The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-01-16
The Battle of Stone River.
continued from First page.

Continued from FIRST page
Saturday storm ragged all day. Ear
ly in the morning brigade of rebels
made sudden dash upon the 42d In
diana, which cut it up quite seriously.
After that the day was quiet, saving
a persecution of our pickets by sharp
shooters, who took shelter in residence
on the pike. Gen. Rousseau, dissatisfied
with such proceedings, directed the bat
teries of Loomis and Guenther to batter
down the house, and in fifteen minutes
nothing was left of it. A number of rebels
were killed, including the Colonel of the 1st
Louisiana Regiment. At dark Rousseau
determined to carry the war a little farther
into Dixie. A rebel breast-work in his
front, occupied by brigade during the
day, had covered troublesome marksmen.
Colonel Beatty was ordered to carry the
work with the Sd Ohio and 68th Indiana.
The lads went in CALAMITY, and sharp
night engagement ensued, resulting in the
complete rout of the enemy, and the cap
ture of number of prisoners. Our troops
held the work, and this morning they were
not at Murfreesboro. They had skedad-
died.
The battle of Stone River will ever be
distinguished as one of the most obstinately
contested of the war; The strength of the
hostile armies was about equal. There
may have been slight disparity of num-
bers in our favor, but this is doubtful We
have prisoners representing about eighty
regiments, from all the rebellious States,
But whatever disparity, if any, of numbers
there was in our favor, was more than
equalized by choice Of position. The coun-
try is a system of natural Notifications,
and decisive battles, excepting by regular
approaches are almost impracticable.
The general condnct of the troops was
irreproachable. They fought with the
steadiness Of veterans; and what is most
gratifying, the new levies emulated the old
soldiers. 1t was again the fortune of Ma
.jor General Rousseau to save the day.
The gallant fighting of his division and
that OF Negley, covered them with glory.
But this is, perhaps, nvidious-Palmers,
| Wood 5 and Van Cleve's divisions OF Crit
| tenden's corps, were never wanting. The
| gallant 9th Ohio is named among the
trusty and devoted hosts The long list of
casualties in the 57th Indiana is its record.
But, alas! the list of gallant dead! We
have lost scores of noble officers.
Among the individuals conspicuous for
gallantry, the Commanding General
stands first. Ever in the most crit
ical positions when needed, he never
once spared himself. Again has he
proved himself a hero and General.
The fidelity Of his staff is beyound praise.
They adhered to him in every emergency,
and did their whole duty in the midst OF
carnage and death. Lamented Garesche, one
of the most striking figures on the field,
chivalrOus and gay in his department, died as
a true soldier loves to die. Lieut. Kirby, (of
Cincinnati seriously wounded, was steady,
cool, and brave as lion. After he was sent
to rear, and while lying PROSTATE on his pal
let, the brave fellow sent the following mes
sage to the General: "Tell him I would
like to return to duty, but can not get out
Of bed.' His left arm was shattered, and
the Surgeon feared he would lose it. Kir-
by shook his head, and declared he would
die first. When his message was deliver
ed to the General, the latter facetiously
remarked: "Why! would the poor fellow
apologize for not returning to duty if his
brains were blown out %