Thousands of hostile eyes were watching Rosecrans, and, even if Bragg himself were lax, any movement by the army from Nashville would be reported at once to the army in Murfreesborough.

But they had a vigilant foe, they knew, and they expected to encounter his pickets soon.
"They're probably watching us now through the fog and rain," said Colonel Winchester to Dick as they left the last house of Nashville behind.

"They know every inch of these hills and valleys." It was not a great distance to Murfreesborough, but they found the marching slow.

The feet of the horses sank deep in the mud and the cannon and wagons were almost mired.

But despite mud and rain and cold, the army pressed bravely on.