JULY 13, 1862.-Action at and surrender of Murfreesborough, Tenn.

REPORTS, ETC.

Numbers 1.-Major General D. C. Buell, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Ohio, including General Orders, Numbers 32.

Numbers 2.-Brigadier General T. T. Crittenden, U. S. Army, commanding at Murfreesborough.

Numbers 3.-Findings of a Court of Inquiry.

Numbers 4.-Major James J. Seibert, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry.

Numbers 5.-Captain John M. Hewett, Battery B, Kentucky Light Artillery.

Numbers 6.-Colonel John C. Walker, Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry.

Numbers 7.-Colonel William W. Duffield, Ninth Michigan Infantry.

Numbers 8.-Lieutenant Col John G. Parkhurst, Ninth Michigan Infantry.

Numbers 9.-Colonel Henry C. Lester, Third Minnesota Infantry.

Numbers 10-Colonel John F. Miller, Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, commanding at Nashville.

Numbers 11.-Major General J. P. McCown, C. S. Army.

Numbers 12.-Brigadier General N. B. Forrest, C. S. Army.

Numbers 1.

Reports of Major General D. C. Buell, U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Ohio, Including General Orders, Numbers 32.

HUNTSVILLE, ALA., July 15, 1862.

My information, up to the night of the 13th, from Murfreesborough was that the Ninth Michigan had been captured, but that Colonel Lester's regiment and Hewett's battery were doing well, and felt confident of being able to hold out. Re-enforcement were being started from Nashville. It appears that before they arrived Colonel Lester surrendered, at 4. p. m. the same day. I have no particulars, and at present no remarks to make upon what appears to be a most disgraceful affair. Of course it may embarrass me considerably. I have been busy to counteract it. The word is the interception of the Chattanooga road, which was just completed. I had taken the precaution to place some twelve regiments on that route until it should be securely established. We will go to work again.

D. C. BUELL,

Major-General.

General HALLECK.

HUNTSVILLE, ALA., July 19, 1862.

As nearly as I can ascertain the force captured at Murfreesborough on the 13th consisted of nine companies of the Third Minnesota, under Colonel Lester; six companies of the Ninth Michigan, four companies of the Fourth Kentucky Cavalry, three companies of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, and two sections of Hewett's Kentucky battery. All except Colonel Lester's regiment and the artillery, including Colonel Duffield and General T. T. Crittenden, seem to have been completely surprised in the town and captured without time or opportunity for resistance. The case of the rest of the command was but little better. They maintained their position until 4 o'clock and then surrender. I had concentrated a larger force at that point to occupy McMinnville, but a considerable portion of it had been sent away a day or two before

to Kentucky to meet the difficulties there. I regard the whole affair as most disgraceful and demanding prompt and vigorous treatment. It has also caused serious delay in the means of supplying the army so that it can move on the Decatur route. The difficulty has been increased by damages to bridges by swollen streams. Every effort is being made to remove these difficulties and I hope to have the Murfreesborough road repaired and in working order in a very few days. It is not my habit to plead difficulties or represent them even; but it is important that they should be somewhat understood, lest impossible expectations should be formed, and the opinion taken up that this army is idle and has nothing to do but march rapidly along the road. Our lines of supply are very long and difficult to protect; for, without ascribing hostility to the mass of the people, there is still enough of hostile and bad element to involve us in all the difficulties of operating in an enemy's country.

D. C. BUELL,

Major-General, Commanding.