near Wartrace; and after bivouacking for the The attack was so unexpected that the troops night on the Fayetteville road, near Shelbyville, fell back in great disorder, but were soon rallied proceeded to Murfreesboro at daybreak on the in the public square. The Odd Fellows' Hall was fourth instant, by railway, with the Ninth Michi-a large brick building in the centre of the village, gan infantry, halting at the cross-roads, and immediately opposite the stable occupied by a throwing out scouting parties in both directions. portion of the enemy's horses, and he had thrown On reaching Murfreesboro, in the afternoon, I himself into it, barricaded the lower windows and learned that the enemy, at noon, had crossed the doors, and was firing from the second-story winrailway ten miles north of this place, tearing up dows. Having no artillery with which to shell the track, and burning a quantity of cotton stored him out, I directed Capt. Essington, the officer in there, and that upon the arrival of the First Ken- command of the troops remaining in the village, tucky cavalry, Col. Wolford, from Nashville, Col. to dismount his men, and advancing under cover Lester had despatched that force in pursuit, to- of the houses and stables on the other side of the gether with the third battalion of Pennsylvania street, to maintain a steady fire upon the wincavalry, Major Givan. dows, and when the enemy had been silenced, to demand an unconditional surrender, and in case of refusal to fire the building. This was done, and the enemy laid down his arms and surrendered unconditionally to Lieut.-Col. Parkhurst. His force consisted of fifty privates, ten non-commissioned officers, four lieutenants, a captain, and the field-officer in command, Lieut.-Col. Robert E. Wood, Jr., of Adams's cavalry — in all sixtysix- who were turned over to Gen. Dumont, on his return that afternoon.

The Fourth Kentucky cavalry, Colonel Smith,
having arrived with Gen. Dumont, and yourself
from Shelbyville, and the third battalion of the
Seventh Pennsylvania cavalry, with Col. Wyn-
koop from Nashville; both these forces were de-
spatched for Lebanon, where, within eight miles
from Murfreesboro, I met this force returning,
under the impression that I had been cut off at
Shelbyville and needed reënforcements. I di-
rected this force to turn back and unite with the
one recently from Murfreesboro, and pushed on
all night for Lebanon; halted at one o'clock on
the morning of the fifth instant, within four miles
of that place, and rested until daybreak. The
column was then put in motion, proceeded at the
trot, drove in the pickets and charged into town. To Capt. T. P. M. BRAYTON,
The enemy was completely surprised, and was
only aware of our presence by the fire of his
pickets, posted less than a mile from the village.
His main force was quartered at the college
buildings on the outskirts of the town, from
which he endeavored to reach the livery stables
in the village to saddle up and mount, but being
overtaken by the head of our column, threw him-
self into the houses lining the road, and main-
tained a heavy and well-sustained fire from the
windows upon each side of the street. He was,
however, driven from house to house until he fled
from the town in the wildest confusion.

I enclose you herewith the list of prisoners
taken, and an inventory of the captured arms.
I remain, Captain, your obedient servant,
WM. W. DUFFIELD,
Colonel Commanding Twenty-third Brigade.

I need not inform you of the personal daring nd gallantry of our troops, exposed as they were to this murderous cross and flanking fire from a sheltered and concealed foe, yet still delivering their fire at the windows with great coolness and precision, falling back to load and again return ing to the attack, as both Gen. Dumont and yourself were present and can speak from personal observation. During the time occupied in forcing the street, a large portion of the enemy rallied in the public square, but were repulsed by a vigorous charge, and retreated toward the north and cast, our troops following in close pursuit, Gen. Dumont and yourself having followed, directing the pursuit, and being left in charge of the town, I directed Lieut.-Col. Parkhurst to search the vil lage and collect the wounded with the small force which did not join in the pursuit. While so engaged, several scattering shots were fired upon us from the windows of the adjoining houses, and a sudden and most unexpected volley poured in from the windows of the Odd Fellows' Hall.

Assist, Adjt.-General, Nashville.

Doc. 23.

5.}

BRAGG'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY. HEADQUARTERS SECOND CORPS, ARMY OF THE MISSISSIPPI, CORINTH, May 5. SOLDIERS: You are again about to encounter the mercenary invader who pollutes the sacred soil of our beloved country. Severely punished by you, and driven from his chosen positions with a loss of his artillery and his honor at Shiloh, when double your numbers, he now approaches cautiously and timidly-unwilling to advance, unable to retreat. Could his rank and file enjoy a freeman's right, not one would remain within our limits; but they are goaded on under a tyrant's lash by desperate leaders, whose only safety lies in success.

Such a foe ought never to conquer freemen battling upon their own soil.

You will encounter him in your chosen position, strong by nature and improved by artaway from his main support and reliance-gunboats and heavy batteries-and, for the first time in this war, with nearly equal numbers. The slight reverses we have met on the sea-board have worked us good as well as evil; the brave troops so long retained there have hastened to swell your numbers, while the gallant Van Dorn and invincible Price, with the ever-successful "Army of the West," are now in your midst, with numbers almost equalling the "Army of Shiloh." We have, then, but to strike and des

To Major-General Halleck:

THE enemy, twenty thousand strong, drove in our pickets beyond Farmington, and advanced upon the brigade occupying the further side of the creek in front of my camp. The brigade held on for five hours, until finding them heavily pressed in front and on the flank, and that I could not sustain them without passing the creek with my whole force, which would have been contrary to your orders, and would have drawn on a general engagement, I withdrew them to this side in good order. The conduct of the troops was excellent, and the withdrawal was made by them very reluctantly.

The enemy made a demonstration to cross, but abandoned the movement. Our loss is considerable, though I cannot yet tell how great. The enemy, being much exposed, suffered very severely-one of his batteries being completely disabled, and his infantry line having been driven back several times. My command are eager for the advance.

(Signed)

JOHN POPE,
Major-General.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF COLONEL HATCH.

CAMP NEAR FARMINGTON, May 10. Lieutenant Marden, A.A. G. Brigade:

ports were protected by a rail fence. Major Kuhen gallantly attacked the battery near the building known as the cotton-mill, company F, Lieut. Reilley, alone attacking two guns in bat. tery on our extreme right. The centre battery was fairly carried, the enemy limbering up his guns without taking them off the field.

Finding our horses badly blown for a long charge over rough ground, going a distance of twelve hundred yards, and the infantry in great force, ordered all companies on the right to retreat to the right and rear, forming on the swamp road, and those on the left, to then join their command.

The conduct of men and officers was in every respect commendatory. Captains Lundy and Egbert, Lieutenants Owen, Horton, Suetger, all had horses killed under them. There were about four hundred men in the charges. Our loss will scarcely exceed fifty killed and wounded; fifty horses, as many wounded and unserviceable. EDWARD HATCH,

Lieut.-Col. Commanding Second Iowa Cavalry.

CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.

CAMP NEAR FARMINGTON, Miss.,
May 10, 1862.

Gen. Pope's little army have been chafing and edging up toward the enemy for ten days, several miles in advance of the main column. It is rather a remarkable fact that our army should have come from Fort Pillow all the way to this place, and then be ready for action so much in advance of the main army-which was said to be ready before we left the Mississippi River.

On the eighth we made an armed reconnoissance in force upon the enemy, drove in his pickets, and took a peep at the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, and some of the huge guns planted for its protection. We took headquarters in Farmington, run our telegraph wires to that ancient city of now one inhabitant-the town all finished fifty years ago—and spent rather a pleasant day I had the honor to report, complying with in the reconnoitre. Our loss was small-but two orders to report, with Second regiment to Gen. killed and four wounded. We, however, met Granger. Did so, receiving instructions from with the severe loss of our friend, Dr. E. W. Gen. Pope to report to General commanding the Thrall, surgeon of the Twenty-seventh Ohio regiadvance. I reported at twelve o'clock to Gen. ment, who was captured by the enemy while Palmer, who ordered me to throw out two com- moving a short distance to the rear for his ambupanies to the left of the Farmington road, and lances. The woods were very dense, and cavalhold the balance of command in reserve. Our rymen, it appears, dropped in behind the column, infantry, who had held the field above us, being and were seen after our men had passed. Dr. driven in to the brow of the hill, Gen. Paine Thrall is much missed by us all, and we hope ordered the regiment to charge the enemy's bat-soon to hear from and release him from his bondteries. Moving the column to the top of the hill, ordered Major Kuhen, with companies H, G, and C, of the Second battalion, and Major Love, with the Third battalion, to charge the batteries on our right; Major Hepburn those on our left, in echelon of squadrons, deploying the columns to the right and left.

When we passed the infantry columns we attacked their skirmishers and supports, driving them in, killing and wounding some. No effect was produced on the battery on our left. Near the main Farmington road the battery and sup

age. At dusk we drew in our columns and left pickets stationed at Farmington, while the whole army fell back three miles to the old camp. The next morning our telegraph operator sent us a hasty despatch and cut his machine loose, and retired with our pickets before a line of battle extending over a distance of two miles. From time to time he hooked on to the wire and told us of the progress of the rebels. One brigade and one battery, which remained over the creek which bounds our camp southward, ready to aid the pickets, gave them a warm reception, but owing

number of killed, wounded, and missing of the troops engaged is about one hundred and fifty. Last night the foe retreated, and to-day our pickets again hold Farmington.

sition on the right, and fell back a mile or two in the rear of Farmington. The object of the signal it is of course imprudent to reveal; but when morning came it found a portion of our army in full pursuit, and the troops, one and all, fully inspired by the prospects of the approaching engagement.

One curious feature of the advance now is that of throwing works of defence up along the whole line. The fortifications completed to-day cannot be less than twelve miles in length, extending At eleven o'clock our advance came up with from the extreme right to the extreme left wing. the enemy, their front being concealed in a heavy They are strongly made with logs and earth, thicket on the opposite side of an immense field lined by rifle-pits, and distant from Corinth six of some four hundred acres. Halting a few momiles. Every movement is characterized by ex-ments to allow the confederates to form in their treme caution. To-morrow the lines advance respective positions, a portion of Van Dorn's and four miles, when another parallel will be con- Ruggles's divisions opened the ball. A Louisiana structed. In case any reverse should happen, battery of six guns, under command of Felix Q. these defences would be invaluable. Robinson of Texas, was thrown forward in the The people are doubtless surprised that their field, and for more than one hour alone sustaingreat army has not yet reached the rebel positioned the brunt of the conflict. For fully half an and attacked it. The reasons of the present hour the guns remained unsupported by infantry, delay are known only to Gen. Halleck. Doubt- while musket-balls, round shot and shell were less they are good and sufficient. Every thing here would seem to be in readiness - the roads are good, and the army as much prepared as it ever will be. All the heavy guns are safely in front, and can easily be moved any distance wished. Perhaps the Commander-in-Chief is waiting for the Gulf-fleet to occupy Memphis, or, when reaching Vicksburgh, to destroy the railroad at Jackson. Something foreign from here evidently influences him. As matters now stand, a battle may occur at any moment, yet be avoided for a week.

Our offensive movements begin to resemble those lately at Yorktown, approaching the enemy's works as if a siege was intended, and endeavoring to achieve a complete victory with as little loss of life as possible. It is more than probable the two results will be similar. In regard to efficiency, nothing more could be wished for regarding the force here. It is healthy, well armed and disciplined, and supplied as few armies have been before. If it fails to gain victory, it will be difficult to imagine any troops we possess capable of succeeding.

RICHMOND "DISPATCH" ACCOUNT,

CORINTH, MISS., May 10. Hurrying forward to the scene, I found that our right wing, under command of Price and Van Dorn and Sturgis, had advanced beyond our intrenchments to Farmington, and were engaging the enemy advantageously.

whizzing in every direction around them.

Once, and only once, the Federal regiment of cavalry came dashing down upon it like a cloud, sabres flashing and horses running like mad; but in a moment there followed a series of flashes, and a volley of grape-shot scattered them like leaves. Over forty riders were dismounted, and the horses galloped frantically into our lines. The remainder returned discomfited, and no more was an attempt made by any portion of the Federal army to leave their covert.

Our troops, meanwhile, occupied the open field, and wherever an opportunity presented, poured a heavy fire into the ranks of the enemy.

Gen. Price had been ordered early in the day to make a detour on our extreme right, so as to get in the rear of the Federals, and entirely surround them. But, owing to the distance around, or the suddenness of the attack by Van Dorn, he was not in position in time; and the grand design failed. We, however, drove the enemy back in confusion, capturing all their knapsacks, loose clothing, and many wagon-loads of baggage. In fact, it may be said to be a total rout. They attempted to save nothing but themselves, and that they did most effectually.

More than four fifths of our army were disengaged, but were drawn up in line, awaiting the various developments of the engagement. The force of the enemy was probably not less than five thousand, and our own engaged not more than two thousand. The result of the skirmish

for such it must be termed - was the occupaTo convey a more perfect idea of the affair, I tion of Farmington, the destruction of an importshould observe that on Thursday night Van Dorn ant base of operations, from which the enemy had placed himself so near the Federal front, on intended to make demonstrations upon the Moour right, that the pickets of the two forces were bile and Ohio Railroad, make an attack upon our only four hundred yards apart. Suddenly, at fortifications when the proper time arrives, and nine o'clock, three heavy guns from our intrench- also complete their reconnoissances, which have ments broke the stillness of the evening air, and thus far effectually failed. They are now comthe whole army was in commotion. The "long pelled to attack directly in front, or not at all. roll" sounded, our men marched to their respec- They have been completely outgeneralled, and our tive positions, and every preparation was made army is in better position in every respect than for a fight. The enemy suspecting a stratagem it would have been without the skirmish. Our from this unusual bustle, and not wholly certain only misfortune was the failure to bag the entire of its meaning, at once stampeded from their po-opposing force, and this is due more to natural