Washington telegraph. [volume] (Washington, Ark.) 1839-1871, 1863-03-18
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE.
Camp Near Shelbyville. Tenn. I


the allowing report to tie Major commanding
the division. Of the action of my brigade in
front of MurfreesbOro, Dec. 5l- VI, 1862
In obedience to orders received at seven
o'clock. n. m., Both December. So formed
my brigade in line OF battle on the ground
designated 40 that time. At six o'clock a. m
ON tne 3lst instant, | moved forward about
one hundred and fifty yards. and joined Brig.
Gen. Ertor. nn tile right We then moved
forward together to meet the enemy. who was
in forge inI.nl diatelv in front of Ne had
advanced hut p short distance before thr enc
my Qickets and sharpshoOters opened fire uu
us. At tl- point | cautioned my brigade to
resume their ire and press forward. | bad
advanced hut q short distance when thr Err
became general along the Iiue. indicating that
W. were near the enemy in position; anl al
Thai moDnut hc opened upon ~ with a si K
gun battery, mOst terrific FIRE Of shells aud
grape shot ! then ordered charge. which
was responded to with alacrity and good Will /:
il was hut moment until his battery was
ours; Hi long lines 81 infantry routed and
dispersed. Hnd The strong position. which be
Neld I'LL security huf 4 moment before covered
with his del and wounded. My brigade con-
tI4ei M pursue the enemy for threefaurths III
a mile pouring destructive fire into his bro
Ecn and scattered ranks, leaving the ground
-trewn with wv lead and wounded. a this
point, discovering the support Oh my right
hni noI come ur. IL expected by mr. anl the
enemy uad thrown = heavy force partly in m '
M ar, their -hnrp-hooters had already com
meucea 10 dre ou Fly wounded men, / halted
my lr.-a .e. and moved them 10 the rear. hy
THE haAs, ror tAr purpose of protecting my
wound Z men. Having moved but "a short
distance. I discovered Brig. Gen. L. Dell aI-
g..H rrFr hr.-.r I'd. .s..
ohviafiuG further MOVEMENT mn INN part. fn
tAat direction. a tAi- point ] moved my gr.-
Eade t1 aus right, tiu, changing my front. and
Coming Iril. Gen. Ln he.l an hi- Irtr. Again
/ oileitd forward movement. pressing the
cnrmy' iishi h-cE upon hi- center in "a direc-
Hou north from. tLri pllut: here y heavy Skin
mi.A commence , With ncw forces nj tho enc
nav. rrH5-I tl be Ah-ut unc division THEW
vsre driven from every position. Tor distance
of Laif h miIr; hcrg thry tonA position url
tectiue themselves behind z Tl.I fence To XIV.
r,.It Will u4 al nf lul MI hatf.c. the enemy
ha4 already anE,-vl len. I'D Drlra brigade
oa my gLt- adding them in check. AMI pour
.u- destructive rfa lrt1 hi- RANKS D.-rav-
criuE hi- critical position. Immediately Or
darrl 70 forward muyeH1cnf, ani nll tn ad-
vance r-ru-- ar up-u t-ll, y distance W.T. at7ul
fnpr hunir-.. yards. A-HiH / directed my
ari.s da rH H.-a.n- fHr.r tl-a which w4- dnnu
uutu rs l.i Iu about three hundred yards.
tH uGA t.n SEA, atr .urnl hH.rr fire uuan
DIZZY Gur. irul luuI.l tae.r cover. ygt UDt 4
-lr ta tnrrI. hnt pressed forward with che
stern determination w veterans. Here ny ur-
irrel p Charge Hul both oEirrrs ana men
.ot nai rn yI- yftn aarh other. aul 1ue sinful
taueou- shout rent tho air EHe enemy made
hniL hr li- front being protected ly ihc fence
hc4 n.- position Wills m r. tculcItv tAan
usual; iuf the terrific Are poured uaon hi,
RANKS. rul tae rapid velocity uifh which my
mru charged him. routed bin from his cover. ID
c.ntn-..n. faa- relieving Bha Hel- IA nrlr-
brigade. U...I wa- a.reldy .il-griu- under
thc Naltv tre ui t-e rualrt anil ior thr src-
nrd uIar rIu=3r- arI drawing hin from ii-
.irou- uu-.-.au Iur. Vrr'1p-. was tile hard
c.t cnato.r.I engagement a. fhn lnv. liera
MY iu-- IH Killed aut waugt.l ra- heavy
thuu-H -m.- triiHl,s wirl thar r. thr enemy.
Without A.It.u-- ! pressed thc rlemy through
an open field. mourning 2 deadly ere into taeis
d.-rrlerei ranks, flr % half ur three quarters
q "a milo. arriving II another fence. iu front
No q dense forest Fearing an nmbu1cadr. and
y the same tiuc finding tAc Iyu were uCt w
ammunition, J ordered q halt aul rested In,
men iu rrar ut Il fence. at tho same time nf-
dCriug up the ammunition train. which arrived
il due tlme. nnd proceeded tr rcpleHi-A tht
cartridge boxes. Atthi> point, general, a> YOU
are aware. becoming exhausted from pre,lou,
ill health. wAs Aalr to remain uu tng iic.a
longer aml rut Col 4. y. Harper, Of the Ii
regiment arkansas mounted r.iemrn. (li--
mounted III command III the brigade. and
must r,icr yun ~ his report. ipr ihe further
action Ui tHa brigade that day. ln regard III Tux
-ualre. nf the brigade, they arr, ALREADY
rcp0r,d-hI iei. 4-; m0rtaly w0uulel, NJ
Killed. wY. h4ea. and missing, i3I- / III
pHr tn nnrt. however. thHr RI very large
PROPORTION. yI the wounds are SIT ght. ana mos
,i iHe rten vIN report for duty Very soon
AuI here. -rrrra., 1 bog leave KY ca.l yuul
affcnuuu ~ tAe surgeons Of my brigadc--Sur
4aun h w G..rnnlEc. with tHt very Unite.
l.-la- at OFFS disposal. did All that could y,
H.m- tu r-litYa tlIc -ufrrinE- uf thr woundel
utn. Inr rr-imeut 70 surgeons. with tHeii
assistant -Us.-. nus, proved themselves worthy
,l .ue li-u AfI responsible position they uc'
cupy. ~ tn,u united efforts, with the assist
amHv nt tHr uhimary corps. nut nne wounded
man WAS iyit uUcared for. during the night.
As yaa arr aware, general, W. turned the
ri-lt wing WI TIE Federal army back upon
their center, driving them distance Of iou
miles ur more; taking one hrgadier general
I (WilIich.) prisoner, large number Of officers
MAI the ll"e, and privates in umerahie; cnp-
turing fourteen pieces " artillery cAls-nu'
aud ordnance, great number M small arms
AHA camp cquipage; all oT which, | presume
were collected by the proper persons 70.
\ THU action "a Captain Humphreys battery
I yill have 10 refer you to his report Il bcIH-
detached from the brigade during ihe day-
consequently did not come under M ob-ri-
walton: but ! feel assured, without iur'hei
Evidence, tnAt the gallant Captain Humphrey
and bis company, were not found wanting, on
this ocuasi lE.
7 must respectfully ask 10 cal yonr attention
to officers Composing my stat. apt foote
Mia Darlington, always atrheir posts, render
Ell me valuable assistance during the day Mr-
James Stone, volunteer aid, has placed me un-
der lasting obligations for his active assistance
Az Major Mulherrin, much credit N due, ior
lis continued attention 70 hi department,
which administered 30 much TO the comfort oi
die men. Major Elsnrer, usual AZ IA post
I kept all RI bt with The train. My little order
IN " King, amt hs WHITE pony, was ever pres
ent, uOng All lie could 10 complete tile victory
Though contrary to my u-ual custom, ! beg
leave til call Your attention 10 the field officer:
Uf my brigade 1t has been my fortune to b,
nt many "a hard fought battle, but never have
witnessed sue deeds Of moral sourage an.
gallant daring as was displayed both by til,
field and officers Of the line duling tie entir,
day. | forbe.r to mention names. for each
seemed 70 vie with the other in deeds of gal.
lantry, but Que | must mention, that one Mai
l.. M. Ramso er, Of the first regiment Arkan
sas mounted rifles; be was severely wouudel
in the last charge made on the euemy's strong