s have a rumor that Bragg is near, and has sent General Rosecrans
a very polite note requesting him to surrender Murfreesboro at once. If
the latter refuses to accept this most gentlemanly invitation to deliver
up all his forces, Bragg proposes to commence an assault upon our works
at twelve M., and show us no mercy. This, of course, is reliable.

At sunset rain began to fall, and has continued to pour down steadily
ever since. The night is gloomy. Adjutant Wilson, in the next tent, is
endeavoring to lift himself from the slough of despond by humming a
ditty of true love; but the effort is evidently a failure.

This morning I stood on the bank of the river and observed the
pontoniers as they threw their bridge of boats across the stream. Twice
each week they unload the pontoons from the wagons, run them into the
water, put the scantling from boat to boat, lay down the plank, and thus
make a good bridge on which men, horses, and wagons can cross. After
completing the bridge, they immediately begin to take it up, load the
lumber and pontoons on the wagons, and return to camp. They can bridge
any stream between this and the Tennessee in an hour, and can put a
bridge over that in probably three hours.

General Rosecrans makes a fine display in his visits about the camps. He
is accompanied by his staff and a large and well-equipped escort, with
outriders in front and rear. The National flag is borne at the head of
the column.

Rosecrans is of medium height and stout, not quite so tall as McCook,
and not nearly so heavy. McCook is young, and very fleshy. Rousseau is
by far the handsomest man in the army; tall and well-proportioned, but
possibly a little too bulky. R. S. Granger is a little man, with a
heavy, light sandy mustache. Wood is a small man, short and slim, with
dark complexion, and black whiskers. Crittenden, the major-general, is a
spare man, medium height, lank, common sort of face, well whiskered.
Major-General Stanley, the cavalryman, is of good size, gentlemanly in
bearing, light complexion, brown hair. McCook and Wood swear like
pirates, and affect the rough-and-ready style. Rousseau is given to
profanity somewhat, and blusters occasionally. Rosecrans indulges in an
oath now and then; but is a member of the Catholic Church in good
standing. Crittenden, I doubt not, swears like a trooper, and yet I have
never heard him do so. He is a good drinker; and the same can be said of
Rousseau. Rosecrans is an educate