The National tribune., 1903-08-06

the enemy moving out In strong force On
the Salem pike, with infantry, cavalry and
artillery. Being fully satisfied that his OBJ
ject was to make battle, I withdrew my
forces to the Wilkinson pike, and formed
a new line on n more favorable position.
The enemy moved boldly forward, driving
in my pickets, when the infantry, with
the exception Of Smiths Brigade, from
some cause which l cannot explain. made
shameful retreat, losing two pieces Of
artillery.
Il seized the colors Of the retreating
troops and endeayored to rally them; but
they could not be moved by any entreaty
or appeal to their patriotism. Maj.-Gen.
Bate did the same thing, but was equally
as unsuccessful as myself. / hurriedly
sent Maj. Strange. OF my staff. to Brig
Gems. Armstrong and Ross, Of Jackson's
Division, with orders to say to them that
everything depended on their cavalry.
They proved themselves equal to the emer-
gency by charging on the enemy. thereby
checking his further advance. / ordered
the infantry to retire to Stewards Greek.
while my cavalry encamped during the
night at Overall's Greek. The enemy rs-
turning TO Murfreesboro. ordered my cav.
airy to resume its former position"
Gen. Milroy's loss was 22 killed and 1S8
wounded; Maj. Benjamin G.. G.. Reed,
1Iith Ohio. was killed while charging with
his regiment. Gen. Bate reports a loss in
his division Of 10 killed, T3 wounded and
IL missing. Among the killed was Lieut.
Col. W. w. Billopp, Doth Ga. The loss In
Sears's and Palmer's Brigades is not re-
ported. During this engagement Gen. Bu-
ford's Division of Cavalry attacked Muir
freesb0ro. He entered the town, shelled
it tiercely and knocked the houses to
pieces. With regiment of infantry and
section of artillery Gen. Rousseau at
tackled and drove the enemy from the
town. This engagement ended Gen. For
rests efforts to capture the garrison at
Murfreesboro.
On Dec Cen Hood sent brigade Of
infantry, commanded by Col. Charles II.
Olmstead to Gen. Forrest and ordered
Gen. Bate to report with his division at
Nashville
Although defeated in his effort to cap
true the garrison of Murfreesboro. Gen.
Forrest kept his command actively en-
ployed. He caused Gen. Buford to pro-
ceed to the Hermitage and to picket the
Cumberland River, so as to prevent
flank movement in that direction by the
Union forces. The activity of Gen. Bu-
ford created the impression with Gen.
Thomas that the enemy was preparing to
cross the Cumberland River above the city.
Gen. Forrest caused his infantry to COM
pletely destroy the railroad from La
Vergne to Murfreesboro. He had not yet
turned his attention to the railroad south
of MurfreeSbOro. Gen. Rousseau still
had railroad and teIegraphic communica-
tion south with Stevenson and Chatta-
nooga; he drew his supplies from Steven
son.
DESTRUCTION OF SUPPLY TRAIN.
On Dec. u the 61st ILL., and detach-
ment of the 1St Mich Engineers, all under
the command of Lieut.-Col Daniel Grass.
were ordered to proceed to Stevenson, Ala.
by railroad and return without delay with
trainlead of supplies for the garrison at
Murfreesboro
The run TO Stevenson was made with
out disturbance, but as the train of II
loaded cars returned, Gen. Jackson with
his command of cavalry, having torn up
the track. attacked the train guard about
2 o'clock in the morning. LieutCol. Grass,
with his men, left the cars and formed for
its defense. They restored the rails to
the track, and attempted to go on with
their train. In this they were unsuccess-
full, the enemy tore up the track both in
front and rear, and as daylight approach
ed charged the line with dismounted cav
airy.
Col Grass command held their ground
and repulsed the assault. Gen. Jackson
brought up his artillery and opened up
on the Union forces and the train. Lieut.
Col. Grass now decided to abandon the
train and cut his way out, if possible. The
attempt was made. and considerable por-
tion of the 61st ILL.,, under the lead of Mai.
J. B. Mutton, made their escape, but
Lieut.-Col. Grass. one Captain. two LIEU
tenants and 81 enlisted men of the 61st
ILL.,, one Lieutenant and 40 men of the 1st
Mich. Engineers, and 80 men of the 18th
Ind. Cav. We're captured.
The train. containing 10000 rations, was
burned. This was n serious blow to the
Union forces at Murfreesboro. While
Gen. Rousseau with his 5000 men was
able to hold his position, he had not been
able to defend the railroad. and now that
he had a strong force of the enemy in his
immediate vicinity. and Hoods army lay
between him and Nashville, he was unable
to withdraw from his post and cooperate
with Gen. Thomas against the forces be-
seging Nashville.
But while Gen. Thomas's forces were
thus divided. it was the same with Gen.
Hoods forces. Gen. Forrest was no doubt
superior in numbers to the garrison Of
Murfreesboro, and he was too far from
Nashville to support Gen. Hoods army il
either attack or defense.
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