The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-11

in the recent battles before Murfreesboro
by the First Brigade Of the Army Of the
Cumberland, attached 10 TBoMAs's old
Division (now ably commanded by Gen.
Fay Of Kentucky, consisting of the 3lst
Ohio, 18th Chic, 3sth Ohio 18th Ken
lucky, and Sind Indiana; also CHuRou's
9TH Michigan Battery, commanded by
Col, NJ. p. WALKER, Of the 3lst Ohio This
brigade, in conjunction with the First
Division, has participated at Millspriags,
at the siege Of Corinth, Perryville, and
now, detached from the division, has just
emerged from the bloody scenes Of MUIR
freesbOrO.
We had at first been assigned to a po-
siiion on the extreme right Of the army
on the franklin pike, for the purpose Of
protecting that flank. We occupied that
post until il was discovered that the
enemy had contracted his lines, and
evacuated Franklin, and on the /. 18th we
were ordered to move towards Nolens-
Vile. We reached Mill Creek, and
found that the bridge had been burned
the day previous, and that it would
be impossible for US to cross before
the next day--the mechanics and engi-
neers were rebuilding il.
At ) o'clock the next day ten Is were
struck, and we moved forward. When
within a mile Of NoIensville received or
ders TO change our direction and report
at Stewards town, on the Murfreesboro'
pike, by daylight, with three days RAJ
tions in haversacks, leaving our teams TO
follow. II was then necessary to unload
the wagons, get out the rations, and per.
form the necessary cooking, so that we
did not get started before 8 o'clock.
The night was dark and rainy, and as
we were compelled to travel across the
country, the roads as bad as can well be
imagined, The distance was ten miles,
but it required until 3 o'clock in the
morning TO get TO our destination. After
a short rest we moved up the pike about
half mile and pitched tents. The can
vass had hardly been staked when the
report reached US that WHBELEBs caval-
ry had made a descent in force upon La
vergne, and was burning large govern
ment train The brigade was formed,
and, accompanied by two pieces of
CHURoH's Battery, moved rapidly in the
direction of the rebels. Such disposition
of the force was made as to effect flank
movement on the enemy if possible.
Arriving at the hill south Of Lavergne,
the cavalry force was discovered in the
town and the wagons burning in every
direction. Two pieces Of artillery were
unlimbered, and shells were soon flying
thick and fast The rebs. did not wait
to encounter our infantry, but mounted,
and left as fast as their horses could
carry them. We returned to camp after
collecting the mules and harness, which
the enemy was compelled to leave in his
hasty retreat. AT an early hour next
morning (3lsD,we received orders to move
at once to the front We had not pro-
ceeded far until intelligence was receiv
ed of the reverse Of General MeCooK's
left, and cavalry and teamsters dashed
past crying that everything was lost
Intelligence was received that the enc
my's cavalry had succeeded in getting in
the rear, and was pressing towards US,
destroying all property in their way
The brigade was quickly posted in a
corn field on the left of the road, and
formed squares TO resist cavalry. The
batteries were thrown front, and every
precaution taken for an effective resist
ance, Shortly after an order was receiv-
ed from General Thomas to move cauti-
ously forward, which we did, and arriy-
ing at the front were posted in position
through which the enemy had driven our
forces but q short time previous. In q
few moments the rebel cavalry made their
appearance, when section of artillery
was moved up and a few shells sent among
them, which caused them TO scAmper
away. About o'clock we were moved
to the centre, and took position in front
of General JoHNsoN's Division. At day
light on the morning of the LIST we were
changed to the left of JoHssoS's Division,
adjoining ROUSSEAU, which position we
held until the morning of the 9th, when
We led the advance In the direction Of
Shelbyville. During the three days en-
gagement we were in the very front Of
the fight, supporting batteries which
were constantly engaged; but, thanks to
the good providence Of Con, we had not
a single man killed, and comparatively
few wounded, Theee good results can
in a manner be attributed to the GOODNESS
aud caution OF our officers, from the Coll
onel commanding the brigade down, and
their conefapf ex,rtic,a Ia loolEuoy af,a-