The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30
BATTLES Ill II Z MlUdRrREESBORo.
I
EIGHTH MINNESOTA ENaAaED.
FoarlssE Men Instantly Killed.
Sevsnty-six Wounded and Many
Morally.
Fall List Of Names.
From Our Regular Correspondent.

MuRsxnEsBoRo. Tenn, Dec. is, 1854.
To tie Editor Of Ne Pioneer:
Events have been crowding upon us thick
and fhst for about three weeks, and we have II
this portion Of middle Tennessee been as fal
removed from all intercourse with the world
| outside as we were last summer In the butte.
| on the Little Missouri 500
| Gen Hoods rebel army made Its appearance
between this point and Nashville during the
| latter part of last month, and the outer wave
Of his hungry ragamufins has ever since been
surging around this town and the Notifications
which defend it. They evidently anticipated
an early conquest Of this important position,
but they were sadly disappointed in their ex-
| pectations Fortress Rosecrans had been lately
much strengthened. and about 10000 troops
concentrated here for its defence, the whole
under command of Gen. Rosseau The rebels
have been In considerable force around the
works. but no attack has taken place, for the
simple reason, probably, that as soon as they
came near enough our forces sailed out and
routed them.
We have, however. been in constant fever
of excitements and activity. The distant BOOM
ing Of artillery indicating collision between
the main armies In the direction of Nashville;
the nearer thunder of the rebel guns battering
away at blockhouses ON the railroad within a
few miles Of us; the rattle of musketry be-
tween our pickets and yidettes and those ofthe
enemy; the drum and fife and bugle, sounding
the assembly of our regiments--some to man
the works and others with colors flying march
ing out to meet the foe; and, last, but not
least, the shock of battle between our own
forces and the rebel troops, sometimes within
view of the fortress--all this and much more,
has made business sufficiently lively for ordi-
nary purposes.
The Eighth Minnesota Regiment has borne
its full share of the burdens, and reaped
heaped-up measure of glory, in the battles
which have taken place around here. Her
colors have been carried through two storms
of fire, and have half a dozen times waved de-
fance at the enemy, when they declined an
encounter.
On the 4th Of December the rebel forces at
tackled block house on the Railroad, five
miles from here toward Nashville. Three OF
four Regiments went to its relief under COM
mand of Gen. Milroy, the Eighth Minnesota
among the number. The latter however was
held in reserve, and only came in on the home
stretch, after the heaviest fighting was over,
and the rebels were on the run. Its loss was
but few wounded, and only one seriously-
Barney, of Company H.
Wednesday, the 9TH, was more important
day. The rebels, with infantry, artillery and
cavalry, had approached in force within two or
three miles of our works, and had taken
stand. On that morning Gen. Ailroy again
took command of about 5000 men, and six
field pieces, and proceeded to reeonnoitre the
position of the enemy. Making detour of
several miles he came upon the rebel forces
about noon. Heavy artillery firing immedi-
ately commenced at short range, and which
was kept up for some time. Gen. Miroy hay
ing ascertained the precise state of affairs, so
disposed OF his forces as to turn the enemy's
left flank and avoid the more formidable works
IN his front. The Eighth Minnesota with
the 6lst illinois on the right and the 174th
Ohio on the left. were the attacking party,
the remainder being held in reserve After
some delay in perfecting the arrangements
owing to obstacles in the way, during which
we were exposed to severe artillery fire, the
line was finally formed under cover of a strip
OF timber, skirmishess thrown out. and the
line moved forward. Clearing the woods,
nothing but an open field quarter of q mile in
width separated us from the rebels, whose line
was on the opposite side of the field, just In
side Of another piece of woods, and supported
by four pieces Of artillery. As soon as we
emerged from the timber, we became exposed
TO q. storm of musketry. shot and shell, severe
in theextreme, but there was no hating until
half the Intervening space was cleared, when
the Eighth Minnesota and 61st Illinois were
ordered to lie down, to enable the accomplish
ment Of some movement on the left After
| being thus for some minutes exposed to a fire
almost unparalleled ia its intensity, the men
arose and dashed forward upon the enemy with
| yells and shouts that band of Blackfoot Indi-
couldans not have surpassed, and returning
| the fire of the enemy with vigor that aston
| ished them. Their line gave way, doubled up.
and finally they commenced to fly panic-strick..
l en-, the men throwing away guns, clothing.
haversacks, everything that impeded their
| flight. Dur pursuit however Was for a mile
| almost equal to their stampede. The Eighth
Minnesota being directly In front Of the rebel
| battery rushed up to the very muzzies of the
guns, which blazed away necessarily, and two
| Of which-brass 12-pounfers, complete were
abandoned, the cannoniers joining In the hasty
| rebel exit from that vicinity. Nearly 800 prisl
| oners completed the trophies Of that days
| work. It was complete victory. The rebels
had. according to their own ACCOUNTS, A 900 in!
hnfry, under Gen. Bates, several thousand
| cavalry under Gen. Forrest and four pieces OF
artillery; while our force In the fight was but
| three Ragiments, of less than 1900 men, the
Einhth Minnesota having SIS men.
The lossof che Nighth was heavy, much
greater flaan that Of any other regiment. -Four.
| teen men were Instantly killed and seventy six
| wounded many of the latter mortally. The
| following Il 3 correct list Of the casualties
ii s.i.0Qelal sGdse Of Casnalttes.
r. s& ~ VA FrK1n AID srAS1.
WS,udsd--r .Cok H1nrS G. lkokers, severe
Ily a IA arm; Sergeant aajor John Hartley
oonrrzrr a.
sa's: IL: si's'! :s;s sssi I s :slss