The National tribune., 1901-10-17
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Soldiers Diary Of the Civil War.
By LYMAN S. WIDNEY, .34th iii.
A Soldiers Diary Of the Civil War.
Copyrighted. 1901. by TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE


Contrary to our expectations. Jan. die
not witness a renewal of the battle. We
were glad enough to be let alone, and
Bragg was anxious for us to fall back on
Nashville without having to be driven
back We showed a disposition to be
stubborn when it came to being driven.
Briggs cavalry had ridden entirely
around our army and reported our bag
gage trains in Il complete state of disor-
ganization and panic. Indeed, Rosecrans
at one time contemplated Il retreat to
Nashville, being ignorant of the exhausted
and weakened condition of his enemy, but
wiser counsel prevailed and our position
in front was held intact. During the day
Bragg made several demonstrations with
artillery and a show of infantry in a
threatening way, as though preparing for
another assault, but these movements
failed to produce the effect he desired.
During the forenoon of Jan. it be-
came evident that Bragg was making
preparations to renew the assault on our
left, and Rosecrans promptly concentrated
as many men and cannon as possible to
defend the threatened point
AT p. m. the Confederates emerged
from their concealment in strong columns
and advanced rapidly upon our lines, driy-
ing back our men for some distance, but in
doing so they came within short range
of our artillery, which had been massed
for the purpose, and which now opened
upon the advancing 'COnfederateS with
such disastrous effect that they halted,
wavered, and retreated, being followed by
our infantry.
The roar of artillery and musketry had
been deafening all along the line since
noon, and when night again ended the
strife we still held our position with but
little loss, while the Confederate loss was
about 1000 killed and wounded in this
disastrous charge of Breckinridge's Diyi-
sion.
Jan. both armies appeared so exhaust
ed and so unwilling to provoke any fur
Their slaughter that, notwithstanding the
close proximity of the opposing lines, there
was scarcely any firing. An occasional
shot from a sharpshooter or skirmisher
was the only indication of hostility.
Our brigade, reduced in numbers and
very hungry for lack OF rations, occupied
hastily-constructed works so near the
front that a bullet once in while dropped
into our midst, but without any damage
to US.
Late in the evening there was a sudden
burst of artillery and musketry, caused
by Gen. Thomas throwing forward two of
his brigades and driving the enemy back
from the woods in his immediate front.
Nightfall soon ended this movement, and
quiet once more prevailed.
BRAGG RETREATS FROM STONE RIVER.
The Sabbath-like stiffness on the morn
ing of Jan. 4 denoted a change of af-
fairs. Our pickets listened in vain for the
line of gray that had been confronting
them SO persistently and aggressively. |
Our officers were soon informed that no |
enemy was in sight or hearing, and di |
rected cautious advance of our lines to |
learn his whereabouts. The fact was soon |
that our foemen had retreated |
under cover of the night, leaving the field |
in our possession.
The joyful news was soon known to |
all, and great was orr rejoicing. We had |
not anticipated the extent of the damage |
by the Confederates in their re- |
peated charges on our lines, because their
success in surprising and routing our Right |
Wing appeared very much like a victory, |
and We fully expected 4 renewal of the |
battle. Bragg, however, decided other
wise and departed in haste, believing that |
we were receiving achievements, when,
In fact, we Were too much disorganiZed
and exhausted to follow him.
Our army numbered $1,000 engaged in
the battle, and the Confederates $4,000.
The losses in killed, wounded, and missing
were about equal being about 5000 men
each, killed and wounded, and 1000 pris-
oners.
Our regiment went into action with $50
men and lost 81 killed, 100 wounded, and
0U were taken prisoners; total loss, 1S1.
Jan. D our brigade crossed Stone River
on the railroad bridge, which had been
partially destroyed by the enemy, making
the passage difficult and tedious. Enter |
ng MurfreesbOro, so recently Gen. Bragg's |
headquarters, we found it like one vast
hospital, being occupied by the wounded
IF both armies, perhaps 10000 in number
rs the aggregate loss during the battle
was $4,000 killed and wounded. The Con-
-ederates left behind only those who were
very seriously wounded We marched
through the town and encamped four
niles south Of it.
Jan. g, contrary to our expectations. we
'emained in camp. We pitched our tents
ma once more enjoyed comfortable quar-
-ers, after II days Of exposure. | was
Kept busy in the Adjutants Office making
'ut reports and lists OF the killed wound /
I'd, and missing, which were required to /
be sent IN as soon as possible to the diff
Lefent army departments, as well as to
he State of Illinois.
BUILDING FoRTIFICATIoNs,
Feb. / several regiments of our brigade
were ordered out for work on the fortifica-
lions around MurfreesbOrO, which have
been IN progress few days. These works
are intended to be very formidable, so that
4 comparatively small force will be able TO
hold this point when our main army moves
On farther south. Murfreesboro viii be
on the line of our communication, and Il
very important strategic position, second |
TO Nashville.
This work may be valuable and neces-
sary in a military view, but our men had |
three objections to it today: Because it !
was Sunday, because it was muddy, and |
last, but greatest, because it was work.
The first two objections may be tenn
porary, but the last is permanent and I'M
We did not enlist to work
we had plenty at home. We expected lust |
regular pay, and glory-not work |
and mud
Feb. our brigade was ordered out on |
picket duty at Z a. IN. About 9 a. m we |
heard lively cannonading in the direction |
OF Iullah0ma. and not very far from our
posts. We were very much excited for a |
time and made preparations for a possible |
attack, but we learned after a while that |
the firing was caused by an attack by the |
enemys cavalry on one of our forage |
trains, which was defended by an infan- |
try force from our division aud two guns |
from our battery. The enemy harassed
the train from the time ii went out until |
It returned, following almost to our picket |
line, but did not prevent the loading of |
our wagons and their safe return. Three |
OF the train escort were wounded.