We met no living soul upon the moor. With Cragmire Tower

of any moment; and it may be said that under a commander who, we

believed, had the energy and skill necessary to direct us to success,

a national confidence in our invincibility made us all keen for a

test of strength with the Confederates. We had not long to wait.

Early on the morning of December 26, 1862, in a heavy rain, the army

marched, the movement being directed on Murfreesboro', where the

enemy had made some preparation to go into winter-quarters, and to

hold which town it was hoped he would accept battle. General Thomas