davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
GEN. ~RO5ECRANS.

Oct 4 1862. Gen. William =. Rosecrans had
oon the battle Of Corinth, Miss. The Fed
,ral army under Buell. had, meantime, been
tramping up and down Kentucky, fruitlcSsly
pursuing Bragg and letting him escape at
last After the battle Of PerTyvillc, KY,
Oct q. 1SG2. Buell. was relieved from com
maud aud Gen. Rosecrans was summoned 10
take M, place at tho head of tho Union army
IN Kentucky. Tho day that he was thus
summoned fOrt. - be had just issued 70 his
troops a dispatch congratulating them on
their bravery and endurance at the fight OF
C0riuth.
The two leading generals at this time III
the west werc Grant and Rosecrans. Grant
commanded tho Thirteenth army corps,
known rs the Army Of the Tennessee. To
Roccraus was given the leadership Of the
Army Of the Cumberland His district com
prised northern Georgia and Alabama and
Tennessee east OF the Tennessee river.
Rosecraus was nothing If not energetic.
oct. 80 be was at Louisville. Tho Federal
army had been ordered 10 Bowling Green,
XIV. after Pcrryville. By Nov. | its adj
vance had reached there. Nov. = Gen. Rose
cr%ansarrivcd IN person to take command Of 1t.
William StaYke Rosecrans was an Ohio
man In.u ia 1919 He was graduated at
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
born in Georgia, in 1919.

October. 1852, lie became a lieutenant general.
He took active part in the fighting in the
west until the summer OF 1864. He was the
commanding general at Savannah ana
Charleston when they were taken possession
of by tho Federal forces in 1855. He was
with ,Jolnston's army at its final surrender,
April 81, 1865.
BY the night Of Dec. %, while McCooh's
men biyouacked at Noiinsville, Gen. Crit.en-
den's corps hal reached Lavirgnc, n village
northeast Of Nashville and Murfreesborc.
Lavirgue was an important strategic point
Thomas corps was well on the way.
4 fog so thick that no man could tell whom
he was firing at prevented a fight between
McCOok and Hardec on the morning OF Dec.
%. Under its friendly cover, Dardee burned
the bridge over Wilson's creek and rctreated
towards Murfreesboro. McCooks advance
undef johnson and Sheridan repaired the
bridge, crossed the creek, and encamped that
night at Triune.
The morning OF Dec. 90 came, counting
of the hours that brought the approach Of
the great battle. During that day McCook.
leaving part Of his command still at Triunc,
took the rest eastward over II road leading
directly into Murfrecsburo. Another night
passed. Dec. 80 McCook brought his whole
command up, those from Triune with the
rest. till he met the Confederate pickets at
Murfreesboro.
The first division of The First Confederate
cops lolb'sl at Murfreesboro was com
manded by Maj Gen. i. f.. C~heatham, Of
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
BATTLE or DEC. 81.

Tn fight Of Dec. 81 was the severest Of the
series Of four days battles. Gen. 4. Will
lich's second brigade OF Johnson's division
was tho most completely surprised when the
C0nfedcfates under McCown advanced TO
attack them at $50 o'clock. Gen. Which
himself was absent from his brigade, and at
Johnson's headquarters. Some Of lis artil-
lery horses were away from their guns, get
ting water in the rear.
Owing TO n failure to execute Bragg's or
ders precisely, tho Confederates did rot adj.
vance in two lines, as had been planned, BIZ.
in n long single line, McCown on the left,
Clebnrre on the right.
Kinks brigade was the portion OF the Fed
eral army first attacked. Kirk called on
Willich's brigade, on the extreme right, for
aid. Willich's brigade had no commander,
and no attempt was made to respond to the
call. There was sharp but short fighting,
and then Johnson's division vent TO pieces.
Kirk himself fell, MORALLY wounded, and
Which was captured as 10 was hurrying
back to his brigade. Kinks and Willicl's
brigades were nearly half Of them killed,
wounded or captured.
Only Col. Baldwin's brigade Of Johnson's
division remained unshattered. 1t was in re-
serve near division headquarters. The re-
mains Of the two beaten brigades went
streaming back TO the rear past Baldwin,
only pansing in their flight to give informa-
ton OF the disaster. At that Col. Baldwin
quickly formed bis brigade in line 10 meet
the pursuing Confederafes. They appeared
in great understanding clouds Of men.
On tho front Baldwin's brigade held them
CALAMITY back for a time, but they came on
in overwhelming force and Ranked him o.
the right, ~enfiading his brigade. Then he
was forced back and retreated slowly. just in
tiiae 20 miss having his whole brigade cap
tured. What was left Of tho other b~rigades
OF Johnson's division was being reformed in
the rear, and these Baldwin joined.
On the victorious visions of IIardee
swept, 50 Far swinging around the circle just
as Bragg had planned for them. Gen. jeff
{. DAVIS nex received the force Of the adj
vancing wave. Davis threw Posts brigade
quickly 10 the right to meet them with
changed front. On they came, an irresistible
avalanche Of men. They charged with the
"rebel yell" Fresh troops from Gen. Withers'
division OF the Confederate center had by this
time joined them. These came in q torrent
against Carlin's and WoodruTs brigades Of
Davis division and Sill's brigade Of the right
Of Sheridan's division. Together the three
brigades Of Carlin, Woodruff and Sill made
gallant resistance, and at length drove back
the advancing Confederate columns. Tho
Confederates reformed their lines almost I'M
mediately, being REINFORCED by reserves from
Cheatham's division. Again they charged,
and again were driven back by the three stub
born brigades. 0en. Sill charged in turn and
drove back the force opposite him TO their in
trenchments. But in this gallant charge SID
himself was killed Posts brigade OF DaviS
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

orderly. what cavalry is thatf' he asked
them. "~Illinois cavalry" was the answer.
sOh, ai right" quickly answered Cheat
ham. "%IlIinOis cavalry, remain where you
are.r
They sto ped, and then with much outward
dig7ity but inward scrambling, Gen.
Choatham and his orderly rode back within
the Confederate lines un~recogni2ed.
by tho morning of Dec. 80, McCook ami
the Federal right wing had advanced to
within seven miles Of Murfreesboro The
left wing under Crittendeu was still nearer.
being only three miles away from the town,
on the bank Of the west fork OF Stone river.
Thomas was in place in the center, with
Negleys division Of his corps next - Nc
Cook and Rousseau's division next 10 Critten-
len. Dee. 80 Gen. JEFF. c. Davis division Of
McCooh's corps advanced quite to the west
fork Of Stone river, fighting its way at every
step. Sneridan's division was also engaged
in forcing this advance, and the two together
lost 1,b men.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
Vas put In command he at once demanded
that this defect should be remcdied.

was put In command he at once demA"den
that this defect should be remcdied.
During the siege . body Of Confederate
troops, infantry and cavalry, 5000 strong
under Gems Roger Hanson and N. u. For
rest, from Breckinridge's command, ap--
peared before Nashville with the intention OK
making a general battle. But just Is they
were about TO attack an order camo from
Bragg for them to desist at once. Inor'
oughly angered, Forrest obeyed. Ths was
Nov.G
Nov. II the advance Of Rosecrans' army,
with the commander in-chief himself, reacheo
Nashville, anil immoliate prospects OF cap
turing it from, the Union forces ceased' is~
Grams established his headquarters IN Nash'
vile.
Rosecrans Immediately began to put IN or
der the railroad from Louisviileto Nashville
It was completed Nov. %, aud tnefeai,eI
trains running regularly oyer 1t kept t"e
Federal army in reach of supplies 10 guard
it from Confederate attack Gen. Ihoihas "as
stationed with his division at Gailath.
SO in December. 1852, Bragg an" i'oS
GRAMS armies lay Watching each otner, Drass
| at Murfreesboro, RosecraDs at Nash'lhe'
Gen. John NJ. Palmer was q hraSennh pop
ular officer, commanding the Second division
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

di.tdon had meanwhile also rspulDd the 81
tack Of Cleburnes men.
After changing front Posts brigade fought
nearly at right angles - their former posi-
ton. This made an angle OF tho left OF
Davis division and the right Of SheridanS.
Against this angle the Confederntes threw
all their force for the purpose OF cnfilading tho
Union ranks Twice they had been repulcd,
vet a third timo they assaulted the Federal
position. At that third attack tho long en-
during brigades Of Davis division gave way
and fell back into the cedar thickets behind
them.
Then Sheridan, next on Davis left, was in
turn obliged to protect his own right flank.
Col. George ". Roberts commanded Sheri-
dams left brigade. Sheridan quickly with
drew Silrs brigade, whose commander bad
been killed, from his right and ordered Col.
Roberts to take its place ana charge on tho
Confederates. who pursued Davis division
into the cedar grove. Roberts dill so and
checked .heir advance long enough for Sheri-
dan 10 reform Silrs brigade and another on
a new line. Roberts joined the new line with
bis brigade. Sheridan then attempted to re-
form Davis division. but failed.
Still the Confederates swept on in ever
increasing waves. They ct length turned
Sheridans own right. Tho right OF the cen
ter corps. Thomas. was held by Negley. I'M
mediateiy Sheridan joined his trout to Neg
ley's. and formed Roberts on the right. facing
south.
The successive positions on the right wing
| of the Federal force that morning may be
described as two sides of a square, one facing
| south, the other east, forming an angle with
| each other. One after another the south
| sides of the square melted away, again to he
followed by other brigades swung round 70
| the right in the same position. The main line
faced cas-.
Sheridan at length formed bis brigades IL
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
aAIIIE OF STONE RIVER.

The battle Of Stone River proper began
Wednesday, Dec. 81, 1862. There had been
preliminary skirmishing for days before, but
that day the general engagement opened.
There were various fights, extending over
Dec. 81, Jan. !, Jan. 2 and Jan. g.. Thus the
battle Of Stone River was really several bat
ties.
As Bragg had formed his line Of battle his
center was directly opposite the Federal
right, under McCook. The night Of the 3Oth
Rosecrans ordered great campfres to be
made, extending a mile to the right OF Nc
Cook, to give the impression that the line
was longer than it q At the same time be
ordered two Of his best brigades, those Of
Which and Kirk, to cover the right flank,
in a line nearly at right angles to his main
line.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

tured several millions worth OF properly: :.
Joseph Wheeler WAS born in Georgia IA
1896. graduated at West Point IN lo''' "iu
became lieutenant q cavalry. Two years
later. 1861, he resigned his commission III 'ne
United States army, AMI cast his FORTUNES
with the Confederacy. lie was rapidly pro
NOTED. and commanded an infantry organe
al Shiloh. Following that be was m@i,a
major general, although very young, anu 'ne
command of tho cavalry corps OF the Con
Tolerate Army OF thu West was given nun
The Confederate congress and The Cohieu
crate legislature OF South Carolina gave Mn
a vote of thanks for his services.
After the death Of J. Il. j. Stuart III ioVi'
Gen. Wheeler, at the ago of =, became Tue
senior cavalry commander OF all the Conied.
erato forces cast and west. AT inc cos, :,
tho war no settled in Alabama and STUDIED
Inv and became a cotton planter. zen,
Wheeler il now a member OF tho Uhlteu
states house Of representatives from Ala
hama.
Gen. William j. Hardee was the hrst 70
meet Rosecrans' advance under McCooR. ns
formed in line of battle the night Of Dec 20
and on tho morning Of the 9th awaited the
Federal onset.
cou uarfee was born in Georgia, in 1879.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

United States arsenal at Allegheny, Pa, for
Confederate use, then joined the western
army with his brigade. He defended Nash
Vile IN connection with Palmer in the sum
mer of 1862, and along with that general was
promoted to be a major general for gallantry
no Stone River. He afterwards served in
Georgia and Alabama.
On Christmas might, 1862, R0secrans sent
around among his commanders the word to
march southwark. %Singularly enough, at
that very time, Bragg was planning an at
tack against ROsecranS at Nashville.
Dec. %, 1862, fsosecrans began his march
against Bragg and MurlreeSboro. The fight,
which began there Dec. 81, IS indiScriminate-
ly called the battle Of Stone River and Mur-
f~reesboro. IL is also spoken Of as Stones
River.
Braes's army consisted of three corps.
Uardee's CORPS was west Of MurfreeSboro;
Folks and Kirby Smiths corps were at Muir
freesbOrO.
When R0Secrans' army moved forward,
McCook's corps, the right wing, advanced Oh
the Nolinsyiile pike toward Triune against
Hardee's corps.
A glance at the map viii reveal Rosecrans'
plan Of campaign. Imagine three lines
stretching southwark and slightly to the cast
from Nashville. They were the respective
corps Of McCook, Thomas ana 4. L. Critten-
den, the right wing, center and left wing Of
Rosecrans' army. McCook was Oh tho west,
Cnttendcn on the east, Thomas in the center.
They did not leave Nashville in that order,
but as they conyerged toward Murfreesboro
they fell into position for the fight.
Stone river is q stream which flows in d
northwesteriy direction into tho Climber
land, a few miles above Nashville. Its west
fork passes Murfreesboro, and flows in the
same general direction as the main stream.
Near The ''West' Fork as it is called, the
battle was fought. Hardee's Confederate
corps was almost due west Of Murfreesboro at
the time McCooh started southwark. Gle
burue's division Of Ilardee's corps was at
Eagleville.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

NcCooks battle line has been criticised II
vss mid 70 10 too long md thin, and 10 b
much broken, the divisions facing in Differ
emit directions. j..
Tuesday, Dec. 90. Bragg changed bis line Of
hattie somewhat. He moved his reserve d.
vision. NcCowns, to the front, and put
IIardee In command of it. B~reckinridges
division formed the Confederate right Gle
burne was in his rear a a support.
Cleburne's division was taken from Breckin'
ridge and placed in the GEAR Of McCown's d.
vision on Breckinridge's left. Braggs force
was formed in .wo lines, the second a sixth oil
a mile behind tie first. In front OF the nrst
were intrenchmentA
Meantime Thomas in the center, and Crit
tenden on he left, had. like McCook, FOUND
every foot Of their advance to Murfreesboro
on the osth and Goth of December contested.
They convcrsed to within supporting dis
lance OF each other Dec. ~. That night
Rousseau's division of Thomas corps camped
ne Stewartsboro, while Negley's division OF
thc same CORPS advanced to within three miles
of Murfreesboro. Dec. 30 Rousseau's divis
ion came I'D. That day Crittenden's force
| under a sharp fire. came within full sight Of
Murfresboro. Harker's brigade, indeed
| crossed Stone river to the Murfreesboro sid
| that evening. in the face Of Breckinridgei
force, but was ordered to return.
Bragg had weakened bis right under Brock
| inridge 10 strengthen his left, where be he
lieved the heaviest fighting would be.
Mai. Gen. John G. Breckenridge, VINO com
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

fnItI IMN NIsIt 'tNs N'"'N'a'rf
again, was made a brigadier general Of the
regular army in May, 1861, and sent 70 West
Virginia. There he made an enviable record
for himself. In 1862 he went south, and ia
October won the battles of luEa and COrinth.
That year ho became major general Of volun-
teors. ln December no fought and won the
hattie of Stone River. His career waSalmost
nm uninterrupted success up 10 September,
1858. when De lost the battle of C~hickamauga.
He was thercunon relieved Of the command
Of Che Army at the Cumberland In 1864 he
commanded ihc department Of Nilsson i, and
rendered efficient service in defeating Price.
In 1867 hc resigned from the army. After
wants Dc was minister TO Mexico for n short
time.
On assuming his new command Gen. Rose
Grams r-eorgauzcd his army. He divided 1t
into a right wing. center and left wing, com
mamded respectively by Gems. a. Med. Nc
Cook, George 81 Thomas and I. j.. Criitcn-
den.
Buell. had LETT Ncgley and Palmer at Nash
vile with two divisions. Bragg, on march
ing into Kentucky as the summer Of O2, left
in Tennessee q force Of 10000 men under Gen.
John G. Brechinridge TO blockade Nash
ville.r IL did 50, and for six weeks Negley's
and Palmer's reu in Nashville had no com
munication with the north.
After leaving Kentucky in October Bragg
began concentrating his forces at Murfrees
boro, rightly judging that a Federal attempt
would be made 10 relieve Nashville. a third
of B~reckiuridge's force was cavalry, com
manded by N. d. Forrest and Joseph
Wheeler, and these had harassed the garii
son at Nashville not "A little during the siS
weeks siege, preventing themfrom gathering
supplies from the surrounding country ex'
cept by raiding parties IL was just IN TIM
element OF cavalry that Bragg's army was
superior TO BuelPs, aud the Union force had
aufrered accordingly. As soon as Roecrans
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

Stone River ho stood cool and unmoved, Civ
ing orders. and to him Rosecrans turned a
to a rock of dependence.
1t was the formation Of his new line OF BAT.
Ito that saved tho day for Rosecrans Deo 81.
Too battle of Stone River was fought OH the
west and north Of Murfreesboro. RosecIans'
line faced to the east and south Dec. 81 in the
morning. Tho new line was northwest OF tho
old one and faced more toward the west The
successive positions of the Federal and Con
federate lines at Stone River Is an interesting
and instructive study in military scienco
In the evening OF tho 3ist Rosecrans and
his generals met and considered the situation.
| Gen. Wood had been wounded in the loot
carly in the day, but had never left thcsaddle
till z Mt night Then he took from the
wounded foot his boot and held it upSids
down. Blood poured from it like water. In
that condition tho general had sat upon his
| ICrSo and riyep orders all ia\.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

under Gen. Fremont: became q trigadier
general in December, 1861, and assisted az
the CAPTURE Of New Madrid and Island no ~.
He commanded n division under both urant
ond Rosecrans. and bore such gallant partln
the battle of Stone River That no was Pr Pr
NOTED to major general. lie was Mt tho batia
of Chickamauga and commanded the -FOUR
teenth corTs during the Atlanta camia,'sh
OF the two armies lying ot MuriTecHDoro
and Nashville Bragg had tO,VO men, one
third Of it cavalry; Rosecrans 4j,OuV, very
little cavalry. While they thus WAITED an
affair occurred Dec. 7 which conferred 10
luster on the Federal arms. At karlsruhe a
fow miles east Of Nashville, Col A. II. Moore
had been posted 10 guard n ford over the
Cumberland river. Early on the morning or
Dec John Morgan and his men appeared
before the town without warning ana a,-
tackled it,. His approach was "A snrpri 0 10
the Federal camp. There was sharp nshtiho
for an hour. when Moore and his whole com
mand were captured, with the loss OF lou men.
For this exploit John Morgan was madea
hrigadier general. .ooo
Dec. p, Morgan and all his men. 400
strong, were of again for Kentucky, lie nnu
orders from Bragg TO destroy the Lou'sVii'o
and Nashville railroad in Rosecrans' rear anu
break his communications north. Az inc
same time Bragg sen: Forrest on n raid else
where. And this was exactly the time CHOSEN
Inv Rosecrans, with full knowledge OF inc
situation, 10 attack Bragg himself Mt Mur-
freesboro. Bragg's cavalry absent, taeir Two
armies. his own and Bragg's, would be more
nearly eQualized.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01
JAN. 4. 1863.

The first day Of the new year was thurs.
DAY. Early In tho morning tho Confeder.
ates tried without success to force Thomas
line in the center. The attempt was several
times renewed equally in vain. There was
also some cavalry slirmshing. In the after
noon Bragg massed his troops heavily toward
the Federal right. but no attack was made
by either general. On the Federal side dur.
ing the day Van Cleye's division again crossed
the river to tho lIurfreesboro side, and here
was continued skirmishing between his men
and Folks corps. Some other slight changes
in the Union trocp s were made.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

ut Princeton college, New Jersey. lie studied
law and became a distinguished member Of
tho bar. lie likewise was n major IN the
Mexican war.
After the var he returned to his nome III
Lexington, Ky, and died there IN 1873.
At Stone River hc sustained n serious DC
feat a brigade commander in Bishop Poik's
second division at Stone river was Gen.
Jane, Ronald Chalmers, afterward famous
as tho representative in the United States
congress from the famous "ShoestrinG dis
trict" of Mississippi.
James Ronald Chalmers was born in Hall.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

called "Itouiu fOr- 0H''
est.n against which the Confederates especl-
ally directed their force. Still further to the
left Gen. Woods division became engaged
hotly by Breckenridge. but tho attempt to
drive Wood from his position was unsuccess-
full. Previous to this all Of Braggs army had
been engaged but Breckenridge, and o
every one of his divisions was in the battle.
There was fighting all along the line, desper-
ate fighting, too.
One unsuccessful assault was made on
Wood at 9 o'clock, another at T. A terrific,
but also Intellectual, assault was made OH the
Federal right and center late in tho afternoon.
Then darkness fell and the firing CEASED.
Detachments came out from each side 70 bury
the dead Both armies slept upon ths held
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

arms An knew n battle could not be long
DELAYED. Col. Roberts made a little speech
that thrilled his few hearers. He spoke OF
the lght which he waited for like JOBS war
horse. A. he raised his glass he closed ms
speech with these words:
81, for one, will take ali chances OF reDei
bullets"
$50 will r. "Ani II cried Harrington
and TalliafcrrO, as they too broushe thelr
classes I, their lips. The toast TO victory
was drink with cheers and enthusiasm.
a week afterward, Jan. |, 1863, all three
Roberts. Harrington and Talliaferro-lay
Head upon the battlefield OF Stone river.
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

fax county, Va. in
1881. When years
old he was taken to
Mississippi. He was
educated in South
Carolina. but re-
turned 10 practice
law in Mississippi.
Chalmers was a
member Of the con.
vention that passed
the Mississippi or
dinance of seces-
sion. After that
no entered the Con-
federate arnly as
canfain n "A ha-
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01


lie was graduated
at West Point in
1858, and entered
the Dragons. jan
uary, 1861, he re-
signed from the
United States ar
my for the pur-
pose Of joining the
C%onfederacy. In
that service he be-
caule q briCadier
general in 1861. He
took brave part in
the battle Of Shi-
loh, and for it was
promoted to DO a
mninr nnnnrnl In
The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-01

Bragg learned the same day, Dec. 70. OF
Rosecrans' advance, and prepared for fight.
He selected Stone river as bis line of battle.
Then he directed such cavalry as he had left
-Pegram's, Wheeler's and Wharton's-tc
annoy and delay tho head OF tho advancing
Uaion columns until he should be ready.
The railroad from Nashville to Chatta-
noosa passes through Murfreesboro, and the
town is thirty miles from Nashville. Dense.
almost impenetrable cellar groves rendered