The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-02-18
Letter from W.. N. Host.
CG,7z zklpP PARoLED PRISONERS,
sssae ANNAPOLIS, MD.,
Feh. 7 1863.

some time since / have had the pleas
ure of writing for the Sentinel, take
the privilege this evening of penning
few lines for your numerous readers,
relative to the battle of Murfreesboro' =,
and our captivity since the battle. On
Wednesday morning, December 31st,
it was known that on that day one Of
the bloodiest battles of the war would
be fought. Every heart seemed to
beat with joy-that they would have
the privilege of once more measuring
steel with the traitors of our govern
ment. All seemed to think that glo-
rious victory would crown our efforts.
In this they were not disappointed, yet
there is no doubt but it cost more pre-
cious lives than was at first apprehen-
ded. The position of the two armies
on Wednesday morning were face to
face. In position the rebels had a
great advantage over US, as we were
the attacking party, and the enemy
had chosen their own ground on which
to give us battle. At daylight sharp
skirmishing commenced on the right
and center, and soon after the roar of
artillery, which seemed almost to make
the earth trcmblc, told us that the
battle had commenced in earnest. AS
our position was on the left flank
(Crittcnden's corps) we were not yet
placed in position. About 8 o'clock
VIC were ordered to cross over Stone
river and took our position; being the
rear brigade of Gen. Van Cleve's divi-
sion. We had only reached the river
when orders came for us to double
quick back about three miles on the
pike, where Wheeler's rebel cavalry
we're destroying our wagon trains.
After repulsing the cavalry and rscap-
turing our wagons, which they had ta-
ken, we were ordered to protect the
center, as the enemy were fast onthan-
king us. In this position the 44th
Indiana was in our front, the 59th O.
hio being on their right, and the 18th
Ohio in the rear of the 44th Indiana,
with the Seth Indiana on our right.
AS VIC advanced through an open field
the enemy advanced through the woods
which were in our front and on our
right. The 44th and 59th soon became
hotly engaged and were forced to fall
back, being overpowercd by superior
numbers. BY this time we had taken
our position in the edge of the field,
and were ordered to lie down. As the
nth and 59th passed back over us,
we were orderedto fire, which we done
in good earnest. 1t was but a few
moments however until our command
or, Col. J. G. Hawkins, was shot
through the heart, and died instantly.
at this juncture the Seth Indiana
gave way on our right and left us a.
lone to contend with ten times our
number, and as they had already suc~
ceeded in turning our flank, and we're
cross-fring on us with artillery and
musketry, we were ordered to retreat.
Unfortunately several of all the COM
panies did not hear the orders, and
consequently kept their position until
they could not get back to their CON-
dnand, from the fact that they were
completely surrounded before they
were aware Of their danger. Seeing
that there was no chance for escape
We broke our guns, and surrendered.
From there We were marched off to
Murfreesboro, and paroled. From
there we were taken to Chattanooga,
thence to Montgomery, Alabama, by
way of Atlanta, Georgia. From Mont
gomcry VIC were ordered to Richmond,
Va, where nc were kept in close con-
tinemcnt for two weeks. Our rations
consisted ofabout eight ounces of sour
bread, and q small piece Of spoiled
fresh beef, and some swill thickencd
with corn meal bran, which had to last
as one day. GA
The soldiers that guarded us were
asignorant a set Of men as ever / con-
yersed with. They contendcd that we
had been organizing large army for
years, in order to subjugate them. /
asked them who taught them to believe
such silly stuff. Their speakers, they
said-which proves that the traitor Or
ators of the S,uth have used every adj
vantage 70 fire the minds of the poor
ignorant class of people to believe that
the North was composed Of d race d
devils instead of men. Bullet us con-
tent ourselves with the prospects Of
speedy victories. dccisiye enoa cem ents.