The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-20
ARMY coRHEsPOxDENoE,



and the glorious victory for the Federal
arms yet a partial description Of the
fight as seen by soldier, may not be
uninteresting TO the readers of the
UNION.
On the 31st Of December full dispo-
sition Of our forces was made as early ss
sunrise. Our line was drawn North Of
Murfreesboro, about three miles, the right
resting near the franklin pike, the GEN.
ire on the Murfreesboro pike, and the
left on the South side OF Stones River,
being about three miles in extent
About 8 o'clock, the enemy en- 0lasse
attacked our right and pushed column
after column upon that part Of our line,
momentarily forcing our troops to retire.
BY the near approach Of the firing it was
plainly diseoverable that the enemy had
in a measure succeeded in surprise
there, and by doubling and trebling of
columns hoped to turn our flank, and
reach our supply train which lay in our
reay. But alas for human calculations,
they are not always realized or carried
into effect. The immortal ROUSSEAU
/ quickly advanced the 18th brigade into
a cedar wood on the right of the MUIR
freesboro road, and there this noble bril-
gade, commanded by the gallant Col.
john BEATTY, of the Ord Ohio, met the
enemy, and with the courage, steadiness,
and endurance of veteran soldiers of a
hundred battles, poured into the ranks of
the enemy such fire of destruction that
he was obliged to change position. But
the Colonel was ready for them. His
front was changed almost instantly,
and though many brave soldier had
fell, and the cedar woods were very thick,
the regiments composing the brigade
changed front under a terrible fire of the
enemy with as much apparent GOODNESS as
if ON drill in the Open field. In fact l
noticed the line officers of one regiment
command, support arms" as the COM
panies were successfully aligned and
then again they let into the rebels with q
desperation only exceeded by the love
and patriotic zeal they felt for bleeding
country. Again the enemy changed po-
sitiOn, and once again but it was no use,
the intrepid Colonel closely inspected the
enemy's movements, and at every change
was prepared to meet them. Thus,
against vastly superior force the noble
old 18th (now the 2d,) battled with the
host of the enemy till he was effectually
drawn into point blank range of artillery,
and achievements were obtained. Then
you should have witnessed how dearly
the enemy paid for his boldness, for such
work of death and destruction is
seldom seen on a field of actiSp. At the
very point of time that the enemy was
exulting over what he imagined an ad-
vantage, fortune was smiling most glo-
riOus victory for us; and just at the time
when true bravery was most needed, Gen.
THOMAS had thrown that old and tried di-
vision, the Sd, commanded by that prince
of heroes, Gen. Lowell Il. Rousseau, into
the very point that was to decide the
fortunes of the day, and calamity and
nobly did the General defend his posi-
ton, His adjutant Gen. Capt. Mellow
ell, was wounded, and his Inspector
General, Capt. Willard, had his apparel
severely perforated with balls, but fate
decided that our gallant hero General
should still live, and thousands of noble
hearts now rejoice in his name.
Failing to make us an easy prey, the
enemy ceased to fight, On that night,
just as the old year was dying, and the
new one was usherlng in, Gen. ROsecrans
20 changed his lines as 20 form semi
circle, and a more successful disposition
of his forces could not be made. The
advantage of this change will be readily
seen. AT any point the enemy chose to
make the attack, reinforcements could
be quickly thrSwn, and in twenty min
utes of time, he could support his left
from his right, and from his left his
right. On the. first day of j anuary, the en-
envy made an attack upon our centre, but
was evidently feeling bis way, and it
was plainly to be seen that he was be-
wilderingly uncertain at what point 10
attempt demonstration. Thus, during
the whole Of New Years day, he was fig
uring, or doing / know not what, but
certain he was not in for a fight.
ThrOugout the day the Pickets were con-
stantly firing, but no considerable work
u,,s done that daV