to march at any moment. About the same time, a "cock and bull"
story was started, that a party of "secesh" had entered town with a flag
of truce and demanded the surrender of the place. But it afterwards
appeared that a small body of rebels had approached the place for the
purpose of effecting an exchange of prisoners. At dark, no order had been
given to move. Another sensation was created, to the effect that some
Rebel Cavalry had been seen skulking in the upper edge of a cornfield,
near which we were encamped.

All this time we were momentarily expecting to move; but, for some reason,
the order was delayed. It seemed as if those in command did not know what
to do. After waiting until after midnight, we at last received word to
march. The night was very dark, and the clouds threatened an instant
storm. We moved on at a snail-like pace until daylight, and shortly after
arrived at Stone river, which we were obliged to ford, the bridge having
been destroyed. We now knew that we were going towards Lebanon. The slaves
along the road reported that a large body of Rebel Cavalry had gone
towards Murfreesboro late the day previous. Here, again, was a fine
opportunity to manufacture long "yarns;" and mole-hills were magnified
into mountains. Notwithstanding all this, we kept on towards Lebanon. When
we had proceeded to within ten miles of the town, a halt was ordered, and
some of the Cavalry were sent forward to reconnoiter. In about an hour
they returned, bringing in two prisoners whom they had captured. They
reported that the enemy had left Lebanon. Order was now given to "about
face," and we were soon on the return to Murfreesboro. When we had arrived
to within two miles of where the Nashville and McMinnville road crosses
the Murfreesboro and Lebanon road, it was reported that a body of the
enemy were there, waiting to offer us battle; and, from the stories we had
heard in the morning, it looked somewhat reasonable.

Our forces were soon drawn up in line of battle, and moved forward to meet
the supposed enemy; Colonel Barnes, of the Eighth Kentucky, acting as
Brigadier General.

After deploying right and left, and sending out scouts, it was soon
ascertained that there was no enemy lying in wait. It was now nearly dark,
and we had eaten nothing during the day, except a little hard bread and
cold bacon, but the word "forward" was given, and on we went. About 7
o'clock we again crossed Stone river, and here camped, or rather