The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-07-26
A HARD CAMPAIGN.
No Fun Fighting Johnnies During the Terri
BILE Winter of 1S62-'63.

NO run t1Sht1ng Johnnfes During the Ierri'
BILE Winter of 1S62'63.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The spirit
moves me to tell something of my expert
ence of the Winter of 1862 and 49, On Dec
26 our brigade broke camp at Nashville
The brigade was composed of the I'D and
51st Ind, Gath and 65th Ohio; commanded
by Col. Harker, of the Regular, Army.
We broke camp in the morning and took
the pike leading to Lavergne, where we
arrived at dark, after toilsome march of Is
miles through mud and rain. We spent the
night as best we could, without tents OF
any thing to protect US from the cold, rain
and chilling blast.
On the morning of the 9th the rain con-
tipued but after hasty breakfast we formed
in line-of-battle, and began our advance on
the Johnnies, driving them slowly before
us. At about o'clock we drove them on,
of their camp on Stewards Creek, and after
one of the hardest days service in our ex-
perience we went into camp wet, cold, and
hungry. Anyone that never marched
through wet cedar thicket all day cannot
realize what it means. / had the good for
tune to find bale of cotton near our camp
and confiscated enough of it to make me a
good bed.
We were permitted to spend the next day
which was the Sabbath, in camp, but on
Monday morning we were early on the move
and began driving the rebs before US. About
sunset we had driven them within one mile
of Murfreesboro.
Through false report the General was
led to believe that the rebs were evacuat-
ing Murfreesboro, and our brigade was Or
dered to cross Stone River and go in On our
left. We waded the river, and discovered
that we had Breckinridge's entire command
in our 'front.' Thanks to the darkness, they
could not know our strength and it required
much hard swearing by the officers to keep
them from an inglOrious stampede.
We held our ground until about IL o'clock,
when we received the agreeable order to fall
back across the river and take position on
the left of the center, near the railroad and
pike. Here we spent the rest of the night
AS we were in front of the enemy, we were
not allowed the comfort of fire. Tuesday
we were left to support the 9th Ohio battery,
and at one time it looked as though we
were in more danger from our friends than
from our foes. By some objectionable mis-
take the Chicago Board of Trade Battery
opened upon the 9Th Ohio at short range,
claiming that they thought it was rebel
battery.
On Wednesday morning the rebels made
an early attack on our right, before Johnston
had his troops in readiness to receive them ;
even the artillery horses were away to water.
Their onset was so determined that even
Sheridan's Division was not able to stop
them. Somewhere about 8, the Com
handing General ordered Col. Harker to
take his brigade to the right and hold the
rebels until he could get his artillery parked
in the cedars in our rear. He fulfilled the
order, but at the cost of many brave life.
There were seven guards with the colors
when we went in, and / carried them off
without a guard. The last one with the
colors was killed when we were falling back
to our new line. / saw R0secrans's Chief of
Staff killed in front of our line as we started
to close the gap on our right. A cannon
ball severed his head from his body.
By IL o'clock the rebels were checked in
all their attempts to drive US from our new
formation, and from that time until Friday
night, Notwithstanding superior numbers
and the great damage they had inflicted on
Wednesday, Rosecrans held Hood as though
in wise. When they attempted to crush
our left, we got entire satisfaction. out of
them. But the exhausted condition of our
forces and great lack of cavalry prevented
our gathering in the trophies we had so
dearly earned.-PERRY c. HAGERTY, Color
Sergeant, I'D Ind