Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-01-07
GREAT BATTLE IN TENNESSEE
FIVE DAYS FIGHTING.
The Rebels Driven from their Works.
THE LOSS HEAVY OFF BOTH SIDES.


On the S0th Dec, terrible battle was COM
menced at Stuart's creek, near Murfrees boro',
Tennessee, between the United States forces
under Gegeral Rosecrans and the Rebels
under Generals Bragg and Joe johnson. On
the morning OF the 3lst, the fight was renew
ed with great fury, Gen. M'Cook's corps be-
ing opposed to Hardee's.
About one O'Clock Gen. Thomas threw his
entire corps d'armee against the centre of the
enemy's forces, and breaking it, drove it back
over q mile in great confusion. Rebels. kill
led and wounded, lay in heaps upon this
ground.
Gen. Rosecraus then ordered an advance of
the entire line of his army in support Of Gen.
Thomas, and We soon engaged the enemy at
~ of the rebellion.
At one time General Rosccrans observed
his troops wavering, when he dashed rapidly
to the front, followed by his staff. This coup
created tremendous enthusiasm among the
soldiers. who rallied at every point, and drove
the enemy for some distance with excellent
results. Two Of General Rosecrans' aids were
killed at the time by the explosion of she'll.
Gen. Nogley's division, with its excellent
artillery, caused great destruction among the
rebels on the left of centre.
Gen. Crittenden, with his corps d'armee,
forming the left wing of our army gained the
enemy's entrcnohments, and drove the rebels
through the town.
The loss on either side has been very heavy.
o
our loss is not near SO heavy as that OF the
rebels.
The fight continued until ten O'Clock at
night, at which time We had maintained our
position.
The Federal loss was very heavy. Among
the killed are: Brigadier General Sill. Lieut..
Col. Garesche, chief of Gen. Rosecrans, staff.
Brig. Gen. Willich, of Indiana. Col. Kell, of
the 10th Ohio Regiment. Col. Shaffer, acting
Brigadier General. Col. Farmer, of the 18th
Kentucky Regiment. Col. Jones, of the oath
Ohio Regiment. Lieut.. Col. Cotton, of the
9th Kentucky Regiment. Lieut.. Col. Jones,
of the 39th Indiana Regiment. Major Car
penter, of the 18th Regulars. Major Rosen.
garten, Of Philadelphia, (Anders.-n Troop.)
Capt. Garrett, of the 18th Illinois Regiment.
Col. Carpenter, OF the 18th Wisconsin Battery.
Lieut.. Col. Mckee, of the 18th Wisconsin.
Wounded-Brigadier General E. NJ. Kirk
of Illinois. Brigsdier General Wood, of In
diana. Brigadier General Van Cleve, of Min
nesota. Colonel Cassale, of Ohio. Major
General Rousseau, OF Kentucky. Lieut.. Col.
Berry, 5th Kentucky. Major Slemmer, 18th
Regulars. Major King, 18th Regulars, and
many others.
The 2lst, 25th, and 35th Illinois Regiments
lost two thirds of their numbers, and the 18th
and 38th Illinois one-half. The 10lst Ohio
lost l25 men. The 3Sth Indiana lost about
the same number.
The total number of killed and wounded is
estimated at 500.
The fight was renewed at O'Clock on the
morning of January lst. Our army gained
| some advantage, but not without terrible car
mage.
The loss on both sides can only be described
as absolutely tremendous.
Gen. Negley fought his division all day
splendidly, and lost very heavily in men, but
| saved his artillery.
Gen. Rousseau immortalized himself long
before he fell severely wounded. He is set
down as one Of the great heroes of the battle.
The enemy was heavily reinforced from
some direction last night.
Major General McCook had his horse blown
to atoms by shell yesterday afternoon, and,
although severely bruised, soon remounted
| and rode to the front of his gallant division.
General Rosecrans, everywhere, and all
times, exhibited great GOODNESS and moral
courage, exposing himself continually at crit
I ical periods. He gave orders necessarily, in
firm manner.
On the morning of the I'd, the fight was re-
newed with great fury, and the Rebels were
driven back nearly two miles. All the houses
in Murfreesboro' and the neighboring villages
were occupied as hospitals. Many of the
wounded were sent to Nashville.
| There was heavy fighting all day of the Sd
the Rebels falling back across Stone River
In an attack on our left, they were terribly
repulsed. The Rebels were receiving rein.
fsrcements from Richmond.
| Gen. Rosecrans took command of the Fourth
United States Cavalry in person, and attack.
ed Gen. Wheeler's rebel Cavalry, who were
cut to pieces and utterly routed.
Capt. Mack, Chief of Artillery on Gen
Thomas staff, is mortally wounded. Colone
Anderson has sent dispatch TO the Head
Quarters, saying eve have waipped the rebel.
decidedly aud are at Chrstiana, nine mile.
south of fMurfreesboro', on the line OF the rail
road"
In . dispatch to Gen. Hslleck, dated Janua