No. 170.
Report of Col. Phineas Pease,
Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry,
of operations December 15-16,
1864.
HDQRS. FORTY-NINTH
REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLS.,
In the Field,
December 21, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that, in obedience to
orders, on the morning of the 15th instant I moved my command outside the
breast-works at Nashville, Tenn., and took position in line on the left of the
Hardin pike. At 8 o'clock moved forward with right on the pike and on the right
of the Fifty-second Indiana Volunteers. Advanced steadily, with slight
skirmishing in front, and after passing through first skirt of timber moved in
an oblique direction to the left. In the meantime had thrown out one company as
skirmishers (Company A), which soon became engaged with the enemy's line of
skirmishers. The regiment was then advanced to the open field to the right of
the brick house, near which Battery G, Second Illinois Light Artillery, took
position, where the regiment was ordered to lie down in a sheltered position.
About 1 o'clock was ordered forward on right of brigade, and advancing through
an open field to within 300 yards of one of the enemy's batteries were exposed
to a raking artillery fire of grape and canister shot, also of musketry. At
this point was ordered to halt, and in a few moments moved by the left flank
under brow of the hill opposite rebel fort, which fort hi a short time was
necessarily evacuated by the enemy. Moved from this point in right oblique
direction across the Hillsborough pike, capturing one prisoner, of Trueheart's
(Alabama) battery, and took position for the night a short distance on right of
Granny White pike.
On morning of 16th moved at 8 o'clock across an open field
to Granny White pike, where received orders to move in rear of and cover right
of First Brigade, then advanced across a small creek to the foot of a hill,
whence, in a short time, moved by the right flank, under cover of the hill, and
joined on left of Second Brigade. Remained in this position several hours
exposed to severe cannonading from the enemy. Soon after 3 o'clock received
orders to advance, and together with the entire division charged the enemy's
works, capturing Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson (General Johnson was captured by
Private J. William Howell, Company B) and Major Trueheart, and sent to the
rear, in charge of Lieutenant Spiro, thirty-five prisoners. Many other
prisoners were turned back by the regiment and were picked up and credited to
other brigades. It being now nearly dark took position in line for the night.
Inclosed is a list of casualties in my regiment during the
action.*
I do not feel justified in particularizing where all did so
well, for it would be giving the name of each and every officer in the regiment
who participated in the engagement. It gives me pleasure to state that every
officer performed his duty nobly and manifested great bravery. The enlisted
men, with two or three exceptions, behaved well, with courage. To my field and
staff officers — Lieut. Col. William P. Moore, Maj. Jacob E. Gauen, and Adjt.
F. J. Burrows — I am particularly indebted for their untiring efforts, promptly
obeying all orders given thereby rendering great assistance.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
P. PEASE,
Colonel, Commanding
Forty-ninth Illinois Infantry Volunteers.
Lieut. J. D. COBINE,
Acting Assistant
Adjutant-General.
_______________
* Embodied in table, p. 101.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 493
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