n the afternoon the artillery firing became more
vigorous, and, with Colonel Foreman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky, I rode
to the front, and then along our advanced line from right to left. Our
artillery stationed on the higher points was being fired rapidly. The
skirmishers were advancing cautiously, and the contest between the two
lines was quite exciting. As I supposed, our army is feeling its way
into position. To-morrow, doubtless, the grand battle will be fought,
when I trust the good Lord will grant us a glorious victory, and one
that will make glad the hearts of all loyal people on New-Year's Day.

I saw Lieutenant-Colonel Given, Eighteenth Ohio. Twelve of his men had
been wounded. Met Colonel Wagner, Fifteenth Indiana. Starkweather's
brigade lost its wagon train this forenoon. Jeff C. Davis, I am told,
was wounded this evening. A shell exploded near a group, consisting of
General Rosecrans and staff, killing two horses and wounding two men.

STONE RIVER.

31. At six o'clock in the morning my brigade marches to the front and
forms in line of battle. The roar of musketry and artillery is
incessant. At nine o'clock we move into the cedar woods on the right to
support McCook, who is reported to be giving way. General Rousseau
points me to the place he desires me to defend, and enjoins me to "hold
it until hell freezes over," at the same time telling me that he may be
found immediately on the left of my brigade with Loomis' battery. I take
position. An open wood is in my front; but where the line is formed, and
to the right and left, the cedar thicket is so dense as to render it
impossible to see the length of a regiment. The enemy comes up directly,
and the fight begins. The roar of the guns to the right, left, and front
of my brigade sounds like the continuous pounding on a thousand anvils.
My men are favorably situated, being concealed by the cedars, while the
enemy, advancing through the open woods, is fully exposed. Early in the
action Colonel Foreman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky, is killed, and his
regiment retires in disorder. The Third Ohio, Eighty-eighth, and
Forty-second Indiana, hold the position, and deliver their fire so
effectively that the enemy is finally forced back. I find a Michigan
regiment and attach it to my command, and send a staff officer to
General Rousseau to report progress; but before he has time to return,
the enemy makes another and more furious assault upon my line. After a
fierce stru