Thursday, 15th.—Cannonading all around the lines. 2 P. M., heavy fighting on the left, which continued until night. Stewart’s Corps flanked and had to fall back, loosing some artillery. Brigade moved to left; being sick, was left in camp with several others. In short time, orders came for sick to move back, as left wing had given way. J. N. Smith, B. F. Wells and myself managed to get back about five miles during the night.
Robert M. Magill—Personal Reminiscences of a Confederate Soldier Boy, 39th Georgia Regiment of Infantry
Monday, 12th.—Picket line on our old works. Videttes as picket line. On detail all day. On picket at night. Very cold.
Sunday, 11th.—Wind blowing very cold from the north; two inches of snow and frozen over; slick as glass. Our line out in an open field; no timber near; cutting and hauling green elm wood. Our eyes nearly smoked out. “Go it slippers; boots are out ot fashion.” Some of the boys about bare-footed.
Saturday, 10th.—Moved back one-quarter mile; throwing up new line of works. «
Friday, 9th.—All quiet yesterday. Sleeting and snowing all day; went to picket late in the evening.
Wednesday, 7th.—This A. M., at 10 o’clock everybody ordered into the ditches, and skirmishers sent forward. Drove in pickets on the main line. W. F. White wounded in leg. Extremely cold.
Sunday, 4th.—To-day we had the same old ridiculous stories about Confederate victories almost everywhere. No doubt but a battle is soon to be fought, and these stories are invented for a purpose.
Saturday, 3d.—Late in evening drove Yankee skirmishers back and moved up our main line three-quarters of a mile. Fortifying.
Friday, 2d.—Marched to within four and one-half miles of Nashville, and formed in line and began fortifying. Later moved up half-mile and began fortifying again. Can see forts in Nashville.
Thursday, December 1st.—Moved on to the edge of the battlefield; just then our batteries opened very heavy. Reported Federals are falling back. Day-light, Federals have retreated, leaving many of dead and wounded on the field. Went on to the battlefield at 8 A. M. Most awful of any battlefield I have ever seen. Confederates and Federals mingled in one promiscuous slaughter. Confederates charged first line about four hundred yards in front of main line, and drove it across an open field to the main works, following so close Federals could not fire for their own men, until the Confederates were very near the main line”, which was well fortified. For the last one hundred yards the ground was literally covered with dead and wounded. The Confederates rushing up to the works, where they remained, it being death to undertake to fall back. Here the two armies were with nothing but earth-works, ten or more feet wide, between them, all in darkness. Neither party dared to go over; but before day, Federals slipped away and crossed over the river. The Confederate loss was much greater because Federals had good earth-works for protection, while the Confederates charged through an open field. The loss of general officers in the Confederate Army was fearful. General Pat Cleaborn, riding horseback into the thickest of the fight, and actually riding over the breast-works, when mortally wounded; Brigadier-Generals Govan, Granbury and Gist killed. Part of army gone on. Orders to move at 1 P. M. Passed through Franklin; crossed Stone River and camped four miles out on the Nashville Road.
