149.
Report of Col. Josiah F. Marsh, Ninth Minnesota Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH
MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS,
Camp near Duck
River, Tenn., December 21, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following as my
official report of the part performed by my regiment in the battles of the 15th
and 16th instant in front of Nashville, Tenn.:
We arrived in Nashville, Tenn., from Saint Louis, Mo., on
the morning of the 1st instant, and were immediately ordered to the front, and
took a strong position on elevated ground about two miles from the city, my
regiment occupying the right of the Second Brigade and resting on the Charlotte
pike. Here we proceeded to intrench, and remained until the morning of the 15th
instant. On the evening of the 14th instant we received orders to be in
readiness to move at 6 o'clock the following morning. Ample preparations were
made and at the appointed hour, and my command, fully equipped for the
anticipated struggle, was in line awaiting orders to advance. By direction of
the colonel commanding the Second Brigade, I took the advance and moved out on
the Charlotte pike about One mile, where a line of battle was formed, and the
whole brigade then moved by the left flank about one mile and a half, into an
open field, where we were halted and the whole of the First Division formed in
echelon by brigade from left to right, and in this order advanced steadily to
the front, feeling for the enemy with a strong skirmish line, until about 11
a.m., when the fog, which up to this hour enveloped the country, was suddenly
dispelled by a lively breeze from the south, unveiling the first line of the
enemy's works. Our batteries were allowed to play upon him for about an hour,
but being unable to silence his guns, a charge was ordered. Our lines were soon
formed, my regiment having the right of the first line of the Second Brigade,
and the order to advance received by our brave boys with a shout, and on they
went at double-quick under a terrible fire. Not a man faltered, however, but
pressed forward, preserving a good line, and in a few minutes our colors were
floating over the rebel works. We captured in this assault 4 Napoleon guns and
about 50 prisoners. Our men, stimulated by their success in the first assault,
were impatient and anxious to advance on the second work, which was but a short
distance to the left and in front, consequently no time was allowed for the
usual artillery firing, but our lines adjusted as soon as possible, and on we
moved, in the face of a most destructive fire, without halting until the Stars
and Stripes were planted over two more rebel guns, which, together with quite a
large number of prisoners, fell into the hands of the First Brigade, which
halted here to rest for the night. Here the Second Brigade was also halted and
allowed to rest for a short time, and then, swinging to the left, we crossed
the Hardin pike and pushed forward in the direction of a strong position occupied
by the rebels, on an eminence commanding the Granny White pike. This point
gained, we had reason to believe that the balance of our work would be
comparatively easy. To gain this point we were compelled to charge through an
open wood and across a field of about one mile in extent, every inch of which
was stubbornly contested by a strong force of the enemy. My men were very much
fatigued, yet there was no faltering, but all moved forward steadily, and ere
the sun set the position was carried and several guns and a large number of
prisoners captured. Night was now closing in around us, and, finding that we
were far in advance of the balance of our division, by direction of the colonel
commanding, we bivouacked for the night.
I cannot close the record of this day's work without
inviting the attention of the colonel commanding to the gallant conduct of
Lieut. Jules Capon, of my regiment. He had command of our skirmish line during
the day and behaved nobly, and was wounded in the head while gallantly leading
his company in this last charge.
On the morning of the 16th instant we discovered that the
enemy had fallen back during the night and was strongly posted behind heavy
works of earth, timber, and stone on a line at right angles with our own. Here
was work for us again, and all appeared anxious to be at it. Our lines were
soon in motion, and, wheeling to the right, were brought parallel with the
rebel intrenchments, and advanced to within 300 yards of them. This movement
was made in the face of a galling fire from a well-protected foe, and not
without loss to us. The point was gained, however, and we were directed to
cover ourselves as well as possible and wait further orders. While occupying
this position I had one officer and three enlisted men severely wounded. On our
arrival at this point I sent forward a company of skirmishers, under command of
Lieut. A. J. McMillan, of my regiment, to cover our front and watch the
movements of the enemy. His position, though a dangerous one, was nobly
maintained until 4 p.m., when he joined his regiment in the final charge. The
rebel sharpshooters annoyed us considerably during the day, and my men were
becoming very impatient, when, at about 4 p.m., the order to charge came and
was received with a shout that might be heard for miles away. The Second
Brigade led off, my regiment on the right, and although the ground was very
soft and the fire from the rebel works the most destructive and terrible we had
ever met, yet there was no faltering, but pressing forward, the works were soon
gained, and the flag of the Ninth Minnesota the first planted thereon. During
this assault my regiment captured 2 battle-flags and about 550 prisoners,
including 1 colonel.
We did not tarry long here, but pushed forward in pursuit of
the retreating enemy. We soon engaged him again, keeping up a brisk fire for
half an hour, when a rebel officer and sixty men surrendered to us and were
sent to the rear. Firing then ceased, and several small squads of prisoners
were afterward captured by my regiment; in all, about 150 men and 3 line
officers. During the pursuit we also took 3 brass field pieces, in the capture
of which, however, we were assisted by the Eighth Wisconsin.
Our loss in killed and wounded, during both days' fighting,
is 58, a statement of which has been transmitted.*
I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and
men of my command; all were prompt in their obedience to orders, and conducted
themselves in a manner that called forth the praise of the oldest veterans.
Lieutenant-Colonel Markham and Major Strait were at their posts throughout, and
discharged their duties faithfully. Adjt. E. H. Couse displayed a great deal of
coolness and bravery, and rendered efficient service. Surg. R. H. Bingham and
Asst. Surg. J. C. Dixon were at the field hospitals, and were untiring and
skillful in the discharge of their duties. Chaplain A. H. Kerr visited the
battle-ground several times during the engagement, relieving the sufferings of
the wounded and assisting in carrying them from the field.
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
J. F. MARSH,
Colonel Ninth
Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding.
Lieut. T. P. GERE,
Acting Assistant
Adjutant-General.
_______________
* See 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. 452-4
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