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f (t <C??i|r|Cnffifratt, At TWO DOM.AB8 A YKAS, PAYABLX INVAUIABLY HALT-YEAHLY IN ADVANCK. *:i-w?erms for ^dtvefrtising: Jfrfftae S<<We?iburteyp lines or less?ONE DOLJCSHggrD JpnCWTY-WVE CENTS for the flint, ?a uMji itcmf ?ri mt uan iu ior eacti subsequent Jjfcreicx*, exceeding one Squww, charged iSvertisemenii and Job Wora MUST BB ' 0* ADVANCE. jjMkitiluctioti made, exe6)rt to our regular advertising [trom our occasional corrkspondknt.] r > S^llaBoma, Tenv., January 12, 1863. - 'Being at leisure this raori.-ing, for tbo first 19 V time since the great struggle near Muifresboio, give you a short sketch of the . eventful vveaic just passed, which, I trust, will not be whcAIy uniuterestiug. Our Regiment left TriQhs on thn 27th Tio^mUr on/1 mouAl?t?i/? I . ^. ^Ty.| . ? ? * ?* 41^ w w*>* vv? f nnvi iJidl VIII throogh a drenching rain all the day, reached Mnrfroaboro on the 28th. The vast camp aroimd the city appeared deserted, for the troops were all out on the front in line of battle, awaiting the approach of the Abolitionists. Our position was soon assigned us, and we -stood there for two days, shivering in the cold rain that was falling. On Wednesday the 31st* the Brisrade was ordered to the Wt. where the -conflict of the previous day had laged. Crossing Stone's River, Gen. Poik rode up and told usthattho enemy was being driven back. This information fell gratefully upon our hearts, And we pushed forward. A few minutes afterwards Gen. Bragg and staff can.e up. Three -deafening -cheers greeted iho veteran soldier. Acknowledging the compliment, he spoke a few word.. of cheer ..to us and moved to the head of the column. Could we have gone into the fight at that moment, we would have car rieci any position. A never saw soldiers so enthused before, but our time bad not yet come. Forming in line of battle we bad to raarcb a mile through an open field under tbo raking fir* of the enemy's guns. Shell and shot flew thick and fas^over our heads?these we heeded not, but inarched in solid line still towards them?"That battery must be taken," was the order. Throe brigades had already tried it, and oqra was the fourth that was to seek its reputation e'en at tbo "cannon's mouth." On reaching the Nashville Pike we formed in col umn of companies across it I was trnly ner vons for the safety of the Regiment while in this position. Awwnd shot would liavo gone through every company. Luckily the enemy did not take advantage of the occasion, and very soon wo deployed. When within good rango wo gave the enemy a volley, and then a charge. The first lino of the Abolitionists gave way and left two pieces of their artillery in our possession, but the second line stood the shock valiently. I could see the Yankee officers riding up and down their line, encouraging their men.4 Their aHillery had limbered up and was moving off, but at this moment the regiment on our rigljft gave way, and soon our regiment, with thinned ranks, was subjected to a murderous enfilading fire. We could not stand it longer. Our Brigadier seeing our condtion, ordered a retreat. Had the rest of ^ brigade etood up to us, we would have taken that formidable battery and carried it safely to the rear. After being shelled for some time we took another position, and rested from the weary labors of the day. I was glad to get a place where I could breathe freely again, for I was well nigh exhausted. We lost many brave men in killed And wounded in this charge, among whom was our Colonel?than w}i6a) none was braycr. J escaped unhurt?thanks unto Almighty God?but ray clothes vjere shot in several places. We slept npon our resting npoh ttaft pallid ehneks fiJlsd nae Mtfth the most painful emotions. Never more do I wish to behold a spectacle so heart rending. The enemy's.right bad been driven huat *nm<? four or five miles during the day, and all of t**r d#ad and wounded were left Mour bauds- Ambulance* were running ail nigbt, HfehwitaK . w? ># hauling away the spoils, whicih were considerable, in the, way cf small arms aud knapsucks. Thus encled the old year with nic. I trust that yours was more agreeable and pleasant, and for a New Year's Gift, let me wish that you received other than bombs and bullets. No fighting was done on the first day of the year. Wo occupied the well .fought field, and eyed tho Yankees all the day. Each party seemcdloath to com men co the strife again. Our lines w?re concealed in a dense cedar grove, and the enemy were jnst beyond us, in an open corn field. I presume they had a frarv loul f/\i? no f 1*ntt /l/\ 1 ? * - ? v? imy ivi no ivi vuoj UU liyt 11IW13 W.? SUOW themselves?preferring always to crpuch behind something for protection. Wo did no fighting on the second until nearly sundown, when we were ordered to support a charge of the Kentucky brigade, commanded by Gen. Harrison. The enemy vfere pcstCv, ^/n en is i side of Stone's River, upon a hill side; Our Kentucky boys run up to thorn ere they fired a gun, the enemy, however, firing all the while. When within a few yards cf the Yankees our men gave them a broadside, and tho fight bocamo in somo instances hand to hand. The enemy could not stand it. They took to their heels?our men pursuing, until they had been driven acrocs the river. A large number of them were killed, and some three hundred taken prisoners. I never saw anything equal to that charge?it was truly magnificent, and I was heartily amused at the quick time the Yankees made across that stream. The brave. General Harrison was mortally wounded,, to the regret of every true son of Kentucky. The next day, Saturday, the cold rain fell pitilessly upon us. . Drawn up in line, wc waited for the enemy to show themselves. Tbey came not. Fatigued oeyona endurance, some of our men would sleep, despite the falling weather. At "one o'clock a. m., on Sunday, January 4, we moved quietly aWay from Murfresboro. I regretted to leave a field so gloriously won, but our troops were exhausted and needed rest and recuperation. 'Twas wise and humane therefore to draw off and obtain the necessary recreation. I wish it could have been otherwise, but under the circumstances it could not be avoided. We arc once again in camp. I enjoy the rest it gives, and am ready to n\cct the foe when duty calls. Tullahoma is about forty miles south of Murfresboro?immediately on the railroad?the village is a small one. and when once seen, one never wishes to see it again. I have no news from the front to-day I guess the enemy will follow us very slowly, if at all. I suppose they will use the spade and shovel pretty lively around Mnrfresboro, before they advance. Nothing more at present Yours, Arc. Capt A. Hamilton Boykin, of Kershaw, says .1 ~ " me ?.;narieston Mercury, bas declined the appointment of Judge Advocate for the Military Department now commanded by Gen. Beauregard. He places this decision, we believe, on want of legal practice and status. We regret the decision and, we dissent from the opinion it implies concerning his qualification, but we cannot withold an expression of approval for the precedent and the modesty exhibited. Many citizens less qualified than Capt. Boykin would gladly accept such an offer. i ii<Vj ?? . M cr - } The Springfield Republican expresses the opinion that the country is getting tirod of unsaocessfal war, Of blunders in the field, of doubt and hesitation and confusion in council, of fraud and rascality everywhere. ir MflnriO 1 It is beTicved at Washington that Secretary I Cha^e wHl soon lead to the hyroeniai altar the accomplished widow of the Late Senator Dong !## ' f I 7:W? ft * % x ? <,' m 1 " 1 "" ' - r- -? , * *>. >v A Her? . I . Some weeks ago the Richmond correspon dent ?of this paper, alluding to Bishop Elliott's proposition for a monument to the. unknown dead, said, "the topic of unknown heroes was frequenter in trod need in conversation, and mentioned a number of these heroes, among them a cavalry man from Texas, who, unable to walk a step carries a pair of cratches on Horseback,, and with t&ein has continued to perform alt the arduous duties required of him." Our correspondent, wo dare say, little dreamed that this unknown dragoon would prove to be not only the most heroic of all the heroes of the war, but a poet of a high order besides. The following letter, addressed to the Mobile Register and Advertiser, reads like a romance* yet bears upon its face the evidence of truth* We copy it as a just tribute to a gallant soldier, and as of far more interest than any number of extraots from Yankee papers:? Mereuty This soldier iR Lamar Fontaine, a private in the "Campbell Rangers," 2d Regiment Virginia Cavalry. He is the eldest Ron of the Rev. Edward Fontaine, an Episcopal Minister, residing near Jackson, Miss., who commanded the Burt Rifles, of the 18th Regiment Mississippi Volunteers in the first battle of Manassas, and who in honorably mentioned in Gen. Ucauregard's report of it. Jlo was born in Washington county, Texas, in 1841, while his parents re sided there; and was named aft.er his father's intimate friend, Gen. Mirabcau Lamar. Previous to the present revolution Lamar Fontaine lived in his native State, was educated in Austin, and at the military Academy in Bastrop, and learned, practicaljy, the most essential duties of a soldier a9 a Texas Hanger and hunter on the frontiers of Western Texas, where he was unsurpassed as a dexterious rider and skillful marksman. As soon as the war commenced, he came to Mississippi and enlis&d as .. .i._ ? . ; 1 .? i\ puttttv 111 tuu iii?b company organized xor lite defence of the State, the Mississippi Rifles, Jackson, commanded by Capt. Robert Smith, the heroic Col. Smith, who fell* at Murofordsville, Ky. Under this excellent officer be served at Fensacola, as an infantry 6oldier, and then as an artillerist nntil he was transferred to his father's company in tho Army of the Potomac. At tho battle of Manassas he was severely wounded by a cannon shot, which passed under his feet, bruising one of them so badly that he was unfitted for further duty as an infantry soldier. Finding that he was unwilling to be discharged, his father procured hiin a transfer to Capt. Alexander's Company (I), 2d Regiment Virginia Cavalry. Under Generals Jackson and Ewell he distinguished himself in the battles of Front Royal, Cross Keys, and all the actions of the Valley. Near Winchester, in company with a young gentleman from Campbell county, Va., (private John Moore,) he performed a feat without a~parallel in the annals of war, and which is mentioned with the highest commendation in General Swell's official report. These two young men^ unassisted and alone, charged a piece of artillery planted on the Winchester Turnpike, manned by eight of the enemy, killed and wounded 4 (1TA tltAir *>*"? ikft ? tn v vi ujvh i*iiuivv , vivto ujo IVOli irVIU Ult) gun and brought it off in triumph to their commander. Near Straaburg a sbeil exploded against his horse's head, blowing it to atoms and breaking Lamar's thigh. Whilo his comrades were carrying him from tbefiold, another sbeil wounded him severely in thb hip. Soon after His wounds were dressed, while lying under a tree, a minie ball penetrated tbo back of his neck, passed down near his spine and lodged where the surgeons have not been able ho ffnd it - oifioe tnen ma ngn* leg and aide have remained paralized. Be recovered sufficiently to obtain leave of absence from the.hospital in CharSottsville for several weeks, Which beapeut with hit company in performing military duty . m a i. a m ? mi . lraB:i< 1. - 22SEEB283J33S22EH Bridge, Warrento? ft|Xittgt,lh? SUpp***** or Wit^We BrWgiswUie battleo of tfeo **h *4t triM#**'fcMi * 30th and 31st at Manassas, and df Germantown. ^ ( ?> While the enemy w*w &<#sg W^na^on Springs, Gen. R. H. Anderson w-Wtojwetr tain what division of the army secuyild the nnrt.h Vianlr tit a Rannaa?nnmji nnnmutii Ua position. Ho volunteered to bring; b?tt the necessary information, swam the Rappahannock* surprised three of the enemy's aiaifdbysofcsts, and brought them serosa the river to >tba General, who gave the crutched hero a certlficste complimenting his skill and gallantry. * At the battle of Hazel River a snitiie ball of his crutches, and one of tho enemy's horses without a rider ran against him and-broke the other. In the second day's fight at Manassas he had a horse killed under him, aftianothcr the day after at the battle of Oermantown. While pursuing the enemy's cavalry, a putol shot penetrated his hat, grazed his temple, and knocked liim from his horse. Sinco he bee been pronounced incompetent to perform mil nary auty on account olhia wound?, an*l while acting as a volunteer on hospital furlough, ho has captured six prisoners without any* assistance, and killed many of the enelny. a lai different battles he has had six horses killed under him, and I have no doubt has killed more of thcenemy than any soldier in out army. /'' If skill, courage and hazardous and useful service on the battle field deserve promotion, he has nobly earned it Just before the resignation of the Hon. G. W. Randolph ha was recommended for promotion by Gen. Stall; but so far his merits has been "overlooked, mud an unnknown hero," capable of drilling and leading an army to victory, is a mutilated private, while scores of "cross road" politicians, unscathed bv ball or sabre, and atmn<r*mt*> th? # 7 -9 ~~ T O' " roar of battle, are commanding companies and regiment*. - . jf P*#' " " It will gratify the friends of oar "unknown heroes" to learn that Lamar Fontaine is the author of the beantifhl lines which have recently been published in all oar papery commencing "All quiet along the Potomac to-nigbt/*a copy of which, corrected by tlie author, w herewith enclosed: \ ''ALL QUIET ALONG THE POTOMAe 5t>3MGHT.,r By Lamar Fontaine, Company J, fifesand dfefgnmt' Virginia Cavalry. Written while on picketon Ike bank of the Potomac, 1861. r .,t - m+.y "All quiet along the Potomac to-night," . ' Except here and there a stray picket Is shot as be walks on his beat ofhnd fro By a Rifleman hid in the thicket Tis nothing?a private or twe now and tfeew Will not count in the news of tbe-battfef Not an officer lost! only one of the men Mourning out, all alone, the death rattfo; "All quiet along the Potomac to-night,* Where the soldiers lie peacefully dreaming, And their tenta in the rays of the dear autumn moon, And light of their camp finis am gleaming.. A tremulous aigh as a gentle night wind Thro' the toreet leaves slowly is creeping,. While the stars np above, with their glittering eyes, Keep guard o'er the army while sleeping. ' '' ;' There's only the sonud of the kme sentry's tread. An hn hrmmiM frmn th<* wwJrt* friwjiAM ^ And thinks of the tw6 on the few trundle bed Far away in the oot on the mountain. His musket falls alack?his foes, daifc and grim, Grows gentle with memories tender, As he mutters a prayer for the childreiAaleep, That night, when the lore yet unspoken Leaped up to Me Hpe, end M .MWt nn Were pledged to be ever unbroken. Then drawing his sleeve foqgptoover his eyes. He dashes off the tears that she welling; And gathers his gwn ekwe vf In Mrfbfesi* - . As if to keep down the taart'ft inning-. ffln ro *r 'itVwgw luV w 10 r^?Mi-.-wt ...