, 1863-02-12

The English Press on tho Battle ut
N1urfrecnbOfo.


If hard tighting-continued through several
days, with i heavy loss In Killed and wounded
CONSTITUTES great battle, the engagements
between MurGeesboroand Nashville may rank
among the chief military events Of the Amer
lean war. II decided success IL required to
give auch conflict historical Importance, Tint
element is wanting to the actions In which
the rival armies were engaged during the Inst
days Of the old year and tie first Of the new.
But something has been gained. The deter
m{nation with which the Federal troops con-
tinued TO advance and as attack after their serl-
The operations began, speak well for their
qualities as soldiers.
From the description of their endurance
through tho seyerelfatigue Of five successive
days Of action IN the face Of II skillful enemy,
who should infer that the Union troops IN
the regiments recruited from the great East
ern cities They seem to hare shown more OF
the "rcal grit' of the Western American
than has been displayed in the campaigns In
Virginia. Eye witnesses have described the
conduct Of some OF tie Union divisions at
military qualities Of a large portion Of the
Great Army Of the Potomac. Nothing Of the
same kind appears In the accounts Of the re-
cent actions in Tennessee. Here the Union
regiments Seem to hayo been OF better etami-
m and spirit.
action without the disooungement Of pro-
yious defeats. They had not acquired the IA
tal mistrust Of their commanders continued
reyerkcs always inspire. And It is possible,
though the details are too Imperfect to war
rant decided opinion, that the Confedesates
we're nat led with the military skill of Lee and
jackson.
From tho Daily News Jan. 21,1
The stake for which Rosecrans contendod
was indeed great, and the resolutc manner in
which he persisted in fighting is worthy Of
all conmendation. Had he been defeated, be
must have been utterly ruined. Nashville
was his nearest depot, and even there It +
himself; for not only would Bragg hare been
enabled to cut him of from the North, hut
the Confedcrates, by restoring communication
with the East, would hare been enabled to
draw any quantity Of reinforcemonts from
Richmond and Virginia.
would have set Bragg free to actagainst Grant
in the Southwest, and that portion Of Grants
army which Ia now engaged before V1cksburE
would have been taken In the rear by the
Confederates. As matters now stand, the
whole Of Tennessee is in the hands Of the
Unionfsts.
But :.RoBecrnns knew the men under his
command. The armies Of the West are filed
by the elite Of the American people. Those
who have travelled in that country know that
tho Great West Is filed with tha most enter
prising Of the emtgrants from the most INTEL
1igent and active Of the Eastern States.
They are the strong yeomen 9f Illinois and
Wisconsin. They have ferVid passion for
liberty, and come what may, they are deter
mined that the great outlet Of the Mississippi
mcmbcred that throughout this war these
Western armies have suffered few, II any, de-
feats. Even .Bcaurcgard, when opposed to
them, was not able to stem the torrent which
threatened him. It is certainly q remarkable
circumstance that Ro6ccrans should have per-
rcsolute prudence is justified By the fact
that in the end the Confcderatcs were forced
10 retreat
THE MURDER OF NEGROES AT MrRF8KEE-
BoRo.
From the Daily News, Jan. .1.1
Tho wanton murder, near Murfreesboro, Of
twenty negro tcamsters, who were in the ser
vice Of the Unionists, appears to be taken as
4 matter Of course By the advocates Of tho
South in this country. We must presume
that they know their friends, and see no rea-
son to bo surprised, And yet there are cir
cumstances In this case which should make
them anxious for reputation with which
they hare SO far involved their own. These
negroes we're not killed in the pursuit. Of any
the battle field; they were not max
ing armed resistance. They were on
the turnpike-road, driving their wagons,
when tho Confederate party came up. The
train Which they were conducting was cap
tured, and it was after that object had been
gained that the negroes were taken out aad
| shot in cold blood.
It is important to notice that this butchery
was perpetrated not in some corner Of 6cces-
eia, by agents out of tho reach of authority
| or public opinion. 1t was the work Of Off
| GERS Of the great Confederate army of the
West, under the orders Of Gen. Bragg There
was nothing in the attitude Of the negroes to
makca sudden resolution necessary; we must
therefore assume that their murder was tho
| effect Of previous determination.
We forbe;ir to anticipate the apologies that
may be offered for this atrocious slaughter Of
men who had committed no crime to deserve
| death. Travellers who hare visited the slave
States say that if ever England should reeog-
nize tho South, and come into close intima.
cy with its people, We shall be ast0nnded at
| tic character Of those whom VIC hare chosen
| to patro,,izc. It seems That VIC have not to
| walt for that. contingency. The inevitable
hour when the true Issues Of this war were to
| le disclosed, has come, and the South nnfuTls
| the black flng-its own tlagg-accordtngly.
@-It is matter Of profound qualification
to learn that vallandigham, the Copperhcad,