True Democrat., 1863-02-18
HEADQUARTERS lsr ARK. RIFLES, (dism' 'td)( January 10, 1863. (s


 Hr.pouAnrEas lsr ARk. RIFLES, (dism'tdNr
 January 10, 1863. To Capt. K. FoorE, A. 4. GenI, ".
 3d Brig, 2d Dipision, Snlth's Army Coyps.
 Sra: have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the regiment under my command in the battle before Murfreesboro,s on the 3lst Dec, 1862. -.s ssass~ss. s.gfs z,sa ~
 In obedience to the order received from the Brig Gen'l com'dg. the regiment moved up l50 yards from the rear, where thad bivouaced for the night, and took it's position on the right of the brigade. then in line. A few minutes before SIX o'clock, A Ms we moved to the front, and on . line parallel with the road leading by sCowail's house About six o'clock our pckets became engaged with those of the enemy, and soon after the firing opened along the whole line of the giment. On account of a field fence n,Y tworght companies were fosm cd in the rear, and at this point were severely enfladed by the enemy's sharp shoo;ers some 20J wards distant ourrigit. The orse to charge was given, and with inipetuosty .our men sealed the fence, driving the enemy before them until we reached his encsmRmcnt; which gave amole eYi ; dence Of Ii want of preparatioae for a fsht.--. Camped as he WAS on heavy cedar bra ae, it would seem that our progress must be inpeicd, but noun ing coui,l withstand the fury of the onset. The enemy's lines were broken. and fhe rout, so far as my observation reached became general.s Wheel ing to right in the direction of the pursued, we moved constantly at a. double quick over the field and brake, the dead and dying of the enemy. but too plainly marking the track of the flying aboli- tionists. .-. f- .et
 IL was at this point that young Clarke Jenkins, private of company D, killed d general officer who was endeavoring 10 rally his scattered col unlns, supposed to be M, Gen. Sill, as his body was found soon afterwards in hospital near by We had driven the enemy about one and a h ,If miles when finding line of federal infantry en- deavorin2 to gain rear, we h'lted for-the pur. pose of cutting through his ranks to our inan army; but the oppor.une arrival Of L;dde!l's brig ade on right, relieved us. Alter few mo en,S'pause, WIS 0 re to move iorwardss my right resting on the left of Liddelis brigade. We continued to move ight forward, when Liddetl becoming warmly engaged with heavy force who had concealed themselves behind a fence on his front was ordered to. file right, move forward son l50 paceS, and by the left flank, and then re- ceiye ed the order to charge. Forward rushed our men with the wild yell of an infuriated soldiery, and for few seconds the result appeared doubtful The enemy almost securely posted, stubbOrnly held their ground, and it seemed as if once during the war, lines would clash in close combat; but again the iltrepedty of troops vas successful, and the enemy's whole line gave way, swept from right to lett by our galGng fire. We were then only 50 or 75 yards from his lines, and as he re- treated across open field of some or 1OO yards, he terribly cut to pieces. Forward was again the order and forward wed our unwavcring lines, and in the face of heavy volless that were poured ia upon from the opposite fence and the rakilis fire of grape ard innistcr from two sections of a battery posted in the field, we charged and took two pieces of their artillery. It was at this point that Capt w. P. Campbell, acting major, was se- yerely wounded in the les, whe gatlantly dis charging his duty and urging his wing to another charge, and was compelled to leare the he.d
 Here we halted for supply of ammunition. having exhausted all but or rounds out Of 4o to the mar, which is the very best evidence of the AGt fa-f f Na AM We had charged and driven the enemy with im2etuosty for three hours aud usrter, over rot less than 4h miles of ground, captured and Killed many field officers and officers of the line, and pri- yates without number; taken several pieces Of ar terv; while vast amounts of emp eqnipage and small arms, etc, were lett III our rear, "hicNOur patriotic spldiers passed by unheedcd. sss few moments served to replenish our amnu- milton, and again we moved forward for i2 miles, when skrmishers orlersd to te thrown for ward to a cedar brake. Formerly We had advanc ed nelrly north but now our right as pivof, and we made right haf wheel and W ere moving nearly due north est. The left Of our dysion becoming engaged, the order given to charge the batte- res stron gy pp,tel on elninence beyond; another thrill of excitement along the lines, and anoth q CT yell of stern def ,nce rang out a. they moved rapidly to the new scene of slaughter. The cue my being strongly posted with his batteries Tn ectcion, heavily supported by three lines of infant
 
 cmpeIled o fall back, being ne7ry deciInatei- Here fell most severely and fear inortaliy wound ed. Mai l.. M. Ramsour, acting bt.Coonel Of tue regiment. He galanty leading the charge and had succeeded in driving the enemy from one of his batteries. We h id nov been under heavy fire almost continually 6Lf hours; had driven the enemy from his extreme lett to the center, and our faded troops were reformed and rushed under the crest of hill for an hour or so, when we were again moved by therigIt funk some half mile or more and took position in cedar brake, where we rem lineI posted, with casualties, savea few wounded by pickets, until we were withdrawn
 Our loss in addition to the field officers already wounded, is severe-but am happy to add that the wounds are for the most part slight, and not likely to render then unfit for active duty here af CT. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing Is 96, as already furnished in my otficialrep F. which l ask may be taken as d part of this. Where all exorted themselves and gave such evidence of in dividua hero sm, it is impossible for q commander Co dscriminate. 1 must however mention color bearer Cotton, who always moved with unfaltering sep in the front line. Our surgeons also are en- titled to notice for the prompttujc vi ih which ouc wounded were cared for, and conclude by saying that whateyer fate betidcs the lst ArkanSas K hes in future that their actions on this day has shed imperishabe glory on them and their cause. s.@
 I have the honor to be, sir, -zsst as.falA--
 Your o5eiient servant, ae % is% sa
 R. w. Fl ARPER,r sszs8
 a5 t,f Arkup Ri1se