Marshall Texas Republican
August 9, 1862, p. 1, c. 4

Knoxville, Texas, July 22, 1862.

Messrs. Editors:
On Saturday, the 12th of July, at 12 o'clock, the expedition which had been moving forward from Chattanooga, left the vicinity of McMinnville, about 1600 strong. After a continuous march of fifty miles, the gray dawn of the quiet Sabbath found the command all safely within two miles of Murfreesboro. Being halted here, the arms were examined and the plan of attack agreed upon. The order was given to move forward and the Texas Rangers occupied the position which they had filled through the entire march and led the advance. In a few minutes a gun fired and the pickets on the Woodbery pike were the prisoners of the advance guard. This report electrified the whole regiment and they dashed forward to the charge. Col. Forest had ordered Col. Wharton with his Rangers and Col. Lawton with the 2nd Ga. regiment, to attack the encampment on the right after entering the town. When this point was reached, Col. W. at the head of his men, dashed forward. They had already awoke the stillness of the morning by the terrific yell and this added to the grandeur of their charge. By some means the regiment had been divided and of the eight hundred assigned him for this difficult work, but 120 were with him, the remainder of the regiment with Col. Lawton's, having followed Col. Forrest. Supposing the whole designated force was with him, he charged through the brigade yard, then into the 7th Penn. Cavalry-some 126 being present-through this into the 9th Michigan, already formed into a hollow square for their reception. During all this time, the Rangers were doing fearful execution with their guns and pistols.

The fire now being exhausted and the support failing to come up, they reloaded in the face of the enemy and charged on foot. Thus did this little Spartan band fight for four long hours on foot and horseback as circumstances justified. Still supposing that reinforcements would come to their relief, they heroically continued the fight against four times their numbers, inflicting dreadful havoc upon the enemy at every point.

It was in one of these foot charges whilst mounted on his horse, that Col. Wharton received a very severe wound in the left arm from a minnie ball. Nothing daunted, he still led his men and directed all the movements until Lieut. Col. Walker came up. Then handing over the command he retired. Col. Walker was assisted by Maj. Harrison, and commanded until the final surrender, at 11 o'clock. For four long and bloody hours this noble little band did the work assigned to 800 men, and undoubtedly to their gallantry and the persistent determination with which they conducted the attack at each charge, is mainly attributable the final glorious issue. The remaining three fourths of the regiment were, by some strange blunder, led to another position of the field, and hence were not permitted to engage in this desperate conflict; hence all their fighting was unavailing. Surely, if gallant bearing and glorious success, gained by desperate and determined fighting, is ever acknowledged and commendably rewarded in this great struggle for honor and home, for happiness and liberty, then should "Murfreesboro" be written in golden letters upon the battle flag of Terry's old regiment by order of the Commanding General. Modern times do not furnish an instance where the badge of honor has been more gloriously won by deeds of noble daring. But let the figures tell the story of the heroic conduct which made this devoted band of 120 successful, and won the final victory of the day. Already the veterans of Woodsonville and Shiloh, they added fresh laurels to the name of Texas Rangers, in the brilliant battle of Murfreesboro'.

During the different charges they killed and wounded thirteen in the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, and the 9th Michigan (infantry) one hundred and three, as their own officers acknowledged. Among these Lieut. Chase was killed, and Gen. Duffield was seriously wounded. It is said this camp would have earlier surrendered, but they could not distinguish the field officers, it being a characteristic of Texas Rangers, for every man to dress according to his taste and circumstances. But this result was not achieved until every fifth man was killed or wounded. During this time they brought out about 100 prisoners and fired the brigade wagons, thus destroying a large amount of forage, and also securing a large number of mules and horses. When the final surrender took place, some 300 or 400 came from this camp. It was here the principal fighting took place in the morning, and this decided the glorious victory of the day.

Although the Georgians gallantly stood up under the galling fire of the enemy at the Court House, where he was protected, yet whilst pouring a deadly fire into their ranks, he in return suffered but little.

They at one time charged upon Capt. Hewitt's celebrated Kentucky battery and were repulsed. It was afterwards surrendered with the whole, whilst the 3d Minnesota sustained no general attack.

But this one hundred and twenty who were thrown upon a greatly superior force, had to meet the enemy face to face, and every man felt the responsibility of his position and most nobly did each one do his duty. Their loss was over one half of the killed and wounded in the action. Among the most conspicuous was Adjutant Royston whose chivalric bearing was observable, wherever duty called and dangers were to be met. Perfectly cool in every emergency, he proved himself a stranger to fear. Col. Wharton being wounded, and unable to remain with the command, was entrusted with bringing the prisoners through to this city, where they arrived safely yesterday. Company B, of the Texas Rangers, acting as guard.

Among the forty five officers is found Gen. T. T. Crittenden, of Indiana, with one Colonel, two Lieut. Colonels, one Major, eleven Captains, and twenty-nine Lieutenants. The privates, some 1100 in number, and several officers, including Gen. Duffield were all paroled previously. Thus acted one portion of that command in the most brilliant and successful expeditions of the war. The enemy was perfectly surprised, and everything co-operated to make our arms successful. He was injured to the extent of one half a million dollar's worth of property, the greater part of which was secured to our government. It has struck confusion into the ranks of the insolent enemy, and we cherish the hope that soon gallant old Tennessee will be freed from the rule of despotism, and her sons and daughters will once more be free.

Yours, DeBexar.