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'TO CARE FOR HIM WHO HAS BORN? THE BATTLE, AND FOR HIS WIDOW AND ORPHANS.
ESTABLISHED 1877,
WASHINGTON, D. C, SATURDAY, JANUABY 7, 1882. NEW SERIES . yot. L No. 21.
AND THE BATTLE OF STONE RIVER.
Preliminary Movements Strength of the Opposing
Armies Adtance of the Union Farces.
Skirmishing Alignment of the
Troops Heady for
Battle.
From a forth-coming history of "Kentucky in the War,"
by G. C. Kniftin, late lieutenant-colonel on the staff of
Major-General Thomas L. Crittenden.
II.
December, 1862, was a busy month. The year
was fast drawing to a close, and both Union and
confederate generals had little to report save
plots and counterplots. On the part of each
there was little that was encouraging. The early
spring had found Middle and "West Tennessee in
possession of the former. Two large armies oc
cupied all prominent points, and the beaten con
federates encamped in Mississippi were con
fronted by an army too powerful for them to
attack.
Early autumn witnessed the enforced retire
ment of Buell's army to the line of the Ohio
River, while the confederates reaped the harves-ts
in Kentucky and Middle Tennessee.
The 10th of December found Grant embarked
upon his march southward to Yicksburg, driv
ing Pemberton before him. Sherman arranging
for co-operation hy water, the Army of the Cum
berland encamped near Nashville, with Bragg's
twice defeated army in its front, and If indman's
beaten troops flying before the victorious divisions
of Herron and Blunt from the battle-field of
Prairie Greve.
East Tennessee being left comparatively free
from molestation by the abandonment of pursuit
through Cumberland Gap, Gen. Kirby Smith was
at liberty to reinforce points more strongly threat
ened. He had no sooner succeeded in collecting
his stragglers and reorganizing his army, reinforc
ing it by several new regiment4?, than, in compli
ance with orders from the confederate war de
partment, he dispatched Stevenson's division to
the relief of Pembertonat Grenada, and McCown,
with his division, to report to Bragg at Murfrees
boro. The withdrawal of Buell from Middle Tennes
see had been followed at once by the occupation
of that territory. Major-General Samuel Jones,
in command at Chattanooga, had followed this
movement with such vigilance with the cavalry
command of General Maxey as to hasten the de
parture of the rear guards from Bridgeport and
Huntsville, and the 1st of September found For
rest with a cavalry brigade in occupation at Mur
freesboro, calling for reinforcements to aid him in
THE CAPTURE OF XASHVILLE.
These arrived in October under command of
Major-General Breckinridge, who wa3 soon fol
lowed by the Corps of Polk and Hardee, to the
latter of which Breckinridge's division was as
signed. In conformity with the general plan of
operations against Nashville General Bragg had
made Murfreesboro, thirty miles southeast from
Nashville, the centre of his line. Here he sta
tioned Polk's Corps and Breckinridge's division.
The remainder of Hardee's Corps was stationed
at Eagleville, twenty miles west, with his ad
vance at Columbia. Stevenson's division was
posted at Readyville, with McMinnville, thirty
miles east from Murfreesboro, occupied by his
advance. From these flanks the cavalry bri
gades of Forrest and Morgan pounced upon their
prey in West Tennessee and Kentucky, relying
for safety upon the swiftness of their steeds as
well as upon the courage and audacity of the
officers and men composing their commands.
Wheeler's cavalry was posted upon the many
turnpikes and country roads converging at Mur
freesboro. The total effective strength of Bragg's com
mand at Murfreesboro and vicinity, exclusive of
the brigades of Forrest and Morgan, on the 17th
of December, was 41,03G infantry and artillery,
and 6,894 cavalry.-
The number reported on the returns of the
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND,
including post forces at Bowling Green and Nash
ville, on December 20th, was: Infantry, 67,088;
artillery, 34 batteries, 3,569; cavalry, 7,297.
From this force two divisions and two brigades
of General Thomas's command (the Right Wing
under General McCook and the Left Wing under
Crittenden) were concentrated in front of Nash
ville for offensive operations. The strength of the
twenty-six brigades in this organization was by
the same returns stated at 54,741, infantry and
artillery. The cavalry, formed into three brigades,
two of which formed Eennett's division, was
stated at 4,849, making a total of 59,590, leaving
to guard the railroad and the temporary base at
Nashville 8.364 of all arms.
Before moving, several important changes were
made in division and brigade commanders. Gen
eral J. M. Palmer superseded Brigadier-General
William Souey Smith in command of the old
Nelson division in Crittenden's Corps, Brigadier
General James S. Negley was assigned to Dn
mont's division in the Centre, and Brigadier
General R. W. Johnson assumed command of
General Sill's divisien of McCook's Corps.
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND
The two armies, as they stood facing each other
thirty miles apart on Christmas day, estimated
their respective numbers as follows :
OFFICIAL RETURNS.
Total
Army. Arm. Effectives, present. Aggregate.
Rosecrans's...Infrntry 55,647 60,562 S6.011
Cavalry 4,8-19 6,780 10,086
Artillery.... 2,263 2,422 3,120
Total 62,759 69,75 1 99217
Bragg's Infantry.... 39,290 45,887 71,539
Cavalry 6,894 8,209 11,495
Artillery.... 1,746 1.874 2,338
Total 47,330 55,970 85,362
Orders for a forward movement were issued on
WEDNESDAY, THE 24TH OF DECEMBER,
and on Christmas morning the camps were alive
with preparation. The day was spent in writing
to loved ones far away among the snow-covered
hills of the great Northwest. Tattoo found groups
of men discussing the chances of coming battle.
Here and there was a soldier giving the last
finishing touch to the gleaming gun-barrel. The
surgeon in his tent sat before a table on which
in glittering display lay the implements of hi?
craft. The long keen knife, the saw, the probe
were each in turn subjected to close inspection
and carefully adjusted in the case. Field officers
paid a last visit to their faithful chargers and
exhorted grooms to feed early and not to forget
to bring along an extra feed lest perchance the
following night would find the troops far in ad
vance of the wagons. Quartermasters, that hard
worked and little appreciated class of officers,
toiling through the long night with their loaded
wagon trains getting into position for an orderly
march ; commissaries, upon whose vigilance all
depended, carrying out orders for three days'
rations in haversacks and five day3; more in
wagons. A busy day was followed by a busy
night. The clatter of horses' hoofs upon the
turnpike roads leading out of Na-hviDe to the
encampments sounded all through the night.
Now a solitary orderly galloped down from
division headquarters bearing a message to a
brigade commander. Soon a group of officers
rode gaily by from a late carousal at the St.
Cloud : then came a Corps commander with staff
and escort from conference with the Chief, his
last injunction ringing in their ears,
"we move to-morrow, gentlemen.
We shall begin to skirmish, probably, as soon as
we pass the outposts. Press them hard. Drive
them out of their nests. Make them fight or
run. Strike hard and fast ; give them no rest.
Fight them! fight them! fight them! I say," as
the uplifted right hand emphasized each sentence
upon the palm of the left. Thomas received the
orders with a grim smile of approval ; McCook's
sharp eyes twinkled with enjoyment; Crittenden
straightened his trim, figure, and his eyes shone
as he stalked out of the room, followed by his
aides, as if in haste to begin his part of the pro
gramme. It was expected that Bragg would make a stand
at Stewart's Creek, five miles in rear of La Yergne,
and the movement of the different corps was
ordered as follows : McCook, with tV.e Right Wing,
three divisions, to advance by the Nolansville
pike to Triune. Thomas, with two divisions of
the Centre, to advance on his right by the Frank
lin and Wilson pikes, threatening Hardees' right,
and then to fall in by the cross-roads to Nolens
ville. Crittenden, with the Left Wing, three di
visions, to advance by the Murfreesboro pike to
LaYergne. McCook was to attack Hardee at
Triune, and if Bragg reinforced that point,
Thomas was to j oin McCook. If Hardee retreated,
and Bragg showed fight at Stewart's Creek, Crit
tenden was to attack him. Thomas was to come
in on Crittenden's right, and McCook, after
dispatching one division to follow Hardee if
retreating south was to move across the country
on Bragg's rear.
General Stanley, dividing his cavalry, assigned
Minty's brigade ( under Colonel Kennett) to Crit
tenden, Zahm's brigade to the right of McCook,
and reserved for himself less than one thousand
with which to move in advance of McCook to No
lensville. The Fourth Regular Cavalry, under
Captain Elmer Otis, a brave and experienced
officer, was reserved for escort and courier duty.
After supplying details for escorts at Corps
Headquarters, the total effective strengh of the
three cavalry brigades was little more than 3,000
men,
LESS THAN ONE-HALF THE NUMBER
of effectives brigaded under Wheeler, Wharton,
Pegram, and Buford. The Fifteenth Pennsyl
vania, or Anderson Cavalry, which had been sent
West at the special request of General Rosecrans,
900 strong, turned out only 300 strong, the
remainder stacking their arm3 and refusing to
move until properly officered. The movement
began at daylight on Friday, the 26th. The
sky was overcast by dense black clouds, which
soon burst, and torrents of rain deluged the de
serted camps, glancing off from the well-covered
shoulders of the men as they filed out into the
highways to assume their allotted position in the
column.
There was glorious assurance in the manly
stride, the determined look, and in the triple
armor with which ho is clad who hath his quarrel
just; and his must ke a dull ear, indeed, who did
not note, in the merry jest and tuneful song that
floated along the ranks, the augury of victory.
At the head of their respective columns rode
Thomas, accompanied by his staff officers, with
the brave and accomplished Major-General Geo
E. Flynt at their head. There .was Von Sehrceder,
Mack, Mackay, and the rest. McCook, with
Langdon, Nodine, Thruston, Campbell, and Wil
liams. Crittenden, followed by Starling, Loder,
Mendenhall, Buford, John McCook, Knox, and
the writer of this chronicle.
BRAVE HEARTS BEAT HIGH THAT DAY.
On the right, far in advance of the infantry,
rode Stanley, with trusty Sinclair by his side,
while his cavalry swept on out the Nolensville
pike, driving Wheeler's pickets before them.
Sturdy John Kennett, with a brigade at his
heels, advanced upon the broad turnpike road
straight toward the enemy, nor stopped until
nightfall, notwithstanding constant skirmishing,
when, on reaching an eminence that overlooked
LaYergne, a large force was encountered. The
plain below was dotted with groups of cavalry.
Suddenly a puff of smoke and a shell well aimed
along the line of the road, carried death in its
track. Another and another followed in quick
succession, clearing the road as fast as men's legs
could carry them. The head of Palmer's infantry
column came up and halted at the side of the
road. General Crittenden and his staff rode
forward to watch the artillery duel now in pro
gress for Newell's battery had unlinibered at
the first shot and was firing rapidly. Mr. Robert
H. Crittenden (a brother of the General) and the
writer, his boon companion, riding side by side,
advanced beyond their companions in full view
of the artillerists, presenting a conspicuous mark.
Quick as lightning a shell came hissing through
the air and passed in the narrow space of a yard
between their horses. It is needless to add that,
their curiosity being gratified, they lost no time
in seeking the friendly cover of a log house by the
roadside. Newell planted his shots from two
three-inch Rodmans with such dexterity as to
silence the enemy's battery of four guns. Colonel
Enyart, with the First Kentucky and the Thirty
first Indiana infantry, supported on the right
by Colonel W. C. Whitaker with the Sixth
Kentucky and Ninth Indiana, preceded by
Colonel Murray with the Third Kentucky cav
alry, now moved to the left and advanced through
the cedars towards Stony Creek, where they were
met by a force sent to intercept them. The order
to charge with the bayonet was followed by a
swift rush across the creek, the routed confederates
flying before the gleaming steel, -and the army
bivouacked for the night before La Yergne.
GENERAL ROUSSEAU,
marching by the Franklin pike without meeting
opposition, encamped at Owen's Store, on the Wil
son pike. Negley, marching in advance, had heard
the sound of Johnson's guns, and, marching to his
support, encamped near Nolensville, Walker's
brigade stopped at Brentwood. McCook reached
Nolensville, and finding it occupied by a consid
erable force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery,
Pest's brigade was sent forward to dislodge them.
Carlin formed his brigade on Post's right, and
the line, completed by Woodruff's brigade on the
extreme right, pushed steadily forward, driving
the enemy before them through the town to a
rugged hill two miles beyond, where he greeted
the advance of Davis's line with shells at long
range, Hotchkiss and Pinny moved np and
administered a few shots, when the infantry
dashed up the hill and captured two bronze field
pieces, routing their supports. On one of the
guns was inscribed "Shiloh." It was captured
by the One Hundred and First Ohio, Colonel
Stern. Stanley had done his work in front of
Sheridan so well, stirring up the confederate
cavalry and driving it before him, that the in
fantry had. found nothing to do but march quietly
along the road to Nolensville. Major Rosengarten
had particularly distinguished himself with the
Anderson Troop and won from Stanley the enco
nium, "They wrent into the fight as if they liked
it." The Major had a singular encounter with a
burly antagonist. Both their pistols missed fire,
when the combatants closed, and the confederate
was getting the best of it when a stinging blow
from the Major's fist brought the latter to grass,
where he was captured.
CRITTENDEN'S COLUMN,
under the impatient leadership of its gallant
commander, was aroused before daylight Wood's
division took the lead, but it was soon apparent
that the route did not lead along the highway.
Line of battle was formed, and being already far
advanced, the left wing rested on their aarms un
til MeCook should have time to move forward to
a parallel line. At eleven o'clock the cavalry
bugles sounded to horse, and presently a line of
horsemen filed into the road, moving off toward
the flanks, infantry skirmishers were, thrown out,
and the column was again in motion. In front
lay the village of La Yergne, Gecupied by Ma
ney's brigade of infantry, Wheelerfe cavalry, dis
mounted, and posted in the houses and upon the
wooded heights in the rear; two batteries of
artillery posted behind the town commanded the
turnpike road. HascaU's brigade was assigned
the task of clearing the town, and it was done in
gallant style at a loss of twenty men killed and
wounded.
Supported by Estepp's battery, the brigade
pressed through the village encountering stub
born opposition at every wooded hill or other ob
struction behind which half a dozen men could
obtain temporary cover. Under a drenching storm
the column moved steadily forward in momentary
expectation of being formed in line of battle.
Stewart's Creek, flowing deep between rugged and
precipitous banks five iniles beyond La Yergne,
was crossed by a bridge which it was a matter of
prime importance to save. Maney's brigade, on
outpost duty, 1,400 strong, at Stewart's Creek, had
advanced to La Yergne on Friday afternoon.
Discovering that the force in his front was really
the advance of a large command, General Maney,
on consultation with Wheeler, communicated his
opinion to General Bragg and fell back along the
pike toward Murfreesboro, his march hastened by
the vigorous pursuit of HascaU's stout infantry.
His battery flew across the bridge under whip
and spur, and the rear caisson had barely crossed
when the torch was applied to a pile of combus
tibles placed upon the bridge.
THE FLAMES SHOT UPWAED,
and a few minutes would have sufficed for its
destruction, when the Third Kentucky infantry,
deployed as skirmishers, the gallant McKee at
their head, dashed forward and extinguished the
flames. A battery rained down a torrent of
shells from an eminence beyond the bridge.
The fearful accuracy of aim convinced Hascall
that this was different artillery from that he had
encountered at La Yergne. Nearly every shot
told with fatal effect. The range of Esteppe's guns
was too short to reach Maney's battery, and time
was precious. Another battery was brought for
ward of longer range, and unlinibered as quickly
as courage and discipline, aided by willing hands,
could accomplish it. One after another, like
strokes of a clock, shells were flying, and Maney
limbered up and got out of the way.
General Hascall now made preparations to
encamp, the Tliird Kentucky in possession of the
bridge, when a squadron of Alabama partisan
rangers, who had been left on the flank when
Wheeler crossed the bridge, made a dash upon
the Twenty-sixth Ohio on HascaU's left to join
their companions. The Twenty-sixth changed
front to the left and delivered a volley, which re
pulsed the charge. A company of the One Hun
dredth Illinois, under Captain Mungen, sent to
the left to protect the flank of the regiment, wa3
cut off and their surrender demanded. The com
pany responded by a volfey, following it up with a
charge, in which twenty-four of the Alabamians
were captured, with twelve horses and accoutre
ments. The loss in HascaU's brigade during the dav
was twenty-nine wounded, more or less seriously.
While Hascall was thus
PUSHING ON IN ADVANCE
of the main column, sweeping cavalry, infantry,
and artillery before him, a steeple chase was go
ing on on the Jefferson pike some distance to his
right. The Second brigade of Palmer's division,
under Colonel Wm. B. Hazen, was sent on this
road, after passing La Yergne, with orders simi
lar to HascaU's to save the bridge on that road
over Stewart's Creek. Captain Maxey, with
ninety men of the Fourth Michigan cavalry, was
assigned to this brigade, who were sent ahead
with orders to push on until the enemy's pickets
were encountered, eharge them at full speed, and
not to stop until the bridge, five miles ahead, was
reached. The pickets were encountered three
miles from the bridge, at which time Hazen's
infantry and artillery were well closed up. The
bold cavalrymen had heard the order and inter
preted it literally. Settling themselves in their
saddles, their trusty repeating rifles in their
hands, the cavalcade swept down the road fol
lowed at double quick hy their infantry sup
ports. A regiment of cavalry 300- strong was stationed
in front of the bridge, with pickets posted far in
advance. Nearer and nearer came the sound of
horses feet upon the stony road, mingled with
the sharp rattle of Maxey's rifles. There was no
time to estimate relative strength ; safety lay in
the rear, and in a few minutes the entire regi
ment was scrambling acress the bridge, followed
by their puisuers. Once- across, the commander
regained his senses and formed his men in line to
resist the farther progress of the Union cavalry.
A battery came dasning up from Hazen's front,
and a few shells sufficed to put them to flight.
Both bridges were now in possession of the ad
vancing arany. Hazen's loss was one trooper
killed &ad two captared. He killed one officer
and several men ana captured ten of the enemy.
BY A GALLANT SASH
Colocel Kennett who had been slashing at
Whseier all day, cut off and captured a detach
ment of thirty-six men of Allen's Alabama cavalry.
On the night of Saturday the 27th, Chitten
den's front was on the line of Stewart's Creek.
Negley closed upon his right, Rousseau was at
Nolensville, and McCook, who had met and dis
persed a considerable force at Triune, encamped
with Johnson's division across Wilson's Creek,
Sheridan Bear the village, and Dfsvis at the
junction o the Bully Jack road with the Nolens
ville pik&. Walker's brigade, by order of Gn.
Thomas moved froia Brentwood across to the
Nolens-ville pike.
The 28th being the Sabbath there was no gen
eral advance. General Rosecrans was a rigid
Catholic and by no means averse to letting it be
knawn, Willieh made a reconnoissance in
McCook's front seven miles on the Shelbyville
road, and learned that Hardee had retired to
Murfreesboro. Rousseau moved to Stewartsboro,
and Stanley rode to College Hill and confirmed
Willich's report concerning Hardee's movement.
Early on the morning of the 29th, Stanley
moved with the reserve cavalry on the Bully
Jack road in advance of the Right Wing, folio wed
Closely hy Davis's division. Sheridan, rame next,
and Johnson, detaching Baldwin's brigade to re
main in observation at Triune, brought up the
rear. The Anderson cavalry, under command ot
the brave Rosengarten, drove the confederate
cavalry at full charge across Stewart's Creek,
i where Stanley's little command was increased by
Zahm's brigade. At Wilkinson's cross-roads
Wharton drew up his brigade to dispute any far
ther advance. Forming his command in line of
battle, Stanley ordered a charge, which resulted
in driving the confederates across Overall's Creek
upon the infantry posted in front of Murfrees
boro. Rosengarten, pressing too far, fell upon the
infantry and was killed. The command now de
volved upon Major Ward, who also fell desper
ately wounded, when the Troop fell back in con
fusion to the rear. Sheridan bivouacked at Over
all's Creek ; Johnson and Davis at Wilkinson's
cross-roads.
The Left Wing advanced on the same day in
line of battle along the Murfreesboro pike, Wood
on the left, Palmer on the right,
VAN CLEVE IN RESERVE.
Wagner's brigade in Wood's front, and Grose's
brigade on the right, drove the enemyJ3 skirmish
ers before them to within two and a half miles of
Murfreesboro, where indications were observed
of a heavy force in their front. Negley 's division
marched abreast with Crittenden's right, crossing
Stewart's Creek two miles above the bridge, on
the Murfreesboro pike. Rousseau remained in
camp at Stewartsboro, resting after a toilsome
march through the mud the day before. Stark
weather's trusty brigade was sent to guard the
Stewart Creek bridge on the Jefferson pike, while
Walker moved with his brigade to Stewartsboro.
Generals Rosecrans and Thomas were in consul
tation at Bridge's house, near Stewartsboro, when
a signal message from the front reported Critten
den's advance in sight of Murfreesboro, and the
enemy in retreat. Moving forward in the line
above-mentioned, Wagner's brigade rested on the
pike, occupying a piece of wooded ground with,
an open field in front. HascaU's left rested oa
Stone River. Between them was Harker's brigade.
On the right. Palmer's brigades came into position
with Grose on the left, and Craft on the right,
Hazen's brigade had been left at Stewart's Creek.
Yan Cleve was within supporting distance, but
Negley, marching over difficult ground, was far
in the rear.
Crittenden's ordera were to go into Murfreesboro.
and he was inclined to obey them. Riding for
ward, he found the two advance divisions ax
ranged in line of battle, and, against the remon
strance of General Wood, ordered a forward
movement. Palmer united with Wood, how
ever, in a protest, on the ground that an advance
at night over unknown ground, in the face of a
force of unknown strength, was too hazardous te
be undertaken. General Crittenden Anally sus
pended the execution of the order one hour,
until General Rosecras3 could be heard from.
General Rosecrans came up soon after and coun
termanded the order.
IN FRONT OF THE POSITION
lay Stone River, running obUquely towards their
left, forming a triangular field, lined on the right
by a dense growth of cedars, on the left by the
stream, the line of battle forming the base.
When Crittenden's order was first given General
Wood had prepared to obey it, and two brigades
(Harker's and HascaU's) first reaching the river,
Harker in advance, dasl-:ed through the water
and were met on the other side by a sharp fire
from the skirmish line in the front of General
Breckinridge's division of five brigades posted on
an eminence in their immediate front. The
Fifty-first and Seventy-third Indiana in advance
immediately deployed as skirmishers, and press
ing forward reserved their fire until within s
few yards, when they deUvered it with such
effect as to drive the confederates back peU-meU
upon the main line. The entire brigade crossed
and took position, but the commander finding
himself in the presence of a long line of infantry
stretching away to his left out of view from his
division commander, reported for orders. In ilud
meantime the order to advance was suspended,
and Harker was directed to withdraw. To obey
the order required both skiU and discipline, but
it was brilliantly executed. The Left Wing,
13,283 strong, bivouacked on the night of the
29th within 700 yards of the confederate works.
An old tollgate house served as headquarters
for the corps commander, where late at- night he
was joined by General Rosocrani, the left of the
command extending half a mile down the river.
Hazen's brigade came up and was placed in line
with his division. Negley formed on the rig&t
of Palmer, with his right on the Wilkinson pjke.
The soldiers lay down on the wet ground, with
out fires, under a drenching rain, and there was
nothing to indicate the proximity of two hostile
armies that were soon to meet in a death-grapple
in which 20,000 men were to be reported in the
morning returns as
KILLED, WOUNDED, x.ND MISSING.
The slumbers of the commanding general were
disturbed at half-past three on the morning of
the 30th by a call from General McCook, who
was instructed to rest his left upon Negley's
right. Sheridan's division therefore, preceded
by Stanley, moved on the Wilkinson turnpike
closely followed by Johnson and Davis, Skir
mishing into position, the line was formed by
resting the left of Sheridan's division on the
Wttfcmson pike, Davis on his right and. John
iContiimsii or. Third page.)
