Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-02-20
REPORT OF COL. II. b. VANCE.
HEAD'QRs. 2ND BRIGADE, MCCowN's DIVISION
SnELRYYIILE lem. Feb. 5. 1863.

HEAD'QRs. 2ND BRIGADE, MCCowNs DIVISION,
SHELBYvILLE, Tenn, Feb. 8, 1868.
| Gen. J G. AartiR Il. A. General
| SIR:-According to directions received from Gov
Clark, repeated by Gov. Vance, to report to you
engagements in which my regiment took part,
hasten to lay before you brief account OF our share
of the battle of 31st December before MurfreesbOrO
The regiment goth N. Co. left McMinnv!lle, Tenn,
on Sunday evening, December 2Sth, and arrived at
| Murlreesboro', after forced march, on Tuesday,
and enCamped near the line Of battle, where ratonS
were cooked. At o'clock, a. m, 3lSt, we left
camp and got in line at day break, the regiment be-
ing the extreme left of Gen. Bragg's army. Ten
minutes after getting in place. the order was given
to advance which was done in concert with Gen.
McCOwn's entire division. We had scarcely began
the forward movement till very heavy firing opened
on our right, extending gradually for miles along
the Southern lines, until the engagement became
general AMI grand in the extreme. On our part we
soon encountered the enemyS picketS and SkirmlSh-
erS, who fired one two rounds and fled, the bril-
gade in hot pursuit Private Wardrup, Co. ID, 29th,
was killed on the first fire.
The charge was continued across fences, creeks
and fields for several miles chasing the flying enc
my all the while, during which time the 29th cap
tured a twelve pound hOwitZer, with the gunncrS,
horses, &c. The charge SO rapid that this squad
had no time TO use the piece against US. Two wagons
with mule teams,) laden with ammunition, one
medical wagon, one wagon with full set of band in
strumentS and many prisoners were also taken and
sent TO the rear. At length the brigade was halted
and reformed, many Of the 29th being so exhausted
from long marching that they could not keep in
line. The brigade was then marched by the right
flank half mile or more, which changed our position
and put us on Gen. McCOwn'S ri ht and Gen Cheat
ans left. We were then frOnted again and moved
in line through a heavy oak forest across the Trune
pike, where soon encountered the enemy in hea-
vier force. The blue coats fired warmly for few
moments which eagerly replied to by our troops,
followed by n shout which made the woods ring,
and another bayonet charge. This seemed more
tnan the enemy could stand, for they broke again,
closely followed by the brigade, which succeeded in
driving them clear through dense cedar thlcket,
(th0 ground covered with rocks and thus forming
natural breaStwork) to the open field beyond under
the protection of their batteries. Here our gallant
and lamented General, James F. Rains, fell dead
upon the field another sacrifice upon libertys sacred
altar. At this point was our hardest struggle for
the day. Pushing on through the cedarS, the 29th
came suddenly upon regiment OF Yankees with its
left flank to US, which pouring destructive fire
into the llth Tennessee our left This arrival
was opportune, for one or two moments firing drove
the Yankee regiment away anil thus saved the | lth
Tennessee from being cut to pieces The enemy
rallied in three lines on slope beyond his bate
ries, and the fire for an hour terrible, shells
bursting, canister rafting, and musket and minnie
balls striking around necessarily, killing and wound
ing men and horses continually. In the midst of
this terrific fire, color bearer James Lanning COM
pany G, Zone of the Bethel heroes carried the flag
presented by the ladies of Reem'S Creek, ~ C.. to
the very front and bore it aloft where It was shot
through by thirteen of the hostile bullets Our am-
muntlon giving out We fell back 20 get supplied and
to reform the command, other troops moving up at
once and taking our places. After receiving ammu-
milton, the regiment was moved again to the 'front.'
and was ordered to cross field to prevent the enc
my from lilnking Gen. McNaIr which he was try
ing to do. We moved across the field under fire
from Federal battery, without loss but Just as we
were reaching the wood beyond, met Gen. Ms
command retiring to line which was estab-
lshed, and to which also returned. Here we
remained in line from the evening of the 3Ist of De-
cember till the morning of the 3rd January, not be-
ing in any other regular engagement, although siir-
mshing at different periods in the interim The
| conduct of the men under fire admirable, and
the officers of the regiment under behaved most
nobly. am under many obligations to the staff,
| Capt. E. W. Herndon, A. Q. NJ, Capt David Plem-
mons, A. c. S., and Adjutan: John Hoey, for
! the prompt discharge of their several duties The
| conduct of Adjutant Hoey was the subject OF gen.
eral admiration, he having borne himself through
out the conflict with the most daring gallantry.-
The merits Of many officers of the line occur to my
mind, but for0ear to mention part without naming
! all. Our total loss including some wounded acct.
| dentally, in killed, wounded and missing was Co.
The troops are much pleased with Gen. McCown,
our division commander, and while regrettng the
necessity Of falling back, have perfect confidence in
| the judgment of Gen. Bragg, and are willing TO
risk him on any field. Respectfully
ROBERT B. VANCE, Col: