There was fog again the next morning, but they reached a little village called Triune and all through the day they heard the sounds of scattered firing.

One of the scouts told Colonel Winchester that the whole Southern army would be concentrated the next day on the line of Stone River, but that it would be inferior to the Union army in numbers by ten thousand men.

Bragg's force, however, had the advantage of experience, being composed almost wholly of veterans.
It was on the afternoon of this day that Dick came into personal contact with General Thomas again.

He had been sent through the cedar forest with dispatches to him from General McCook, and after the general had read them he glanced at the messenger.
"You reached General Buell safely with my letter, Lieutenant Mason," he said, "and I'm very glad to see you here with us again." "Thank you, sir," said Dick, feeling an immense pride because this man, whom he admired so much, remembered him.
"It was a difficult duty and you did it well.

I found that you got through safely.