Today in History:

943 Series I Volume XX-I Serial 29 - Murfreesborough Part I

Page 943 Chapter XXXII. THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN.


No. 292. Report of Lieut. Col. L. William Thedford, Eleventh Tennessee Infantry.

---- --.1863.

On Wednesday, at daylight, the Eleventh Tennessee Regiment, Col. G. W. Gordon commanding, was drawn up in line of battle on the left of General Rains' brigade and of McCown's division. We remained in this position with the Twenty-ninth North Carolina Regiment on the extreme left, when we were ordered to charge the enemy, stationed some 800 yards in advance. The charge was led by General Rains in person, and resulted in a complete of the enemy, who were pursued for some 3 miles. A halt was then ordered and the command reformed. After a short rest we were again ordered to advance in line until we encountered a large force of the enemy. A charge was immediately ordered, which was obeyed with alacrity, until the advance was checked by the enemy's battery, which rained shot and shell into our ranks. Here General Rains advanced to the front and was immediately killed. Colonel Gordon was severely wounded while gallantly leading his regiment, and the command devolved upon myself. The enemy opposed our advance with obstinacy, and being strongly re-enforced, and our ammunition failing, we retired to the rear. Collecting the scattered of the regiment and procuring ammunition, we again advanced to the front, and were a third time ordered to charge the enemy. As before, the men obeyed natural position. Here the ground was hotly contested until we were ordered to retire. Though constantly in line, the regiment was not again actively engaged. A large number of the regiment were engaged only in the first charge, in consequence of guarding the prisoners taken.

The following is a list of the casualties.*

Respectfully,

WM. THEDFORD,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Comdg. Eleventh Regiment Tennessee Vols.


No. 293. Report of Lieut. W. A. McDuffie, Eufaula Light Artillery.

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--, 1863.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of my battery of the late engagement before Murfreesborough.

On [December] 30,[1862,] at 4 p.m., I engaged the enemy with four pieces, being ordered by General Rains to support Captain Robertson's battery. After an action of about an hour, I was ordered by General Rains to withdraw. I then received an order into position in the field occupied by the Second Brigade, but such ammunition as I could use having been expended, I was unable to comply. I was then ordered to retire beyond the range of the enemy's guns, there to await ammunition. It was supplied me during the night.

On the following morning I was ordered to the front, and took position near the Nolensville road and was not engaged.

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*Nominal list, omitted, reports 8 men killed, 11 officers and 51 men wounded, and 10 men missing; but see No. 191,p.681.

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Page 943 Chapter XXXII. THE STONE'S RIVER CAMPAIGN.