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ground, or to cover him, should he be compelled to fall back.
About eleven o'clock, General Sheridan reported to me that his ammunition was entirely out, and he would be compelled to fall back to get more.
As it became necessary for General Sheridan to fall back, the enemy pressed on still further to our rear, and soon took up a position which gave them a concentrated cross-fire of musketry and cannon on Negley's and Rousseau's troops, at short range.
This compelled me to fall back out of the cedar-woods, and take up a line along a depression in the open ground, within good musket range of the edge of the woods, while the artillery was retired to the high ground to the right of the turnpike.
From this last position, we were enabled to drive back the enemy, and cover the formation of our troops and secure the centre on the high ground.
In the execution of this last movement, the regular brigade, under Lieutenant-Colonel Shepard, Eighteenth United States infantry, came under a most murderous fire, losing twenty-two officers and five hundred and eight men in killed and wounded; but, with the co-operation of Scribner's and Beatty's (John) brigades, and Guenther's and Loomis' batteries, gallantly held its ground against overwhelming odds.
The centre having succeeded in driving back the enemy from its front, our artillery, concentrating its fire on the cedar-thicket on our right, drove him back far under cover, from which, though attempting it, he could not make any advance.
January 1, 1863.
Repeated attempts were made by the enemy to advance on our position, during the morning, but they were driven back before emerging from the woods.
Colonel Starkweather's brigade, of Rousseau's division, and Walker's brigade, of Fry's division, having reinforced us during the night, took post on the right of Rousseau, and left of Sheridan, and bore their share in repelling the attempts of the enemy on the morning of the first instant.
Negley's divison was ordered, early in the day, to the support of McCook's right, in which position it remained during the night.
January 2.
About seven A. M., the enemy opened a direct and cross-fire from his batteries in our front, and from a position on the east bank of Stone River, to our left and front, at the same time making a strong demonstration with infantry, resulting, however, in no serious attack.
Our artillery — Loomis', Guenther's, Stokes', and another battery — the commander's name I can not now recall — soon drove back their infantry.
Negley was withdrawn from the extreme right, and placed in reserve behind Crittenden's right.
About four P. M., a division of Crittenden's command, which had crossed Stone River to reconnoitre, was attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy, and, after a gallant resistance, compelled to fall back.
The movements of the enemy having been observed, and reported by some of my troops in the centre, I sent orders to Negley to advance to the support of Crittenden's troops, should they want help.
This order was obeyed in a most gallant style, and resulted in the complete annihilation of the Twenty-sixth Tennessee (rebel) regiment, and the capture of their flag.
Also, in the capture of a battery, which the enemy had been forced to abandon at the point of the bayonet.
(See Negley's report.)
January 3.
Soon after daylight, the Forty-second Indiana, on picket in a clump of woods about eight hundred yards in front of our lines, was attacked by a brigade of the enemy, evidently by superior numbers, and driven in, with considerable loss.
Lieutenant-Colonel Shanklin, commanding the regiment, was surrounded and taken prisoner, while gallantly endeavoring to draw off his men, under the fire of such superior numbers.
From these woods, the enemy's sharpshooters continued to fire occasionally during the day, on our pickets.
About six P. M., two regiments from Colonel John Beatty's brigade, Rousseau's division, cooperating with two regiments of Spears' (Tennessee) brigade, of Negley's division, covered by the skilful and well-directed fire of Guenther's Fifth United States artillery, and Loomis' First Michigan battery, advanced on the woods and drove the enemy, not only from its cover, but from the intrenchments, a short distance beyond.
The enemy having retreated during the night of the third, our troops were occupied during the night of the fourth in burying the dead left on the field.
In the afternoon, one brigade of Negley's division was advanced to the crossing of Stone River, with a brigade of Rousseau's division in supporting distance, in reserve.
January 5.
My entire command, preceded by Stanley's cavalry, marched into Murfreesboro and took up the position which we now hold.
The enemy's rear guard of cavalry was overtaken on the Shelbyville and Manchester roads, about five miles from Murfreesboro, and after sharp skirmishing for two or three hours, was driven from our immediate front.
The conduct of my command, from the time the army left Nashville to its entry into Murfreesboro, is deserving of the highest praise, both for their patient endurance of the fatigues and discomforts of a five days battle, and for the manly spirit exhibited by them in the various phases in this memorable contest.
I refer you to the detailed reports of division commanders, for special mention of those officers and men of their commands whose conduct they thought worthy of particular notice.
All the members of my staff, Major G. E. Flynt, Assistant Adjutant-General; Lieutenant-Colonel A. Von Schrader, Seventy-fourth Ohio, Acting Inspector-General; Captain O. A. Mack, Thirteenth United States infantry, acting Chief 