R. F. Bunting Letter - October 8, 1862

Murfreesboro, Tenn.
Oct. 8th.

Messrs. Editors:

Once I address you from this beautiful and hospitable city. Some ten days since I visited the vicinity of Nashville and remained within hearing of the Federal drums for a week. It was not safe for me to venture in the city, although I succeeded in getting out a batch of letters from my family. It was with the greatest difficulty any one could get through their pickets. Often they would detain citizens for several days and then only give them passes on condition that they would not return again. Our cavalry had stopped the market wagons, thus cutting off their sources of supply in vegetables and meat. The enemy professes a determination to hold the city. To this end he is strongly fortifying Capitol hill and some others adjacent to the city. He is also digging rifle pits through the streets, and making holes through many of the houses, through which the soldiers may shoot upon the streets. Indications seem to point to a stubborn resistance. It is said they threaten to destroy South Nashville as far as Broad street, to give their guns fair sweep. They certainly have the heart to do any infamous work, if they had but the courage. The citizens are getting to short allowance of provisions, and unless deliverance soon comes there must be great suffering, especially among the poorer classes. The Yankees are said to have abundant stores. So closely invested are they by our cavalry that they cannot forage in small parties, unless at the peril of losing both wagons and men. So terrified have they been that their pickets venture out but two miles. Almost every day they have been driven in with loss. Yesterday morning they became more bold. Having intelligence of the strength of our force at Laverne on the pike, midway between this city and Nashville, they came out in force and drove in our pickets, attacking our small force there about daylight. Gen. Anderson being in command, had made no sufficient preparation to meet them, even with the troops with him. A regiment of infantry had gone down the night before, and another on the night preceding the attack, and they stood up manfully against the enemy, losing two companies - about 130 men - captured, and a few wounded and killed. - The cavalry being mostly raw, got up a stampede, and a portion of them fled from the field in a most cowardly manner, and spread the news all over the country, that our forces were all cut up and captured. They came dashing into this place bare-headed and frightened most shamefully. The people supposed that soon the Federals would be here again and the greatest alarm prevailed. Often could you hear such expressions as these - "Oh, that the Texas Rangers were here." - "If the Texas Rangers were only here, there would be no stampeding." Gen. Forrest having arrived from Kentucky, sent down a battery and followed it himself. The enemy had early driven our force through Laverne, and captured our only piece of cannon, a 6-pounder. But when Forrest arrived, they were soon forced back in the direction of Nashville. On the part of Gen Anderson (formerly P. M. in Nashville,) the whole affair was indicative of incompetency, whilst a great portion of the cavalry behaved in a manner that was most cowardly and disgraceful. The Federals plundered everything upon their retreat. Gen. Forrest has established his headquarters here and will at once organize the troops, and soon will be ready to attack Nashville. They are forwarding infantry from Chattanooga to his assistance. I feel satisfied that in a few days he will be able to capture it. From all we can learn they have from six to eight thousand sick there, and this will not leave them a fighting force of more than five or six thousand men. It is essential to the security of this section, and it must be taken at all hazards. Then Bowling Green must be captured and communication opened up on this route with our army in Kentucky. Our last advices from Bragg are that he was occupying Bardstown and his men were resting and in good condition. For some cause he has permitted Buell to enter Louisville with his force. The movement is inexplicable, for he could have been easily captured, his men being greatly demoralized and Bragg having superior numbers. It is said that Bragg supposed Rosencranz had joined Buell and feared to risk an attack. It is certain Buell avoided meeting him, and hence the inference, both were afraid to venture an engagement. - Gen. Forrest was sent here to organize these troops. Col. Wharton is acting as Brigadier over his brigade. Lieut. Col. Walker has resigned and is on his way home. He is in bad health and cannot use his arm, which was badly wounded at Woodsonville. Maj. Harrison is now in command of the regiment.

Capt. Rayburn, myself and several others expect to start for Kentucky to-morrow. It is reported that the bushwhackers and "home guards" are infesting all the roads, but we hope to get through safely. Will probably join a force going up from Lebanon. We have many rumors, but little that is authentic. The very reliable gentleman has not found the way up here since the Yankees left.

I have received from a ranger just on from Texas and Chattanooga, a large mail, but very few letters from the west. Why is it? I write in great haste.

Yours,
R. F. B.

Bunting, R. F. San Antonio Herald. November 1, 1862.