The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-05
NO279


after desperate fighting, they fen back
from the position held at the commence
ment, through the cedar woods in which
Rousseau's division, with portion Of
Negley's aud Sherridan's met the ad-
vaucing enemy, and checked his move.
Elents. ..
The ammunition train of the right
wing, endangered by it's sudden discom-
future, was taken charge of by Captain
/ Thruston, Of the LIST Ohio Regiment-an
ordnance officer, who, by his energy and
galiantry, aided by charge of cavalry,
and such troops as he could pick up,
carried il through the woods to the Muir.
freesbOro' Pike, around to the rear Of the
left wing, thus enabling the troops Of
Sherridan's division TO rtplenish their
empty cartridge boxes. During all this
time Palmor's front had likewise been in
action, the enemy having made several
attempts TO advance upon 1t. At this
stage il became necessary TO 'readjust the
line of battle TO the new state Of affairs.
! Rousseau and Van Cleve's advance hav-
ing relived Sherridan's division from the
! pressure, Negley's division and Crufts
brigade from Palmers division, with
drew from their original position in front
of the cedars, and crossed the open field
to the east of the Murfreesboro' Pike,
about 400 yards in rear of our front line,
where Negloy was ordered TO replonish
his ammunition and form in close column
his reserve.
The right and center of our line now
extended from Hazen 10 the Murfreesboro'
Pike, in northwesterly direction, Has
call supporting Hazen, Rousseau filling
the interval 10 the Pioneer brigade,
Negley in reserve Van Cleve west of
the Pioneer brigade; McOooks corps re-
fused on his right, and slightly TO the
rear, on Murfreesboro' Pike the cavalry
being still further to the rear, on MUIR
freesborO' Pike, and beyond 0veralrs
creek.
The enemy's infantry and cavalry at
tack on our extreme right, was repulsed
| by Van Cleve's division, with Harker's
brigade and the cavalry. After several
attempts of the enemy 10 advance Oh this
new line, they were thoroughly rcpulsed,
as were also the attempts on the left The
day closed leaving us masters Of the
original ground on our left, and our new
line advantageously posted, with open
ground in 'front.' swept at all points by
eur artillery, We had lost heavily in
killed aud wounded, and considerable
number IN straggers and prisoners; also,
20 pieces of artillery, the horses having
been slain, and oar troops being unable
to withdraw them by hand over the rough
ground; but the enemy had been roughly
handled, and badly damaged at all points,
having had no success where he had open
ground, and our troops were properly
pOsted--none which did not depend on
tho original crushing of our right, and
the superior masses which were in con-
sequence brought 20 bear upon tho narrow
front Of Sheridan's and Negley's divis-
ions, and part of PalmeU's, coupled with
the scarcity of ammunition, caused by
the circuitous road which the train had
taken, and the inconvenience of getting
il from a remote distance through the CO.
dars. Orders were given for the issue Of
all spare ammunition, and we found that
we had enough for another battle, the
only question being where that battle
was TO be Fought . i
IL was decided, in order 10 complete
our present lines that the left should DO
retired some two hundred aud fifty yards
to more advantageous ground, the eX-
IRENE left resting on Stone River, above
the lower ford, and extending TO Stokes
battery. Starkweather's and Walkers
brigades arriving near the close of the
evening, the former bivouacked in close
column, in reserve, in the rear of Nc
Cooks left, and the latter was pOsted on
the left of Sheridan, near the Murfrees-
boro' Pike, and next morning relieved
Van Cleye, who returned 10 his position
in the left wing.
DISPOSITION ron JANUARY j, 1863.
After careful examination aud FREQ
consultation with corps commanders,
followed by personal examination OF
the ground in the rear rs far as Oyeralps
creek, il was determined TO await the
enemy's attack in that position, TO send
for the provision train, and order up fresh
supplies tf ammunition, on the arrival
Of which, should the enemy not attack,
offensive operations should be resumed
No demonstration on the morning of
the lst Of January; Critienden was or
dered to occupy the points opposite the
ford on his left with a brigade.
About two o'clock 10 the afternoon, the
enemy, who had shown signs OF move
msnt and massing on our right, appeared
at the extremity Of a field a mile and a
half from the Murfreesboro pike, bat the
presence OF Gibson's brigade, with
battery, occupying the woods near Over
alls creek, and Negley's division and a
portion OF ROusssau's on tho Murfreesboro
pike opposite the field, put an end 20 this
demonstration, aud tho day closed with
another demonstration by the enemy, on
Walkers brigade, which ended In the
same manner.
On Friday morning the enemy opened
four heavy batteries on our center, and
strong demonstration Of attack q little
further TO the right; but a we'll directed
FIRE Of artillery soon silonced his bat
teries, while the guns of Walker aud
Sheridan put an end TO bis effort there
About three o'clock, =, NJ, while the
commanding General was examining the
position OF Criitenden's left, across the
river, which was now held by Van Clevs's
} division, supported by a brigade from
) Palmer's, double line Of skirmishers
J was seen 10 emerge from Tie woods 10
southeasteFly direction, advancing down
, the helds, aud were soon followed by
: heavy columns Of infantry, battalion
e front, with three batteries Of artillery.
Our only battery on this side Of the
river had been Withdrawn from an oligi
o BILE point, bat The most available spot
q was pointed out and II soon opened here
o upon the enemy The line, however, adj