No. 160.
Report of Col. David Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, commanding
First Brigade,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST
BRIGADE, SECOND DIVISION,
DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
In the Field, Tenn.,
December 22, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor herewith to report the
following as the part taken by the First Brigade in the battle of the 15th and
l6th instant, before Nashville, Tenn.:
On the morning of the 15th instant, agreeable to orders, the
brigade marched out in front of our works and formed line of battle in the
center of the division, the Third Brigade on my right, and the Second Brigade
on my left. About 10 a.m. we advanced in line with the division, having thrown
a strong line of skirmishers to the front. We advanced steadily, our
skirmishers soon coming in contact with those of the enemy, and driving them
steadily backward until our line reached a large house, about a mile from the
place of starting. Artillery was moved forward and put in position on the right
of my brigade. The One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry was posted on
the right of and supporting the artillery. This regiment, with the Eighty-ninth
Indiana and One hundred and twenty-second Illinois, formed the front line,
while the Twenty-first Missouri was placed a short distance in the rear as a
reserve. A heavy artillery fire was opened from the Ninth Indiana Battery and
the Second Illinois, Battery G, upon the enemy in our front, the men being
ordered to lie down in the ravine. Late in the afternoon we again advanced in
line with the division, our skirmishers going up close to the enemy, and the
artillery continued to play with effect upon the enemy until about 5 p.m., when
the enemy fled, the skirmishers of the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois
capturing one battle-flag. The enemy having fled from their position, we were
ordered to go into camp for the night.
In the morning of the 16th we advanced with the division,
our skirmishers soon coming in contact with those of the enemy. We moved forward
by order, and took position on the left of the division near some works which
the enemy had abandoned. The Ninth Indiana Battery being near the center of my
brigade, was moved forward to a house on the crest of the hill, from which
position they opened a terrific cannonade upon the enemy's lines, which was
continued for several hours. The officers and men of that battery displayed the
greatest coolness and courage during the conflict, although often subjected to
the most terrific fire of shot and shell from the enemy's batteries. I would
here call your especial attention to Lieut. Samuel G. Calfee, who was in
command of the Ninth Battery, as a most worthy, brave, and efficient officer.
About 4 p..m. a charge was ordered, and to bring my brigade into proper
position it was necessary to describe a half wheel to the right. This was
quickly done--the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois on the right, the
Eighty-ninth Indiana in the center, and the One hundred and twenty-second
Illinois on the left, and the Twenty-first Missouri in reserve. When the
command was given to charge, the men, with a cheer which rent the heavens,
precipitated themselves upon the enemy's batteries and intrenchments, receiving
a heavy fire of shot and shell from the front and at the same time a heavy
cross-fire from the enemy's works on my left. As the brigade neared the line of
works the firing for a few moments was very heavy, but the enemy soon broke and
fled in wild confusion, leaving behind him his batteries and many of his men in
our hands. Colonel Kinney, of the One hundred and nineteenth Illinois,
following the retreating enemy, captured prisoners at every step, and finally
overtook and captured one 10 pounder Parrott gun, one Rodman, two Napoleons,
and two 12-pounder howitzers. The Eighty-ninth Indiana and One hundred and
twenty-second Illinois charged to the left after crossing the breast-works,
following the stream of fugitives, overtaking and capturing many prisoners,
also two Napoleon guns, with horses and equipments complete. Two guns
(Napoleons) of the battery which was firing upon our lines from the front were
captured by the brigade in the first part of the charge. The brigade captured
near the foot of the hill one major-general (E. Johnson). He was captured by Private
John Wagner, Company H, and Private H. Daugherty, Company C, One hundred and
nineteenth Illinois, and William Cully, Company H, Eighty-ninth Indiana. He was
taken to the rear by the two men last named and delivered to Captain Whitaker,
of the One hundred and seventeenth Illinois. These men also captured at the
same time General Johnson's private papers and headquarters records, as well as
the headquarters wagons and ambulances. The brigade captured in this charge, 1
Parrott gun, 1 Rodman, 6 Napoleons, and 2 howitzers, 13 wagons, 3 ambulances,
15 caissons and limbers, and near 400 prisoners, among whom were the
major-general above named and Colonel Voorhies, of the Forty-eighth Tennessee,
also a large number of other officers.
Col. Thomas J. Kinney, commanding One hundred and nineteenth
Illinois, is a brave and gallant officer, and well deserves the confidence of
all. His officers and me, acquitted themselves with great credit. Lieut. Col.
Hervey Craven, commanding Eighty-ninth Indiana, is cool, courageous, and
prompt, and, in common with all his officers and men, displayed the greatest
gallantry during the engagement. Lieut. Col. James F. Drish, commanding the One
hundred and twenty-second Illinois, with commendable energy and unflinching
courage, led his gallant regiment on to the charge in a style unsurpassed,
creditable alike to him and them. Lieut. Col. Edwin Moore, commanding
Twenty-first Missouri, did not participate in the charge, his regiment being
held in reserve. To speak of individual instances of personal bravery would
require too much time, or do injustice by naming some and leaving others
unnoticed; suffice it to say, all did their duty fearlessly, nobly, and well.
I cannot say precisely how many prisoners were captured by
my brigade, for the reason that they were sent back in squads as fast as
captured and delivered to the first officer who could be found in charge of prisoners.
But of the capture of the artillery, wagons, &c., and also Major-General
Johnson, I have positive proof. The number of prisoners will not fall far short
of 400.
I would call your especial attention to the officers of my
personal staff. Lieut. Samuel D. Sawyer, acting assistant adjutant general, who
charged with the command and had his horse killed under him, but was
immediately remounted, and rendered me most important service in directing the
movements of the troops. I would recommend him as a brave and gallant officer
and one worthy of promotion. Lieut. John J. Chubb also charged forward with the
command with great coolness and courage. He is a gallant and efficient officer,
deserving of promotion. Lieutenant Converse was so unwell as to be unable to
participate in the charge. The horses of nearly all my staff officers were
killed during the engagement, the horse of Lieutenant Converse having been
killed the first day.
The engagement resulted in the total rout of the enemy, and
a complete and glorious victory for Union and liberty.
To the officers and men of my command I tender my profound
thanks; I am proud of them and their achievements. To the commanding general I
tender my acknowledgments; I am proud to be commanded by him.
I inclose a list of casualties in the First Brigade during
the engagement.*
I am, lieutenant,
very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. MOORE,
Colonel Twenty-first
Missouri,
Comdg. First Brig.,
Second Div., Detach. Army of the Tennessee.
Lieut. JAMES 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. 475-7
U. S.