The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1863-01-20
THE GREAT FIGHT In TENNESSEE.

The Murfreesboro Rebel, of January I'd, con-
tains graphic account of the fighting up to the
close of the second day, which we subjoin:
The enemy commenced the advance from Nash
vile on Friday, by several different routes OF
march, driving in our cavalry under Generals
Wheeler and Wharton, who slowly fell back, gal
lantly contesting every foot of the way.
On Sunday our line Of battle was formed about
two miles from Murireesboro, and stretching
transyersely across Stones river, from the Leba-
non pike, on the right, to the Franklin road on
the left On Tuesday the enemy had deployed
into line of battle upon the ridge whereon stands
the residence of Mr.. Cowan, at distance of some
thing more than fifteen hundred yards from our
first line, and considerably overlapping our left
flank During Monday, they opened with artil-
lery at long range, and on Tuesday heavy skir-
mishing ran up and down the line from the left
to the centre, swelling almost into battle at one
period when the enemy attempted two charges
upon Robinsous battery.
On the night of Tuesday it had become evi-
dent that the attack in force would be upon our
right for the purpose of strengthening that point
and extending our line, which gave to the left
wing four Divisions Cheatham's, Withers', Nc
Gowns and Cleburne's.
THE BATTLE.
The sun rose clear, after several days of funer-
al gloom rfting the mists which hung like
silvery curtains Ser the field, dancing and glisten-
ing along the seried line of Steel which glittered
in the morning light like the sparklings of count
less diamonds, bathing the gay banners which
loated in the front with food Of refugence, and
rifting in golden showers through the emerald
fringe of cedarg which enclosed the field. Far as
the eye could reach stood the two vast armies,
silent and motionless, and it almost seemed in
stead of foes drawn up for battle, to be some bril-
liant holiday parade, but at length volley of
musketry from the extreme left told too plainly
that the work of death had in reality begun, and
in all instant afterwards the strife had leaped from
point to point, until the whole line from left to
centre was one unbroken blaze of fire.
About eight o'clock a. M, the divisions of Nc
Gown, Cleburn and Cheatham were ordered to
charge The enemy were strongly planted in a
dense thcket where the out-cropping of the lime
stone rock formed natural fortfcation. Swiftly,
but with perfect line our troops emerged from
the skirt of timber in which they had been shell.
tered, and moved across the open plain which in
tervened The battle now became terrific; crash
upon crash Of musketry stunned the ear; the
ground trembled with the thunder of artl-
lery; the cedars rocked and quivere1 in the
fiery blast, and the air was rent with the ex-
plosion of shells. The enemy seemed determined
to stake the fortunes of the day upon holding the
gallant resistance, but nothing human could with
stand the impetuosty of that charge. spirit
of fury seemed to possess our men, from the COM
manders down to the common soldiers, and on
they swept, shot and shell, canister, grape and
bullets tearing through their ranks until the way
could be traced through the dead and dying
Still on they went, ovcrturning infantry and
artillery alike, driving the enemy like the hurri-
scatters the leaves upon its course, capturing
buo cofp ll, -.
ground with dead. Such charge was never be-
fore witnessed. For two miles through fields and
forests, bitches, fences and ravnes they
swept. Brigade after brigade, battery after bat
terry, were thrown forward to stay their onward
march, but another voley of musketry, another
cleaning of the bayonet, and like their predeccs-
sors they were crushed into one common ruin
Meantime the brave old Withers was not idle
His line of battle ran diagonally across an cx-
tended field, and the enemy had been pouring
murderous fire into his position until driven
almost to the verge of madness by the destruction
of his men, he threw his division forward upon
the ridge occupied by the enemy. Here was per
haps the bIoodiest struggle of the day The
enemy was stronger at this point than anywhere
else upon the field, and long and fercely con-
tended the position. Directly in front was wide
area of cleared land, and this it was neces
sary to advance under the sweeping fire of six
batteries but with dauntless Hearts, and steps as
proud as though upon parade, his men sprang
forward at the word, and marched on into the
face of death. Once they wavered, as the enemy
poured perfect hail of iron through their ranks,
but at this moment Bragg dashed BY the battle.
fires burning in his eyes, and the fate of nations
in his hand-again they rushed upon the foe;
shot down the gunners at their pieces, and drove
the supporting divisions far back to the rear.
THE GREAT BATTLE. 4
In our yesterdays necessarily brief and imper-
feet account of the sanguinary battle of We'd
nesday, December 3lst, we brought the events of
the engagement up to nightfal Our left had
driven the enemys right for several miles, occupy
ing the field of battle, capturing the hospitals and
most of the wounded, and resting within two hun
dred yards of the Abolition picksts Our right
was not actively engaged, the enemy coneentra-
ting and massing his troops in strong position
Byrnes battery of seven pieces and Cobb's Ken
tucky battery were very actively engaged during
the afternoon with the batteries of the enemy,
but the casualties on our side were small.
The New Year dawned upon US with
bright, smiling and propitious face. The previous
night was intensely cold, and must have seriously
affected the condition of the wounded the field
But the genial sun dispelled the white rim OF
frost that covered the landscape aud changed the
icy air into pleasant spring-like atmosphere.
Everything was perfectly quiet in front until
about s O'Clock, when the cannonading opened on
he r;ubt oontra apd tapf sniritedly for q