The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-05

The firing was terrific, and the havoc
terrible. The enemy retreated more rap
idly than they bad advanced; in forty
minutes they lost two thousand men.
General Davis seeing some stragglers
from Van Cleve's division, took one Of
his brigsdes and crossed at ford below,
10 attack the enemy on his left flank, and,
by General Cooks order, the rest Of
his division was permitted to follow but
when he arrived, two brigades Of Neg
ley's division, and HaZen's brigade Of
Palmer's division, had pursued the flying
enemy well across the field, capturing
four pieces of artillery and stand of
colors.
II was now after dark, and raining, or
we should have pursued The enemy into
Murfreesboro'. As IL was, Crittenden's
corps passed over and with Davis, occu-
pied the crests, which were intrenehed
in few hours.
Deeming it possible that the enemy
might again attack our right and center,
thus weakened, thought it advisable TO
make demonstration on our right by a
heavy division Of camp fires and by lay
ing out n line Of battle with torches,
which answered the purpose.
SATURDAY, 81 DAY OF JANUARY.
1t raiBed heavily from three o'clock in
the morning; the plowed ground over
which our LETT would be obliged to ad =
vance, was impossible for artillery. The
ammunition train did not arrive until
ten O'clock; il was, therefore, deeme d
unadyisable 10 advance, but batteries
were put in position on the left, by which
the ground could be swept, and even
Murlreesboro' reached, by the Parrott
guns.
A heavy aud constant picket firing
had been kept up on our right and center,
and extending TO our left, which at Inst
became so annoying, that in the after
noon directed the corps commanders to
clear their fronts.
Occupying the woods TO the left of
Murfreesboro' Pike, with sharpshooters,
the enemy had annoyed Rousseau all
day, and General Thomas and himself
requested permission to dislodge them,
and their supports which covered ford.
ii This was granted, and a sharp fire from
four batteries was opened for ten or iif-
teen minutes, when Rousseau sent two of
his regiments, which, with Spears Ten
nesseeans, and the S5th Illinois Volun
teers, that had come out with the wagon
train, charged upon the enemy, and af-
ter a sharp contest cleared the woods,
aud drove the enemy from his trenches,
capturing from seventy to eighty pris-
oners.
Sunday morning, the 4th of January
IL was not deemed advisable 10 commence
offensive movements, and news soon
reached us that the enemy had fed from
Murfreesboro'. Burial parties were then
SAINT out TO bury the dead, and the cav
airy were sent to reconaoiter.
Early Monday morning Gen. Thomas
advanced, driyingsthe rear guard of the
seven rebel cavalry before him six or
miles, toward Manchester.
McCooks and Crittenden's corps fol-
lowing, took position in front Of the
town, occupying Murfreesboro.'
We learn that the enemy's infantry
had reached Shelbvville by J2 NJ. but
owing to the impractcabiity Of bring
ing up supplies, and the loss Of 557 ar
tillery horses, further pursuit was deeme
inadvieable.
II may be of interest TO give the fol-
lowing:
GENERAL SUMMARY
or the operations and results of the Sc
ries OF skirmishes closing with the bat
tie Of Stone river and the occupation OF
Murfreesboro'. We moved on the enemy
with the following forces
Infantry 4l,43l.
Artillery 1923.