No. 106.
Reports of Maj.
Rhadamanthus H. Dunn and Col. William Cross, Third Tennessee Infantry, of
operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. THIRD TENNESSEE
VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
In the Field, Tenn.,
December 22, 1864.
Official report of the operations of the Third Regiment
Tennessee Volunteer Infantry in the engagement near Nashville, Tenn., on the
15th and 16th of December, 1864:
At 6 a.m. on the 15th day of December I moved my regiment
west from where I was encamped, on the Franklin pike, near Nashville, Tenn.,
until I struck the Hardin pike, where I passed through the outer line of
fortifications surrounding Nashville, and formed my regiment in order of
battle, my regiment forming the center of the right wing of the First Brigade.
After forming I was ordered forward about half a mile, where the line was
halted and lay down, during which time there was a heavy cannonading going on
between our forces and the enemy. About 2.30 p.m. I received orders to move to
the right and form on the right of the line, then forming the front line. I
accordingly moved my regiment forward and to the right. After I had moved to
the place to which I was ordered and had my command formed, fronting east, the
command “forward” was given. After marching quarter of a mile in line I halted
my command a short time near a large field, on the opposite side of which the
enemy was posted on commanding points. Soon the command "forward" was
given. My command moved forward in order of battle, and half way across the
field the enemy opened directly in my front with artillery, when my command
moved forward at double-quick time without orders, I having orders to move only
at quick time. I then used my utmost endeavor to halt my command, or to bring
them to move at the time I was ordered, which I succeeded in doing, and then
moved on a short distance, when I ordered my command forward at double-quick
time. There was a small force of dismounted cavalry in my front. My command
moved forward with or near to the cavalry force, and both the cavalry and my
command reached the enemy's position at or near the same time, driving the
enemy in confusion and capturing the two pieces of artillery they had posted at
this point. I then reformed my command and moved forward at double-quick,
charging and driving the enemy from the second point some 300 yards from the
first point gained. I then halted and again reformed my command. Here I
received orders from General Cooper to hold my command in line on the top of
the last hill gained until the command on the left established the line, my
command at this time being the right of the brigade and the only regiment that
had established the line on the last-named position. Shortly after this (it being
about 5 p.m.) I received orders to throw up works in front of my command.
Accordingly, as soon as I could obtain tools, I did so, and remained in this
position for the night, throwing out a skirmish line, covering my front,
according to orders.
Respectfully, your
obedient servant,
R. H. DUNN,
Major, Commanding
Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.
December 16, I remained in position of last night until
about 3 p.m., when I received orders to move forward at double-quick in support
of a brigade of the Sixteenth Army Corps, which charged and drove the enemy in
confusion, after which I halted, and reformed my command as the right of the
First Brigade. I then moved forward about a mile in order of battle, and
halted, furnishing one commissioned officer and twenty-five enlisted men for picket,
and rested for the night.
The casualties of my command are as follows.*
Respectfully, your
obedient servant,
WILLIAM CROSS,
Colonel Third
Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.
_______________
* Nominal list
(omitted) shows 3 men killed and 8 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), p. 376-7
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