LIEUTENANT: I have
the honor to transmit herewith a report of the operations of my regiment during
Hood's late advance into Tennessee.
On the 25th of
November, as per instructions from headquarters post of Murfreesborough, I
started to Duck River Bridge, at the same time sent the adjutant northward
toward Nashville on an inspection tour. I found the troops from here to Duck
River supplied with the requisite amount of ammunition and subsistence to
December 10, 1864. The adjutant returned November 27, making a similar report.
I immediately forwarded twenty days' rations to all the detachments of the
regiment from Nashville to Duck River, supplying the troops to the 1st of
January, 1865.
Block-house No. 2,
five miles from Nashville, commanded by Lieut. George D. Harter, was the first
attacked by the enemy. About 8 a.m. December 2, 1864, a force was seen
approaching the block-house, a large majority of whom were dressed in Federal
uniform. The force began gradually to surround the block-house. About this time
a railroad train was heard approaching from the south. When it came in sight it
was discovered to be loaded with colored troops. The train came up very slowly,
and when on the bridge at the block-house was fired into by the enemy's
artillery, disabling the engine and wrecking the train immediately. This began
the fight, and seven pieces of artillery opened fire on the block-house. The
colored troops, which consisted of parts of the Fourteenth and Forty-fourth U.
S. Colored Infantry, and numbering in all about 350 men, under command of
Colonel Johnson, of the Forty-fourth U.S. Colored Troops, sought protection at
the block-house. They were scarce of ammunition, and Lieutenant Harter gave to
Colonel Johnson for the use of his command 2,000 rounds, without which they
could have rendered but little or no assistance to the block-house garrison.
The garrison kept up constant firing on the enemy, forcing them to change the
position of their artillery frequently. One piece, however, which did them the
most damage, was stationed on a hill about 500 yards north of the block-house.
It was loaded under cover of the hill, pushed to the crest, sighted and fired,
and then drawn back to reload. The garrison was unable to force this gun from
its position. Firing was kept up continually from 10 a.m. until dark. Near 500
rounds solid shot and shell, from 10 and 20 pounder guns, were fired at the
block-house. The rebels told our wounded (who were left in their hands) that
they fired upward of 460 rounds. Night found the block-house in a ruinous
condition, the north wing being completely destroyed, outside casing of west
wing was badly damaged, the lookout gone, two large breaches made in the roof,
and one of the posts—the main support of the roof—knocked out, while the other
center posts were badly splintered. Lieutenant Harter, taking into
consideration the condition of the block-house and that his ammunition was
nearly all expended, regarded it as certain capture to remain until daylight.
Consequently, at 3 a.m. December 3, 1864, the garrison evacuated the
block-house, and, accompanied by the colored troops, arrived safely in
Nashville at daylight. Upon reporting to Major-General Thomas, Lieutenant
Harter was informed that an order had been issued two days previously directing
the abandonment of all block-houses from Nashville to Murfreesborough. The
courier failed to get through the rebel lines, consequently the order was not
received. Casualties of the garrison at this block-house (No. 2) were 1
enlisted man killed and 3 enlisted men wounded.
No. 1 block-house,
four miles from Nashville, commanded by Lieut. Jacob N. Shaffer, was attacked
and the entire garrison captured December 3, 1864. The amount of firing upon
and damage done to block-house and garrison before its surrender has not been
ascertained. It is reported, however, that firing was kept up throughout the
day and that a flag of truce was sent in five times during the day.
Block-house No. 3,
near Antioch, commanded by Capt. D. N. Lowrey, was attacked on the 3d of December
by artillery. The rebel guns here were placed in such positions as to prevent
the block-house garrison from doing them much injury other than occasionally
picking off a gunner. After holding out for thirty-six hours and receiving
ninety shots, from 12 and 20 pounder guns, the garrison was compelled to
surrender.
Capt. Lewis F. Hake,
commanding at La Vergne, received an order December 4, 1864, from Major-General
Thomas (which had been issued three days previously), to abandon all the
block-houses from Nashville to Murfreesborough and withdraw the forces to the
latter place. Couriers were started each way along the railroad on the morning
of the 5th to notify the commanders of the block-houses. Sergt. William
McKinney, commanding Block-house No. 4, having received this order, was in the
act of evacuating his block-house, when he was attacked and compelled to
surrender.
On the morning of
the 5th of December, 1864, as the command at La Vergne was completing its
preparations to march to Murfreesborough (two wagons having already been
loaded), the rebels suddenly made their appearance in considerable force on all
sides, and a flag of truce was discovered approaching. It was halted at a
proper distance and Lieutenant Eadie sent out to meet it. Whilst a consultation
was being had under the flag the rebels took advantage of the same and planted
four pieces of artillery bearing directly on the command. Under the
circumstances, being surrounded by a force greatly superior in numbers, with
their artillery in position commanding the whole ground ready for firing,
Captain Hake was compelled to surrender his command, consisting of 73 men
(regimental martial band included), 25 horses and equipments, 2 pieces of
artillery (one 6 and one 12 pounder), and small-arms.
Commanders of
block-houses Nos. 5 and 6, Capt. William M. McClure and Lieut. John S. Orr,
received Captain Hake's order the night of the 4th. They evacuated their
block-houses on the morning of the 5th instant. Rebels in small squads had
already made their appearance on all sides. The garrisons were compelled to
make a circuitous route around through Jefferson, marching over twenty miles,
had several skirmishes with the enemy on the way, and arrived safely in camp at
Murfreesborough about 2 p.m. of the same day.
Block-house No. 7,
four miles from Murfreesborough, commanded by Lieut. H. H. Glosser, was
attacked on the 4th instant by rebel artillery and musketry. Seventy-six
artillery shots were fired at the blockhouse, thirty-two of which struck it.
The railroad bridge at this point was saved, and but little damage was done to
the block-house other than knocking off the lookout. This house was not again
attacked with artillery. Sharpshooters remained keeping the garrison hemmed in,
as the following communication, being the first that was heard from Lieutenant
Glosser, will explain.
BLOCK-HOUSE No. 7, December 18, 1864.
Major-General
MILROY:
SIR:
I am informed by your scout (Mr. Lee) that the rebels have retreated. He tells
me that if there is anything I want to send a note to you and say what it is.
General, I want nothing but liberty. I have been hemmed in for thirteen days,
not daring to put my head outside the block-house. The rebel sharpshooters have
left, and I feel better. The health of myself and men is good; am ready for any
emergency. General Forrest sent in a flag of truce four times, demanding the
surrender of this house, promising to treat me well, and threatening to burn me
with Greek fire if I refused. I resolved to believe nothing but such things as
I could see; and as I could not see the Greek fire, I thought I would wait
until I did.
I
am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. H. GLOSSER,
First Lieut. Company E, 115th Regt. Ohio Vol.
Infty., Comdg. Block-House No. 7.
No casualties were
sustained at this block-house. The garrison kept up firing at all times when
the rebels appeared in sight, expending during the whole time nearly 8,000
rounds of ammunition.
The detachments at
block-houses between Murfreesborough and Tullahoma, with but one exception,
were not attacked by the enemy.
Block-House No. 9,
near Bell Buckle Station, Lieut. M. S. Hurd commanding, was approached by flag
of truce and its surrender demanded. Lieutenant Hurd promptly refused, telling
them "if they wanted the block-house, they must come and take it."
The rebels did not open fire with their artillery, and after a few volleys of
musketry withdrew from sight. Straggling rebels were now seen all along the
road to Tullahoma, quite a number of whom were picked up and forwarded to
Murfreesborough.
You are already
cognizant of the part taken by the detachment in and near Murfreesborough,
which renders it unnecessary for me to mention the particulars. So far as I am
able to learn I have good reason to believe that every detachment of the
regiment throughout has done its duty as became soldiers.
I feel it my duty
here to make special mention of the manner in which Lieuts. George D. Hatter
and Henry H. Glosser, with the little bands of veterans under their command, so
nobly acquitted themselves under such trying circumstances. Too much credit
cannot be given them for so gallantly defending their block-houses against the
prolonged attack of the enemy, so much their superior in numbers and furnished
with 10 and 20 pounder guns.
Captured, 170;
killed, 1; wounded, 4; escaped since capture, 4.
Accompanying this
report is a list of casualties in the regiment, as nearly correct as I am at
this time able to give.
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
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