CAPTAIN: I have the
honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from
December 6, 1864, to the present date: On December 6 and 7 the command was busy
constructing a second line of works in, front of Nashville, a little to the right
of the Nolensville pike. On the morning of the 8th we took up the line of march
for Murfreesborough, having been ordered to report to General Forrest near that
place. At night-fall went into camp within eleven miles of the place. From that
time until December 15 the command did little else than destroy the railroad
between Murfreesborough and Nashville. On the 15th marched with Palmer's
brigade and a portion of the cavalry to a position considerably to the eastward
of Murfreesborough. On the next day, however, we retraced our steps, and (the
news of the disaster at Nashville reaching us that night) we immediately
started across the country for Pulaski by forced marches. The roads were in
horrible condition and the weather intensely cold, so that the sufferings of
the men, who were many of them barefooted and all poorly clad, were intense. On
arriving at Duck River it was found to be so much swollen by heavy rains as to
be impassable. We were accordingly ordered to Columbia, which place we reached late
at night on the 18th. Here we remained for three days, receiving orders to
report to Major-General Walthall as a portion of the rear guard of the army.
Early on the morning
of the 22d the enemy crossed the river in force above Columbia, and [we] commenced
our retreat. We retired slowly, forming line of battle occasionally, until we
had gotten some six or seven miles on this side of Pulaski, when the enemy
pushed us so hard that it was determined to stop and fight them. Accordingly,
the line was formed, our position being upon the extreme left of the infantry,
with Palmer's brigade upon our right, the cavalry upon our left. The enemy
approached boldly, a heavy line of skirmishers preceding them. Upon a given
signal our whole line charged, when the enemy retired in confusion after
offering but a slight resistance. We captured a number of horses and one piece
of artillery, a 12-pounder Napoleon. This was on Christmas day. On the
following day the rear guard was again attacked, but this brigade was not engaged
in the affair, nor did we again meet the enemy.
On the 28th we
recrossed the Tennessee, and on the 1st of January rejoined our division at
Corinth, from whence we marched to Tupelo.
The conduct of men
and officers in this trying retreat was admirable; they bore the hardships
forced upon them unflinchingly, and were ever ready to show a bold front on the
approach of the enemy.
I would especially
call the attention of the general commanding to the gallant conduct of Private
P. Murner, of the First Georgia, and Private A. Vicary, of the Fifty-fourth
Georgia. These men carried the colors of their respective regiments, and showed
conspicuous bravery in the charge on the 25th.
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
List of casualties:
1 killed, 2 wounded, 70 missing. The missing were most of them men who broke
down physically on the other side of Duck River, and are supposed to have
fallen into the hands of the enemy.
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