The Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1859-1865, 1863-02-05
40. G, I5tfa u. S. EEsGanEry---TEa g
Battle of isEzrfrceshorO.
Extract from pirate letter, datedl
CAMP NEAR MURFREEsBoRo, Tenn,
,J0GHaru 3 lS63

| January o. 1868.
| IHg Dear Sister Five of the darkest
days that ever passed over my head are
gone, ahd thousands lay meath the CORY
/ field off which came unscathed. Oh !!
sit was dreadful, was the carnage Of that
brief period, OHe-third Of our company
fell on the deadly field, where we fought
the enemy muzzle to muzzle.
At dawn on the morning of Dee 3lst.
the Rebels attacked Gen. ellis division,
commanded by Gen. johnson, capturing
eleven cannon at the first onslaught by
reason that the horses were off being wa
tered. The hurled their columns against
us with irresistible imperuosity. Brigade
after brigade rushing on, with bullets and
steel, their cannon hurting forth showers
of iron hail, caused our men to retreat in
confusion. | may say, we were absolute
ly routed W.
You can scarcely imagine what feel
ing 1t produces upon the observer to see
thousands OF men, panic stricken, running
hither and thither. The woods were
darkened with soldiers flying from the
line Of battle, some wounded, others with
out hats or guns, and all seemingly scared
almost to death
Rousseau viewed the crisis with tears
IN his eyes. He rode before his veterans
and told them what was left for them to
do. To rescue the army from a ruinous
disaster, they must turn the tide of battle;
they must resist TO the last drop Of pre-
ciouS blood, or consent TO be chased across
the Ohio river
Rosecrans came dashing up, cold sweat
oozing from his forehead. just here
cannon ball took off Gareshea's (his A. A.
CD head, and the blood plashed into
Rosecrans' face. He glanced at his IA
vorlte aids mangled body moment, then
pointed down to dark line of cedar
woods as he told Rousseau something. We
saw Rousseau shake his head, ana then
he rode up to US. The die was cast-the
Regulars must hold those cedars. So
we were double-quickcd into position, and
and fingers on triggers.
But a minute more, and the "butter-
nuts came, six deep, double-quick, on Us,
but, ah "the Regulars were there !" We
poured such an unerring shower of bull
lets into their advancing columns as to
stagger them. The scene that ensued
beggars description. We were only about
one hundred feet apart, in the clark ce-
dar woods" They couldn't drive us. for
the volleys we poured in quick succession
into their ranks was too much for flesh
and blood. If it was any satisfaction to
our dying to see the enemy bite the dust,
they had it.
Shortly the Regulars were alone The
volunteers had fled from both ends Of our ,
line, and retreat or capture was our only
alternative. We chose the former, and, |
after being ordered three times to retreat,
we left. After leaving the cover of the |
woods, it was a run for life. The Rebels |
were on our heels, and the withering blast !.
that strewed the ground with dead and .
dying was terrible Our old commander, |
Stephen D. Carpenter, fell first, riddled !.
with bullets, thus terminating his twenty |
five years Of service.
Just as We passed our batteries, some
twenty five or thirty cannon opened, with
a roar that fairly shook the earth Rous-
seau fiang his hat away, and yelled
Rally, boys, rally. rally, boys, rally :"
We had done our duty-gained a eew
minutes, of infinite value to our army
tSI6Sf DHtu 10 W d>nIB9IDn |
that he had sacrificed the Regulars to
save his army" We lost one-thrd our
brigade. All this happened before noon
We lay in line Of batsle for two days and
nights.
Ga Newly morning, we were sur
rounded, and things never seemed more
gloomy. About noon, the Rebels massed
IA powerful force against our right wing.
but RosecranS was wide awake, and quick
er than lightning he double-quicked three
lines Of battle TO meet them They at
tackled us, bus found us ready Both
armies lay on their arms ali night
Friday, the I'd January, duwncl amid
the booming of artillery. About noon
Rosecrans succeeded in getting bis army
extrica;ed from tho chaos to which it had
been reduced, and his columns and diyis-
ions were again brought into line Things !
began to wear Il brighter aspect We |
run out of provisions, however, aud cur /
mea had to commence eating dead horses
\ You must not doubt me when | say that |
se had TO pat three guards, with fixed |
bayonets, over a load of unhusl,ed corn. I
to keep the men from stealing il until it |
could be divided equally Ia the after
noon we gained great victory. The I
Rebels made a deadly onset on our left