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| Confederate Cavalry Attacks Union Wagons (NPS.GOV) |
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Camp near La Vergne, December 29, 1862-1 a.m.
Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Center, Stewartsborough:
GENERAL: General Crittenden reports that the regiment of cavalry sent down to Lizzard's had just returned, having encountered the enemy in such force at the ford, 2 miles in advance of our outposts, as to think it imprudent to go on. Their fires extended considerably to the right of our position, and they had been on this side of the creek during the day. Under these circumstances the general wishes you to throw out at once a strong picket of cavalry, supported by at least a regiment of infantry, along that road on this side of the creek, directing them to keep a sharp lookout and themselves concealed. In the morning he wants a strong infantry and cavalry reconnaissance pushed forward in that direction.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. P. GARESCHE,
Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Camp near La Vergne, December 29, 1862-1.50 a.m.
Colonel WALKER,
Commanding First Brigade, First Division, Center, Nolensville:
A cavalry reconnaissance made this evening has developed the presence of the enemy (apparently heavy force) at the ford of Stewart's Creek, 2 miles in advance of the outposts of our right. Such being the case, the general desires you to be wary, guarding well your front and exposed flank.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. P. GARESCHE,
Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.
HEADQUARTERS, December 29, 1862-7.50 a.m.
Major-General THOMAS,
Commanding Center:
The general commanding desires an immediate report from you of the state of things along your lines, and those of the enemy in front of you.
By command of Major-General W. S. Rosecrans:
J. P. GARESCHE,
Chief of Staff.
DECEMBER 29 (?), 1862.
Major-General POLK:
GENERAL: Wheeler is evidently premature, and will probably prevent any attack to-day. He was deceived by the heavy guns we heard about 9.30 a.m. We have no new developments from any direction. Should it prove no enemy is in front of McCown, I propose withdrawing two of his brigades as the reserve; now I have none.
Yours, very truly,
BRAXTON BRAGG.
HEADQUARTERS CENTER, December 29, 1862.
Major-General CRITTENDEN:
Negley is moving up, and General Rosecrans desires you to move on. Your teams have been ordered to follow.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-EIGHTH BRIGADE,
Camp north side of Stone's River, December 29, 1862.
WILLIAM P. McDOWELL,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Division:
SIR: I have the honor to report that we arrived here all safe, and that I have occupied the position as per orders. The enemy were here in force on Saturday, but left here on hearing that our forces were advancing, burning the bridge over the East Fork of Stone's River, and barricading the highway with rails, &c.; consequently it is impossible to advance farther on the pike in this direction, as the river (East Fork) is not fordable at this point; may be below. Will examine the country as thoroughly as possible under the circumstances, and report by courier in the morning.
Yours, truly,
JOHN C. STARKWEATHER,
Colonel, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Camp near La Vergne, December 29, 1862-2 p.m.
Major-General McCOOK:
Your dispatch just received. The general commanding directs me to say that you had better leave Stanley to observe your flank and rear south of Triune. He is informed that there is no doubt plenty of ammunition in Nashville for any caliber of arms Stanley has. It is his fault if he is out, and he must provide without delay; if he can do no better, he must go back. Walker's three regiments have been ordered to be left at Nolensville to close that line. He thinks it would be well if you could leave some force, one or two regiments, at Triune. Your choice of Bole Jack line is approved. If that road is good, you can place a brigade south of Lane's store, if you deem it prudent.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. P. GARESCHE,
Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff.
HDQRS. RIGHT WING, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Wilkinson's Cross-Roads, [December 29, 1862.]
[General ROSECRANS:]
GENERAL: I neglected to inform you that I have failed to find Negley, Thomas, or Rousseau. I heard Negley was coming up right bank of Stewart's Creek. He is not here. I will persevere, and try and find him by morning.
McCOOK,
Major-General.
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING,
Three Miles from Wilkinson's Cross-Roads, December 29, 1862-3 p.m.
Colonel GARESCHE,
Chief of Staff:
The rebels appeared in strong force in my front, but retired. I think they came out to burn the bridge over Overall's Creek. I will not go beyond Wilkinson's Cross-Roads until further orders. I send you notes from Stanley and Sheridan, which will be of importance to you. They are undoubtedly in force, and intend to fight at Stone's River. You are now in about half hour communication of me. I have had Zahm and three regiments of cavalry on the Franklin road. Two of my divisions have already passed Lizzard's, and Johnson, my reserve, left one brigade at Triune, and on in charge of the ammunition train; consequently he has but one brigade. I can, if you wish, picket that road by a brigade of infantry, but Zahm will sleep there to-night. I will have all up to Wilkinson's Cross-Roads, snug, and wait your orders.
A. McD. McCOOK,
Major-General, Commanding.
[Inclosure.]
WILKINSON'S CROSS-ROADS.
Major-General McCOOK:
GENERAL: Our cavalry are about 2 miles beyond this. Zahm is abreast with us; he has been fighting some. The burning going on seems to be the Nashville pike bridge over Stone's River. The prisoners and negroes say the rebs are in line of battle from the Franklin to the Nashville pike. They have moved all their camps. I will arrange to bivouac if you have no orders.
D. S STANLEY,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Stewart's Creek, December 29, 1862-3.20 p.m.
Major-General McCOOK:
GENERAL: Your dispatch commanding intelligence conveyed by Mr. Lane, General Sheridan's scout, is received. This, if true, makes it very important that we should know in what direction Hardee has retired. Try and ascertain, adn report as soon as you possibly can. Let us know, too, the position of your troops, of the advanced division particularly, and what were the obstacles which interposed, if any, besides the fog, in the way of your advance yesterday. Since my last dispatch, in which I announced to you that Crittenden has taken and holds the bridge over Stewart's Creek, on the Murfreesborough pike, we have learned that Hazen has also taken and was in possession of that on the Jefferson pike.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. GODDARD,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Stewart's Creek, Murfreesborough Pike, December 29, 1862-4.02 p.m.
Major-General McCOOK:
GENERAL: Your dispatch, 12.20 m., just received. Palmer's division is within 3 miles of Murfreesborough. No firing since early this morning. Crittenden's corps has crossed Stewart's Creek; his trains are following. Your conjectures are probably correct. There is no necessary of your going into Murfreesborough to-night, if that is the case. Come on until you reach the Wilkinson pike, whenever you can find forage. Should it prove,as we now believe, the enemy has made a precipitate retreat from Murfreesborough, you had better move on Salem, where you will probably find forage, and where you can receive your supplies by Murfreesborough pike. If you can find forage, push a reconnoitering party of two brigades down the road toward Shelbyville to Middleton.
If you see General Stanley, tell him to direct his cavalry to look out particularly for forage west of Salem, and to push on down to Shelbyville. Negley is moving on Wilkinson's Cross-Roads.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. GODDARD,
Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. RIGHT WING, ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Wilkinson's, 5 miles from Stone's River, December 29, 1862-4.25.
General CRITTENDEN:
DEAR TOM:I am up and ready for work. My cavalry, I hear, have just made an unfortunate dash on some rebel infantry, on the right of Wilkinson pike. I have not heard of Thomas, Rousseau, or Negley to-day. The rebels, so far as my information goes, are in line of battle, their left on the Franklin road and extending to the Murfreesborough pike. All their camps have been struck and baggage sent out on the McMinnville road. I have not heard from Rosecrans to know what to do. I suppose I will get instructions to-night. We all should meet and have a conference; don't you say so? I have had a miserable road to-day. Was sick yesterday, but am well to-day. Would be glad to see you.
Respectfully,
A. McD. McCOOK,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Stewartsborough, December 29, 1862-5.30 p.m.
Major-General McCOOK:
GENERAL: Report from Crittenden's advance, 3.45 p.m. says the enemy in line of battle on the east side of Stone' River-infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Crittenden has been ordered to form in order of battle out of cannon range, covering his flank down Stone's River to Jefferson pike, two divisions in front across Murfreesborough road, one in reserve, Negley to come in on his right. Place your left division on Negley's right, in two lines. Put your right facing a little more to the south, I should judge, from what I know of the country, and then reconnoiter in force south toward Franklin road. Send cavalry to the west down toward Salem, the main point being to cover your right against a possibility of a surprise, and to ascertain if the enemy intend to fight altogether behind Stone's River. Establish signal stations, if you can, to communicate. I expect to be down at the front.
By order of General Rosecrans:
C. GODDARD,
Major and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
HDQRS. RIGHT WING, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Wilkinson's Cross-Roads, December 29, 1862-10.20 p.m.
Colonel GARESCHE,
Chief of Staff;
COLONEL: I have ordered the brigade of Johnson's division left at Triune to march by night to join me here. They will be here by daylight in the morning. It gives me 2,000 more good men, and as all is concentrated at Murfreesborough and Triune, not in our line of communication, I deem it useless there. All quiet in my front. I will attend to my right. I have Colonel Zahm and three regiments of cavalry on that road, and one-half of his men in the saddle patrolling. I will have timely warning. I have cavalry in search of Negley, but have failed to find him as yet. Zahm drove the rebels in within sight of Murfreesborough, when he was shelled from other side of Stone's River. How will I communicate with you now, as the courier line is withdrawn? Stanley will attend to the roads south. Your idea about the line is right. My right is retired, and, I think, safe. The cars are very busy, running in and out of Murfreesborough, to what effect none but a rebel knows. My headquarters are exactly on the cross-roads. I have no baggage, and am staying with Johnson, and I hope to see you to-night or early in the morning.
A. McD. McCOOK,
Major-General.
HEADQUARTERS, December 29, 1862-11 p.m.
[General ROSECRANS:]
GENERAL: This just received. I have not answered it, as you gave direction to have General McCook found, and as he (McCook) says he will persevere,and try to find Negley till morning, answer would do no good.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. R. THOMPSON,
Captain and Aide-de-Camp.
Series I., Vol. 20, Part 2, Pages 261-270, 468
Rosecran's forces are near Murfreesboro but they have been severely delayed by Wheeler's Cavalry, which rode completely around their advance and destroyed a number of wagon trains. Rosecrans has a small advantage in numbers (about 40,000 versus 35,000) but Bragg is in a position of his own choosing.
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