The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-01-14
Gen. ROsecrams' Victory al MUIR
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Sidi uAopatCA Az AchSAOASS w s0~ 6'NsEAS oA
Murfreesboro =
| On the Goth of December we marched
! from Nashville in three columns, Gen.
McCook by Nolinsville Pike; General
Thomas from its encampment on Frank
Inns Pike, and Gen. Crittenden on the
main Murfreesboro Pike. Our left and
center with strong resistance, such as
the nature of the country permits, the
rolling or hilly routes, skirted by cedar
| thickets and farms, and intersected by
small streams, with rocky bluff banks,
forming serious obstacles. Gen McCook
drove Gen. Hardees corps mile and a
half from Noliusvile, and occupied the
place. Gen Crittenden reached within
mile and half of Lavergne General
Thomas reached the Wilson Pike, meet
ing with no serious opposition.
On the 9th Gen. McCook drove Gen.
Hardee from Nolinsvile. and pushed a
reconnoitering division six miles toward
Shelbyville, who found that Gen. Har-
dee had retreated toward Murfreesboro.
Gen. Crittenden fought and drove the en-
emy before him, occupying the line of
Stewards Creek and capturing some pris-
oners, with sight loss. Gen. Thomas &C.
cupied the vicinity of NolinsviIle, when
he was partially surprised thrown into
confusion, and driven back.
On the 2Sth MeCook completed his
reconnaissance on Hardee's movements.
Crittenden remained awaiting the result
and bringing up trains. Thomas moved
into Stewards Creek On the 10Th Nc
Cook moved into Wilkinson's Cross
Roads, seven miles from Murfreesboro,
on the end of a short, rough pike road,
through rolling country skirted by
bluffs, covered with dense cedar thickets
and open timber Crittenden pushed
the enemy rapidly, saved the bridges, and
reached point within three miles of
Murfreesboro, his advance driving all the
outposts to within sight of the town.
Thomas's two divisions closed up to
Crittenden, and took position on his right.
/ On the Both McCook advanced on Will
kinson's pike, having to make his way
| through dense woods, meeting with a
determined resistance. He got into po.
sition three miles from Murfreesboro, oc-
c2pying the extreme right of our line
The left stood fast; the center advanced
slightly, and were engaged in cutting
through an almost impenetrable growth
of cedar which separated them from our
right, rendering communication with
them exceedingly difficult. The combat
and the roughness Of the country had
brought forward McCook's right division
so as to face strongly to the south east
instead of being re- faced to face the south,
with the several divisions hetwaan the
center aud right and sufficiently far in
the rear to support, aud if necessary, to
extend it, the grave consequences of
which were developed the next day
The 3lst found our left crossing the Muir
! treesboro pike and railroad, ore division
in front, one forming crochet on
Stone River, and one In reserve in the
center; Negley between the left aud right,
and Rousseau in reserve
The plan of the battle was 20 open on
the right, engage the enemy sufficiently
to hold him firm y: to cross the river
with our left, consisting of three divisions
(to oppose which they had but two divis-
ions) and the country being favorable to
an attack from that side of tho town; but
the enemy attacked the whole front of
our right flank, which was partially sur
prised, and thrown into confusion and
driven back.
Gen. Sheridan's division bad repulsed
the enemy four times and projected the
flank of the center, which not only held
its own, but advanced until this untoward
event, which compelled me to retain the
left wing to support the right until it
should be rallied aud assume new po-
sition.
On the 1st inst, the Rebels opened
by an attack on US, and were again re-
pulsed.
On the I'd inst, there was skirmshing
along the front, with threats of an attack
until about 3 o'clock in the afternoon,
when the enemy advanced, throwing q
small division across Stones River to oc-
cupy the commanding grounds there.
While reconuoitering the ground occu,
pied by this division, which had no artil-
lery [ saw heavy force emerging from
the woods and advancing in line of bat
tie three lines deep. They drove our lit
division before them after sharp contest
in which we lost 70 or 80 killed and 375
wounded, but they were finally repulsed
by Gen. Negley's division and the re-
maing troops of the left wing of Gen Nor
toms pioneer brigade, and fled far over
the field and beyond their intrenchments,
their officers rallying them with great diff
iculty. They lost heavily. We occu-
Il, IL lnfk L.