Transcribed by John Heseltine

From New York Times Jan. 1, 1863

A BATTLE AT MURFREESBORO.

A General Advance of Rosecrans’ Army on Monday.

The Enemy Pushed Back Seven or Eight Miles.

A Sharp Brush on the Nolinsville Road.

A Rebel Gun and Caisson Captured.

Our Army Sweeping Down all the Roads on Tuesday.

A GENERAL ENGAGEMENT IMMINENT.

Cincinnati, Wednesday, Dec. 31.

The Enquirer has advices from Nashville, stating that Rosecrans’ army had moved on the enemy, driving them before him with considerable heavy skirmishing. The Federals are in high spirits and anxious for a fight. On Monday Rosecrans’ advance was in sight of Murfreesboro, with the enemy  in full view, drawn up in line of battle. A battle was expected on Tuesday.

A DISPATCH FROM THE ARMY

Cincinnati, Wednesday, Dec. 31.

The following is a special dispatch to the Commercial.

                        Near Murfreesboro, Tenn., Tuesday, Dec. 30

The Fourteenth Army Corps made a general advance yesterday and pushed the rebels back seven or eight miles. Collins’ Brigade, of Gen. McCook’s Corps, had a sharp brush with the enemy just beyond Nolinsville. Cannonading took place for an hour, the enemy wasting considerable ammunition. Our troops reserved their fire, until advancing briskly, by a dexterous flank movement, the One Hundred and First Ohio captured one gun and a caisson. We lost one killed, and three wounded.

A general engagement is imminent. Our army is sweeping down all the roads to Murfreesboro. Heavy artillery firing is now heard on the Nolinsville Road, where Gen. McCook is engaging the rebel Hardee. The weather is damp and the ground very heavy.

A LATER DISPATCH.

Camp, Ten miles from Murfreesboro.

Wednesday, Dec. 31.

Gen. Crittenden reports the enemy drawn up in line of battle on the east of Stone River, menacing Gen. Rosecrans. He is ordered to form in line of battle two divisions in front, one in reserve and covering his flanks, and Gens. Negley and Rosseau (sic/correct spelling is Rousseau) to close up.

Gen. McCook also reports his command on Wilkinson’s Creek, seven miles from Murfreesboro. The enemy is in line of battle on Stone’s river, from Murfreesboro to Franklin Pike. A similar disposition of McCook’s forces is ordered as on Gen. Crittenden’s line.

It now appears that a great battle will be fought on Stone’s River tomorrow in front of Murfreesboro.

LATEST REPORTS FROM LOUISVILLE.

Louisville, Wednesday, Dec. 31.

            All is quiet south of here, as far as headquarters are advised.

Notes:

Collins—no such brigade commander; probably Carlin, William P. (1829-1903), col., 38th Ill. Infantry Rgt. commanding the brigade that included the 101st Ohio Infantry Rgt.

Crittenden, Thomas L. (1815-1893), Union major general. commanded the Left Wing of the Army of the Cumberland. His brother George was a Confederate major general; his cousin Thomas T. was a Union brigadier general.

Hardee, William J. (1815-1873), Confederate major general, commanding corps in the Army of Tennessee.

McCook,  Alexander McD. (1831-1903), Union major general, commanding Right Wing of Army of the Cumberland.

Negley, James S. (1826-1901), Union major general, commanding a division in the Army of the Cumberland.

Rosecrans, William S., (1819-1898), Union major general, commanding Army of the Cumberland.

Rousseau, Lovell H. ((1818-1869) Union major general commanding a division in the Army of the Cumberland.