144.
Report of Brig. Gen. John McArthur, U. S. Army, commanding First
Division,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, DETACH. ARMY OF THE TENN.,
Near Pulaski, Tenn.,
December 28, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to forward the following report of
the part taken by my division during the battles of the 15th and 16th instant
in front of Nashville, Tenn.:
Pursuant to orders from the major-general commanding, I
moved on the morning of the 15th, at 7 a.m. the First Brigade, Col. W. L.
McMillen commanding, consisting of the Seventy-second and Ninety-fifth Ohio,
One hundred and fourteenth Illinois, Ninety-third Indiana, and Tenth. Minnesota
Infantry Regiments, and Cogswell's Independent Illinois Battery; also the
Second Brigade, Col. L. F. Hubbard commanding, composed of the Eleventh
Missouri, Eighth Wisconsin, Fifth and Ninth Minnesota Infantry, and Second Iowa
Battery, out from the intrenchments around Nashville on the Charlotte road;
also the Third Brigade, Col. S. G. Hill commanding, consisting of the Twelfth
and Thirty-fifth Iowa, Thirty-third Missouri, and Seventh Minnesota Regiments,
and Company I, Second Missouri Artillery, out on the Hardin road; the Third
with orders to take position on the right of the Second Division, and the First
and Second to swing to the left, and connecting with the Third, so as to
complete the line. The two brigades on the Charlotte road waited two hours for
the cavalry to take the advance, according to the instructions received the
evening previous; but no move taking place on their part, and being informed
that the line was awaiting my arrival, I passed through the cavalry line,
deploying to the left of the road, right resting on same, until they reached
Richland Creek, two miles and a half, encountering the enemy's battery and
skirmishers, which were silenced by Cogswell's battery, giving the cavalry an
opportunity of advancing. Finding that they were too far advanced, and not
connecting with the main line, I moved them by the left flank obliquely to the
rear, connecting with the Third Brigade, as designated, the whole line moving
forward. My division being on the flank, the whole swinging on our left as a
pivot, our march was necessarily long and tiresome.
After crossing the Hardin road the First Brigade encountered
the first redoubt of four guns on the enemy's extreme left. Moving up the
Second Brigade to its support, they were immediately formed for assault, both
batteries taking position about 300 yards distant. After a brisk fire the fort
was silenced and the infantry dashed forward. Simultaneous with their advance
the cavalry of General Hatch's division charged, and, from their advantageous
position, entered the works with my skirmishers and claimed the guns as their
capture, which I conceded to them, their gallantry on that occasion being
conspicuous, although the fort had been rendered untenable by the fire from my
batteries. I then ordered the First Brigade to charge the second hill to the
rear of the fort just taken, which they gallantly did, capturing two guns and
caissons and a great many prisoners. In this they were supported by the Second
Brigade, their skirmishers entering simultaneously with the First Brigade.
While this was going on the Third Brigade charged the redoubt commanding the
Hillsborough road, and carried it in gallant style; but pressing on in
connection with the Second Division, the guns, three in number, were taken into
possession by the Fourth Corps, together with a number of prisoners, which
might have been properly credited had not Col. S. G. Hill, commanding brigade,
been unfortunately killed in the charge. For further evidence of this I refer
to Brigadier-General Garrard, commanding Second Division. Immediately following
this General Couch's division, which had come into position by moving around my
right and rear, charged the fourth position, a strong hill to our left.
Simultaneous with the charge I ordered Col. L. F. Hubbard, commanding Second
Brigade, to move forward on the left of Couch's division, sweeping around the
base of the hill, thereby flanking the enemy's position and rendering the
charge of General Couch an easier one. This was a bold and successful movement
on the part of Col. L. F. Hubbard's command, and reflects great credit on him
in handling his troops so successfully, for he encountered the enemy for a
short time in front of him and on his flank, yet did not falter. Our line was
then formed for the night and fortified between the Hillsborough and Granny
White roads, nearly parallel with the same, thus ending the first day's battle.
On the morning of the 16th, at 8 a.m., I moved the division
forward by wheeling to the right on the Twenty-third Corps, forming at right
angles to the position held the night previous, with the Granny White road
running through between the Second and Third Brigades, and moved up at 9 a.m.
to within charging distance of the enemy's main line of works, but finding no
dispositions made by the corps on my right to co-operate with me, I ordered the
command to construct rifle-pits to protect them from the infantry fire of the
enemy's main line, my batteries in the meantime being used with good effect on their
works. Continuing in this position until 3 p.m., when, again consulting with
Major-General Couch, commanding division on my right, and being informed that
he had no orders to advance, and fearing that if delayed until next day the
night would be employed by the enemy to our disadvantage, I determined to
attack, sending word to this effect to the major-general commanding corps, and
no contrary orders being received I prepared for the assault. In order to do so
successfully, it was necessary that the hill on the enemy's extreme left and
immediately in front of the Twenty-third Corps should be taken first. I ordered
the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillen commanding, to move by the right flank
and take position in front of and to take the hill, Major-General Couch sending
forward a brigade to occupy and hold the intrenchments vacated by Col. W. L.
McMillen, in case of an emergency, the Second and Third Brigades having orders
to charge as soon as the First had advanced half-way up the hill, which was the
salient point of the position. The First Brigade, with fixed bayonets, without
a cheer or firing a shot, but with firm resolve and without doubting their
success, commenced the difficult ascent, and without a halt, although exposed
to a murderous fire, which none but the bravest troops could withstand, planted
their colors on the very apex of the hill. At the appointed time the Second and
Third Brigades — the Third commanded by Col. W. R. Marshall, Seventh Minnesota
Infantry — moved forward on the enemy's works. Their path lay across a
cornfield, traversed by stone walls and ditches, which, together with the
softness of the ground, exposed as they were to a direct fire in front, and
enfiladed by batteries on the flanks, for a time held with intense interest the
most experienced officers who beheld it; but onward was their motto, and their
banners were planted on works defended by the choicest troops of the rebel
army, calling forth the remark of the rebel officers that powder and lead were
inadequate to resist such a charge. Onward still the division pressed,
gathering in prisoners by the hundred and guns by batteries (a list of which is
appended) until the hills in rear of the enemy's lines were secured, where the
line was formed for the night, and attention turned to the many brave officers
and men who had so gloriously maintained their country's honor and sealed it
with their blood.
In connection with this I wish to mention the services of
the agents of the Christian Commission: conspicuous among which were Mr.
Carter, of Wisconsin, and others whose names I failed to obtain, who,
regardless of personal danger, were everywhere present, ministering to the
wounded. A cause sustained by such and similar agencies cannot fail.
Before closing the report I beg to bear testimony to the
gallantry and heroic fortitude displayed by every officer and soldier of my
command; their conduct throughout was par excellence.
In addition to the report already forwarded of officers
recommended for promotion I would call your attention to the reports of brigade
commanders, transmitted herewith, for the names of those officers recommended
by them for special mention for gallantry and good conduct. My thanks are also
due in an especial manner to the officers and men of the artillery of my
division, serving their guns in such a manner as to call forth my highest
admiration. I am also greatly indebted to the following members of my staff for
valuable services throughout: Capt. William H. F. Randall, assistant
adjutant-general; Capts. Duncan MacLean and John W. Gregg, aides-de-camp; Dr.
S. W. Huff, surgeon-in-chief, whose duties were arduous, but not beyond his
capabilities; Capt. S. Carkener, Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers,
judge-advocate and acting aide; Capt. E. R. Applegate, Eleventh Missouri
Volunteers, ordnance officer; Capt. Joseph Mayer, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers,
temporarily on duty as aide; Lieut. P. Meagher, Thirteenth U.S. Infantry,
mustering officer and acting aide; Lieut. Samuel A. L. Law, acting assistant
quartermaster; Capt. J. A. Leonard, commissary of subsistence, for efficiency
in their respective duties; Capt. J.P. Houston, acting assistant
inspector-general, who was unfortunately wounded while charging with the
skirmishers the broken ranks of the enemy. He is a valuable officer. I deeply
regret his temporary loss. To all of whom my thanks are due.
In addition to the above report I wish to mention the First
Brigade, Third Division, Colonel Ward, Fourteenth Wisconsin Infantry,
commanding, consisting of the Fourteenth and Thirty-third Wisconsin and
Eighty-first Illinois Infantry, for their promptness in moving forward to
support my left on the first day's battle and securing many prisoners.
The following is the list of captures, which needs no
comment: Prisoners of wary including Brigadier-Generals Smith and Jackson,
4,273; battle-flags, 13; guns with caissons, 24; small-arms, estimated at
4,500; besides several wagons and horses. There were expended during both days'
fighting, 4,681 rounds artillery ammunition; 84,000 rounds of musketry
ammunition.
My total casualties, as per report forwarded, are as
follows: Killed, 68; wounded, 506, and 1 missing; making a total of killed,
wounded, and missing, 575.*
All of which is respectfully submitted.
I have the honor to
be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McARTHUR,
Brigadier-General,
Commanding.
P. S. — I wish particularly to mention in connection with
this report the gallant conduct of Col. W. R. Marshall, Seventh Minnesota
Infantry Volunteers, commanding Third Brigade, called to take command during
the first day's battle and continuing throughout. His admirable management and
example stamp him as an officer of rare merit.
J. McARTHUR,
Brigadier-General.
Maj. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Detachment Army of the Tennessee.
_______________
* But see revised table, p. 101
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 437-40
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