU, WIZ WIS GllCII sun tuuSiSIi, Dish
ing his advice as regards surrendering, was
advised by Colonel Duffield not to surren-
der, but fight; or, if unable to hold his
position, to retreat.
That he, Colonel Lester, returned tc
camp, called his officers together, repre-
senting to them that he was advised by
Colonel Duffield to surrender; whereupon
vote was taken by show of hands, the
result of which vote was determination
to fight a subsequent vote being taken
by ballot, the result Of which was to sur
| render to the demand of General Forrest.
That Lieutenant Colonel G. W. Griggs
Captains Andrews and Hoyt, voted both
times to fight.
That Colonel Lester had been forewarned
by Lieutenant Irwin, Assistant Quarter
master, and DR.. Armstrong, well known
Union man, as regards an attack on Muir
freesboro, but paid no attention to it, re-
marking that he did not believe it.
That the message sent from the camp Of
the 9th Michigan, asking for support, was
received by Colonel Lester.