MURFREESBORO.
The enemy did not allow us much time for repining. Promptly on the
26th they moved out in force. We were sent forward to develop their
strength. The regiment, under the command of Captain Kyle, was drawn
up in a field and dismounted. Our leader conducted us over a high rail
fence into an open wood of cedar trees. We went along listening to his
encouraging words until we reached the top of a slight rise. Just over
the crest was a solid line of infantry lying down. Kyle at once ordered
a retreat. At least that’s what he meant, though the words he actually
used are not in the manual. He said:
“Get out of here, men! There’s a whole brigade!”
We understood him and so did the Yankees, who sprang to their feet and
delivered a volley, doing little damage. The high fence had not seemed
a serious obstacle as we went in, but when I got back to it on the
return, with bullets striking it like hail on a roof, it looked very
formidable. I sprang up on it and just fell off on the other side.
When I got up the command was moving off rapidly. I had started to the
rear as soon as the others, but they outran me, and I didn’t “throw”
the race either. I turned to the left, down the line of fence, climbed
another, and was now reasonably safe but nearly exhausted. I had still
to go half a mile before I reached the command. My saddle felt mighty
good and restful.
It was now plain that it was a general advance of the enemy, and
Bragg prepared for the battle of Murfreesboro, whither we now marched
promptly. In the line Wharton’s brigade occupied the left. When the
ball opened in earnest he led this command around the right of the
enemy’s line, and within 600 yards of Rosecrans’ headquarters attacked
and captured a wagon train going to the rear. We could not hold it
long; but we captured a four-gun battery and held on to that; moved
down toward Nashville and ran into the train again.
In these operations Company D lost two killed, Sam Friedberger and
Wayne Hamilton. Kenner Rector was wounded. John W. Hill and P. J.
Watkins were made prisoners. Hill’s horse was killed as we were
retiring before superior numbers. He was away three or four months, and
greatly missed, for he was a good one.
After a strenuous day of it, with a good many prisoners and the four
guns, we returned to the army and were sent to the right, taking
position on the right of Breckenridge’s line. We saw that gallant
officer and his splendid division move forward through an open field
with the precision of parade, under a furious cannonading from the
Federal batteries strongly posted in a cedar wood. The shells plowed
great gaps through their ranks. When the colors fell other hands seized
them and bore them onward. When they reached the position of the enemy
they wavered and began to give way, in order at first, but as they
retreated under a distressing fire of artillery and musketry, they
broke into a run. We stood there and could not help them, although
every man of us would have gone to their aid with a whoop.
This charge deserves to rank with Malvern Hill, Franklin, and other
useless sacrifices of life. Like the charge of the light brigade, “it
was magnificent, but it was not war.”
This was Bragg’s final effort, and he withdrew from the contest. The
only tactics he seems to have learned was to wait till the enemy came
up to his lines and fortified himself; then attack and lose more men
than the enemy, then sneak away. He had heard somewhere that “he who
fights and runs away may live to fight another day.”
Bragg stopped at Shelbyville. Rosecrans was content to stay at
Murfreesboro, begging his government for more cavalry; nor did he feel
safe in advancing till he had a large addition to his mounted force.
We took position on the left of the army, picketing and scouting the
front, with occasional skirmishes and reconnoissances.