Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 134. Reports of Col. Oscar W. Sterl, One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry, of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 134.

Reports of Col. Oscar W. Sterl, One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry,

of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. 104TH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,                      

Nashville, Tenn., December 6, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to your command, I have the honor to transmit a report of the part taken by the One hundred and fourth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the battle at Franklin, Tenn.

The regiment (in connection with the brigade) reached Franklin, Tenn., from Columbia, about 5 o'clock on the morning of the 30th ultimo, and bivouacked in line until about 8 a.m., when the brigade went into position in two lines, on the right of the division — the One hundredth and One hundred and fourth Ohio formed the first line, the One hundredth on the right, its right resting on the Columbia pike, and the One hundred and fourth joining it on the left. The regiment immediately erected in its front a good breast-work, most of the companies putting head-logs upon their works. These were scarcely completed until the rebels advanced in two lines against the Second Brigade of the division, on our left. A curve in the works of the left wing of the regiment enabled the left companies to enfilade the lines of the rebels as they advanced, and the three left companies fired several rounds, doing good execution, when the rebel lines fell back in disorder and confusion. Immediately afterward a brigade of the Fourth Corps, which had been posted on a ridge about 500 yards in front of our works, began falling back, first in good line and order, and afterward in great haste and confusion, when it became apparent that the real charge was being directed against that part of the line occupied by this regiment, the One hundredth Ohio, and the brigade of the Second Division on the right of the pike. As the line of the Fourth Corps fell back from the ridge it was followed at a distance of not over 100 paces by the first line of the rebel infantry, which gained rapidly upon it, so that the men of the Fourth Corps had scarcely crossed our works until the ditches in front were filled with rebels, scrambling to get over the works, and in some instances, upon the right of the regiment and in front of the One hundredth Ohio, many of the rebels passed over the works in company with the rear of the Fourth Corps men. The confusion and hurry of the crossing of this advance line, their officers crying to them, to “get to the rear and reform,” came near throwing our line in confusion, and the three right companies borne back by them, and in doubt as to the commands, fell back a few paces, but in almost a moment afterward rushed back, with fixed bayonets, and regained their works. The Sixteenth and Twelfth Kentucky rushed from the second line simultaneously with them and joined them and the One hundredth Ohio, on the first line, from which (having overcome all the rebels who had crossed the works) they kept up a constant and destructive stream of fire, cutting down by hundreds the rebels who had accumulated and massed in the ditches and immediately in front. The other seven companies to the left, so soon as the Fourth Corps men had crossed, began to pour forth such a severe fire that though the rebels in greater number than their line had gained the ditches, were unable to attempt getting over the works, but were cut to pieces by the destructive fire of the men. The rebels in this charge were seen in three lines at least, but if in more, the smoke of the firing prevented us from seeing their approach. So soon as it became apparent that this charge was repulsed, the firing was stilled, and those of the rebels in the ditches who were not killed or wounded were ordered to ground arms and surrender, when about 300 climbed over the works and were sent to the rear. Then almost immediately a second charge of the rebels followed, equaled only in fierce determination and bravery by that of the first charge; this was again met by a fire equally as true in aim and destruction as before, resulting in the complete repulse of the enemy, when about 200 more prisoners were taken in over the works. By the time the second charge was repulsed night had come, and, though firing was afterward directed at our line from the front, and replied to by our men, yet no subsequent charge was successful in reaching near to our works. The regiment remained in the works until after 11 p.m., when, with their command, retired across the Harpeth River, and took up the line of march toward Nashville.

Eleven rebel battle-flags were taken in front of our lines (two by Color-Corpl. Newton H. Hall,* Company I, who shot their bearers, and crossed over and captured them during the heaviest of the firing); 9 of them were turned over to brigade headquarters; the others are reported as having been sent to friends at home by mail before it was known by the captors that they should be turned over, or orders received requiring it. The slaughter of the rebels was very great, the ditches were filled with them, and the ground for many rods in front was literally covered with their dead and wounded.

The officers and men all did nobly, and when the battle was ended and the rolls called scarcely any were missing.

Our casualties in this engagement were: Killed, 1 commissioned officer, 16 enlisted men; wounded, 2 commissioned officers, 32 enlisted men; missing, 6 enlisted men; total, 3 commissioned officers and 54 enlisted men.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

O. W. STERL,                       

Colonel 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., 1ST BRIG., 3D DIV., 23D A. C.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS 104TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,  

Near Spring Hill, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In accordance with instructions, I would respectfully submit the following report of the part taken by the One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry Volunteers in the operations of the 15th and 16th of December, in front of Nashville, Tenn.:

Having been relieved from our position in the works to the right of the Franklin pike, in connection with the rest of the brigade, the One hundred and fourth moved to the right of the Granny White pike, in rear of the Fourth Corps; remained there until 1 p.m., when this regiment, in connection with the rest of the brigade, was moved off to the right, through the works, marching in the rear and parallel to the Fourth Corps and Smith's corps until we had gained the extreme right, when, changing direction, we were moved to the front, crossing the Hillsborough pike over the ridge on which the Fifteenth Indiana Battery was in position and into a corn-field, where the brigade was halted in column of regiments, the One hundred and fourth in front. Here we lost three men wounded from gunshots from the enemy posted on the ridge in front of us. The troops in our immediate front being at this time pressed very hard by the enemy the First Brigade was ordered up for support, the One hundred and fourth taking the advance. Moving up under protection of the ridge we obtained position without loss. Remaining quiet until after dark, the brigade was placed in position in line of battle, the One hundred and fourth on the right and flank. The night was passed in throwing up works. December 16, remained in position in our works until between 3 and 4 p.m., when the order came for the First Brigade to charge the works in trout of us. The One hundred and fourth having been placed on the flank in the works at an angle with our main line we were detained some little time in changing front. On reaching their works the enemy were found flying in confusion, having abandoned them without much resistance. The brigade again going into position in line of battle, the One hundred and fourth on the left, temporary works were thrown up during the night.

Very respectfully,

O. W. STERL,                       

Colonel 104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

|Capt. J. H. BROWN,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.|

_______________

* Awarded a Medal of Honor.

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. 421-3

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 132. Report of Capt. Jacob Miller, Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 132.

Report of Capt. Jacob Miller, Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. SIXTEENTH KENTUCKY VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,    

Spring Hill, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to make the following report of the part my regiment took in the movement of the army on the 15th and 16th instant:

On the 16th [15th] instant, at 6.30 a.m., we moved from our camp in rear of our works, on the right of the Franklin pike, and formed column, by division, en masse with the brigade. Soon after orders were received, and we moved to the right of our line, where our regiment again formed line of battle, the One hundred and fourth Ohio and Twelfth Kentucky resting in our front. At 12 m. it was evident that a move was being made to the right. At 1 p.m. orders were again received, and we continued our movement slowly to the right. At 4 p.m. we again formed line of battle for the purpose of supporting the Third Brigade of the Second Division, which at the time was advancing a short distance to the right and about 100 yards to the front. Soon the rattle of musketry was heard, and we were ordered forward on double-quick to form on their right and rear, their right having become hotly pressed. Night coming on the Third Brigade, Second Division, was withdrawn and we moved forward and took position on the line they had occupied, with our right resting on the Twelfth Kentucky and left on the One hundredth Ohio. By direction of Colonel Doolittle, commanding brigade, we constructed a line of earth-works during the night to protect our front. During the whole time we were constructing our works the enemy's sharpshooters, a few hundred yards in our front, and immediately in front of works they were at the same time constructing, kept up a constant firing. On the morning of the 16th no change on the part of the enemy in our front was visible, only that they had finished their works, some 400 yards distant, which looked very formidable. The sharpshooters continued their firing, and at 8.30 o'clock one man of Company D, while coming from the rear to the works, was struck in the left hip, causing a severe flesh wound. We remained in this position until 3 p.m., when we were ordered to charge and occupy the enemy's works in our immediate front, which we did, driving the enemy's skirmishers before us and their artillerists from their guns, who were just in the act of charging them with canister. Night coming on, we encamped some 200 yards to the left and rear of the enemy's works, constructing a line of earth-works.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

JACOB MILLER,     

Captain, Comdg. Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. J. H. BROWN,

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. 418-9

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 130. Reports of Lieut. Col. Laurence H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry, of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 130.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Laurence H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry,

of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. TWELFTH KENTUCKY VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,        

Nashville, Tenn., December 7, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to order just received, the operations of the Twelfth Kentucky Infantry at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th of November, as follows:

My regiment was exceedingly fatigued by recent fighting and marching, when about noon of the 30th of November we marched into Franklin, and were assigned our position on the left of the Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, both regiments, as was also the Eighth Tennessee Infantry, being in reserve to the remainder of the brigade. The space of time between our arrival and the engagement of the 30th was employed in cooking and sleeping, the men being sadly in need of both food and rest. When it became evident that the enemy was determined to attack I moved my regiment, by order of General Reilly, under shelter of the slight but steep ascent upon which the line of works in our immediate front was built. Our position was at this time in rear about fifty paces of the extreme left of the brigade. The assault commenced a very few minutes after I had made this move. I had my men in readiness to move to any point the instant I should receive orders. After remaining in this position a very short period I observed the line of works at and near the old cotton-gin in the angle of the line being abandoned by our troops; seeing the danger, and well knowing the disastrous consequences that would follow if the enemy should gain the works at this point, I ordered my regiment on my own responsibility forward to the works. Upon our arrival at that point I found a sufficient extent of the line abandoned into which to throw my whole regiment. The enemy had possession of the outside of the works, their officers calling on them to hold the works, “that they had them, if they knew it.” Their colors were planted on our works, and a number of their men had gained the top and fired down into our ranks; even bayonets and clubbed muskets were used. After a severe struggle we gave the enemy a check, and our line was becoming stronger and stronger every moment by the return of those who had at first abandoned them.

To hold the works after this crisis against the assaults which were again and again made was a task comparatively easy. When the repulse was finally completed, and a skirmish line was ordered out in front, a portion of my men were sent out, and the regiment was ordered back to the position it occupied at the beginning of the assault. Some little time before we withdrew across the river a detail of twenty men, with non-commissioned officers and a captain, was called for, which I furnished; immediately after I furnished two companies to report to Colonel Hayes, commanding the One hundredth Ohio, at his own request, to enable him to hold his portion of his line, against which the enemy was making repeated assaults.

The fatigues which my regiment had to undergo were of the severest kind. My men were without rest and sleep four nights in succession, having performed fatigue and picket duty in very heavy details, fought until midnight at Columbia on the 29th, marched to Franklin by noon of the 30th, fought until 11 o'clock the night of the 30th, and then marched to this place.

In regard to the conduct of the officers of my regiment, I deem it unnecessary to make any remark; they all did their duty to the fullest extent. But I would beg leave to mention particularly the conspicuous bravery and coolness of Capt. John Travis, Company B, acting major; Thomas Speed, adjutant; Captains Brown, Company D, Crozier, Company O, and Lieut. J. B. Francis, Company I, and Lieut. D. Gray, Company L These all I saw myself, and can bear testimony to their valuable service.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 L. H. ROUSSEAU,              

 Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

Lieutenant STEARNS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

HDQRS. TWELFTH KENTUCKY VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,        

Near Spring Hill, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry, in front of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th December, 1864:

Early on the morning of the 15th my regiment was withdrawn from the line of Works it had occupied on the right of the Franklin pike, and massed with the brigade in rear of the position the brigade had occupied. During the greater portion of the day, being in reserve, we remained inactive, merely moving in mass with the troops that were held in reserve. It was late in the afternoon, when apparently the flank movement to the right was completed, that we first came in contact with the enemy. This was when the First Brigade moved up in line to support the troops on the right of the Second Division, who were very briskly engaged. It was almost dark when we closed up to within a few paces of the rear, and were ordered to lie down and shelter ourselves behind the crest of the hill. In this position we remained perhaps two hours, when the troops in our front moved to the left, and we were ordered to advance to the crest of this hill and build works. The portion of the line occupied by my regiment in this position was the summit of the elevation, with the right refused to about a perpendicular to the left wing. In this position we threw up very secure works, which proved to be of great benefit on the next day. The morning of the 16th showed us that we were in very close proximity to the enemy, as we learned afterward by actual measurement only 400 yards from their line of works built the night previous. Until about 3 p.m. we remained in our works, sheltered from sharpshooting, which was very brisk. We annoyed the enemy to a considerable extent ourselves, and prevented their using a battery of four guns upon us, which was planted in our immediate front, and also prevented their removing it, when they attempted to do so. About 3 p.m. we received orders to charge the enemy's works. At the command my men moved out promptly, though in consequence of the right being refused to the rear, that portion of the regiment was unable to move with the left wing; however, being very energetically urged forward by Captain Travis, it was brought up very promptly. The enemy gave us several very severe volleys at first, but upon the whole made very feeble resistance. We went into their works and found we had captured 4 pieces of artillery, each with a limber-chest full of ammunition, 51 prisoners, and 40 intrenching tools, besides a considerable number of small-arms, which I neglected to have gathered up until too late, and found that some other troops had removed them.

In the operations of the two days my loss was small, only 5 men slightly wounded.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

L. H. ROUSSEAU,   

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry.

 Capt. J. H. BROWN,

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. 415-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 129. Report of Col. Charles C. Doolittle, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 129.

Report of Col. Charles C. Doolittle, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry,

commanding First Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,       

Spring Hill, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade during the recent engagements before Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant:

In obedience to Special Orders, No. 141, from division headquarters, I assumed command of this brigade on the morning of the 15th instant and withdrew the regiments from the positions occupied by them between Forts Casino and Negley, massing them under the hill and out of sight of the enemy, leaving a company of each regiment to occupy the works until relieved by troops from General Steedman's command. In this movement we were favored by a heavy fog. With the division, this brigade in advance, I moved my command gradually to the right, crossing the Hillsborough pike about two miles from the city and recrossing it at a point about three miles farther out, and, by direction of the commanding general, took up position on the right of Col. George Spalding's cavalry command, the brigade being formed in two lines, on the left of the Hillsborough pike, with One hundred and fourth Ohio and Twelfth Kentucky in first, and the One hundredth Ohio, Sixteenth Kentucky, and Eighth Tennessee in the second line. I had thrown out two companies of the One hundred and fourth Ohio as skirmishers, and was about to move forward, when an aide of General Couch, commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, rode up with an urgent request from General Couch to go to the support of one of his brigades, which was being hotly pressed. I moved immediately on double-quick and took position on the right of this brigade (Third), which was posted on a hill about 600 yards to the right and as many to the front, preserving the same formation, throwing out skirmishers and relieving it from the danger of being crushed. I remained in this position until after dark, when the Third Brigade, Second Division, being withdrawn, I occupied its ground, placing the regiments in the following order: One hundred and fourth Ohio, Twelfth Kentucky, Sixteenth Kentucky, One hundredth Ohio, and Eighth Tennessee, and immediately proceeded to erect breast-works along the line, connecting with Colonel Casement on my left and refusing my right well, so as to prevent a flank movement. I now occupied the extreme right of the army, and was some distance from support in case of a determined movement of the enemy against us.

The command worked all night, and when daylight appeared we found ourselves within 500 yards of the enemy, who was well posted on high hills, behind works erected during the night, our skirmish lines being not over fifty yards apart in our front. We had a quiet morning, disturbed only by occasional skirmish firing, until about 11 o'clock, when the enemy attempted to move some artillery he had placed in position. My men opened on him with their rifles, provoking him to fire a few shots. We soon silenced his guns and prevented their removal. We remained comparatively quiet from this time until about 4 p.m., when the grand charge was made along our lines, and, according to instructions, seeing the success of the charge on my left, I charged the works opposite me, carrying them and capturing 8 pieces of artillery (light 12's), ammunition in 4 limber-chests, 1 wagon loaded with grape and canister, 2 mules, and between 200 and 300 prisoners; no exact account of these latter can be given, as they were taken to the rear immediately. I went into camp for the night on the ground just taken from the enemy, throwing up light works for protection.

I would notice especially the conduct of the regimental commanders — Col. O. W. Sterl, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. Col. E. L. Hayes, One hundredth Ohio; Lieut. Col. L. H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky; Capt. Jacob Miller, Sixteenth Kentucky; and Capt. J. W. Berry, Eighth Tennessee — who were always present with their commands, leading them in the charge.

The Twelfth Kentucky, being nearest the enemy's works, were the first to reach them, securing four guns. The other four were taken jointly by the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee. I cannot praise too highly the conduct of all the command, both officers and men, and I feel that I was honored in being assigned to such a command at such a time. I would especially mention Capt. J. H. Brown, Twelfth Kentucky, acting assistant adjutant-general, and Lieut. D. M. Stearns, One hundred and fourth Ohio, acting aide-de-camp, who behaved in the most gallant manner.

The casualties of the brigade were small, 9 wounded being the total — One hundred and fourth Ohio, 3; Twelfth Kentucky, 5; Sixteenth Kentucky, 1.

The hill charged being steep, the enemy fired over us, as they also seemed to do in the valley through which the left of the brigade passed.

Before closing this report I would refer to the fact that McArthur's division, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, claim to have taken the four pieces captured by the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee without any shadow of right, as the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee drove the enemy from them, taking a large number of prisoners, besides the two mules and the ammunition wagon. The One hundredth Ohio had placed a guard over them, but the pieces were subsequently removed by order of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, as was also the wagon.

I respectfully submit herewith reports of regimental commanders.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

CHAS. C. DOOLITTLE,      

Colonel Eighteenth Michigan Infantry, Commanding.

Capt. THEO. COX,

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. 413-5

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 128. Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30, 1864.

No. 128.

Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade,

of operations November 30, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,       

Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to report the operations of the First Brigade-composed of the One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. O. W. Sterl; One hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. E. L. Hayes; Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. S. White; Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. L. H. Rousseau, and Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Capt. J. W. Berry — in battle of 30th ultimo at Franklin, Tenn.

The brigade was placed in position on the right of the division, on left of Columbia pike, facing south, or nearly so, the right of the brigade resting on pike, the left connecting with the Second Brigade. Owing to the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Veteran Infantry being rear guard upon the evacuation of position on north side of Duck River, near Columbia, on evening of 29th ultimo, they did not reach Franklin for some considerable time after the other portion of command, in consequence of which the brigade was formed with One hundredth Ohio Infantry on right, One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry on left, with Eighth Tennessee Infantry in reserve. The first line of the brigade, immediately upon being placed in position, commenced intrenching, and succeeded in getting up an ordinary line of works, with head-logs. Upon the arrival of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, about 10 a.m., they were put in reserve. The brigade had strong line of skirmishers thrown well forward. At about 4.30 p.m. the enemy were discovered approaching in strong force upon a portion of the Fourth Corps, in front of brigade; the advance was rapid, the troops remaining until the enemy were in such close proximity to them before they retired, that the enemy's heavy assaulting columns pushed them back rapidly over our line of works, the enemy following closely and determinedly.

The officers of my command and myself were using our utmost to prevent our men from firing until all of our own men could succeed in getting into the works. This, with the enemy pushing close after, and in some cases with our own men on the works, caused a momentary abandonment of the line by a portion of the right of the brigade. The line was rapidly rallied by their officers and with the assistance of the Sixteenth Kentucky, that at this moment led by Lieutenant-Colonel White, who, seeing and appreciating the disaster that would be caused if our line should be broken, gallantly ordered and led his regiment forward to the breach before orders to that effect could reach him. That portion of the enemy who had gained inside our works were either killed or taken prisoners. The enemy made various and continued assaults upon the line, but were each time repulsed with fearful slaughter. Every inch of the works was held, both inside and outside, until the brigade was ordered to fall back. The One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel McCoy, was ordered up, or at least came up, gallantly and nobly, and mingled with our men in rear of the works during the remainder of the fight. The Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. John Russell, was ordered up, and right nobly did they come and render valuable services. The Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Rousseau, in reserve in rear of the One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry, pushed his men forward to the works and did valuable service.

It is proper for me to say that, with the exception of the aid rendered by the One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as herein stated, the brigade received no assistance during the fight, unless, perhaps, some of the men coming in over the works may have rallied in or behind the lines.

I cannot in justice but mention the efficiency and bravery of Col. O. W. Sterl, and also that of Lieut. Col. E. L. Hayes, who, with his regiment, particularly distinguished themselves.

Lieutenant-Colonels White and Rousseau have already been mentioned. In fact, the regimental officers and men of the brigade nobly sustained the reputation earned on other fields, to which the flags captured, some twenty, the number of prisoners taken, the almost unparalleled slaughter of the enemy in front of their works, the casualty list, all bear ample and indisputable evidence.

I herewith forward a list of the casualties in the brigade.

Among the many brave men killed I regret to report Capt. H. D. Palmer, Sixteenth Kentucky; Capt. W. W. Hunt, One hundredth Ohio; Lieut. W. F. Kemble, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. M. A. Brown, One hundredth Ohio Infantry; Lieut. J. J. Hiser, Sixteenth Kentucky, and Lieut. F. M. Jackman, Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Infantry. Among the wounded, Lieut. Col. J. S. White, Sixteenth Kentucky; Lieutenants Markley, Brown, and Wood, Sixteenth Kentucky; Lieut. S.S. Cope, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. H. Obee, One hundredth Ohio; and Lieut. G. W. Clarke, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.

My staff officers performed their duties bravely and efficiently. I regret to report that Capt. D. D. Bard, my assistant adjutant-general, was mortally wounded whilst fearlessly discharging his duty.

I would respectfully call attention to the reports of regimental commanders as to individual acts of bravery by officers and enlisted men that would more properly come under their notice.

The reports, no far as received, are herewith forwarded.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. W. REILLY,         

 Brigadier-General, Commanding.

_______________

List of casualties in First Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps,

at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864.

Command.	Killed.		Wounded.		Missing.		Total.		Aggregate.
	O	M	O	M	O	M	O	M
8th Tennessee.				5		2		7	7
12th Kentucky.	1	5		26	1	12	2	43	45
16th Kentucky.	2	8	4	38		9	6	55	61
100th Ohio	2	5	1	26		31	3	62	65
104th Ohio	1	9	2	28		15	3	51	54
Total	6	27	7	123	1	69	14	218	232

[O = Officers     M = Men]

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. W. REILLY,         

 Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.

Capt. THEO. COX,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Div., 23d Army Corps.

_______________

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,                      

Nashville, Tenn., December 3, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I herewith have the honor to report nine battle-flags captured at Franklin, on the 30th ultimo, by First Brigade, including two captured by the One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio. There were twenty in all captured, but many were torn up and sent home by the privates, and some others were lost.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. W. REILLY,         

 Brigadier-General, Commanding.

 Capt. THEO. Cox,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Div., 23d Army Corps.

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. 411-3

Zollicoffer's Defeat

Vivid Description of the Battle Field.

(Correspondence Cincinnati Commercial.)

A Ride to the Battle – The Battle Ground – Scenes on the Battle Field – Pursuit of the Enemy – The Rebel Camp – The Property Taken – One Hundred and Ninety Rebels Buried.

Having seen many accounts of the battle of Webb’s Cross Roads, (variously called the battle of Fishing Creek, Old Fields, Somerset, and Mill Springs,) it would seem hardly necessary to chronicle any further relative to it.  But as this is the first battle field I visited before the dead and wounded were removed, I feel disposed to make a note of some of my experiences connected with it.

During two weeks prior to the engagement, I was at Somerset, attending to some business matters for the Twelfth Kentucky Regiment. – All this time, much anxiety was felt by the forces under General Thomas, so that an advance could be made upon the fortified position of Zollicoffer, at Mill Springs.  The welcome tidings finally reached us Friday morning, Jan. 17th, that Gen. Thomas was at Webb’s Cross Roads, seven and a half miles west, or south west of Somerset, with 6,000 men and, before 11 o’clock a. m., Schoepff’s brigade was under way to join them.  The difficulties of that march through rain and mud, have been better described by those who were in it than I can do it.  That Zollicoffer would come out of his entrenchments and attack our forces was entirely unexpected – consequently no battle was looked for this side of his position at Mill Springs.

Early on Sunday morning, January 19th, we heard the roar of cannon beyond fishing creek, which betokened a battle.  Like many younger men I felt “eager for the fray.”  Lieut. Colonel Howard, of the Kentucky 12th, being confined to his bed by sickness, I mounted his well known charger, “Nelly Gray,” and went to fill his place, or rather to try.  The distance from Somerset to the Salt works on Fishing Creek, where we crossed, is five miles.  The mud, a kind of reddish clay and very soft, was from six inches to half as many feet in depth.  I fell in with a squadron of Wolford’s Cavalry, escorting six caissons of ammunition, each caisson being drawn by eight horses, driven by for riders.  There were also in the company thirty six relief horses in harness, for Standart’s Battery, which was already on the ground.  To see this train in motion while the horses were pressed to the top of their speed, could be compared to nothing better than a wild tornado, accompanied by a halt a dozen whirlwinds playing with the mud as though it were the chaff of a threshing floor, obscuring at times the caissons, horses and riders.  The cavalcade reached the high bank overlooking Fishing Creek, in about twenty minutes from Somerset, and came to a halt.  The Creek was so high that it was said it could not be forded or at least the ammunition would be spoiled in passing through.  In addition to this a frightened wagon-master reported that Zollicoffer’s forces had got between our army and the Creek and thus cut off supplies and reinforcements from Somerset.  During these few moments of suspense, and while the fire of artillery seemed to be increasing I rode down the long steep hill to the water’s edge, determined to cross at all hazards.

While calculating my chances in one of the strongest currents I ever saw forded, a gentle man upon a powerful strong-limbed horse rode up and gave it as his opinion that the creek could be forded.  Being more excited that I was he plunged into the stream.  Without waiting to see how he “came out,” and knowing that mortal horse could not do more than “Nelly Gray,” I followed.  We made the opposite shore in safety.  By this time the whole cavalcade (excepting caissons) had reached the creek, and in a few minutes passed safely over.  We halted with the cavalry in front of widow Campbell’s house (secesh), and sent forward a reconnoitering party.  Soon one of the party returned and reported the road clear.  The distance from Fishing Creek to Webb’s Cross Roads, where our forces had bivouacked the night before the battle, is two and a half miles.  We had made about two miles of this distance, when the artillery ceased firing and soon after we met a man riding furiously down the hill. – When we succeeded in bringing him to a halt, he told us Zollicoffer was dead and his army in full retreat.  This man was hardly recognized by his old acquaintances, for his naked, sparkling eye balls seemed to be the only two spots about him not covered with mud.  It was Dr. Hale.  When he had told us his story, on he flew to tell it to other persecuted Union men.  Zollicoffer is slain, his forces are overthrown, scattered and destroyed!  We are again free!  Men, women and children shouted and even wept for joy.  At that moment I did not wait to moralize for while Dr. Hale was spreading the glad tidings in one direction, Nelly Gray had anticipated the cavalcade in the other, and was first on the battle field.  My first inquiry was for the Kentucky 12th, but no one could tell me where they were, or what party they had taken in the action.  Only one dead man had been brought in.  The body laid upon the ground in front of one of the Minnesota tents surrounded by some twenty soldiers.  It had been stripped of all clothing except the pants and two soldiers were busy in washing off the mud with which it had been covered.  It was almost as white and transparent as the most delicate wax work.  The fatal wound was in the breast, and was evidently made with a pistol ball as it could be easily covered with the end of my finger.  There was another wound upon the inside of his right arm, above the elbow, and still another glancing wound a little above his hip.  This was Zollicoffer!  He whose name had so long been a terror to men who loved their country on the banks of the Cumberland.  With some doubts at the time in my mind as to whether this was really the body of the rebel chief, I turned away to visit the field of battle.

The hospital tents had been hastily pitched in a small open field at the cross roads and along the edge of the woods skirting the south side of this field were the first marks of the storm of destruction which had waged so fearfully an hour before.  Nearly through the middle of the field is the road leading to Mill Springs, in a south or southwesterly direction.  I entered the woods on the east side of this road.  All along the edge of the open field lay the bodies of four or five of our men.  As I advanced into the woods the marks of cannon shot could be seen on every side, but I saw none of these marks nearer than twenty feet from the ground nor did I see a dead or wounded man who had been struck with a cannon shot, Dr. Cliffe, Zollicoffer’s brigade surgeon, afterwards told me that among all their wounded, so far as they had come in, only one had been injured by artillery and he had lost his arm.  Passing through the woods from the first open field, a distance of nearly half a mile, we reached another open, half cleared field on the left of the road.  In this field there stands some deadened timber, many large stumps and trees, some of the latter having been cut down, and some fallen from decay.  In this field the ground is quite steep, with a southern descent to near the center of the field, and then rises as rapidly till you reach the woods on the south.  In the eastern part of this field is a log house and a barn and an apple orchard.  Eighty five dead rebels lay in this field, which by way of distinction, I will call the “old field.”  Further on and to the right of the road is the cornfield where the brave Indiana 10th suffered so severely.  In the woods and along the road the scene was dreadful. – One body was placed in a sitting posture with the back leaning against a tree, the hands crossed in his lap, his eyes partially open and lips slightly parted.  The ball had entered his left breast just above the region of the heart.  Another laid upon his side with the head and arms thrown back, the ball had cut away a part of his skull over his left eye.

Among a score or more of our own noble dead, I saw not one badly mangled body, like those which I saw at Vienna.  And I loved, also, to fancy at least, that I saw clearly stamped upon each cold face a clam and holy satisfaction in pouring out their blood in a noble cause – to save from ruin the land of our fathers.  There are mothers, wives and sisters, who would gladly have braved the leaden hailstorm of the battle field, to minister to the dying soldier.  Let such console themselves – that death is a common lot, and far more preferable in any form, to life in a land of despotism and anarchy.  The cause in which your husband, brothers and sons have fallen is not a cause of wickedness and oppression, but of truth, freedom and right.  The fields of Kentucky have been freshly watered with hallowed blood, and the pirates are being hunted from her borders.  My own brave boy was either among the slain or pursuing the flying foe.  In which of these positions I might find him, I know not.  I could possibly enjoy no higher honor than in the sacrifice of all I held dear, for the salvation of my country.  With all the anxieties common to parents, I searched for his well known countenance among the slain.  So close was the resemblance in many cases that my pulse quickened and my brain began to reel.  I remembered that he wore a pair of boots of peculiar make, and before I dared to let my eyes rest upon the face, there was a mark –  not on his.  I passed on in haste, but suddenly felt compelled to stop once more, against a tree, leaned back in the more classic composure was the fairest and most beautiful countenance I ever saw in death.  No female complexion could be more spotless.  The silky locks of wavy auburn hair fell in rich profusion, upon fair temples and a faultless forehead.  Some friendly hand had parted his garments, bearing his breast, from which the read current of life flowed out, and had bathed his temples, which were still warm but had ceased to throb forever.  O, ye winds, bear these tidings softly to the loved ones at home.

Among the wounded of our men, it was really comforting to see with what patient heroism they bore their pains.  I said to one poor fellow, with a shattered leg, “you must be in great pain, can I do anything for you?”  He said, “There are others worse off than me, when they are carried in, you can tell them where I am if you please.”  Another man had a ball through his right hand, breaking two of the bones.  He had done it up himself with a wet bandage and with his other hand was carrying one corner of a stretcher, with a wounded man, carrying another corner of the same stretcher, was a man with his head and face covered with blood.  He said he was not hurt at all, he had only lost a large piece of his hat and a small piece of his scalp.

In the “old fields” among the rebels some of the scenes were horrid and revolting in the extreme.  A large number of the dead were shot in the head.  One was shot directly in the eye and the brain was oozing from the wound.  Five dead and one wounded lay behind one log, all but the wounded one were shot in the head.  One rebel had a ball through his neck which destroyed the power of speech – though I don’t think his wound was mortal.  Several of the dead were old and gray headed men.  A dark complexioned man with a heavy black beard, who said he was from Mississippi was lying on the ground with a broken thigh.  He was stern and sullen – he had only one favor to ask – that was that some one of us would kill him.  I said to him we will soon take you to the surgeon and do all we can to relieve you for we are satisfied you have been deceived by wicked men, and do not know what you have been doing.  To which he meekly replied – that is possible.  A younger man, quite a boy, begged me not to let the Lincolnites kill him.  An elderly man sat with his back against a stump with a ball directly through the center of the head at the base of the brain.  There was a ghastly grin upon his countenance, his eyes were stretched widely open and staring wildly into vacancy while his breath was rapid, deep and heavy.  His was a living death for he was senseless.  A lad of fourteen with a mashed ankle, protested his innocence and begged to be taken care of.  He said he had never fired a gun at a Union man and never would.  Numbers of rebels made in effect the same declaration.

I left these fields of human suffering with feelings such as I never before experienced. – The freshness of death seemed to fill the whole atmosphere.  It was a scene which a man needs only to look upon once in his life time in order to occupy all his power of reflection.  Following the wake of our victorious and pursuing army the road, adjoining the fields and woods, were strewn with blankets, knapsacks, haversacks, hats, boots, shoes, guns, cartridge boxes, broken wagons, &c., as perfect a scene of destruction as can well be imagined.

When I left on Thursday evening Col. Hoskins told me the captured horses and mules would probably reach 2,000.  Prisoners were being brought in in little squads, and Capt. Alexander, of Wolford’s cavalry reported that he had 200 penned up in the rocks two miles below their camp.  Crittenden’s entire force (except himself) consisting of about 2,000 men, are supposed to be on this side of the river.

I returned from the rebel camp in company with Dr. Straw and his prisoner, Dr. D. B. Cliffe, of Franklin, Tenn., Zollicoffer’s brigade Surgeon.  Dr. Cliffe seems much of a gentleman and claims to be a Union man.  He says he had to enlist or quit the country, but he had never taken the oath of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy.  He confirmed the news of the death of Zollicoffer, and cut several sticks and limbs, as mementoes from near the place where he fell.  Besides Dr. Cliffe, I saw several other prisoners who seem to be gentlemen, but the mass of them were rough hard unpolished subjects – just such a set as one would be likely to judge “fit for treason, stratagem and spoils.”

I have only noted such items as came under my own observation and comparatively only a few of them.  The order of battle and acts of personal bravery will be better told by those who witnessed them.  Lieut. E. G. Jacobs told me he saw a Minnesotian coolly advance from the ranks some distance, and placing his rifle by the side of a tree take a long and deliberate aim toward the old log house, when a rebel head which had been peering from behind the corner of the house was suddenly discovered to have a body attached to it by its pitching at full length from the end of the house.  I found seven dead bodies in this old building who must have been killed by close shooting between the logs.  When I left 190 rebels had been buried in the old field, and many more still in the woods.  Thirty eight of our own men had been buried in the first field near the tents.

C. T.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 4

The Late Somerset Battle

The battle, unlike the most of the war, grows larger the more that is known of it.  One hundred and ninety two dead bodies of the rebels were buried up to Tuesday night, and they were still found thick in the woods.  It was first supposed that the forces engaged were about equal, but it is now known that the enemy outnumbered us two to one.  The regiments under Gen. Thomas’s command at the time of the fight were the 10th Indiana, 4th and 12th Kentucky, 2d Minnesota, 9th and 14th Ohio, and 1st and 2d East Tennessee Regiments.  These eight regiments could not bring at the utmost over six thousand men onto the field and of these only about one half were actually engaged in the combat.  The consolidated morning report of the troops at Mill Spring last Friday has been found.  Crittenden had under him at that time and there, one thousand three hundred and twenty two men sick, and fourteen thousand two hundred and six men fit for duty.  And by papers found on the person of Gen. Zollicoffer, it appears that two new regiments reported for duty at Mill Spring on Saturday, the 18th.  The testimony of all the intelligent prisoners whom we took is to the effect that the whole force moved from their camp to the attack on Sunday, except a small guard on the north side, and “White’s old regiment,” a shattered and demoralized body of men on the south side of the river.  Not less than fifteen thousand men marched out to give battle as they supposed, to three regiments of Union troops.

It must not be thought however, that this large force was at all available to Crittenden. – A great proportion of it, perhaps one half, was the raw drafted levies of two months’ men, lately raised in Tennessee.  They have been coming to Crittenden in squads from one to five hundred for weeks.  Just organized into regiments, and armed principally with shotguns, they could not be supposed to add much to the strength of the rebel army and in case of such a panic as occurred were an element of positive weakness.  And they were even further useless because they had no hearts for a fight against the Union.  One of them coming near our lines rushed across to us, exclaiming “I am a Union man,” and immediately commenced firing on his late comrades!  We understand that there were about 10,000 of such troops at Knoxville.  We mean to carry guns to them and make them our first soldiers from their party of the country!

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 3