Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1863-08-04


IS already generally known. Our trip
from Donelson to this place was very
pleasant one, excepting the dust. with no
incident by the way worth mentioning, ex-
cepL the seizure of about sixty horses at
Springfield, a small town twenty five miles
from Nashville. When we come into the
town it was full Of citizens from the sur
rounding country, who said they were
there for the purpose Of taking Tie oath.
but in reality were there for the purpose
of leyying tax for the benefit of the
Southern Confederaey. What horses were
fit for the service we took along, agreeably
to orders from headquarters, giving govern
ment receipts for the same. On arriving
here we were brigaded with the 9TH Penn,
4th Mich, 18th regular cavalry regiments.
and a battalion of the 81 Ind. cavalry,
and went into camp with them about two
miles south Of town on the Shelbyyille
road. Murfreesboro IS situated on the
Nashville d Chattanooga r. r., thirty
miles from Nashville, and was, two years
ago, beautiful and flourishing town con-
tanning about two thousand inhabitants,
and many residences. Now the popula-
ton will not number two hundred. Every
untenanted house, and many Of them the
finest in the place, has been used for sol
dies quarters, and as a natural consequence
has been roarLly used. Soldiers are not
great respectors Of rebel property, although
il be private property.
The army here is believed 10 be one Of
the best 81 sanlzed and disciplined in the
world. fne old world, with all its string
ent military regulations, will scarcely fur
nishits parallel. 1t has commander who
never was whipped in battle, and one in
whom the army reposes the utmost co1f-
dence, and think to move is only to move
to victory. Since Gen. Rosecrans assumed
command of this department, it is evident
to all that the condition ofthe army under
bis command has ! cen materially improved
in every respect The organization and
dicipline are much more efficient, and the
general feeling and health Of the troops
under his command has improved more
than a hundred per cent. When the
AMY lDONCQ HUN nSlG vi lnO It'll vi
last month, | never saw men in better
spirits or more eager for forward move
ment than they We're. Up to the time
the army moved from here we had but
little to do aside from usual picket duty.
Our brigade was out but once, and then
to Lebanon under command Of Colonel
Mindy of the 18th Michigan. A report
was brought in that a part Of Morgan's
command under Basil Duke was at Leban-
on with the intention of cutting the rail
road between here and Nashville. The
first brigade was ordered out and we start
ed about six o'clock in the evening. AT
Barid's Mills on Stone river eight miles
cut we stopped long enough to feed our
horses. By this time it was thoroughly
dark and we set out again, riding around
all night with such cloud of dust around
us that we could scarcely see ten feel in ad
vance, and reached Lebanon between day
break and sunrise. No rebs were TO be
found here hut we were told they were
there the day before, and had gone in the
direction of Alexandria. The command
took the Alexandria road at once, and came
up with their rear about seven o'clock when
brisk skirmish ensued and was kept up
through most Of the day until dark, our
force driving them twelve miles. Just as
dark sharp skirmish took place between
our pickets and small body of rebels
and q short time afterwards, they opened
fire upon us from two six Founders. They
had been reinforced from Alexandria where
citizens reported Morgan to be with four
thousand men. Col Mindy thinking their
force loo strong to fight, commenced fall
ing back, and at daylight the next morn
inc, the command halted on the Murfrees-
boro & Lebanon road for breakfast, having
travelled all night over one of the rough
est roads the country affords, A little af-
ter sun rise we took up our line Of march
for came and reached it late in the after
noon, having been in the saddle for nearly
two days and nights, and feeling considora-
| bic the worse for wear. Our loss was two
men killed and two or three wounded.
We could not tell whether the rebels lost
any men or not. If they lost any they
were careful TO keep them out Of sight.
The army with but half days notice COM
menced moving on the oath of June. The
success which has attended it is already
known. That Bragg is out of Tennessee
and ngetting over double trouble as fast
as possible, there is no doubt. The first
brigade, except this regiment, is al Hunts
vile, Alabama. We have been expecting
to join it for the last two weeks, but Gen.
Granger says we shall not 60 as long as
be has anything to say about it. OF, until
we are req laced by another regiment Ours
is the only cavalry regiment here and can
not well be spared. Most Of US would be
glad to 90 to the front, where we could do
something and see something, but we have
the satisfaction of knowing that if we are
not fighting and achieving glory in the
cause Of our country, we are dong our
duty in obeying orders. ] believe we will
know tonight whether we join the Brigade
or not. COL w. W. Lane of this Tegi-
ment is now in command of the brigade
and is anxious to have his regiment with
him. That two weeks hence will find us