We purpose publishing during this year a number of reports and other papers concerning the operations of our western armies; and we feel sure that our readers will thank us for presenting the following reports of the battle of Murfreesboroa by the lamented
sir: I have the honor to report the operations of this division of
Lieutenant-General Hardee's corps in the recent battles of
Stone River in front of Murfreesboroa.
The character and course of
Stone river and the nature of the ground in front of the town are well known, and as the report of the
General Commanding will no doubt be accompanied by a sketch, it is not necessary to describe them here.
On the morning of Sunday the 28th of December, the brigades moved from their encampments and took up line of battle about one and a half miles from Murfreesboroa in the following order:
Adams' brigade on the right, with its right resting on the
Lebanon road and its left extending towards the ford over
Stone river a short distance below the destroyed bridge on the
Nashville turnpike;
Preston on the left of
Adams;
Palmer on the left of
Preston, and
Hanson forming the left of the line, with his left resting on the right bank of the river near the ford.
The right of
Major-General Withers of
Lieutenant-General Polk's corps, rested near the left bank of the river and slightly in advance of
Hanson's left.
Brigadier-General Jackson having reported to me with his command, was placed, by the direction of the
Lieutenant-General Commanding, upon the east side of the
Lebanon road, on commanding ground, a little in advance of the right of
Brigadier-General Adams.
