The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-02-20
Official Report of the 51st Regi-
ment After the Battle of MUIR
GreeSbOrO.

freeSbOrO'
5lsT RECT. o. V. l., }
Camp near Murfreesboro, Tenn, :
January 5th, 1868. }
Col. Stanley Matthew's, Cong Sd Brig,
Sd DiUisiOn, Left Wing.
COLONEL Il have the honor to make
the following report of the operations Of
the 5lst Regiment Ohio Volunteer In.
fantry, in front Of Murfreesboro, during
the late engagement.
On our arrival at Stone River on,
Monday evening, December 29th, 1862,
my regiment was ordered on picket du-
ty, to take post to the left Of the pickets
of Gen. Woods Division, where we re-
mained until Wednesday morning, De-
cember 3lst, when we received orders to
rejoin our Brigade, which was then en-
route for the purpose Of crossing Stone
River. After we had crossed over, the
5lst was assigned to its position in the
center of the first line of battle, the 9Th
Kentucky Infantry on our right, and the
35th Indiana Infantry on our left. We
had not been in line of battle over
half an hour, when l received orders to
recross the river, and take positios op.
posite the Cord, where we remained un.
til o'clock, P NJ, when the enemy's
cavalry with two pieces of artillery, made
dash at our hospital wagons which had
not yet recrossed, thereupon the 5lst was
ordered to change position some forty
PAGES to the rear, in order to open the
way for one of our batteries to open FIRE
upon the enemy, we remained in that
position until 3 o'clock, P. M. The
enemy's shot commenced falling among
us, and we were again ordered to change
our position about one hundred yards to
the rear, and out of range of the enemy's
battery, where we remained during the
night.
On Thursday morning. January lSt,
at $3.50 o'clock, l received orders from
Colonel Samuel Beatty, then command
ing the Sd Division, to take the 5lst
Ohio, and throw it across Stone River,
Immediately, then to deploy four com.
panies as skirmiShers, holding the re-
naming six companies as reserve, ad-
ding at the same time move your regi-
ment forward and be would throw adj
ditional forces to support me, and if pos
slble, to accomplish this before it was
clearly light, which was done. Our line
of skirmishers, had not advanced far
before spirited fire was opened between
them and the enemy's line of Skirmish.
ers, in few minutes, l received orders
to halt the line of skirmishers, and not
bring on an engagement which l did.
The six companies of reserve, were
then ordered to take position on an emf.
nence, on the right of the first line of
battle, my right resting near Stoue River,
while the 9Th Kentucky, and 35th Indi>
ana, formed on our left; we Immediately
discovered o battery of the enemy, a.
bout twelve hundred yards in our front,
which reported to Col. Beatty, who sent
a battery to the front, posting two pieces
to my right, and four pieces to the left
of the first line. Our battery then open
ed fire on the enemy, consisting of ar.
tillery, cavalry, and infantry, who were
posted in the edge Of the woods, in front
of as, the enemy feebly applying with
their artillery; their Sharpshooters at
the same time keeping up brisk fire on
our line of skirmishers all day-thus
passed Thursday! In the evening the
four companies that were skirmishng
we're relieved and formed with the regi.
ment, where we lay that night on our
arms.
On Friday morning at day break, the
enemy's sbarpshooters opened on us with
increased vigor. Two companies of the
5lst were then sent to relieve the front
line Of ofskirmishers. At about IL o'clock,
NJ, the enemy changed the position Of
their battery TO the left of our front, and
opened heavy fire on US, at this eleva.
ted point, and having got the range Of
the two pieces Of artillery posted where
we were stationed, our pieces had to be
withdrawn, short distance to the rear.
The enemy's line Of skirmishers was then
strengthened, and drove our skirmishers
back d short distance, and gained pos.
session Of some buildings, which our
skirmishers we're unable to hold, our line
then rallied; drove the enemy from the
buildings, who set them on fire before
leaving them.
Between the hours of one and two
o'clock, P. NJ, we could distinctly see
in the distance, large bodies of infantry
forming IN our front, and moving to our
left, accompanied by artillery and cav.
airy. l Immediately notified the proper
officers of the movements of the enemy.
Soon thereafter we saw large bodies Of
infantry forming in our 'front.' in line Of
battle, and moving toward us, they ad.
vanced to within between six and eight
hundred yards-of our 'front.' and halted,
commenced throwing down a line ol
fence, running parallel to our line, l i'm.
mediately directed Adiutant Nicholas to
report the fact, aud be Informed Major
Startling Of the enemy's movements, as
well as the Brigade and Division com.
manderS, that the enemy we're in the act
of attacking us. The enemy's artillery
was playing on us up to this time, when
it ceased, and their line of battle imme.
diately advanced, their center moving
steadily, while their left was thrown a.
i ......A SLa..a ID :. e.. 81.