New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-08

The field OF battle IN Inc center, was mostly
plain, going toward AIurfreesboro. There was q
slight elevation of cleared ground on both sides of
the turnpike, and some patches Of woodland, suffi.
cent to conceal the greater portion Of troops IN
til they should be ready to advance.
Behind the woods conceang our foremost lines,
and TO the left of those which lie the left OF the
turnpike on open and sightly elevated ground, ex-
tending to the river This formed the key 10 our
entire position and it here that the greater por
ton Of the wagons were packed for safety.
On the left, some corn.feds extended to the river,
and on the other side Of the stream rose low,
! wooded hill.
The ground upon the right WINS a succession of
dense cedar tbckets, open spaces where the rocks
came TO the surface and nothing could grow, belts
Of ,olersbe timber and small irregulsr-shaped fields
The pike and railroad ran near each other.
| In the elevated open space which formed the
key TO our petition from point where our line Of
battle crossed BOTH distance poet on the railroad
indicates that it is just % miles TO Nashville num-
Der Of houses were situated in different parts Of the
field but none Of them except the brick building OF
which the inside was burned out the day before
played any important part.
The sun had not ye, risen on Wednesday morning
when the firing commenced upon the right. The
first Missouri battery, Capt. Esseock and the LIST
Illinois. Capt Houghtain, sheled the Rebels out Of
point Of woods in front OF Sheridans division,
which now slightly advanced. The enemy threw
himself npon Sheridan with terrible energy, bu. was
thrice repulsed.
Again be advsnced with larger numbers and
greater desperation than before, and Sherdan's men
were compelled for q moment to give ground 1,
was only a moment, however. The brave aud noble
Sill, assisted by other daring officers, rallied
the retiring troops. The flashing banner ofthe stars
once more advanced, and although Sill purchased
the victory with bis life, the Rebels were repused
and driven from this quarter Of the field.
1t was q few minutes after when this occurred,
and at the same time the sun broke forth through
some cold-looking clouds and flashed clear, bright
light over the field. There had not elapsed even
time TO remove the body Of the dead General Sill,
when all attention was directed to the extreme right
Three dv'ions Of the enemy, McCown's, Clai-
bernes, and Cheaiham's, bad advanced in massive
columns and charged impetuousy upon johnson and
Davis. A portion Of the infantry 10 Johpsop's d.
vision Immediately broke almost, indeed, before
they had taken their arms from the stack and one
Oh INC Uhtttficrt was Ahch tcoie ~ hieo
the third round.
Poor Edgarton Ii was not bis fault. trusr,
better, Drawer young man 10 seldom found than be.
II was bis greatest ambition 10 take part 10 battle
and remember well how often and how earnestly
he dcplored that separation from tie old Third hi.
vision with prevented him from taking par, in the
battle Of Perysvii.e.
His hour came At last. II found him ready; but
those upon whom be bad right to rely to give him
timely notice Of the enemys arrival failed 10 do 30,
and ere bis guns could 10 loaded and discharged
three times the Rebel bayonels had swept away bis
men, and he himself fell wounded AID bleeding into
the hands Of the foe.
| The gallant and earnest Capt. simonson fought
like hero ms he is. aud brought of nil but two Of
his guns. Capt. Goodspeed strenuourly rndcayored,
after firing several rounds, to save his cannon but
could only succeed in getting away with two Of
them. Gen. Kirk of Illinois, commanding ono OF
the Lrigades in Johnsons division, was severely
wounded while endeavoring To rally his regiment.
The enemy succeeded in getting tie right flank
completely bemmed in. A large number Of officer
VI every grade were shot down while standing
almost at the muzzcs Of tho Rebel muhkcs. TIE
brigades aud regiments rushed upon one another in
dsgraceful drorder, and the route OF the division
became irretrievable.
suppose shall raise storm about my head for
ca wing So but / can't, from all that | have heard
come 10 any other conclusion than tina, the right
wing Of our army was completely surprised, and
that TOO, under circumstances which should have
rendered il particularly careful and yigilant.
Whether Gen. McCook or Gen. johnson is TO
blame for this impartial investigation will hereafter
determine. At present the sentiment of the entire
army is extremely hostile to both, aud imagine it
will not be many days before there are important
changes in leadership Of Tie Nth Army Corps.
Brigade after brigade battery after battery, from
Palmers, Negley's and Rosecranss divisions, were
sent into the midst OF the thicko,s 10 check the prog
ress Of the foe aud rally the fugtves but all in turn
were either crushed by the flying crowds, broken by
the impetuosity of the foe, aud put TO confused
flight or compelled 10 retire and extricate themselves
in the best manner that seemed 10 offer.
Tho history Of the combat in those dark cedar
tbckets will never be known No man Conld see
ever DO able to tell who they were that fought brav
est and they who proved recreant 10 their trust.
know there was some cowardcc displayed, but
know, too that there was shown by many officers
and regiments as lofty herosm AS that which dis
tinQnished and immortalized the followers Of God
frey or the Cid; but in spite Of herosm aud devo-
ton, in spite of desperate struggles which marked
every fresh advance Of tue foe, in spite Of awful
sacrifice of life on the part Of the officers and soldiers
of the Union army, the Rebels still steadily push ed
forward and came nearer to the turnpike
a,,1 bolf fna ruht Uofo