Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-01-30
Rell done for nc Bnr srnte.

wen done for the Bay state.
Massachusetts, has furnished in the arm,
and navy, nearly 10000 men for the war
3 No wonder that the rebels and their friend
in the North are specially anxious tha
Massachusetts, with the rest Of the New
England States, should be left out in tn,
cold.
The AIst at lIarfreesboFo---GnIIau o
the Regiment and its Officers.
In the earlier period of the war, two
gallant members Of the 4Ist Ohio, brothers
in friendship and in their studies before
they laid down the book and the pen fOr
the sword, kept the friends Of that Reserve
regiment Informed Of its situation and
condition through the LEADER and Herald.
The LEADERS correspondent, Lieutenant
TalcOtt, died q soldiers death at Shiloh
the other, Lieutenant Ford, was wounded
at MurfreesborO, it is supposed mortally,
but he is slowly recovering. From his re-
port Of the part borne by the 10Th brigade
and 41st regiment we quote the follow
ing, which viii be read with interest by
the many friends of that regiment who are
also readers of the LEADER:
"0n Sunday, December 2sth, I wrote
you from Stewart's Greek, beyond La
Vergue, briefly reviewing our action up to
that time. On Monday, the 29th ult., we
left the jefferson pike at Stewards Greek,
and moved across to the Murfreesboro
pike, at noon rejoining our Division and
left wing, under Maior-General Critten-
den. General Negley's Division, of the
center corps, took the advance, and we
were soon on the move towards Murfrees-
boro. The advance were constantly skir-
mishing with the enemy, but they gave
way as fast as closely pressed. To rein
force General Negley we hurried on, halt
ing not until we came TO q large cornfeld,
in front Of which was a skirt Of cedars,
where the enemy were posted. As soon as
darkness came on the firing ceased, dispo-
sitions we're made sgainst surprise, and
we moved to the right bivouacking for
the night in large thicket of cedars,-
the thioket made memorable and histori-
cal by the events Of December 31st. Al
though it was a gloomy, wet and disagree
able night, with cedar boughs for q couch
and q single blanket over as, we slept
soundly, in dream-land conjuring up
scenes Of home and the next days expected
conflict. Gu the morning of the 30th We
arose in good spirits, counted our num-
bers, and wondered whose would be the lot
to fall At A. n. we moved out into the
open field, nearer the front, close to the
pike, the 18th Brigade as reserve Of our
Division. General McCook's corps had
not yet moved up 10 our line, and we tar
ried for developments from the right wing.
Skirmishing began early on the right, and
II was soon evident that MeCOok was en-
gagged. While we stood fast, cur skir-
mishers constantly picking away at the
enemy, who always returned the salute,
the battle ragged on the right, and 6y night
fall Of the 30th, MeCOOk had advanced to
line with US, having driven the enemy back
3 mile or more. Night again threw her
sable mantle DER the earth and we moved
back to the cedar thicket, that our camp
fires might be masked. Supper over, we
called "the Eolr' early, and lay down to
sleep and dream once more.
But this pleasant bivOuac was doomed
to be disturbed, for about P. NJ the order
came for the 18th to move out and relieve
the 10th brigade, on the front picket line.
Il had been raining more or less all day,
and our loaded arms were in bad condi-
ton. Balls were soon drawn, however,
and our old muskets put in shooting order.
We reloaded, and in an hour more found
ourselves within gunshot Of the enemy's
picket fires. Twas bitter cold, and the
night-Wind walled mournfully through
the cedars. Seemingly regardless of the
hostility between the two armies, each
picket kindled his fire and slept, except
the lone sentinel, who stood faithfully at
his post, keeping the 7igils Of the night.
Companies A and F. took the picket line
q little in our advance, and the rest Of the
regimentlay in reserve. Our brigade was
disposed as follows: 41st Ohio and 9th
Kentucky in the front line, the 9th Ken
lucky on our right. Wewere supported by
the ll0th Illinois, the 9th Indiana sup
porting the 9th Kentucky. Cockeriil's
Battery F, lst Ohio ARTILLERY, occupied a
little rise Of ground on cur extreme right.
We wrapped our blankets around US, lay
down, but we're too cold to sleep Long
before daybreak Of the 3lst we were in
line, arms in hand, ready for any emer-
gency. As the first grey streak Of dawn
broke in the east, we began a birds eye
view reconnaissance UfUur position. Grad
ually the darkness lifted, and we saw be-
fore us large, open cotton-feld, to our
front and right, Of gradually descending
ground toward US, its crest appearing to
terminate in skirt OF wood to our front
about one half mile.
"To the left Of the pike, and yet TO our
front, was an open pasture or common,
skirted on either side by timber and a
prolongaion Of this ridge, behind which it
was evident the enemy were lying in strong
force, their batteries plainly visible from
our position. At early dawn the skir-
mishers opened upon each other. each
maintaining his position, without material
injury, being out Of musket range. The
rebel out-posts were stationed in the cot
ton field in our front, but kept themselves
concealed behind earthWorks thew had
thrown up. Their position was only de-
veloped by the smoke Of their rifles. Still
we stood in line, expecting to move for
ward every moment, well knowing the day
Of carnage and battle was before us. Soon
the skirmishlng on the right increased.
and ere long nothing saluted our ears
save the ineessant rattle Of musketry and
the deafening roar Of artillery. Presently
the news came that our right had been sur-
prised, and war being rapidly driven back.
Our eyes and ears soon convinced rs Of
the truth Of the statement But the left
wing stood fast.
tit was nows2 o'clock. Presently the
bugle sounded q attention. ourcolors were
thro9n to the breeze, muskets were firm