The New York Herald Newspaper, January 9, 1863, Page 1

y , . . . WHOLE NO. 9613. TUB TENNESSBE VICTORY. Our Special Repazt from the Battle Field. nan nnn Graphic Details of the Five Days Fighting. ~ ‘The Repulse on Wednesday and the Glorious Victory on Friday. POSITIONS OF THE CONTENDING ARMIES, | THE REBEL ACCOUNTS. QPPICLAL DBSPATCUES PROM GENERAL BRAGG Whe Rodel Papers Somewhat Dissatistied With the Result, &., &o., &o, Our Battle Field Correspondence. Mcrynasspono, Ten. , Jan. 4, 1963. J forwarded you om Monday week an account of our ‘operations in front of Murfreesboro up to that date, the Mast letter boing an intimation that Murfreesbord had ‘Deen evacuated. But the truth came out soon after the had weil set in, and General Rosecrans was gratified find that he would mot have to pursue the enemy fur- “her, but that then and there his opportuaity had oome to bis army. A week has patsod since then, and A Operations Rave been gonducted and five days of ‘deaperate warfare have elapsod. Tho #tory is to be retold, T forward as hastily as possiiie the history of the which havo since elapsed. A campaign, begun on ‘Wednesday with a terrible disaster, has been conducted ‘Most admirably to a successful termiuation. The rebel goneral bas beon driven (rom bis stronghold; bis army, demoralized and broken, fled hastily from the fleld, leav- ‘pg two thousand of hiv dead unburied and teu thousand + @f bie wounded uncared for Tho victory is complete, and ‘wid roflect undying renown on the noble commander and bie splendid army. if my former communications were roceived the reader will notice at a glauce that this is but (Abe sequel to those letters, as the great victory hay been ‘Ne requel to General Rosecrans’ energetic and scientific Yooversents. OPERATIONS ON MONDAY, DEC. 29. BOLDING THR BRIDGE. ‘The severe skirmishing of Saturdey bad left us in oasession of the bridge over Stewart's creek. Palmer's Fourth division bad, by brilliont manceuvres, driven the enemy rapidly acroes it, and had taken,possession of the Bridge. At night the pickets were thrown beyond to the foot of the bridge, the artillery placed to command the Dridge with enfllading fires, and the main body of Crit- ‘enden’s corps bivouacked near it, Up the creek, near the ‘upper ford, ‘ay Negley, while on the extreme leit Van Cleve took care of the lower ford. Rousreau’s division i Nolingville road towards Murfreesboro by the Franklin ‘ Pelt in the energy and activity of General McCook, and Veador. TAKING THE INGHTS. Monday dawned, and GoSera) Rosecrans ordered the to be made, Palmer's Fourth d'risloa and Ne ‘pley's Fighth division wore chosen wo open the battc which the day before had appeared probable, Paimer crossed the bridge and formod bis |ne of attic beyond the creek and on either side of the road. Negley, at tho } ‘upper ford, crossed at the same timeand formed on bis Fight. Supports were ordered across the stream, and a!) ‘wen in readiness for the order to move forward and take the heights. ‘The heights beyond Btewart's or Lytie's creek are not Yormidadle in appearance when uncrowned by glistening Dayonets in the bands of desperate men—« rough, not ereggy ridge, with a plain and:pot steep assent, they run Bouth inte @ rolling country of woods and open iolds, Motted with groves of cedar. There are uo isolated peaks, ‘which in an engagement would prove important to an army. The diMicuity was to reach the heights: and Gene- > ‘pai Rosecrans, in thas throwing bis centre for wari! to at- Qack this strong porition, supposed to be strougiy held, attempting what fow of our geucrale have had the ‘dournge 1 do with volunteer troops, But ho expreseod Dimeclf coufident of the valor and dash of his troops, and yprred litthe that they would fail. It was with full faith gh the success of the undertaking that he ordered th far of Palmer and Negiey. ‘Tho men of Negley had joug been peut up in Nashville, ‘and they did not noed the (ow encouraging words which ‘heir gallant commander spoke to then | They were few, Dut significant;—"General Rowecraus wants these hills, Dboys, and we are Ww take them,” Palmer, like Negley, felt invigorated by having an open eid and fair play Detore him. His division—that which impulsive ian had led through Swiloh, and gallant Smish at ryville—required aot to be told that the work hai to de done. But at the command both divisions, their kir V manors handsomely deploying, moved rapidiy forward Bm Negiey’s division, the Nineteenth Lillaow, Colowel Beott, acted an skirpwisitere, and behaved most gulioutiy ‘The resistance was weak. Tho enemy's luo wayweak, and the assault did oot require iaany minutes to floieh j: Pro qullant divisions went w tho top and dimcorored that tho main body of the enemy bad rewred. This retreat had been anticipated by Gonoral Rosecrans, ay it was «i/- + 4 Gevit to mask the flanking movement of MeCook'* corps $ Yo bal beon heard to eay that he intended getting thie force on their flank, oF force them to fall back aad ytoid im peacoadle postoeion of the stream and the heights ‘Vhat commanded it, The latter result hat been ac. complinued; for Palmer and Negley took (hem with ease Me robsla had (alles back and presented a line fropting Doth McCook aud tho main army oo the Murfreesboro toad. z ‘The Ganking movement of McCook carried him far tothe Pight and to the west of Murfreesboro, about Nye mites on Whe road running wost to the Nollomville road. When it $ was known that the movement hid been discovered, Bonersl Moock @yas halied and resied in camp about five miles from the town and about three from the right Of tho cenire, Although dhis movement foally ended dig. Mtrously te MoCook , it i# oot generally attributed te any (mune oo meens Bot that bis front divition was no one pretends to doubt, pod that it was a ler. Hible reverse to our arms is equally admiasivlo by ell. In these positions the troops ranted at night, the main Wrmy cccupying the heights ome-baif mile from the creek 2 td NEW YORK, FRIDAY, JANUARY 9, 1863. PRICE THREE CENT and three miles #144 9 half from tho town of Mor. froesboro, ‘The Too} position was soon ascortainod, and it was dis. 0" ated that they were within their outer works of de- fence. Their right reeted east of the Murfreesboro and _Naehyilio pike, about two miles from the town, and their deft om the road to Nolingvilie. Reconnoissances soon de- veloped this, and, forming his tine to sate, General Roae- crane on Tuesday night rested within three miles of what {9 bow recognized as a great robol atromghoid. The task Before bit became reveaied to all te importanee, and be saw and recogmired that he had a difieult labo? to per. form. ‘THR DAY BEFORE THE BATTLE. WSKORANS TAREE PORTION. \t was not destined that Tuesday, the 30th of Decem™ ber, sbould he the day of the great conflict which for nearly a week had been impending. The rebels had re- tired to a pojut nearer the town, and we held the ridge. The dauking movement of McCook, uncompleted, was neither pushed nor abandoned, Tho line rested nearly the whole day os it had rosted at nightfull on Monday» cocupying the ridge not more than half a mile from tho enemy's right, Dut congiderably further from its left. €rittenden, with bis threo corps, held the Murfreesboro road, and rested with his left om Lytle’ creek, not far weet from the jittie town of Jeffersonville, at the junc- tion of tho creek and Stones river. Negley and Rousseau, of Thomas’ centre corps, held the right of this line, and then a break of nearly two miles was between McCook and Tpomas, ‘TUB RKARL LINW OF BATTLY. ‘The retirement of the rebels on Sunday night to ayold the consequences of McCoo¥’s movement placed them in @ stronger because & more concentrated position, withio twomiles of Murfreesboro, The reconnoissances of the morning plainly revealed their pesition, and our luo was accommodated to it. Their right wing was dis- covered to be posted so that its right rested on the Le- banon pike, cresmng the stream cabled Lytie’s creek and extending weet of the Nasbvilie pike, These two important approaches were left to the guardianship of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, and he had bie threo divisions posted as I have described. The divisions ageigned to him are those of Cheatham, Breckiuridge and Buckner; but of these only that of Breckinridge fought with him on this occasion. Indeed, from all that ean bo learned, it would scom that the corps organization of Bragg’s army was not maintained at all in this engage ment. On tho left of Polk’s corps, and forming the centre, were tho three divisions of Licut. Gen. E. Kirby Smith, commanded respectively by Generale Preston Smith, MeCown ond Rains, Here the organization was lost algo, and.Rains was iu the contre, while MeCown’s place on the left of his corps was taken by Withers’ division. On Withers’ left, to form Hardee’s corps, was McCown, €lai- borne and Cheatham—the latter having the extreme left’ and resting on the Franklin and Murfreesboro road. 1 | have laid down in the map accompanying this the posi- | “tons of the rebel army ag shown by reconnoissances made om Tussday. 1 do not lay claim toany great degree of accuracy for the map; but it Will serve to show sufficient ly near the rebel positions as to give the reader a clear idea of the operation, In an engagement of the extent of the several which hayo ensued, it would be impossible to give a map showing the topographicn) features, and 1 bavejrather preferred to furnish siall maps showing the relative positiona at digerent “times of | the dosperate five days’ conflict which baa usnered out | the oid aud heralded the incoming of @ pew year. ‘TUR YIRLD OV BATTLX. The dintrict of country lying between the two forces posted as I have described, and which was destined to be- come the great battle Geld of the West, is not easily to be described topograpBically. It has no prominent charac* teristics. A rough and ugly country, rolling slightly, wiih here and there a rocky bill, tho gray stones jutting above tho soil, and botween which the groen cedars grew j2 greatnumbers. These cedars wore very nunicfous in- aeed, often growing im such clysters as to mask entire divisions. In some instances these cedars grew in swampy places; flelda of extensive proportions, and in an uncul- tivated state, and dotted with very few buildings. The roads aad other landmarks the reader cam yadéervtend ‘better from the map I send than by any elaborate dcacrip. tion I could give of them. The fold was on the table land lying in the peninsula formed by Lytie’s and Stewart's reeks and Stones river, and covered an area of about three by six miler, Our line when concestrated must have been at least four miles in length. It was a day’s tedious, difficult and dangerous labor to ride from the ex- tremes of the right and left wings, and often I was forced, while making inquiries for names and facts, to occupy portions of the night, which, however, could not be occu- pied in sleeping, as the troops were without tents, bed or bedding, their blankets and the cold, frosty aod damp ground being their bed and clothing. ‘THE CALM MBPORE TRE STORM. ‘The ‘‘day before the battle” was net in this instance an upruffied ‘calm before tho storm.’ There were early in the morning eard ominous mutterings of artiliory which threatened an early storm of battie, and in the afternoon it broke out eo the left and centre. The rebels bad no disposition to !ot us quietly take our positions, but opposed the movemeut of Crittenton to rest his left on the river. The picket fring was continuous, and often the sound of this rapid but desultory shooting would break out into a deep, terrible roar of musketry, on hearing which the men of the part of the line not en- gaged looked serious and resolute. Tho artillery on both sides in the afternoon became quite hotly engaged, and At times the supporting infantry would become warmly ongaged. But neither of the commanding gererais pro- posed to begin a fight late in whe day, and by cemmon consent both forces were kept in restraint. But each and all Khew that on the morrow came the conflict, and each and evory man prepared for it. © THE GREAT BALTLE OF WEDNESDAY. WHY WR WARS SURIRIERD. ‘The jive of bartle arranged by General Rosecrans ox ysted on Wednesday morning aa it had lain on Tuesday night, but at eight o'clock on Wednerday the rebels at- tacked the right, and that Moe very soon became changed. Everything had been quiet up to that hour. All aloug their live the rebels had since morning preserved au ominous silence. On ourfpart, at least upon the right wing, up to the hour of attack, ] saw no preparation for ab advance of assault upon (the enemy. The diferent division and brigade commanders bad not yet rallied forth for the business of the day, but remained lounging about the few shelter tents which they had taken along ‘or headquarterr, There was not that activity and aoxjoty which is apparent in camp when danger ip ay. Prehended, nor those cool, calm, vut hurried preparations torenist, when it is known, by the picket’s alarm, \hat the enemy isadvancing. At an early bour in the morn ing | bad geen the battery furnaces and the amithe at work ghooing (ho animals, In the cavairy camp I bad noticed the usual quietness of long establisbed casups The jafautry, who bad slept om their arms ali the pigit before, had appareutly no apprehensions of dauger, hut \P groupe chatted @od Iaughed while drivkiog thir bot coffes and muuncbiug their hard bread. The care. erenese displayed here among the ranks, and whieh was natural W them under the circum stances, was also evineed to an alarming exiunt by many of their offfcers, 1 have bean told by inost excellent a ones that unueusl care was taken at an early hour of the morning to avoid a surprise if the enemy suould make an attack, But aa no attack was made ab au early hour, this commendable caution appear, to have been suddenly abandoned ; for certainly none o the activity on the part of the officers necenury to & preservation of the line which had been formed early in the day was visible a few moments before the attack was made by therebete. All precantions seem to have been abandoned, and the cainp bad the appearance of ene osiablished far away from (be vicinity of au enemy. We did pot dream of danger,or, if the wimmaoding geperal did, bo treated the warning ae ap hile one. MOVING OF OCR FLANK The gun was late in dispersing and putting to rout the heavy fog which iay upon the face of the country on Wednesday It bad werved (> ma k the move. meuts of the yhatever they way be’ been, and by Which they had gotmm completely ujon our rignt flank. Their movements had Been mont skilfully aud secretly conducted, and, until he chose to attack, po one knew of the enemy presence there. What hie move. mente were to gals thie position, it tp eary for one acquaint- ed with the roads to imagine. The reader who examines the map im coppection witb this will discover that it OUR LINE AS ESTABLISHED ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, DEC. 31 - \WATERS | ~ SON || BRIOGE HELD BY ‘FORD WHERE NEGLEY CROSSED wi il H in COUNTRY ROAD Pi ZA E1GHTS NEGLEY rosseaue? & % y 4 SHERIDAN W BRECKENRIDG: BAVD w ANDERSON OY KIOANSON @® RAINS | WITHERS, Guta was done by moving from Murfreesboro by the Frank in road, We know this much from rebel prisoners and Papers, that four divisions undor Hardee actually moved there during the night, and we know frem bitter experl- ence and terrible logs that he attacked and surprised our right wing. Woe know on Monday that the flanking movement attempted by McCook had been discovered, ‘Tho taking of tho heights by Negley and Palmer bad revealed that. It is now apparent that the reconnolssu: ce of Tuesday revealed enough to the rebels to watis’y them that such &® movement as they afterwards attempted could be successfully prosecuted. With Bragg, to doter mine appears to be to do, and the plan was imroediately acted upon. The four divisions making the attack moved | under cover of the darkness und the fog to our right, aud AL eight o'clock commenced the battle by a rapid and Johnson's division was the extreme right of the army, and Jeff. C. Pavis’ the centre. ft, ullcipating an early attack on Wednesday, General McCook had thrown Johnron around that he faced the Franklin pike. We were thus present ing 10 the road a}ing of battle front of two divisions, Jeff. Davia’ division, in the contre, ®yuid instantly face either way, to moot an attack from the road or one mide paralle! with it. Sheridan faced Murfreeaboro, but was 80 situated that he could face, by 4 ‘right half whoel for ward,” the Franklin pike, Jobnson, by a left half wheel movement, could hayo faced about 60 as to rest his flank on the Franklin road to repel an attack made from the town. 80 ‘THE REDRLA’ GRAND (BARGE. ‘The charge of the enemy was of the most rapid charac- ter. The alarm given by the pickets hardly reached the camp before theenemy was upon it. The troeps, aroused by the alarm, had not succeeded in getting Into tine of battie before the enemy made his appearance in immense force. yhad messed the night previous with » battery captain in Jobnson’s division, and at the alarm ran with him to mount. Hore, for the fret time, J got a good view of the advancing columns of the euemy. The right was most magnificent—a sight one seldom has the fortune tobe. Ng SERANKLIN ROAD” ve coungt | before they could form, amd his infantry Koon after be Y Ws Bex Ee %) Be, hold in a Mfetxue, and such a one as I never expect t> see again in @hjs world. There i# no laugungo which can deeeribe =the granienr of that view. Two columns deep, with a front of at least three- fourths of a uyil@, the line tolerably preserved, advancing | with great rapfiiity,on came the whole rebol loft wing, the bayovete glistening in # bright son which bad broken through the thick fog, The rapidity of the movemeat struck me with fear for our safety, as the sight had filed me with admiration of tts grandeur, General Johnson and bis brigade commanders were using every effort to get the troopa into line, General Johnson Is now Biamed for boing aurprised, and T hear ridiculous stories of his being disgraced by Roecrana, who i reportot haviig torn bis straps from hie shoulders. So he was surprised, £0 wero wo ail surprised: and W one is blamed, look bigher and blame others, Thé divieiw Meers labored most manfully to avoid the impending wanster; but all'wos ta vain, Sheridan's division attempted to make thy move ment which would place bim fronting tbe anemy, whore purpose was now plainly visible. But he was too | The enemy's batterice opeied upon Jobngon and e ove came engaged at short range, rayicly advancing and pre- paring for a charge of bayonois, Gesorais kirk and Willtch got their brigades in wolerable line; but the Drigades of General Davia were not so fortunate, Colonel Parrott, of the First Obio; Colene) Baldwin, of the Sixih Indiapa, and Colonel Dodge, of the Thirtieth Tudiana: moved into live with gurprising rapidity, cach officor exerting himself with great energy. Capiaias \algarton, | of tho Fifth (K) Obto battery, and Goodayeod, of the First (A) Ojo battery, acting with Kirk aad Willich, wore posted well; but most unfortunately for us their horses ‘were some distance away at water. Their few remaining mon manned the guns and opened upon tho advancing foo with grape and echrapvel. ‘But the dosultory fire of the incomp!cred line and the insufficient Ore 0” our artile- FY di@ not teeve to even waver the rebel |ine,much leas to repulse it, It never wavered, but proceeded on with a daring determination and vigor it 1s useless tu us to deny at this time, Jobpson's Fifth division was broken and fled to the rear, abandoning the artiliery they were to OUR POSITION WEDNESDAY NIGHT AFTER DEFEAT OF OUR RIGHT WING. WATERS] SON ROSECRANS] HEAD QUARTERS AA eS fe @apported. The men were shot down at the! And the last seen of Capt. Edgartow he had failen across the gun be had just fired, dying, as he had lived, a noble soldier and gentieman. Goodspeed lowt bis entire batiory fod Capt. Bush, of the Fourth Indiana battery, after hay tng lost thirty-cight in killed and wounded, succeeded fo taking of wo of his ix guns. This wae done only by the mort superhuman ellorta om the part of the supporting iufantry regiments of Parrott and Berry. Tho division of Jeff. C. Davie was struck almost simul. tuneourly with that of Jobneon, and in the same wa; The line of the enemy was greater in length than vugewn, sod considerab'y ovoriapped that of Davie, extouding sround bie left and threatening Sheridas. His line, like that of Jobuson, was imperfectly formed. Carlin'y bri cade, couginting of the Twenty-Arat filinols, Thirty eighth Nilinols, Fifteenth Wiscvntin and Ove Hundred and Fr Obi, supporting Captain W. A. lhotchkies’ Second Minu fote battery, had @ good position on a little eminence, and endeavored to stay the progress of the rebel centre. Hut though Carlin, with all the energy o his jopuleive ow tore, pushed bis men forward to the fight, they, but a brigade strong, could not long #taud the terrilie aneault made upon them by four diviious of the rebel army ‘The brigades ef Woodruff aod Post in vain tried to bold their ows. The rebele struck them, and, like Johneoo. Davis wae crushed, Overpowered and broker The batte ries of Hotchkivs and the Fifth Wirconsin Captals 0. F. Pinney) and Eighth Wisconsin (Captain 1. 3. Carpenter) were overrun and caplured. Captains Carpenter and Pimeey were Killed st Weir guns, and a thelr pieces cum, | ‘an as =A MURFREESBORO Tilinols and the Une Mondred 0 (hat taken, Tho Twenty-trai and First Ohio are cat to pieces their jose in prisoners in very great the rounded are numerous, and the pris ror wing of cur army will count up very ley Sheri aa hever completed bis movemen ‘ loft, bat was rtrock before it Ho exerted bimaelf with denyersce Themen who had fought at Pe had pot altered od, tele Lines beck stroyed, The new tr namvevatod wit mo wetned With © pe he rear of te thin div "G0 were abo takep, and Comal Hime te ported kuled and d reported to The wie but in ¥ bow one ¢, but were ra . broker thers. ‘Ihe two ba Arnett wun ied orl ” mnanding one f the two brigades of th) * kiied whie afging be men jorword hia death may have Caywed the ee . porpentary pas ie wh ox ate Geu ral Bt 4 The 008 the Hew Fey linccte ted 10 wtaud bw Givisious bad gone, hd bin He lorined wm quickly am rear of Davia an4, 06 Orders from Geuwrs « to hold his owiiion anti the ctbers cow the reur and advanced & bis enpport. 7 . tempted, but all was iu wath, snd, like to divulon retreated vein atom Aw whe tate um labor wasib RALL rire | Jovnson o 4d Darin had meantime forme im the rear | Gnd attested (0 Mtay the onward progress (ine tebe | But with: euffetewt ariivery th) mlm rom | they were routed od gale Ts Seemed ae i er 1000) ime wavered | eu: my nd (alied and feleo back at nothing, On they came mteadity, unrelentingly, pour ng their fires into our retreating columns, ‘Their line was, through 16 all, alwir.vly preserved,and our fire eremed to have no effect upon it, though there ie uo doo bt that they eu ered immen-ely in Killed and wound- 4, Our maim hose wea in prisoners, who were taken in ‘Abie rrtveat. Thos for two miles was the right wing driven over fiel ‘wand threugh woods, porived rapidly by the rebel eotumne, General #oOook had reported to General Rose ‘erana his opfortanate condition, and had been ordered wo bokt bis ground as long se poraible, and to retreat, ic fron’ back, #0 a8 to binge into the right of the centre, op the Deichts of Stowart's creek. Qevoral Molook en- deavored faithtully to obey, His meu made more than beman efforts to stay the advancing enemy, but all in vain, With a broken column it was Imponsibie to rally and reform as 4 whole; mort of bie artillery eaptnred and m une by the enemy, unable to }Fesent more than a division Ine of battle, the © ort to stay them was in vain, and General McC» i could only obey the order which required bit to fail bak im sub @ manner a8 to form oi thé right of Thomea’ en tre col mp, “Resistance was by no means abondoned: When lorced to retire the divisions would torm in rear of each other; and thus time wae occupied in delaying the Attuck on our centre, if not better occapled tn adding terribly to the list of their killed and wounded. I think ‘Shot at this time we had somedweilve or fiiteen guns at work; tut they would uniimber and fire but a few shots atatine. Twico the rebel centre way driven back by Johnson and Davie; but their right and left continwed to advance, closing in upon our wen until they were again foroed by the terrible entiiading tire to fall back. Do not imagine that during this whole retreat wo were engaged in A diegrucefel ront which nothing cond stay After rallying in the rear of Sheridan, Davis and Jonn: fon waintwined their line, and when forced to fall back ngain did fo in good oraer, and Again jormed at tho first geod position, and in Wko mapper would Sheridan retire, tho enemy all | the leads of McQook and of Johns. the while advancing steadily forward and to our right, encountering one divielon after another, and invartavly Giepersing Mt. But we lost no artillery after tho first feeact. Our men threw away bo weapons, as they bed wove at the first, but all strove, #ince they were driven, to make the retreat a credit to themselves. The pubtic, who will condemn Gen. MoCook for the surprise of that day, must do him the credit to recognize that be conduct- ed that retreat with excellent judgment and skill That ho had allowed bimeelf to be sorprined ia a charge as true af it is serious; but do not accuse the commander of want of courage or skill. Few a of the bomber 0! his could have stood against @ charge 80 sweeping and ‘awift as was that of tbe rebels, And in extenuation of hie criminal negiect it i# only just to nay that bis offorts \ rally his columus wore those of a brave apd skilfuy otticer. WHAT NKAGG PROPOSED RY THIS ASAACLE. Tho enemy overiapped the left of McCook considerably, and it was supposed that be was intending to attempt to cut bim off from the ret of the army. But it does not DOW ® pear that such was the purpose, After the retreat Dogan tt wan #00 attempred to turn the right flank, This 6, pears to have been the col determination of Bragg and the preat feature of his plan of attack; but it failed, and Ot a lerribie ot to him, KOMKCKANS UNAMLIE 70 SEND HLF. Men wondered why no help camo to them; but Mo Cook wom teld to expect no troope to be advanced to his aid, General Rosecrans wis too wise ana too well aware of tho danger of ad: Din left oF centre to aid MuCook. His loft aud centre had hot been eng during the fghton the right. The enemy lay in their frout within sight, and almoat within hearivg. He knew that they were anxiously watching Lis movements and watching to see which part of bis line would be weakened. if any partof it bad been Weakened they would have attacked It, and, If successful, would undoubtedly bave destroyed us. But, though he did vot send McCook reinforcements, General Rossorana employed bimself in #o preparing bin line an to aid Me Cuok to get safely on his right, bits preparations were to halt he enemy on his defeated right without exposing bis left and ceatre to imminent danger, 4 A MULZANT MARGCVRR, : For thin purpose Geueral Rovecrans massed bis artery and bis troups on the position occupied by his centre, This movement is one, 1am wld, as hazardous Kod ditti- cult ae any other military manquvre ever attempied, and regniar oflicers say that thie foat displayed the genius of General Rosecrans even more than did bie | Ooo 7 Corinth manwuvre of allowing bia centre to be broken. Geverals Vou Cleve and Wood, on the left, were moved to the right of the Murfreesboro road. Generals Negley aud Rousseau were advanced « little, The artillery was massed and brought to bear on the probable point ef as- fault cn the rebel left, and (he preparations were Guished. Most of these movements were masked vy jinmeuse odar forests, and when the rebole avaaulted the position 1 wan 4 most terrible surprice to them, Thus prepared, at ibe proper moment the centro wan alyanced a few houdied yards, and oon after the enemy appeared tn force, pursuing the right wing RGLEY AND ROUHPRAL TO THE REBCUE Negley’s diviswu had the advance of the centre order- ed forward ann devoy,and at the long wished for cow mand to move lie twe little brigades moved forward to kreet the advauciag enemy, followed closely by the mammoth divisions of Rousseau. Negiey, who for nearly twelve moutha had chated for the occasion, wan ju most magnificent spirite, abd imparted ‘hem to bin men by bis fearless exyorare of his person and the «ool Bese of bis action, There had been for monte o slur on bigs and hie division. They had bees called militia men under @ militia @veral. Of Kourseau the same had bees faid by men wader regular ofticers. It was imponsiiie to restrain the mem of these two divisions as they mowed forward to protect McCouk's retreating forces, aad they parcastically cried out with a will to them, “Regulars ought not wo Militia, 0 the reecve!' and other phrases, which rince become cant among them Negiey, having deployet the Niveteeuth Iiiine i, Colne! Soot, as wkirmwber’, advarced rapidly, He found bim fel. entering @ large cedar grove, audthe evemy upon bim, He merked Colonel Mull brigade in ibe grove, with Captame Sebulty and Neil’k bet Werien, aud with Htauley’s brigate in wdvance moved into the field im bis front, The evemy came forward, with loud cheers, upon the little brigade ot Btwn ley Ne gley ordered it Ww retire slowly, and the brigade wan moving to the rear under fire, when the Migbteenth Ohio won seized with « panic aad Ged from the fold. Hut the rent of the brigade rutired aa Negiey had ordered, in 40d order, The rebels, anmunpecting the ruse, dashed forward, aud Miller's Urigade and Nogiey’s two batteries oyeued upou them with a terrivie crow Gre that mowed them down, and for the fret time (hat day the rebel wavered. Hut {i was only (or « moment, aad then ag they dached forward In the meantione Rousseau had ge Aton op om the right rercy ville, wes behind the artillery puddeuly coaved and the munketry became silent. Gen, Roseerans, having preserved hia right wing, recalled Negley and Rou au, An impresnive lull follow ed, and by noon of Wedueniay the fret act of the bhody drama was ended. THE RETEWT OF OVK DiRaeTER. ‘The contest had beew a terrible one for us, We had been Griven at least two and 4 half or thre mues. Our wound od and dead were left, with many prisoners, in the hands of the enemy. Thirty pleces of artillery were taken by the evemy,and had beem put in play upon us, The mew, weary and dispirited—many without arros apd ae- coutrements—were now drawn up in lino—lines terribly thinned by the loses wo bad sustained. In Davin’ divi- sion we had jost in many regiments at beast one bat to prisoners. I was told by officers of the Twenty.Anh Tilim is that not leas than three hundred of their namber bad been taken by the enemy, many of (hem wounded They did pot think they bad many killed. The Twenty frat Mino, Colonel J, W. 8, Alexander, reports almony the name facts, and lam certain that our jones ia the \etre\t were mainly of wounded and prisoners. The Obig German regiment of Colouel Stein reports a hoes of one hundred and thirty-five in killed, 4 and mireing. Te must bot be thougbe that our realetance muet bave, io eure of the few dead reported, been weak and an- worthy of us; but, (hough it did pot ropulse the enemy, 1 was ay gallaut an over was made against tarico their musmber. - 2 veut ix tun mart, Daring the tull which followed the last assault at moou T passed along McCook’s line and learaed many ttema of nterest of the engagement, The men were dispirited, Very much #0, and looked upon their rout as not only die, gracoful to them, but disastrous to the whole army, The 4p) earance of Rosecrans, looking like the beat ploasedana most hopeful general alive, did uot sufflos to rowiwe thelr spirits, Mong the whoje line there was am outcry ageloag: officers, The mon said, deapondingly, “We'll tight if ey hand. Tho regula® exe up ou the left at the moment of the dash m de by the rebel right of left wing on Ne giey, They dashed ints the ope space between Negiey d the regulars. + got out again | The combined dre « frowe thew man book w » samme time ot mm bin right « 4 bh rerbtnes, AN » ot y a tne @ 1 thavaieonng ~~ be fea j mu the R . er) “ ‘ a « Wynd Wo Pay Am ther rom We fire Wier $ tw en ee we jet te min aad ngy ere ee ben nd 6 oe Cem 00 gee iat © the rip of Pannen. He env tetnforom mn of ortibery, set wee remy ( aternier Ranaik, but for the prememe the Ames tee whee ite wi'l give ue ollicers,”’ Imprecatjons were heaped apon Tho mon were most Pitilens critio#, And felt there was no wiuning under sueh officers aa they had, The esprit du corps of the right wing appeared to me to bo gave, krinopieas. Captain Bdgarton was mortaily wounded while serving atone of Din guns, and his body fell acroes the gun, hie right arm thrown around it, He was the ranking cap- tain of the Obie artillery, and commanded Kattory E, He was in very bigh and excellent esteem among the officers with whom he was associated 140 teuant Colonel Berry, of the Fifth Kentucky, wan wounded while leuling bis men forward to form the ae” cond line, He did not leave the teld, This reguneut hae “uflered severely. Among the killed (amounting to about olghty killed aud wounded) are three officers cow manding companies aud three feld officon Gen, Kirk acted in the most gallant manner, Me rode wp wo Fdgarton’s battery, shook the Captain by the band sud sald afew words of commendation to him, As he turned away and was urging bis men into line he wan struck by a shot in the ulde and carried frou tho feid Hie brigade was cut Lo pieces in a few moments, but fought wimiably, His lowes arc heavy, he Seventy seveuth Venveylvania, Col. Btumbaugh, lost over one hundred in Killed, wounded and prisoners, the Lieutenant Colonel, P. B. Houman, being among the killed. The Reventy-ninth ilinoia, Colonel 8, P. Read, lost seventy-cight in killeds wounded and missing, Colovel Mona fell at the head of bia regiment. The lows of officers in very heavy ii this brigade. The Thirty-fourth Iilivots, Kirk's old rogiment, clug retnforcemente from | icat sixty.weveu in all, Among the officers Qve were wounded and une captain in missing. GENERAL AUGUNT Wikiicn, Tig men fay that General Willich was not killed. ‘They reprenent that he was terribly wounded by the fray. ment of aebell, and all unite in thinking that it most prove mortal. Hila lova is # terrible one to the army, ty his well known ability as« commander haa shown Mis Drigado on nis fall war commanded by Colonel W, H. Gib- son, of the Forty-uinth Obio infantry, who managed 4 noetadmitably, The lows bere of oMcers tw terrible to conteplate, In the Forty-ointh Obto, whieh lat twenty killed and forty wounded, the Lieutenant Colonel war Killed and Major wounded painfully, and, bewides there, net leas than eight of the tom company commending officers. The Fighty-ninth Uligols, «new regiment jou 1 the field, and composed of the Chicago ratiruad men, loat sixty-five killed, wounded and prisooers, All its Held officera are killed or wounded—Major Hall wightly and Adjutant E. ¥. Bishop very severely, and Lieutenant Hotchkis killed. Tho Fifwenth Onio lost very pevorely rad among the officers ts the Livtenant Celenely Frank Avkeo, The Thirty ninth Indiana, Colonel Harrie!’ lost one hundred end aix Killed, wounded and mirsing. The Seventy-fourtn Lilinois, Colonel Jamea Marah, of Davie’ division, Vost’s brigade, ia reported to have be haved very badly, und to have fed ina panic far to the fear. A now regiment in Carlin’s brigade, of the same One Hundred and First Ohio, fought apiendidiy aad lost » Jaty: Dumber There werw but two of Bheridan's brigades in the Gght, that Of Colonel Daniel McCook having boew lef: at Naa ville, General Sill commanded the Thirty -Gfth and Colwel Groosel the Thirty-seventa. eae rs) Sil) was Killed instantly by @ bullet through hin eit eye. Ue feli in the front pf bin command, and his boty was left un the felt, Sill was one of the best mea in the service, and bis place will be with didieulty filed Jo te latter part of tue morning the fighting fn Mone roan's and Negioy's diviions Waa mort torr bie, Noth of hone generals behaved « reatent gatiautry, and they are looked woo ae the ber the day. In Ne slays divintow, of two usigates, + wo rongtily eats mated wt five .undtod Killed aud ¥ os There are wo miming. The,soveuty-eigh’ | Peuneylyenia \«t one bon dred and Glty Killed aud wounded jowt twenty killed end Gfty wounded tw'tn oe « In Kousseau’s divieiwn the lows ie greater. |) the rege jar brigade, | am wid, 6 will romeh ever cue tnousand ‘The Thirty-eighth Indiana computes ite lows at owe bun dred aud Ufty, and others are reported im Like proportion. Colonel Beatty, Third Olio, commending bveuteenth brigade, had two horses abot vader tim. He behaved WILL Lhe greatest gallantry and coolnens. Colonel Beug. ¥. Kertvaer, of the Thirty-eight Indiasa, commanded the Nintu trigade. In Hougeema’s divition We bave lost peveu regimental commanders. hai McDowell, Aspivlent Adjutant General on Rowe tall, received a wound early in the fight, and re Toe Teens iret Onto Uired from the deld. He ie 4 youmg man, Of pot more than twenty. and f the ment prominiag to Ue nervier All the regimental come oH the regular brigade wore killed or @vanded, The regular Urigate was com manded by Colouel Kuepyard, of tbe Kightaenth jafamiry Tee Orasun Os OCR UMD ‘The de'eat aud retreat of tue right wing had very ma torially changed our tine, The loft and cnntre still re. tained their porttion, lying at right engine seroms the Maurfroew road, from otveme river Om the left to aboot a mile this aide of the # Wat now Metook'e men bid been forced to fall back unt it wan lying pewiy paraiie! with the Murtror . fo pike, and from Sows creek on its Tight to Remecraus’ right om (us left. The cuetey's eh. wae acemmmodated to the revered p stim Of our right, aod, lying but « Cow bum ed yar .s apart the foe syed each vwer, The enemy reoman tiered the how powithn and # ight to fod itm weake As rove a6 the right wing bad become fran y ¢ Tiehed io (8 Bow porting, Geoeral Rosecrans ne lett wing back 10 ite OM ponition, ae ehown ont accompanying thie, It omen toat Honora Wee rane wap now very strong ptvon, We br Mane ® | protected wy mireame, aod io bis rene gold pridgs® | ana fude by whieh w cetive, Mis line war ct mgh they Aid BOL Overioek mas com few gh Atv ae Cavorabie ay ther mk mite, pot able Wo Arive y, Gownrn edvanee, abd tok Marfrosteur a0 Of wearily Ubron be ocinted tat the ri che sneailed We advantage, mameed io frout amd of od the omutre, ‘This aesnuit ! know litte or nothing A my own knowietge cal dl Ot wteme nt. The years \o aye bem & demparate one, and the wore terriliy punwehet before retiriog. Hot the Hence war canplale, aod ended the Sgting for the day Oe © mituaht, bowerer, canmemeting war guing OO 1b» wight #08 & Dexctiful one, the moon shining brightly. The rowel of the day haw acrondy beet sommed uy tw tae tints of theme Who now read thie delayed soondnt + (ho wight were dicowraged aod & foviing of y oe the cotlre army Tee meme (CONTINUED ON EIONTH PAGE! The mew o aes au on