No. 150.
Report of Maj. Modesta J. Green, Eleventh Missouri Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. ELEVENTH
MISSOURI VETERAN INFANTRY,
In the Field,
December 21, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the
part taken by the Eleventh Missouri Veteran Infantry in the late battles near
Nashville, Tenn.:
On the morning of December 15 the regiment, with the
brigade, left camp near Nashville, and made a reconnaissance to the right and
front, skirmishing with the enemy on the Charlotte pike, then passed to the
left, taking position in line of battle in front of our former position. From
here we advanced in support of Captain Reed's (Second Iowa) battery until the
order was received to charge the rebel fort. The charge was made in handsome
style. Company E, commanded by Captain Notestine, being in the advance, in line
of skirmishers, were the first to enter the fort. (Captain Notestine was
afterward badly wounded and had a leg amputated.) The regiment continued to
advance until the second fort was taken by the cavalry and other troops on the
right. Here we were allowed to rest a few moments, when we again moved forward.
After advancing a short distance we came upon the enemy in line of battle on a
hill; here another charge was made, in which the rebels were completely routed,
and driven in perfect confusion a distance of three-quarters of a mile,
officers and men behaving most gallantly, capturing many prisoners. Night
coming on we were ordered to halt and remained in line of battle during the
night, throwing up temporary earth-works.
The order to advance was given at an early hour on the
morning of the 16th, and the regiment, together with the brigade to which it
belongs, advanced in line of battle across an open field, but soon discovered
that the enemy were strongly posted on the opposite side of the field behind
formidable breast-works. After advancing about a half a mile under a heavy fire
from the rebel skirmishers and sharpshooters, we came within range of the
enemy's fire from their line of works and were ordered to halt and remain in
line of battle. After remaining here a short time the regiment was ordered to change
its position and form in rear of the Fifth Minnesota. In making this move the
regiment lost several men killed and wounded, being exposed to a severe fire
from the entire rebel front. It was in making this move that our gallant
leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Bowyer, received a severe wound in the arm while
directing the movements of the regiment. We remained in this position until
about 3 p.m., when the order was given to charge the rebel works. The order was
no sooner given than the regiment started at a double-quick, charging through
the open field for a distance of about 600 yards, under a most galling fire
from the enemy. On reaching the works many prisoners were captured in the
trenches, and many others either shot or captured while attempting to escape. A
rebel battery of four guns was also captured here by the brigade, for which the
Eleventh Missouri would respectfully claim, with the gallant brigade commander,
its share of the honor. Two rebel flags were also captured by the regiment, one
by Lieutenant Simmons* and the other by Corporal Parks,* color guard. In making
the charge the colors of the regiment were three times shot down, having one
color-bearer killed and two wounded. The flag-staff was shot into three pieces
by a rebel shell. After the enemy were driven from their works we continued in
pursuit for a distance of about one mile, driving them in the wildest confusion
and capturing many prisoners, when we were ordered by the brigade commander to
halt and join the brigade, which was forming a short distance in the rear. Here
we remained until the morning of the 17th, when it was ascertained that the
enemy were retreating, and we were ordered, with other troops, to follow in the
pursuit.
The losses in the regiment in the two days' fighting are 4
men killed and 83 wounded, including 10 commissioned officers.
During the fight every officer and man behaved with
commendable coolness and bravery. No especial mention can be made of individual
acts of courage or bravery, as every officer and man behaved in the most
praiseworthy manner.
M. J. GREEN,
Major, Commanding
Regiment.
Lieut. T. P. GERE,
Acting Assistant Adjutant
General.
_______________
ADDENDA.
HDQRS. ELEVENTH
MISSOURI VETERAN INFANTRY,
Eastport, Miss., January 20, 1865.
Maj. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Detach. Army of the Tennessee:
SIR: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following
statement in regard to the rebel flag captured by Lieut. William T. Simmons,*
Eleventh Missouri Infantry, at the battle near Nashville, Tenn., December 16,
1864:
The flag belonged to the Thirty-fourth Alabama Infantry, and
was being borne off by the rebel color-bearer at the time our forces entered
the rebel intrenchments. He was ordered by Lieutenant Simmons to halt and
surrender; refusing to do so, he was told he would be shot if he did riot, when
he surrendered the flag to the above-named officer.
I am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. J. GREEN,
Major, Commanding
Eleventh Missouri Infantry.
_______________
HDQRS. ELEVENTH
MISSOURI VETERAN INFANTRY,
Eastport, Miss.,
January 21, 1865.
Maj. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Detach. Army of the Tennessee:
SIR: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following
statement in regard to the rebel flag captured by Private G. W. Welch,* Company
A, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, in the battle near Nashville, Tenn., December
16, 1864:
The flag was being borne off the field as the enemy were
retreating from their works, when the rebel color-bearer was struck by a shot
from our lines, and the colors captured by the above-named man. It is not known
to what regiment they belonged.
I am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. J. GREEN,
Major, Commanding
Eleventh Missouri Infantry.
_______________
HDQRS. ELEVENTH
MISSOURI VETERAN INFANTRY,
Eastport, Miss.,
January 21, 1865.
Maj. J. HOUGH,
Assistant Adjutant-General,
Detach. Army of the Tennessee:
SIR: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following
statement in regard to the rebel flag captured by Private James W. Parks,*
Company F, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, at the battle near Nashville, Tenn.,
December 16, 1864:
The flag was captured in the enemy's line of intrenchments.
The rebel color-bearer having been wounded by a shot from our lines, the colors
were captured by the above-named soldier. It is not known to what regiment the
flag belonged.
I am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. J. GREEN,
Major, Commanding
Eleventh Missouri Infantry.
_______________
* Awarded the Medal of Honor.
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. 454-6
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