The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-01-17
Cen. Rosecrans, OmcIal Dispatch.
HEAD QUARTERS, l4rH ARMY CoRPs|
Department of the Cumberland,
In FRONT OF MURFREEsBoRo', Jan. 8,


via NASHVILLE, Jan. 4, 1863
To Major General W. H. Halleck, Commander.
in-0hief, Washington:
On the 26th of December we marched from
Nashville in three columns, Gen. McCook by
Nolinsville Pike Gen. Thomas from its encamp.
ment on Franklin's Pike, and Gen. Crittenden
on the main Murfreesboro' Pike. Our left and
center met q strong resistance, such as the ma
ture Of the country permits, the rolling or billy
routes, skirted by cedar thickets and farms, and
intersscted by small streams, with rocky bluff
banks, forming serious obstaclesa Gen. McCook
drove Gen. Hardse's corps mile and half from
Nolinsville, and occupied the place. Gen. Crit.
tenden reached within mile and half Of La
vergne. Gen. Thomas reached the Wilson Pike,
meeting with no serious opposition. d.
4 On the 9th Gen. McCook drove Gen. Hardee
from Nolinsville, and pushed a reconnoitering
division six miles towards Shelbyv;lle, who
found that Gen. Hardee had retreated towards
drove the enemy before him, occupying the line
of Stewards Greek and capturing some prison
ers, with slight loss Gen. Thomas occupied the
vicinity of Nolinsville, when he was partially
surprised, thrown into confusion, and driven
back.
f. On the 2Sth McCook completed bis reconnois.
sance on Hardee's movements. Crittenden re-
NAMED awaiting the result and bringing up
trains. Thomas moved into Stewards Creek
On the goth McCook moved into Wilkinsons
Cross Roads, seven miles from Murtreeshoro', on
the end of short, rough pike road, through
rolling country skirted by bluFa covered with
dense cedar thickets and open timber. Critten.
den pushed the enemy rapidly, saved the bridg-
es, aud reached point within three miles of
Multreesboro, his advance driving all the out.
posts to'within sight Of the town. I'D
T Thomas two divisions closed up to Critten-
den, and took position on his right. On the
30th McCook advanced on Wilkinson's pike,
having to make his way through dense woods,
meeting with determined resistance. He got
into position three miles from Murfreesboro', &C
cupying the extreme right of our line. The
LETT stood fast; the center advanced slightly,
and were engaged in cutting through an almost
impenetrable growth of cedar which separated
them from our right, rendering communication
With them exceedingly difficult. The combat
and the toughness of the country had brought
forward McCooks right division SOFAS to face
strongly TO the south. east instead of being re-
faced to face the south, with the several div.
sions between thecenter and right and sufficient,
" tar in The rear to support, and il necessary,
to extend it, the grave consequences of which
were developed the next day. e' . ,Hss ,,s.
The Slst found our left crossing the Murfrees-
boro' pike and railroad, one division3 in front.
one forming crochet on Stone River, and one
in reserve in the center; Negley between the
left and right, and Rousseau in reserve
The plan Of the battle was to open on the
right, engage the enemy sufficiently to hold him
firmly to cross the river with ourleft, consist
ing of three divisions TO oppose which they had
but two divisions, the country being favorable
to an attack from that side of the town but
the enemy attacked the whole front of our right
flank, which was partially surprised, and thrown
into confusion and driven back. & 4 49,
Gen. Sheridan's Division had repulsed the en-.
envy four times and protected the flank of the
center, which not only held its own. but advanc
ed until this untowasd event, which compelled
me to retain the left wing to support the right
until Il should be rallied and assume new 10.
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