Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 161. Report of Col. Thomas J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 161.

Report of Col. Thomas J. Kinney, One hundred and nineteenth Illinois Infantry,

of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS 119TH ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,     

In the Field, Tenn., December 21, 1864.

SIR: I herewith forward report of the part taken by my regiment in the battle of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant.

We moved out of our works a little after daylight on the morning of the 15th instant and formed line of battle on the left of the Hardin pike, my regiment on the right of the brigade and joining the Third Brigade. After waiting until about 9 a.m., all things being ready, we moved to the front in line, steadily advancing and swinging to the left until near noon, when we came to a stand in a ravine in support of the Second Illinois Battery. Remained there some two or three hours, when orders were received to move forward. In connection with the Third Brigade, we moved forward over the hill and down into the next hollow, and there halted again, wailing for all things to be prepared for a grand charge upon the enemy's works. While in this position we experienced a heavy artillery fire from the enemy's guns, which were planted on a hill some half a mile off. At about 4 p.m., as all things seemed ready for the charge — the Fourth Army Corps had massed their forces at right angles with our line and charged the works of the enemy in our front, thereby completely cutting us off from a direct charge — we moved by right flank until we cleared the Fourth Corps, then to the front again, but we were all too late in the charge, as the fort had been taken by the skirmish line of the One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Volunteers before the Fourth Corps reached it. Dark then came on, and we went into camp on the ground we occupied.

On the morning of the 16th we were again in line soon after daylight, and moved forward in the same position occupied the day previous. We had advanced not over half a mile when the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire upon us from works erected by them on a hill in our front. We steadily advanced our skirmish line and moved forward the line of the brigade, and carried the position with great ease. Our brigade, taking position on this ground, awaited further developments and for the time to come when we should make the grand charge upon the rebel breast-works, which were some 1,000 yards in front. There were several batteries manned upon this elevation which kept a continual fire upon the enemy's works during the afternoon, which called forth a brisk reply from his guns and occasioned our men at times to lay very close to the ground. At about 3 p.m. the order was given to charge the works, and well and bravely was it done. They were carried with perfect ease, the charge being almost simultaneous along the whole line from right to center and then taken up by the left of our line. After taking the works we advanced through the timber to an open field, and across that to the foot of the mountain, the enemy fleeing before us as fast as possible. Here we captured two Napoleon guns and many prisoners. I then reformed my regiment and moved by the right flank along the road some distance, and then again by the left flank, in line of battle, up a ravine, and here I captured one 10-pounder Parrott gun, one Rodman, and two more Napoleons.

Having become detached from the rest of the brigade I halted my regiment and waited for orders, which were received. The One hundred and twenty-second Illinois and Eighty-ninth Indiana Volunteers came and passed in my rear, and formed in line on my right, closing up the interval between my regiment and the Third Brigade. We then prepared for camp, it being then dark. Orders were received at 8 o'clock to move out and form line in the open field at the foot of the mountain, which was done, and then we went into camp for the night. Was up next morning at daylight and found the enemy had entirely left and were in rapid retreat.

The captures made by my regiment were 6 pieces of artillery, 15 caissons and limbers, 16 wagons, 3 two-horse wagons, which I suppose were used for ambulances, 1 ambulance, together with their contents of supplies, small-arms, and fixed ammunition for artillery and small-arms. In prisoners, I am not able to say how many we did capture, as they were sent to the rear as fast as taken, except some ten or twelve sent to headquarters on the morning of the 17th instant. Major-General Johnson was taken by Company C of my regiment, and sent to the rear and delivered to Captain Whitaker by Private Daugherty, of Company C, and a private in the Eighty-ninth Indiana — name unknown. It is proper to say here that I did not, nor did the men, know who he was until he was delivered to Captain Whitaker, when he told him in presence of my men that his name was Johnson and he was a major-general, but that he had told him (Daugherty) that he was a colonel. I make this explanation, as I am informed nearly every regiment in the command claim to have captured him. I also captured Colonel Voorhies, of the Forty-eighth Tennessee, one surgeon, and several line officers, all of whom were duly delivered to the provost-marshal of the division, or otherwise disposed of by orders. The four last guns captured were the battery of Captain Beauregard, son of General Beauregard, as I was informed by a member of the battery captured near it.

I shall not attempt to particularize in regard to the acts or conduct of the officers and men of my command, only to say that they did their whole duty, with perhaps a very few exceptions. I must, however, speak in favorable terms of Lieut. and Adjt. H. S. Buck, who was on hand at all times and rendered me all assistance in his power in keeping my regiment in order. He is cool, brave, and active, and deserves promotion.

The casualties in my regiment were very few. I lost none killed and had but 8 men wounded, a list of which is herewith forwarded.*

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,

THOMAS J. KINNEY,         

Colonel, Commanding Regiment.

 Lieut. S. D. SAWYER,

 Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Nominal List Omitted

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. 477-9

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 160. Report of Col. David Moore, Twenty-first Missouri Infantry, commanding First Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

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