dirt-road leading toward Murfreesboro, upon a little knoll, are the
ruins of a once handsome mansion. Behind an upright Southern
timber-fence, just back of the still-standing negro-quarters, there is
a beautiful cluster of prairie-roses in full leaf. The waving
branches, as they bend to the right, cover the graves of three
Cincinnati boys, two of whom I knew intimately. Go ask their comrades,
and they will bear willing evidence to the chivalrous bearing of the
two noble youths, Ally Rockenfield and little Dave Medary. Beside
them is the grave of W. S. Shaw, whom I did not know personally. I am
told he died while bravely doing his whole duty. The branches of the
same friendly rose-bush, bending to the left, cover the graves of
Captain Weller, Lieutenant Harmon, and Major Terry; all of the 24th
Ohio, forming a beautiful emblem of the unity of those two splendid
regiments, the 6th and 24th. Continuing still further to the left, we
cross Stone River, where our forces did such good fighting under
Crittenden. Just after crossing this stream, upon the first knoll,
beneath a large oak, are the remains of Sergeant Jacob McGillen, of
Hamilton. He belonged to the 69th Ohio. An incident in regard to this
noble youth was told me by a gentleman who knew him well. When that
noble man, William Beckett, of Hamilton, was doing all in his power to
assist in raising the 69th Regiment, a number of the "_Southern
Rights_" sympathizers tried to dissuade McGillen from joining--bidding
him to hold off until substitutes were called for, and then, if he
would go, they would buy him. He, however, spurned their base offers,
and enlisted; and, when crossing the river amid the leaden hail, he
received a bullet in his arm; he hastily tied up the wound, and,
though weakened from loss of blood, rejoined his command, and the
second ball piercing his breast, he fell. Nearly opposite his resting
place lies Captain Chandler, of the 19th Illinois.

I have been told, by those high in command, that more _individual
prowess_ was manifested upon this battle-field than any during the
war. There were more hand-to-hand encounters, more desperate
fighting--men selling their lives as dearly as possible. As to their
General, there is but one acclamation: General Rosecrans has endeared
himself to the whole army; they love him as a child should love its
father; and all are satisfied that, had it not been for the surprise
upon the right, and Johnson's defeat, the battl