The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1906-07-05
Eighth Kentucky
History.
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CHAPTER vIII-ContinueJ.
Thrilling story Of the Part this Gal
liant Regiment took In the Civil War

through farms, meeting no oppo-
sition except very tall cedar rail
fences. We could hear heavy Skin
mishing on the Franklin road. At
sunset we halted near Stone River,
within two miles of Murfreesboro,
where our engineers and mechanics
we're in sharp skirmish with rebel
sharpshooters. The former we're try
ing to construct bridge over the
river near the Nashville Pike. The
division formed line Of battle in sup
porting distance Of the pickets, who
became quiet as darkness spread her
sable curtain over the earth. We
lay on our arms, ready for any night
attack. The bare earth in the tram
pied down cornfeld was wet and cold,
and but few men could feel comfort
able enough to sleep.
The 30th day of December, 1852,
passed without a general engagement.
Both armies appeared to be feeling
around with their skirmishers. Oc-
casionally a sharp rattle Of musketry
would ring out through, the cedars,
caused by our lines crowding their
pickets, especially in the afternoon.
As the atmosphere was heavy with
considerable fog and misty rain,
the pickets on our right ran against
those Of the enemy, and sharp bat
tie for half an hour was the result.
Then darkness again covered the
two armies that now lay here con-
fronting each other, only awaiting
the light OF day to enable them 10
engage in a conflict OF arms, that
was destined TO have great influence
in deciding the future destiny of
Of this great, free government.
Our division, after dark, formed
column by division, and lay again
in the open field. The rain ceased,
and the wind shifted around from a
cold quarter, making us feel sadly
the need Of blanket, but no com
plants we're made by anyone. Each
man received sixty rounds Of fresh
cartridges, and laid down, expecting
to engage in bloody work as soon as
morning should appear.
In order that the reader may bet
ter understand subsequent events in
this battle, we will give the order in
which our army Of AZ 900 was placed.
The Union line of battle extended in
the form OF an arc. The left of our
division rested at a ford ON Stone
River, one mile west Of the Nashville
Railroad, and was the left of the
line. The right wing lay near the
Franklin Pike, and was composed Of
McCook's corps-Johnson's, Sheri-
dams, and Davis divisions. General
Thomas corps occupied the center,
and consisted of Negley's and Rous
seau's divisions, while General I. l..
Crittenden's corps, composed Of
Woods, Palmer's aud VanCleve's di-
visions, formed the left
About daylight, the last day Of the
year 1862, our brigade, now under
command of Colonel Price, of the
Twenty first Kentucky, was ordered,
and double-quicked to the above
named ford on our left. We waded
the river, waist deep, the water be-
ing cold enough to make one catch
his breath as it reached the hips
We hurried into line of battle in
sight of the rebel pickets, and adj,
vanced on them about one fourth of
a mile The Johnnies made the bull
let's sing over our heads as they fell
back from our skirmish line, who
gave them back sharp fire. Dur
ing this maneuver the firing on the
extreme right had increased 10 a
heavy battle. The constant roar of
artillery and ominous crashing rattle
Of small arms, told us plainly that
the rebels were making desperate
attempt to turn our right wing. We
we're ordered to fall back and re-
cross the river. The Third Brigade,
including the Eighth, formed re-
serve line Of battle near the ford,
while the remainder of the division
was ordered on TO support the right,
which was now evidently being
pushed back by the combined force
Of three rebel corps--McCoun's, Che
atham's, and Claiborne's. Johnson's
command had first given way. The
exultant rebels, partially intoxicated
on whisky and gunpowder, followed
up. Davis division was next com
PEELED to fall back. This left Sheri-
dams right exposed, which the rebels
soon took advantage of. After stand
ing the shock of the now furious foe
for some time, they in turn we're
hurled back toward the center, where
old Lion Heart" Thomas was riding
back and forth in front OF his sturdy
heroes, encouraging them. All the
available force that could be taken
from the left was concentrated here