Diary of Private W. J. Davidson, January 10, 1863

Nothing of interest since the 6th. Arrived at Port Hudson on the morning of the 7th, and were bivouaced until daylight. The regiment breakfasted on a little spoiled meal brought from Vicksburg; my mess did finely on bread-mush, and "sassafac" tea. At ten o'clock we were marched to our present camping-ground, one mile from the dirty little village of Port Hudson, La. Our camp is on a hill in the midst of briers and cane, and in good weather we could make it quite a pleasant place; but since our arrival it has been raining constantly, and the rich soil has become worked into a muck about a foot deep. Yesterday some men in the Third Tennessee killed three rattle-snakes in camp. Scorpions, lizzards, bugs, and green leaves are about as plentiful here now as they are in Tennessee in August. While writing, a small snake crawled up to our camp-fire, and passed between W. M. Woodward's legs.

SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 18-9

William Brimage Bate

William Brimage Bate, Governor of Tennessee, 1883-1887, was born near Castalian Springs, in Tennessee, October 7, 1826. His educational advantages were limited. In early manhood he was a clerk on a steamboat plying between Nashville and New Orleans. When the Mexican war came, he enlisted in a Louisiana Regiment, and is said to have been the first Tennessean to reach the front. He reenlisted in the Third Tennessee Infantry, and was made a First Lieutenant of Company I. At the close of the war he went to Gallatin and established a paper called The Tenth Legion. In 1849 he was elected to the Legislature. In 1852 he entered the Lebanon Law School, and two years later was elected Attorney-General for his district. In 1860 he served as elector on the Breckinridge and Lane ticket. When the Civil war broke out, Bate enlisted as a private in a company raised at Gallatin; of this company he was elected Captain and later Colonel of the regiment. He came out of the war as a Major-General, having won as much distinction for bravery as any man on either side. He was three times wounded and had six horses killed under him in battle. In 1863, while on the battlefield, he was tendered the nomination of Governor but declined in a letter which has become historic. In 1882 he defeated Governor Hawkins for Governor and Judge Frank Reid two years later. During his administration a settlement of the State debt was reached. On March 4, 1887, Governor Bate became United States Senator, which position he filled with great credit to his State, until his death in 1905.

SOURCE: John Trotwood Moore and Austin Powers Foster, Tennessee: The Volunteer State, 1769-1923, Volume 2, p. 28

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 106. Reports of Maj. Rhadamanthus H. Dunn and Col. William Cross, Third Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 106.

Reports of Maj. Rhadamanthus H. Dunn and Col. William Cross, Third Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRD TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,       

In the Field, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

Official report of the operations of the Third Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry in the engagement near Nashville, Tenn., on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864:

At 6 a.m. on the 15th day of December I moved my regiment west from where I was encamped, on the Franklin pike, near Nashville, Tenn., until I struck the Hardin pike, where I passed through the outer line of fortifications surrounding Nashville, and formed my regiment in order of battle, my regiment forming the center of the right wing of the First Brigade. After forming I was ordered forward about half a mile, where the line was halted and lay down, during which time there was a heavy cannonading going on between our forces and the enemy. About 2.30 p.m. I received orders to move to the right and form on the right of the line, then forming the front line. I accordingly moved my regiment forward and to the right. After I had moved to the place to which I was ordered and had my command formed, fronting east, the command “forward” was given. After marching quarter of a mile in line I halted my command a short time near a large field, on the opposite side of which the enemy was posted on commanding points. Soon the command "forward" was given. My command moved forward in order of battle, and half way across the field the enemy opened directly in my front with artillery, when my command moved forward at double-quick time without orders, I having orders to move only at quick time. I then used my utmost endeavor to halt my command, or to bring them to move at the time I was ordered, which I succeeded in doing, and then moved on a short distance, when I ordered my command forward at double-quick time. There was a small force of dismounted cavalry in my front. My command moved forward with or near to the cavalry force, and both the cavalry and my command reached the enemy's position at or near the same time, driving the enemy in confusion and capturing the two pieces of artillery they had posted at this point. I then reformed my command and moved forward at double-quick, charging and driving the enemy from the second point some 300 yards from the first point gained. I then halted and again reformed my command. Here I received orders from General Cooper to hold my command in line on the top of the last hill gained until the command on the left established the line, my command at this time being the right of the brigade and the only regiment that had established the line on the last-named position. Shortly after this (it being about 5 p.m.) I received orders to throw up works in front of my command. Accordingly, as soon as I could obtain tools, I did so, and remained in this position for the night, throwing out a skirmish line, covering my front, according to orders.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. H. DUNN,            

Major, Commanding Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.

December 16, I remained in position of last night until about 3 p.m., when I received orders to move forward at double-quick in support of a brigade of the Sixteenth Army Corps, which charged and drove the enemy in confusion, after which I halted, and reformed my command as the right of the First Brigade. I then moved forward about a mile in order of battle, and halted, furnishing one commissioned officer and twenty-five enlisted men for picket, and rested for the night.

The casualties of my command are as follows.*

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM CROSS,  

Colonel Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 men killed and 8 men wounded.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 376-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 105. Report of Lieut. Col. John E. Cummins, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 105.

Report of Lieut. Col. John E. Cummins, Ninety-ninth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. NINETY-NINTH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFTY.,

In the Field, December 22, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to orders from brigade headquarters I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Ninety-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in the engagement near Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant:

The regiment moved with the brigade early on the morning of the 15th toward the enemy. Nothing of interest transpired until about the middle of the afternoon, when the regiment moved forward a considerable distance in line of battle, meeting with no enemy until in passing across an open field the enemy appeared on the left flank of the brigade behind a stone wall, and in our front on a high steep hill a small body of infantry with three pieces of artillery. As soon as the rebel battery opened, the men yelled and rushed forward without orders, charging up the hill on a run. The rebels were driven from their position and the artillery captured. The officers and men of this regiment contributed their fair share to the success of this movement. On the top of a hill beyond the one on which the artillery was captured the regiment went into position, with the Third Tennessee on the right and Twenty-fifth Michigan on the left, and remained until after night, when the regiment, by orders, moved to another position and spent the whole night in fortifying.

On the morning of the 16th we found the enemy intrenched on a hill in our immediate front, within rifle-range, and all day shots were being exchanged between the rebels and skirmishers from this regiment. The regiment was also exposed to shots from the enemy's main line of works, but sustained no loss. The regiment was not otherwise engaged during the day.

The following is the list of casualties in this regiment on the 25th instant.^†

The officers and men of the regiment conducted themselves well, but no opportunity was given for special acts of courage.

Respectfully submitted.

JOHN E. CUMMINS,                       

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Ninety-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

Capt. T. C. HONNELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

^† Nominal list (omitted) shows 7 men wounded.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 375-6

Robert A. Wilson, Private, Co. G., 3rd Tennessee Infantry

Evergreen Cemetery

Lineville, Iowa

3rd Tennessee Infantry (USA)

Organized at Flat Lick, Ky., December, 1861, to February, 1862. Attached to 25th Brigade, 7th Division, Army of the Ohio, to October, 1862, 1st Brigade, District of West Virginia, Dept. of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division (Centre), 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, to April, 1863. District of Central Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to June, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to August, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, Reserve Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October. 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to November, 1863. Spear's Brigade, Chattanooga, Tenn., to December, 1863. Spear's Tennessee Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, to January, 1864. 3rd Brigade, Rousseau's 3rd Division, 12th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to April, 1864. 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to February, 1865.

SERVICE.--Duty at Somerset and London, Ky., till January, 1862. Battle of Logan's Cross Roads January 19. Duty at London and covering Cumberland Gap till March, 1862. Cumberland Gap Campaign March 28-June 18. Big Creek Gap June 11-12 and 15. Occupation of Cumberland Gap and covering rear at London June 18-September 17. Operations about Cumberland Gap August 16-22. Action at London August 17. Big Hill August 23. (Battle of White's Farm, Richmond, Ky., August 30, Battalion). Expedition to Fine Mountain September 6-10. Big Creek Gap September 7. Evacuation of Cumberland Gap and retreat to Greenupsburg, Ky., September 17-October 3. Near Gallipolis, Ohio, and operations in the Kanawha Valley till November. Ordered to Louisville, thence to Cincinnati, Ohio, and to Nashville, Tenn. Duty at Nashville, Tenn., till April, 1863, and at Carthage, Tenn., till August. Ordered to McMinnville August 31. March to Chattanooga September 12-20. Action near Summerton September 23. At Sale Creek till December. Ordered to Kingston. Action at Kingston December 4. Duty near Knoxville and operations in East Tennessee till April, 1864. Love's Hill, near Knoxville, January 24. Panther Springs March 5. Companies "E," "G," "H" and "L," Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May to September. Demonstrations on Dalton May 5-13. Rocky Ford Ridge May 8-11. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Pursuit to Cassville May 16-19. Near Cassville May 18-19. Etowah River May 20. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 26-June 5. Kingston May 27. Allatoona May 26 and 29. Pine Mountain June 3-7. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Lost Mountain June 15-17. Muddy Creek June 17. Noyes Creek June 19. Kolb's Farm June 22. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Nickajack Creek July 2-5. Vining Station July 4. Chattahootchie River July 5-17. Decatur July 19. Howard House July 20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-31. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 3-26. Nashville Campaign November and December. Guard fords of Duck River till November 28. Spring Hill November 29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. At Clifton, Tenn., till February, 1865. Moved to Nashville and mustered out February 23, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 3 Officers and 54 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 168 Enlisted men by disease. Total 225.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1644-5

Robert A. Wilson, Private, Co. G, 3rd Tennessee Infantry: Pension Index Card

SOURCE: Civil War And Later Veterans Pension Index at Fold3.com