, in the morning, after breakfast, went one
mile from town and camped. The Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry were
already here.

Wartrace is a small station on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad.
Population about two hundred. Our camping ground was on a hill, and near a
fine creek. For two days, everything was quiet; but, on Sunday morning,
July 13th, at daylight, heavy firing was heard in the direction of
Murfreesboro, which is about twenty miles distant. All sorts of
conjectures were formed in regard to the cause of it. At night, received a
report that the Rebels had attacked Murfreesboro, and had succeeded in
obtaining possession of the town. Had captured the Third Minnesota
Infantry, and part of Hewitt's First Kentucky Battery. At first, this
report was doubted, but in the end proved true.

From certain rumors current in camp, it was supposed that a force of the
enemy were in the vicinity of Wartrace, and an attack was apprehended at
any moment. At dark struck our tents, harnessed our horses, and made all
preparation to meet the enemy. About 10 o'clock, received an order to
move. The right section remained near camp. The left section took
position at the depot, the center section going out some distance below
the depot, and close to the track. All kept vigilant watch during the
night, but no enemy appeared.

The following day we received reinforcements, consisting of the
Fifty-first Ohio, part of the Ninth Michigan, and two companies of the
Third Minnesota, who were engaged in guarding some station at the time of
the capture of Murfreesboro, and had luckily escaped. We also had a small
force of cavalry. During the day of Monday, July 14th, scouts were sent
out in different directions. A small barricade was built at the point
where the center section was posted. At night, troops were stationed in
different places along the road, and the utmost caution observed to
prevent a surprise. But the night passed, like the one previous, without
an attack.

At daylight, the whole force was ordered to move, and were soon under way.
We were not allowed to wait for breakfast, or to feed the horses. What
this movement was for, or where we were going, none, save the officers in
command, knew.

A march of twenty miles brought us to Tullahoma, which is south of
Wartrace, and on the same railroad. It is also at the junction of the
Manchester and McMinnville road. On arriving there, we encamped in an
orchard near the depot.