Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-01-27
General Ro.ecranz'. Omcial Di.patohes.
4 Corrected Copy Of HIS Dispatch Of the Third
Instant

Il Corrected Copy Of HIS Dispatch Of the THIRD
Instant
WAsHNGToN, January Nearly one-hsH Of Gen
Roecanzs dispatch of the Sd inst, commun eating the
operations Of his army up to that tie1e was omitted
The following is complete copy Of the dispatch which
includes the record of the most critical period of the
ruggle-the fight on the 5lst nit:
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUaBER-l
LAND. IN FRONT OF NURFREEsRoRO,
January g. 1907.
To H. ". H1lisck, GeReral-ia- Chief Washington:
On the goth Of d. Dteember marcked from Nashville
in three columns Gen McCook by the Noiinsville
pike Gen. Thomas, from his encampment the Frank
lin Ike Wilson's pike and Gen. Critt on. the
Orlaft and esuter uletwth strong resistance such
he of the country permits the rolling hiy
skired by small sire with rocky bluff banks,
General mcCook drove General Hariee's corps a mile
and haf RON Nolins 'ille and occupied the place
General Cruenden reached within mile and half
General Thomas reached the Wilson pike meeting
with no severe opposition
On The 27th General McCook drove General Hardee
from NoIinsvie, and pushed forward reconnoeri- g
DIVISION six miles toward S1slbyville aud found that
Ge HsTdee had retreated toward Murfree sbOr3'
zen Crittendeu fought and drove the enemy bef re
hi D. occupying the line of Sewtts creek and captur
ing some prisoners with slight loss.
Gen Tho occdpi the vicinity Of Noin vile, On
the S8h, en- AcC00k completed bis reconnaissance #
Harlees movements. Crittenden remained, awaiting
the resalt, and bringing up trains General Thomas
moved on to Sfewarts creek, and on The y General
McCo moved in7o Wilknsons crossroads several
miles from MurfreesbOro, the end OF short pike road,
roueh throu Ia rolling country, skrcd by blufsi and
covered with dense cedar III ck Is, tops AID open tim
Der Crittenden pushed the enemy rapidly, saved the
bridges and reached point within three miles Of Muir
fraesboro He ad aneed, driving all the OutpOsts 10
within sight of the town. General Thomas two divis
osed up with Crittendens and took position on
his right.
On the Both McCook advanced on the Wilkinson pike
having make his way through dense woods meeting
with determined resistance and got into position three
miles 3urfeesbore occupying be extreme right OF
our iiue. The eft stool fast. The center advanced
slightly and engaged in cutting through almost
impenetrabe growth Of CEDAR which separated them
from our right rendering communication with them
ceedingly ficult The combat and rOuganess Of the
country ha brought forward deCooks ght division so
as 10 face strOagv III southeast instead Of being
faced face TO the so7th with tn several div
tween the center and rgh, and suieen ly far in the
rear support and, If necessary, extead it, the
grave cons quenees of wheh were developed the nex
day.
pike and rairosd-one division front, ne forming q
crotebet stone river and in reserve in center
Negiey ing between the left and ght and Rosseau
IN reserve. The pan OF battle was TO open on the
right en- gage the enemy sufici nty to hold him rnly
to the with left, consisting Of three d
visions 10 oppose which they had but dvisons) th
country being favorable TO attack from hat de Of
the town But the enemy tscked the whole front Of
our ght fl INK, which partially su 'prised and
thrown into confusion and driven back
General Sheridsn's division had repu sed the enemy
four times and protected the flank of the center which
only held its own but advanced u tn tins nnteWard
event, which compelled me to retain the lett wing 10
support the right un it should be rallied and assume
ON the ist instant the rebels attacked and were
repulssG.
On the % instant there skirmishing ilong the
front with thrt Of attack, until about sc0ck In
ihe aftern on, when the enemy advanced, throwing
small division Stone river to occupy the command
ing ound there.
While recennoieTng the ground occupied by this di.
vision, which had no artillery, / saw heavy force
emeng from the woods and advancing in line Of battle
three lines deep They drove little division before
en- after sharp CONTEST In which we lost seventy or
efub ed nd
wounded but they fually repulsed By Gen Neg
eYs division and the remaining troops of he left wing
OF Gen Mortons pioneer brigade and ned Tar over the
field and beyond their ntrenchments, their officers raj
lying them with great difficulty He lost heavily. We
occupied the grou with the left wing last night
ing
The 81 was spent in Bringing and dsribu Ing provi
ions and ammunition it has been raining all day. The
ound very heavy and mudy.
". S ROSEcRANZ,
Major General Commanding.