Chapter 5:
- The battle of Murfreesboro -- Tennessee commands engaged -- operations of the cavalry —McCOWN Opens the battle -- heroic Deeds of the Tennessee brigades -- severe losses— Cheatham and his division.
On the 20th of November, 1862, the Confederate army of Tennessee was constituted under Gen. Braxton Bragg, consisting of the army corps of Lieut.-Gen. E. Kirby Smith, Lieut.-Gen. Leonidas Polk and Lieut.-Gen. W. J. Hardee. At the conclusion of the campaign in Kentucky, Major-General Buell, the Federal commander, was relieved, and Maj.-Gen. W. S. Rosecrans assigned to the command of the army of the Cumberland. The Federal army occupied Nashville, and after months of preparation General Rosecrans began his advance on the 26th of December. The Confederate center was at Murfreesboro under General Polk, the right wing at Readyville under Maj.-Gen. John P. McCown, the left at Triune and Eagleville under General Hardee. The right and left were withdrawn, and the forces concentrated at Murfreesboro ready to receive the attack made by Rosecrans. Rosecrans' plan of movement was for Major-General McCook with three divisions to advance by Triune, Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas to advance on his right with two divisions, Major-General Crittenden with three divisions to move directly on Murfreesboro. At 3 o'clock p. m. of the 30th, General Palmer, in advance, sent back a signal message that he ‘was in sight of Murfreesboro, and that the enemy were running.’ An
