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division of the Confederates confronting it。 Davis's division was
posted on my right； and Walker's brigade of Thomas's corps； which had
reported to me； took up a line that con nected my left with Johnson's
division。
Late in the evening General Rosecrans； accompanied by General McCook；
and several other officers whose names I am now unable to recall；
rode by my headquarters on their way to the rear to look for a new
line of battleon Overall's creek it was saidthat would preserve
our communications with Nashville and offer better facilities for
resistance than the one we were now holding。 Considerable time had
elapsed when they returned from this exploration and proceeded to
their respective commands； without intimating to me that anything had
been determined upon by the reconnoissance； but a little later it was
rumored through the different headquarters that while the party was
looking for a new position it discovered the enemy's troops moving
toward our right and rear； the head of his columns being conducted in
the darkness by the aid of torches； and that no alternative was left
us but to hold the lines we then occupied。 The torches had been seen
unquestionably； and possibly created some alarm at first in the minds
of the reconnoitring party； but it was soon ascertained that the
lights came from a battalion of the Fourth regular cavalry that was
picketing our flank and happened to be starting its bivouac fires at
the moment。 The fires and the supposed movements had no weight；
therefore； in deciding the proposition to take up a line at Overall's
creek； but General Rosecrans； fortunately for the army； decided to
remain where he was。 Doubtless reflections during his ride caused
him to realize that the enemy must be quite as much crippled as
himself。 If it had been decided to fall back to Overall's creek； we
could have withdrawn without much difficulty very likely； but such a
retrograde movement would have left to the enemy the entire battle…
field of Stone River and ultimately compelled our retreat to
Nashville。
In the night of December 3rd several slight demonstrations were made
on my front； but from the darkness neither party felt the effect of
the other's fire； and when daylight came again the skirmishers and
lines of battle were in about the same position they had taken up the
evening before。 Soon after daybreak it became evident that the
conflict was to be renewed； and a little later the enemy resumed the
offensive by an attack along my left front； especially on Walker's
brigade。 His attempt was ineffectual； however； and so easily
repulsed as to demonstrate that the desperate character of his
assaults the day before had nearly exhausted his strength。 About 3
o'clock in the afternoon he made another feeble charge on my front；
but our fire from the barricades and rifle…pits soon demoralized his
advancing lines； which fell back in some confusion； thus enabling us
to pick up about a hundred prisoners。 From this time till the
evening of January 3 Bragg's left remained in our front； and
continued to show itself at intervals by weak demonstrations； which
we afterward ascertained were directly intended to cover the
desperate assault he made with Breckenridge on the left of Rosecrans；
an assault that really had in view only a defensive purpose； for
unless Bragg dislodged the troops which were now massing in front of
his right he would be obliged to withdraw General Polk's corps behind
Stone River and finally abandon Murfreesboro'。 The sequel proved
this to be the case； and the ill…judged assault led by Breckenridge
ending in entire defeat； Bragg retired from Murfreesboro' the night
of January 3。
General Rosecrans occupied Murfreesboro' on the 4th and 5th； having
gained a costly victory； which was not decisive enough in its
character to greatly affect the general course of the war； though it
somewhat strengthened and increased our hold on Middle Tennessee。
The enemy in retiring did not fall back very faronly behind Duck
River to Shelbyville and Tullahomaand but little endeavor was made
to follow him。 Indeed； we were not in condition to pursue； even if
it had been the intention at the outset of the campaign。
As soon as possible after the Confederate retreat I went over the
battle…field to collect such of my wounded as had not been carried
off to the South and to bury my dead。 In the cedars and on the
ground where I had been so fiercely assaulted when the battle opened；
on the morning of the 31st； evidences of the bloody struggle appeared
on every hand in the form of broken fire…arms； fragments of
accoutrements； and splintered trees。 The dead had nearly all been
left unburied； but as there was likelihood of their mutilation by
roving swine； the bodies had mostly been collected in piles at
different points and inclosed by rail fences。 The sad duties of
interment and of caring for the wounded were completed by the 5th；
and on the 6th I moved my division three miles； south of
Murfreesboro' on the Shelbyville pike； going into camp on the banks
of Stone River。 Here the condition of my command was thoroughly
looked into； and an endeavor made to correct such defects as had been
disclosed by the recent battle。
During the engagement there had been little straggling； and my list
of missing was small and legitimate； still； it was known that a very
few had shirked their duty； and an example was necessary。 Among this
small number were four officers who； it was charged； had abandoned
their colors and regiments。 When their guilt was clearly
established； and as soon as an opportunity occurred； I caused the
whole division to be formed in a hollow square； closed in mass； and
had the four officers marched to the centre； where； telling them that
I would not humiliate any officer or soldier by requiring him to
touch their disgraced swords； I compelled them to deliver theirs up
to my colored servant； who also cut from their coats every insignia
of rank。 Then； after there had been read to the command an order
from army headquarters dismissing the four from the service； the
scene was brought to a close by drumming the cowards out of camp。 It
was a mortifying spectacle； but from that day no officer in that
division ever abandoned his colors。
My effective force in the battle of Stone River was 4；154 officers
and men。 Of this number I lost 1；633 killed； wounded； and missing；
or nearly 40 per cent。 In the remaining years of the war； though
often engaged in most severe contests； I never experienced in any of
my commands so high a rate of casualties。 The ratio of loss in the
whole of Rosecrans's army was also high； and Bragg's losses were
almost equally great。 Rosecrans carried into the action about 42；000
officers and men。 He lost 13；230； or 31 per cent。 Bragg's effective
force was 37；800 officers and men； he lost 10；306； or nearly 28 per
cent。
Though our victory was dearly bought； yet the importanc