Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 220. — Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 7, 1864.

No. 220.

Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 7, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS TWELFTH INDIANA CAVALRY,        

Fortress Rosecrans, Tenn., December 17, 1864.

COLONEL: In the battle of Nolensville pike, on the 7th instant, the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry Volunteers sustained the following part:

During the advance upon the enemy's position the regiment constituted part of the reserves. It advanced in line to the left of the pike until it came to a cotton-field, across which the enemy had extemporized earth-works and planted his batteries. At this time the skirmish line in the cotton-field to our right began to waver and the regiment moved by the right flank to the support of this position of the line. Being thus supported, the line of skirmishers and the regiment moved forward across the cotton-field into the woods abandoned by the enemy, whose battery being captured and his forces routed, and no further pursuit ordered, the entire Federal forces returned to the fortress, the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry constituting the rear guard.

Owing to the fact that a skirmish line was continually in advance of it, the regiment fired but few shots. At times, however, the fire it sustained was heavy, but it affords me great pleasure to say that at all times both officers and men displayed a coolness worthy of older soldiers and of which the regiment has no reason to be ashamed.

The loss of the regiment, as heretofore reported, was 1 killed and 11 wounded.

Respectfully, &c.,

ALFRED REED,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Twelfth Indiana Cavalry.

Col. EDWARD ANDERSON,
        Commanding First Brigade.

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. 629

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 211 — Report of Maj. Jerome B. Nulton, Sixty-first Illinois Infantry, of operations December 12-15, 1864.

No. 211.

Report of Maj. Jerome B. Nulton, Sixty-first Illinois Infantry, of operations December 12-15, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTY-FIRST ILLINOIS INFANTRY,        

Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report in regard to the recent expedition to Stevenson, Ala., which resulted in the capture of the entire train and a portion of the escort:

Pursuant to instructions from the general commanding, the Sixty-first Illinois Infantry, 150 strong, and about forty of the First Michigan Engineers, left Murfreesborough, Tenn., on the 12th instant, with orders to proceed to Stevenson, Ala., and return without delay with the train laden with supplies for this garrison. We arrived at Stevenson on 13th with but little difficulty, and after having procured the supplies required we started for Murfreesborough early on the morning of the 14th. The train was delayed at the Cumberland Mountains in consequence of being unable to ascend the grade, but we finally succeeded in crossing and reached Bell Buckle about dark in the evening, where we received intimation of an enemy in our front. About 2 o'clock at night we were fired into at or near Christiana, and upon being informed by the conductor that he could not run the train back we immediately debarked, formed a line so as to protect the train, and moved on, repairing the road as we came, but our progress was necessarily very slow, from the fact that the enemy had cut the road in various places. Here allow me to state that while in this condition we dispatched a messenger to General Rousseau to notify him of our situation and asking for re-enforcements. Fighting continued brisk until daylight, at which time we were within six miles of this place, but we soon ascertained that we were entirely surrounded by the enemy, with the road cut in our front and rear. Soon after daylight the enemy dismounted and charged our line, but they were handsomely repulsed, with considerable loss in killed and wounded. They then brought their artillery into action, which soon convinced us that we could not hold the train against such fearful odds. Consequently, about 8 o'clock, the colonel commanding ordered the train to be abandoned, and we then attempted to cut through their lines, which we did, but in so doing the colonel, 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and 81 enlisted men belonging to the Sixty-first were captured, together with the entire portion of the First Michigan Engineers, including the lieutenant in charge.

In justice to the First Michigan Engineers allow me to say that they behaved themselves with firmness, and during the engagement they fought like veterans; also that thirty of Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, who returned with us from Stevenson, were promptly on hand for any duty required; the larger portion of them were also captured.

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

J. B. NULTON,        

Major Sixty-first Illinois Infantry, Commanding Regiment.

Capt. E. A. OTIS,

        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. 620-1

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 207 — Report of Capt. Major D. Williams, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations November 17, 1864.

No. 207

Report of Capt. Major D. Williams, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, of operations November 17, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS POST, WHITESBURG,        

November 21, 1864.

GENERAL: In compliance with orders from Colonel Lyon, dated at Huntsville, November 15, 1864, I have the honor to make the following report:

Marched from this place on the 16th instant, with forty men of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry-eighteen from Company D, the remainder from my own company—to Huntsville, where I received a re-enforcement of two commissioned officers and forty men of the Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry. From thence we marched to Brownsborough, Ala., where we arrived at sunset, and were joined by thirty men of Company H of the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, under command of Captain Da Huff, thirty men of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, under command of Captain Givens, and 250 men of the Fourth Michigan Infantry, under command of Colonel Hall. We remained at Brownsborough until 3 a.m. of the 17th, when, under command of Colonel Hall, we marched in the direction of New Market. When two miles out, and at the small town of Maysville, our advance met rebel pickets and drove them back. After marching six miles farther, and at about 7 a.m., we halted, breakfasted, and fed our horses, after which we started in pursuit of the enemy, meeting them, under command of Russell, Johnson, and Mead, supposed to be 500 strong, all mounted and in line of battle, which we soon broke, driving them from their ground in confusion, our men pursuing them. We followed them until night, driving them nine miles, they rallying five times, but were handsomely repulsed and driven back each time. Night coming on, and our horses and men being considerably fatigued, we ceased fighting in the vicinity of New Market, and encamped at that place for the night. The enemy is known to have lost 9 in killed and 3 wounded, while we lost not a man. On the morning of the 18th we countermarched to Brownsborough, and being unwell myself, by permission from Colonel Hall, I returned to Huntsville, leaving my command. At 3 a.m. of the following day the railroad track was torn up six miles east of Brownsborough, and the command sent in pursuit of the marauders, the result of which will be otherwise reported.

The conduct of Colonel Hall and all the remaining officers and men is worthy of commendation.

I am, general, with profound respect, your obedient servant,

MAJOR D. WILLIAMS,        

Capt. Company C, 12th Indiana Cav., Comdg. Cavalry Forces.

Brigadier-General GRANGER,
        Commanding District of Northern Alabama.

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. 612

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 206 — Report of Col. Edward Anderson, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps, of operations December 7, 1864.

No. 206

Report of Col. Edward Anderson, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Twentieth Army Corps, of operations December 7, 1864.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FOURTH DIV., 20TH ARMY CORPS,        

Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 8, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to report that the brigade under my command was ordered to march on the reconnaissance of yesterday under Maj. Gen. R. H. Milroy.

This brigade consists of the One hundred and seventy-seventh and One hundred and seventy eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, Fourth and Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, and Thirteenth New York Independent Battery. En route for the field of action I was informed that the Thirteenth New York Battery was attached to the First Brigade, in the rear of which I was ordered to march. The Fourth and Fifth Tennessee Cavalry Regiments, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Clift, were ordered to report to Col. G. M. L. Johnson, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, commanding cavalry. Thus I had under my immediate command troops as follows, viz.: Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, Lieut. Col. Alfred Reed commanding, numbering 16 officers and 352 men (368); One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. A. T. Wilcox commanding, numbering 18 officers and 496 men (514); One hundred and seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. J. A. Stafford commanding, numbering 17 officers and 427 men (444); making a total of 51 officers and 1,275 men--1,326 men.

At Overall's Creek, where the enemy opened an artillery fire upon us, I was ordered to form my brigade in the rear of the First Brigade, and in undertaking to do so I found the One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, which was on the right of my command and now for the first time brought under fire, exposed to a terrible succession of shots from the enemy's battery. The officers of the regiment and my own staff officers joined in an endeavor to keep them in column, but knowing that the whole future of the regiment probably depended on preventing their breaking to the rear, I ordered Colonel Wilcox to have them lie down. Through all the artillery duel that ensued they remained in that position, of course so remote from the enemy, in their position as reserves, that they could do nothing but endure. I was glad, in occupying a position where I could watch the regiment, to notice that none appeared to flinch under this heavy fire and in a position more exposed than often comes to a regiment. After the battery had ceased firing I was ordered to march my brigade by the right flank till the right of the column should rest on the Wilkinson pike; there I again formed line of battle and undertook to march to the support of the First Brigade, which was engaging the enemy in the front. Owing to the extreme roughness of the ground, rocks, jagged and detached, being covered at intervals by brush and logs, I was forced to march very slowly, and for a distance by right of companies, to the front. When we had nearly approached the position I was ordered to occupy in rear of the First Brigade, and at about 200 yards distance, I was ordered to throw the One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry to the right, forming its line perpendicular to the line already formed, in order to prevent a flanking movement on the part of the enemy, who were evidently intending to get into our rear. This regiment threw out two companies to deploy along its front as skirmishers. Sharp firing along the line showed that the general had not been mistaken in supposing it necessary to protect the right flank. Major-General Milroy took the One hundred and seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and, marching it left in front, led it to the extreme left and conducted it personally into battle. Of the action of this regiment I am unable to speak thereafter, but have no question as to its gallantry, as the almost reckless daring of the general cannot be other than infectious. The Twelfth Indiana Cavalry was pushed forward on the right of the pike over a cotton-field, where it lay under a hot musketry fire till it was ordered forward into the woods as the enemy retired. At this juncture I ordered forward the One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, the firing having ceased on the right flank. I formed it in line parallel to the lines in front, and received orders to hold it there while the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry was ordered to the extreme front, though too late to participate in actual conflict there, the enemy having retired. On our return to the fortress the Twelfth Indiana Cavalry brought up the rear.

The casualties in my command were happily few, as it was held almost entirely in reserve. I take pleasure in testifying to the bravery of these troops, nearly all brought in this engagement for the first time under the enemy's fire, and here, in a position most trying to any soldier, obliged to take the enemy's shots and unable to enjoy either the satisfaction or the excitement of returning their fire. No one, however, would be surprised that troops would stand gallantly under fire, as they could all the time see the general they loved in the fore front of battle, where the bullets were flying most thickly. These troops would follow General Milroy wherever he might lead. Where nearly every officer was brave it would be useless to attempt allusion to individual instances. My confidence in officers and men is unbounded.

I report the following casualties in the three regiments under my immediate command and the other troops that report through me: Twelfth Indiana Cavalry, killed, 1 private; wounded, 1 officer (Captain Sherwood, Company E, severely in the leg), 10 privates. One hundred and seventy-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wounded, 4 privates. One hundred and seventy eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wounded, 2 privates. Fifth Tennessee Cavalry (Col. W. J. Clift), wounded, 2 privates. Thirteenth New York Battery (Capt. Henry Bundy), wounded, 4 privates. Total, killed, 1 private; wounded, 1 officer and 22 enlisted men.

I have the honor to respectfully submit the foregoing.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

EDWARD ANDERSON,        

Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.

Maj. JOHN O. CRAVENS,
        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. 610-1

127th Indiana Infantry

See 12th REGIMENT CAVALRY.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1156

12th Indiana Cavalry

Organized at Kendallville, Ind., and Michigan City, Ind., December 10, 1863, to April 28, 1864. Left State for Nashville, Tenn., May 6, 1864. Attached to District of Northern Alabama, Dept. of the Cumberland, to September, 1864, Tullahoma, Tenn.; defences of Nashville & Chattanooga R. R., Dept. of the Cumberland, to November, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 7th Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division Mississippi, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, Military Division West Mississippi, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Cavalry Division, Dept. of the Gulf, to May, 1865. Dept. of Mississippi to November, 1865.

SERVICE. — Duty at Nashville, Tenn., till May 29, 1864. Moved to Huntsville, Ala., May 29, and duty there and guarding Railroad from Decatur to Paint Rock, Ala. Headquarters at Huntsville and Brownsborough till September 15. Action at Big Cove Valley June 27. Near Vienna July 8. Scout in Clear Springs and Sink Springs Valleys July 18-21 (Detachment). Flint River, Ala., July 25. Paint Rock Station July 30. Moore's Hill August 11. Operations in Madison County August 12-14. Near Lynchburg September 29 (Detachment). Repulse of Buford's attack on Huntsville September 30-October 1 and October 18 (Cos. "C," "D" and "H"). Regiment moved to Tullahoma, Tenn., September 15, and duty there till November 26. Siege of Decatur, Ala., October 26-29 (Detachment). Near Maysville, Ala., and near New Market, Ala., November 17 (Detachment). Moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., November 26. Overall's Creek December 4. Siege of Murfreesboro December 5-12. Wilkinson's Pike December 7. Paint Rock Bridge, Ala., December 7 (Detachment). Murfreesboro December 13-14. Near Murfreesboro December 15 (Detachment). Moved to Nashville, Tenn., and duty there till February, 1865. Action at Hillsboro, Ala., December 29, 1864 (Detachment). Near Leighton, Ala., December 30 (Detachment). Moved to Vicksburg, Miss.; thence to New Orleans, La., and to Mobile Bay, Ala., February 11-March 22. Campaign against Mobile and its defences March 22-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 9. Grierson's Raid through Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi April 17-May 20. Duty at Columbus, Miss., till July. At Grenada and Austin, Miss., till November. Mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss., November 10, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 16 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 154 Enlisted men by disease. Total 171.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1109-10