reached Rosecrans from Palmer that he was in sight of Murfreesboro’ and the enemy was running. He therefore ordered Crittenden to occupy Murfreesboro’ with a division. Crittenden sent a brigade across Stone’s river and surprised a regiment of Breckenridge’s division and pushed it back on the main line. It was found that the rebels were occupying a strong position in force, and, it being then dark, the brigade was withdrawn across the river. Fords were prepared by the pioneer brigade. Negley’s, Palmer’s and Wood’s divisions were in line with Van Cleve’s division in reserve.

On the 30th, Rousseau moved up and took position in reserve in rear of Palmer’s right. Negley advanced slightly as did McCook’s corps. The line generally faced east, but part of McCook’s right division was retired so that it faced to the south.

Rosecrans now decided to give battle on the 31st, and made the following plan: McCook was to hold strong ground, refusing his right, and make strong dispositions to resist the attack of the enemy. If, however, the enemy did not attack, McCook was to attack sufficient to hold all the force on his front and prevent the enemy from detaching any troops to the right, the real point of attack. Thomas’ corps and Palmer’s division were to open with skirmishing and engage the enemy’s center and left as far as Stone river. Van Cleve’s division was to cross the river and advance on Breckenridge, followed by Wood’s division by brigades on its right, and carry everything before them into Murfreesboro’. In front of Crittenden’s corps across the river was high ground, the occupation of which would enable an enfilade fire to be brought on the remainder of Polk’s corps. Palmer and Thomas were to follow the movement, advancing in its support. After taking Murfreesboro’, Crittenden was to move westward and getting in on the flank and rear of the enemy drive them off their line of communications. The success of the whole plan of course depended upon McCook’s being able to hold on without support, and Rosecrans criticised his line, saying it was an error for it to face so much to the east. He thought it should rather face to the south and impressed the fact on McCook that he must be careful and make a strong disposition. McCook was ordered also to build fires to his right prolonging the general line and simulating the camps of a large force. It was hoped in this way to draw off a large part of the rebel force from the real point of attack.

Bragg formed an exactly similar plan of attack. Hardee with two divisions was to advance on the left and force back the Union right. Then Polk was to push the center. By a steady wheel to the right on the right of Polk’s corps as a pivot the Union force was to be thrown back on Stone river, off its line to Nashville, the objective of his campaign. The plans being identical a good deal depended on which army began the movement first. Rosecrans’ orders were for the attack to begin at seven o’clock, while Bragg ordered the attack to begin at daylight.

Rosecrans’ movement began on time and for a time was going very successfully. But about 6.30 A. M. the enemy in force attacked McCook’s right and found that the two brigades were weakly posted, without support, the remaining brigade of Johnson’s division being nearly a mile and a half to the rear at Johnson’s headquarters. The command was not in any way ready for battle. The horses of some of the batteries were being watered at the stream and the men of one brigade were cooking breakfast. Kirk’s brigade, the first attacked, tried to make some resistance and called for help upon Willich’s brigade, but Willich was absent at headquarters and his brigade was without a commander and made no effort to support Kirk. Both brigades were quickly rolled up. Baldwin’s brigade, in reserve, was moved up, but was too far distant, and the rout of the other two