B. F. Batchelor to his wife - January 10, 1863

Camp 7 miles South of Murfreesboro Tenn
Jany 10th 1863

My Dear Wife

The great battle of Murfreesboro is over adding another brilliant victory to the Confederate arms & through the Infinite Mercy of God George and I came out unharmed—The Abolitionists began their advacnec upon Nolansville on Christmas day and met with a spirited resistance from our Brigade but being as numerous as the Egyptian Locusts we were driven back from day to day till Monday 29th ult when they had advanced to within 8 miles of Murfreesboro—here we had sharp skirmishing with their Cavalry & Infantry till nightfall resulting in considerable advantage to our Brigade. They charged the Georgians & were driving them in some confusion when our Colonel (Harrison) ordered the Rangers to rescue—Like tigers they rushed at the blue coats & were soon among them shooting right and left—nothing could withstand their impetuosity & in less than five minutes Yankeedom were in full flight with out boys after them. We captured 20 pirsoners in this charge with pistols & sharp shooters which we kept as our "perquisites" on the principle that "to the victors belong the spoils"—Our impetuous brother mounted on imperial Gallinipper got so absorbed in the chase that we became seperated & as he did not return till the last man came in I was alarmed fearing he had been wounded or killed, but he soon came in flushed with excitement bringing a Yankee prisoner. As we were returning to our main lines we were mistaken for the enemy & Robinson's battery opened up on us killing one & severely wounding another before we could make ourselves known—Next day 30th the fighting was confined to our Infantry & Artillery on the left wing & ended with no material advantage to either side—Daylight had hardly broke on the memorable 31st Wednesday when the Texas Brigade (Infantry) & Whartons Brigade (Cavalry) were in rapid motion toward the Enemy—Soon the charge was ordered & it would have made a heart of stone leap with enthusiasm to see the gallant boys double quicking with shining bayonets while the "bonnie blue flag" proudly fluttered in the breeze & a long simultaneous yell reverberated along the lines—As the ripened grain bends before the driving blast or mower's sickle so the Abolition hordes fell before the charge—in 20 minutes we had captured several fine batteries & had the enemy's right wing turned & in full flight—their Cavalry showed ours their backs & we were running after them with the speed of a steeple chase—By dint of great exertion their Cavlary were rallied to support a battery planted to protect their train of wagons then retiring toward Nashville. Capt Christian with 4 companis (including "C") charged the battery & took one fine rifled parrot gun—in this affair it affords me pleasure to say that Geo Q. fought by the Captain's side & received his warm commendation before the command in these words—giving him a warm grip of the hand—"George by G-d youre a trump—You'll do to tie to old fel" & as a testimony of his appreciation during the day Capt Christian put George twice in command of his Company—surely no higher compliment has been paid any private in this war & in no case has it been better merited—When near the Enemy's wagons the Cavalry made another stand and the Georgia Regt were ordered to charge them—which they did in good style, but the Yankees outnumbered them & drove them back—as we rose the hill an exciting scene presented itself—the poor Georgians who are mostly armed with long Enfield Rifles & nothing less had fired & being unable to load in face of the advancing foe had turned & with heads smartly stretching forward like "Turkeys in a drive" were kicking their horses for dear life, while Mr Yankee had drawn his Shining sword & was bending forward in hot pursuit making the air whiz with sabre cuts & close upon them—it needed not work to charge—the boys "went in" pell mell—& were soon thinning the enemy's lines & doing a thriving six shooter business when Mr Yankee turned & fled in utter confusion—we drove them through their train & one mile beyond it & captured about 400 wagons and 800 prisoners—but unfortunately we carried the pursuit too far—The Enemy came up in large force while the greater part of our Regt had gone off with prisoners & re-took the train & artillery & our men had to make off with what prisoners they could hurry on before them—it was however a brilliant exploit & only failed because we undertook too much for our force—During the day our Brigae captured 1500 prisoners 1000 Beeves—8 wagons—& any amount of overcoats, boots, hats, guns, pistols, blankets &c also three beautiful brass rifled cannon—in all we made 6 distinct fights & were victorious in them all. The Rangers won Golden opinions of all & the lasting gratitude of the "Georgia Dragoons"—Thursday we made a circuit in rear of the enemy & attacked their train at Lavergne destroying 120 wagons and capturing 150 prisoners & a large amt of mules—we bourhg off another fine piece of cannon & 7 wagons—the rest were burned—Thus I have briefly noted the part taken by the Rangers in this last great battle & refer to published accounts for general items of the fight—Our loss in the 6 days fighting is estimated at 7000-killed & wounded—that of the enemy is not less than 20,000—we captured over 5000 prisoners, 47 pieces of cannon & about 6000 stand of small arms—Our army is out in a new suit of blue coats, boots, shoes, &c—We are all at a loss to know why Bragg retreated on Sunday, but suppose he had good reasons—that he is a great General none can deny & history will no doubt clear up all mysteries—I regret to say that Lieut McClure was killed on Christmas at Nolansville. Mrs Parker has thus lost a noble hearted brother & our Regt a good soldier—Our Regt lost one fourth the number engaged in the fight in killed wounded & missing—You will see a list published in the Houston Telegraph—Our Army is in fine condition but I fear too small to cope with the vast army under Rosecrans—but we are concentrating at Shelbyville (25 miles south of Murfreesboro) for another battle and will dispute Tennessee inch by inch with the enemy—With love to Pa & Ma I am dearest

Your Affectionate husband
Frank

Rugeley, H. J. H. ed. Batchelor-Turner Letters, 1861-1864. The Steck Company, Austin, TX 1961.