Stones River, Battle of, Murfreesboro, Tenn., 1862-1863
"Happily, this appalling state of affairs did not last long. Some of our
cavalry rallied, other Union detachments came to the rescue. Wharton had
soon to look to his own flanks, and was kept too busy to carry off our
train. The conflict fortunately shifted. Capt. Elmer Otis, with six
companies of the Fourth Regular Cavalry, attacked Wharton's command with
great vigor and success. Soon two battalions of the Third Ohio Cavalry
came up from the rear. I hastened to appeal to the commander to aid our
train guard in saving the train, and he at once covered our front and held
the enemy in check until our badly-wrecked train, with its disabled wagons
and scattered animals was reorganized and put in moving order. We repaired
and patched up the breaks. Everybody, even officers and stragglers helped,
and nearly every wagon was finally recovered."
The third attack referred to by General Thruston came from a force that
Wharton had not yet met. Before they had time to take advantage of their
success, Kennett was upon them. Col. Eli H. Murray, at the head of his
gallant regiment, the Third Kentucky, charged down upon the train,
sweeping Wharton's cavalry before him. Here the brave Captain Wolfley,
with eighty men, and Captain Breathitt, with his battalion, charged with
such velocity as to turn the tide of battle, driving the rear forward upon
the front, where the Fourth Cavalry struck it with drawn sabers. The rout
of the Confederates was complete. The entire train, with 250 prisoners,
were recaptured. The hospital of Palmer's division, which had fallen into
their hands, as well as the Fifth Wisconsin Battery, and one section of
the First Ohio, were recaptured, and Wharton's Brigade routed and driven
back two miles. The Third Ohio easily rallied and took part in the fray.
Captain Otis' saber charge was brilliantly executed. Dashing forward with
the velocity of a locomotive, the trained battalions fell upon the
undisciplined mob huddled together at the head of the train where Murray
had swept them in his irresistible onslaught. The train was moved close up
in the rear of the left wing, where it remained unmolested during the
remainder of the day. In a battle such as that at Stones River, where a
long line of troops is engaged simultaneously, it is impossible to give
due credit to each regiment that deserves it. The writer witnessed scenes
of personal daring which to recount would occupy the night in the
description. There were many instances in which officers, casting aside
their swords, seized the muskets of their fallen soldiers, and fought side
by side with their men. Entire companies fought without officers. In great
emergencies such as this there is positively no rank except that which
valor bestows. Orders to fall back were in several cases unheeded, and the
men held their places in line under the leaden hail, obstinately refusing
to retreat. It was not merely a line of battle, but a Nation in arms,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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