Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 183. Report of Capt. John M. Benedict, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 183.

Report of Capt. John M. Benedict, Eighteenth Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS EIGHTEENTH OHIO INFANTRY, 

Chattanooga, Tenn., January 20, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the two days’ battle before Nashville, Tenn., on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864:

In obedience to orders from Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor, commanding Third Brigade, First Provisional Division, Army of the Cumberland, the regiment, commanded by Capt. E. Grosvenor, moved out at daylight and took position on the Murfreesborough turnpike near the picket-line. Soon after the fighting commenced the regiment was moved forward in the second line, over an open field, until within a short distance of the enemy's works. There we halted for a short time, and remained under cover until ordered by Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor, commanding brigade, to charge and take the rebel works in our front. The regiment charged gallantly under a galling fire up to the works, and succeeded in reaching the interior of the works with near a hundred men, but finally had to fall back on account of not being properly supported on the left. The Second Battalion, Fourteenth Army Corps, started on the charge at the same time, and on the left of my regiment, but at the first volley from the enemy it broke and run from the field in confusion, leaving the enemy to concentrate his whole fire on my regiment. The regiment remained at the works ten or fifteen minutes, when it was ordered by Lieutenant Grant to fall back, which it did, fighting stubbornly as it went. Captain Grosvenor fell dead, pierced by three balls, soon after reaching the works. Lieut. Samuel W. Thomas was also killed at about the same time. When within about forty yards of the works I was struck by a spent ball on the knee, paralyzing my leg and rendering me quite helpless; Captain Grosvenor being killed and myself wounded, the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieut. Charles Grant, next in rank, who deserves great praise for the promptness displayed in bringing the regiment off and reforming it. After the regiment was reformed I was assisted to mount a horse, and commanded the regiment during the rest of the fight. Soon after reforming, the regiment, with the rest of the brigade, was moved to the right, and took position directly in front of Rains’ house. I received orders from Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor to push forward a heavy line of skirmishers to annoy and silence, if possible, a rebel battery, situated in the rear of Rains' house, on the west side of the railroad, that was shelling our troops on the right; the skirmish line moved forward, under Lieutenants Grant and Collings, who pushed it rapidly up to Rains’ house; the battery was silenced, and only fired two or three more shots during the afternoon. The regiment remained on the skirmish line until dark, when it was relieved by the colored troops, when we moved back a short distance and bivouacked for the night.

December 16, the enemy fell back during the night. We marched at 7 a.m. over the battle-field of the day before; our dead that had been left on the field had been stripped of their clothing by the enemy and left exposed on the open field. We moved across the Nolensville pike and found the enemy strongly posted on Overton Hill, near the Franklin pike. My regiment took position in the second line, west of the railroad and near the foot of Overton Hill. At about 4 p.m. the order was given to assault the enemy, strongly posted on the hill. We moved forward at double-quick, through a small piece of woods with thick underbrush, and across an open corn-field, under a very heavy fire of grape and canister. When within about 100 yards of the enemy's works the line was halted, and remained under cover in a small ravine until ordered to fall back. Just as the command was halted I received a very painful wound in the mouth, which made it necessary for me to leave the field. I turned over the command of the regiment to Lieut. Charles Grant, who commanded during the rest of the campaign.

The regiment, composed of different detachments hastily thrown together but a short time before the battle, fought nobly. The officers and soldiers, without an exception, deserve great praise for their soldierly endurance throughout the two days' fight. I wish to speak briefly of the gallantry and soldierly qualities of Captain Grosvenor and Lieutenant Thomas, who died so nobly at the head of their commands; they were both brave and efficient officers.

Lieut. J. B. Emery was severely wounded on the first day while bravely leading his command against the enemy's works. Lieutenants Grant, Collings, and Lynch deserve special mention for the promptness in which they obeyed all my orders. Lieut. D. M. Bates, acting adjutant, rendered me invaluable service during the campaign; he is a good and worthy officer, and deserves promotion. Lieut. R. B. Chappell, acting regimental quartermaster, although not in the fight, rendered me very valuable assistance; by his untiring energy the command was well supplied with rations and ammunition at all times during the fight.

Owing to the scarcity of officers several companies were necessarily commanded by sergeants. Those who distinguished themselves as such are Sergts. B. F. Davis, Company A; Jerome F. Fry, Company C; James G. Irwin, Second Ohio; and Henry Carr, Twenty-fourth Ohio. They are all good soldiers and deserve promotion.

To Sergt. William H. Emrick, Thirty-fifth Ohio, I owe especial thanks for his assistance in helping me off the field when wounded in the first day's fight.

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

J. M. BENEDICT,     

Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Lieut. E. P. JOHNSON,

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. 529-31

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, August 6, 1861

Weston, Virginia, Tuesday P. M., August 6, 1861.

Dear Mother: — I have just read your letter, with Brother William's of the 2nd, — the first I have had from anybody since we came to Virginia. I am sitting in my tent looking out on the same beautiful scene I have so often referred to. It is a bright and very warm afternoon, but a clear, healthful mountain air which it is a happiness to breathe. . . .

My horse shows a little weakness in the fore shoulders, but as he can probably work well in an ambulance, I can exchange him for a good government horse, if he gets worse. We have plenty of business. A good deal of it is a sort of law business. As all civil authority is at an end, it is our duty to keep the peace and do justice between the citizens, who, in these irregular times, are perhaps a little more pugnacious than usual. Dr. Joe and I, under direction of the colonel, held courts on divers cases all the forenoon. It was rather amusing, and I think we dispensed very exact justice. As there is no appeal, a case decided is for good and all.

I am so glad you and Uncle are both getting well. If Uncle wishes to travel, and we remain here, he couldn't please himself better than by a trip this way. He would enjoy a few days very much in our camp, or at the hotel in the village.

Young Jewett leaves with his father for Zanesville tonight. I hope he will stand the trip well. I will hand them this letter to mail when they get out of these woods. Send me sometime a neat little New Testament. I have nothing of the sort. I have clothes enough. I am cut short by business. Good-bye.

Affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 57-8

Diary of Major Rutherford B. Hayes: July 22, 1861

Just received news of a dreadful defeat at Manassas, or beyond Centreville. General McDowell's column pushed on after some successes, were met apparently by fresh troops, checked, driven back, utterly routed!  What a calamity! Will not the secession fever sweep over the border States, driving out Kentucky, Missouri, (Baltimore) Maryland, etc., etc.? Is not Washington in danger? I have feared a too hasty pushing on of McDowell's column into ground where the Rebels have camped and scouted and entrenched themselves for months. My brother-in-law, as surgeon, is with the Second Ohio Regiment in advance, and is doubtless among those in the worst position. But private anxieties are all swallowed up in the general public calamity. God grant that it is exaggerated!

Our regiments are now likely, I think, to be speedily needed at Washington or elsewhere. I am ready to do my duty, promptly and cheerfully. Would that I had the military knowledge and experience which one ought to have to be useful in my position! I will do my best, my utmost in all ways to promote the efficiency of our regiment. It is henceforth a serious business.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 40

Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, April 19, 1861

COLUMBUS, April 19, 1861.

DEAR UNCLE: — I came up last night to help Dr. James Webb get a place as surgeon, and for other purposes not warlike. The doctor left for the East as assistant surgeon of [the] Second Regiment with the soldiers this morning. I shall return home on [the] next train.

At the first, I put down my foot that I would not think of going into this first movement. This, of course, I shall stick to; but if this war is [to] go on, it is obvious that sooner or later thousands will be dragged into it who would now not contemplate doing so. Platt enjoys it hugely. So do all the old-style people who like a strong government. It took a great many delicate youngsters from our neighborhood; almost every other family on our street sent somebody — Wilson Woodrow, Wright, Schooley, of our near neighbors. I saw them in their tents last night — cold as Halifax, and compelled to get up at 2:30 this morning to go East. A sharp experience for tenderly reared boys.

Come down and see us. All well here.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

 SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 9-10

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in April 18, 1861. Ordered to Washington, D.C., April 19, and duty in the defences of that city till July. Attached to Schenck's Brigade, Tyler's Division, McDowell's Army of Northeast Virginia, June-July. Advance on Manassas, Va., July 16-21. Occupation of Fairfax Court House July 17. Battle of Bull Run July 21. Mustered out July 31, 1861.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496

2nd Ohio Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, July 17 to September 20, 1861. Left State for Kentucky September 4. Operations in vicinity of Olympian Springs, Ky., till November. Action at West Liberty October 23. Olympian Springs November 4. Ivy Mountain November 8. Piketown November 8-9. Moved to Louisville, Ky., thence to Bacon Creek, Ky., and duty there till February, 1862. Attached to 9th Brigade, Army of the Ohio, October to December, 1861. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, Centre 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January 1863. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, to June, 1864. Headquarters 14th Army Corps to August, 1864.

SERVICE – Advance on Bowling Green, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., February 10-25, 1862. Occupation of Nashville, Tenn., February 25 to March 17. Advance on Murfreesboro, Tenn., March 17-19. Advance on Huntsville, Ala., April 4-11. Pittenger's Raid on Georgia State Railroad April 7-12 (Detachment). Capture of Huntsville, Ala., April 11. Action at West Bridge and occupation of Bridgeport, Ala., April 29. Near Pulaski May 1. Duty along Memphis & Charleston Railroad till August. Actions at Battle Creek June 21 and July 20. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 21-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg to Crab Orchard, Ky.. October 1-15. Battle of Perryville October 8. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 16-November 7 and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro till June. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. Hoover's Gap June 24-26. Occupation of Middle Tennessee till August 16. Passage of Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 24. Battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 19-20. Rossville Gap September 21. Siege of Chattanooga, Tenn., September 24-November 23. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Orchard Knob November 23. Lookout Mountain November 24. Mission Ridge November 24-25. Pea Vine Valley November 26. Graysville, Ga., November 26. Ringgold, Ga.. November 27. Reconnoissance of Dalton, Ga., February 22-27, 1864. Tunnel Hill, Buzzard's Roost Gap and Rocky Faced Ridge February 23-25. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1 to August 1, 1864. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge May 8-11. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Advance on Dallas May 18-25. Operations on Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas. New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Pickett's Mills May 27. Kingston June 1. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Buckhead, Nancy's Creek. July 18. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 1. Ordered to Chattanooga. Tenn., August 1. Mustered out October 10, 1864, expiration of term. Recruits transferred to 18th Ohio Infantry.

Regiment lost during service 9 Officers and 96 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 138 Enlisted men by disease. Total 243.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1496-7

Thomas Kilby Smith to Elizabeth Budd Smith, August 1, 1861

WASHINGTON, August 1, 1861.

You speak of Grandma's having been much affected by the account I gave of the bringing home of the body of young McCook by his father to the house adjoining that in which I live. It is only one of the thousand horrors, I have been almost an eye witness of, but as this one seems to have been of peculiar interest to you, I give for Grandma's ear a detail of the circumstances as given me by one who saw them. Shortly after the main body of the army was in retreat, a charge was made by the enemy's cavalry upon the hospital grounds at Elgin's Ford, and those around the well who were procuring water to carry to the wounded. At this time, Charles McCook, only seventeen years of age, of Company F, 2d Regiment Ohio Volunteers, the youngest son in the army of Judge Daniel McCook, was also at the well when his return to his regiment was cut off by a section of the cavalry. He retreated along a line of fence and discharged his musket, killing one of the enemy. He then entered an open field and was attacked by a leader of the troop, who had been attracted to him by his fatal shot, and commanded to surrender. He replied, "No, never; never to a rebel." He manfully kept the trooper off with his bayonet, his gun being empty. The rebel not being able to make him prisoner, took a course around him and shot him in the back; then approaching the wounded boy, he cried, "Now, damn you, will you surrender?" He replied, "No, never, no, no, never." The father of young McCook, who with another gallant son, Edwin S. McCook, had been busy all day carrying the wounded from the battlefield to the hospital, discovering the perilous situation of his brave son, called out, "Young man, surrender." He answered, "No, never, never." The trooper then began striking him with the flat of his sword over the shoulders saying at the same time he would pierce him through. His father seeing that his boy was wounded insisted upon his surrendering as he had done all that a soldier should do. The noble boy, bleeding, unarmed, and almost helpless, then surrendered. His father then approached the commander and asked for the prisoner to place him in the hospital, offering to hold himself responsible for his safety as a prisoner of war, when the villain replied, "Damn your responsibility, I know you." After some words, the wounded prisoner was reluctantly handed over to be taken to the hospital. The trooper then dashed around the hospital to assist in taking off Lieutenant Wilson, of the 2d New York Regiment, who was then in the hands of a horseman. This dragoon was shot by a stray ball as the trooper came up, and Lieutenant Wilson, finding himself free from his captor, drew his revolver and shot his pursuer in the neck, killing him instantly.

The above is only one of many instances of individual bravery and of the bitter, terrible animosity that exists between the opposing forces. And yet this is only the beginning of what I feel confident will be a long and bloody war.

Now, my dear wife, I want you to be of good heart. I feel as if I ought to stay here a little longer and leave no stone unturned in the procurement of some place of some kind under the government. It is the only chance in these war times. I am sure you would not be content for me to rest in peace, supine and idle, while others are gathering laurels and winning fame.

SOURCE: Walter George Smith, Life and letters of Thomas Kilby Smith, p. 172-4

A Fight at Huntsville

Private letters from Huntsville mention a fight at that place between an officer of one of the Ohio regiments and Col. Davis, of Huntsville, a law partner of Jere Clemens.  Davis was a member of the Alabama Secession Convention, and a Union man.  In the Convention he told Yancey, who threatened to coerce North Alabama, which was disposed to remain in the Union, that if he wanted a fight he should not have it in North Alabama, but on the dividing line.  After the Act of Secession, however, Davis took up arms for the Southern Confederacy.  The meeting between Col. Davis and the Ohio officer, who was of equal rank, took place at the quarters of Major McCook.  Some Champagne was opened and the discussion of the state of the country presently grew warm.  The Alabama Colonel told the Ohio Colonel he was a d----d liar, and Ohio told him that if he were not the guest of Major McCook, he would knock him down. – Alabama begged Ohio not to have any scruples of that sort, and repeated the epithet.  So at it they went.  Fair play was shown, and Ohio soon made his word good, knocking Alabama down and giving him a severe pelting when he was down.  Ohio’s damage consisted chiefly in a badly torn shirt.  Alabama received a pair of black eyes and enlarged nose and mouth.  Jere Clemens met the Ohio officer a few days afterward and told him he had inquired into the particulars of the affray, and that his partner (Davis) had been served exactly right.  Davis afterward acknowledged that he had got no more than he deserved.  This little circumstance has contributed largely to the popularity of the Ohioan in Huntsville.

P. S. – The three first letters of the Ohio Colonel’s name are Len. A. Harris. – {Cincinnati Commercial

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, June 7, 1862, p. 1

George Seigle

Private, Co. I, 2nd Ohio Infantry

Died January 1, 1863, Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Stones River National Cemetery

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Another Skirmish – not so brilliant.

LOUISVILLE, May 6. – Captains Hazell and McKinney, Lieuts. Correy, Chambers, Dial, Thomas and Leonard of the 2^nd Ohio with 70 privates, Capt. Jenifer and Adjutant Neal with 115 men of the 18^th Ohio, Lieut. Mitchell the General’s son, of Kennett’s cavalry, Capt. Ewing and two lieutenants of the 21^st Ohio, with 53 privates, were taken prisoners at Pulaski, Tennessee on last Friday by 100 of Morgan’s rebel cavalry after a fight of two hours and a half. The prisoners were subsequently released on parole, and are now at Nashville.  Morgan lost six killed and two wounded.  Our loss was two killed, three wounded and one missing.  

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 4

Operations in Northern Alabama

BRIDGEPORT, Ala., April 30, 1862

Gen. Mitchell has finished his campaign, by the complete victory which he gained over the forces of Gen. E. Kirby Smith, at this place yesterday afternoon, and which you have doubtless had by telegraph. I left the force of Gen. Turchin evacuating Decatur, and came to Stevenson, knowing that important movements were in contemplation in these quarters.

I found that Col. Sill had on Sunday managed to cross Widow Creek, and was marching on Bridgeport on Monday. On the latter day his brigade was joined by the 3d Ohio, Col. Beatty, and it was understood that Col. Lyttle’s brigade was in the rear, acting as a reserve. On Tuesday, the march began, under command of Gen. Mitchell, who had come up, and we pushed eastward along the line of the railroad, dragging two pieces of artillery by hand for a distance of 20 miles, at the least.

It was about 4 o’clock in the afternoon of yesterday – Sunday – that we came upon the enemy’s pickets, three miles from Bridgeport. They were stationed on the side of a small stream, the bridge across it having been burned, and we soon found they were supported by an infantry and two cavalry regiments, the former of which came up and engaged our advance, the 33d Ohio. This regiment was the only one which appeared to the sight of the rebels, and after half an hour’s work they fell back unpursued, as no means were had by the rebels for crossing the stream.

General Mitchell in the meantime made a detour to the left with his whole force, and after marching a mile came upon a road which led to Bridgeport. He immediately started for this point, and after an hour’s weary march approached the rebel fortifications on the bank of the Tennessee. This march was one of incredible difficulty and danger. Gen. Mitchell was placing himself with five regiments of infantry, two companies of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, between two divisions of an enemy much stronger combined than himself. Had he been defeated he could not have managed to retreat – it would have been an utter impossibility.

We halted at 6 o’clock at the foot of a hill, and the column deployed right and left and formed into line of battle where they stood hidden from the enemy by the hill. The artillery stood in the centre, the 33d and 2nd Ohio on the right, with the 10th Wisconsin and 21st Ohio on the left. As soon as formed in line, the whole column advanced, and reaching the crest of the hill, looked down upon the enemy. Again they came to a halt. Peering above the top of the hill, I saw the whole of the rebel force below the hill, in their entrenchments. The setting sun glistened on thousands of stacked guns, and two pieces of brass cannon. The men had evidently been drawn up in line of battle at the first alarm, but when it had ceased they stacked arms and were now engaged in eating supper. Captain Loomis, when the force halted, stepped forward, saw the enemy, calculated the distance and stepped back undiscovered. In a moment he had given his orders, the cannon were charged with canister and moved to a position in which they were brought to bear on the main body. This evidently consisted of four full or parts of regiments of infantry. The first warning which the rebels had of their danger, or of our near approach, was the discharge of our artillery and the launching of the terrible death-dealing missiles in their very midst. They spring instantly to their guns, hundreds, however, flying in every direction. The main body evidently intended standing, but a second discharge added to the panic, and the whole force fled as our columns in line marched to the top and began the descend of the hill on a charge bayonets. – They frightened, without a single general discharge, broke for the river and quickly crossed the bridge. When we reached the works of the rebels they were deserted, a few dead and wounded alone remaining. The rebels fired with precipitancy, their speed increasing as they went, followed by the shells of Capt. Loomis. – They managed to fire the bridge and a good portion of it was destroyed, but the half west of the island was saved by Gen. Mitchell’s personal exertions. Having reached the other shore the rebels abandoned their camp and stores on that side, and by the whistling of a locomotive, I imagine went off at railroad speed. Capt. Loomis continued to throw shells after them for several rounds, when by order of Gen. Mitchell he ran his two pieces down the hill and placed them in position to receive the body on the railroad, whom it was anticipated would come to the aid of their friends now already and completely defeated. A second line of battle was formed in the works of the rebels, and we awaited for the rest of the rebels to attack us.

We had not long to wait. In a short time we saw the infantry on a double-quick, coming through the woods, along the line of the railroad, and the cavalry right and left. They came into the open fields and forward in splendid line of battle. The cavalry looked Magnificent and came dashing along in splendid style. They got within 300 years of us before they discovered their mistake, and then the artillery told them of it. The canister was poured into them and away they went in every imaginable direction – infantry and cavalry mixed in one conglomerated mass of frightened and flying humanity. The cavalry was sent in pursuit when they had got out of artillery range, and the prisoners were being sent in every hour until I laid down to try to sleep.

This morning I find we have killed and wounded 72 and taken 350 prisoners and two pieces of artillery.

General Mitchell has entire possession of the railroads from Bridgeport, ten miles east of Stevenson, west to Huntsville, thence south to Decatur, north to Athens, and in a month will have the railroad lines running to Nashville via Columbia from Decatur and via Murfreesboro from Stevenson.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, May 10, 1862, p. 2

From Washington

WASHINGTON, April 18.

Tribune’s Special.

It is said on the authority of intercepted letters from Richmond, that several editors of rebel newspapers have been hung for publishing intelligence which was contraband of war.

A general order from the Adj. General’s office directs paymasters to recognize agents which may be appointed by States under certain circumstances to receive soldier’s pay.

A rumor, which the War Department has not had an opportunity to disprove or rectify, asserts that Gen. Blenker has been seriously injured by a fall from his horse. It is not true that his command has been assigned to Gen. Rosencrans [sic].

The condition of the Treasury now enables the Secretary to direct the payment in cash of all claims, of dates prior to Nov. 1st 1861, including claims settled by the St. Louis commission, and it is expected that those of November will also be paid in full within a few days. All other claims, without regard to date, will be paid on presentation, if desired as heretofore, 80 percent in cash.

The prospect of the passage of the Pacific RR. Bill during the present session is not promising.

The Herald’s Fort Monroe correspondent under the date of the 17th state: From our army before Yorktown, I hear the most cheering news. By information just received from soldiers, I learn that last evening a Colonel and Lieut. Colonel from the rebel army came over to our lines, and surrendered themselves as prisoners of war. These two officers also report that an entire Irish brigade mutinied, and by order of Jeff. Davis, were deprived of their arms and sent to the rear.

The act authorizing the Postmaster General to establish branch postoffices in the cities prescribes the charge of one cent in addition to the regular postage, for ever letter deposited in any branch postoffice to be forwarded by mail from the principal office, and which shall be prepaid by stamp; and once cent for every letter delivered as such branch office, to be paid on delivery.

The naval appropriation bill contains an item of nearly $800,000 to pay for and finish Steven’s battery, the money Not to be expended unless the Secretary of the Navy is of the opinion that the same will secure an efficient steam battery. The section appropriated $13,000,000 merely says to enable the secretary to contract for iron-clad steam vessels of war.

The select committee of the Senate through Mr. Hale, made their report under the resolution adopted in July last, instructing them to inquire into the circumstances attending the surrender of the navy yard at Pensacola, and the destruction of the property of the United States at the Norfolk navy yard and the armory at Harper’s Ferry, and the abandonment of the same by the Federal forces; and also whether there was default on the part of our officers. The committee relate at length the facts of the case. The amount of property at the Norfolk navy hard was valued at $9,760,000. The vessels were worth nearly $2,000,000. There were in the yard at least 2,000 heavy guns, of which 300 were of the Dahlgren pattern. The committee making this report was composed of senators Hale, Johnson, of Tenn., and Grimes.


WASHINGTON, April 19.

Col. Morrow, late of the 2d Ohio regiment, now attached to Gen. Hunter’s staff, has arrived, bringing dispatches to the War Department, but which up to 10 o’clock had not been delivered. He states that among the prisoners taken is Capt. Simms, editor of the Savannah Republican. The sword belonging to the latter he has presented to Representative Gurney, of Ohio.

Ex-Mayor Britt has declined the appointment tendered him by the President as one of the commissioners under the bill for the abolition of slavery in the District of Columbia.

The post-office appropriation bill provides $1,000,000 for the service of the California Central route, and repeals the acts requiring the Postmaster General in causing the transportation of the mails by steamship between our own and foreign ports, and between any of our own ports touching at foreign ports, to give preference to American over foreign steamships when departing from the same port for the same port within three days of each other. The Postmaster General is authorized to establish a coast mail, not less than semi-monthly, between San Francisco and Crescent City, Cal., including service at intermediate points; provided the sum to be paid for such service does not exceed $20,000 per annum. The President has approved and signed the above named bills.

The act reorganizing and increasing the efficiency of the medical department of the army, adds to the present corps ten surgeons and ten assistant surgeons, twenty military cadets and as many hospital stewards as the Surgeon General may consider necessary. The Surgeon General to be appointed under this act is to have the rank and pay and emoluments of a Brigadier General. There is to be one Assistant Surgeon General, one Inspector General, and ten of hospitals. The latter is to have the supervision of all that relates to the sanitary condition of the army. There are to be beside eight medical inspectors, charged with the duty of inspecting the sanitary condition of the transports, quarters and camps of the field hospitals. The appointments are to be made by the President, either from the regular or volunteer surgeons, with sole regard to qualifications.


WASHINGTON, April 19.

The following was received at the Navy Department to-day:

FLAG SHIP WABASH, PORT ROYAL HARBOR, S. C.,
April 13, 1862.

SIR: The dispatches from the commanding General of this department to the Hon. Secretary of War will convey the gratifying intelligence of the fall of Ft. Pulaski. It was a purely military operation – the result of laborious and scientific preparations and of consummate skill and bravery in execution. It would not have pertained to me to address you in reference to this brilliant and successful achievement, had not Maj. Gen. Hunter, with a generous spirit long to be remembered, permitted the navy to be represented on this interesting occasion, by allowing a detachment of seamen and officers from this ship to serve one of the breaching batteries. I have thanked General personally, and desire to express my acknowledgments to Brig. Gen. Benham, and acting Brig. Gen. Gilmore, for acts of consideration shown to my officers and men. Respectfully,

S. F. DUPONT,
Flagg Officer Commanding.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, April 21, 1862, p. 1

From the 2nd Ohio

Editors Courier.

Sirs: I Furnish you with a few extracts from a letter received from Captain Hazlett, dated January 2nd and 3d, which I think will be interesting to those who have friends in the 2d Ohio Regiment.

IN BATTLFIELD BEFORE MURFREESBORO,
January 2.

I wrote you on the 24th that we were to leave camp on Christmas morning, for the ‘onward move.’ Half the tents were struck and everything packed up ready to go, when an order came postponing the march until the next day: too little time to unpack and write you again, or I should have done so – We spent our Christmas quietly in camp. – We left camp on Friday morning. After a horrible march reached Nolonsville, on Saturday night. The sound of cannonading all day showed us that our advance was shelling and feeling their way. On Sunday we crossed the Murfreesboro pike, and on Monday lay within a few miles of Stone River, listening to the fighting of the others in advance. Early Tuesday morning moved up and though not hotly in the fight, still were in some particularly warm places. Small loss on that day in our regiment, none in my company – On Wednesday, or division, ( Rosseau’s Bulley’s as he calls us) took the lead, and nobly did the old 2d sustain her reputation. We drove an entire brigade before us, saved the right wing of the army twice from being flanked, and bore off one of the enemy’s flags. I say the 2nd, for the [rest] of our brigade broke and reformed behind a hedge. We held our position and repulsed them. The loss of officers was heavy. Colonel Kell was killed. Lieutenant Chambers, commanding a company, has since died from his wounds. Lieut. Van Horne, commanding company F, was shot in the head badly, and I received a pretty painful shot through the right hip (but more of the wound after awhile.) Capt. Maxwell was shot right across the throat, just missing his windpipe and jugular vein. The wound is slight, I did not have an officer or man killed or wounded in my company. Since then and [this] is now the evening of January 3d or regiment has not been engaged, and all of mine are as above.

Our loss on the 31st I cannot exactly find out, but small, considering the fierceness of our fight. When I was first hit I thought it was a spent ball, that had only struck my hip and [stunned] the leg, and refused to leave the field, but finding that I was [rapidly] loosing all control of my leg, I [yielded] and was taken off by Sergeant [Abbott] to a hospital. As we crossed the field, I [illegible] into my boot. I [have] the ball [with] a small portion of bone attached. The wound was partially dressed and then, after a long while I was sent to our Brigade hospital. My revolver saved my life. The ball struck the handle shattering it and thereby changing its [course] sufficiently to pass out, just brazing the [bone] instead of going into the [bowels], or crushing the bone. I am [illegible]. The wound, though painful, is not dangerous. I hope to be in the field again in a few weeks. My boys fought splendidly. Not one of them faltered. We [illegible] in the fight [6] Captains [illegible] (four of whom were commanding companies). One company was commanded by a Sergeant who was badly wounded. [It is raining very hard. This is the sixth day of our fight] [illegible] we go in to-morrow. It is a [illegible] hotly contested fight.

– Published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville, Ohio, Tuesday, January 13, 1863

Note: I am using a digital image of a microfilm copy which is consequently at times very hard to make out. Words and phrases in brackets are my best guess or where I could not make them out I used [illegible].

Terrific Battle at Murfreesboro – Rebel Gens. Cheatham and Rains Killed

NEAR MURFREESBORO, Dec. 31 – Our whole line suffered terribly this morning, four regiments of regulars lost half of their men and all their commanding officers. Gen Anderson’s troops suffered terribly. Majors Rosengarten and Ward are killed. Gen. Stanley, Rosseau and Palmer are wounded.

Two o’clock P.M. – Gen. Thomas has just broken the rebel centre and driven the enemy a mile. We are advancing our whole line. Gen. Rosencrans [sic] is personally superintending the movement. One shot killed two of his staff officers. The [15th] Wisconsin lost seven Captains. Gen. Negle’s artillery is still moving the rebels in the centre. Gen. Crittenden – left wing – has taken the entrenchments at Murfreesboro. The rebels Gens. Cheatham and Rains are killed.

NASHVILLE, Jan. 2 – The Federals encountered the rebels on the 30th ult. near Stuart’s Creek, and after heavy skirmishing the rebels were driven back.

We captured 100 prisoners, and killed and wounded a large number of rebels.

Our loss was 70 killed and wounded.

At daybreak on the 31st the fight was renewed with great fury. McCook’s corps was opposed to Hardee. After desperate fighting with heavy loss McCook retreated two miles. He soon rallied, and was again driven back.

At night he was four miles this side of the ground occupied in the morning. The fight continued until 10 o’clock p.m. at which time we had maintained our position.

The Federal loss is very Heavy.

Killed – Brig. Gen. Sill, Lieut. Col. Garesche, Chief of Gen. Rosecrans’ Staff; Brig. Gen. Willeck, of Indiana; Col. Kell of the 2nd Ohio; Col. Straffer, Acting Brigadier General, Col. Farmer of the 15th Kentucky; Col. Jones of the 24th Ohio; Lieut. Col. Cotton of the 6th Kentucky; Lieut. Col. Jones, of the [39th Indiana]; Major Carpenter, of the 19th Regulars; Major Rosengarten of Philadelphia.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2. – The Secretary of War to-day received the following:

Cleveland, O. Jan. 2.

The following has just been received by telegraph from Cincinnati, dated Murfreesboro, Jan. 1:

A terrible battle was fought yesterday. – The latest from the field is up to noon. The rebel center had been broken, and things looked favorable. The losses are reported to be enormous. Stanley, Rosseau and Palmer are wounded, and the rebels Cheatham and Rains are killed.

– Published in the Zanesville Daily Courier, Zanesville, Ohio, Saturday Evening, January 3, 1862