New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-01-09
THE BATTLES HEFOBE MUIR
FREEsBGRO-GE KOsECRANs.

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FREEsBCRO-GEN KOsECRANS.
We devote large portion Of our space THU
morning to the full and graphic accounts o.
the three battles on the 3lst December and
LIST snd I'd January before Murfrecsboro
They will, in conjunction with the accompany
ing map, showing the scene Of the successive
actions, the line of the Rebel retreat, and the
theater of Gen. Carter's exploits, enable ouI
readers TO come to clear understanding Of
the late momentons events in Tennessee.
Of the three battles, that of Wednesday was
the most holly contested, the most unfortunate
for our army, the most crcditably managed Oh
the part of Gen. RosecraDs. No enc can read
the description OF our correspondent without
coming TO the conclusion that III its course our
army was at one time upon tho very brink OF
utter destruction, and that the presence OF
mind, coolneos, .judicous and prompt use OF
what remained Of means Of resistance by the
Commander in Chief alone saved the day and
insured our ultimate success.
! The cause of the disaster Oh the morning OF
wrc,.c,s:day, as stated by Gen. Rosecrans in
his report 10 Gen. HallecA, was the partial
misormation Of our line Of battle. Tie right
wing, under the command of Major-Gen.
McCook, while getting into position on Tues
day for the action of the next day. came to
face. owing 10 maneuvcrs necefsltated by the
strong resistance it met and 10 the roughness
Of the ground to the southeast instead OF
TO the south, as did the center sud right
Whether this faulty disposition arose from II
negligence, or misunderstanding Of orders, or
was unavoidable for the mentioned rcasone,
sc have no means Of telling As it was, the
formation OF the right at the opening of We'd
ncsday's battle was too extended to be strong
in Itself and brought the right hanh so near
the enemy, beyond proper supporting distance
from The center rs 10 invite an attempt 10
break it By Overwhelming pressure o. numbers
and renier its success probable.
Gen. Ro,ecr0nss plan Of battle was Ia
open on tue right and engage tho enemy suf-
ciently 10 hold him iirialy; TO cross the river
with our leit, consisting Of three divisions (to
oppose which the enemy had but two, the
ground being favorable to an attack from that
side OF the town" The plan was formed with
knowledge OF the enemys intention TO make
his main attack upon the right, aud hence could
only tail TO succeed Joy tue certain ability Of the
latter 10 rcpc it. This vital condition of sue
cess, however, was wanting, owing to the
weakness OF tic right from It's extended :orma-
ton in a wrong direction.
Gen. Rosccrans speaks of partial sur-
prise OF the right" 1t seems thcn, that, in
addition to it's false disposition. It's rOut was
Likewise attributable to derectiOns Of duty by
certain OF his fubordinatos That this vas the
case appears probable from the fact thst the
division first Overwhelmed is one which had
alWays been distinguished for good discipline
and ga.antTy in action. If not taken entirely
unawaFes, it would hayo fought up to lis
splendid record, beyond all doubt. its misiOr-
tune YVES, most likely, due to the failure of its
commander, Gen. Il. W. johnson, to guard
against surprise. The antecedeuts of that
officer warrant the suppOstiOn. 1t will be re-
meiobered that last Summer he bad rcnconter,
H'l,lc NJ INC HNhN VI u bAithht vi tdfuiIN,
with John Morgan, near Hartsyille, Tenn,
ending in tle utter defeat and capture OF him
self and command. Tic officers commanding
under him in that oiiaIc publicly denounced
him, through lie press aud otherwise, for hay-
ing manitcsted both absolute imbecillty oil man.
agement and want OF personal courage.
; The attack in main force On our right Wa
made i'll accordance with the rudimenta
ayiops Of strategy, "to attack the enemy
weaLes. point with the greaest strength, anc
the readiness with wtaa the Rebel General
discovered our wcahnc,s showed uulue.tioq
aDly s'od p~ucral8hip. The awful. Illuminating
GelA''@ ol the FIRST act IN the bloody drama q
3 'Hed1csiay-iow the wayes Of Eehel infantr,
suddenly dashed upon our unproparsd lines
bow the lront lire gave way without
strJgglc-bow battery after battery was Lost
low BRIGADE alter brigade, division after div
sion, was drawn into the vortex, confusion
fright and disgrace OF the rout, until the Who'll,
right was reduced to wild mass of fugitive
hoy .Le gagis ;s;z;4 wv r., .--:- --su'