Delaware State journal and statesman., 1863-01-09
Great Battle in Tennessee.
UMolaI Ulspatoh 70 Jue ntur6IaIy OF War
FIVE DAYS OF TERRIBLE FIGHTING.

Headqaariers, Nsshriile, Jan ITO the Hon
Edwin NJ Stanton, Secretary of War: Skirmish-
ing commenced on the evening Of the 2yth. our
forces following the enemy closely, and driving
them to the evening Of the 9Oth.
on the morning Of the 3lsi the enemy attack
ed our forces at daylight. Ever since that tune
the fight has been progressug-this is the fifth
day-in the same locality.
If the whole Richmond army does not get here
our success is certain. The fighting has been
terrible
Our army has the advantage and will hold it,
God willing.
caAnot give particulars. Our officers have
suffered terribly.
have heard nothing of Importance since ten
o'clock last evening. At that time everything
was favorable for US. RoBT. B MITomsLL,
Brigadier General Commanding,
Headguqrters ofMe Fourth Army Corps, De
pdrtmeaf Of the Cumberland, in front Of Murfrees-
6oro, Jan 3, via NdshDiiie, Jan. 40 G neral
II. W. llalleck, General in-Chief;-Ou the 26th
Of December, we marched from Nashville in three
columns McCOok's corps by Nolansve pike,
Thomas'n from its encaulpment on franklin pike,
via Wilson pike, and Critieudens on the main
Alurfreesboro' pike. The lett aud centre met
with strong resistance, tue nature OF the coun.
try, rolling or hilly routes skiried by cedar
thckets and farms, and intersected by small
streams with rocky bluff banks, forming serious
obstacles
MeCook drove Hardee's corps q mile and a
half from Noansville and occupied the place.
Crittenden reached within n mile and a half of
Layergue. Thomas reached the Wilson pike,
meeting with no serious opposition.
On tile 9th McCook drove liardee from No
lansVie and pushed reconnoitring division six
miles towards Shelhyvle, and found lIardee
had retreAted towards Muffreeshcro'. Critten-
den fought and drove the enemy before him, oc.
cupying the line Of Stewards creek, capturing
some prisoners, with slight loss.
Thomas occupied the vicinity Of Nolansyille,
where hs was partially surprised, thrown iuto
confusion and driven back. Sheridans division
repused the enemy four times, protected the
tauk Of the centre, which not only held its own,
but advanced until this untoWard event, which
compelled me 10 retain the left wing to support
the right until it should be rallied and assume
new position.
On January lst the rebels opened by an at
tack on us, and were again repulsed On the 81
there was diminishing Along the front with
threats Of attack, until about lhree in the alter
moon, when the enemy advanced in a small diyi-
zion thrown across Stone river TO occupy COM
IN indmg ground.
Whiie reconnoiiring the ground occupied by
this division, which had no artillery, / saw a
heavy force emerging from the woods and adyau-
cling in line of battle three lines deep they
diovc our little division before them after shatp
contest in which We lost seventy or eighty killed
and three hundred and seventy FIVE wounded
hut they were repulsed by Neglpy's division and
tine remaining troops of the left wing, headed by
Morlon's pioneer brigade, and fed far over the
Held and beyond their entrenchmens, the officers
ralyng them with great difficulty. They lost
heaVilyi we occupied the ground with the left
wing last night The lines were completed at
four in the morning.
The I'd was spent in bringing up and distribu-
ting provisions and ammunition.
1t has been raining oil day, and the ground is
very heavy. W. s. RosLosAAs,
Major.Genera in Command.
There are three feet OF water on the shoals in
the Cumberland river, and it is rising
Everything is goiog on well in front.
General koseerans is 10 Murfreesboro. He
has captured the rebel trains and is driving the
enemy.
General Rousseau is unhurt His Assistant
Adjutant General, Major Mcdowell, was woun-
ded in the arm.
The Journals dispatches say that the fourth
bloody fight took place last night during storm.