lost his leg in this action, I would especially commend him to the favorable consideration of our superior officers.
To Captains King, Bishop, and Ryan, the praise of having borne them themselves with great efficiency and marked courage is especially due.
Adjutant Hugh H. Bein acted with becoming coolness and efficiency, and to the color-bearer, Sergeant Roger Tammure, and Sergeant-Major John Farrell, great credit is due for their disregard of personal danger and soldierly conduct.
We moved to the rear of our artillery and were no longer, on that day, under the infantry fire of the enemy. Lieutenants Hepburn and Smith were killed in this action—they were brave and devoted soldiers.
A reference to the list of casualties will show the heavy loss sustained in this action.
I have the honor to remain, your obedient servant,
Report of Colonel Gibson of Operations of Adams' Brigade.
Headquarters Adams' Brigade, Breckinridge's Division,
Hardee's Corps,
Colonel T. O'Hara, A. A. G.:
Sir: On Friday, January 2d, while in command of Adams' brigade, I was ordered from the cedar brake on the left, where I was reporting to Brigadier-General Preston, commanding division of two brigades, to report to Major~General Breckinridge, our division commander, on the right of Stone river. I was placed in position by yourself, about one hundred and fifty yards in the rear of Brigadier-General Hanson's brigade, as a supporting line in the charge to be made.
In obedience to orders from General Breckinridge, I posted a reserve, consisting of the Thirty-second Alabama, Colonel McKinstry, and a battalion of Louisiana sharpshooters, Major Austin, under the command of Colonel McKinstry, in the position occupied by the second line when formed originally.
These dispositions had hardly been effected when the general advance began, and I immediately moved forward my line, consisting of the Thirteenth Louisiana consolidated regiment, Major Guillet, and the Sixteenth Louisiana consolidated regiment, Major Zacharie. The interval between the first and second lines was very well preserved until the first became generally engaged with the enemy, when I at once halted the second line and ordered the officers and men to lie down, so as to cover them from the enemy's batteries, whose fire we were drawing. We drove in his skirmishers from the opposite side of the river. I then rode forward to the first line in the woods on the right to consult with General Hanson as to the particular moment when the second line
