We here received a supply of new clothing, harness, and other equipments; and, on the morning of December 24th, were ordered to have five days"
rations in haversacks, ready to march--but for some cause did not move.
Christmas went by in quiet, but it was only a lull in the war-storm which was soon to break upon us with a fury hard to withstand.
On the morning of the 26th we were ordered to move. All camp equipage and baggage, as well as those who were not fit for active duty, were to be moved into Nashville.
The storm was about to burst.
CHAPTER XI.
SKIRMISHING PREVIOUS TO THE BATTLE OF STONE RIVER.
At an early hour on the morning of Friday, December 26th, the shrill call of the bugle ringing out on the frosty air, announced that we were about to move.
Soon great activity prevailed in camp, and all were in high spirits at the prospect of an advance; and it was evident to each and every one of us, that unless the rebels should retreat from Murfreesboro, a battle must soon occur.
Nothing so arouses a soldier"s spirit as the prospect of a battle--though, in the same anxiously looked for battle, his life may be sacrificed. For human life, at best, but hangs on a thread which even a little blow may snap asunder. But if man dies thus, his life is n.o.bly given on the altar of his country, and that is worth the life of any man.
"_Who_ dies in vain Upon his country"s war-fields, and within The shadow of her altars?"
War follows rebellion, and death follows war. Some must die--both the just and the unjust; but in the end, right will _ever_ conquer. And now to our movements.
The morning was cloudy, and in a short time it began to rain.
Nevertheless, all were soon ready to move. After waiting for more than an hour, the command was finally given to "forward march."
The army of General Rosencrans had now been divided into three separate divisions, or army corps, and designated as the Right, Left and Center wings. The Right, commanded by General McCook; the Centre, by General Thomas; and the Left, by General Crittenden. To the last named was our Battery attached, General Palmer being still in command of the Division, and General Cruft of the Brigade. Our Corps moved forward on the Murfreesboro road, the other Corps taking different routes. At the time we got fairly started the rain had increased, and the storm was raging furiously; and though all were thoroughly drenched, yet it dampened not the ardor of the brave men, as they were elated at the prospect of soon meeting their deadly enemy in battle array.
Owing to the great number of troops, and having a large wagon train, our progress was quite slow; and further, it was known that our movements would be more or less harra.s.sed by the enemy. Great caution was therefore necessary.
When within two miles of Lavergne--which is a small station on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad--our advance guard encountered the Rebel pickets. After a short skirmish, the enemy were driven into their camp at Lavergne, where they had one Brigade stationed.
Our Brigade having the advance, we soon came in sight of the enemy, who were drawn up in line ready for battle. Our Battery, and one section of Konkle"s Battery, under command of Lieutenant Nathan Newell, were ordered into position, and opened on the Rebels. They immediately returned our fire, when a lively artillery fight commenced, which lasted until dark.
One of our men had his hand badly shattered, by the premature explosion of one of the guns. He has since had his hand amputated. One of the men belonging to Newell"s section was instantly killed by the Rebel fire. This was the only loss sustained on our side. The Rebels suffered the loss of a number killed and wounded, and a few taken prisoners.
Early next morning, we were in readiness to renew the attack; but the enemy were not inclined to oppose us, as they commenced a retrograde movement towards Murfreesboro. Our troops at once pressed on them closely, and constant skirmishing ensued throughout the entire day. At dark, we had succeeded in driving them six miles, to what is called Stewart"s Creek. We here rested for the night--the Rebels on the east and we on the west side of the creek.
The following day both armies remained in the same position, and no movement was made on either side. _We_ were awaiting the arrival of General Thomas" troops.
The next morning we moved forward in order of battle. Skirmishers were thrown out on each side of the road, through the woods and fields, and during the day some little fighting took place. We moved to within four miles of Murfreesboro, and camped for the night in a piece of cedar woods.
The following day was pa.s.sed in preparing for the great battle, which was now imminent. Our troops were posted at different points, Batteries placed in position, picket lines established, scouts and skirmishers thrown out, ammunition chests overhauled, and all other necessary preparations made for the coming conflict.
That night our guards were doubled. The Infantry slept on their arms, and Artillerymen at their several posts. No fires were allowed, and the utmost vigilance enjoined on all.
To-morrow would be an eventful day.
CHAPTER XII.
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 a.s.sailing 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 pa.s.s 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 princ.i.p.ally 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 pa.s.sed on the battle-field.
THIRD DAY.