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umberland。 At the time of the battle the stream was so low that it could be crossed by infantry everywhere。 The Nashville Railroad crosses the river about two hundred yards above the turnpike bridge。 At some five hundred yards beyond； it intersects the Nashville turnpike at a sharp angle； then runs some eight hundred yards between the pike and the river； when the stream turns abruptly to the east and passes to the north。 Open fields surrounded the town； fringed with dense cedar…brakes。 These afforded excellent cover for approaching infantry； but were almost impervious to artillery。
The centre of Bragg's army was at Murfreesboro； under Polk。 The right was at Readyville； under McCown； and the left at Triune and Eaglesville； under Hardee。 Polk's command consisted of Cheatham's and Wither's divisions。 These divisions and three brigades of Breckenridge's division of Hardee's corps were at Murfreesboro。 Cleburne's division and Adams's brigade of Breckinridge's division were under the immediate command of Hardee； near Eaglesville； about twenty miles west of Murfreesboro。 McCown's division of Kirby Smith's corps was at Readyville； twelve miles east of Murfreesboro。 Each of the two divisions of Hardee's corps consisted of four brigades of infantry。 To this corps Wheeler's brigade of cavalry was attached。 The brigade of T。 R。 Jacksonwhich was in the rear； guarding the railroad from Bridgeport to the mountainsBragg also ordered up。 On Sunday； the 28th； Bragg formed his line of battle； placing Breckinridge's division on his extreme right； across Stone's River； to protect that flank and cover the town。 Adams's brigade rested on the Lebanon road； about a mile and a half from town。 Breckinridge's division formed the first line； facing north； and was posted in the edge of the forest； with Cleburne's division in the second line； 800 yards to the rear。 To the left of Adams the line was broken by an intervening field； about three hundred yards in width； which was apparently left unoccupied； but was covered by the Twentieth Tennessee and Wright's battery； of Preston's brigade； which swept it and the fields in front。 The remainder of Preston's brigade rested with its right in the woods； and extended along the edge with its left toward the river。 On the left of Preston； Palmer's brigade was formed； and on his left Hanson's completed that portion of the line。 Jackson's brigade reported to Breckinridge and was placed on the east side of the Lebanon road； on commanding ground； a little in the advance of the right of Adams。 On the other side of the river the right of Withers's division rested at the bank； near the intersection of the turnpike with the railroad； and was slightly in advance of Hanson's right。 It extended southwardly across the Wilkinson pike to the Triune or Franklin road； in an irregular line adapted to the topography of the country。 In the rear of Withers's division that of Cheatham was posted as a supporting force。 McCown's division was placed in the rear of these divisions as the reserve。 This was Bragg's first disposition of his troops for battle。 On Monday； the 29th； no change of importance was made； the troops remaining in line of battle。 In the evening； when Harker's brigade crossed the river； Bragg thought this was a movement to occupy a hill situated about six hundred yards in front of Hanson's centre。 This commanded the ground sloping to the river south and west； and from it the right of Withers's division across the river could be enfiladed。 Hanson's brigade was sent out； and； on Harker's return； the hill was occupied by the batteries of the enemy。 On Monday Bragg； finding that Rosecrans was extending his line on his right；as Bragg supposed to operate on that flankthrew his reserve division under McCown on Withers's left。 Hardee was ordered to take command of McCown's division； and to move Cleburne from the second line in the rear of Breckinridge； and place him on the left as support to McCown。 Cleburne was brought forward and placed five hundred yards in rear of the latter。 Bragg's main line of battle was in the edge of the woods； with open ground to the front。 His troops were formed in two lines； the first line protected by intrenchments； and his second line formed some six hundred yards to the rear。 He awaited the attack of Rosecrans on the 30th； and not receiving it； on Tuesday made his arrangements for an advance and attack in force on the morning of the 31st。 His troops remained in line of battle； ready to move with the early dawn of the coming day。 The two armies were now arrayed only some five hundred yards apart； facing each other； and eager for the conflict of the morrow。
At nine o'clock on the evening of the 30th； the corps commanders met at Rosecrans's headquarters； in the cedars near the Murfreesboro pike； to receive their final instructions and to learn the details of the plan of battle for the next day。 McCook was directed with his three divisions to occupy the most advantageous position； refusing his right as much as practicable and necessary to secure it； to await the attack of the enemy； and in the event of that not being made； to himself engage and hold the force on his front； Johnson's division held the extreme right of his line； on Johnson's left was Davis's division； and on Davis's left Sheridan's was posted。 Thomas was instructed to open with skirmishing and engage the enemy's centre with Negley's division of his command and Palmer's of Crittenden's corps； Negley's right resting on Sheridan's left； and Palmer's right on the left of Negley； Rousseau being in reserve。 Crittenden was ordered to move Van Cleve's division across the river at the lower ford； covered and supported by the pioneer brigade and at once advance on Breckinridge。 Wood's division was to followcrossing at the upper ford and joining Van Cleve's rightwhen they were to press everything before them into Murfreesboro。 This gave a strong attack from two divisions of Federal troops on the one of Breckinridge's； which was known to be the only one of the enemy's on the east of the river。 As soon as Breckinridge had been dislodged from his position； the artillery of Wood's division was to take position on the heights east of the river and open fire on the enemy's lines on the other side； which could here be seen in reverse； and dislodge them； when Palmer was to drive them southward across the river or through the wood。 Sustained by the advance of the Centre under Thomas crushing their right； Crittenden was to keep advancing； take Murfreesboro； move rapidly westward on the Franklin pike； get on their flank and rear and drive them into the country toward Salem； with the prospect of cutting off their retreat and probably destroying their army。 Rosecrans called the attention of the corps commanders to the fact that this combination； which gave to him such a superiority on the left； depended for its success upon McCook's maintaining his position on the right for at least three hours； and if compelled to fall back that he should do so in the same manner he had advanced the day before； slowly and steadily； refusing his right。 McCook was asked if he could hold his position for three hours； and replied that he th