The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16
NEW SERIES-NO. 475

midst Of adversely; the steadiness OF Gen.
Thomas and Crittenden's corps the
dauntless courage of Rousseau's and Neg
ley's glorious divisions, gave promise of
triumph in the end. But the situation was
extremely critical. The enemy still
evinced determination to turn our right
and cut us off from Nashville.
Wednesday night was not very cheerful.
The General commanding, however, was
unmoved. He inspired all about him with
his animating and hopeful spirit. He was
up all night long, making dispositions for
Thursday. Information confirmed the
opinion, that the enemy would renew the
assault upon the right.
The carnage of that day was terrible 1t
was underrated that night Our killed
and wounded on the first day, was 5000.
The enemy confess q loss of 5000. But
they captured about "a pieces Of artillery
from us and large number of prisoners.
We captured. probably, 400 prisoners, and
no guns. The Murfreesboro Rebel Ban
ner of yesterday, estimates our casualties
at 10000! and claims that they captured
$500 prisoners, up to Saturday morning.
Ut dawn, Thursday morning, we renew
ed the battle, but the enemy were not dis
posed to accept the challenge, and they
were posted in such manner that gen.
eral attack was not deemed prudent. An
hour or two later, they moved out Of po-
sition and assaulted us furiously on the left
of the centre, and right of the left wing.
After a severe engagement, they were
handsomely repulsed. That evening, Gen.
Van Cleve's division, then under the COM
mand of Col. Beatty, of the 10Th Ohio,
was thrown across Stone River, ON our eX-
treme left, without serious resistance
The same day the rebel cavalry appear
ed at various points on the Murtreesboro
Pike, and cut up some of our trains. Col.
Innis, with the 9th Michigan Engineers,
posted at Lavergne to protectthe road, had
just been reinforced by several companies
of the 10th Ohio, under Lieutenant Col
Onel Burke, when Wheeler's cavalry brig
ade made a strong dash at his position.
| Colonel Innis had protected himself by
a strong blockade of brush, and fought Sc
curely. The enemy charged several times
with great fury, but were murderously
repulsed. About forty rebels were dis
mounted, and nearly a hundred of their
drew, and sent in a flag of truce demand
ing surrender. Colonel Innis replied,
"We don't surrender much " Wheeler
then asked permission to bury his dead,
which was granted. Travelling on the
road, however, was extremely dangerous.
Many Of our stragglers and wounded were
captured and paroled. Among the latter
Colonel Blake and Lieutenant Colonel Neff,
of the 4Oth Indiana.
BY Friday the prospect was very cheer
ing. Excepting the reverse of Wednesday
morning, the enemy had been driven in
every engagement. The ball was opened
early in the morning, the enemy, taking
the initiative. Sharp demonstrations were
made along the whole line, but nothing
decisive was attempted until three O'Clock
in the afternoon, when the rebels sudden
ly burst upon Battery Qate Van Cleves)
in small divisions on the other side of
Stone River, and drove it pell nell with
considerable loss to this side The enemy,
as asual, had massed its army and ad-
vanced in great strength. Negley's divi-
sion, supported by that of Davis, aud St
Clair Morton's Pioneer Battalion, were i'm
mediately sent forward to retrieve the dis
aster A sanguinary conflict ensued, per-
haps the most bitter of the whole battle.
Davis also went up in gallant array Both
sides massed their batteries and piled them
with desperate energy. The infantry of
either side displayed great valor, but Neg
ley's uncOnquerable Sth division resolved
to win. The fury of the conflict now
threatened mutual annihilation, but STAN
ley and Miller, with the 10Th Illinois. 18th,
2lst, and 74th Ohio, 18th Pennsylvania.
18th Michigan, and 37th Indiana, charged
simultaneously, and drove the enemy rap
idly before them, capturing a battery, and
taking the flag of the 2Gth Tennessee, the
Color Sergeant being killed with bayon-
ct. The banner is the trophy of the 18th
Pennsylvania. The fire of our batteries
exceeded in vigor even the canonading of
Wednesday. About sunset the whole rebel
line receded, leaving about 400 prisoners
in our custody.
General Rosecrans, as usual. was in
the midst of the fray, directing the move
ment of troops and the range of batteries
Our victory was clean and destructive
The enemy lost over thousand men. in
Guiding, it is said, Brigadier General
Roger Hanson, of Kentucky. Again our
brave men shouted p@ns. The woods
sound with joyous acclaim. Officers of
Negley's division galloped swiftly across
the field, trailing the captured flags; a
thousand willing hands seized the captured
guns and dragged them into camp. Bnt
this was the glorifcation. The comman-
der sought the real results. Masses Of
troops were ordered to follow the sullen
enemy, and the yell of pursuers and clat-
ter OF musketry sounded far into nipht
The darkness, however, caused suspension
of the pursuit.
Friday night it rained heavily. and