True Democrat., 1863-03-04
HuAD QUARTERS. 3rd BRIGADR,
 CAMP NEAR SHELBYvILLs, TENN.

Sir: Through you have the honor to make the following repor, to the Maj. commanding the division, of the action of my brigade Tn front of Murfreesboro, Dec. 3lst, 1862. In obedience to orders received at seven o'clock p. m., 30th Dec 1862, 1 formed my brigade i'll line of bat tie on the ground designated at that time; at 6 o'clock a. m, on the 3lst inst: 1 moved forward about one hundred and fifty yards, and joined Brig. Gen. Ector on the right. We then moved forward together to meet the enemy, who was in force immediately in front of us. We had advanced but a short distance before the enc my's pickcts and sharp shooters opened lire upon us. At this point, I cautioned my br
 gade to resume their fire and press forward. had advanced but short distance when the fire became general along the line, indicating that wa were near the enemy in position, and at that moment he opened upon us with n six gnn bat terv a most terrific fire of shells and grape shot. I then ordered charge, which was responded to with elacrity and good will; it was but mas ment until his battery was ourI, his long lines of infantry routed and dispersed, and the strong position which he held in security but a moment D fore covered with his dead and wounded. Nv brigade continued to pursue the enemy for I of a mile, pouring destructive llre into his broken and scattered ranks. leaving the ground strewn with his dead aud wounded. At thi. point discovering he support on my right. had not come up as expected by me, and the enemy had thrown heavy force partly in my rear, their sharp shooters had already com nenced to fire on my wound men, halted my brigade, and rn 1ved them 10 the rear, by the flank for the parpose of protecting my wounded men. Having moved but short dis tanee, discovered Brig. Gen. La Deli advanc ing with his brigade on my right. thus obvia'ing further movement, on my part in that dlrec- ton, at this point wheeled my brlFade to the right thus changing my front and joining Brig. Gen. La Dell OF his left Again l ordered a forward m )vemont pressing the enemys right back upon his center in direction and north from that poin; here heavy skirmsh conn menced with new forces of the enemy, suppoS~ ed to be about one division. They were driven from every position, for distance of mile, here they took position protecting themselves behind rail fence; to the right obque of my line of battle, the enemy had already engaged Gen. La Dell's brigade on my right holding them in check and pouring destructive fire into his ranks. Discovering his critical posi> ton, I immediately ordered forward move- ment, and had to advance across an open field a distance of about four hundred yards; again I directed my brigade to resume their fire, which was done, until we got in about three hundred yards; though the enemy poured a heavy fire upon my line from behind their cover. yet not man faltered but pressed forward with the stern determination of veterans. Here ordered a charge and as before both officers and men, seemed to vie with each other. and one simul> taneous shout rent the air. The enemy made bold by his front being protected by the fence, held his position with more tenacity then usual. but the terrific Ire poured upon his ranks, and the rapid velocity with which my men charged him, routel him from his cover. in confusion thus relieving Brig. Gen. La Dells brigade which was already faltering under the heavy fire of the enemy, and for the second time charg ing and driving him from his strong position. This perhaps was the hardest contested engage rnent of the day; here my loss in killed and wounded was heavy, though small compared with that of the enemy. Without halting I pressed the enemy through an open field. pour ing deadly fire into their disordered ranks, for half or three fourths of mile arriving at an other fence in trout of dense forest, fearing an an,buscade, and at he same time finding the men were out of am intuition, ordered halt, and rested the men in rear of a fence, at the same time ordering up the am mmunition train which arrived in due time, and proceeded to re- plenish the cartridge boxes. At this poiut General as vou are aware becoming exhausted fIom i'll health, for several days previous. was unable to remain on the field longer, and put Col. R. w. Harper of the lst regiment of Arr kansas mounted rifemon, (dismounted) in com mand of the brigade, and must refer you to hls report for the furthe7 action of the brigade that day. Tn regard to the casualties of the brigade are as already reported, killed AZ, mor- ially wounded 6, killed, wounded and missing, 427. Am happy to report however that very large proportion of the wounds are slight, and
 c.l 6ntv And here Gen. beg leave to call your atten- ton to the surgeons of my brigade, surgeon w. l.. Gamnage, with the limited means at his disposal. did all that could be done to relieve the suffering of the wounded men. The regl~ mental surgeons with their assistant surgeons, proved themselves worthy of the high and re- sponsible position they occupy, hy ther united efforts with the assistance of the infirmary corps, not one wounded man was left uncared for du> ring the night. As you are aware Gen. we turned the right wing of the federal army back upon their center, driving them distance ot 4 miles or more, taking one Brig. Gen. (Willich. ] prisoner, a large number of officers of the line and privates innumerable, capturing If pieces of artillery, caissons and ordnance, great num- Der of small arms and camp eauipage, all of which presume were collected by the prop CT persons. For the action of Capt. Humphreys battery, Will nave 10 refer you to ms rePoi : it being detached from the brigade during the day, consequently did not come under my ob- servation, but feel assured without further evi- dence that the gallant Capt. Humphreys and his company were not found wanting on this oc- casion.
 must respectfully ask to call your attention to officers composing my statf. Capt Foote and Carrington, always at their posts, rendered me valuable assistance during the day. Mir. James Stone, volunteer aid, has placed me under last ing obligations for bis active assistance. Tc Maj Muiherrn, much credit is due, for his con- tinued attention to his department, which ad. ministered so much to the comfort of the men, Mai. Elster as usual at his post keeping all rieh, with the train. My little orderly V. King, and his white pony was ever present, doing all h, could to complete the victory. Though con trary to my usual custom, beg leave to cal your attention to the field officers of my brigade