other brigades, reached the ground at the moment, but as they were very much cut up they were not required to renew the attack.

The brigades of Preston and Palmer, on arriving, renewed the assault with the same undaunted determination, but as another battery had been added since the previous attack to a position already strong and difficult of access, this assault was alike ineffectual. The enemy, though not driven from his position, was severely punished, and as the day was far spent, it was not deemed advisable to renew the attack that evening, and the troops held the line they occupied for the night.

The following morning, instead of finding him in position to receive a renewal of the attack, showed that, taking advantage of the night, he had abandoned his last position of his first line, and the opening of the new year found us masters of the field.

When the firing of my batteries was opened as above, there was a forward movement of the enemy's infantry upon my pickets in the Round Forest, and a sharp conflict, which lasted for some time, and ended in the enemy's regaining possession of the forest. This position being of much value to us, I found it necessary to regain it, and gave the requisite orders. On the following morning I ordered a heavy fire of artillery from several batteries to open upon it, and after it had been thoroughly shelled, detachments from the brigades of Cols. White and Coltart charged it with the bayonet at double-quick and put the enemy to flight, clearing it of his regiments, capturing a lieutenant-colonel and thirteen men.

The enemy, however, knew the importance of the position, also, and was occupied during the day in throwing up earthworks for the protection of batteries within easy range.

These being completed, he reopened fire from This battle of the thirty-first of December de- three points with batteries of heavy guns, and veloped, in all parts of the field which came under placed it under concentrated fire for many minmy observation, the highest qualities of the solutes. It was a severe ordeal, and was followed dier among our troops. The promptness with by a charge of a heavy force of infantry. But which they moved upon the enemy, whenever our gallant troops met the advance with firmness, they were called to attack him, the vigor and and after a severely contested struggle, drove éclat with which their movements were made, back the advancing column with slaughter, and the energy with which they assaulted his strong held possession of the coveted position. positions, and the readiness with which they responded to the call to repeat their assaults, indicated a spirit of dauntless courage, which places them in the very front rank of the soldiers of the world. For the exhibition of these high traits, they are not a little indebted to the example of their officers, whose courage and energy had won their confidence and admiration.

The first of January passed without any material movement on either side, beyond occasional skirmishing along the lines in our front. I ordered Chalmers's brigade, now commanded by Col. White, to occupy the ground in rear of the Round Forest, just abandoned by the enemy. This it did, first driving out his pickets.

In this battle we lost several men and officers, especially of the First Louisiana regiment. Among those who fell mortally wounded was Col. Farrar. This young officer was one of the most promising of the army-intelligent, chivalrous, and brave. His loss will be felt by his country, and lamented by his many friends.

This battle closed the operations of my corps in the field front of Murfreesboro.

By orders from the General Commanding, after being eight days under arms and in actual battle or heavy skirmishing, in the rain and cold, without tents and much of the time without fires, my troops were retired from the field, and ordered to take a position near Shelbyville. This they did at their leisure and in perfectly good order.

In all the operations in which they were engaged, no troops ever displayed greater gallantry or higher powers of endurance. They captured fifteen hundred prisoners and twenty-six guns.

On the second there was skirmishing during the morning. In the afternoon, about three o'clock, Gen. Bragg announced his intention to attack the enemy, who was supposed to be in force on the north side of the river, and ordered me to relieve two of Gen. Breckinridge's brigades, For the details connected with these operations, which were still in my front, and send them over I beg leave to refer to the reports of division, to that officer, who had returned to his post, as brigade, and regimental commanders. For the he proposed to make the attack with the troops same reports also I refer, for instances of distin of Breckinridge's division. I issued the necessa-guished gallantry in the case of corps and indiry orders at once, and the troops were transferred viduals. as directed. The General Commanding ordered me also to open fire with three batteries, which had been placed in Chalmers's line, to distract the enemy at the time of Breckinridge's attack, and to shell out of the woods which covered his line of movement any sharp-shooters who might annoy him while approaching the river.

The shelling ordered, which was to be the signal for Breckinridge's advance, was promptly executed, and the woods were cleared. Of the particulars of rement, Gen. Breckinridge report.

will spen

I beg leave to refer, also, to the accompanying statement marked A, containing a list of the number of men and officers engaged in the battle. Also to B, containing the number of killed, wounded, and missing. I refer, also, to the ac companying map of the field of battle marked Bh.

This map was prepared with care by Lieutenant Morris, of the Engineers of my corps, from actual survey, and from the reports of the corps conmanders of the Federal army. From these sources he has been enabled to fix the relative positions of the corps divisions and brigades of both armies

at different periods during the battle with great

accuracy.

The statements A and B, I submit as part of this report, also the accompanying map marked "BB."

that a large rebel cavalry force had crossed Little Harpeth, about six miles from camp, with the evident purpose of attacking Brentwood, a station on the railroad, about nine miles from Franklin. Gen. Smith was ordered to take a force of cavalry To Major-Generals Cheatham and Withers, my and find out the location of the enemy and his indivision commanders, I am under obligations for tentions. With parts of the Ninth Pennsylvania, their cordial support and active coöperation, in Sixth Kentucky, Fourth Kentucky, and Second conducting the operations of my command. Also Michigan cavalry, numbering five hundred and to the brigade commanders, who, without an ex- forty-five men in all, he started in pursuit. On ception, managed the part assigned them in the arriving at Brentwood, General Smith found the programme of the battle with great skill, energy, camp and railroad bridge at that place in ruins, and judgment. Of the conduct of the regimental Col. Bloodgood having surrendered his command battery and subordinate commands, their imme-after little or no resistance. Gen. Smith learned diate commanders will speak in their reports, as that the enemy were three thousand strong, and they were more directly under their eye. Our had gone (driving their prisoners in front, and artillery also was well handled, when it could be loaded with plunder) in the direction of Columused, but the dense cedar brake into which the bia, Tenn. He pressed on in pursuit, and soon enemy was driven, continuously prevented it compelled the enemy to abandon the ambulances from following our advancing columns. This and ammunition wagons he had captured, and made it necessary to have the work done chiefly also two ambulances of his own. with the musket and bayonet.

After a pursuit of about nine miles the enemy To Major G. Williams, A.A.G., who was se- were overtaken, and formed in line of battle. Gen. verely wounded in the shoulder, Major Thomas Smith disposed his little force for a charge, and M. Jack, A. A.G., Lieut.-Col. T. F. Sevier, Inspec- when all was ready, he took off his hat and shouttor-General, Lieut. P. B. Spence, of the same de- ed: "Now, boys, go in!" And in they went. partment, Lieut. J. Rayle, Chief of Ordnance, They broke the enemy's line at every point of Capt. Felix Robertson, Acting Chief of Artillery, attack, killing great numbers with their Burnside Capt. F. R. Sayers, and Lieut. N. J. Morris, of carbines and Colt rifles before getting in sabre Engineers, Lieut. W. A. M. Otey, Chief of Signal distance. The rebels broke in confusion, appearCorps, Dr. Cavanagh, Medical Director, Majorsing to be panic-stricken. They would gather in Thomas Peters and R. M. Mason, of the Quartermaster's Department, Major J. J. Murphy, Chief of Subsistence, members of my general staff, I am indebted for their vigilance and activity in the execution of my orders, and the fearlessness with which they exposed themselves in the discharge of their duties.

To my Aid-de-Camp, Lieut. W. B. Richmond, I am particularly indebted for the intelligence, decision, and energy with which on this, as on other fields, he gave me his support. Also to Lieut.-Col. Henry T. Yeatman, my volunteer aid, for services of a like character. And our thanks and praise are, above all, due to Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts, for the success of our arms and the preservation of our lives.

groups, until the true aim of our boys, with the deadly Burnside, would make them scatter to the neighboring trees. It getting too hot for them, they started again, this time relieving themselves of all surplus weight. Their track was literally covered with Federal clothing, sutlers' goods, etc., which they had stolen at Brentwood. General Smith drove them six miles. During the race they made three stands, but in every instance were scattered by the invincible charges of our boys, who were now crazy with excitement. Here another road came in, and in that road appeared a rebel force of two thousand five hundred rebel cavalry, under Col. Wheeler. They consisted, in part, of Texan Rangers, mounted on red, white, gray, and speckled horses and mules, and yelling

I have the honor to be, respectfully, your obe-like devils. Here was a fix. Flanked for three dient servant,

Doc. 147.

L. POLK,

Lieutenant-General.

THE SURRENDER AT BRENTWOOD.

CINCINNATI "COMMERCIAL" ACCOUNT.

quarters of a mile by this new force, who were coming down like an avalanche, with the old force in front, inspired and encouraged by reënforcements, the "situation" was any thing but pleasant. Here was an emergency which required the qualities of a great general, and they were not wanting. Gen. Smith had the recall sounded, and slowly and sullenly commenced falling back in a FRANKLIN, TENN., March 28, 1863. slow walk. Had he started on a run, his comTHE cavalry engagement between our forces, mand would inevitably have been lost. But he under General Green Clay Smith, and the rebels had the advantage of position, and well he availed under Cols. Stearns and Wheeler and Gen. For- himself of it. Behind fences and such natural rest, near Franklin, Tenn., deserved more than a fortifications as he could find, he formed lines of passing notice. Considering the disparity of the battle in the rear, and sufficiently checked the adnumbers on each side, and the complete success of vance of the overwhelming hosts. The Second our forces, it was one of the most brilliant affairs Michigan, with their Colt's rifles, had to fire three of the war. Early on the morning of the twenty-successive volleys in one furious charge of Wheelfifth, information was received by Gen. Grangerer's motley crew, before they turned tail. The VOL. VI.-Doc. 31

powder from the last discharge flashed in the faces At this point a flag of truce appeared, coming of the rebel horses, and they turned and fled. up from the enemy's lines, and Major Smith was This rear line would then fall back behind an- sent out in advance to meet it. He received a other, and so on for two miles, when the rebels written message, stating that we were entirely surgetting sick of it or fearing reenforcements, aban-rounded by a large force of General Forrest's comdoned the pursuit, and Gen. Smith brought his command into camp without losing a man as prisoner, bringing in forty-seven of the enemy.

The enemy suffered severely in killed and wounded. Our men were well armed, and every volley told with fearful effect. They lost fully four hundred men, many horses, and two ambulance wagons, and were compelled to destroy many more.

During the engagement many evidences of personal daring occurred, which I have not time to mention. Col. Watkins of the Sixth Kentucky, knocked a rebel from his horse with the butt of his pistol while the rebel was aiming at one of our men. Lieut. Williams of the same regiment, got cut off from his command, with fifteen others. They cut their way through the rebel lines and arrived safely at Nashville, taking six prisoners on their route. Lieutenant Clay Goodloe, of Gen. Smith's staff, in returning from delivering an order, found himself surrounded by rebels, and had to run the gauntlet. After emptying his holster pistols, he lay flat upon his horse, relying upon spurs and his "Lexington." They brought him safely home, but he has a bullet-hole through his pants to remind him of the amiable intentions of his Southern brethren respecting himself.

CHAPLAIN PILLSBURY'S ACCOUNT.

RACINE, WIS., April 14, 1863.

Editors Chicago Tribune:
Having been present at the time of the surren-
der, and also in company with the prisoners till
the ninth day following, I will furnish the public
with a brief statement of the facts in the case.

mand, demanding an immediate and unconditional surrender, and stating that upon refusing to comply, we should be cut to pieces. The answer returned was: "Come and take us."

The enemy soon advanced, and when sufficiently near, they were fired upon by our men, and a very sharp contest was kept up on both sides about ten minutes. A piece of artillery was now discovered in position to shell our camp, and rebel cavalry were moving down the hills, and in large bodies rapidly approaching us from all directions. A flag of truce was sent out from our lines, the firing ceased, and our forces were surrendered. Our loss was three wounded in the engagement. The enemy, to my knowledge, had one killed and five wounded.

The enemy's force consisted of three brigades, commanded by Generals Forrest, Armstrong, and Stearns, and a battalion of Independent Scouts, under the command of Major Sanders, numbering in all not less than five thousand men.

An attempt was made to give notice of the attack at Franklin or Nashville, but the wires had been cut. Colonel Bloodgood had no reasons to expect assistance from either point, and he had nothing to do with the surrender at the bridge, though your correspondent says he surrendered that post without firing a gun. That point was subsequently surrendered, but only when there remained no possibility of successful resistance.

Perhaps some men might have fought longer than Col. Bloodgood fought; but to have done so, in my judgment, would have been a reckless sacrificing of life to no purpose.

Officers in command at each point considered A remnant of the Twenty-second regiment Wis- themselves exposed to a raid of this kind, and consin volunteers, numbering in all, officers, team-made commendable efforts to obtain an additional sters, and sick, I think, five hundred and twenty force of artillery, but without success. With two men, was stationed at Brentwood, nine miles pieces of artillery our position might have been south of Nashville, and about the same distance maintained till the arrival of reenforcements, and north of Franklin, for the protection of the rail- a very different result might have followed. road. We must have had less than four hundred men fit for duty.

Two miles south of us a remnant of the Nineteenth Michigan, numbering in all two hundred and thirty men, were stationed to protect a bridge. We had neither artillery nor cavalry at either post. On the morning of the twenty-fifth of March a messenger notified Col. Bloodgood that the Nineteenth Michigan was attacked, and that the enemy were tearing up the railroad track. With all possible despatch, Col. Bloodgood, with so many men as he deemed it prudent to take from the camp, started to assist the Nineteenth. On reaching the summit of a small elevation of land, about one fourth of a mile from camp, a large body of the enemy appeared in full view, upon the other side, forming in line of battle on each side of the street. Our men were immediately ordered to deploy to the right and left as skirmishers, and the order was quickly obeyed.

Many will think that a charge of negligence rests somewhere, and the communication of your correspondent appears a little like an effort to cast shadows over Col. Bloodgood for the purpose of drawing attention from the really guilty head.

In the absence of Colonel Bloodgood, he being still (as I suppose) in the hands of the enemy, considered it my duty to make this simple statement of facts. Respectfully yours,

C. D. PILLSBURY, Chaplain Twenty-second Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers.

Doc. 148.

EXPEDITION TO JACKSONVILLE, FLA.
WE REPORT OF COLONEL RUST.

HILTON HEAD, S. C., April 4
Lieut-Col. C. G. Halpine, Assistant Adjutant
General, Department of the South:
COLONEL: I have the honor to make the fol-

lowing report for the information of the MajorGeneral Commanding Department of the South: In accordance with orders received, I embarked my regiment on the steamers Delaware and General Meigs at Beaufort, March nineteenth, for Jacksonville, Florida, where I arrived on the twenty-third ult., having been delayed by rough weather.

fires were set-a portion of them undoubtedly by secessionists. The fires were not confined to the lines of any regiment. Perhaps twenty-five buildings were destroyed. On my arrival I found that many buildings had been burned-some by rebels, others by the Union forces-from a military necessity. Many Union families came away with us, our soldiers freely making all possible room for them on the transports. The expedition has all returned safely.

Major Heminway, with three companies on the General Meigs, had already arrived. When I reached there a rebel battery, mounted on a plat- Much credit is due Captain Boynton, Eighth form-car propelled by a locomotive, was shelling Maine volunteers, for the careful and prudent manthe town. The gunboat Norwich, which accom- ner with which he administered the affairs of panied me, engaged it, replying vigorously, as did | Provost-Marshal during our short stay at Jackalso a rifled Parrott thirty-two-pounder on shore. The enemy were soon driven back. He was, as I afterward learned, making a reconnoissance, which it was his plan to follow up by an attack in force after nightfall.

Every thing remained quiet during that night. The fact that our pickets had previously been drawn in at night to the edge of the town, encouraged this plan, which was frustrated by the arrival of the Eighth Maine regiment, and placing a night picket afterward at a distance.

On Tuesday night the locomotive battery again approached and threw several sixty-eight-pound rifled shells, striking several buildings, but injuring no one.

On Wednesday a reconnoissance in force, commanded by Colonel Higginson, and consisting of five companies of the Eighth Maine, under Lieut.Colonel Twitchell; four companies of the Sixth Connecticut, under Major Meeker; and a portion of Colonel Higginson's colored regiment, advanced along the railroad upward of four miles, driving in General Finnegan's pickets, but were not able to overtake the enemy.

sonville.

Captain Cannon, of the Delaware, and his gentlemanly officers, deserve mention for their kind treatment of officers and men. JOHN D. RUST, Colonel Eighth Regiment Maine Volunteers, Comd'g Forces. A "NATIONAL" ACCOUNT.

JACKSONVILLE, FLA., March 29, 1863. Three weeks since, in pursuance of authority from General Hunter to take and hold this place, the black forces from Beaufort came here and occupied Jacksonville under the most auspicious circumstances for the speedy acquisition of the entire State of Florida. There were known to be less than three thousand rebel troops in the State; and all who were conversant with the affairs of the State believed that the time had come when a small force could be made effective in opening it to the occupation of loyal citizens, and of creating an avenue of escape for the hunted negroes herded in the interior and watched with such malignant vigilance by the rebels.

Jacksonville was under the control of our gunboats on the St. John's, and it was unwise to After proceeding as far as was deemed advisa- make any movement for its occupation until we ble, and the enemy showing no disposition to ac- were prepared to hold it as a base of aggressive cept battle, our forces commenced to return. Soon operations into the interior. It is the key to Eastafter the locomotive battery appeared and threw Florida, and its occupation by us would have imseveral shells, but was careful to keep out of reach mediately compelled the rebel abandonment of all of our rifles. One of its shells killed privates the territory east of the St. John's, and have seHoole and Goodwin, and severely wounded Willis cured an immense amount of cotton, turpentine, all of Captain McArthure's company I, Eighth and other rebel property to the Government. It Maine volunteers who were the only persons presented a most promising field for the experikilled or wounded after my arrival. On this oc- ment (as it is still regarded by some) of testing casion all the troops behaved exceedingly well. the character and capacity of the negro troops, Colonel Montgomery, with about one hundred and as such it was seized upon with avidity by and twenty men of his regiment, accompanied those having these forces in charge. They came by Captain Stedman of the gunboat Paul Jones, and planted the flag, as was supposed, permamade a successful expedition to Pilatka, seventy- nently here, and commenced gathering in the adfive miles up the river, taking prisoners a lieu- vantages within reach, when it was thought protenant and fourteen men with their arms. The per to make a more extensive and powerful movelieutenant violated his parole of honor and escap-ment, and for this purpose the Sixth Connecticut ed. A quantity of cotton, rifles, horses, and other and Eighth Maine came to reenforce our army. property, amounting in value to several thousand dollars, has been captured.

In accordance with special order No. 162, received from headquarters Department of the South, I withdrew all the United States forces from Jacksonville, Florida, on the thirty-first ult., and embarked them on board transports, part of which had just arrived for that purpose.

While the evacuation was taking place, several

These came with ten days' rations, and were evidently intended only to remain long enough to strike a blow, and then return to assist in the movement on Charleston. They were delayed some days in reaching here, and were therefore scarcely debarked when an order came for their immediate return; and not only this, but for the recall of the black troops also, and the abandonment of the place.

A more fatal order for the place, the interests well furnished with the results of long years of of the people, and the Government, could not toil, to find a refuge among strangers, without a have been made. Every body was taken by sur-bed to sleep on, or a chair-with nothing but prise, and every body was exasperated, save perhaps a few who feared the negro soldiers would achieve a reputation. Was Gen. Hunter crazy? Why occupy the place at all, if not prepared to hold it? Why come and embarrass the people, and hazard the lives and property of defenceless inhabitants thus wantonly? These and a thousand similar questions were suggested, and bitter expressions and deep-felt curses were uttered against fickle, capricious, and incompetent if not faithless commanders. But there was no alternative; the order must be obeyed instanter. In the midst of the harvest of patriotic hopes we were compelled to abandon all, and thus render the expedition a blight and a curse, rather than a blessing and a means of strength to the Union