Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-07
THE YANKEE ACCOUNT-PRELIMINARY OPERA
NS-CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS.

The New York Herald of the Sd instant has the sub
Joined narration of recent events Murfreesboro
IMPORTANT FROM rESxEssEE-rraRIFIc BATTLE NEAR
NURFREEsBoRo'.
The news from Tennessee is of the highest import
auce great battle was fought at Murreesboro' on
Wednesday last the 3ls nit, between the Union Drces
under Gen Rosecrans and the rebels under General Joe
Johnston.
The movement Of the Union forces commenced on
Christmas day and the day following the whole army
was in motion The demonstration against Murtreesboro
was made by General Rosecraus for the purpose of pos
sessing sufficient country to feed his army while his
communications in the were interrupted. Ii was
ascertnined that Morgan and Forrest were engaged in
raids north and west and that in consequence OF their
absence the rebels were badly off for cavalry IL was
ascerained also that MureesbOro not fortified and
the moment being most favorable for an advance Gen.
Rosecrans determined to take the field in person. The
army was divided into three corps under Generals Crit
tenden McCook and Thomas. During the whole OF FRI
day there was considerable skrmishing with the enemy
but the onward movement not seriously opposed by
the rebels The whole rebel force appeared to fall back
slowly with the intention evidently of concentrating at
Murfeesboro or other point in the neighborhood
Communication kept up with Gen. Thomas FORCES
on the Nonsve road and there the rebels also retired
before the Union troops.
On Saturday morning diminishing became moro seri
GUS and the enemy resisted with than their usual
energy General McCook had sharp brush with the
rebels one Of his regimens-the One hundred and first
Oho-capturing gun aud caisson from Georgia bat
terry The loss was trihing, and the troops behaved
spendidly The captured gun taken from Grant at
Shiloh and belonged to Dardens rebel battery. Gene
raj Crenden lost two killed and wenty-seven wounded
in his skirrnishes He Succeeded, however, in killing
and woundng propOrtioaate number OF rebels andcal
turing thrty-sx Alabama cavalry, and the bridges
Stewards creek During the day Negey sand RoSecrans
divisions moved to the centre leaving McCook on the
right On reaching IIye's creek the enemy found
rongy posted in force and there the Mon troops rest
ed for the night General Rosecrans had gained his pur
pose thus far and was in possession of country rcha
forage There was considerable speculation during the
night as to the probability OF general engagement on
the morrow and all of were aioat as to
the number of the rebels and the disposition OF their
forces 1t is estimated that General RoSecrans succeed
ed thus far in baggng about five hundred pisoners.-
The rebels wasted Considerable ammunition during the
skirmshing while our troops careful to reserve
their fire until it could be made TO tell. The weather.
was damp and the ground heavy rendering the forward
movement exceedingly ircsOme ; but the troops pushed
forward in splendid style.
On Sunday the 2sth, nothing WAS accomplished
General Rosecrns not deeming it prudent TO follow up
the pursuit that day, and the rebels not having the
courage to attack him, the troops had day Of rest
On Monday the 10Th, General Rosccrans ordered the
entire army TO push forward-Gen. Thomas corps on
the right General McCooks in the centre on the NonS
vile turnpike and General Crittenden the Murirees
boro road The advance commenced just before day
light and the troops manifested excellent spirits Gen
Jeii c. Davis division moved upon Murfreesboro in ad
vance the right by way Of the Bully Jack road, sew
eral miles north oil Trune, where McCook engaging
Hardee Generals Negleys and Rousseaus divisions OF
Thomas corps occupied the centre, while General Crit
tendeu moved down upon the lett. Generals Woods
and Van Ceeves divisions right and left respect
lively while Palmers division was held q reserve
On arriving at Stewards creek general engagement
was anticipated, but except duel between Parsons
Sixth United States artillery and rebel battery bout
nine O'Clock, a. N, the right of the Murfreesboro
road crossing the creek, nothing of any magnitude
transpired From ten TO one O'Clock all quiet our
army crossing the creek from right to left without OPP
position .
At one o'clock the Union army vas within six miles
of Mutfreesboro the direct pike the troops pushing
on in splendid stye McCook with Davis Sheridan aud
Johasous divisions the right Thomas with Negley .
aud Rou sseaus divisions in the centre and Crendens
with Woods and Van Ceeyes division in 'front.' with
Palmer on the left a 1t seemed marvellous
that there was opposition crossing at Stewards
creek for the rebels could not have chosen better po
sitiou for bringing on general engagement AT two
o'clock battle seemed certain; but, with the exception
OF stray cannon shot and occasional skirmsh with
the iusntry General Rosecraas entire army got across
Stewards creek in safety The troops In excellent
spirits end the commander announced that he would es
tabsh his headquarters Murireesboro that eyeang
The sebeh slowly rstteasd TO Stones Eiver, within
. -, -. al .sas l-SafS HOS OIf1Nt !