The National tribune., 1906-06-07
OF THE ).
CUMBERLAND.

itself to ttS veteran comrades, and I'M
der the lead Of Cob heander Stem made
swift charge and secured one OF the
pieces as q trophy.
Night was now rcoming on, and Da-
Wis put his division into bivouac. STAN
ley with his Cavalry Reserve had some
small affairs In clearing the front far
Their to the left. IN which battaiions OF
the 18th Pa; Cav. and the Sd Ind. Cav.
distinguished themselves. Mai. Rosen-
garten. OF the 18th Pa. Cav. had q fist
fight with the leader OF the rebel cav
airy. Both had dashed at each other
and tried to fire with their revolvers
but the rain had wetted these and
neither would go off. The two COM
manders then attacked each other with
their fists, the rebel landing singer
on Maj. Rosengarten's eye, but the lat
ter succeeded in knocking his antag-
onist off his horse and making him a
prisoner.
On the Franklin Pike Col Zahm had
driven the enemy back with q charge,
killing four and capturing TO- ~
On the left Crittenden had had con-
slant skirmishing. but his cavalry, oc-
casionally reinforced by the infantry
and artillery, finally pushed the enemy
back to Lavergne. The evening OF Fri
day, Dec. 26, closed down with sue
cessful advance Of the entire army into
line abreast, with loss of from Is to
able equal loss on the part of the enc
my, to which should be added so or so
prisoners The troops went into biy-
ouac, lighting a wide sweep of coun-
try with their bright camp-fires, feel
ing entirely satisfied with themselves
their commanders, and what had been
accomplished and sanguine as to flu
ture success. McCOok anticipated that
Hardee was in strong force at Trinne,
seven miles distant, and would make
stubborn fight on the morrow. Rose
Grams directed him to move at daylight
and push the enemy hard.
Saturday, Dee. n.
Though the sun had shone on the
previous evening as the men went into
bfvouac, the dawn OF Saturday, Dec. 81,
was dark and dreary and the mud,
wherever the men had to move or camp
off the pike, had become serious i'm
pediment. McCoOk was ready to move
at daylight, but dense fog rose, max
ing 1t impossible to see $50 yards, and
tine advance was made very cautiously
with Kinks Brigade encOuntering the
enemy in strong force on the top of a
ridge. There was much confusion in
the movements and the cavalry and
pickets fired upon each other.
so that McCook halted until the fog
should rise. Because Of this the move
ment of the rest of the army was sus-
pended I'm order not to get out of touch
with him. In this way many precious
hours were lost which Hardee inn
proved to withdraw his forces. The
general advance was resumed a little
after noon and possession of Lavergne
was secured after a sharp skirmish. 1t
was now supposed that Bragg would
make his stand for baale behind Stew
arts Creek, quite important tribu-
tary of Stone RHer and Crittenden
Co. arsA ct,
creek is narrow and deep and the banks
rugged and precipttous. making an ex-
celIent line OF defense. A great object
to be gained was the possession OF the
bridge by which the pike crossed Stew
arts Creek, and to secure this Has
calls Brigade OF Woods Division pushed
the enemy back sharply, allowing him
no rest. drencbing storm came up,
but this did not stop Hascalps advance,
and he sent the enemy across the bridge
so rapidly that they did not have time
to destroy 1t, although they started a
fire under IT., which was quickly put out
by the Union skirmishers. and the day
closed with this. Important advantage
gained. The enemy fell back to high
ridge commanding the creek, and the
armies remained confronting one an
other during the next day.
Sunday, Dec. ..
1cA nUSCSIdhS "dS ECA6iOusty W.
posed to doing anything on Sunday that
could be avoided, and, therefore, Sum
day, Dec. %, was a day of comparative
rest. This was judicious in every
sense, since the troops badly needed
rest, and there had to be some adjust
nents of the line and bringing forward
Of supplies. Rousseau's Division was
still at Nolensyille, and it had to be
brought up to complete the formation.
1t was also very necessary to ascertain
Hardee's movements, which would in
dicate Braggs intentions. II Hardee
had fallen back to Shelbyville, as was
possible, 1t meant that Bragg did not
propose to deliver battle either at Stew
arts Creek or Murfreesboro. If he had
moved over to Stewards Creek Or Muir
that would be significant also.
Gen. Rosecrans established his head
quarters at Lavergne. rose early, cele-
brated mass. and then rode out through
the bright sunlight, which was now
the army, for reconnois-
sance. The enemy appeared in strong
force beyond Stewards Creek, and there
was desultory firing at long range be-
tween the pickets on either side of the
stream.
Gen. Which with his brigade had fol-
lowed up the retreat OF Hardee to|
Riggs Crossroads, seven miles below
Triune, where he captured Al prison.
ers and ascertained that Hardee had
gone to Murfreesboro. This was ac-l
copied as indicating beyond doubt
that Bragg would fight for the defense
Of Murfreesboro, and the troops went
to rest at night with that anticipation.
Monday, Dee. 20.
The troops were gotten under arms
before daybreak of Dec. 20, and Nc
Cook. leaving Baldwin's Brigade to OBJ
serve at Triune, moved toward Muir
freesboro on the Bole Jack Road, with
Gen. Davis's Division in advance sup
ported by Sheridan's Division and STAN
ley's Cavalry In front.
The corps was now marching over
country roads, extremely rugged and
muddy. so that the progress was slow.
BY noon, however, the head of the col
umn had reached the Wilkinson Pike
on Overall's Creek within three and a
half miles OF MurfreesbOro, where Da-
vis's Division went into biyouac with
the left brigade resting on the Wilkin-
son Pike. This movement fianked the
enemy's position on Stewards Creek.
and Bragg withdrew his troops, so that
Negley, In the Center. CROSSED the creek
without opposition, TIVE miles from the
Pike, and Crittenden ad
vanced directly along. the latter thor
oughfare, encounterfpg only the cavalry
rear guard Of the enemy and suffered
but trif1ing casualties. BY o'clock in