Mr.[W. R.] Chambliss, acting assistant adjutant-general; Captain [H. P.] Wallace, and Lieutenant [J. C.] Wheeler assisted me on Friday on my staff.

To Major [F.] Claybrooke, who volunteered on my staff on Friday, I am greatly indebted for his services.

I recommend for promotion Sergeant Battle for conspicuous gallantry. After four color-bearers of the Twentieth Tennessee had been shot down and the regiment was in confusion, he seized the colors and bravely rallied the men under my eye.

I remain, colonel, with great respect, your obedient servant,

W. PRESTON,

Brigadier-General.

Col. T. O'HARA,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Addends.]

Abstract from semi-weekly report of Preston's brigade, Brig. Gen. William Preston commanding, for January 12, 1863.

Present for duty

Command Officers Men Aggrega Aggrega Aggrega

te te te last

present present return

and

absent

Field and staff 6 - 6 6 6

1st and 3rd 34 461 595 1,362 1,377

Florida

4th Florida 16 268 385 678 719

60th North 26 250 354 804 802

Carolina

20th Tennessee 29 254 338 610 623

Wright's battery 4 71 86 92 95

Total 115 1,304 1,764 3,552 3,622

No. 235. Report of Col. William Miller, First Florida Infantry, commanding First and Third Regiments.

CAMP NEAR TULLAHOMA, TENN., January 12, 1863.

CAPTAIN: In obedience to instructions received from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part borne by my command in the actions of December 31, 1862, and January 2, 1863, near Murfreesborough:

About 3 p.m., on December 31, we were ordered into line, marched across the river, and formed on a hill in an open field in line of battle, occupying the left of the brigade. The command "forward" was soon given, and on advancing, our front being masked by a regiment, our left was thrown back out of line. This defect in our alignment caused the regiment to diverge to the left, and to enter a cedar forest to the left of the burnt house, the balance of the brigade passing to the right. In charging over this field we lost several men killed and wounded by the enemy's batteries, which swept the field by an almost enfilading fire. Passing through the cedar, we arrived before the enemy's batteries, and took position on the right of Stewart's brigade, where we were joined by the balance of the brigade. This position of the enemy, supported