Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 121. Reports of Lieut. Col. Hamilton S. Gillespie, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, of operations November 26-December 8 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 121.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Hamilton S. Gillespie, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry,

of operations November 26-December 8 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. FIFTIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,       

Nashville, Tenn., December 8, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report the following as the operations of this regiment since crossing Duck River, at Columbia, Tenn., including the casualties at Franklin:

November 26, crossed the river at 2 a.m. on railroad bridge, and camped at Duck River Station; built rail barricade, and took position behind it. November 27, in camp all day till 5 p.m.; ordered to cross river at dark; crossed after dark and occupied works prepared for us until 3 a.m. next day, when we returned to north side of river, and went into position till the railroad and pontoon bridges were destroyed. At 11 a.m. November 29 fell into column and moved in the direction of Spring Hill and Franklin. While advancing toward Spring Hill the same night we were attacked by a body of rebels in the dark; repulsed and drove them back, and moved on toward Franklin, where we arrived at 6.30 a.m. of November 30. Went into position and built works on south side of Franklin, and were attacked by the enemy in force at 3.20 p.m., and fought them till 12 p.m., losing: Commissioned officers — wounded, 3; missing, 2. Enlisted men — killed, 7; wounded, 33; captured, 10; missing, 57. Total loss, 112.

I deem this a favorable opportunity to mention the brave and heroic manner in which both officers and men of the regiment met and fought the enemy in a hand-to-hand conflict. Never before did I witness such a bloody contest, and yet there were none who faltered. Capt. J. G. Theaker, of Company F, fell, wounded in the leg, while bravely encouraging his men in their noble work. Lieut. Michael Walsh, of Company D, and Lieut. J.T. Lucas, of Company B, were also wounded while in the devoted line of their duty. Lieut. J. H. Haney, of Company B, and Lieut. Edwin G. Edgley, of Company H, were both captured while in the discharge of their duty. I cannot omit to mention in this connection the valuable assistance I received from Capt. John S. Conahan, of Company D, acting major. My staff — consisting of Adjt. Jerome F. Crowley, Dr. N. B. Cole, and Sergt. Maj. P. F. Pechiney — deserve great credit for the prompt manner in which they performed all their duties during the whole engagement. All the officers and men of the regiment have my sincere thanks for their promptness in obeying orders, and the brave and efficient manner in which they did their bloody work upon the enemy. Coleman Quinn, private of Company K, bravely left the works in pursuit of a rebel ensign, whom he shot, and captured his colors. The boy, not knowing the value of this trophy, gave the colors to some Federal officer in the night.

The regiment retired at 12 p.m. by orders, falling back with the army (marching all night) to Nashville. December 1, arrived at this place at 12 m., and went into position on the left of Fort Negley (facing northwest). December 2-8, all quiet and we occupy the same position.

Accompanying this will be found a list of casualties, giving name and company and the nature of casualty.

Respectfully submitted.

H. S. GILLESPIE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.            

ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., 3D BRIG., 2D DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS.

_______________

HDQRS. FIFTIETH REGIMENT, OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,      

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

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of operations of this regiment on the 15th and 16th days of this month:

December 15, broke up camp at 6 a.m. and moved with Third Brigade, Second Division, to extreme right and rear of the Sixteenth Army Corps, where we laid upon our arms till 3 p.m., when we were ordered to take position on the extreme right of our army. About 4 p.m. charged the enemy, in which we had a warmly contested fight for twenty minutes, driving them back to their intrenchments. First Lieut. E. L. Pyne was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men forward to the fight. Threw up barricades at dark, and heavy skirmishing ensued. At 7 p.m. same night were relieved by Second Brigade, Third Division, and moved one brigade distance to the left and connected with the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. Built strong breast-works. December 16, heavy skirmishing in our front. Laid quiet in our works till 3 p.m. Sixteenth Army Corps charged and carried the rebel works in our front, our brigade supporting, then moved forward in line of battle one mile and camped for the night.

Casualties: First Lieut. E. L. Pyne, Company K, wounded through breast and arm (mortal); Private Philip Hamen, Company G, in head (slight).

I am sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. S. GILLESPIE,

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.            

ACTG. ASST. ADJT. GEN., 3D BRIG., 2D 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. 395-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 117. Report of Capt. James A. Sexton, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, of operations November 25-December 2, 1864.

No. 117.

Report of Capt. James A. Sexton, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, of

operations November 25 — December 2, 1864.

HDQRS. SEVENTY-SECOND REGT. ILLINOIS VOL. INFTY.,                      

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report herewith the history of this command from the date of its joining the Third Brigade, November 26, 1864, to the date of its assignment to the command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, December 2, 1864.

On the night of the 25th ultimo the regiment moved with the brigade from Columbia across Duck River and bivouacked. On the morning of the 26th ultimo we commenced throwing up works and kept at it all day during a heavy rain. During the day of the 27th ultimo the command lay idle. At night the brigade recrossed Duck River. The Fiftieth Ohio Infantry commenced throwing up works, this regiment acting as a support and to cover the evacuation of Columbia by our forces. At 2 a.m. of the 28th ultimo this regiment again crossed the river, occupying the same works which had been thrown up on the 26th; during the forenoon of the 28th, changed the front of our works; some skirmishing during the day between our pickets and those of the enemy on the opposite bank of the river. Pontoon and railroad bridges were also burned on that day. At 10 a.m. of the 29th of November Lieut. R. H. Mason and twenty men of Company A started with dispatches from General Schofield to the commanding officer post of Williamsport, distant about nineteen miles. He accomplished his errand successfully, passing several parties of rebels during the journey, and returning to his command at Nashville on the 1st of December, without losing a single man. At noon on the 29th ultimo the regiment, with the balance of the brigade, abandoned their works at the river and moved across to the Franklin pike; thence took up their line of march to Franklin. Just before dark, when within three miles of Spring Hill, the brigade passed the wagon train, already halted, and filed to the right of the road. Two companies of this regiment were deployed as skirmishers, the regiment moving forward as their support, forming the right of the advance line of the brigade; constant skirmishing until within half a mile of Spring Hill, when the brigade halted; the skirmishers having moved too far to the right, lost the support of the regiment. In this skirmish the regiment had 4 men wounded. At about 10 a.m. the brigade resumed its march through Spring Hill, and halted about 1.30 a.m., and rested until 3 a.m. of the 30th, at which time the march was again resumed. At about 7 a.m. reached Franklin, the brigade taking position on the right of the road and commenced fortifying, the left of the Fiftieth Ohio resting on the Franklin pike, the Seventy-second Illinois being on the right of the Fiftieth Ohio. Were at work on the fortifications at the time the enemy made their first assault. About 4 p.m., two divisions of the Fourth Corps, being in front of the works, gave way on the approach of the enemy and rushed pell mell into our works. At the same time the support on our left gave way, and the flank of our regiment being turned, the four left companies fell back, and as our right flank also became exposed to the enemy, the remaining companies were also ordered to retire to the second line of works, which was done. At that time, all of our field officers being wounded, I, being the senior captain, took command of the regiment, and a charge was ordered to recover our first position. In the charge all of our color guard, consisting of 1 sergeant and 8 corporals, were shot down, and the night being so dark it was not perceived that our colors, which had been shot to shreds, were missing. An attempt was made to regain the colors, which was unsuccessful. The regiment was ordered to retire by Colonel Strickland, commanding brigade, at about midnight. The regiment then crossed the Harpeth River, and the next morning joined the brigade while on the march to Nashville, at which place we arrived about 3 p.m. on the 1st instant, and camped near Fort Negley. The regiment remained in camp until the 2d instant, when it was assigned to the corps commanded by General A. J. Smith.

The regiment lost in killed, wounded, and missing during the time which we belonged to the brigade, 9 officers and 142 enlisted men. I append a list of casualties.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. A. SEXTON,

 Captain, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers, Comdg. Regiment.

 Lieut. JOHN B. McLOE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Brig., 2d Div., 23d Army Corps.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 10 men killed, 9 officers and 57 men wounded, and 75 men missing.

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. 392-3

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 115. Report of Col. Silas A. Strickland, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, of operations November 24-December 7, 1864.

No. 115.

Report of Col. Silas A. Strickland, Fiftieth Ohio Infantry, commanding

Third Brigade, of operations November 24-December 7, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRD BRIGADE, SECOND DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,      

Nashville, Tenn., December 7, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, since November 24, 1864:

November 24, 1864, in camp at Columbia, Tenn., with two regiments of infantry the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the last regiment having been assigned to Third Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, per order of Brigadier-General Ruger, commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. November 25, 1864, at 9 p.m., Third Brigade receives orders to cross Duck River, and take position on north side near railroad bridge. November 26, 1864, skirmishing commenced at 6 a.m. and continued during the day on south side of river. Third Brigade remains in position on north side of river. November 27, 1864, remained in position on north side of river until 6 p.m., when we received orders and crossed the river to south side, occupying the works previously built by Twenty-third Army Corps, and sent out skirmishers to cover our front. November 28, 1864, remained in works on south side until Fourth Army Corps crossed the river, which, at 4 a.m., the Third Brigade moved across the river and occupied the same works left November 27, 1864. The One hundred and eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry is assigned for duty with Third Brigade, per Special Orders, No. 74, headquarters Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. November 29, 1864, Third Brigade in same position, and work on fortifications until 12 m. The Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry is assigned to Third Brigade, per Special Orders, No. 75, headquarters Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. At 12 m. Third Brigade moved by the right flank for Spring Hill, Third Brigade in advance of Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. All quiet until 5 p.m.; light skirmishing until 9 p.m., when part of brigade moved toward Johnson [Thompson's?] Station, leaving the Forty-fourth Missouri and One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Regiments of infantry to follow in rear of all transportation. We reached Johnson [Thompson's?] Station 12 o'clock at night.

November 30, 1864, at 2 a.m., Third Brigade moved from Johnson [Thompson's?] Station, on Franklin road. We reached Franklin, Tenn., at 6.30 a.m., and commenced throwing up works. Works completed at 12 m. The position of Third Brigade, west of Columbia pike, on left of Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and on right of Third Division, Twenty third Army Corps. Skirmishers thrown out to cover our front. The brigade in two lines — Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry in front line, and One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry in rear line. At 3 p.m. heavy skirmishing commenced, the enemy driving in our skirmishers, and at 3.30 p.m. the enemy assaulted the whole line, making an effort to flank us out of front line of works by marching down the Columbia pike in solid column. The nature of the ground gave the enemy the advantage. They succeeded in taking the front line of works, but had the pleasure of holding it but a few moments. The second line rallied to the support of the first line and succeeded in driving the enemy from it. The disorderly manner in which some of the troops of the Fourth Army Corps retreated caused a slight confusion, and, indeed, the enemy made his appearance on the outside of the first line of works almost simultaneous with the retreat of the Fourth Army Corps. I then ordered the reserve regiments to first line in support. The Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Gillespie commanding, and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Stockton commanding, renewed the attack with great vigor and gallantry; while the Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Bradshaw commanding, and One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Hoge commanding, moved up in good order, under a most terrific fire, and took full possession of the first line of works, and in a hand-to-hand encounter the four regiments drove the enemy from the works, which was held with great tenacity, capturing a number of prisoners (not known). In the charge to drive the enemy from their immediate front of the first line and save it from capture by the enemy, Colonel Bradshaw, of the Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry, while leading his regiment, with colors in hand, and most gallantly, by personal example, encouraging his men, fell mortally wounded,¹ also, at the same moment, Lieut. Col. M. Clark, One hundred and eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was instantly killed while actively engaged assisting in bringing his regiment up to the first line, while Lieutenant-Colonel Stockton and Major James, of the Seventy-second Illinois Regiment of Infantry, were wounded at the same time.

The tenacity with which the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry held the first line, stubbornly refusing to yield their position, in the midst of a most terrible carnage, and the prompt manner in which the Forty-fourth Missouri and the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Regiments executed the order to move up to the support of the first line, midst a shower of leaden rain, cannot fail to command the highest admiration of our superiors in the engagement and challenge the good opinion of all brave comrades in the battle.

Lieut. Col. H. S. Gillespie, Fiftieth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Stockton, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and Major James, of same regiment; and Capt. J. A. Sexton, Seventy-second Illinois, [who] took command of regiment when both field officers fell; Colonel Hoge, One hundred and eighty-third Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Lieut. Col. A. J. Barr, Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteer Infantry — all are deserving of the highest praise for the marked ability in the management of their men, as well as their noble conduct of true bravery, so handsomely displayed throughout the engagement. To the other officers and men of the entire command I can find no words fitting the occasion sufficiently strong in terms of commendation for the pluck, stubbornness, and genuine heroism exhibited throughout.

I am greatly indebted to the officers of my staff, most especially the three who were present with me during the engagement: First Lieut. John B. McLoe, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. L. A. Burke, acting assistant inspector-general; Second Lieut. C. A. Van Deursen, acting aide-de-camp. Their conduct was such in personal gallantry throughout that entitled them to my deepest gratitude, and as examples worthy of imitation by all good soldiers in so trying an hour of battle. I cannot forget to mention that my two orderlies, John W. Fouts, color-bearer of brigade, and J. Milton Foster, my personal orderly, during the entire fight, exhibited personal bravery in the carrying of orders which does them great credit as good and faithful soldiers.

Although out of ordinary course of reports, I could not make a faithful history of operations without recording the fact that at a very critical moment in rallying to retake the first line, I consider the success of the brigade was mainly owing at this juncture to the immediate personal presence of Brigadier-General Cox, commanding Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and the timely assistance he rendered me in so critical a moment in sending to my support the One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Bond commanding, who participated in the last two hours of the engagement (the colonel himself being wounded), the regiment rendering that assistance making success complete in holding our works until the order to move was received, which was at 12 o'clock at night, when the brigade withdrew, leaving a heavy skirmish line in the works, and marched across the river over the railroad bridge.

December 1, 1864, at 2 a.m., the skirmishers left in works at Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864, joined the brigade on the Nashville and Franklin pike. The brigade was in motion marching toward Nashville, Tenn., where it arrived at 4 p.m., and went into position on north side of Fort Negley, on right of Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and on left of Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps.

Below please find list of casualties;² and for further information I will respectfully refer you to reports of regimental commanders; a copy of each accompanies this report.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. A. STRICKLAND,                       

Colonel, Commanding Third Brigade.

Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

¹ Bradshaw survived his wound.

² Shows 6 officers and 67 men killed, 19 officers and 159 men wounded, and 2 officers and 278 men missing — total 531.

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. 389-91

50th Ohio Infantry

Organized at Camp Dennison, Ohio, and mustered in August 27, 1862. Ordered to Covington, Ky., September 1. Defence of Cincinnati, Ohio, against Kirby Smith's threatened attack. Moved to Louisville, Ky., September 20. Attached to 34th Brigade, 10th Division, Army of the Ohio, September, 1862. 34th Brigade, 10th Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. District of West Kentucky, Dept. of the Ohio, to May, 1863. Unattached, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of the Ohio, to August, 1863. Unattached, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, to September, 1863. District of South Central Kentucky, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, 23rd Army Corps, to June, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio, to February, 1865, and Dept. of North Carolina to June, 1865.

SERVICE. – Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. Moved to Lebanon, Ky., and duty there till February, 1863. At Muldraugh's Hill, Ky., building fortifications and bridges over Sulphur and Rolling Forks of Green River till September. Also built Forts Boyle, Sands and McAllister. Ordered to Nashville, Tenn., September 18; thence to Gallatin, Tenn., and to Glasgow, Ky., and to Knoxville, Tenn., December 25. March across mountains to Jacksboro December 26, 1863, to January 7, 1864. Duty there till February 22. At Knoxville and Loudoun till May. Moved to Cleveland, Tenn., thence march to Kingston, Ga., and Join Sherman's army May 23, 1864. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 23-September 8. Kingston May 24. Operations on line of Pumpkin Vine creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills May 25-June 5. Operations about Marietta and against Kenesaw Mountain June 10-July 2. Pine Hill June 11-14. 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. Chattahoochie River July 6-17. Decatur July 19. Howard House, Atlanta, July 20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Utoy Creek August 5-7. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Camp at Decatur till October 4. Pursuit of Hood into Alabama October 4-26. Nashville Campaign November-December. Columbia, Duck River, November 24-27. Columbia Ford November 28-29. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Clifton, Tenn., and duty there till January 16, 1865. Movement to Washington, D.C., thence to Smithville, N. C., January 16-February 10. Operations against Hoke February 12-14. Fort Anderson February 18-19. Town Creek February 19-20. Capture of Wilmington February 22. Campaign of the Carolinas March 1-April 26. Advance on Goldsboro, N. C., March 6-21. Occupation of Goldsboro and Raleigh. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty at Raleigh till May 5, and Greensboro and Salisbury till June. Mustered out June 26, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 6 Officers and 70 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 134 Enlisted men by disease. Total 210.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1520