now to save the county bridge, the only means remaining of crossing the river in this vicinity. Evans's and Clingman's brigades were ordered to cross, supported by Pettigrew's brigade, and the Mississippi brigade just coming in was ordered to move forward at once. The enemy were driven back from their position on the line of the railroad; but on account of the lateness of the hour, the nature of the ground, and the fact that our artillery, cavalry, and a large por tion of the reinforcements had not yet arrived, it was not advisable to attack their strong second position that evening. During the night the enemy made a hurried retreat to their fortifications and gunboats, moving with such celerity that it was useless to attempt pursuit with any other arm than cavalry, of which at that time, unfortunately, we had none." General Smith reported his loss at 71 killed, 268 wounded, and about 400 missing. CHAPTER LXXXII. THE ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND-BATTLE OF MURFREESBORO', DECEMBER 31, 1862-JANUARY 3, 1863. IMMEDIATELY after the second battle of Corinth, General Rosecrans was called from the Army of the Mississippi to the command of the newly created 14th Army Corps, known from the department to which it was assigned as the Army of the Cumberland. The corps was composed of the late Army of the Ohio, recently commanded by General Buell-a force which had been developed and gathered in Kentucky by successive accretions, and hardened in various conflicts, from the time when, early in the war, the defence of the State was first undertaken by its gallant supporter, General Rousseau, in the formation of a camp near Louisville. It was in the direct succession of the army organized and commanded by Generals Anderson, Sherman, and Buell, which had repeatedly defended the State against invasion, and had carried its victorious banners through Tennessee to the heart of the enemy's country.* The new Depart ment of the Cumberland, in which the corps was now to be employed, comprised all of the State of Tennessee lying east of the Tennessee River, and such portions of Northern Alabama and Georgia as should be occupied by the United States forces. General Rosecrans arrived at Louisville on the 27th of October and assumed command of the army, which, with the exception of the troops at Nashville, was then concentrated at Bowling Green and Glasgow. There was much to be done in organizing and equipping the force shattered in the recent arduous campaign, and, what was of the first importance, the broken line of communication with Nashville had to be restored and supplies collected preparatory to future military movements. As Louisville was the real base of operations, distant one hundred and eighty-three miles from Nashville, it was necessary, particularly in the present low state of the Cumberland River, to reopen the railroad between the two places. This was accomplished as far nessee, thirty-five miles north of Nashas Mitchelville, on the State line, in Ten ATTACK ON NASHVILLE. 23 support of our cavalry, which was ordered to rejoin the column immediately. Upon receiving intelligence from my videttes that the enemy were in force a to the road, the head of our column was immediately faced to the rear and hastened forward to the position occupied by the enemy, fortunately getting our artillery into position and action, forcing the enemy to retire, which he did in great confusion and with considerable loss ville, by the 6th of November, when diately moved forward a mile to the the advance corps of General McCook passed by this route to the latter city. Nashville was thus relieved from the presence of the enemy who were threatening the position, though General Neg-mile to our rear, masking a battery close ley, in command there, had just defeated a formidable incursion of Forrest's and Morgan's rebel cavalry. A joint attack was made on November 5th, before dawn, on both the north and south sides of the river, above and below the city. In the former, Morgan was gallantly repulsed by the Illinois troops; while For-after which he succeeded in getting his rest's command, drawn within range of artillery into position, and a brisk firing the guns of Fort Negley, were driven ensued for about half an hour, during back, when General Negley went out to which time our forces had to be fremeet them. "Finding the enemy on the quently shifted to avoid their range. Assouth," says he in his report, he in his report, "taking a certaining that the enemy greatly outposition beyond our picket-lines, Colonel numbered our forces, and were aiming Roberts, with two regiments of infantry to make a charge on both our flanks, the and one section of artillery, was ordered troops were slowly retired upon favorato advance on the Murfreesboro' road, ble grounds towards the city; at the while I took the 69th Ohio infantry, with same time the cavalry were so disposed parts of the 78th Pennsylvania, 14th as to divert the coming charge of the Michigan, Colonel Stokes's and Wyn- enemy on our rear, and lead them upon koop's cavalry, and two sections of ar- the 14th Michigan infantry. The object tillery, numbering in all about one thou- succeeded admirably, an entire regiment sand four hundred, and pursued that of cavalry making the charge, receiving portion of the enemy on the Franklin a fire so destructive as to drive them pike. They were speedily driven from back in great disorder. The enemy then every position by our artillery, until we planted several guns on the turnpike, reached a distance of seven miles from which were driven off before they could the city. Colonel Stokes's cavalry was load their pieces. Our forces were rehere ordered to charge upon the enemy's tired in good order towards the city, the rear, and then retreat with the view of enemy making one more attempt to get bringing him to a stand. But the main in our rear nearer the city, but were imbody of the enemy, with their artillery, mediately driven off by a regiment of had suddenly turned into a lane to the infantry and a section of artillery which left; while our cavalry, in the excite- had been ordered forward as a reserve. ment of the chase, pursued a small por- The concerted plans of the enemy, who tion of the enemy within five miles of had Hanson's brigade of four Kentucky Franklin, capturing some prisoners, kill- regiments and two Tennessee regiments ing several, and taking a drove of cattle. of infantry and five batteries of artillery, Previous to the return of Stokes's cav- were defeated, and our troops enabled to alry the enemy appeared in considera- give additional proof of their efficiency ble force upon our left, in front and and valor." rear, with the evident intention of cutting off the cavalry and our retreat. The infantry and artillery were imme General Rosecrans immediately followed the advance of McCook with the remainder of the army taking up a po sition in front of Nashville. On the all their arms, munitions, and other 26th, the railway communication from stores. Our own loss was small, comLouisville to the city was completed, re-pared with the result-not exceeding lieving the army of the tedious wag- one hundred and twenty-five in killed on transportation from Mitchelville. A and wounded. The memory of the galmonth was now spent in bringing up the lant men who fell to rise no more, will large supplies which the exhausted stores be revered by their comrades and forof the garrison and the risk of further ever honored by their country." In a interference with the railroad by the previous report of the same engagement, enemy rendered necessary. To guard General Bragg stated the Union killed the road, a considerable force of General and wounded at two hundred.* The Thomas's corps was stationed at Galla- number of prisoners taken is stated in tin. An outpost of this command, a the national accounts at about thirteen brigade of about two thousand raw Ohio, hundred. Two days after, this event Illinois, and Indiana troops, commanded was somewhat redeemed by a spirited by Colonel A. B. Moore, which had been encounter between Colonel Stanley Matthrown forward to Hartsville, was, on thews, in command of a well-supported Sunday the 7th of December, attacked foraging train sent out from the camp at by a rebel force under General Morgan. Nashville, and the rebel General WheelThe enemy, numbering two regiments of er. The latter attacked the train in Kentucky infantry, several regiments of force, and were gallantly repulsed. cavalry, and a Kentucky battery, came Having secured his supplies at Nashup at sunrise, and after an engagement ville, General Rosecrans was in a measof an hour and a half, unequally sus- ure indifferent to the efforts of the enetained by the national troops, compelled my to cut off his communications. He the latter to surrender. The Union loss took advantage, indeed, of the absence was about fifty killed and twice as many of a part of their force on these excurwounded. Morgan then retreated, car- sions, to advance upon their main army rying off his prisoners in the direction" The enemy," says he, in his official reof Murfreesboro'. The affair, which was port of the protracted engagement which severely commented on in the Union jour- ensued, "expecting us to go into winter nals, was made the subject of a special quarters at Nashville, had prepared his order by the Confederate commander-in- own winter quarters at Murfreesboro', chief, General Bragg. This brilliant with the hope of possibly making them exploit," said he, "was achieved by a at Nashville; and had sent a large cavportion of Morgan's cavalry brigade, to- alry force into West Tennessee to annoy gether with detachments from the 2dGrant; and another large force into and 9th Kentucky regiments of infantry, Kentucky to break up the railroad. In under Colonel Hunt-the whole under the absence of these forces, and with Brigadier-General Morgan. After a re- adequate supplies in Nashville, the momarkable march of more than forty miles ment was judged opportune for an adthrough snow and ice, they forded the vance on the rebels. Polk's and Kirby Cumberland under cover of darkness, Smith's forces were at Murfreesboro', and and at daylight precipitated themselves Hardee's corps on the Shelbyville and upon the enemy. Our success was com- Nolinsville pike, between Triune and plete. With a force of not more than Eaglesville, with an advance-guard at one thousand two hundred men in action, Nolinsville, while no troops lay in front we inflicted a loss upon the enemy of five at Nashville, on the Franklin, Nolinshundred killed and wounded, and cap-ville and Murfreesboro' Turnpike. The tured eighteen hundred prisoners, with *Rebellion Record, v. 244. plan of the movements was as follows: support. McCook arrived at Triune, McCook, with three divisions, to advance and reported that Hardee had retreated, by Nolinsville pike to Triune. Thomas, and that he had sent a division in purwith two divisions (Negley's and Rous- suit. Crittenden began his advance seau's), to advance on his right by the about eleven o'clock, A. M., driving beFranklin and Wilson pikes, threatening fore him a brigade of cavalry, supported Hardee's right, and then to fall in by by Maury's brigade of rebel infantry, the cross-roads to Nolinsville. Critten- and reached Stewart's Creek, the 3d den, with Wood's, Palmer's and Van Kentucky gallantly charging the rearCleve's divisions, to advance by the guard of the enemy and saving the Murfreesboro' pike to Lavergne. With bridge, on which had been placed a pile Thomas's two divisions at Nolinsville, of rails that had been set on fire. This McCook was to attack Hardee at Triune, was Saturday night. McCook having and if the enemy reinforced Hardee, settled the fact of Hardee's retreat, Thomas was to support McCook. If Thomas moved Negley's division on to McCook beat Hardee, or Hardee re- join Crittenden at Stewart's Creek, and treated, and the enemy met us at Stew- moved Rousseau's to Nolinsville. On art's Creek, five miles south of Lavergne, Sunday the troops rested, except RousCrittenden was to attack him. Thomas seau's division, which was ordered to was to come in on his left flank, and Mc- move on to Stewardston, and Willich's Cook, after detaching a division to pur- Brigade, which had pursued Hardee as sue or observe Hardee, if retreating far as Riggs's Cross-roads, and had desouth, was to move with the remainder termined the fact that Hardee had gone of his force on their rear. to Murfreesboro', when they returned to "The movement began on the morn- Triune. On Monday morning McCook ing of December 26th. McCook ad- was ordered to move from Triune to vanced on Nolinsville pike, skirmishing Wilkinson's Cross-roads, six miles from his way all day, meeting with stiff resist- Murfreesboro', leaving a brigade at Triance from cavalry and artillery, and une. Crittenden crossed Stewart's Creek closing the day by a brisk fight, which by the Smyrna bridge, on the main Murgave him possession of Nolinsville and freesboro' pike, and Negley by the ford the hills one and a half miles in front, two miles above, their whole force to capturing one gun by the 101st Ohio advance on Murfreesboro', distant about and 15th Wisconsin Regiments, his loss eleven miles. Rousseau was to remain this day being about seventy-five killed at Stewart's Creek until his train came and wounded. Thomas followed on the up, and prepare himself to follow. Mcright, and closed Negley's division on No- Cook reached Wilkinson's Cross-roads linsville, leaving the other (Rousseau's) by evening, with an advance brigade at division on the right flank. Crittenden Overall's Creek, saving and holding the advanced to Lavergne, skirmishing heav-bridge, meeting with but little resistily on his front over a rough country, intersected by forests and cedar brakes, with but slight loss. On the 26th, General McCook advanced on Triune, but his movement was retarded by a dense fog. Crittenden had orders to delay his movement until McCook had reached Triune and developed the intentions of the enemy at that point, so that it could be determined which Thomas was to ance. Crittenden's corps advanced, Palmer leading, on the Murfreesboro' pike, followed by Negley, of Thomas's corps. to within three miles of Murfreesboro', having had several brisk skirmishes, driving the enemy rapidly, saving two bridges on the route, and forcing the enemy back to his intrenchments. "About three P. M., a signal message coming from the front, from General while General McCook moved forward from Wilkinson's Cross-roads, slowly and steadily, meeting with heavy resistance, fighting his way from Overall's Creek until he got into position, with a loss of some one hundred and thirty-five killed and wounded. Our small division of cavalry, say 3,000 men, had been divided into three parts, of which Gen Palmer, that he was in sight of Mur- left and centre, examining the ground, freesboro', and the enemy were running, an order was sent to General Crittenden to send a division to occupy Murfreesboro'. This led General Crittenden, on reaching the enemy's front, to order Harker's Brigade to cross the river at a ford on his left, where he surprised a regiment of Breckinridge's division, and drove it back on its main lines, not more than five hundred yards distant, in con-eral Stanley took two, and accompanied siderable confusion; and he held this position until General Crittenden was advised, by prisoners captured by Harker's brigade, that Breckinridge was in force on his front, when, it being dark, he ordered the brigade back across the river, and reported the circumstances to the Commanding General on his arrival, to whom he apologized for not having carried out the order to occupy Murfreesboro'. The General approved of his action, of course, the order to occupy Murfreesboro' having been based on the information received from General Crittenden's advance division, that the enemy were retreating from Murfreesboro'. Crittenden's corps, with Negley's division, bivouacked in order of battle, distant seven hundred yards from the enemy's intrenchments, our left extending down the river some five hundred yards. The Pioneer brigade bivouacking still lower down, prepared three forts, and covered one of them, while Wood's division covered the other two, Van Cleve's division being in reserve. On the morning of the 30th, Rousseau, with two brigades, was ordered down early from Stewart's Creek, leaving one brigade there, and sending another to Smyrna to cover our left and rear, and took his place in reserve, in rear of Palmer's right, while General Negley moved on through the cedar brakes, until his right rested on the Wilkinson pike. The Pioneer corps cut roads through the cedars for his ambulances and ammunition wagons. The Commanding General remained with the General McCook, fighting his way across from the Wilkinson to the Franklin pike and below it, Colonel Zahn's brigade leading gallantly, and meeting with such heavy resistance that McCook sent two brigades from Johnson's division which succeeded in fighting their way into position, while the 3d brigade which had been left at Triune, moved forward from that place, and arrived at nightfall near General McCook's head-quarters. At four o'clock in the afternoon, General McCook had reported his arrival on the Wilkinson pike, joining Thomas ; the result of the combat in the afternoon near Greison's home, and the fact that Sheridan was in position there, that his right was advancing to support the cavalry; also that Hardee's corps, with two divisions of Polk's, was on his front, extending down towards the Salem pike. Without any map of the ground, which was to us terra incognita, when General McCook informed the General commanding that his corps was facing strongly towards the east, the General commanding told him that such a direction to his line did not appear to him a proper one, but that it ought, with the exception of his left, to face much more nearly south, with Johnson's division in reserve; but that this matter must be confided to him, who knew the ground over which he had fought. At nine P. M. the corps commanders met at the head-quarters of the General commanding, who explained to them the following plan of the battle: McCook was to occupy the most advantageous |