CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, that my command left Nashville on the afternoon of December 15, 1864, and encamped near the Granny White pike. On the 16th retired to Hillsborough pike, where the Ninth Indiana was sent to support of the Fourteenth Ohio Battery in an attack on the front and right. About noon moved to the Granny White pike, and crossing it occupied a hill on our extreme right, and well on the left flank of the enemy. In this the Tenth Indiana did some fighting and lost killed and wounded. Our position was maintained with considerable fighting, in which the whole brigade participated, until about 5 p.m., when, under orders from General Knipe, a line was formed and a charge made on our right, not finding any enemy. On the 17th, at daybreak, the brigade moved to the Franklin pike, the Nineteenth Pennsylvania in advance, and engaged the enemy, driving him in confusion, and taking prisoners, to Hollow Tree Gap, six miles from Franklin. Seeing the strength of the position and finding our men falling back in some confusion, I moved with what men I could collect to the left, by a pass leading to the enemy's rear, and sent several messengers to General Knipe, informing him of this and asking him to make a show in front and send me what force he could spare. I reached a strong position in the enemy's rear, but no re-enforcement arriving was compelled to return. Part of the Tenth Indiana Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gresham, captured in this movement 2 flags, 2 colonels, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, a number of line officers, and 110 enlisted men, mostly Louisiana troops. On returning I found that General Knipe had been repulsed in an attack on the gap, losing 22 killed and wounded and 63 captured from the Tenth Indiana and Nineteenth Pennsylvania. The enemy having retreated we followed rapidly, the Ninth Indiana in advance, to near Franklin, and drove the enemy across the river into the town, capturing, it is reported, 2 stand of colors and near 200 prisoners. In this charge we lost three fine officers, among whom was Captain Hobson, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, a man remarkable for the prompt discharge of his duties and his bravery. He is a great loss to the service. The Ninth Indiana was supported by the Tenth Indiana and Fourth Tennessee, but the first regiment deserves the principal credit of the charge and success. General Hatch's command arriving soon after, the Fourth Tennessee was pushed over the river and through the town, gaining a position in the enemy's rear. Being joined by the remainder of the brigade we moved first to the Lewisburg and then to the Franklin pike, and about 4 p.m. engaged the enemy on the right of General Hatch's division. Soon after, under orders from General Wilson, the command moved on the enemy's left, and just after dark attacked in the rear on the pike. At first successful, we inflicted heavy loss and took many prisoners, but in the darkness part of the command mistook the road, and the enemy, abandoning his artillery, brought his infantry up, and we were compelled to retire. In this attack the Tenth Indiana led and was supported by the Ninth Indiana. Both suffered, but are repaid in the knowledge that this attack caused the abandonment of four cannon by the enemy.
On the 18th the command moved through fields to near Spring Hill; on the 19th, to Rutherford's Creek; on the 23d crossed Duck River; 24th marched through fields on the right of General Croxton; 25th, moved on the right, and was ordered to support Colonel Harrison in an attack on Anthony's Hill. The Seventh Ohio Cavalry breaking to the rear, cut my column in two just as the Fourth Tennessee, my regiment in advance, had successfully gone into action, driving the enemy into his works; and the enemy was for a time between my led horses and the remainder of the command. I was obliged to withdraw the Fourth Tennessee to save the horses. When remounted, being joined by part of the Second Tennessee, we attacked the enemy in flank and drove him into his works again, holding the position until ordered away. The remainder of the brigade went into action by order of General Wilson and attacked along with General Hatch's division. The Fourth Tennessee reached the enemy's [works] in time to see him in retreat. The next morning, moving in pursuit at a rapid pace, the Second Tennessee, Lieutenant-Colonel Cook commanding, in advance, we drove the enemy out of his position five miles from Anthony's Hill, and pushed the rear guard back on the main body, posted in a strong position on the south bank of Sugar Creek. A spirited action followed, in which the Second Tennessee, supported by the Fourth, drove the enemy into his works. A charge was made in turn by two columns of infantry, with cavalry in the center, driving us back about 300 yards across the creek, where we rallied and drove them back to their works, holding the position until the afternoon, when the Fourteenth Ohio Battery shelled their rear guard out of log-works commanding the road, and pursuit was continued to this place.
During this campaign I have had continual occasion to admire the bravery of both officers and men, and to lament want of discipline. The brigade is composed of detachments of regiments unacquainted with each other, but has exhibited evidence of material for a fine command. The personal bravery of Captain Smith, Nineteenth Pennsylvania; Lieutenant Claiborn, Tenth Indiana, and Lieutenant Owings, Ninth Indiana, I have had opportunities of noticing, and, although many are no doubt as deserving as they, I can call attention to them from personal observation.
The regiments claim as follows: Ninth Indiana, 4 commissioned officers, 263 enlisted men prisoners, and 2 colors; Tenth Indiana, 15 officers and 185 enlisted men, 2 colors; Second Tennessee, 2 officers and 18 enlisted men; Fourth Tennessee, 30 enlisted men prisoners; Nineteenth Pennsylvania, 242 enlisted men prisoners and 1 color. Captain Huston, division provost-marshal, having received everything captured until December 18, can judge as to the strength of these claims.
For casualties, see the report of Doctor Culbertson, brigade surgeon, already forwarded, on which I prefer to rely, as his report embraces only those disabled; regimental reports show all hurt.
Prisoners captured since December 18, 25, turned over by Captain Huyett, provost-marshal, to Major Young, provost-marshal of the corps.
My acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenant Payne, Ninth Indiana, and Lieutenant Branham, Tenth Indiana, and Lieutenant Allen, Nineteenth Pennsylvania, showed great energy and bravery. Payne and Branham have been very bold in action, and Lieutenant Allen captured a color, received from him by General Knipe.
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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