Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1884-08-09

I'D .
attack on the morning of the 9lst, and
the battle continued throughout the
day with heavy losses on both sides,
but no definite advantage to either at
the close of the day.
The Federals bore to their left dur
ing the first days fighting, and seemed
determined to turn the Confederate
right wing. This made the battle des-
perate in Cheatham's front, and es.
pecially on the extreme right, on the
railroad track. This part of the field
was held by Savage's regiment and
was considered by the commanding
General to be the key to the position.
The regiment held its ground at this
point for three hours, against fearful
odds, until reinforced by Chalmers
brigade.
On the morning of January LIST,
Rosecrans had succeeded in massing a
heavy force on an elevation on the
the Confederate right wing. Breckin-
ridge was ordered to attack this point
on the Federal lines, which he did on
the morning of the LIST, but was re-
pulsed with heavy loss, The position
was strong one, and Breckinridge's
forces were inferior to to the Federals
in point of numbers. 1t was now as
certained that Rosencran's had gained
a decided advantage in the way Of pc.
sition, and having been reinforced to
numbers by far the superior of the Con-
federates, Bragg saw at once his ina.
bility to hold his position, and retreat
was ordered
The Confederates withdrew to Shell.
byville and TullahOma. The battle of
Murfreesboro had been a severe and
desperate conflict. The Tennessee
troops fought with desperation, because
they felt they were fighting for their
homes. The 18th regiment lost two
hundred and five men in killed, wound.
ed and missing. The regiment held
the most critical position on the field,
and the manner in which it defended
its position and performed the response.
bic and arduous duty assigned is more
fully described in the official report Of
General Donaldson. This report, TO-
gether with the official report of killed
and wounded, will duly appear in this
work.
After the battle of Murfreesboro
Gen. Bragg withdrew to Tullahoma
and Cheatham's division was ordered
to Shelbyville, where it did nothing
during the remainder of the winter anC
spring except build Notifications. AT
fairs in both armies remained quiet til
June following. During the following
spring, Gen. Donelson was promoted
to the rank Of Major General, and as
signed to duty in East Tennessee. Col
Savage being the senior Colonel of th'
| brigade, and Of unquestioned ability
and patriotism, was the one to be pro
| NOTED, and the whole regiment anC
} brigade was surprised to see a junior il
: rank and age, inferior in ability ant
experience, placed over him in the com
mand of the brigade. This was an I'm
looked for indignity which Col. Savag
resented severely, and accordingly sen
: in his resignation, which was accepted
| in due time, and Col. Savage bad
adieu to his regiment in the following
address:
HEADQUARTERS 18th TENN. Vols.
March 9th, 1853.
| Soldiers Of the 10th, my friends ant
companions: Nothing but a sense o
, duty could have forced me to the Ste
. 1 have taken. When the government
} selected junior to command me,
thereby decided that l had not don
we'll in the command of my regiment
Not tired of the war, or less devoted +
the cause, but it is improper that
t should continue in a service wher
equality is denied me. 1t is true l di,
not ask the government for promotion
neither did l ask for the commander
they have given me. In the occurrenc
3 which forces me to retire may be seel
s the hand of a distinguished politician
3 who stands almost as high in public ia
vor as Andrew johnson once did, ant