The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-06-28

to brighten the cherries dampness and
gloom Of the night.
Friday, Jan. 2, 1868.
When the forced blitheness of the
reveille walked the soldiers the next
morning in their muddy beds, the rain
had subsided and a chill, piercing wind
was blowing which presently dispersed
the clouds and let the sun shine bright
ly forth. More rations and ammuni-
ton had arrived during the night, the
horrors Of Wednesday were now two
sleeps further away, and the men felt
percep1bly more sanguine as to the
future. The long picket lines on both
sides announced to their enemies across
the open fields that they were still
there, ready for them, by the ripple Of
musketry that ran around the whole
length OF the four or five miles Of the
curving front, from Stone River, on the
left. across the railroad and pike,
through the cedars for a mile, and then
back on the right Of the pike and rail-
road to Stone River again. The first
incident of the day was Bragg's. effort
to inform himself as to the temper Of
his opponents by opening a sharp can
nonading from four batteries on the
east side Of Stone River upon Harker's
Brigade. Harker's men planted them
selves firmly on the ground and took
the tempest as best they could until
Estep's, Bradleys. Stokes, Loomis's
and Guenther's batteries joined in with
such hearty good will that the Confed-
crates were silenced, and Bragg felt his
opponents had even less inclination to
run away than they had the day before.
A demonstration for the same purpose
was made upon Wagner's Brigade, but
1t ceased as soon as that redoubtable
tighter made IT evident that he was
there In his proper place and meant to
stay.
On the Extreme Left.
Very high ground on the east side
OF the river, just below the upper ford.
had been seen to be OF immense i'm
portance, and was SO recognized by
Gen. Rosecrans even during the tur-
moil Of Wednesday. AS soon as he got
his line adjusted for the night OF Dec.
81. and the fighting had died out, he
directed Van Cleve's Division to cross
and take position on this height He
| realized that II the Confederates could
gain 1t. they could take the whole Union
position In reverse and subject 1t to an
artillery and even an infantry fire,
| which would be greatly demoralizinr.
II not destructive. At the same time
the forces stationed there would emf
lade that portion of Gen. Polk's COM
! mand which had been pressing most
hardly upon our center, occupied by
HaZen at the Round Forest. Artillery
| on the height would rake any column
of attack directed against our center.
and greatly help in crushing It, Van
Cleves Division, now commanded by
Beatty. crossed the river at the ford,
and took up good position on this
| height, with Prices Brigade on the
right next to the river. Fyffe's on the
| left. and Orders, formerly Beatty's,
supporting Price, and Grose supporting
Fyffe. with Drury's Battery, under
| Lieut.. Livingston. In the rear. During
Jan. l these troops had remained in
position, lying we'll concealed, attract
ing little notice from the enemy Bragg
proba bly, recognized the value of this
position, and had undoubtedly been in
formed that Rosecrans had strong
force there which meditated injury to
him. II Bragg could drive the force
on and gain the position for himself
II would give great impetus to the
| much-lOnged-fOr retreat OF Rosecrans
Breckenridge had two ff not three bri-
gades which has not been engaged a,
all, and were therefore quite fit for
an energetic attack. Even the rest OF
his division had not suffered as much
as the troops OF the other divisions and
| they were now brought back to him,
giving him probable aggressive force
| OF some 5000 muskets, to which were
added 1000 cavalry under Wharton