The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20
cover of heavy timber it appeared was making
preparations for retreat . s.-.-s 49,. .-.--

cover of heavy timber it appeared was making
preparations for retreat .. f.z-f 81 sss s-.-.s.
The battle field presented the usual horrible
sad, heart-appalling scenes. The dead lay scat
tered in every direction-the Confederate grey
uniform and the Yankee blue in fearful proximity,
"after life's ftful fever" At points where our
braves had charged and taken the batteries of the
foe there were plain evidences of desperate strug-
! giles. But it was quite evident that the dead of
the enemy outnumbered ours two to one. This
lproporffon may seem unreal and improbable, but
it was the opinion of every one who visited the
field. Upon every hand were the common debris
of battle-broken gun carriages, q dismantled
wagons, piles of dead horses, scattered accoutre-
ments-all indicating the fearfulness and dcs-
peration of the contest
Rosecrans' grand army of invasion numbered,
! according to the lowest estimates, $4,000 men.
Gen. Bragg's force we have never yet heard COM
puted at over 100000 and not more than one-half
those were engaged in the battle. The disparity
by the difference in pluck and determination Of
the two combatants, we'll by the impulses
that actuated the men. -fEE
The spirit of heroic endurance manifested by
our troops during the perilous and fearful days
and lights of the battle, worthy of them
selves and their holy cause. But what shall we
say of the patience, the forttude, the bravery,
even the gaiety displayed by the wounded. We
saw hundreds of them on the field and in the
hospitals, and from not one of them did we hear
single word of complaint or repining. Many of
their wounds were ghastly, many requiring ampu-
tation and the severest surgical treatment, but all
of them bore up with the determined spirit Of
heroes.
THE BATTLE OF FRIDAY.
The Rebel gives the following account of the
repulse of Breckinridge's Division, Immediately
preceding Gen. Bragg's retirement from Murfrees-
boro: t- ...
Friday the same as on Tuesday, with an excep-
-tion. Rosencranz advances his left across Stone
River, where it runs northwardly. In the after
noon, say o'clock, Gen. Breckenridge with our
right advanced also. Till dark they fought with
very great desperation and very close. 1t was
exceedingly bloody. We drove them across the
river but encountered so vast body so securely
posted that retired to our position again. Our
loss, for numbers engaged very heavy. 1t
was here Gen. Hanson received his almost fatal
wound.
Since Wednesday morning our cavalry, under
Generals Wheeler and Wharton, have been active.
They have made complete circuit of the enemy
twice, capturing and destroying several hundred
wagons loaded with munitions and supplies, the
enemy's stores at Lavergne and -Nolansville,
about thousand head Of horses and mules, be-
sides killing a number of the Y Yankees. including
Brigadier General and taking several hundred
prisoners. On Wednesday they rendered great
vice in picking up and securing prisoners, and
capturing artillery, &c. Bravo! for Wheeler and
Wharton and their gallant cavaliers.
The correct statistics of the combats of Wednes-
day and Friday, may be summed up as follows:
Federals killed, 5000
do wounded, 5000