On the morning of the 31st of December the brigade left its bivouac at an early hour and advanced on the Nashville Turnpike to a point a little less than three miles northwest of Murfreesboro', and, with its division, was posted in reserve. The division consisted of Scribner's, John Beatty's, Starkweather's and the Regular Brigade, and was commanded by Major-General Lovell H. Rousseau. Starkweather's Brigade had been left at Jefferson's Crossing on Stone River. The division was part of the centre, commanded by Major-General George H. Thomas. The formation in the brigade was from right to left as follows: 15th, 16th, 18th, 1st and 2d Battalions, and the 19th. To fully understand the events now following, it will be necessary to preface them with a short résumé of the opening and progress of the battle from 6.30 A. M. until noon; from the right of the army to the left of Palmer's Division of the left wing. The left of Palmer's Division, Hazen's Brigade, rested on the Nashville Turnpike, about two and a half miles northwest of Murfreesboro', facing south by east--the other brigades of this division faced almost east; Negley's Division, of the centre, next in order, faced south by east; Sheridan's, of the right wing, faced almost east; Davis' faced south by east, and Johnson's, the right of the army, east and south, and a portion of it on the right flank west by south. A line drawn from the extreme right due north would have crossed the Nashville Turnpike near General Rosecrans' headquarters, about one mile northwest of Hazen. All the divisions, excepting Palmer's and the left of Negley's, had to cross a dense cedar forest about three-quarters of a mile deep before they could reach the Nashville Turnpike to their left and rear.