The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1863-01-09
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From Tennessee.
DESPERATE BATTLE
NEAR MURFREEsBORO'.
A dispatch from Nashville dated Jan. 4th
gave the following:

A dispatch from Nashville dated Jan. 4th
gave the following:
NASHVILLE. Tenn. Jan. 2.
Our forces encountered the rebels on the
Both ult,. near Stewards Creek. After heavy
skirmishing the rebels were driven back
We captured 100 prisoners and killed and
wounded large number of the enemy. Our
loss was 20 in killed and wounded.
At daybrcak on the 3lst the fight was re-
newed with great fury. McCook's corps
was opposed to Hardees. After desperate
fighting with heavy losses on both sides, Gen.
McCooE retreated two miles. He soon raj.
lied, and was driven back. At night he was
four miles this side Of the ground occupied
in the morning. The fight continued until
P. NJ, at which time We had maintained
our position.
The Secretary Of War received the follow
ing from cleveland, Ohio, dated the End
inst:
The following has just been received by
telegraph from Cincinnati, dated Murfrees-
boro', Jan. l, 1868: A terrible battle was
fought yesterday: The latest from the field
is up to noon. The rebel centre had been
broken, and things looked favorable. The
losses are reported to be enormous. Generals
Stanley, Rosseau and Palmer are wounded,
and the rebel Generals Choatman and Rains
are killed.
Subsequently, despatch from Nashville
gave the following details of the fighting
Wednesday the 3lst ult.:
It is one of the most ferocious battles OF
modern times, sustained by both sides with
splendid determination.
Gen Rosecrans marched from Nashville
last Friday, with about as 900 effective men
and 100 pieces of artillery, and skirmshed
all the way to the battle field, the enemy re-
sisting bitterly.
Tuesday was spent in accommodating. The
enemy was strongly posted with artillery on
the bank of Slower river, the west side, his
TANKS resting on Murfreesboro', west side.
The centre also had the advantage on high
ground, with dense growth of cedar mask
ing them completely. Their position gave
them the advantage of cross fire.
General McCook's corps closed in on their
left on Wilkerson's pike.
Gen. Negley, of Gen. Thomas corps,
worked with great difficulty to the front of
the rebel centre, Gen. Rosccrans' division be.
ing in reserve. Gen. Crittenden's corps was
posted in comparatively clear ground on their
left. Gems. Palmer's and Van Cleves divi-
sons were posted in front Of the woods in
reserve.
The fight on Wednesday ragged eleven
hours with varying success, Gen. Rosecrans
himself leading his men repeatedly.
Our casualties reached about 1900, being
thus small by reason Of care taken by officers
in having the men lay down when most ex-
posed to rebel fire.
On Thursday morning Gen. RosecranJ de-
termined to begin the attack. We opened
furiously with our left at dawn. The enemy,
however, would not retire from our right,
and the battle worked that way. At eleven
o'clock matters were not aattering on either
side.
At IL o'clock our batteries received new
supplies of ammunition, and were massed,
and terrible fro was opened. The enemy
began to give way, Gen. Thomas pressing on
their centre and Gen. Crittcnden advancing
on their left. The battle was severe ut that
hour.
The above dispatch is not 80 late as one
subsequently received, which states that Gen.
Thomas broke the rebel centre, and that
Gen. Crttenden had taken the rebel intrech-
ments on the left. The rebel cavalry during
tho battle was very. troublesome, cutting off
our trains.
On Tuesday, the 4th regulars made one
splendid dash ut the enemy, capturing 81
and releasing 800 prisoners they had taken
from US, and recapturing 500 prisoners Of
the enemy.
WThe following particulars of the battle
of Friday, were received in New York the
l4th inst:
A special dispatch from Murfrecsboro, da-
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