THE BATTLE OF STONE RIVER.
FIRST DAY.
Just at daylight, and while some were getting breakfast, others watering their horses, the Rebels made a sudden and vigorous attack on the Division of General Johnson in General McCook’s Corps, and which was stationed on the extreme right.
Owing to the suddenness of the attack, and the overpowering force which the enemy had brought to bear at this particular point, the troops of General Johnson were thrown into confusion, and ere they could recover from their surprise, the enemy had broken through their lines, and forced them to fall back, at the same time firing volley after volley, killing and wounding a large number of Union troops. They had also succeeded in capturing several pieces of artillery, and, in one instance, the entire battery of Captain Edgarton, taking the Captain and most of his men prisoners.
General Johnson rallied the remainder of his troops as speedily as possible, and others coming to his support—but not until having lost considerable ground—by 9 o’clock, A. M., the engagement had become general along the entire line. At 10 o’clock the battle raged with great fury, and slaughter. Our Battery was stationed on the left of General Negley’s division—it being the last, or left division of the right wing. The enemy, at noon, had succeeded in turning this wing, and had partially got in on our rear, subjecting us to a severe cross-fire. General Cruft, however, managed to extricate the brigade from this unpleasant predicament, and our Battery was drawn off in fine order, but not until we had expended all our ammunition. Our men, as well as those of the entire brigade, stood their ground bravely, and dealt dire destruction to the enemy. Several of our men were killed and wounded about this time.
The battle still raged with great fierceness. The Rebels had gained a great advantage, and had driven General McCook’s wing two or three miles.
At this critical juncture, when it seemed as if we must suffer complete annihilation—when the Rebel star was in the ascendant—Generals Rosencrans and Thomas coming dashing along the line, cheering and rallying their men, when they turned and fought like very tigers. And now the scene was truly thrilling.
“Then more fierce
The conflict grew; the din of arms—the yell
Of savage rage—the shriek of agony—
The groan of death, commingled in one sound
Of undistinguished horrors.”
Inch by inch was the lost ground recovered, as hand to hand friend and foe grappled for the mastery. General Rosencrans, by his dauntless bearing, cheered on our brave men to such deeds of valor as the pen of history has seldom recorded. Fiercely did the Union troops throw themselves in solid battallions against the fierce assailing foe. The roar of artillery, the rattle of musketry, the groans of the wounded and dying, rang horribly upon the ear.
Darkness finally closed over the scene, and, for the time, put an end to the conflict. Weary and exhausted the men threw themselves on the blood-dyed ground, to pass the hours of night, their ears filled with the groans of their dying companions.
The number of killed and wounded, on both sides, this day, was quite large.
Thus ended the old year of Eighteen Hundred and Sixty-Two.
SECOND DAY.
The New Year dawned not on faces radiant with joy and gladness; for, alas! many of our brave comrades lay stark and cold on that ensanguined field. No “Happy New Year” came from their voiceless lips—no kindly word of greeting; but, with eyes upturned to Heaven, they lay mute in death. Never again would that gray-haired father welcome his son on the threshold of home. Never again would that meek-eyed mother fold her darling soldier-boy to her heart. Never again would brother, nor sister, gaze upon his manly form—for that brave boy slept his last sleep on the battle-field of his country. Who shall say that the angels did not welcome him that morning to a Happy New Year, where the sound of battle is never heard?
No, there were no merry greetings, nor lively pealing of bells, for those war-worn men; but instead was heard the roar of artillery, and the rattle of musketry, and the groans and shrieks of the wounded and dying soldier, mingled with that thrilling and strange cry of the horse on receiving his death wound.
The fighting this day was confined principally to artillery, but at longer range than the day previous, and consequently the slaughter was much lighter.
The battle lasted through the day, with no material advantage to either side; and at night both armies retained nearly their positions of the morning.
Another night was passed on the battle-field.
THIRD DAY.
Early the following morning considerable skirmishing ensued, and continued through the forenoon, with shifting of positions.
Between 3 and 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the Rebels, in strong force, opened an attack on a single brigade of ours, which was posted near Stone river, and in advance of our extreme left. Pressed by greatly superior numbers the brigade was compelled to fall back, which they did in good order, contesting every inch of ground, and making great havoc in the enemy’s ranks. Our reserve force soon pushed forward, with cheers and yells, determined to do or die. With a shock that could not be withstood, our brave men rushed upon the foe. Their columns shook—they wavered, reeled, and fighting desperately, fell back, while the brave Union troops pushed them at every step. Vainly did the Rebel General in command strive to rally and turn back his horror-stricken legions. But furiously, more furiously, did our noble men assail the rebellious foe, till the ground was piled heap on heap with the slain, and the thirsty earth drank up their life blood. And now, in utter confusion, the enemy gave way, and soon were flying before us, like chaff before the wind.
Night had now set in, and darkness was gradually stealing over us; but still we fought on, determined to achieve a glorious victory for our country, and our firesides.
Our forces were now massed, and with cheers that made the welkin ring, we charged down upon a battery of artillery, which had been pouring destruction into our ranks.
So great was this onset, that again did the enemy give way and retire from their guns, and fled in wild disorder back into the cedar thickets which dotted the battle-field.
In this charge we captured four guns of the enemy’s celebrated Washington battery, of Louisiana, and also recaptured several of our own guns, which were taken from us in the first day’s fight.
The Rebel loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, was nearly three to our one. Had but two hours more of daylight intervened, the Rebel army would have been well nigh annihilated. It was fortunate for them that darkness put an end to the conflict, when
“Our bugles sang truce—for the night-cloud had lower’d,
And the sentinel stars set their watch in the sky;
And thousands had sunk on the ground overpower’d,
The weary to sleep, and the wounded to die.”
Thus passed another night on the battle-field.
FOURTH DAY.
During this day the enemy kept up a continual skirmishing along our front, but without seeming inclined to risk another general encounter. This afterwards appeared to have been only a blind to cover their retreat, for during the same night they evacuated the field.
On Sunday morning, January 4th, General McCook entered Murfreesboro, and took formal possession of the town.
Thus ended the great battle of Stone river, which, for desperate and hard fighting, has not been excelled by any battle fought during the rebellion.
SUMMARY.
It would be occupying too much time and space to give full particulars of all that transpired during this memorable conflict. And where all fought so bravely and so well, it will not be necessary to discriminate. Taken as a whole, it was one of the hardest contested, and most decisive battles, which has yet been fought. The loss, in killed and wounded, on both sides, was very heavy. The enemy’s loss, in killed and wounded, will not vary far from twelve thousand to fourteen thousand. About five thousand of the enemy fell into our hands as prisoners of war. We captured but few arms or equipments. Our loss, in killed and wounded, was about eight thousand, and from three thousand to four thousand captured and missing. The Rebels probably gained a slight advantage in the amount of artillery captured. Several Generals, and other officers high in rank were killed and wounded, on both sides. The Rebels retreated towards Tullahoma.
This victory once more placed us in possession of a good part of Middle Tennessee, and thereby materially afforded us help in obtaining supplies.
The enemy were confident of success, but were woefully disappointed, and it has been a severe blow to them, and one from which they will hardly recover. General Rosencrans rather outwitted the redoubtable Rebel Bragg, and came off with increased laurels. Rosencrans has shown himself to be the right man in the right place. He knows no such word as fail.
Our Battery, in this engagement, was in command of Lieutenant Norman Baldwin. Captain Standart was still acting as Chief of Artillery, on General Palmer’s Staff. Lieutenant Sypher was sick, at Nashville. Both Lieutenants Baldwin and Sturges acted with great coolness and bravery. Lieutenant Baldwin had one horse killed under him. The Battery was several times in a dangerous position, and once was nearly surrounded by the enemy, and subjected to a severe cross fire. The men heroically stood at their posts, and fought like veterans, while the air was hissing with shot and shell. None wavered from their duty, and all are deserving of the highest praise. But, alas! some laid down their lives in that fearful battle-storm. This was the first time that any of our company were killed in battle.
The following is a list of the members of the Battery who were killed, wounded, and taken prisoners:
Killed—Orderly Sergeant Thomas J. Thompson; Sergeant George Wolf; Privates Chauncey Lyon, Samuel Ruple, John Elliott.
Wounded Seriously—Privates Benjamin F. Sarles, S. W. Shankland, William Broe, Alfred French John Blanchard.
Wounded and Missing—A. J. McLaughlin, George Overy.
Slightly Wounded—L. L. Sawtell, N. Schoh, J. Arndt, J. Grant, —. Hayes.
Of those mentioned as killed, Chauncey Lyon was killed instantly; Sergeant Wolf had his head entirely blown off, and, as is supposed, by one of our own guns, as he was seen to step in front of the battery just as the command to fire was given. Immediately thereafter his lifeless body was found near one of the guns. The others died a few days after, from the effects of their wounds. Those seriously wounded were removed to the hospitals at Nashville. Alfred French had his arm amputated. The others will all probably recover without loss of limbs. Those who were slightly wounded continued on duty. We had twenty-one horses killed. A shot struck the forge, knocking out a spoke and splintering the box. The battery wagon was made a complete wreck.