Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-24
Cavalry Operations in The Rsoar Of Rose
crauzss Army.

A correspondent Of the Montgomery Adsetisy gives
the following account of the operations Of our cavalry
forces IN the rear Of Rosecrsuzs army. The letter is
dated aResr Guard, Wheelers brigade, near M%urfrees-
boro', january 6:"
Upon Christmas day, the list Alabama cavalry, oecu-
plying the advance posts near Lavergne, was driven IN
by an advance brigade OF the enemy. 80 soon as the
Intentions Of the enemy tecame known, Gen. Wheeler
slowly withdrew his cavalry toward Murfreesboro,
turning upsn him at every Convenient point, and delay
ing bis approach by successive gallant skirmishes.
During the severest Of these contests our adiutant E..
T.. Ledyard, was seriously wounded while charging
among the foremost, After a resistance Of three days,
our cavalry retired behind the infantry lines and took
its position upon the right wing
AtlIP ?. N, the night of the 29th, Gen. Wheeler, with
a command composed Of his old brigade under Col. w.
". Allen, a regiment Of Gen. Pegan's brigade under
Gel. Garter, and a section Of Roberts battery started
upon an expedition from the right wing the purpose
around the left Of the enemy he pushed forward by a
eireuitous by-rosd, and early on the morning Of The 3Othi
intersected the jefferson Pike il the rear Of the Federal
army. Far away to the southwest we heard distant
cannonading, which told US that the enemy was feeling
the strength Of eur li1es Before rs we saw, moving
along the pike, a long traino of Federal wagons hurTying
to the battle deld
Detsehing Col Carter to iatereept their advance,
Grn Wheeler fell upon their rear with a charge
and whoop. which sprsad- CONSERVATION among the
qua. DIS and teamsters. Quick as thought the traces
were cut, linehips removed, the fore wheels cut down,
aud FIRE SCI to at least fifty wagons laden WIKI the bag
gage of officers, with company stores, ammunition and
clothing. Every soldier who wished provided hirself
with comfortable clothing DO0IHs mars oherct aus over
ais, pistols, revolving rifles, saddles, %briddies. horses,
mules, or what else might suit his fancy or comfort
r saddle and away - before the roar Of Carriers
pieces in the rear should bring up SUPERIOR forces Of the
enemy. over stock and rocks, hils fences and ravnes,
burning wagons behind u roaring s|rtillerY far 20 the
right Of Us, hams lrurg to the saddle bow. mules with
~tattersd traces, securing the country around us-we ca
vorted with the sport of a Christmas holiday toward the
village Of Lavergne The Yankee pickets mad promised
10 give the lst Alabama q Christmas bali. Bragg was
giving them the music, while we were dancingto Wheel
er quicks'eps Right upon Lave fgne we rushed
through he wood on al sides-scores Of Yankees were
seen flying about the streets, while teamFters forseek
their waqons ana endeavored 10 escape, but escape was
impOs ible.
fifty rehiy laden wagons were consigned to the flames ;
one thousand muies and horses were carried OF or STAN
peded. General McCo0ks large tent cont aiming the
wardrobe, etc, of the military family, was seerihced 10
the flames. The wagon OK the chief paynaster was
burned, containing the accounts ana vouchers for the
green bucks The booty was rich, and the men flt as
though they had entered the den Of the forty thieves.
Every body had a prize-a horse, watch, negro, rihe-
sword OF flag.
Your correspondent had the honor OF dining upon
Gen. McCo0ks Christmas turkey, without 50 much as
main Nashville pike, and every moment might bring the
enemy upon us.
So agaiu to saddle and away At a gallop we secured
the hills and fields until night brought us upon the
vilsge Of Nolsnsv lie. Fifty wagons more before us
again a charge, a stampede q line Of flame along me
pike, and one hundred prisoners Of war, Thus three
times had we struck he Rain arteries Of the enemy.
The result of the expedition being $50 wa ons heavily
laden, 1900 mules and horses, and 700 prisoners Of war
The entire loss Of the enemy falling little short o.
SI.O0O,GO0 Of course the burnt Treasury notes wa
only the los Of so much paper