PLAN OF THE BATTLE.

351

The movement began on the 26th of December. McCook after severe skirmishing gained possession of Nolinsville. Thomas followed on the right and Crittenden advanced to Lavergne. On the 28th, McCook moved to Triune, and Crittenden to Stewart's Creek. Negley's division joined Crittenden, and Rousseau occupied Nolinsville. On the 29th, McCook moved to Wilkinson's Cross Roads, six miles from Murfreesboro. Crittenden and Negley crossed Stewart's Creek to advance upon Murfreesboro. Rousseau remained at Stewart's Creek for his trains to come up. General Palmer led the advance of Crittenden's corps, and about three o'clock in the afternoon sent a message that he was in sight of Murfreesboro, and that the enemy were running. General Crittenden was therefore ordered forward to occupy Murfreesboro, but on moving up, found Breckinridge's main forces on his front, and at dark fell back.

On the morning of the 30th, Rousseau with two brigades was ordered down from Stewart's Creek and took his position in the rear of Palmer's right. McCook moved forward from Wilkinson's Cross Roads and joined Thomas. At nine o'clock that night, the corps commanders met at head-quarters and planned the battle of Stone River. McCook was to occupy the most advantageous position, refusing his right as much as possible and receive the attack; Thomas and Palmer to gain the enemy's center and left, as far as the river; Crittenden to cross Van Cleve's division and advance on Breckinridge; Woods division to move by brigades on Van Cleve's right, and carry everything before them into Murfreesboro. This would give two divisions against one, and as soon as Breckinridge was dislodged, Wood's batteries, taking position east of Stone River, would dislodge the enemy from their works and allow Palmer's division to press them back, while Thomas, sustaining the movement on the center, would advance on Palmer's right, crushing the rebel right. Crittenden's corps advancing would take Murfreesboro, and then moving westward get on their flank and rear and drive them into the country towards Salem, with a good prospect of destroying their army. This combination while it gave us a vast superiority on our left, required for its full success that McCook should hold his position for three hours.

At daylight on the morning of the 31st, the troops stood by their

arms.

The movement began on the left. Van Cleve crossed the fords of the river, Wood prepared to sustain and follow him. In the meantime the enemy massed against McCook. Willich's and Kirk's brigades were crumbled to pieces. Following them up, the enemy attacked Davis's division and dislodged Post's brigade. Carlin's brigade was compelled to follow, and Johnson's brigade retired. A staff officer from General McCook reported to General Rosecrans that the right wing was heavily pressed. He returned with orders for McCook to dispose of his troops to the best advantage and obstinately hold his ground. Shortly after, a second messenger arrived and announced that the right wing was being driven. General Thomas was dispatched to order Rousseau to the right and rear of Sheridan. General Crittenden was ordered to stop Van Cleve's movement, and Wood was directed to suspend his crossing and hold Haskell in reserve. Fugitives and stragglers commenced pouring in in such numbers that it was soon evident McCook was routed. Crittenden was directed to send Van Cleve to the right of Rousseau and Wood to attack the enemy on Van Cleve's right, the 'Pioneer brigade in the meantime being in the rear of Palmer's center supporting Stoke's Board of Trade battery. Sheridan swung his right around, repulsing the enemy four times, but getting out of ammunition fell back, and replenished his empty cartridge-boxes. During all this time, Palmer's front had also been in action, the enemy having advanced upon it several times.

At this stage owing to the breakage of our right, it became neces sary to form a new line. Rousseau's and Van Cleve's advance having relieved Sheridan, Negley's division and Cruft's brigade of Pal· mer's division withdrew from their original position and took up a new one in rear of the front line. Hascall supported Hazen, and Rousseau filled the interval to the Pioneer brigade. Negley was in reserve, Van Cleve west of the Pioneer brigade, McCook's corps on his right, and the cavalry further to the rear on the Murfreesboro pike. The enemy attacked with infantry and cavalry on our extreme right, but were repulsed by Van Cleve. After several attempts of the enemy to advance on this new line, which were repulsed as were also the attempts on the left, the day closed. We had lost heavily in killed, wounded and prisoners, and twenty-eight

OCCUPATION OF MURFREESBORO.

353

pieces of artillery, but the enemy had been badly damaged and we retained possession of the original ground on the left. At night, the left was retired to more advantageous ground, the extreme left resting on Stone River. Starkweather and Walker's brigades were placed in reserve on McCook's left, and McCook was posted on the left of Sheridan, and next morning relieved Van Cleve who returned to his position on the left wing.

In this position, on the 1st of January, our army awaited attack, but there was no demonstration in the morning. In the afternoon the enemy moved upon our right but were repulsed.

On the 2d, the enemy opened from heavy batteries upon our center, but a well-directed artillery fire silenced his batteries. At three o'clock in the afternoon, a double line of skirmishers emerged from the woods, followed by a heavy column of infantry and three batteries of artillery, and made an attack upon Van Cleve's division. Van Cleve gave way and was closely followed by the enemy, when Crittenden brought his batteries to bear upon them, and ordered up Negley's division and the Pioneer brigade to meet the onset. The firing was terrific, and the determined valor of our men soon caused the rebels to retreat more rapidly than they had advanced. Gen. Davis's division moved to attack the left flank of the rebels, but two brigades of Negley's division, the gallant 19th Illinois in the advance, and Hazen's brigade of Palmer's division had pursued the flying enemy, capturing four guns and a stand of colors. It was now after dark and raining, and the pursuit was discontinued.

On the 3d it rained and no advance was made as the ground was impassable for artillery. Batteries were put in position by which the ground could be swept, and the Parrott guns were in range of Murfreesboro. The heavy picket firing which had been kept up the most of the day, was silenced all along our front by some determined charges, one of which was made in splendid style by the 85th Illinois.

On Sunday morning, the 4th, news reached General Rosecrans that the enemy had fled from Murfreesboro, and cavalry were sent out to reconnoiter. On Monday, General Thomas advanced, driving the rebel rear guard before him seven miles, while McCook's and Crittenden's Corps occupied the town.

We have thus given the bare, lifeless skeleton of the battle of Stone Rivera battle full of brave deeds and gallant actions, full of persistent effort and desperate courage, and one in which the tide of battle fluctuated here and there, full of painful uncertainty, until at its flood, under the impulse of northern determination and endurance, it led our forces to victory. It remains to create a soul in that skeleton by the narration of the incidents of exalted patriotism and heroic daring which marked its varying phases, and plucked victory out of the very jaws of defeat. To attempt to enumerate all the splendid performances of Illinois troops on that bloody field would require a volume, and we therefore content ourselves with some of the most prominent.

Few regiments bore thomselves more superbly against an adverse fate than the 34th Illinois, the old regiment of the lamented General Kirk. Not ten minutes after the dawn of the first day, the rebels commenced firing upon General Kirk's line, and soon advanced with a heavy column directly upon the 34th. The regiment, in the face of the overwhelming force, advanced to meet the foe and defend the front. The rebels poured into it a galling fire, but still they stood their ground although suffering terribly. They poured volley after volley into the advancing column, and other regiments came to their support. When within thirty yards of the line the rebel column changed front and moved against the right of Kirk's line, flanking it and rendering it untenable. The 34th were soon engaged in a hand to hand conflict. The strife over its colors was bloody and terrific. Five color bearers fell, but again and again the old flag was raised and flung to the breeze. Santee, Wright and Wendell were dead. Lieut. John Smith, of Company H, rushed to save the colors from the rebels and fell pierced by five balls. Another soldier snatched them from the ground and gave them to a soldier of Edgarton's battery, but he too was shot and the colors were seized by traitors. The column next fell upon Edgarton's battery. Capt. Edgarton was formerly of Barnett's Illinois battery, and displayed the Illinois fire. He told his men to save themselves, and with Lieut. Burwick stood by the guns, mowing huge swaths through the rebel column. But he was wounded and fell across the trail of his gun, while the rebel column swept on.

DEATH OF COL. REED.

355

General Kirk had his horse shot under him, but mounting another, he directed his men. The rebel column was now close upon him, and to remain was either death or capture. Kirk fell back but the foe pressed closely. He had a second horse shot under him, and was severely wounded in the thigh, but still tried to rally his men who were hastening to the cover of some adjacent timber. Kirk followed for a short distance, but his wound exhausted him and he was carried to the rear bleeding and faint, and Colonel Dodge took command. Major Dysart, of the 34th, succeeded in rallying a few of the men, but it was impossible to hold the position and they fell back to the Nashville Pike.

In the mean time, a portion of the 34th had joined the 30th Indiana regiment and were making a stand, supported by the 79th Illinois. Simonson's battery, the 34th and 29th Indiana regiments also came up and formed in line. They had hardly got into position when the rebel column came sweeping on. Our men fought with desperation. to stay this advance. Col. Sheridan P. Read, of the 79th Illinois, fell, his head pierced by a rifle ball, while gallantly cheering on his Colonel Read was from Paris, Edgar County, and one of the bravest of the brave. He volunteered as a private and was soon appointed Lieutenant-Colonel, and in October, 1862, was commissioned Colonel. He died instantly, and died the death of a hero.

men.

It required more than human endurance to stand up against the repeated attacks of this overwhelming rebel column. It again moved upon the flank and hurled itself against the 79th, which gave way. Regiment after regiment fell back. A new line was formed, but the 79th were again exposed to a terrific artillery fire and retreated to the Nashville turnpike, where the second brigade was rallied. The rebels still swept on, but reinforcements had come up from Van Cleve and their advance was stayed.

When the rebel column advanced

We return to the 34th Illinois. to attack this regiment, the reserves of the 32d and 39th Indiana moved up to their support. Under the galling fire General Kirk's pickets gave way, but soon reformed, connecting with the pickets of the 39th. Again they were forced back. The 32d and 39th Indiana also made a gallant stand, but had to fall back to a new position. During this attack the musketry firing was also very severe on the