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[533] were massing troops on their left to turn our right wing. At this juncture Cheatham's division, above-mentioned, was moved from the left to the right of our lines, about one and a half mile. During all this time a brisk fire of artillery was kept up. Carnes's battery was immediately brought into action, which, admirably served, did great execution. (This was Jackson's battery at Columbus, Ky.

Cheatham's division was now about three fourths of a mile from the enemy and in line of battle, Donelson's brigade being in advance.

The ground between us and the enemy was broken, but without timber. It was found necessary to approach nearer the enemy for this reason, and because of the superiority of their guns. Cares was ordered to advance, and was in this movement supported by Donelson's brigade. We advanced about one fourth of a mile, and the enemy, finding their position untenable, retired to another.

We again advanced a quarter of a mile, to the summit of a precipitous bluff, which the battery of Carnes could not ascend. Our lines were here re-formed, and orders were received to advance upon the enemy at a double-quick across open fields unobstructed, except by stone and rail fences. With terrific yells and unbroken front we advanced upon the enemy, two batteries playing upon Cheatham's division, advancing under this fire and enfiladed by the batteries of the enemy. When within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy they opened on us with grape and canister. When within eighty yards they opened on us with musketry, and now the fight became general. About this time Maney's brigade, with Donelson's, were sent round to the enemy's extreme left to capture a battery which had been so destructive to us. The battery was taken, and here the Yankee General, Jackson, fell. This was half an hour after the fight became general.

Every inch of ground was bravely contested. It became known that Jackson had fallen, and the enemy retired, probably for this reason, but more probably because they could not withstand the impetuous valor of our troops. About this time — probably a little earlier — Stuart's brigade moved into action, in perfect order and with great coolness. The troops first engaged, worn and weary, rushed on with Stuart's men, and the rout on the left became general.

The enemy re-formed their lines several times, but were no sooner restored than they were broken. The fighting was kept up till night put an end to the conflict. We had then driven the enemy from three to five miles along the whole line of the two armies.

We formed our lines and remained on the ground during the night. On the morning of the ninth, believing it would be hazardous with his weary troops to renew the conflict with a reenforced army of the enemy, Gen. Bragg or Polk ordered our army back to Harrodsburgh.

We captured all the artillery of the enemy except one battery, and unknown numbers and quantities of all descriptions of small arms.

The loss of the enemy in killed and wounded was enormous. The field of battle was everywhere strewn with the killed, wounded and dying. In places they were piled up on each other.

We retired in perfect order, each regiment and brigade in proper position, to Camp Dick Robinson and its vicinity, where our army was concentrated. Our loss in killed, wounded and missing will not reach two thousand five hundred. The killed in Cheatham's division number two hundred and nine and about one thousand two hundred and fifty wounded. This division suffered most.

At half-past 4 o'clock on Monday morning, thirteenth instant, Col. Tyler left Gen. Polk, and of subsequent events he is of course not advised.

Tennesseeans in this fierce conflict maintained their ancient reputation for distinguished valor, not only maintaining it, but winning new and imperishable laurels. The instances of individual valor occurring among these troops in this bloody conflict would fill a volume.

Polk, Cheatham, Donelson, and all our leaders were every where seen cheering on our troops with reckless exposure of their persons to the hottest fire of the enemy.

Gen. Withers's division was not in the fight, being in our rear, between us and Gen. Kirby Smith. We took in this (Wednesday's) fight about five hundred prisoners. Hardee's command and three brigades of Cheatham's division were alone engaged.

In addition to details given, we furnish a letter from Col. Vaughn, the gallant commander of the Third Tennessee regiment. His statements confirm the news published.


Harrodsburgh, Ky., Oct. 10--7 P. M.
On the eighth instant Gen. Bragg's forces met the enemy, ten miles west of here, and a bloody fight ensued. We had from three hundred to five hundred killed and probably one thousand wounded. The enemy's loss more than ours. We captured some five hundred prisoners and twelve pieces of artillery. They were reinforced during the night, and our forces fell back to this place. No fight to-day, but will come off to-morrow. Gen. Smith has this evening formed a junction with Bragg's army; the enemy within eight miles of us. Near Lawrenceburgh, on yesterday, our army captured eight hundred prisoners and thirty-one loaded wagons, and the balance of a division got away and has joined the main army.

Hastily yours,


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