No. 151.
Report of Lieut. Col. William B. Britton, Eighth Wisconsin Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
SIR: The following is the part the Eighth Wisconsin took in
the battles of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864:
I received orders on the night of the 14th to have my
regiment in readiness to move at 6 o'clock on the following morning. At 8 a.m.
the regiment moved out of camp on the Charlotte pike about one mile. I was here
ordered to move left in front, to throw out one company on my right flank as
skirmishers to guard against surprise. Company K, under command of Lieutenant
Fellows, was detailed for this purpose. I advanced in this position about half
a mile. The enemy was here discovered. I at this time sent forward Company H,
under command of Lieutenant Ellsworth, to skirmish and feel the enemy in front.
This company was in a short time hotly engaged. I was here ordered to file my
regiment left, and passed over to the Hillsborough pike. Here I formed in line
of battle, on the left of the brigade, and moved forward about three-quarters
of a mile, with Company F, Lieutenant Greenman, in front skirmishing, having at
this time three companies out in this position. We moved forward until we
encountered the enemy and drove them 300 yards. Came to a halt to support
batteries at this time engaged. Lay in line of battle here one hour under fire
of rebel batteries. At about 1 p.m. was ordered to move, with still another
company out as skirmishers. Company D, Captain Williams, was thrown forward,
followed by the regiment. Advanced to within 300 yards of the rebel works;
skirmishers moving up to the very ditch of the fort, silencing the guns.
According to instructions, I here formed in the rear of the Fifth Minnesota in
column of regiments; received orders to follow that regiment and assault the
rebel works. The advance was sounded, and I followed the Fifth twenty paces in
the rear and participated in the assault, capturing at this time several
prisoners. After capturing the fort the regiment swung considerably to the left
to cut off the retreat of rebels from the fort. Finding myself flanked I
notified Colonel Hubbard, commanding the brigade, who ordered me at once to
change my regiment at right angles with the advance line, which I did, and in a
short time was prepared for the enemy. Two of my companies here joined me from
skirmishing. Company B, under Sergeant Stewart, with Company D, was moved to
the left of the regiment as flankers. They at once encountered a heavy force on
the pike, behind stone walls. I changed front forward with the regiment and
moved in line of battle to the pike. A halt was here sounded, and we lay
directly across the pike about thirty minutes. Was ordered forward with my
regiment left oblique. After passing the pike about 200 yards another charge
was ordered. We took the double-quick and went forward splendidly, capturing
quite a number of prisoners, among them a rebel major and several other
officers. At this time we had flanked the rebel works. Companies B and D, on
the flank, coming forward on a charge, captured fully 200 prisoners and 2
pieces of artillery. We drove the rebels here about one mile. Darkness coming
on we bivouacked here for the night. This day the regiment captured fully 225
prisoners and 2 pieces of artillery, with a loss of only 2 killed and 9
wounded.
On the morning of the 16th the regiment was in line at
daylight. About 8 a.m. was ordered to move forward on the left of the Eleventh
Missouri. I formed as ordered. Before moving from this position was ordered to
move to the rear and center of the brigade as a reserve or support. I moved as
ordered until we met the enemy about 400 yards to the front, my left resting
near the Granny White pike. We here lay down in line of battle. This was about
9 a.m. We here lay until about 3 p.m. under fire of artillery and infantry. I
had several men wounded while lying in this position. At 3 p.m., the grand
charge being ordered, the regiment moved forward in good style: at
double-quick, under a heavy fire of musketry and artillery, capturing a great
many prisoners, two stand of colors, carrying the enemy's last line of works,
and shared with other regiments in the capture of the batteries, both on our
right and left. After passing the enemy's works we pushed forward fully a mile
beyond, taking in prisoners at every step. Colonel Hubbard here ordered me to
halt my regiment to let the men close up. I lay here about fifteen minutes, the
regiment all the while pouring in volley after volley at the retreating rebels.
My skirmishers here captured three pieces of artillery in the road. I moved the
regiment forward to a position on the hills, about one mile beyond this point
and two miles in the rear of the works captured. It was now becoming dark; the
regiment was ordered to bivouac for the night. This day the regiment lost 5
killed and 46 wounded.
I think it will not be claiming too much when I say the
regiment captured in the two days' battle a full battery of artillery, two
stand of colors, and at least 500 men, and as many small-arms.
The regiment behaved gallantly — all, both officers and men.
I have the honor to
be, lieutenant, your most obedient servant,
W. B. BRITTON,
Lieut. Col., Comdg.
Eighth Regiment Wisconsin Veteran Vols.
Lieut. T. P. GERE,
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), p. 457-8
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