Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 1, 1862

News of the capture of New Orleans.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 41

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, May 2, 1862

Camp "Winfield Scott." Steady cannonading all day.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 41

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, May 3, 1862

The rebels are preparing to evacuate Yorktown. Heavy firing, day and night.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 41

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, May 4, 1862

Evacuation of Yorktown. Our lines advanced at daybreak, and found the fortifications deserted by the rebels, leaving most of the siege-guns behind. Stoneman's cavalry is following up the enemy's rear-guard. Our whole army ready to march.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 41

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, May 5, 1862

A battle going on at Williamsburgh since morning. Our division marched into Yorktown towards afternoon, under a heavy rain. Explosions of torpedoes very frequent. We commenced to camp inside the fortifications, but we were ordered to march towards Williamsburgh immediately. The column started; halted shortly after on the turnpike road, and remained during the night, under an incessant rain. This was one of the most horrid nights we ever saw in the service. At two o'clock in the morning orders came for us to retire to our camps to rest.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, pp. 41-2

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, May 6, 1862

Our battery moved to the river, close to Yorktown, ready to be shipped. General Franklin's corps is embarking already. We loaded ammunition all day.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, May 7, 1862

Our guns were put aboard the steamer Delaware. We started for West Point, at the mouths of the Pamunkey and Mattapony rivers. Arrived there at five o'clock P. М., and dropped anchor for the night. General Franklin's corps had a fight with the enemy's rear-guard.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 8, 1862

Captain Arnold, of the regular artillery, inspected the unloading of our battery. We camp close to the Pamunkey.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, May 10, 1862

West Point. The horses were landed to-day. By five o'clock P. M., we marched two miles, and camped at Elkhorn, on the Pamunkey.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, May 11, 1862

General McClellan arrived here to-day. He brought the news of the destruction of the Merrimac.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, May 12, 1862

At Elkhorn. Inspection of the division.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 42

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 15, 1862

Marched towards New Kent Court House, fifteen miles from Elkhorn. Our camp five miles from Cumberland Landing.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, May 16, 1862

Camp Stumps, near New Kent Court House.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, May 18, 1862

Marched through the last mentioned place, and went to camp after having proceeded two miles. Remained there till [Wednesday, May 21st.]

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, May 21, 1862

Marched at six o'clock A. M. Passed the Savage House, at the Baltimore cross-roads, (headquarters of McClellan,) St. Peter's Church, where Washington was married to Mrs. Custis, and went to camp a few miles from Bottoms' Bridge. General McClellan issued two rations of whiskey to the soldiers.

_______________

BLOG EDITORS NOTE: George Washington married Martha Washington on January 6, 1759, at the White House Plantation in New Kent County, Virginia. The wedding took place at Martha's estate, known as the "White House," where she had lived with her first husband, Daniel Parke Custis. After their marriage, George and Martha Washington moved to Mount Vernon, which became their lifelong home. The White House Plantation stood on the Pamunkey River near present-day White House, Virginia. Although the original mansion no longer survives, it is remembered as the site of one of the most famous marriages in American history.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 22, 1862

Remained in camp near Bottoms' Bridge, on the York River Railroad. During the afternoon, a heavy hailstorm occurred. Pieces of ice, two inches in diameter, were found.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, May 23, 1862

We marched across the railroad to Coal Harbor, to camp. We seem to be held as a reserve corps, ready to reinforce both wings of the army.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, May 24, 1862

Camp at Coal Harbor. Fighting is going on near the Chickahominy. The balloon is up.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Sunday, May 25, 1862

At Coal Harbor. All quiet.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, May 26, 1862

Orders came to be ready to march. Everything was packed up; but we remained.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 43

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Tuesday, May 27, 1862

Coal Harbor. Fitz John Porter's corps, fighting near Hanover Court House. Great excitement amongst the troops.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 44

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Wednesday, May 28, 1862

The Second corps marched four miles this morning, to support Fitz John Porter's corps, near Mechanicsville. Went in line of battle near New Bridge, and remained there all day.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 44

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Thursday, May 29, 1862

Our corps returned to Coal Harbor by four o'clock P. M. Seven hundred prisoners were brought in.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 44

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Friday, May 30, 1862

Near Coal Harbor. Heavy rain.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 44

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Saturday, May 31, 1862

Commencement of the battles of the Seven Pines and Fair Oaks. At two o'clock P. M., the battle began on the south side of the Chickahominy. The enemy attacked Casey's division. The Second corps got ready immediately, the Second division, General Sedgwick, leading to the Chickahominy. We crossed at Grape Vine Bridge, built by the First Minnesota, Colonel Sully, Battery I, First United States Regulars, being the first artillery to cross, under great dificulties, the guns sinking in up to the axle. Our battery followed next. Great excitement seemed to prevail about getting artillery forward. But for the timely arrival of the Second and Thirty-fourth New York, Fifteenth Massachusetts, and First Minnesota Regiments, the day would have been lost especially, the two New York regiments, fought with great determination. Not until night set in, the battle ceased. Our battery stood in the middle of the road all night. The order was to be in line of battle by two o'clock A. M.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, pp. 44-5

Wendell Phillips on the Puritan Principle,* December 18, 1859

I THANK GOD for John Calvin. To be sure, he burned Servetus; but the Puritans, or at least, their immediate descendants, hung the witches; George Washington held slaves; and wherever you go up and down history, you find men, not angels. Of course, you find imperfect men; but you find great men; men who have marked their own age, and moulded the succeeding; men to whose might, daring, and to whose disinterested suffering for those about them, the succeeding generations owe the larger share of their blessings; men whose lips and lives God has made the channel through which his choicest gifts come to their fellow-beings. John Calvin was one of these — perhaps the profoundest intellect of his day; certainly, one of the largest statesmen of his generation. His was the statesmanlike mind that organized Puritanism, that put ideas into the shape of institutions, and in that way organized victory, when, under Loyola, Catholicism, availing itself of the shrewdest and keenest machinery, made its reactive assault upon the new idea of the Protestant religion. If in that struggle Western Europe came out victorious, we owe it more to the statesmanship of Calvin than to the large German heart of Luther. We owe to Calvin — at least it is not unfair to claim, nor improbable in the sequence of events to suppose, that a large share of those most eminent and excellent characteristics of New England, which have made her what she is, and saved her for the future, came from the brain of John Calvin.

Luther's biography is to be read in books. The plodding patience of the German intellect has gathered up every trait and every trifle — the minutest — of his life, and you may read it spread out with loving admiration on a thousand pages of biography. Calvin's life is written, in Scotland and New England, in the triumphs of the people against priestcraft and power. To him, more than to any other man, the Puritans owed Republicanism — the Republicanism of the Church. The instinct of his own day recognized that clearly distinguishing this element of Calvinism. You see it in the wit of Charles the Second, when he said, "Calvinism is a religion unfit for a gentleman." It was unfit for a gentleman of that day; for it was a religion of the people. It recognized — first since the earliest centuries of Christianity — that the heart of God beats through every human heart, and that when you mass up the millions, with their instinctive, fair-play sense of right, and their devotional impulses, you get nearer God's heart than from the second-hand scholarship and conservative tendency of what are called the thoughtful and educated classes. We owe this element, good or bad, to Calvinism.

Then we owe to it a second element, marking the Puritans most largely, and that is — action. The Puritan was not a man of speculation. He originated nothing. His principles are to be found broadcast in the centuries behind him. His speculations were all old. You might find them in the lectures of Abelard; you meet with them in the radicalism of Wat Tyler; you find them all over the continent of Europe. The distinction between his case and that of others was, simply, that he practised what he believed. He believed God. He actually believed him, just as much as if he saw demonstrated before his eyes the truth of the principle. For it is a very easy thing to say; the difficulty is to do. If you tell a man the absolute truth, that if he will plunge into the ocean, and only keep his eyes fixed on heaven, he will never sink you can demonstrate it to him — you can prove it to him by weight and measure — each man of a thousand will believe you, as they say; and then they will plunge into the water, and nine hundred and ninety-nine will throw up their arms to clasp some straw or neighbor, and sink; the thousandth will keep his hands by his body, believing God, and float — and he is the Puritan. Every other man wants to get hold of something to stay himself; not on faith in God's eternal principle of natural or religious law, but on his neighbor; he wants to lean on somebody; he wants to catch hold of something. The Puritan puts his hands to his side and his eyes upon heaven, and floats down the centuries Faith personified.

These two elements of Puritanism are, it seems to me, those which have made New England what she is. You see them every where developing into institutions. For instance, if there is any thing that makes us, and that made Scotland, it is common schools. We got them from Geneva. Luther said, "A wicked tyrant is better than a wicked war." It was the essence of aristocracy: "Better submit to any evil from above than trust the masses." Calvin no sooner set his foot in Geneva than he organized the people into a constituent element of public affairs. He planted education at the root of the Republic. The Puritans borrowed it in Holland, and brought it to New England, and it is the sheet-anchor that has held us amid the storms and the temptations of two hundred years. We have a people that can think; a people that can read; and out of the millions of refuse lumber, God selects one in a generation, and he is enough to save a State. One man that thinks for himself is the salt of a generation poisoned with printing ink or cotton dust. The Puritans scattered broadcast the seeds of thought. They knew it was an error, in counting up the population, to speak of a million of souls because there were a million of bodies — as if every man carried a soul! — but they knew, trusting the mercy of God, that by educating all, the martyrs and the saints — that do not travel in battalions, nor ever come to us in regiments, but come alone, now and then one — would be reached and unfolded, and save their own times. Puritanism, therefore, is action; it is impersonating ideas; it is distrusting and being willing to shake off, at fitting times, what are called institutions. They were above words; they went out into the wilderness, outside of forms. The consequence was that, throughout their whole history, there is the most daring confidence in being substantially right. They asked not of safety; they never were frightened by appearances; they did the substantially right thing, and left the statesmen of a hundred years after, at a safe distance, to find out the reasons why they were right. The consequence is that, when conservatism comes together to-day, whether in the form of a "Union meeting" — dead men turning in their graves and pretending to be alive — whether it be in this form or any other, its occupation is to explain how, a hundred years ago, the course taken was right, and not to see the reflection of a hundred years ago staring them in the face to-day. Like the sitting figure on our coin, they are looking back-they have no eyes for the future. The souls that God touches have their brows gilded by the dawn of the future. A man present at the glorious martyrdom of the 2d of December, said of the hero-saint who marched out of the jail, "He seemed to come, his brow radiant with triumph." It was the dawn of a future day that gilded his brow. He was high enough, in the providence of God, to catch, earlier than the present generation, the dawn of the day that he was to inaugurate.

This is my idea of Puritan principles.

Nothing new in them. How are we to vindicate them? Eminent historians and patriots have told us that the pens of the Puritans are their best witnesses. It does not seem to me so. We are their witnesses. If they lived to any purpose, they produced a generation better than themselves. The true man always makes himself to be outdone by his child. The vindication of Puritanism is a New England bound to be better than Puritanism; bound to look back and see its faults and meet the exigencies of the present day, not with stupid imitation, but with that essential disinterestedness, that faith in right and God, with which they met the exigencies of their time. Take an illustration. When our fathers stood in London, under the corporation charter of Charles, the question was, "Have we a right to remove to Massachusetts?" The lawyers said, "No." The fathers said, "Yes; we will remove to Massachusetts, and let law find the reason fifty years hence." They knew that they had the substantial right. Their motto was not "Law and Order"; it was "God and Justice" — a much better motto. Unless you take "Law and Order" in the highest meaning of the words, it is a base motto — if it means only recognizing the majority. "Crime," says Victor Hugo, "comes to history gilded and crowned, and says, 'I am not crime; I am success." And history, written by a soul girded with parchments and stunned with half a dozen languages, says, "Yes, thou art success; we accept thee." But the faithful soul below cries out, "Thou art crime! Avaunt!" There is so much in words.

This is the lesson of Puritanism—how shall we meet it to-day? Every age stereotypes its ideas into forms. It is the natural tendency; and when it is done, every age grows old and dies. It is God's beneficent providence — death When ideas have shaped themselves and become fossil and still, God takes off the weight of the dead men from their age, and leaves room for the new bud. It is a blessed institution — death! But there are men running about who think that those forms, which the old and the experience of the past have left them, are necessarily right and indispensable. They are Conservatives. The men who hold their ears open for the message of the present hour, they are the Puritans.

I know these things seem very trite; they are very trite. All truth is trite. The difficulty is not in truth. Truth never stirs up any trouble mere speculative truth. Plato taught— nobody cared what he taught; Socrates applied truth in the streets, and they poisoned him. It is when a man throws himself against society that society is startled to persecute and to think. The Puritan did not stop to think. He recognized God in his soul, and acted. If he acted wrong, our generation would load down his grave with curses. He took the risk. He took the curses of the present, but the blessings of the future swept them away, and God's sunlight rests upon his grave. That is what every brave man does. It is an easy thing to say. The old fable is of Sysiphus rolling up a stone, and the moment he gets it up to the mountain top, it rolls back again. So each generation, with much trouble, and great energy and disinterestedness, vindicates for a few of its sons the right to think; and the moment they have vindicated the right, the stone rolls back again — nobody else must think! The battle must be fought every day, because the body rebels against the soul. It is the insurrection of the soul against the body-free thought. The gods piled Ætna upon the insurgent Titans. It is the emblem of the world piling mountains—banks, gold, cotton, parties, Everetts, Cushings, Couriers — every thing dull and heavy—to keep down thought. And ever again, in each generation, the living soul, like the bursting bud, throws up the incumbent soil, and finds its way to the sunshine and to God; and is the oak of the future, leafing out, spreading its branches, and sheltering the race and time that is to come.

I hold in my hand the likeness of a child of seventeen summers, taken from the body of a boy, her husband, who lies buried on the banks of the Shenandoah. He flung himself against a State for an idea; the child of a father who lived for an idea; who said, "I know that Slavery is wrong; thou shalt do unto another as thou wouldst have another do to thee" — and flung himself against the law and order of his time. Nobody can dispute his principles. There are men who dispute his acts. It is exactly what he meant they should do. It is the collision of admitted principles with conduct which is the teaching of ethics; it is the Normal school of a generation. Puritanism went up and down England and fulfilled its mission. It revealed despotism. Charles the First and James, in order to rule, were obliged to persecute. Under the guise of what seemed government, they had hidden tyranny. Patriotism tore off the mask, and said to the enlightened conscience and sleeping intellect of England, "Behold! that is despotism!" It was the first lesson; it was the text of the English Revolution. Men still slumbered in submission to law. They tore off the semblance of law; they revealed despotism. John Brown has done the same for us to-day. The Slave system has lost its fascination. It had a certain picturesque charm for some. It called itself "chivalry," and "a state." One assault has broken the charm—it is Despotism! Look how barbarous it is! Take a single instance. A young girl throws herself upon the bosom of a Northern boy, who himself had shown mercy, and endeavors to save him from the Christian rifles of Virginia. They tore her off, and the pitiless bullet found its way to the brave young heart. She stands upon the streets of that very town, and dare not avow the motive—glorious, humane instinct—that led her to throw herself on the bosom of the hapless boy! She bows to the despotism of a brutal State, and makes excuses for her humanity! That is the Christian Virginia of 1859. In 1608, an Indian girl flung herself before her father's tomahawk on the bosom of an English gentleman, and the Indian refrained from touching the traveller whom his daughter's affection protected. Pocahontas lives to-day, the ideal beauty of Virginia, and her proudest names strive to trace their lin eage to the brave Indian girl. That was Pagan Virginia, two centuries and a half ago.

What has dragged her down from Pocahontas in 1608 to John Brown in 1859, when humanity is disgraceful, and despotism treads it out under its iron heel? — who revealed it? One brave act of an old Puritan soul, that did not stop to ask what the majority thought, or what forms were, but acted. The revelation of despotism is the great lesson which the Puritan of our month has taught us. He has flung himself, under the instinct of a great idea, against the institutions beneath which we sit; and he says, practically, to the world, as the Puritan did, "If I am a felon, bury me with curses. I will trust to a future age to judge betwixt you and me. Posterity will summon the State to judgment, and will admit my principle. I can wait." Men say it is anarchy; that this right of the individual to sit in judgment cannot be trusted. It is the lesson of Puritanism. If the individual, criticising law, cannot be trusted, then Puritanism is a mistake; for the sanctity of individual judgment is the lesson of Massachusetts history in 1620 and '30. We accepted anarchy as the safest. The Puritan said, "Human nature is sinful"; so the earth is accursed since the Fall; but I cannot find any thing better than this old earth to build on; I must put up my corner-stone upon it, cursed as it is; I cannot lay hold of the battlements of heaven." So Puritanism said, "Human nature is sinful; but it is the best basis we have got. We will build upon it, and we will trust the influences of God, the inherent gravitation of the race towards right, that it will end right."

I affirm that this is the lesson of our history: that the world is fluid; that we are on the ocean; that we cannot get rid of the people, and we do not want to; that the millions are our basis; and that God has set us this task: "If you want good institutions, do not try to bulwark out the ocean of popular thought—educate it. If you want good laws, earn them." Conservatism says, "I can make my own hearthstone safe: I can build a bulwark of gold and bayonets about it high as heaven and deep as hell, and nobody can touch me, and that is enough." Puritanism says, "It is a delusion; it is a refuge of lies; it is not safe. The waters of popular instinct will carry it away. If you want your own cradle safe, make the cradle of every other man safe and pure. Educate the people up to the law you want." How? They cannot stop for books—show them manhood—show them a brave act. What has John Brown done for us? The world doubted over the horrid word "insurrection," whether the victim had a right to arrest the course of his master, and, even at any expense of blood, to vindicate his rights; and Brown said to his neighbors in the old school-house at North Elba, sitting among the snows—where nothing grows but men—wheat freezes—"I can go South, and show the world that he has a right to rise and can rise." He went, girded about by his household, carrying his sons with him. Proof of a life devoted to an idea! Not a single spasmodic act of greatness, coming out with no background, but the flowering of sixty years. The proof of it, that every thing around him grouped itself harmoniously, like the planets around the central sun. He went down to Virginia, took possession of a town, and held it. He says, "You thought this was strength; I demonstrate it is weakness. You thought this was civil society; I show you it is a den of pirates." Then he turned around in his sublimity, with his Puritan devotional heart, and said to the millions, "Learn!" And God lifted a million hearts to his gibbet, as the Roman cross lifted a million of hearts to it, in that divine sacrifice of two thousand years ago. To-day, more than a statesman could have taught in seventy years, one act of a week has taught these eighteen millions of people.

What shall it teach us? "Go thou and do likewise." Do it, by a resolute life. Do it, by a fearless rebuke. Do it, by preaching the sermon of which this act is the text. Do it, by standing by the great example which God has given us. Do it, by tearing asunder the veil of respectability which covers brutality, calling itself law. We had a "Union meeting" in this city a while ago. For the first time for a quarter of a century, political brutality dared to enter the sacredness of the sick chamber, and visit with ridicule the broken intellect, sheltered from criticism under the cover of sickness. Never, since I knew Boston, has any lip, however embittered, dared to open the door which God's hand had closed, making the inmate sacred, as he rested in broken health. The four thousand men who sat beneath the speaker are said to have received it in silence. If so, it can only be that they were not surprised at the brutality from such lips. And those who sat at his side—they judge us by our associates—they criticise us, in general, for the loud word of any comrade—shall we take the scholar of New England, and drag him down to the level of the brutal Swiss of politics, and judge him indecent because his associates were indecent? Gladly do I seize the opportunity of protesting, in the name of Boston decency, against the brutal language of a man,—thank God, not born on our peninsula,—against the noble and benighted intellect of Gerrit Smith, whom God bless with new health.

On that occasion, too, a noble island was calumniated. The New England scholar, bereft of every thing else on which to arraign the great movement in Virginia, takes up a lie about St. Domingo, and hurls it in the face of an ignorant audience—ignorant, because no man ever thought it worth while to do justice to the negro. Edward Everett would be the last to allow us to take an English version of Bunker Hill, to take an Englishman's account of Hamilton and Washington, when they ordered the scaffold of Andre, and read it to an American audience as a faithful description of the scene. But when he wants to malign a race, he digs up from the prejudice of an enemy they had conquered a forgotten lie—showing how weak was the cause he espoused, when the opposite must be assailed with falsehood, for it could not be assailed with any thing else. I said that they had gone to sleep, and only turned in their graves — those men in Faneuil Hall. It was not wholly true. The chairman came down from the heart of the Commonwealth, and spoke to Boston safe words in Faneuil Hall, for which he would have been lynched at Richmond, had he uttered them there that evening. I rejoice that a hunker cannot live in Massachusetts, without being wider awake than he imagines. He must imbibe fanaticism. Insurrection is epidemic in the State; treason is our inheritance. The Puritans planted it in the very structure of the State; and when their children try to curse a martyr, like the prophet of old, half the curse, at least, turns into a blessing. I thank God for that Massachusetts! Let us not blame our neighbors too much. There is something in the very atmosphere that stands above the ashes of the Puritans, that prevents the very most servile of hearts from holding a meeting which the despots of Virginia can relish. It is a hard task to be servile within forty miles of Plymouth. They have not learned the part; with all their wish, they play it awkwardly. It is the old, stiff Puritan trying to bend, and they do it with a marvellous lack of grace. I read encouragement in the very signs—the awkward attempts made to resist this very effort of the glorious martyr of the Northern hills of New York. Virginia herself looks into his face and melts; she has nothing but praises. She tries to scan his traits; they are too manly, and she bows. Her press can only speak of his manhood. One must get outside the influence of his personal presence before the slaves of Virginia can dig up a forgotten Kansas lie, and hurl it against the picture which Virginian admiration has painted. That does not come from Virginia. Northern men volunteer to do the work which Virginia, lifted for a moment by the sight of martyrdom, is unable to accomplish. A Newburyport man comes to Boston, and says that he knows John Brown was at the massacre of Pottawattomie. He was only twenty-five miles off! The Newburyport orator gets within thirty miles of the truth, and that is very near — for him! But Virginia was unable—mark you!—Virginia was unable to criticise. She could only bow. It is the most striking evidence of the majesty of the action.

There is one picture which stands out in bright relief in this event. On that mountain-side of the Adirondack, up among the snows, there is a plain cottage — "plain living, and high thinking," as Wordsworth says. Grouped there are a family of girls and boys, hardly over twenty; sitting supreme, the majestic spirit of a man just entering age—life one purpose. Other men breed their sons for ambition, avarice, trade; he breeds his for martyrdom, and they accept serenely their places. Hardly a book under its roof but the Bible. No sound so familiar as prayer. He takes them in his right hand and in his left, and goes down to the land of bondage. Like the old Puritans of two hundred years ago, the muskets are on one side and the pikes upon the other; but the morning prayer goes up from the domestic altar, as it did from the lips of Brewster and Carver, and no morsel is ever tasted without that same grace which was made at Plymouth and Salem; and at last he flings himself against the gigantic system, which trembles under his single arm. You measure the strength of a blow by the force of the rebound. Men thought Virginia a Commonwealth; he reveals it a worse than Austrian despotism. Neighbors dare not speak to each other; Courts cannot wait for the slow step of Saxon forms and safeguards; startled Judges have no time to take notes of testimony; no man can travel on the highway without a passport; the telegraph wires are sealed, except with a permit; the State shakes beneath the tramp of cannon and armed men. What does she fear? Conscience. The apostle has come to torment her, and he finds the weakest spot herself. She dares not trust the usual forms of justice. Arraigned in what she calls her court, is a wounded man, on a pallet, unable to stand. The civilized world stands aghast. She says, "It is necessary." Why? "I stand on a volcano. The Titans are heaving beneath the mountains. Thought—the earthquake of conscience—is below me." It is the acknowledgment of defeat. The Roman thought, when he looked upon the Cross, that it was the symbol of infamy — only the vilest felon hung there. One sacred sacrifice, and the cross nestles in our hearts, the emblem of every thing holy. Virginia erects her gibbet, repulsive in name and form. One man goes up from it to God, with two hundred thousand broken fetters in his hands, and henceforth it is sacred forever.

I said, that to vindicate Puritanism, the children must be better than the fathers. Lo, this event! Brewster, and Carver, and Bradford, and Winthrop faced a New England winter and defied law for themselves. For us, their children, they planted and sowed. They said, "Lo! our rights are trodden under foot; our cradles are not safe; our prayers may not ascend to God." They formed a State, and achieved that liberty. John Brown goes a stride beyond them. Under his own roof, he might pray at liberty; his own children wore no fetters. In the catalogue of Saxon heroes and martyrs, the Ridleys and the Latimers, he only saw men dying for themselves; in the brave souls of our own day, he saw men good as their fathers; but he leaped beyond them, and died for a race whose blood he did not share. This child of seventeen years gives her husband for a race into whose eyes she never looked. Braver than Carver or Winthrop, more disinterested than Bradford, broader than Hancock or Washington, pure as the brightest names on our catalogue — nearer God's heart, for, with a divine magnanimity he comprehended all races - Ridley and Latimer minister before him. He sits in that heaven of which he showed us the open door, with the great men of Saxon blood ministering below his feet. And yet they have a right to say, "We created him."

Lord Bacon, as he takes his march down the centuries, may put one hand on the telegraph and the other on the steam engine, and say, "These are mine, for I taught you to invent." So the Puritans may bless John Brown, and say, "You are ours, though you have gone beyond us, for we taught you to believe in God. We taught you to say, God is God, and trample wicked laws under your feet." And now, from that Virginia gibbet, he says to us, "The maxim I taught you, practise it! The principle I have shown you, apply it! If the crisis becomes sterner, meet it! If the battle is closer, be true to my memory! Men say my act was a failure. I showed what I promised, that the slave ought to resist, and could. Sixteen men I placed under the shelter of English law, and then I taught the millions. Prove that my enterprise was not a failure, by showing a North ready to stand behind it, I am willing, in God's service, to plunge with ready martyrdom into the chasm that opens in the forum, only show yourselves worthy to stand upon my grave!"

It seems to me that this is the lesson of Puritanism, as it is read to us to-day. "Law" and "order" are only names for the halting ignorance of the last generation. John Brown is the impersonation of God's order and God's law, moulding a better future, and setting for it an example.

_______________

* A Discourse delivered before the Twenty-eighth Congregational Society, (Rev. Theodore Parker's,) in the Music Hall, Boston, on Sunday, December 18, 1859.

SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, pp. 105-18

Obituary Notes: Edward D. Kittoe, M. D.

Edward D. Kittoe, M. D., of Galena, Ill., died on Friday, September 29th, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. The deceased was a native of England and was graduated in 1841 from the Pennsylvania Medical College, an institution that was closed in 1861. After practicing his profession for several years in Muncy, Pa., he moved, in 1851, to Galena. In 1862 he was appointed surgeon in the Forty-fifth Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, and in the same year was commissioned a surgeon in the United States Volunteers and served on the staff of General Sherman until 1864. He was subsequently on the staff of General Grant until appointed a medical inspector and reassigned to General Sherman's staff. After the fall of Atlanta he was appointed medical inspector to the Department of the Northwest, and in December, 1865, was mustered out of the service with the brevet rank of Colonel of United States Volunteers. During his residence in Pennsylvania he was a member of the State Medical Society, and one of its vice-presidents in 1850-'51.

SOURCE: Frank P. Foster, M. D., Editor, The New York Medical Journal, a Weekly Review of Medicine, Vol. 46, July to December, 1887, Inclusive, p. 409 (New York, Saturday October 8, 1887)

Major Henry Hitchcock, Monday Morning, October 31, 1864

HEADQUARTERS,

MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI

IN THE FIELD. ROME, GA. October 31 1864

(Monday morning)

I have this moment (10½ A.M.) arrived here at the General's Headquarters and finding him gone down town improve the minutes till he returns by sending a word to you. I am perfectly well, and in the best spirits—have had a very quick, pleasant and fortunate trip though with just enough "roughness" to make it spicy: met nor heard of any guerrillas on the road, save the evidences of where they had recently been along, and have had good luck and good company all the way. I was very sorry to write you so hurriedly from Nashville and Chattanooga, but it was something to do that: and you must take it for granted once for all . . . that when I write thus, and if I do not always write often, it is because one cannot always do as they would "in the field."

I met Fullerton,† as I mentioned, at Chattanooga, a fortunate encounter and very jolly for us both. His (4th) Corps arrived there that (Sunday) morning and was passing through westward while we were there, which was only for an hour. My note thence to you was written in the open air, sitting on my valise with a pile of other baggage, on a piece of paper lent me by a friend. By the way Margie's‡ nice portfolio is locked, and I don't find the key yet—but I'll get it opened soon. Tell M. that I found time to open my valise and make a formal presentation of the sword; tell her it was done in the presence of hundreds if not thousands of officers and soldiers (entre nous they were all minding their own business and the "presence" means a radius of a ½ mile) that I made an eloquent and inspiring speech, but omitted to mention the donor's name, and that the gallant Colonel was so overcome by his feelings that he made no reply at all but to say that (being in a hurry) he would postpone that to another occasion.

I do not yet know what my duties will be, nor will till I see the General, but find that they will not be those of Judge Advocate, for there are none such to do, now at least, on this staff. So much the better. Gen. Sherman asked for me, and if he can't find something for me to do I'm mistaken and it's none of my business anyhow.

Don't "you'uns" fret about Hood, not a bit. The story is that he has crossed the Tennessee, -for which if true we are understood to be very much obliged to him. Lt. Col. Kittoe,¹ (Med. Director on Gen. S's staff) just said to me that Hood's late movement north had been a faux pas, and of more good to us than him; and if I was a prophet I should tell you, probably, that within the next fortnight Hood will hear news from below that may make him wish he had staid there. However, once for all, for obvious reasons, I do not expect to deal in predictions. Letters sometimes miscarry, and predictions sometimes do harm where it was not intended.

I am glad to find that my "transportation"—one valise and one roll of bedding—is universally pronounced very moderate and entirely within bounds; also my French cot is greatly admired for convenience and compactness. I was indebted to it last night for a comfortable bed at Kingston in a room 10 ft. 5 in. x 9 ft. 3 in. (by measurement), which had bare walls and floor for furniture and which four of us were very lucky to get control of. More than that, seventeen of us, officers en route for Headquarters were thoroughly grateful to the Agent of the U. S. Sanitary Commission at Kingston for a most welcome supper, after all other chances had failed, served on tin plates and tin cups, and consisting of fat bacon, boiled beef (cold) in "chunks," dried apple sauce and baked beans, with what was understood to be coffee, and being brown and warm, was undoubtedly such. So a meeting was duly organized, and as Chairman of a "Committee on Resolution" I submitted one the original draft of which is inclosed and which was adopted nem. con.

After the rest left I wanted to pay the Agent something—he wouldn't touch it. I then insisted that I had a right to subscribe to the funds of the Sanitary Commission at Kingston as well as at New York, for the benefit of the soldiers, but he couldn't see that either, and refused positively anything whatever under any pretext. What must these men do for the soldiers when their kindness comes so welcome to officers.

. . . I cannot tell you how I rejoice to have entered the service. I understand perfectly well, did so before, and cannot do so more truly hereafter, what its realities are. I have no boyish impulse or nonsense about it, but the satisfaction of hoping to do a manly part and share the risks which these men take. It was a singular thing to be and travel with the men I was with, most of them, as it happened, younger than I, who have been in the service one, two and three years, and to whom the names of events and places which to us are only historic, are the mementoes of their own experience. I have been fortunate in meeting in almost every case, quiet, manly pleasant fellows who made no pretense, and had no brag about them. I have uniformly been received and treated with frank and pleasant courtesy, and though I felt like being very quiet with men who had seen and done what I have only read of, nothing in their manner or words claimed any merit. Of course this was right and all that; but it is creditable too.

I have even more reason than I knew of to be glad of an appointment on Sherman's Staff, among others, it implies facilities in the way of sending and getting letters and packages which I might not have elsewhere.

At Nashville I was lucky to be just in time to come down with one of the General's special messengers, bringing down his mail and sundry boxes, etc., for his staff-a good fellow, quick, ready and smart, as well as knowing his place. I have made a friend of him and shall need his services.

As I wrote before, address all letters and everything for me to "Headquarters of The Military Division of the Mississippi, Nashville, Tenn." They will be all attended to there. And remember that when an army and its Headquarters are moving, it is no easy matter always either to send things from or to the same, even for the General himself. The Headquarters which are here today may be somewhere else tomorrow (will be somewhere else very soon)—and even our special messenger had to telegraph ahead from Chattanooga Sunday morning to Rome, to learn by a dispatch which met us at Kingston, whether we should come here or go on direct to Atlanta to find these same "Headquarters." So you must not think it strange if you hear from me irregularly, and what troubles me is that I can hear from you only at intervals. But well you know that while I am here hoping to serve my country it is you who are to me the visible embodiment of what hallows that name.

It is plain enough and sad enough to see that this region is and has been the seat of war. I wish I had time to describe to you the scenes I have already looked on,—I do not mean, of course, any of the active scenes of war, but its visible results. Houses in towns and by the roadside of which only charred timbers and ruins are left; buildings converted into fortifications by embankments, and their brick walls pierced for musketry; and all along the railroad from Greysville, Ga., to near Kingston the half burnt ties, and bent and twisted rails lying by the newly built track, as well as the new watertanks and new timber, etc., in bridges, telling of the destruction which only two or three weeks ago Hood vainly thought would "coop up" Sherman and result in all sorts of terrible things. But somehow it didn't work. I do not wonder at the intense and universal admiration his soldiers feel for "Uncle Billy."

I find another thing everywhere, that so far as I can learn by inquiry, and from conversation both with and between others, one in ten would be a large estimate of the McClellan men in the army. This is true even of the New Jersey regiments, of which there are three or four in this army.

I must close this to be sure of sending it back by today's messenger. I will write whenever I can, and how I hope and long to hear from you and all of the dear ones at home. Give them my dear love, and kind words to friends who may inquire for me. Pray for me that I may do my duty to God and man; trust in God, and believe me ever and always in truest devotion

Your

H.

_______________

* It was Maj. Hitchcock's habit to write on letter paper bearing this printed heading, here reproduced once for all.

† Bvt. Brig. Gen. Joseph S. Fullerton, Chief of Staff, Fourth Army Corps.

‡Mrs. Hitchcock's younger sister, Margaret Collier, afterwards Mrs. Ethan Allen Hitchcock.

¹ Edward D. Kittoe.

SOURCE: M. A. DeWolfe Howe, Editor, Marching With Sherman, Passages from the Letters and Campaign Diaries of Henry Hitchcock, Major and Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteers, November 1864—May 1865, pp. 15-19

43rd Missouri Infantry.

Organized at St. Joseph, Mo., August 22 to September 7, 1864. Attached to District of Northern Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to April, 1865. District of Central Missouri, to June, 1865.

Duty in District of Northern Missouri till April, 1865. Action at Booneville, Mo., October 9 and 12, 1864. Brunswick October 11. Battle of Glasgow October 15, 1864 (6 Cos.). Operating against guerrillas in District of Central Missouri till June, 1865. Affair Little Blue River March 11, 1865 (Detachment). Skirmish Star House, near Lexington, May 4 (Detachment). Mustered out June 30, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 11 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 53 Enlisted men by disease. Total 64.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

43rd Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Operations against Shelby September 22-October 26, 1863.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

44th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at St. Joseph, Mo., August 22-September 7, 1864. Attached to District of Rolla, Dept. of Missouri, to November, 1864. Paducah, Ky., Dept. Ohio, November, 1864. Unattached, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to December, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division (Detachment), Army of the Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to August, 1865.

SERVICE.—Moved to Rolla, Mo., September 14-18, 1864, and duty there till November 5. Expedition from Rolla to Licking November 5-9. Near Licking November 9. Moved to Paducah, Ky., November 12-16, thence to Nashville, Tenn., November 24-27, and to Columbia, Tenn., November 28. Spring Hill November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to Columbia and Pulaski December 17-28. Moved to Clifton, Tenn., December 29-January 2, 1865, thence to Eastport, Miss., January 9-11, and duty there till February 6, 1865. Near McMinnville, Tenn., February 5 (Detachment). Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to New Orleans, La., February 6-21. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences March 11-April 12. Expedition from Dauphin Island to Fowl River Narrows March 18-22. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-25, thence to Tuskegee, and duty there till July 19. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to St. Louis, Mo., July 19-August 4. Mustered out August 15, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Officers and 61 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 5 Officers and 168 Enlisted men by disease. Total 238.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

44th Missouri Provisional Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in North Missouri, 7th Military District, Dept. of Missouri.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

44th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

No details.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

45th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Sedalia, Warrensburg and Otterville August 10 to September 17, 1864. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1864. Unattached, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army Ohio, to March, 1865.

SERVICE.—Moved from Warrensburg, Mo., to Jefferson City, Mo., October 1, 1864. Price's attack on Jefferson City October 7. Duty at Jefferson City till December. Moved to Nashville, Tenn. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Garrison and guard duty at Spring Hill, Tenn., till January 5, 1865. Moved to Johnsonville,Tenn., January 5-13, and duty there till February 20.  Moved to St. Louis, Mo. Mustered out March 6, 1865. Companies "C" and "D" transferred to 50th Missouri Infantry and Companies "G" and "H" to 48th Missouri Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 4 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 82 Enlisted men by disease. Total 86.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337-8

45th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in North Missouri. Affair near Sugar Loaf Prairie, Ark., January 11, 1865.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

46th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Springfield, Mo., August to November, 1864, for six months. Attached to District of Southwest Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to May, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Springfield, Mo., and by detachments in Douglas County, Taney County, at Stockton, Hartsville, Neosho, Cassville, Newtonia and Buffalo till March, 1865, and in District of Middle Tennessee till May, 1865. Surrender of Paris, Mo., October 15, 1864 (Detachment). Operations in Ozark County February 12, 1865 (Co. "H"). Operations about Bennett's Bayou and Tolbert's Mill, Ark., February 16-18, 1865 (Co. "H"). Mustered out March 6 to May 24, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 8 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 18 Enlisted men by disease. Total 26.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

46th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in 8th Military District, Dept. of Missouri. Skirmish near Huntsville August 7, 1864. Operations against Price's invasion of Missouri September to November. Skirmish near Glasgow, Mo., January 10, 1865 (Co. "F"). Operations about Bennett's Bayou and Tolbert's Mill February 16-18, 1865 (Co. "H"). Skirmish Switzler's Mill, Chariton County, May 27, 1865.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

47th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Pilot Knob, Mo., August 22 to September 11, 1864. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1864. Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, December, 1864. Pulaski, Tenn., Dept. Cumberland, to March, 1865.

SERVICE.—Assigned to duty in Southeast Missouri by Companies--"A," "G" and "H" in Wayne County, "B" in Jefferson County, "C" in Perry County, "K" at St. Genevieve, "I" at Fredericktown, "D" guarding bridges on Iron Mountain Railroad, "E" Ironton. Companies retired before Price: Company "C" to Cape Girardeau, "A," "G" and "H" to Pilot Knob. Action at Ironton September 26 (Co. "E"). Retreat to Pilot Knob. Shutin Gap and Arcadia Valley September 26. Fort Davidson September 26-27. Retreat to Leesburg. Companies returned to above stations; "B" at Franklin. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., December 12-19. Assigned to guard duty at Spring Hill, Columbia and Pulaski, Tenn., till March 15, 1865. Mustered out March 28-30, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 10 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 82 Enlisted men by disease. Total 93.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

47th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in North Missouri, 8th Military District of Missouri.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

48th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at St. Louis, Jefferson City and Rolla, Mo., August 3-November 22, 1864. Attached to District of Rolla, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1864. Railroad Guard, Tennessee & Alabama Railroad, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Camp Douglas, Chicago, Ill., to June, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty at Rolla. Mo., till December 9, 1864. Defence of Rolla against Price. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., December 9-19. Assigned to post duty at Columbia, Tenn., and garrison block houses on Tennesse & Alabama Railroad from Franklin to Talioka till February, 1865. Moved to Chicago, Ill., February 18-22. Guard duty at Camp Douglas and escort Confederate prisoners to City Point, Va., for exchange till June 16. Ordered to Benton Barracks, Mo., June 16. Mustered out June 22, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 120.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

48th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry

Duty in Platte and Clinton Counties, Mo.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

49th Missouri Infantry.

Organized at Warrenton, Mexico, Macon and St. Louis, Mo., August 31, 1864, to February 5, 1865. Attached to District of North Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to February, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military District of West Mississippi, to August, 1865. Dept. of Alabama to December, 1865.

SERVICE.—Duty in Northern Missouri on line of Northern Missouri Railroad, till January 30, 1865. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., January 30-February 1, thence to New Orleans, La, February 10-21. Campaign against Mobile, Ala., and its defences March 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. Occupation of Mobile April 12. March to Montgomery April 13-25, and duty there till July 14. Companies "A," "B," "C," "D," "E," "F," "G" and "I" ordered to St. Louis, Mo., and mustered out August 2, 1865. Companies "H" and "K" on duty at Eufaula, Ala., till December, 1865. Mustered out December 20, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 4 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 96 Enlisted men by disease. Total 100.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

49th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry

Duty in North Missouri, 8th Military District of Missouri. Skirmish at Ashley August 28, 1862.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

50th Missouri Infantry.

Organized in Missouri at large September 11, 1864, to April 27, 1865. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri. (Co. "F" not mustered, was a Pilot Knob, Mo., and engaged October 26-27, 1864, and on retreat to Leesburg. Co. "E" in action at Potosi, Mo. Not mustered.) Regiment on duty in District of St. Louis and in Missouri till August, 1865. Mustered out July 1 to August 11, 1865.

Regiment lost during service by disease 65.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

50th Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry

Skirmish near Uniontown August 28, 1862. On duty in 8th Military District, North Missouri. Relieved January 5, 1865.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1338

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 20. — Reports of Lieut. Col. Bedan B. McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864, and January 17-21, 1865.

No. 20.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Bedan B. McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864, and January 17-21, 1865.

HEADQUARTERS 101ST OHIO VOLUNTEERS,        

Huntsville, Ala., January 5, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my command during the present campaign, commencing December 15. 1864:

During the night of December 14 orders were received to provide the necessary amount of ammunition and make other preparations for an active campaign. At the same tune orders were also received to move at 6 o'clock the following morning. I had previously taken the precaution to make all needful preparations, and was ready to move promptly at the time designated. The colonel commanding in person assigned to my regiment the right of the front line of his brigade, and at the same time gave general directions to be observed during the day, to be varied only as he should direct. I moved with the brigade across the Granny White pike, beyond the Acklen place, then west on the Hillsborough pike, and formed in line of battle in front of the works constructed by the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and to the right of the Hillsborough pike. In this position we remained during most of the forenoon, waiting for the formations on our extreme right to be completed. I think it was near 12 m. when the first general advance was ordered. As we moved forward I noticed that the Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, General Grose's brigade, joined on my right, and the general guide was right. Our skirmishers succeeded in driving those of the enemy beyond the point at which our first line was to be established, and my regiment sustained no loss in reaching it. While in this position the enemy shelled us vigorously, but succeeded in doing but little damage. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon another advance was made to a road running parallel and within about 300 yards of the rebel works. The banks of this road formed an excellent protection to our men from the enemy's musketry, which at times was very severe. In the last advance we had crossed the Hillsborough pike and formed about 200 or 300 yards to its left. While in this position, and at about 4 p.m., an assault of the works was ordered, and executed in splendid style. My regiment moved forward promptly at the command, although encountered by a heavy fire of musketry. As far as my observation went no one faltered until the enemy's works were in our hands, and I claim for my regiment the honor of having planted the first colors on the rebel works at that point of the line. In the advance the right wing of my regiment struck an angle in the works in which was posted three pieces of artillery. Officers and men forced their way through the embrasures, capturing these guns. The artillery (three pieces) was turned over to the ordnance department and a memorandum receipt given by Lieutenant Croxton, ordnance officer First Division, Fourth Army Corps. Two officer's sabers were captured, and have been forwarded, with statement, through the adjutant-general's department. We also captured and sent to the rear about 100 prisoners, including several commissioned officers. The ground in and about the trenches was strewn with abandoned clothing, small-arms, intrenching tools, &c. At this time the utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and the command became somewhat scattered, and it was near night-fall before it could be reformed. The direction of march was here changed toward the Granny White pike. The ground was very uneven, and moving in line quite difficult as well as tiresome on the men. By direction of the colonel commanding I threw forward a company as skirmishers, and the advance was continued to a short distance beyond the Granny White pike, where a halt was ordered and position taken for the night.

Where all did so well it is difficult to discriminate in favor of any one, but I feel that my own thanks and those of the command are due to Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, Company I, who was temporarily carrying the regimental colors. I never witnessed more gallant conduct than he displayed during the entire day, always carrying the colors at the head of the command. On the 16th my regiment was changed from the right to the center of the brigade. Being in reserve we did not become engaged and suffered no loss. We moved to the Franklin pike and out to Brentwood Hills, and there bivouacked until daylight the following morning. I have participated with other portions of the army in pursuit of the enemy as far as Lexington, Ala.

A report of the casualties of my command has already been forwarded through the proper channels.

I have to thank both officers and men for gallant bearing during the two days of battle and victory at Nashville, and for the uncomplaining and patient manner in which they have endured the severities of the campaign.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. B. McDANALD,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 101st Ohio Volunteers.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig, 1st Div., 4th Army Corps.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS 101ST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,        

Huntsville, Ala., January 22, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to report:

In compliance with orders received from headquarters on the evening of the 17th instant I furnished my regiment with three days' rations of hard bread and moved at 7 p.m. same day out the Big Cove road in pursuit of a party of bushwhackers that had captured one first lieutenant, four men, and one team of a forage party that had been sent out from my regiment on that day. On the morning of the 18th Lieutenant White, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, reported to me with one company of cavalry, twenty-five men, as also Captain Harris, Union scout and guide, with written instructions for me. I crossed Flint River by means of a raft constructed of logs and a small canoe, and scoured the country lying between Flint River and Paint Rock River from the Tennessee River as far north as Cedar Mountain, capturing four bushwhackers, with their horses, arms, and accouterments; also two citizens charged with harboring and feeding bushwhackers, named John Cobb and William P. Hornbuckle. The names of the prisoners captured with arms are Adams Cobb, Theophilus Cobb, George W. Hunt, and Harrison D. Herring. I am informed that all the above-named prisoners have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, since which time they have engaged in bushwhacking. I burned some fifty tenements on my line of march that were occupied by bushwhackers and their supporters, leaving their families in a houseless, helpless condition, with orders to leave that country by going north or moving south of the Tennessee River. The community at large through the country between Flint and Paint Rock Rivers uphold and support these bands of guerrillas, by feeding them and communicating with them, informing them of any Federal force that is in the vicinity, in order that if they are closely pursued, they hide their arms, disband, and become good, loyal citizens at once, armed with an oath of allegiance, properly attested and approved by U.S. officers. Such being the case, with the addition of the mountains to flee to in order to conceal themselves in the rocks and caves, it is impossible to capture them without they are taken wholly by surprise. I returned to camp on the afternoon of the 21st, being absent four days.

Respectfully submitted.

B. B. McDANALD,        

Lieut. Col. 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Comdg. Expedition.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General

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), pp. 192-5

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 19. — Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 19.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,        

Near Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In accordance with circular from brigade headquarters of this instant, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the actions of the 15th and 16th instant, and the pursuit of General Hood's rebel forces to this place:

In accordance with orders received from brigade headquarters, my command was in line on the left of the Granny White pike at 6 a.m. on the 15th instant, and at 6.30 a.m. my regiment was relieved by a portion of Brigadier-General Cruft's command. At 7 a.m. it was in motion, moving across the Granny White pike by the right flank, following the Eighty-first Indiana. At 8.30 a.m. passed through our breast-works on the Hillsborough pike, and formed in line upon the right, the left of my regiment retired and resting near the pike· At 10 a.m. the skirmishers commenced advancing, and we moved over the crest of a hill in our front, obliquing to the left, our skirmishers driving the enemy in our front from his skirmish pits. A halt was ordered, during which the enemy used his artillery upon our lines. At 11 a.m. we were ordered forward a second time, the brigade making nearly a right half wheel, and throwing my regiment upon the left of the Hillsborough pike, its right resting upon the pike. In this advance of my battle line to enemy's rifle-pits I lost but one man wounded· A battery being ordered into position, my command was moved to the left until it connected with the right of The Third Division. In this position we remained until 2 p.m., when I was ordered forward by Colonel Kirby to take a hill 400 yards from my front and within rifle-range of the enemy's works. I advanced without opposition until reaching the crest of the hill, when the enemy opened upon me from his works· I immediately put my men under cover, and ascertaining that a dug road in my front afforded a better protection for my men, by order of Colonel Kirby, I moved my men forward to it, where they were well protected, and from this position I opened a vigorous fire upon them. At about 4 p.m. I observed them shifting rapidly to the left; this I communicated to Colonel Kirby, when a charge was ordered, to which the men responded with cheers, and in ten minutes my regimental flag [was] first on the enemy's works and my men pursuing them. I ordered a halt, and reforming my regiment, was placed by Colonel Kirby in position at right angles with the enemy's works, my right resting on their works. Formed thus, we moved forward, crossing the Granny White pike, and bivouacking 1,000 yards east of it, when my regiment was ordered to and built works parallel with the pike. In this action I lost thirty-two men in killed and wounded.

My entire command behaved with the greatest gallantry and enthusiasm, but I regret that in the enthusiasm and eagerness of my command to pursue the enemy that my command neglected to secure the trophies of war that we had captured from the enemy, both these and the prisoners falling into the hands of other commands coming up to our support.

16th, my regiment again formed left of the front battle-line of the brigade, and moving out of our works by the right flank, we shifted gradually toward the enemy's right. At 9.30 a.m. we moved forward in line of battle, supporting the Second and Third Brigades, our movements entirely controlled by the movements of those commands. At 11 a.m., in advancing through an open corn-field on the right of the Franklin pike, I had one man wounded by artillery; from that until the enemy was routed, and night found us in pursuit of the enemy, my command acted quietly and efficiently in the execution of all orders. We bivouacked on the right of the Franklin pike, six miles south of Nashville.

On the 17th instant moved in same order on the Franklin pike, and bivouacked on the north side of Harpeth River near Franklin, making a march of twelve miles. On the 18th crossed the Harpeth, and moving in the direction of Columbia marched eighteen miles, and bivouacked in six miles of Columbia. On the 19th moved one mile, halted, and bivouacked. On the 20th, p.m., crossed Rutherford's Creek, and bivouacked on the banks of Duck River, opposite Columbia, where we remained until the 22d, at 7 p.m., when we crossed Duck River, and moving through Columbia, bivouacked on the left of Mount Pleasant pike. On the 23d moved at 1 p.m. on the Pulaski pike, and bivouacked six miles south of Columbia. On the 24th moved at 1 p.m., marching thirteen miles, and bivouacked on the right of Pulaski pike. On the 25th moved at 8 a.m., reaching and passing through Pulaski, twelve miles. At 1 p.m. crossed Richland Creek and moved out six miles, in support of cavalry, marching sixteen miles, and bivouacking at 8 p.m. Remained in same position until 5.30 a.m., when we moved out the same road twelve miles, bivouacking at 2 p.m. on Sugar Tree Creek. On the 28th moved at 8 a.m. and made this point, a distance of twelve miles, at 5 p.m.

I cannot close my report without special mention of Color-Sergt. Jacob S. Cockerill for his gallantry in being first to plant his colors on the enemy's works, and would make special mention of other men, non-commissioned officers, and officers, but the universal good conduct and cheerfulness of the command throughout the battles and hard marches of the campaign will not admit of it.

Appended you will find a list of the killed and wounded of my command of the 15th and 16th instant.* Those that are marked slight were only thrown out of action during the first day; most of them now are with the command.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, &c.

_______________

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with circular from department headquarters of the 27th instant, I have the honor to forward the following statement in regard to a stand of rebel colors and several swords captured but not secured by my command on the 15th instant at Nashville, Tenn., and ask that you append it to my report of December 30, 1864:

The center of my regiment struck the enemy's works at the point where a rebel stand of colors was planted on the left of the fort heretofore mentioned in my report, the right of it reaching to the left wing of said fort. As the members of Company H crossed the works Privates Irvin, Brown, and others, of Companies C and H, saw a stand of rebel colors on the ground near the ditch, but the word was forward, and the command passed over the crest of the hill after the flying enemy, and, in the excitement of the chase, not pausing to collect any trophies. In substantiation of this statement I append the statement of James R. Vansickle, a private of Company H of my command, who came up after the regiment had crossed the works, and says that he saw a soldier with a stand of rebel colors, and asking him where he captured them, he said that he picked them up right there, where the Ninetieth Ohio crossed the works. He then asked him to what regiment he belonged, and he replied to the Ninth Indiana. Others of my command saw him with the colors, and substantiate this.

As to the swords, there were as many as three or four others besides the one forwarded by me, with its history, shown me by soldiers of my command, which I ordered them to keep, but being ordered to form a new line and move forward in line of battle through the brush until long after night-fall, the soldiers could not carry them and they threw them away.

I claim credit for my command for the capture of this stand of colors, and also the prisoners who passed through my regimental line to the rear, and respectfully forward the name of Private James W. Homey, of Company C, as a soldier who by his heroic conduct, in being first on and over the enemy's works, fixing his bayonet as he mounted them, has won the right to receive any testimonial that the Government may see proper to award as an acknowledgment of his conduct.

I am, as ever, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

[Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.]

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 4 men killed and 29 men wounded.

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), pp. 190-2

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 18. — Report of Maj. Edward G. Mathey, Eighty-first Indiana Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 18.

Report of Maj. Edward G. Mathey, Eighty-first Indiana Infantry,

of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTY-FIRST INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,        

Near Lexington Tenn., December 30, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on December 15, 1864, the Eighty-first Indiana Volunteers was ordered to advance against the enemy. At about 4 p.m. it charged up a hill, took the works in its front, capturing at the same time about 66 prisoners. The loss of the regiment was 3 commissioned officers and 19 men killed and wounded. One officer (Capt. E.M. Schell) was mortally wounded, and 4 men were instantly killed. On December 16 the regiment was in reserve, and in following up the front line a cannon-ball struck in the regiment, wounding 3 men, one severely, his leg being cut off. Since the above date we have been pursuing the enemy, but have not participated in any engagement.

I am, lieutenant, very respectfully, your, &c.,

E. G. MATHEY; Major,        

Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 4th Army Corps.

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), pp. 189-90

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 17. — Report of Col. John T. Smith, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 17.

Report of Col. John T. Smith, Thirty-first Indiana Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT INDIANA VET. VOLS.,        

Near Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part borne by the Thirty-first Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the campaign commencing at Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864:

Pursuant to orders from brigade headquarters, received about 10 o'clock on the night of the 14th instant, the regiment was formed early the next morning, and moved into position with the brigade near the Hopkinsville [Hillsborough] pike. The regiment numbered 503 muskets and 25 commissioned officers, and constituted the left of the second line in the formation of the brigade. During the day the movements of the regiment conformed to that of the brigade, steadily advancing in the direction of Montgomery's Hill, where the enemy was pretty strongly intrenched. It was near 4 o'clock in the afternoon before the regiment was brought into action, or was much exposed to the fire of the enemy, except occasional shots of artillery, which, fortunately, did no execution. About this time the regiment was occupying a position near the crest of a hill, with Companies H, I, and K retired some thirty paces, to make room for a section of artillery. While in this position Brigadier-General Wood rode by and gave the word to charge Montgomery's Hill, in our front. The command not being distinctly heard or understood, the right commenced rapidly moving out, the movement being taken up successively to the left, and the three left companies being retired, half the distance to the enemy's intrenchments had been gained before anything like a regular line was formed. In the meantime the left of the front line had obliqued to the left and the right had borne to the right, leaving about a regimental front vacant; into this space the regiment was hurriedly pushed and charged the hill, and entered the enemy's works and shared in the captures along with the front line of the brigade. During this charge most of the casualties of the regiment occurred. It should be remarked that about 8 o'clock in the morning Lieutenant-Colonel Hallowell reported to division headquarters as division officer of the day, and commanded the skirmish line with much skill and gallantry. Company A, First Sergt. R. H. Waterman (who was commissioned first lieutenant and awaiting muster) commanding; Company B, Captain Hammond; Company D, Captain Reed, together with a detail of twenty men of the regiment, constituted the skirmishers of the brigade. During the forenoon Lieutenant Waterman, Company A, was severely wounded, and Lieut. J. H. Welch, Company I, was detailed-to command the company. Although there were fifty of our drafted recruits on the skirmish line, the conduct of the line is represented as being the most gallant. December 16, the regiment moved into position early in the morning near the Franklin pike, but the brigade being in reserve it was not called into action. In the pursuit of the enemy that followed the regiment has marched with the brigade, but has at no time engaged the enemy.

It is with pleasure that I refer to the fact that the conduct of the officers of the regiment during the campaign has been gallant without an exception, and that of the men has been soldierly in action and on the march they have manifested creditable endurance.

The casualties of the regiment are 10 killed and 33 wounded.

I am, lieutenant, respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. T. SMITH,    

Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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), pp. 188-9

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 16. — Report of Capt. Andrew M. Pollard, Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, of operations November 30-December 31, 1864.

No. 16.

Report of Capt. Andrew M. Pollard, Thirty-eighth Illinois Infantry, of operations November 30-December 31, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRTY-EIGHTH ILLINOIS VET. VOL. INFANTRY,        

January 2, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to make the following report of the action of this regiment since Franklin:

Upon reaching Franklin, November 30, 1864, the regiment was placed in position in the front line near the right and threw up works. At 4 p.m. the skirmish line was driven in and the enemy showed him self in front, but a few rounds from the works drove him back and the skirmishers again advanced and no more trouble was given us during the fight. The line was withdrawn in the night and we reached Nashville December 1. December 2, were placed in position on the left of the Granny White pike and threw up works. December 3, were ordered out to support the pickets. December 4, moved to the right of the Granny White pike, where we remained till December 15, when we moved with the brigade to the right of the Hillsborough pike and took part in the movements of the day. At 4 p.m., with the brigade, charged the enemy's works on the left of the Hillsborough pike. Our loss on the 15th very light—one officer (Lieut. B.G. Humes) and one enlisted man wounded. December 16, were with the brigade in support of the front line, and moved from near the Granny White pike to near the Franklin pike. During the movement were annoyed by shells. A piece of shell slightly wounded Lieut. John O'Meara on the ankle, but he remained with the command. When the enemy was driven from his works we joined in the pursuit. Halted for the night about two miles from Brentwood, on the Franklin pike. December 17, reached Franklin. December 18, crossed the Harpeth, passed through Franklin and Spring Hill, camping about four miles from Spring Hill. December 20, crossed Rutherford's Creek and camped on Duck River. December 22, crossed Duck River and passed through to Columbia. Reached Pulaski December 25; passed through and camped about six miles out, on the Florence road. Reached Lexington December 28, and remained there till the 31st.

Loss during the campaign, 1 officer and 1 enlisted man wounded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

A. M. POLLARD,        

Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 4th Army Corps.

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), pp. 187-8

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 15. — Report of Capt. William H. Jamison, Twenty-first Illinois Infantry, of operations December 15-31, 1864.

No. 15.

Report of Capt. William H. Jamison, Twenty-first Illinois Infantry,

of operations December 15-31, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-FIRST ILLINOIS,

January 1, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 14th of December, 1864, while lying in camp at Nashville, Tenn., on the right of Granny White pike, I received an order from Col. I. M. Kirby, commanding First Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, to be ready to move at daylight on the morning of the 15th. In accordance with said order we moved to the right to the Hardin pike, then filed to the left until we passed outside the defenses, when we were formed in rear line of brigade, on right of Hardin pike—the Thirty-eighth Illinois was on my right, the Thirty-first Indiana on my left, and the Eighty-first Indiana in my immediate front. After being formed we lay on our arms for some time, when we were moved forward to the crest of a small hill which was in our front. We lay here for near an hour, then moved to the base of the hill, and were halted in rear of a stone wall. After laying here about thirty minutes we were moved forward into a corn-field, our left resting on the Hardin pike. We lay in this position for some time, when we moved to the front about half a mile, and halted in rear of the crest of a hill near the enemy's works; here we lay about an hour, there being considerable firing from the works. About this time our front line began moving forward, and Brigadier-General Wood, commanding Fourth Army Corps, rode up and ordered us forward quickly; we advanced as rapidly as the nature of the ground (which was an open field and very muddy) would permit. The enemy about this time opened a very hot fire from his works, which were situated on the crest of a hill in our front. On arriving at the base of this hill I found a large number of men lying down. I supposed them to be the Eighty-first Indiana, who were in our front; but finding it impossible to halt at this point, I passed over them and pushed on for the works, and although we started in rear line, our color was the second on the works. That night we were sent on picket duty, and on the 16th we were again formed in rear line of brigade, and moved to the front and left, until we came near the Franklin pike, when we halted and threw up some light works. We were then moved farther to the left and halted, remaining there until the enemy's line was broken, when we started in pursuit, and moved forward until dark, when we halted. Since that time we have been with the brigade in pursuit of the enemy.

My loss during the campaign is—killed, none; wounded, 1 commissioned officer and 6 enlisted men, among whom was my color-sergeant; total, wounded, 7.

To the officers and men of this command I return my sincere thanks for their gallantry and promptness in doing their duty. It would be useless in me to designate any officer or man as doing more than another, as all did their duty truly and well.

I am, lieutenant, yours,

W. H. JAMISON,        

Captain, Commanding Twenty-first Illinois.

Lieutenant FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

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), pp. 186-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 14. — Reports of Col. Isaac M. Kirby, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30 and December 14-30, 1864.

No. 14.

Reports of Col. Isaac M. Kirby, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30 and December 14-30, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the late action at Franklin, Tenn.:

The brigade arrived with the division at Franklin about 12 m. November 30, 1864, and during the afternoon was placed in position on the right of General Grose's brigade, with three regiments (Twenty-first and Thirty-eighth Illinois and Thirty-first Indiana) in the front line, and temporary barricades constructed at once. Heavy firing was soon heard to the left of us, indicating severe fighting, and our picket-line in a short time became briskly engaged. I then put two companies of the One hundred and first Ohio in the front line, to close a gap between this brigade and that of General Grose. This disposition had just been made when the division pickets were seen coming in hurriedly, followed by a considerable force of the enemy, who came as far as the open ridge directly in our front, when we opened fire on him, and with two or three volleys drove him back. The skirmishers were then advanced, and held their position until the army withdrew. During the action I was ordered to send a regiment to report to General Ruger, commanding [Second] Division, Twenty-third Army Corps; the eight companies of the One hundred and first. Ohio not on the front line were sent, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel McDanald. I understand that they were put in position on the line of works of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and did good work, holding a most critical point in the line until ordered away. Our loss was 2 men killed and 14 wounded.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. N. G. FRANKLIN,
            Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade, from the morning of December 15, 1864, to present date, including the battle of Nashville:

Late in the evening of December 14 I received verbal instructions from the general commanding division to have my command in readiness at 6 o'clock the following morning to move into position, preparatory to moving against the enemy's works. At 6 a.m. December 15 my brigade was under arms, and moved between 7 and 8 o'clock, with the division, to the Hillsborough pike, and out that through our line of fortifications, going into position, with my right connecting with General Grose, and my left resting on the Hillsborough pike, the One hundred and first Ohio, Eighty-first Indiana and Ninetieth Ohio forming my front line, the Twenty-first Illinois, Thirty-eighth Illinois, and Thirty-first Indiana my rear line, in the order named. The skirmishers of the brigade, under command of Major Hitchcock, Ninetieth Ohio, were taken from Thirty-first Indiana and united with those of balance of division, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Hallowell, Thirty-first Indiana. During the forenoon I moved gradually forward, gaining ground to the right, conforming to the movements of the troops upon my right, and slightly refusing my left in compliance with instructions previously received, and rested at the foot of the long ridge intervening between our line of works and those of the enemy. In a short time this ridge was cleared of the enemy's skirmishers, and I was ordered to change direction a very little to the left, and move forward and occupy the ridge, which order was executed at once, resting about two-thirds of my line on the left of the Hillsborough pike, and resting in this position until 2 p.m., in support of Ziegler's battery, which had been placed in position on the left of the pike, and was working vigorously against the main line of the enemy's works. About 3.30 p.m. I received orders to move forward and occupy a low ridge in the open fields near the foot of the hill on which the enemy's works were, and immediately under his guns. I moved at once with the Ninetieth Ohio in advance, to secure the point or crown of the ridge, and formed my first line of battle along the crest of the ridge. The musketry fire here from the enemy's works was very annoying, and seeing a sunken roadway on the slope of the ridge next the enemy, I moved the front line into that, and found it an admirable protection, and brought up my rear line near the crest of the ridge, but under cover; in this position the enemy's balls were harmless.

This disposition of the troops being made, I was surprised to see Ziegler's battery again on my right in the open field and within easy musket-range of the enemy, and throwing shot into him thick and fast. This battery, together with one placed in position by General Kimball, near the left of my brigade, soon worked confusion in the ranks of rebeldom, and at 4.15 p.m. I was ordered to charge the enemy's works. The front line led off at the "double-quick," followed closely by the second line, each regiment of the front line striving to be the first to plant their colors on the rebel works, and the rear line eager to support their gallant comrades going before. The musketry fire encountered was very severe, but the front line was equal to the task, although they struggled over heavy ground and up a sharp ascent. The flags of the three regiments were carried so near a true line that neither can claim much honor over the other for being the first on the works, and the rear line was close on the heels of the front in crossing the works. Here the brigade captured four guns, one Rodman and three brass Napoleons. Reforming our line we changed front to the east and moved in that direction, crossing the Granny White pike, and halting some time after dark, bivouacked in line. December 16, this command was held in reserve for the division until after our lines became heavily engaged, when I was ordered to the left of the Second Division, to support either that division or the Third, as they might need help. Frequently through the day I was exposed to the artillery fire of the enemy, but escaped with the loss of three men wounded. When the works were carried I followed the Second Division, and shifted to the right until was again in rear of the First Division and moved with that in pursuit. From that time to the present I have moved in column with the division in pursuit of the enemy, not having been actively engaged since.

Our loss on the 15th was—officers, killed, 1; wounded, 5; men, killed, 19; wounded, 92; on the 16th, men, wounded, 3; total, 120.

Capt. E. M. Schell, Eighty-first Indiana, killed in the assault on the 15th, was a young officer known by all in the brigade and admired for his accomplishments and gentlemanly qualities, and honored for the remarkable gallantry he displayed in all actions in which he was engaged. All of my officers displayed that gallantry for which they are ever conspicuous, and on this occasion seemed determined, as did most of the men, that there should be no failure if human efforts would avail. With such officers as Col. John T. Smith, Thirty-first Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio, and Lieutenant-Colonel McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio, to control and direct a line, a brigade commander need have no fear for the reputation of command. I would also call the attention of my superiors to Lieut. Col. James R. Hallowell, Thirty-first Indiana, who commanded the division skirmish line on the 15th of December. His personal gallantry on that day, and the ability with which he handled the skirmish line, is rarely equaled and I have never seen surpassed; he deserves great credit. I am again called upon to express my thanks to, and my warmest admiration for, my staff officers—Lieut. William Felton, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieut. T. J. Stevens, acting inspector general; Capt. William N. Beer, topographical engineer, and Lieut. J. C. Smith, aide-de-camp for their intelligent discharge of duties. They rendered great aid in the assault on the enemy's works by being mounted and continually on the front line. Lieutenant Felton distinguished himself by seizing the colors of the Ninetieth Ohio and bearing them on horseback through an embrasure in the works. My escort deserve my warmest thanks for their devoted attention, riding with me at all times and bearing my flag to the front in the assault till the works were carried.

For further particulars I have the honor to call your attention to the accompanying reports of regimental commanders.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. E. D. MASON,
        Assistant Adjutant-General.

In addition to the above report I would call special attention to the gallantry of Color-Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, One hundred and first Ohio. When about to cross the enemy's works he was met by a rebel officer with drawn saber and seemingly in command of that portion of the line. Sergeant Hall demanded the surrender of this officer and was refused. He (the sergeant) then brought into requisition the spear of his flag-staff and compelled an unconditional surrender.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

I. M. KIRBY,    

Colonel, Commanding.

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), pp. 184-6