The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-13

rIt resulted in great victory for the Confederate
arms. as stated by us last week, but 1t seems that
Gen. Braeg's force was not large enough to con-
tinue the fight after Rosencranz received REIN
forcepents from Nashville he therefore sent o Oh
his 4, 900 prisoners, "a captured cannon and 5000
small armsfo Chattanooga, and then withdrew his
army from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma, about 30
miles from the former place
In the battle on the-31st. the loss of the enemy
in killed and wounded was very great Among
their killed were tive Brigadier Generals and an
unusually large number of Colonies. Gems. an
Uleve, Wood, Kirk and Rousseau were wounded,
and we captured one Of their Generals, NllcS
Their own accounts state that many Of their regi-
ments lost one-h half their number aud some even
tw0-thirds Their loss in wagons and stores was
immense The only thing TO mar victory is the
fact that Gen. Bragg had to fall back from MUIR
ircesboro on account Of the exhausted condltlon
of the army and the certainty that the enemy was
being heavily reinforced. Bragg not fool
enough to let Rosencranz catch him in the same
sort of trap in which Lee caught Burnside. The
abolition General, Rosencranz who, If not the most
scientific is certainly one Of the most wiley and
enterprising Generals, had prepared entrench-
ments in the rear of his first position, to which,
if defeated, he could retire and await reinforce
ments, and from behind which he could safely
retort the check suffered By Burnside at
Fredericksburg, and where, at all events, he could
await reinforcements. BRAGG found the position
beyond his power successfully to assail-he found
RosENcRANz accumulating force to operate on
his flank, and he resolved neither to be caught
sacrificing his men in trying to do what their
numerical strength inadequate 10, nor
ieopardze the fruits of his recent victory by
awaiting, in weak position, the pleasure Of a
fortified enemy, constantly receiving reinforce
ments.-He retired to Tuahoma. Tullahoma is
on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad at its
With he nyi
Railroad, and is about thirty five miles from
Murfreesboro'. At Tullahoma the position of
things will be reversed General Bragg eau
calmly adopt his eourse-his position will
give him that opportunity
CHATTANOOGA, Jan. Cen. Bragg made a
speech at Decherd, on Monday, to the citizens Of
Decherd and Winchester, assuring them he did
not to desert them, but would make a stand
between Altoona and Tullahoma. He said he fell
back because our troops needed reroSe being ex-
hausted Also, that our loss was I 900, and the
enemyS loss between $4,000 and 10000 The
enemy has advanced his lines six miles this side
of Mur(reeSboro He.has been guilty of the most
outrageous enormitics, stealing private property,
robbing peaceful citizens and cunning off negroes.
On the LIST the enemy left an immense number
Of killed ard wounded on the field. His loss was
near eco. We secured number Of small arms.
Gen Wheeler got behind them, and captured
dn OTuHaHCe TRAM lie SOG All OF NlcCOuk Dag
gage and his body servant. Our wounded re-
coved every attention from the ladies of MUIR
freesboro. We had the wounded of both armies on
hand, but enough Federal surgeons were captured
TO attend their wounded The number Of slight
wounds is very great in our army. Those able to
be moved were sent to Chattanooga as rapidly as
possible.
Gen. Cheathams Tennessee division did despe-
rate fighting. Indeed, all the troops fought witt.
xr,lo md Il
No Yankee officers were paroled They were
sent Immediately to Chattanooga under guard
I he remains Of the Yankee General Sill were
brought in. The top of his head blown off.
CHATTANOOGA, Jan Sit is believed our
army will defend the line Of Duck River. Muir
1rcCsboro is said to be unoccuped by either force
Morgan and Forrest have returned. They cap
tured and paroled 5000 prisoners, and killed and
wounded large number.
Why BRAGG RETIRED.--A correspondent of
the Mobile Advertiser gives the following reasons
why Gen. Bragg and his army ~fell back from
Murlreesboro:
Being outnumbered by more than two to one
by the enemy, our troops utterly exhausted by
six days exposure to cold and rain and four DAYS
ineessant fighting, with loss of one-fourth of
their whole number killed and wounded General
Bragg determined to fall back behind Duck
River. A reconnaissance in the enemy's rear
showed that he was receiving large reinforcements
from Kentucky. BY skillful night march,
covered by the admirable cavalry of Wheeler and
Wharton, the whole army, with all its supplies and
captured arms, is now concentrating in its new
lines, ready for the enemy whenever he shall adj
vance. Since this army crossed the Tennessee
river in November we have captured 9 800 priso-
ners over 40 pieces of artillery, 5000 small arms,
and 500 wagons.
NORTHERN ACCOUNTS.
Late Northern papers have been received, con-
tanning further particulars Of the great battle near
Murfreesboro
A correspondent of the New York Herald tele-
graphs from Nashville on the I'd, as follows
have just arrived from the battle field on
Stone river, near Murfreesboro. The battle has
ragged with unremitted fury for two days and at
last advlces was not yet decided, although we had
the best OF 1t. On the lst, the battle opened on
our right, and continued West with alarming "a
pidity, extending to the centre.
General Rosencrantz while galloping to the front
of Crittenden's left with his staff WIS opeEed
upon by tremendous rebel battery, which empti-
cd the saddles Of his whole escort a round sh OF
striking Colonel Garesche, his chief of staff COM
pletely severing bis head from his body the blood
bespattcriug the General and his whole staff,
Gen. Rosencrantz himself had a narrow escape
The rebels stubbornly resisted our approach with
undaunted bravery, but were finally compelled to
/, retire fully mile, where they again disputed the
! passage of Crittendens corps, checking our ad-