Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 169. Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 169.

Report of Col. Edward H. Wolfe, Fifty-second Indiana Infantry, commanding Third Brigade,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,                            

DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,                  

Near Columbia, Tenn., December 23, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In obedience to the orders of the general commanding division, I have the honor to transmit the following report as to the part taken by this brigade in the engagements with the enemy near Nashville, Tenn, on the 15th and 16th instant:

My brigade was in readiness to move on the morning of the 15th at 6 o'clock, as ordered the evening previous, and at 8 a.m. I moved by the flank outside of my works in front of Nashville, massing the brigade for the moment on the left of the Hardin pike. A portion of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam commanding, was deployed as skirmishers, covering my front and connecting on the left with skirmishers of First Brigade, Second Division, and on the right with skirmishers of First Division, my brigade occupying the extreme right of the Second Division. Soon afterward I deployed my column and advanced, connecting on the right and left as above indicated, holding one regiment (the One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers) in reserve, as ordered by the general commanding. My instructions, in advancing, were to keep well closed up to the left, and also to regulate my movements by that of the command on my right, so as to prevent, as far as possible, any serious gap in the line in that direction. The peculiar position of our lines on that day rendered it very difficult to comply with these instructions, and necessarily caused my advance to be slow and tedious. Soon after advancing my skirmishers became engaged, driving the enemy's skirmishers before them. At no time, however, during the day was my command engaged with the enemy, although my line was frequently exposed to the fire of the enemy, and the brigade on this day sustained a loss of 35 men, including 1 officer, a report of which will be inclosed herewith. Before the close of the day a movement on the part of the Fourth Corps, which charged the enemy's works, somewhat changed my position in the command, and, as I thought at the time, cut off the First and Second Brigades of this division, and to prevent the same thing, so far as my brigade was concerned, I advanced the brigade on the double-quick, as ordered by the general commanding, and did not halt until within the enemy's work in my front, which they abandoned without any resistance, except to our skirmishers. Three pieces of artillery here fell into our hands, which I understand are claimed in the captures of the Fourth Corps. These guns undoubtedly were captured by this division, and if not by my brigade in reality were captured by the skirmishers in my front, which at that time consisted of the Tenth Kansas Infantry, belonging to the Second Brigade of this division. Owing to our constant oblique movement to the left during the day, it was impossible to keep our respective skirmishers in their proper front. The result was, when a charge was made by General McArthur's division, on the right, and which resulted so victoriously, the skirmishers of my own brigade were in front of that division and participated in the engagement. The commanding officer of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois, from whose regiment all my skirmishers on this day were deployed, states in his report that two of his companies then on the skirmish line captured 3 pieces of artillery and 40 prisoners, and delivered them over to that command as it came up. In the evening the position of my brigade was so changed, as before mentioned, as to throw me upon the extreme left of the division, closing up with the right of the Fourth Corps, and in this position I was ordered to encamp for the night.

On the morning of the 16th, at 7 o'clock, I was again ordered to advance, and, after advancing about a mile, was ordered to take position in the center of the division, where my brigade remained in line in front of the enemy's works until 3 p.m. During this time the enemy were constantly shelling my line, but the position of the ground in front was sufficient to protect the men, and but little loss was sustained. My orders during the afternoon were to again regulate my movements by that of the command on my right. At about 3.30 p.m. that portion of the command commenced its final advance upon the enemy's works. It required but a moment to put my brigade in motion, and the whole command, with a shout peculiar to this corps, advanced rapidly upon the works in front, carrying them with but momentary resistance and sustaining but slight loss. The enemy, surprised at the charge, and witnessing the courage and determination of the troops, fled in every direction, while many threw down their arms and surrendered at once. So completely surprised were the enemy in my front by the assault that they had time to deliver but two or three volleys, and these so poorly directed that but little execution was done. In this assault my brigade captured 5 pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners, including 8 commissioned officers, among whom was the rebel Maj. Gen. Edward Johnson, who was captured and escorted to the rear by Private J. William Howell, Company B, Forty-ninth Illinois Veteran Volunteers.

It is impossible, owing to the excitement and confusion at the time, to give any accurate statement as to the number of prisoners that actually fell into the hands of this brigade. Prisoners were sent to the rear indiscriminately, some with guards and others without, and, in addition to this, many were captured immediately at the works, and left without any guard, and a great many of them must certainly have fallen into the hands of other troops. It is, however, no exaggeration on my part to claim that at least 300 prisoners were captured by my brigade alone, and had I taken the precaution to have secured for the command all the prisoners that actually fell into my hands, I am satisfied it would exceed that number.

After advancing perhaps a mile in rear of the enemy's works, and there being no enemy in sight, I encamped for the night as ordered.

The exceeding small loss sustained by my brigade, compared to the victory gained, I consider unparalleled in the history of the war. My total loss during the two days' fight foots up 52, viz, 5 killed, 46 wounded, and I missing, a full and complete list of which, giving name, rank, date, &c., I inclose herewith.*

Inasmuch as all the batteries of this division were placed under the immediate control of Captain Lowell, G Battery, Second Illinois, acting as chief of artillery, during the two days, I have not referred to the action of my battery during either day, though I have personal knowledge of the valuable services rendered and the crushing execution done by this battery. The battery was engaged constantly during the two days, and the conduct of the officers and men at all times was such as to merit approval. Corpl. Samuel J. Churchill, of this battery, commanding one gun detachment, is highly commended for distinguished bravery displayed on the first day. At a time when two of the enemy's batteries opened upon his guns, compelling for a short time the men of his detachment to seek the protection of the ground, this young soldier stood manfully up to his work, and for some minutes worked his gun alone.

It has been customary heretofore to mention in reports of this character individual cases of meritorious conduct on the part of officers and soldiers, but this I now find it difficult to do, simply because to mention one would render it necessary to mention all. Every officer of my command and every enlisted man, with but few exceptions, performed their duties nobly, and all officers, realizing the importance of the hour, vied with each other in the gallant discharge of duty.

Of my commanding officers — Colonel Pease, of the Forty-ninth Illinois Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Main, of the Fifty-second Indiana Veteran Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Merriam, One hundred and seventeenth Illinois Volunteers; and Captain Gandolfo, One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers — I cannot speak too highly. The manner in which they commanded their respective regiments during these movements, as well as elsewhere, has only demonstrated their ability as excellent officers and their courage and bravery as soldiers.

To the officers of my staff — Lieutenant Cobine, acting assistant adjutant-general; Lieutenant Rupe, acting assistant inspector-general; and Lieutenant Kobbe, of the One hundred and seventy-eighth New York Volunteers, acting aide-de-camp — I am largely indebted for valuable services rendered upon this occasion, and commend them for the zeal and courage they have displayed in the discharge of their duties throughout the campaign thus far.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

E. H. WOLFE,                       

Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. J. B. COMSTOCK,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Embodied in table, p. 101.

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. 490-2

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 167. Report of Capt. William C. Jones, Tenth Kansas Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 167.

Report of Capt. William C. Jones, Tenth Kansas Infantry,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TENTH KANSAS VETERAN INFANTRY,            

December 20, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the battle of Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864.

On the evening of the 14th instant I received orders from brigade headquarters to move the following morning at 6 o'clock, with three days' rations in haversacks and one blanket to the man. The command was immediately put in readiness to move, in compliance therewith. At a few minutes after 6 o'clock on the morning of the 15th instant I received orders from Lieut. W. G. Donnan, acting assistant adjutant-general, to move my command to the skirmish line and relieve the three companies then on that duty. I at once moved to the front and relieved them as directed, placing thirty men on the right, under Lieut. George W. May, and fifty more of Company B on the left, under command of Lieut. J. E. Thorpe, holding in reserve Company A, numbering seventy-seven men, twenty of Company B, and eight of Company C, all under the command of Capt. George D. Brooke. At 9 a.m. I received orders from Lieutenant Eisenhart, aide-de-camp, to advance my line as soon as the skirmishers of the brigade on my right came into line. I ordered my line forward, moving to the front without opposition for about 100 yards, when we came within range of the enemy's skirmishers, which for a moment checked the advance of my line; but soon the enemy found shelter behind fences and logs, and [we] quickly dislodged the enemy's skirmishers from their intrenched position. My line then advanced, driving them back to their reserve and to within 400 yards of their main works, where we were again checked. I accordingly ordered the line re-enforced by thirty men, under command of Lieut. John Bryan, which, being thus strengthened, advanced, driving the rebel skirmishers into their line of intrenchments, which, being reached, his main line opened with canister, grape, and musketry upon us. I then ordered the line re-enforced by seventy-five men of Company A, under command of Lieut. R. W. Wood. As soon as the line was strengthened the men found shelter behind trees and stumps, about 200 yards from the enemy's line of works, so that they had perfect range upon that portion of his works in my front, completely silencing his battery which had given me so much trouble. I held this position until 4 p.m., when the main line came up. I then drew off my skirmishers and joined my brigade, which I found about three-quarters of a mile to my left. My loss was 19 wounded.

Surg. H. D. Tuttle was ordered by the brigade surgeon in the morning to go to the front with a train of ambulances.

On the morning of the 16th I was ordered by Lieut. William G. Donnan, acting assistant adjutant-general, to form my command fifty paces in rear of the brigade. When the advance was ordered I moved the Tenth Kansas, in obedience to the above instructions, until the brigade was halted under the shelter of a hill from the enemy's artillery. I then moved my command to within ten yards of the rear of the brigade, where we lay under fire of the enemy's guns until 4 o'clock, when the charge was ordered, when the men sprang to their feet and advanced on a double-quick until the enemy's parapets were scaled, following the routed foe to the foot of the mountains, about three-quarters of a mile in rear of his works. My loss was 5 men wounded.

Lieut. F. A. Sinalley deserves great credit for his services and encouragement to the men.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. C. JONES,                       

Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. W. G. DONNAN,

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. 488-9

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 165. Report of Lieut. Col. Jed Lake, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 165.

Report of Lieut. Col. Jed Lake, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH IOWA INFANTRY,              

Spring Hill, Tenn., December 20, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry in the battle near Nashville, Tenn., on the 15th instant, and the charge on mountain heights, south of Nashville, on the 16th instant, and the list of casualties.

On the 15th instant, at 7 a.m., I received orders from Colonel Gilbert, commanding Second Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, to send out one company to report to the commanding officer of the Tenth Kansas as skirmishers. I ordered Capt. S. W. Hemenway, commanding Company B, to comply with the order. At 8 a.m. I received orders to move the regiment outside of the intrenchments and form in column by division on the First Division, right in front. About 9 a.m. I was ordered to deploy column and move forward. My regiment was on the left of the brigade, our left resting on the right of the Fourth Army Corps. The skirmishing commenced in our front and was pretty sharp for about two hours, our men gradually driving the enemy's skirmishers and the regiment following them in line of battle. From 2 to 4 p.m. the cannonading was very severe on our right and left, but my regiment was shielded by the woods and hills so that the enemy's artillery was not directed at it. At about 4 p.m. Company B joined us, having been relieved as skirmishers. I received orders from Colonel Gilbert, commanding brigade, to wheel my regiment to the right and in the rear of the right of the Fourth Corps. At the same time the charge commenced on the enemy's works. We followed close in the rear of the Fourth Corps till the works were carried, then moved by the flank to the right and encamped for the night. No casualties.

On the 16th instant, at daylight, we formed in line of battle. My position was the left center of the brigade. About sunrise, by orders from Colonel Gilbert, we made a half wheel to the right and moved forward across an open field into the Granny White pike, and thence across another field, under fire of the enemy's guns, in all about a mile. We were then moved by the right flank about half a mile into a ravine, in a corn-field, where we were ordered to lie down. Here the fire of the artillery was very heavy, the missiles from the enemy's battery and our own passing directly over my regiment. One man of Company I was hit on the hip by a spent musket-ball while in this position. About 4 p.m. I received orders from Colonel Gilbert to prepare for the charge. At the command “Forward, double-quick, march!” every man went forward with a will. In passing between a house in our front and the outbuildings, both flanks were thrown back and crowded on the center, but, on reaching the open field about 200 yards in front of the enemy's works, immediately deployed and went over the parapet in good style. The enemy were doing their best to escape, and we followed them through the woods and across an open field and to the foot and up the side of the mountain, until men from the top hung out the white flag in token of surrender.

Every man and officer behaved with great gallantry, and it would be unjust to the others to particularize.

List of casualties.*

JED LAKE,               

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. W. G. DONNAN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 12 men wounded.

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. 485-6

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 163. Reports of Col. James L Gilbert, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864, and January 9, 1865.

No. 163.

Reports of Col. James L Gilbert, Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, commanding Second Brigade,

of operations December 15-16, 1864, and January 9, 1865.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,                      

DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,  

In the Field, Tenn., December 20, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In relation to the part taken by my brigade in the late battles with the enemy near Nashville, Tenn., on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864, I have the honor to make the following report:

My command was comprised as follows: The Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 477 effective force, Lieut. Col. Jed Lake commanding; the Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, 362 effective force, Lieut. Col. G. A. Eberhart commanding; the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 331 effective force, Maj. R. W. Healy commanding; the Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry, 187 effective force, Capt. W. C. Jones commanding; the Third Indiana Battery, six guns, 114 effective force, First Lieut. Thomas J. Ginn commanding.

In compliance with orders from General Garrard, commanding Second Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, I had my command in readiness to move at daylight on the morning of the 15th instant. About 7 a.m. I moved the brigade outside the line of intrenchments encircling the city and formed the regiments of infantry in column by division, sending out the Tenth Kansas with one company of the Twenty-seventh Iowa, Company B, as skirmishers, to cover the entire front of the brigade. Soon afterward I received orders to form in line of battle and advance, governing my movement by that of the troops upon my right, guiding, however, to the left. I immediately deployed into line in the following order: The Thirty-second Iowa on the right, the Fifty-eighth Illinois in the center, the Twenty-seventh Iowa on the left, the battery following closely in the rear, my left resting near the right of the Fourth Army Corps We had advanced but a short distance when brisk skirmishing commenced. Our skirmishers were checked only a few minutes, however, and soon drove the enemy from his sheltered skirmish line back upon his reserves, and yet steadily back to within 400 yards of a strongly intrenched position. Here they were checked, but, being re-enforced, again advanced to within 200 yards of the rebel works, driving the enemy inside, and, finding good shelter behind trees and stumps, held this position until the main line was ready to charge, all the while doing excellent service in sharp-shooting the gunners of a rebel battery in their immediate front. The approach of my command toward the rebel works was necessarily very slow, as it was nearest the pivot upon which the whole right wing of the army swung around upon the enemy's left flank. Heavy cannonading from the enemy occurred at times during the advance, but owing to the thick timber in front he tailed to get range so as to do me material damage. About 4 p.m., the main line having arrived close upon the left of the enemy's works, my skirmishers were relieved and reported to the command, when I received orders to move by the right flank to the rear of the First and in support of the Third Brigade, now ready to charge the works. I immediately executed the order in quick time, but had little more than reached the position assigned me when I heard the shouts of victory and saw several hundred prisoners passed to the rear. I was soon afterward ordered to move half a mile to the right and form my command upon the right of the First Brigade, when, as it was now dark, I was ordered to rest for the night.

My casualties on this day did not exceed twenty, nearly all of which were in the Tenth Kansas Veteran Volunteer Infantry, and I cannot close the report of the day without justly complimenting this regiment and Company B, Twenty-seventh Iowa Volunteer Infantry, for excellent performance of skirmish duty.

On the morning of the 16th, just after daylight, I received orders to form my command in line of battle, my right resting near the left of the First Division, my brigade constituting the right of the Second Division. I at once formed as directed, in the following order, sending out five companies of the Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under command of Captain Kittel, as skirmishers: The Thirty-second Iowa on the right, the Twenty-seventh Iowa the right center, the Fifty-eighth Illinois left center, and the Tenth Kansas on the left, which last-named regiment was soon afterward posted as a reserve, and so held throughout the day; the Third Indiana Battery again followed the movements of the command. About 7.30 o'clock, conforming to the movement of the line upon my right, I moved the brigade forward nearly the distance of half a mile through an open corn-field, partially wheeling to the right. Having reached the Granny White pike I moved some 500 or 600 yards by the right flank upon the pike, when I again moved forward, still advancing my left faster than my right, over another open corn-field, where the enemy opened upon us a severe fire from a battery within their line of works, some 1,000 yards distant. The command moved in quick time, but with much coolness, until I had passed a little ravine, crossed a brook, and reached the brow of a hill in front, sheltered by trees, where I ordered the command to halt. I had occupied this position but a few minutes when I heard heavy musketry and saw a sudden changing of troops upon my right. Fearing that it might possibly be the line giving way I immediately ordered my command to recross the brook and then halt, whilst I rode up on an adjacent hill in order to discern the precise nature of the movements upon the right. Perceiving that the First Division was contracting in order to double its lines, I hastened back, and, under brisk artillery fire, moved the command by the right flank, breaking considerably to the rear, following a little ravine which, fortunately, ran nearly parallel to the enemy's line of works, until my right again rested near the First Division. I now ordered the command to lie down, where it remained for several hours, almost entirely safe from the missiles of the enemy, although the firing was severe and we lay within 400 or 500 [yards] of his line of works. At some distance to our right the enemy's fortified line ascended a hill. From this point his sharpshooters, having full view of my line, made frequent attempts to reach it. One of their bullets passed very close to two of my staff officers, and killed a horse belonging to Major Hutchison, Thirty-second Iowa Infantry. In the meantime my battery, which had failed on the previous day to get into action on account of the impossibility of procuring a suitable position, had followed the movements of the brigade until the infantry advanced from the Granny White pike. It was at this time that the enemy opened a heavy fire from a covered position. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Ginn into position at double-quick, on a rise of ground in the open corn-field, from which position he opened a rapid fire upon the enemy, which was continued until his ammunition (canister excepted) was wholly exhausted. About 1 p.m., having received a fresh supply of ammunition, Lieutenant Ginn was ordered some 400 yards to the left, where he expended some sixty rounds of ammunition. He was then ordered by Captain Lowell, chief of artillery Second Division, some 100 yards to the right, where he expended sixty additional rounds upon a rebel battery immediately in his front. Thence Lieutenant Ginn was ordered by Major-General Smith to the left of my brigade. From this position he continued fire with three guns upon the battery in my front, and the other three upon a battery in front of the Third Brigade, until the final charge was made. Throughout the day the battery did good service, and, although most of the time in an exposed position, its firing was rapid, accurate, and effective, expending 923 rounds of ammunition during the action.

A few minutes before 4 p.m., everything being in readiness, General Garrard's order was received to charge the enemy's works. The order was instantly given to my command and as instantly obeyed. From right to left my entire infantry command sprang to their feet, raised the crest of the little hill in front, gave a wild hurrah, and pressed directly forward. Notwithstanding a severe fire of musketry, grape, and canister, which, but for the fact that it was delivered too high, must have terribly torn my ranks, the whole line pressed eagerly on. As we passed the skirmish line, Captain Kittel, Fifty-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, with admirable skill, collected his skirmishers on the run and joined in the charge. The rebels were seen to leave their rifle-pits and rush back over the works, and when within fifty paces of their line, a last volley of musketry, grape, and canister was poured upon my line, but it also passed almost harmless through the air over our heads. In a few minutes more the whole command had reached and passed the enemy's intrenchments, killing and capturing some of the artillerists at the guns, whilst the main line of the rebels ran in every direction. Five cannon were passed by my brigade, but, by my directions, were left without a guard, and the whole command ordered forward in pursuit of the enemy. Prisoners were taken singly and in squads numbering as high as thirty, most of whom were simply disarmed and ordered to the rear, which seemed very much in accordance with their desire. The command pressed on to the foot of and some distance up the base of the mountain, where I was ordered to halt. From the heights above, Captain Harris, Thirty-sixth Mississippi, hung out the white flag, and, with a few men yet with him, came down and were passed to the rear. Regimental commanders report not less than 150 prisoners taken in the pursuit. William May,¹ a private of Captain Benson's company (H), Thirty-second Iowa Infantry, as we approached the works, dashed forward and captured the battery guidon, which is now in my hands. Several of the official papers of the battery were also captured, showing it to have been A. Bouanchaud's. I am thus explicit in relation to the capture of the five guns, as I have been informed that they were claimed by some other command, which drew off the guns long after my brave men had captured and passed them in pursuit of the enemy.

The Tenth Kansas occupied the crest of the mountain as picket, and my command bivouacked for the night at its base, whence on the morning of the 17th it set out with the division in pursuit of the whipped, demoralized, and routed enemy.

Regimental commanders report excellent conduct on the part of both officers and men of their respective commands, which, as far as my observation extended, I do most heartily indorse and confirm.

Lieutenant-Colonel Eberhart, commanding Thirty-second Iowa, in his official report, compliments Theodore De Tar, captain Company D, severely wounded, and Lieut. W. L. Carpenter, acting regimental adjutant, for brave conduct; also, Color-Sergt. A. J. Ellis and Corporal Bell, both of Company G, for bravery in action.

The greatest gallantry was displayed on the part of my staff officers — Lieutenants Donnan, McLean, and Eisenhart. Fearless of danger, they were in the thickest of the fight, from beginning to end, rendering great assistance throughout the entire two days.

My casualties throughout the battles are comparatively very light, numbering sixty-three, many of which are but slight wounds, as will be seen by a list of the same herewith inclosed.*

I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant,

 JAMES I. GILBERT,                       

 Colonel Twenty-seventh Iowa, Commanding Brigade.

 Lieut. JAMES B. COMSTOCK,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,                      

DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,  

Eastport, Miss., January 9, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: In relation to the reconnaissance made to-day by my command toward Iuka, I have the honor to report:

In compliance with orders from General Garrard, commanding Second Division, I moved the infantry and one section of the battery of my command at 7 a.m. January 9, 1865, out on the Iuka road. I proceeded some four miles without molestation, when my advance was fired upon by the pickets or scouts of the enemy. After exchanging a few shots they fled, turning off on the Bear Creek road, some mile and a half this side of Iuka. I advanced without further trouble, entering the village about 10 a.m., capturing one prisoner, who claimed to be a commissary sergeant of Roddey's command; that he was on duty at Corinth and came to Iuka on a visit. Some of the citizens report Forrest's command in camp a few miles west from Iuka, and Hood at Corinth, but the greater number claim that Hood has gone south from Corinth. Stewart's infantry was the last to pass through Iuka on last Thursday. The opinion seems to prevail that a part, at least, of Forrest's command is on the opposite or south side of Bear Creek. I think there is no doubt that Hood's command is moving south from Corinth as speedily as possible. After allowing the men time to make coffee, I returned, without the slightest interference, to camp, arriving about 3 p.m.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES I. GILBERT,            

Colonel Twenty-seventh Iowa, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. JAMES B. COMSTOCK,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

ADDENDA.

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,                      

DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,  

In the Field, Tenn., December 28, 1864.

Statement of William May, private Company H, Thirty-second Regiment Iowa Volunteer Infantry, to James I. Gilbert, colonel Twenty-seventh Iowa, commanding Second Brigade, in relation to trophies captured in the battle near Nashville, Tenn.:

On the 16th of December, when the Second Brigade, Second Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, was ordered to charge the enemy's works, as my regiment, Thirty-second Iowa Volunteer Infantry, which was on the right of the brigade, approached the earth-works, I saw this rebel battery flag with the guns, and ran ahead of the regiment, over the works, and took it out of a rebel's hands. In a valise close by I found some brass buttons, manufactured at Montgomery, Ala., with letter B, German text; also a captain's artillery shoulder-strap, and some papers, invoices of ordnance stores, &c., showing the battery to have been A. Bouanchaud's. The flag is about four feet square, of crimson bunting, with yellow fringe, with a diagonal cross, blue, upon which are thirteen silken white stars.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JAMES I. GILBERT,            

Colonel Twenty-seventh Iowa, Commanding Brigade.

_______________

¹ Awarded a Medal of Honor.

* Embodied in table, p.101

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. 480-4

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: June 6, 1862

Eight companies of the Second Ohio, Majors Miner and Burnett, four Ninth Wisconsin Infantry, three Tenth Infantry Kansas, one Sixth Kansas Cavalry were on the march at 8 A. M. Major P. was going independently. He had refused me several times, but after all the troops were gone, he consented. Left in a hurry with little provisions. Crossed Spring River and the Neosho. After marching fast 35 miles, came upon the camps of Standwaite and Coffee. Major P. conversed with pickets. Shelled the position of Standwaite, but probably too late, having escaped with Coffee south to Col. Rains. The shelling was splendid. The shells would bound from tree to tree and burst with a thundering noise. First Battalion took position between the two camps, if possible to prevent a junction of forces. Also went out as skirmishers. Third Battalion deployed along the woods to prevent escape and watch the movements of the enemy. The Battery took a position on the hill favorable for shelling the enemy. Was supported by the Kansas Infantry. Ninth Wisconsin deployed as skirmishers and entered the woods. Scouts went near Coffee's camp and represented them leaving. “General” (Col. Doubleday) immediately marched to the south of the camp and ceased operations for the night. It was now 1 o'clock A. M. Bivouacked with few blankets in the open air. Slept soundly till 3 A. M. I enjoyed all the doings very much, acted as carrier for the “General.” Accompanied Major Purington. Saw large herds of horses and cattle. Took many prisoners. Some Coffee's men and some not.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 17

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: Wednesday, June 4, 1862

Wednesday. Reveille at 3:30 A. M. Breakfast and under way at 6 A. M. After riding ten miles, troops rested. Lieutenant Lisering of Doubleday's staff met us with the news that Col. Salomon had been made brigadier and Col. Weir of the Tenth Kansas had the command of the expedition. All seemed astonished. Lt. Colonel said, “the news rather surprised him.” Considerable sensation. Crossed the Neosho and encamped near the rest of the troops. A very pretty situation for a camp. A range of hills, overlooking large valley and woods.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 16-7

Diary of Luman Harris Tenney: June 5, 1862

Learned and ordered the number of pounds of beef needed, also issued it. Issued rations for the five days' expedition under Doubleday. Took us till “taps.” Orders came from Col. Wier, Tenth Kansas, to delay further movements. The Colonel (Doubleday) resolves to resign immediately, so enraged at the intrigue and rascality of Kansas officers and politicians in making Wier rank him. Officers sent a paper to him begging him not to do it. Seemed to regret the idea very much. Concluded to go on with the expedition anyway.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 17

A Rebel Discharge

We have received from Capt. John Foreman, commanding detachment 3d Kansas regiment, formerly a citizen of Davenport, a curiosity in the shape of a discharge from the rebel army, taken from one of the prisoners he recently captured. Capt. Foreman is now stationed on the Missouri boarder, and expects soon to go to Mexico.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, April 22, 1862, p. 1


NOTE: Per Dyer’s Compendium, the organization of the 3rd Kansas Infantry Regiment was not completed, but it was consolidated with the 4th Kansas Infantry to form 10th Kansas Infantry April 3, 1862.