Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-02-26
THE FIRST BATTLE OF MUIR.
FREESB0RO.
From the Murfrcesboro Monitor J

copyright of which the "Harp-ous "
have failed to secure, we note the follow
ing doings before and after the first
battle of Murfreesboro, many scenes of
which were witnessed by most of our
citizens, and while the cause is lost for
which the battle was fought, it will hardly
be denied that the fishermen from the
South did not make good haul at
that time:
The first battle of Murfreesboro occur
red on Sunday, 18th of July, 1862. The
Yankees had been in possession of the
city since the l7th of March General
t. T. Crittenden arrived few days be-
fore the battle to assume command here
To what extent authority had been ac-
tually transferred to him, the writer is
not advised. One thing is certain, he
intended to rule the citizens with greater
severity than any of his predecessors.
The day before the battle he informed
citizens who were trying to reclaim rum
away slaves that no more slaves should
be turned out of the Yankee camp, and
if any officer permitted an absconded
slave to be delivered to his master, that
officer should be cashiered; for said the
Indiana General, you are not entitled
to the clothes you wear, the water you
drink, nor the air you breathe. The
Spence House" as at present called,
was his headquarters, and there he was
taken prisoner
The 9th Michigan, Sd Minnesota and
Hewitt's battery with few cavalry
comprised the Federal forces here then.
The courthouse was occupied by the
provost guards, nearly hundred strong,
who used it as fort, firing from the
upper windows. The tavern building on
the Southwest corner of the square was
used as a guard house by the Yankees,
and served as fort during the battle
The possession of these houses, as forts,
we're great advantages possessed by the
Yankees and they profted by them. The
Confederates coming up, dismounted
from their horses, and in bold, and ap-
parently reckless manner, charged the
houses and took them. More than half
the loss of the Confederates in killed
and wounded during the battle was in
Cured in taking the courthouse.
The Yankees had been in possession
of the city for five months, were ac-
uuainted with the streets and passways,
and their officers posted squads of sharp
shooters at the proper points, with or
ders to shoot az persons seen passing
the streets. Many private citizens were
shot at, who were taking no part in the
fight
The Confederate forces consisted of the
lst and I'd regiments of Georgia cavalry
with the Texas Rangers, commanded by
Gen. N. B. Forrest. They left their en-
campment beyond McMinnville on Sat
urday evening When Gen. Forrest had
approached within a few miles of the
city, he sent forward few men who
passed between the Yankee pickets until
within the suburbs of the city, when they
came into the main road, and went gal
loping back towards Woodbury.. The
pickets supposing them to be scouts from
their own army permitted them to come
up to them, and in this way the pickets
were taken without any disturbance or
alarm. The Confederates then pressed
forward in double quick, dividing es they
entered the city. The attack was made
by a surprise on the 9th Michigan at 4
o'clock by the Texas Rangers. The 9th
Michigan surrendered about 8 o clock in
the morning, and the Court House was
surrendered about the same time. The
Sd Minnesota with the artillery did not
surrender until about o'clock in the
afternoon.
The number Of prisoners taken was
about eleven hundred, including Generals
Crittenden and Dufiield, Colonels Lester
and Farkhurst and other officers.
The scene on the battle field was ter
rife in the extreme, and the field OF
strife after the contest was over, was
borrid beyond description. General
Dufield was wounded by two shots. The
number killed we're about equal on both |
sides, and amounted to about thirty |
each. Five negroes in addition were
killed in the Yankee camp. The Con-
fsderate wounded were not more than |
tbe number killed, while the Yankee |
wounded amounted to eighiy-hve. The |
wounds Of the Confaderates were more /
terrible. while the number Of Yankee
wounded far exceeded that Of the Con- /
federaies. The slightly wounded Of the |
went away with their com /
on the evening Of the battle,
Afier The battle, the citizens we're very |
attentive 10 the wounded, showiug kind |
ness 10 the unfortunate and humsHi;T 10 /
he dead without distinction. Most OF
lie dad we're buried in the city grave
yard
Gen. Forrest. on reaching MeMiun-
vile. paroled the Yankee prisoners
taken, except the commissioned oihcers,