On December 26, 1862, Major General William S. Rosecrans' Army of the Cumberland finally leaves its base at Nashville and advances towards General Braxton Bragg's Army of Tennessee stationed around Murfreesboro. After 4 days of maneuvering around Middle Tennessee, the two armies meet just west of the town. On the 30th, both generals separately decide on turning movements to uproot their opponent. With similar strategies, it will come down to whoever attacks first. With both sides ready for battle, the men wearing the blue and gray wait for daylight to return to see who will get the ball rolling. Thus, on December 31st, the last day of 1862, Bragg and Rosecrans will fight it out in the fields, forest, and streams to decide the fate of Nashville and the course the war will take in Middle Tennessee.