The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-01-15

right division, facing strongly SOUTH
east, with the reserve division between |
the center and right, and. sufficiently, far
IN the rear 20 support, and If necessary, /
70 extend it---thc consequences Of which \
were developed next day Two brigades
Of JOhnson's diyision--Kirk's and Will I
lich's-were ultimately thrown ont on
the extreme right facing south, and !
somewhat 10 reserve, to make everything
secure.
That morning the General command
ing and his staff were ia the saddle at
daylight directing movements. The po-
silion Of the enemy was being gradually
developed. They were strongly posted,
their center covered by cedar forest in
bend OF Stones River, west side, their
TANKS on the Murfreesboro side, giving
them the advantage Of concentrating on
either flank with small risk. While the
General was accommodating the field, the
enemy opened battery upon his escort
and solid shot carried away the head
of Orderly Mcdonald, of the 4th Regular
Cavalry
Headquarters were established under
cluster of trees, in the field. Rain was
pouring down briskly, and the, situation
was dismal. The General was some
what anxious, the position of the enemy
being perplexing. Skirmishing, in the
center, was animated, and there seemed to
be heavy fighting on the right. 1t was
known that Kirby Smith was in COM
mand of the enemy's right, Folks corps
in the centre, and Hardee on the left, and
the exhibition of rebel strength indicated
an equality with our own. We had the
divisions ofGenerals Jeff @. Davis, John
ston, Sheridan, Negley, Rousseau, Wood,
Van Cleye and Palmer, posted in the or
der in which they are named, with john
ston, Rousseau and Wood in reserve, and
Starkweather's brigade, of Rousseau s
division, on the Jefferson Pike, besides
the cavalry division, under the gallant
Brig. Gen. D. $. Stanley, to protect our
ilanks.
Fighting under these conditions did
MOI offer favorable prospect The eue-
my had powerful natural Qualifications
with their centre eflectuallv masked by
almost impenatfable cedar forests, unap.
proachable save by slow and caution:
movement Gen. McCooI1 was instructed
to feel his way cautiously and press th,
enemy. Ncgley forced his way prudent
~ but boldly.
, After Reconnaissance Of the field
/ headquarters werc established upon tn
slope Of a meado>- Ling or gently to
, ward the Murtreesboro pike. shete
of rails was thrown up against lenc
. under cluster Of trees, several quit
| percha blankets being cast over in orde
TO afford some dry facilities for writing
) 1t was not very picturesque headquar
} ters yet a scene worth perpetuatior
The central figure was intensely absorb
: ed in the great events eliminating with
g in his active, res less mind. He had sal
Q this was TO be the great decisive battl
) Of the war" The fact that the enem
}. had made stand impressed him tbi
= they were either desperate or in force CT
i pable TO resist the shock Of battle The
position was so skilliully chosen that
= required all the resources of powerc
5 mind 20 force il. His mobile features b
: trayed his intensity of thought but II
IS readiness and clearness of his direction
I, upon any suggestion Or subject Of inquii
t confirmed the confidence in him Of tho
by whom he was surrounded His alb
g Chief OF Stalf the lamented Garesche, s
by him upon a rail- faithfully aud col
o stantly in the driving storm, respondii
n with alacrity and relieving him Of Il
a labor of details. Every member of his sti
l. stood within call and Gen. Crittend
ar with his own staff, completed the immed
ID ate circle inclosing the figure of him up
in whom such momentous events depende
I'd A group of cavalry escorts and carrie
as in the rear, dismounted and holding {
Is staff horses; long lines of battle reachi
N across the field; the movement Of art
ar lery and subsistence trains TO and Fl
's now and then wild scurry of cayal
J. over the fields, a courier or aids dart
he swiftly to the front or rear, formed an q
" mated perspective for the picture viii
fl, commands our time. As hours WI
or away a dismal storm which had driv
It. mercilessly during the morning subsid
a. and the wind blew clear and cold
m, fire of cedar rails was kindled, and
he fence was built around the roaring I
for general comfort. You know h
ed cheerful such a biyOuac may be made
w toes toasting and your backs shivering
n and how meuly qnips and jests cir
in around the glowing Goals, l supp
ny there are situations from which men m
CHI derive more comfort, but soldiers
ed you know must be always gay. ST
nd old patriots as Colonel John Kenne
as expect would discover serener satisi
wv ton before cheerful CRATE, but yot
in ger men, looking at the chances of bal
in only upon the hopeful side, were
ht apt to consider any fancy but that VIII
TO would serve as reccollections for fires
ne use when the storm Of war shall h
Of settled into happy peace. Now and Il
"a some body veutured a suggestion Z
en-. some body would "be killed to-morro
&C. but | found none who desired
eat apply the consoting fancy
.rp himself-men are so prole
iii know, to saddle tueir fortunes upon Il
a. "a 4 N.