Newspaper Page Text
®)C tOeckls Constitutionalist
B y JAMES GARDNER,
..g BBAGS’S OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE '
' BATTLE AT MURFREESBORO .
[From the KnorviUe Register.]
Headquarters Arky op Tennessee, i
Tullahoma, 23J Feb’y, 1862. ) I
siß: Oa the 26:h of December last the enemy }
i ygn ced in force fr »m Nashville to attack us at
i Q rf r eesb'>n)\ It had been well ascertained that
hie strength was oveg 60,000 effective men. Be
| f ore uight on that day the object of tbe movement
log developed, by our dispositions in front, and
rders were g l7iiQ l^e necessary concentration
c nar forces, then distributed as follows :
poiks corps and three brigades of Breckih
, -a-g’a division, Hardee’s corps at Murfreesboro*.
I The balance ot Hardee’s corps near Eagleville,
I iboit 20 miles west of Murfreesboro*. M.powuu’a
I i.yjgion (which with Stevenson’s division re
f ore d constituted Smith’s corps,) at Readyville,
[ « miles east of Murfreesboro’. The three cavalry
vjjggdes ot' Wheeler, Wharioa and Pegram occu
rring the entire front of our infantrv and cover
fjj- a ii approaches to w.thiu ten mi'es of Nash*
r.Ue- Buford's small cavalry of about 600 at Mc-
Minnville- The brigades of Forrest and M >rgau,
lj‘ pu t 5 000 effective eavalry, were absent on spe
service m West Tennessee and Northern Ken
uickv, as wilt be more fully noticed hereafter.
Jackson's small tountry brigade was in rear,
rjydicg the railtoad from Bridgeport, Alabama,
mountains. Oa Sunday, the 2Sth, cur mam
'orce of infantry and artillery was concentrated m
front of Murireesboro’, whilst the cavalry, sup*
ported by three brigades of infantry and three
Batteries of artillery, impeded the advance of toe
enemv by constant skirmishing, and sudden, un
expected’attack. To the skillful manner in which
ihecavairy, thus ably supported, was hua led,
and to the exceeding gallantry of its officers and
men, must be attributed to the tour days’ time
consumed by tbe enemy in reaching the battle
field, a distance of only 20 mile* .from his en*
Jampmeat, over tine Macadamized roads.
Fully aware of the greatly superior numbers
of the" enemy as indicated in my early reports
from thia quarter, it was our policy to await attack.
Tbe position was selected and line developed with
this intention. Owing to the convergence upon
oar depot of so many fiae roads, bv whicn the
caemv could approach, as will appear troin the
enclosed map marked ‘l,’ we were confined in
our selection to a line near enough the point of
uncture to enable us to tuccessivelv cover them
until the real point of attack should be devel'
CDed.
‘Oa Monday, the 26 h, it was reported that heavy
columns moved oa both the direct road from La-
and on the one leading lop the Lebanon
road by w-y of Jeffersom But on Tuesday, the
.yRb, it was ascertained that the Jefferson pike
was abandoned c v a counter march, and the whole
force of tbe enemy was concentrated on and near
the direct road on the west of Stone’s river. Tne
dispositions made for the unequal contest will
appear from the enclosed map marked ‘2,’ and
tue cupr of mem ora ida to General and staff' orli «*
oers marked ‘ 3.*
Tcese arrangements were all completed before
the enemy crossed Stewart’s creek, Dine mites
out, and the infantry brigades were ail ut once
nailed in; and the cavalry was ordered to fail back
more rapidly, having most gallantly discharged
its duty, and fully accomplished the objects de*
BireJ. Late oa Monday, it became apparent the
enemy was extending bis right, to flan i. us on
the left. McCowu’s divisiou in reserve was
promptly thrown to that ffink, and added to the
vxnDiuand of Lieut, Gen. Polk.
I 1 **? "-
lions ot making an attack on Tuesday, which was
consumed in artillery firing and heavy skirmish
ing, wi h the exception of a dash laie in the even
ing on the left of Withers’ division, which was
repulsed and severely punished, ic was determin
ed to assail him ou Wednesday morning,the 31st.
For this purpose, Colborne’a d vision, Hardee’s
:orps, was moved from the second line on tne
right to the corresponding position on the left,
and Lieut. Gen. Hardee was ordered to that point
and assigned to the command of that and Me-
Gown’s Division. This disposition, the result of
necessity, left me no reserve; but Breckinridge’s
command on the light, now not threatened, was
regarded as a source ot supply for ttoy reinforce*
ments absolute y necessary toother parts of the
Oeld. Stone's river at its then low stage, w.a
fordable at almost anv point for infantry, and at
short intervals perfectly practible for artillery.
These dispositions completed, Lieu* General
Hardee was ordered to assail the enemy at dav--
light, on Wednesday, the Sis', the attack to be
taken up by Gen. Polk's command in succession
to the right flank; the move to be made by a con*
giant wheel to the right on Polk’s right Hack as a
pivot. The object being to force the enemy back
on Stone’s river, and if practicable, by the aid of
cavalry, cut him off from his base of operat ons
and supplies by the Nashville pike.
Tbe lines were now bivouacked at a distance, in
places of not more than 500 yards, the camp fires
of tbe two being withiu distinct view. Wharton’s
cavalry brigade had been held on our left to watch
and checc tne movements of the enemy in that
direction, and to prevent his cavalry from gaining
tbe railroad to our rear, the preservation of whicn
was of vital importance. In this he was aided by
Brig. Gen. Buford, who had a small command of
o*o new cavalry. The duty was most ably, gal*
iantly and successiulfy performed.
Ou Monday uight, B~ig. Gen. Wheeler proceed*
ed witu Lis cavalry brigade and one regiment
from Pegratn’s as ordered, to gain the enemy’s
rear. By Tuesday morning, moving on the Jeffers
son pike, around the enemy 's left Hank, he had
gaintd tue rear ot their wuoie army, and soon
attacked the train s, their guards, ana the numer
als stragglers. He succeeded in cap* uring several
hundred prisoners, and ‘destroyed hundreds of
wagons loaded wuh supplies and baggage. After
o-earing the road, he made bis w.»y enure*}' around,
aad joined the cavalry on our left.
The failure of Gen. McCown to execute during
tie tight an order lor a slight charge in the line
of hl3 Division, and which bad to fie done the
Ltxt morning, c:us*;d some delay in the genera!
and vigorous assault by Lieut. Gen. Hardee. But
about 7 o'clock the rattle of musketry and the
roar of artillery announced the beginning of the
conflict. The enemy was taken completely by sur*
i rise; general and staff'officers were not mount
ed, artillery horses not hitched and infantry not
formed, a hot and mviiing iveakh.st of coffee
and other luxuries to which qur gallant and hardy
men t,sd long been stranger* 1 , toun4 upon the
fire, unnerved, and was left, wbilt we pushed on
to tbe erjoymentof a more inviting feast, that of
captured artillery, flytDg battalions, and hosts cf
craven t r.s ners, begging for the lives they had
iorfeit-d by their acta of brutality ana atrocity. —
Whilst thus routing and pushing the enemy on
his front, Lieut Gen. Hardee announced to me, by
a messenger, that the movement was not being as
promptly executed by Mjj. Cheatham’s com
mand on his right, tbe left oi Gen. Polk's corp*,
as he expected and that Lis line was consequently
exposed to an enfilade fire from the enemy’s ar
viuery in that front. The necessary instructions
RT piompt movement at that point were iance..
Qiateiy dispatched, and m a short time our who e
hue, except command, was warmly
From this time we coat nued to drive
tpeenemy more or lens rup.ply until Lis line was |
thrown entirely back at i ghs angles to hts first
position, and occupied the cut of taa raiiroad,
amng which he had massed his reserves, and j
pas'.eu very strong batteries. (A reference to the
Lon' 0 ' “ W; ** fc k° w this second and strong post- j
fliL enemy's loss was very heavy in killed and .
oonded; far exceeding our own, as appeared <
- f, m a critical examination of the field, now al« ;
e p ,; i*ely id our possession. Os ariiilerv alone
e secured more than 25 pieces.
■ U-'-J
AUGUSTA, GA., WEDNESDAY MAY 6. ISG3.
Whilst the infantry and artillery were engaged i
• in th’s successful work. Brig. Gen. Wharton, with
j t*is cavalry command, was most *c ivelv and gal*
i iantly engaged on the enemy’* right and rear, J
[ where he indicted a heavy loss in killed and
wounded; captured a full battery of artillery en- (
deavoring to escape, and secured and sent in Dear
2 000 prisoners.
These important successe/*aud resit ts had not
been achieved without heavy sacrifice* on ou- part, .
as the resistance of the enemy, after the first sur
prise was most gallant ana obstinate.
Finding Lieutenant General Hardee so formida* [
bly opposed by the movement of the enemy to !
his lront, reinforcement for him were ordered
from Maj. Gen. Breckinridge, but the orders were
countermanded, as will hereafter appear; aud
Polk’s corps was pressed forward with vigor, hop- j
ing to draw the enemy buck, or route him on the ,
right, as he had already been on the left We
succeeded in driving him from every position, j
except the strong one held by ms extrdu* left
flank, resting on St-.ne’s river* aud covered by «
concentration of artillery of superior range and j
calibre, which seemed to bid us defiance. The
difficulties of our general advance had been great- j
iy enhanced by the topography of the country.—
All parts of our line had to pass in their progress
over ground of the rougtest character, covered !
w ith huge stones and studded with the densest .
growth of ceaar, the branches reaching ihe !
ground, and forming an almost impassable
‘•orake.” Our artillery could rarely be used, <
while the enemy, holdiug defensive lines, had se
leced formidable positions for bis batteries, aod
this dense cover tor bis infantry, from both of \
which he had to be dislodged by ' our infantry
alone. Tne determined and unvarying gallantry I
of our troops, and the uninterrupted success
which attended their repeated charges agat-st
these st.ongholds, defended by double their num
bers, fully justified the unbounded confidence 1
had ever reposed m toem, and had so often ex
pressed.
To meet oar successful advaDce, and retrieve
his losses in the front of hfs left, the enemy early
transferred a pot non of his reserve, from his left
to that flank, and by two o’clock bad succeeded
in concentrating such a force iu Lt. Gen. Hardee’s
front as to check his further progress Our two
i lines had bv this lime become almost blended, so
; weakened were they by losses, exhaustion and
: extension to cover the euemy’s whole front. As
■ early us 10 o’clock,A. M., Maj. Gen. Breckinridge
was calied on for one brigade, and soon after tor
r a second to reiuforce or act as a reserve to Lieut.
. Gen. Hardee. His reply to tbe first call repre
i seated the enemy crossiug Stone’s river m heavy
» force, in his immediate front, and on receiving the
second order, he informed ine that they had al*
. read / crossed m force, and were advancing
• to attack his liues. He was immediately ordered
» not to await attack, but to advance and meet him.
1 About this same time a report reached me rhat a
l heavy force of the enemy’s infantry was advanc
, ing on the Lebanon n ad, about five miles ’a
Breckinridge’s front. Brig. Gen. Pegram, who
had been sent to that road to cover the 11 mk of
< the infantry wiih bis cavalry brigade, save two
i regiments detached w.th Wheeler aud Wharton,
i was ordered forward immediately to develop any
i such movement. The orders for the two brig
, j ades from Breckinridge were countermanded,
. j whilst dispositions were made, at his request, to
i i reinforce him. Before they could be carried out
, | the movement ordered disclosed tbe fact that no
. | force had crossed Stone’s river, that the only eoe
| rnv in oor immediate front .heu was a small body
. ot £ iarp*L<»oux». and that tberr* c- adv .iicL
t on tuo Lebauon road. These nnfortnintc misap
prehensions on that part of the field, which with
. proper precaution could not have existed, w.tha
i bela from active operations three fine brigades
. until the enemy had succeeded in checking our
progress, had re-established his lines, and had eol
; lecied many of his broken battalions.
. Huviug now settled the question that no move
ment was being made against our right, and none
even to be apprehended, Breckinudge was or
! dered to leave two brigades to support tbe bat*
j tery at “A,” on his t* : o of .Stone’s river, and with
i j the balance cf th : f 4 » cross to the left and
, | report to Liout. Gtn. I ’ty the time this could
j accomplished ;t was lute to’send the force
to Lieut. Gen. Hardee’s support, who was unable
, • to make further progress, and he was directsd to
maintain his position. Lieut. Gen. Polk was <ii*
reeled with these reinforcements to throw all the
force he could collect upon tbe enemy’s extreme
left, aud thereby carry either that strong point,
which has so far resisted us successfully, or fail
ing in that, at least to draw off from Hardee’s
front the formidable opposition there concen
trated.
The three brigades cf Jackson, Preston and
Adams were successively reported for this work.
How gallantly they moved t«» their task, aud how
much they suffered in the determined effort to
accomplish it, will best appear from reports of
subordinate coinm nders, and the statement of
losses herewith. Upon this flank, their strongest
defensive position repting on the river bank, the
enemy had concentia'ed not less than 20 pieces
ot artillery, masked almost entirely from view,
but covering an open space in front of several
hundred yards, supported right, left and rear by
heavy masses ot infantry.
This position proved and after
two unsuccessful efforts, the attempt to carry it by
inlantry was abandoned. Our heaviest batteries
of artillery and rifled guns of long range were
now concentrated in lront of their fires opeued
upon his position. At era cannonade of some
time the enemy’s fire slackened, and final iy ceased
near nightfall. Lieut. Gen. Hardee hud slightly
retired h s line from the furthest point he bed
attained, for better position and cover, without
molestation from the enemy.
Lieut. Gen. Polk’s infantry, including the three
reinforcing bugades, uniting their from with
jllardee’s right, and extending to our exit em? right
Hank, formed a continuous line very nearly pern
pendicu.'ar to the origiuai line of bailie, thus leav
ing nearly the whole field, with ail its trophies,
the enemy’s dead and many ot his wound'd, big
hospitals and stores in our fail possession. The
body of Brig. Gen. rfiil, one ol their division com
manders, was found where he had fallen, and was
sent to town and decently interred, though he had i
forfeited all claim to such cons.deration by the j
acts cf cruelty, barbarity and atrocity, but a few i
days belore committed under his authority on the I
women aud children and old men liviug near the •
road on which he had made a recounoissance. (
During the atternoon Brig. Gen. Pegram. dis- J
covering a hospital and la: j'.- number of Rtrag*
glers to rear ot the euemy ’s lines and across Stone’s j
river, charged tbern witu his cavalry, and captured I
about 170 prisoners.
Both armies, exhausted by a conflict of full ten
hours’ duration, rarely surpassed for its contmu.*
ed intensity and heavy losses sustained, sunk to
rest w’lth the sue, aud perfect quiet prevailed lor
the night.
dawn on Thursday morning, the first of Jan
uary, orders were sent to the several commanders
to press forward their skirmishers, feel tbe enemy
and report any change in his position. Maj »r
Gen. Breckinridge had D*a transferred to ibe
right of Stone’s river to resume the command of
that position, now held by two of his brigades,
i It was soon reported that no change had occurred,
j except the withdrawal of the enemy from the ad
. vanceJ position occupied by his left flank. Find*
j ing, upon further examination, that this was the
I case, tbe right flank of Lt. Gen. Polk’s corps Was
| thrown forward to occupy the ground for which
we had so obstinately contended the evening be
j lore. This shortened our line considerably, and ,
■ gave us possession of the centre battle field, from
j which we gieaned the spoils and trophies ,
throughout the day, and transferred them rapidly i
’ t ) the rear. * *
A careful reconncissance of tae enemy’s posi
; lion was ordered, and the most of tna cavalry was
, put in motion for the roads in tits rear, to cut off
' his trains and develops any movement. It wqs
soon ascertained that b~ was still in very heavy
, force all along our front, occupying a position
strong by nature and improved by such woik as
could be done at night by his reserves.
In a short time reports from the cavalry in
formed me that heavy trains were moving towards
Nashville, some of the wagons loaded, and all the
ambulances filled with wounded. These were at>
[ tucked at differeut places, nuny wagons were de*
stroyed, and hundreds of prisoners paroled. No
doubt this induced the enemy to send large es
corts, of cavalry, and artillery and infantry, with
| la*er trains, and thus the impression was made on
( our ablest commanders that a retrograde move
! rnent was going on.
Our forces, greatly wearied and much reduced
j by heavy losses, were held tcady to avail them
selves of any change iu the « r *emt r s position; but
n was deemed (inadvisable to ;.>ail him ns there
; es’ablished. The whole day after these dispost*
j lious was passed without an i mportant movement
; on either side, and was consumed by us in glean**
ing the battle field, burying the dead, and replen
; ishing ammunition.
At daylight on Friday, the 2d, orders to feel the
, enemy and ascertain Ins pot*lion were repeated
j with the same result. The cavalry brigades of
Wueeltr and Wharton had returned during the
night, from tong continuedser«
1 vice, with but little rest or fond to either man or
horse. Both commanders reported the lnjlicas
; lions from the enemy’s movements the s»me.—
; Allowing them only a lew hours to feed and nst,
j and sending the two detached regiments back to
l Pegram’s brigade, Wharton *as ordered to the
| right flank, across Stone’s rn er, to assume corns
maud in that quarter, and keep me advised of auy
change. Wheeler, with his brigade, was ordered
' to gaiu the enemy’s rear, end remain until he
I could definitely reporL-vhiihef auy retrogade
movement was being made.
Before Wharton had taken his position, obsen*
vatious excited my suspicions in regard to a move
ment having b tn made by the enemy across
Stone’s river, immediate'.! in Breckinridge’s
front. Iteconnoissances b) several staff officers
soon developed that uplmsum had quiet
ly crossed unopposed and established themselves
I on and under cover of an eminence marked *'B”
on the map No. 2, from whica Lieut. Gen. Polk’s
! line was Commanded and enfiladed. The dislodg
! ment of this force or the withdrawal of Polk’s line
j was an evident necessity. iatter involve i
I consequences not to be entertained. Orders were
j accordingly given for the concentration of the
i i whole of Miij. Gen. Breckinridge’s division in
front of the position to b * :«u. The addition
j to his command of ten Napoleon guns, 12-ponnd
j era, under Capt. F. H. Ii 'hereon, uo able undue
! omplished artillery onicer, and for the cavalry
forces of Wharton and Pegr.im, n joul 2.000 men,
to j -in in the attack on his tight. Maj. Gen.
Breckinridge wus sent for, and advised of the
movement and ns objects, the securing and hold*
in? the position which protected P Ik’s flank, and
us cb mm and of the enemy’s, by which to en
filade him. He was info'n edof the force at Lis
disposal, and instructed with them to drive the
enemy back, crown the hill, entrench his artillery
and hold the position.
To distract their attention from our real object,
a heavy arti.lery fire was o deted to be opened
Iron* Folk’s trout at the exact hour at which ibv
i movement was to begin- through -
. both !ir. -*■, alt Goal Breckinridge,
at hall past 3. P. M., reported lie would advance
•at 4 Polk's batteries promptly opened lire, and
• j were soon answered by the enemy. A heavy can
-1 | OQude of some fifteen minutes was succeeded by
' | the fire ot musketry, which soon became general.
The contest was short and severe; the enemy was
driven back, and the emm nee gained, but the
1 j movement as a whole was a failure, and the posi*
; I tion was again yielded. Our forces were moved
1 i unfortunately so fur to the left as to throw a por
-1 tion of them into and over Ftone's river, wuere
the, encountered heavy* masses of the enemy,
whilst loose against wuom they were intended io
operate, on our side of the river, had a destruc
live enfilade on our whole Jjne. Our second line
was so close to the frqptas to receive the enemy’s
1 fire, and returning it took their friends iu the \
rear. The cavalry force was left entirely out of 1
the action. Learning from my own bluff ofiicers j
sent to the sceue of the disorderly retreat being j
made by Gen. Breckinridge’s division, Briga
dier General Patton Amu b<>u’H fine brigade of
Missisrippians, the in-a re.A body of troops, Was
promptly ord red to his relief. On reaching the
field, and moving forward, Anderson found him**
self in front of Breckinridge’s inluntry, and
soon encountered the enemy’s light troops c.’ose
upon our artillery, which had been left without
support. This noble brigade, under ith cool and
gallant chief, drove the enemy back, and saved ail
the guns not captured before its arrival. Captain
F. 11. Robertson, after the disabling wound re
ceived by Maj. Graves, Gen. Brackinridge’s gal
lant and efficient Chief of Artillerv, took the en
tire charge of the Artillery of the Division, in ad
dition to nls own. To ius gallantry, energy and
fearlessness is due the smallness ot our loss sus*»
tamed before the arrival of our support, only three
guns, iiis report herewith annexed, •‘4,'’ will
show the important part he played in this attacic
and repulse. Before the end of the whole moves
ment, it was quite dark. Anderson’s command
held a position next the enemy, corresponding
nearly with our original hue. whilst Breckin
ridge’s Brigade commanders collected their scat
tered men as far as practicable in the darkness,
and took irregular positions on Anderson’s leit
and rear. At daylight io the morning they were
moved to the front, and the wh o*, .-me re-estaha
lished without opposition. During the uigbr.
Major General Cleburne’s Division was re irans-.
ferred to its original position on the t ’gtr, find
Lieutenant Genual Bardot directed to K.ume
. his command there, aod leitore our hue.*
j On Saturday morning, tie 3d, bur forces had
been in line o< battle five ciays and five nights,
with but little rest, having no reserves, their
baggage and tents had been loaded, and the wag
ons were four miles off ; iteir provisions, it
i cooked at all, were most imperfectly prepared
j with scanty means; the wetXLer bud been severe
j from cold and almost ton-..ant ram, and we had
| no change of clothing, and in many places could j
I not have fires. The nece.ssmy consequence was
j the great exbaustioa of both officers and men,
; many having to be sent to the hospitals in the
! rear, and more, still were beginning to struggle
i from their command*, an evil from which wo
j had so far suffered but little. Daring the whole
of this day the rain continued to fall with little
intermission, and the rapid rise in Stone’s river
indicated that it woild soon be unfordable.—
Late on Friday night, 1 had received the captured
papers of Maj. Gen. McCook, commanding one
corps d’armee of the enemy, showing their effeo
tive strength to have been very nearly, if not
quite 70,000 men. Bef' re noou reports from
Brigadier General Wheeler satisfied me that the
enemy, instead of ret.riug, was receiving reins
force ments.
Common prudence and the safely of my army,
upon which even the safety of our cause depended,
j left no doubt in my m;nd as to the necessity for
| my withdrawal from so unequal a contest. My
j orders were accordingly given about noon for the
j movement of the trains and for the necessary
| preparation of the troops.
Under theeffi#ent management us the different
staff departments, everything had been secured
, and transferred to the rear, including prisoners
j captured, artillery, small arms, subsistence, means
I of transportation, and nearly all of our wounded
i able to bear moving. No movement of any kind
* was made by the troips on either side during the
moat inclement day, until just at night, when a
sharp skirmish occurred between Polk's right and
the enemy’s left flank, resulting m noihiug d«?ci«
sive. The only question wtih me was, whether
the movement should be made at once or delayed
24 hours, to save a few of our wounded. As it
was probable we should lose by exhaustion as
many as we should remove ot the wounded, mv
inclination to remain was yielded. The whole
force, except the Cavalry, was put in motion at
11 o’clock, P. M., and the army retired in perfect
order to its present position, behind Duck river,
without receiving or giving a shot. Our cavalry
held the position before Murfreesboro’ until Mon
day morning, the stb, when it quietly retired as
ordered io cover eur front.
We loft about 1,200 badly wounded, one*ha!f of
whom, we learn, have since died from the severity
of their injuries, about 300 sick, too feeble to bear
transportation, and about 200 well men and medi
cal officers as their attendants. Io addition to
this the enemy had captured about 800 prisoners
from us. As the 1,200 wounded are counted once
under that bead among our kisses; they should be
excluded m the general total. As an offset to this
loss we had secured, as will appear from the report
ot my Inspector General, herewith, marked
considerably over 6,000 prisoners, had captured
over 30 pieces of artillery, 6,000 stand of small
arms, a number ot wagons, ambulances, mules
and harness, with a large amouut of other valuable
property, ail of which was secured, and appro
priated* to proper uses. Besides all this secured,
we had destroyed not less than 800 wagons, most
ly laden with various articles, such as urms, am
munition, provisions, baggage, c’otbing, medi
cines and hospital stores. We had lost three
pieces of artillery only, all in Breckinridge’s re«
pulse. A number o! stands of colors, nine of
which are lorwarded with this report, were also
captured on the field. Others Known to have been
taken have not been sent in. The list, matked
6, is herewith transmitted.
A tabular statement of our force** marked * 7’*
is herewith submitted, showing the number of
figuring mop we had on the field, on the morning
ot the Gist ot December, to have been less than
35,001), of which about 30 000 were infantry and
artillery. Our losses also are reported in this
same comprehensive table, so as to show how
much each corps, division and brigade snffered,
and in case of Breckinridge’s division, the losses
are reported separately for Wednesday and Fri*
day. These reports are minute and suggestive,
showing the seventy of the conflict, as well as
i where, when and by whom it wps sustained.
Among the gallant dead the nation is called to
mourn, none could h ive fallen more honored or
regretted than Brig. Gens James E. Rains aid R.
W. Hanson. They yielded their lives in the he
roic discharge of duty, and leave their honored
names as a rich legacy* to their descendants. Bt ig.
Ge;i Jos. K. Chalmers and D W. Adams received
disabling wounds on Wednesday, lam happy to
, | say not serious, hut which deprived us ot ineir
. ! valuable services, liuvmg been under my mime*
j diate command since the beginning ot the war, I
! cju bear evident to their devotion, t.nd to the
| conspicuous gallantry which has marked thuir
1 • set vtcts on every held.
i . For me sacred names of other heroes uud pu*
triots of low’er grades, who gave then lives Lius*'
trutmg the character of liie Confederate soldier
on this bioigiy faeid, I must refer to \he repuns
of'subordm ite commanders, and to the list wt .th
will be submitted. Our lotses.it will bo teen,
exceeded 10,000, nine thousand of which were
kilted and wounded.
CWetay V lo** W- h**VC Tj'i ft.l'Ui- mL iUOir.
lig with certainty. o;.e corps commanded by
Maj. Gen. jibomas L. Cut'cnden, whieh was least
exposed in the engagements, reports over 5,000
killed uod wounded. As they had two other
corps aud a separate division, third of a,corps,
and their cavalry, it is safely estimated at 3,000
killed and 10,000 wounded; adding the 6,273 pris
oners, and we have a total ol 22,273.
Lieut. Gens. L. Folk and W. J. Hat dee. corn*
mandiog corps, Moj. Gens. J. M. Withers and IV
R. Cleburne, commanding divisions, are specially
I commended to the Government tor ttietr valor,
( sKitluiid ability, displayed by them througaout
the engagement.
Brigadier General J. Pa trod Anderson, for the
! coolness, judgment uod courage with which tie
! interposed his brigade between our retreating
i forces and the enemy largely superior to him, on
; Friday evening, and saved oar artillery, u* justly
| entitled to special mention.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Wheeler, and John A. V\ hat*
ton, commanding cavalry brigades, were pie \
eminently distinguish »d throughout the action,
as they had been fora month previous in many
successive c -uliic s wnh the enemy. Under their
skillful and gallant ieud the reputation ol our
cavalry has been justly enbaccec. For the just
commendation of other office is, many of whim
were pre-eminently distinguished, I must refer
to the reports of their more immediate com
manders.
To the private hoiuier a fair meed of praise is
due; aad though it is so seldom given und so
rarely expected, that it may be considered out of
place, i cannot iu justice to Qijacit withhold the
opinion ever entertained and so olteu expressed
during our struggle lor independence In the
absence of the instruction ana discipline <»t o'd
armies and of the confidence which long associas
tion produces between veterans, we have had in a
great measure to trust to ihe individuality and
s ill reliance of the private soldier. Without the
incentive or the motive which controls the officer
who hopes to lire in history ; without ihe h<*pe ot
reward an i actuated only by sense of duty und
palnotioflo, he bus in ibi» great contest justly
judged that ihe cause was hi* own, aud gone into
it with a determination to conquer or die, to be
fr»»e or not io be at all. No ecommui is too high,
no honor too great lor such u soldiery. However
much of credit and gloiy may be given, and
probably justly giv u to the leaders i:i our struga
gle, history will yet award the mam honor where
it is due—to the private soldier, wbo, Without
hope of reward, and with id other incentive than*
a consciousness of rectitude has encountered all
ihe hardships, and suffered all tLe privations.
Wed has it been said; “The first mouumejt our
Confederacy rears when our independence shall
have been w u, should be a lotty shaft, pure and
spotless, bearing the inscription, To the unknown
j and unrecorded dead.
i The members of my staff’ arduously engaged iu
their several duties, before, during ami since the
prolonged engagement, are deserving a mention in
this report. Lt. Cols. Geo. G. Garner, and G. W.
lireut, and Cap*. P. H. Thompson, Adjutant uud In
spector General’s Department.
First Lts. Tow son Ellis, and F. S. Parker, regu
lar Aids-de-Camp.
LtCol Beard, Inspector General, Lt Col AJ
Hays, P A May, Maj James StrainbHnge, La infan
try, and Mig Wm Clardat, 7th Ala vol, Acting
Assistant Inspector, Gens, Lt Col L W O Bannou.
Chief QM, Maj M W McMicken, Assistant Q M,
Maj J J Walker, Chief Commissary, Maj E Mol'uy,
and G M Millyor, Assistants ; LtColII Aladowski,
Chief of Ordnance ; Capt W H Warren and O T
Gibbs, and Lt W F Johnson, Assts; Capt SW
Steele, Act’gCh’f Eng, and Lts If C Force, and II
If Buchanan, aud .1 R P McFall; LtCol JII Hul
onquibt, Actgl lrf of Artillery ; Ist Lt It H S
Thompson, Ass’t; Surgeon A J Foard, Med Direc
tor: Acting Surgeon TG Richardson, attendant
on my.-elf. Rtaff and escort; Col David IJrochart
of i.oitisiana, J Stoddard Johnston, of Kentucky,
and Stffjeger Grenfel, of England, the two former
volunteer aids long on my staff, served me most
effectively. Major E W Baylor, Asset QM. Major
B C Kennedy. Ass’t Commissary Subsistence, and
Lt Wm M Bridges, Aid-de-t amp to the late Brig
Gen Duncan, reported just before the engagement,
ami joined my staff, on which they served through
Hip battle.
VOL, 1C No 18
Col. J$.M. Clark, of the Artillery I*. A., being iu
Murfreeriburo on temporary service, aid me the fa
vor to join aud serve ou my stall during the en
gagement. His Excellency Isham G. Harris, Go
»»d the Hon. Andrew Ewing,
member of the Military Court, volunteered their
service* and rendered me efficient aid, especially
with the 1 ennessee troops, largely in the ascendant
in the army. It is but due to zealous and efficient
laborer m onr cause that 1 here hoar testimony to
the cordial support given me at all times since
meeting him a year ago in West Tennessee. His
Excellency Governor Harris. From the field of
Shiloh, where he received in his arms the dyin
toim i f tiie lamented Johnson, to the last struggle
at Mtirlreesborro’, he has been one of us, and lias
shared all our privations and dangers, whilst giv
ing ns his personal and political Influence with all
the power he possessed at the head of the State
Government.
To the Medical Department of the army, under
Urn able administration ofsEurgoon Fo&rd, great,
credit is dne for the success vvfiien attended their
labors. Sharing none of the excitement and glo
ry of the field, these officers, in their labors cf
love, devote themselves silently and asgiduonsly
to alleviate the sufferings of their brother soldiers
at hours when others are seeking repose.
The reports of subordinate commanders have
been specially called for, and are soon expected,
when they will be promptly forwarded.
During the times the operations at Murfreesboro'
were being conducted, important expeditions un
der Brig. Gens. Forrest and Morgan were absent
in West Tennessee and Northern Kentucky. The
reports already forwarded show the complete sue
cess which attended these gallant Brigadiers, and
commend them to the confidence of the Govern
ment and gratitude of the country.
I am. Sir. very respectfully,
youi>obedient servant,
Buaxton Bites,
• General Commanding.
Gen. S. Cooper, Adj't Gen., Richmond, V a.
A TOUCHING SCENE.
1 was conversing not long since with a returned
volunteer.
“ 1 waa in the hospital as nurse, for a long time,’'
said he, " and assisted in taking off limbs, and
dressing all sorts of wounds ; Jmt the hardest thing
ever I done was to take my thumb off a man’s leg.’’
“Ah 1” said I, “ how was that ?” Then he told
me.
it was a yonng man who had a severe wound in
the thigh. The bail passed completely through
and amputation was necessary. The limb was cut
off close up to the body, the arteries taken up, and
lie seemed to he doing well. Subsequently one of
the small arteries sloughed off. An incision was
mule and it was again taken rip. “it Is well it
wgs not the main artery," said the surgeon as lie per
formed the operation : “he might have bled to
death before w'r could have taken it up.” But
Charley got on finely and was a favorite with us
all.
1 was passing through the ward one night, about
midnight, when suddenly as I was passing Char
ley shed he spoke to me: “li -., my leg is
bleeding again.” 1 threw bark the lied clothes,
and the blood spirted in the air. The main artery
“ had sloughed oil.
Fortunately I knew just what to do, and in an
instant I had pressed i:j thumb on the place and
stopped the bleeding. IT was so close to the bodv
1 that there was barely room for my thumb: but
• j - icceeded in keeping it there and arousing one ot
tie convalescents, sent him ior the surgeon, win
; < oiirijn on the run. “i am so thankful. H .’
’ knew what to do, tor he rme-t have bled ton •■atli
1 before 1 could have got there."
> But on examination in the <-<• lie looked exceed
r iugly serious and sent out for other surgeons. All
, came who were within reach, ami a consultation
i was held over the poor fellow. Oue conclusion rvu:
readied by all. 'I here was no place to work save
the spot where my thumb was placed ; they could
■ not work under my thumb, and if I moved it he
. would bleed to death before the artery could !..
taken up. There was no Way la save hi- life
Four Charley 1 lie was very calm alien tie
told him, and requested that h'is brothel, who \
in tile same hospital, might be called up. il<
and sat down by the bedside, ami for three
I stood, and by the pressure of my thumb 1. ...
the life of Charley, while the brothels had th
last conversational! earth. It w.is a strange place
lot' me to be in, to feel that 1 had the lil'c of a frt
low mortal in my hands, as it were, and stranger
yet, to feel that an act of mine must cause that
I l ilc to depart. Roving the poor rellowasidhl.it
1 w.i ■ a hard thought: but there was no altcrna
tive.
The last words were spoken. Charley had ar
ranged all his business aflairs. and sent tender
messages to absent ones, who little dreamed how
near their loved one stood to the grave. The tears
filled my eyes more than once as 1 listened to those
parting words. All were said and lie turned to me
•Now, II - I guess you lmd better take off your
thumb.” •* (>, Charley 1 hotv can I V I said. •• But
it must he. you know,” lie replied cheerfully •• 1
tlmnk you very much for join kindness, and now
good bye.”
He turned away his head. I raised mv thumb,
once more the life current gushed forth, and in
three minutes poor Charley was dead.
Bhkatiie Tuauuuu Yota Nose.—The habit of
breathing tbiough its nostrils, says an eminent
i WI iter, is the point upon which the Indian Blotter
is most solicitous in regard to her intant. As
respects health, thousands who are at tLis mos
mem c ughiog at eveiv bic*li they draw, would
alter a lew minutes’ trial at breathing.through
the nostrils, find themselves delivered tr ct that
tormentor. Such ns have -ad their sleep dts
tinbed (aud who has not been thus e fTlicttd ?i by
tje snoring of their neighbor, will become z sl
ums in lavor of this relomi, n learning that a
ntan who Bleeps w itlj his lips closed, tied breathes
tnrough his nostrils exclusively, never si tvs.
He cannot snore. Only think of it I—the i opos„
•s'bilit.v of snoring I What a benefit to tponktud.
. Breathe through juur nostrils aud not'li.;. egh
your mouth. Open the latter to talk -md to cat.
auti tor those purpose! only. At all other times
lei your lips be closed and yom teeth meet. Bv
day and by night let the breath ot life ,n!er aud
depart through the nostrils into which it was first
breathed ut man's creation. Make a lair trial of
thte, and you will never cease to be grateful for
the advice.
Dr. J.rs. M. Witherspoon, a prominent and use
ful citizen of Greece county, Ala., died on the 22d
ult, in his 62d year.
Fou. T. C. PerrtD, in his annua) report respects
tng the Greenville and Columbia ra.lroad, says
that “more than a hundred thousand passengers
were conveyed over the real last }<.ir, and not
one killed.” *
Fkom tub Wbst—We leatu front u gentleman
who urrivtd direct in this city Thursday moms
r tng from the army of Tennessee, that the report
i of our army being drawn up in line of battle at
| W'artrtice was an error. Out at my bud been
i moved forward to the front of Duck liver, but
that everyth ng was quiet. The two armies were
looking ut tacit other, astd waiting for the w rd to
begin. There wasnopreseDt prospect of a fight.
Charltston Courier.
Rev. Francis Burns, Bishop ot the Methodist
Episcopal Church in Africa , died in Baltimore ou
the 20th test. The deceased had been a mission
ary in Africa since 1839, and was elected the first
colored Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church
nr 1956. * v
Over seventy applications to hank under the
uniform national currency act have been made to
the Treasory Department.
Secretary Chase has declined a public dinner,
which was tendered him by his friends in New
Fork.