1863 January 2 Staunton, Va.

[from the diary of Joseph Addison Waddell, former newspaper publisher and civilian employee of the quartermaster dept.]

Friday night, January 2, 1863

The Richmond papers of to-day publish the annexed dispatch. It is said that the enemy successfully resisted us on "the extreme left." Till we hear the final result, therefore, we rejoice with trembling, remembering the first reports of other battles in the same region.

Some plan is on foot to circumvent Millroy, who is beginning to rival the notorious "Beast Butler." Two companies stationed there for some time past, went down the Valley to-day, to co-operate.

[the following clipping is pasted in:]

HIGHLY IMPORTANT FROM TENNESSEE!

A GREAT VICTORY OVER ROSECRANS.

CAPTURE OF FOUR THOUSAND PRISONERS AND THIRTY ONE PIECES OF ARTILLERY!

The following official dispatch was this morning received at the War Department:

MURFREESBORO, Dec. 31.

We assailed the enemy this morning at 7 o'clock, and after ten hours' hard fighting have driven him from every position, except his extreme left, where he has successfully resisted us. We captured Four Thousand Prisoners, including two Brigadier Generals, Thirty-One Pieces of Artillery, and some two hundred wagons and teams. Our loss is heavy, but that of the enemy much greater.

BRAXTON BRAGG,
General Commanding.

[transcript by the Valley of the Shadow Project]

MSS 38-258