Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 20. — Reports of Lieut. Col. Bedan B. McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864, and January 17-21, 1865.

No. 20.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Bedan B. McDanald, One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864, and January 17-21, 1865.

HEADQUARTERS 101ST OHIO VOLUNTEERS,        

Huntsville, Ala., January 5, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of my command during the present campaign, commencing December 15. 1864:

During the night of December 14 orders were received to provide the necessary amount of ammunition and make other preparations for an active campaign. At the same tune orders were also received to move at 6 o'clock the following morning. I had previously taken the precaution to make all needful preparations, and was ready to move promptly at the time designated. The colonel commanding in person assigned to my regiment the right of the front line of his brigade, and at the same time gave general directions to be observed during the day, to be varied only as he should direct. I moved with the brigade across the Granny White pike, beyond the Acklen place, then west on the Hillsborough pike, and formed in line of battle in front of the works constructed by the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, and to the right of the Hillsborough pike. In this position we remained during most of the forenoon, waiting for the formations on our extreme right to be completed. I think it was near 12 m. when the first general advance was ordered. As we moved forward I noticed that the Ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, General Grose's brigade, joined on my right, and the general guide was right. Our skirmishers succeeded in driving those of the enemy beyond the point at which our first line was to be established, and my regiment sustained no loss in reaching it. While in this position the enemy shelled us vigorously, but succeeded in doing but little damage. At 2 o'clock in the afternoon another advance was made to a road running parallel and within about 300 yards of the rebel works. The banks of this road formed an excellent protection to our men from the enemy's musketry, which at times was very severe. In the last advance we had crossed the Hillsborough pike and formed about 200 or 300 yards to its left. While in this position, and at about 4 p.m., an assault of the works was ordered, and executed in splendid style. My regiment moved forward promptly at the command, although encountered by a heavy fire of musketry. As far as my observation went no one faltered until the enemy's works were in our hands, and I claim for my regiment the honor of having planted the first colors on the rebel works at that point of the line. In the advance the right wing of my regiment struck an angle in the works in which was posted three pieces of artillery. Officers and men forced their way through the embrasures, capturing these guns. The artillery (three pieces) was turned over to the ordnance department and a memorandum receipt given by Lieutenant Croxton, ordnance officer First Division, Fourth Army Corps. Two officer's sabers were captured, and have been forwarded, with statement, through the adjutant-general's department. We also captured and sent to the rear about 100 prisoners, including several commissioned officers. The ground in and about the trenches was strewn with abandoned clothing, small-arms, intrenching tools, &c. At this time the utmost enthusiasm prevailed, and the command became somewhat scattered, and it was near night-fall before it could be reformed. The direction of march was here changed toward the Granny White pike. The ground was very uneven, and moving in line quite difficult as well as tiresome on the men. By direction of the colonel commanding I threw forward a company as skirmishers, and the advance was continued to a short distance beyond the Granny White pike, where a halt was ordered and position taken for the night.

Where all did so well it is difficult to discriminate in favor of any one, but I feel that my own thanks and those of the command are due to Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, Company I, who was temporarily carrying the regimental colors. I never witnessed more gallant conduct than he displayed during the entire day, always carrying the colors at the head of the command. On the 16th my regiment was changed from the right to the center of the brigade. Being in reserve we did not become engaged and suffered no loss. We moved to the Franklin pike and out to Brentwood Hills, and there bivouacked until daylight the following morning. I have participated with other portions of the army in pursuit of the enemy as far as Lexington, Ala.

A report of the casualties of my command has already been forwarded through the proper channels.

I have to thank both officers and men for gallant bearing during the two days of battle and victory at Nashville, and for the uncomplaining and patient manner in which they have endured the severities of the campaign.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

B. B. McDANALD,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 101st Ohio Volunteers.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 1st Brig, 1st Div., 4th Army Corps.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS 101ST OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,        

Huntsville, Ala., January 22, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to report:

In compliance with orders received from headquarters on the evening of the 17th instant I furnished my regiment with three days' rations of hard bread and moved at 7 p.m. same day out the Big Cove road in pursuit of a party of bushwhackers that had captured one first lieutenant, four men, and one team of a forage party that had been sent out from my regiment on that day. On the morning of the 18th Lieutenant White, Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, reported to me with one company of cavalry, twenty-five men, as also Captain Harris, Union scout and guide, with written instructions for me. I crossed Flint River by means of a raft constructed of logs and a small canoe, and scoured the country lying between Flint River and Paint Rock River from the Tennessee River as far north as Cedar Mountain, capturing four bushwhackers, with their horses, arms, and accouterments; also two citizens charged with harboring and feeding bushwhackers, named John Cobb and William P. Hornbuckle. The names of the prisoners captured with arms are Adams Cobb, Theophilus Cobb, George W. Hunt, and Harrison D. Herring. I am informed that all the above-named prisoners have taken the oath of allegiance to the United States Government, since which time they have engaged in bushwhacking. I burned some fifty tenements on my line of march that were occupied by bushwhackers and their supporters, leaving their families in a houseless, helpless condition, with orders to leave that country by going north or moving south of the Tennessee River. The community at large through the country between Flint and Paint Rock Rivers uphold and support these bands of guerrillas, by feeding them and communicating with them, informing them of any Federal force that is in the vicinity, in order that if they are closely pursued, they hide their arms, disband, and become good, loyal citizens at once, armed with an oath of allegiance, properly attested and approved by U.S. officers. Such being the case, with the addition of the mountains to flee to in order to conceal themselves in the rocks and caves, it is impossible to capture them without they are taken wholly by surprise. I returned to camp on the afternoon of the 21st, being absent four days.

Respectfully submitted.

B. B. McDANALD,        

Lieut. Col. 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Comdg. Expedition.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        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), pp. 192-5

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 19. — Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 15-30, 1864.

No. 19.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Samuel N. Yeoman, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 15-30, 1864.

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY,        

Near Lexington, Ala., December 30, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: In accordance with circular from brigade headquarters of this instant, I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken in the actions of the 15th and 16th instant, and the pursuit of General Hood's rebel forces to this place:

In accordance with orders received from brigade headquarters, my command was in line on the left of the Granny White pike at 6 a.m. on the 15th instant, and at 6.30 a.m. my regiment was relieved by a portion of Brigadier-General Cruft's command. At 7 a.m. it was in motion, moving across the Granny White pike by the right flank, following the Eighty-first Indiana. At 8.30 a.m. passed through our breast-works on the Hillsborough pike, and formed in line upon the right, the left of my regiment retired and resting near the pike· At 10 a.m. the skirmishers commenced advancing, and we moved over the crest of a hill in our front, obliquing to the left, our skirmishers driving the enemy in our front from his skirmish pits. A halt was ordered, during which the enemy used his artillery upon our lines. At 11 a.m. we were ordered forward a second time, the brigade making nearly a right half wheel, and throwing my regiment upon the left of the Hillsborough pike, its right resting upon the pike. In this advance of my battle line to enemy's rifle-pits I lost but one man wounded· A battery being ordered into position, my command was moved to the left until it connected with the right of The Third Division. In this position we remained until 2 p.m., when I was ordered forward by Colonel Kirby to take a hill 400 yards from my front and within rifle-range of the enemy's works. I advanced without opposition until reaching the crest of the hill, when the enemy opened upon me from his works· I immediately put my men under cover, and ascertaining that a dug road in my front afforded a better protection for my men, by order of Colonel Kirby, I moved my men forward to it, where they were well protected, and from this position I opened a vigorous fire upon them. At about 4 p.m. I observed them shifting rapidly to the left; this I communicated to Colonel Kirby, when a charge was ordered, to which the men responded with cheers, and in ten minutes my regimental flag [was] first on the enemy's works and my men pursuing them. I ordered a halt, and reforming my regiment, was placed by Colonel Kirby in position at right angles with the enemy's works, my right resting on their works. Formed thus, we moved forward, crossing the Granny White pike, and bivouacking 1,000 yards east of it, when my regiment was ordered to and built works parallel with the pike. In this action I lost thirty-two men in killed and wounded.

My entire command behaved with the greatest gallantry and enthusiasm, but I regret that in the enthusiasm and eagerness of my command to pursue the enemy that my command neglected to secure the trophies of war that we had captured from the enemy, both these and the prisoners falling into the hands of other commands coming up to our support.

16th, my regiment again formed left of the front battle-line of the brigade, and moving out of our works by the right flank, we shifted gradually toward the enemy's right. At 9.30 a.m. we moved forward in line of battle, supporting the Second and Third Brigades, our movements entirely controlled by the movements of those commands. At 11 a.m., in advancing through an open corn-field on the right of the Franklin pike, I had one man wounded by artillery; from that until the enemy was routed, and night found us in pursuit of the enemy, my command acted quietly and efficiently in the execution of all orders. We bivouacked on the right of the Franklin pike, six miles south of Nashville.

On the 17th instant moved in same order on the Franklin pike, and bivouacked on the north side of Harpeth River near Franklin, making a march of twelve miles. On the 18th crossed the Harpeth, and moving in the direction of Columbia marched eighteen miles, and bivouacked in six miles of Columbia. On the 19th moved one mile, halted, and bivouacked. On the 20th, p.m., crossed Rutherford's Creek, and bivouacked on the banks of Duck River, opposite Columbia, where we remained until the 22d, at 7 p.m., when we crossed Duck River, and moving through Columbia, bivouacked on the left of Mount Pleasant pike. On the 23d moved at 1 p.m. on the Pulaski pike, and bivouacked six miles south of Columbia. On the 24th moved at 1 p.m., marching thirteen miles, and bivouacked on the right of Pulaski pike. On the 25th moved at 8 a.m., reaching and passing through Pulaski, twelve miles. At 1 p.m. crossed Richland Creek and moved out six miles, in support of cavalry, marching sixteen miles, and bivouacking at 8 p.m. Remained in same position until 5.30 a.m., when we moved out the same road twelve miles, bivouacking at 2 p.m. on Sugar Tree Creek. On the 28th moved at 8 a.m. and made this point, a distance of twelve miles, at 5 p.m.

I cannot close my report without special mention of Color-Sergt. Jacob S. Cockerill for his gallantry in being first to plant his colors on the enemy's works, and would make special mention of other men, non-commissioned officers, and officers, but the universal good conduct and cheerfulness of the command throughout the battles and hard marches of the campaign will not admit of it.

Appended you will find a list of the killed and wounded of my command of the 15th and 16th instant.* Those that are marked slight were only thrown out of action during the first day; most of them now are with the command.

I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, &c.

_______________

HDQRS. NINETIETH REGIMENT OHIO VOL. INFANTRY.

LIEUTENANT: In compliance with circular from department headquarters of the 27th instant, I have the honor to forward the following statement in regard to a stand of rebel colors and several swords captured but not secured by my command on the 15th instant at Nashville, Tenn., and ask that you append it to my report of December 30, 1864:

The center of my regiment struck the enemy's works at the point where a rebel stand of colors was planted on the left of the fort heretofore mentioned in my report, the right of it reaching to the left wing of said fort. As the members of Company H crossed the works Privates Irvin, Brown, and others, of Companies C and H, saw a stand of rebel colors on the ground near the ditch, but the word was forward, and the command passed over the crest of the hill after the flying enemy, and, in the excitement of the chase, not pausing to collect any trophies. In substantiation of this statement I append the statement of James R. Vansickle, a private of Company H of my command, who came up after the regiment had crossed the works, and says that he saw a soldier with a stand of rebel colors, and asking him where he captured them, he said that he picked them up right there, where the Ninetieth Ohio crossed the works. He then asked him to what regiment he belonged, and he replied to the Ninth Indiana. Others of my command saw him with the colors, and substantiate this.

As to the swords, there were as many as three or four others besides the one forwarded by me, with its history, shown me by soldiers of my command, which I ordered them to keep, but being ordered to form a new line and move forward in line of battle through the brush until long after night-fall, the soldiers could not carry them and they threw them away.

I claim credit for my command for the capture of this stand of colors, and also the prisoners who passed through my regimental line to the rear, and respectfully forward the name of Private James W. Homey, of Company C, as a soldier who by his heroic conduct, in being first on and over the enemy's works, fixing his bayonet as he mounted them, has won the right to receive any testimonial that the Government may see proper to award as an acknowledgment of his conduct.

I am, as ever, your obedient servant,

S. N. YEOMAN,        

Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding.

[Lieut. WILLIAM FELTON,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.]

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 4 men killed and 29 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), pp. 190-2

Wounded

By a letter received from Washington by L. Chamberlin, Esq., we hear that Lucien Laselle, son of Judge Lasselle, formerly of the city, was severely wounded at Coal [sic] Harbor on the 3rd of June. A ball passed through his right leg above the knee while being borne off the field a piece of shell inflicted a severe wound on the same leg below the knee. He was taken to Washington on the 9th—before which time his wound had not been dressed. The wounds were received in a charge on the rebel breastworks. Only 7 of the Company are left for duty. Sergeant Lasselle enlisted in the California regiment, and was in every battle in which the army of the Potomac has been engaged since the first battle of Bull Run. At Antietam he had a pipe shot out of his mouth—in another battle a ramrod was shot out of his hand—but he was never hit until the battle at Coal Harbor. He is among the bravest of the brave.

Col. R. D’Hart was wounded at Marietta, Georgia, last week—wound reported severe.

Capt. Dyer B. McConnell, from this city, in the 9th Indiana, is reported as having been recently wounded in Georgia.

SOURCE: “Wounded,” Democratic Pharos, Logansport, Indiana, Wednesday, June 15, 1864, p. 2

9th Indiana Infantry – 3 Months

Organized at Indianapolis, Ind., April 22-27, 1861. Ordered to Grafton, W. Va., May 29. Attached to Kelly's Command, West Virginia, to July. Action at Philippi June 3. Attached to Morris' Indiana Brigade, West Virginia, July. West Virginia Campaign July 6-17. Laurel Hill July 7-8. Bealington July 10. Carrick's Ford July 12-14. Pursuit of Garnett's forces July 14-17. Mustered out August 2, 1861.

Regiment lost 3 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Enlisted men by disease. Total 5.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1121

9th Indiana Infantry – 3 Years

Organized at Laporte September 5, 1861. Ordered to Cheat Mountain, West Virginia, September 10. Attached to Cheat Mountain District, West Virginia, to March, 1862. 19th Brigade, 4th Division, Army of the Ohio, to September, 1862. 19th Brigade, 4th Division, 2nd Corps, Army of the Ohio, to November, 1862. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, Left Wing 14th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to January, 1863. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 21st Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to October, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to June, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 4th Army Corps, to August, 1865. Dept. of Texas to September, 1865.

SERVICE. – Duty at Cheat Mountain, West Virginia, till January 9, 1862. Action at Greenbrier River October 3-4, 1861. Expedition to Camp Baldwin December 11-13. Greenbrier River December 12. Camp Allegheny December 13. Moved to Fetterman, W. Va., January 9, 1862, and duty there till February 19. Ordered to Louisville, Ky., February 19; thence march to Nashville, Tenn. March to Savannah, Tenn., March 18-April 6. Battle of Shiloh, Tenn., April 6-7. Advance on and siege of Corinth, Miss., April 29-May 30. Occupation of Corinth May 30, and pursuit to Booneville May 31-June 12. March to Iuka, Miss., thence to Tuscumbia, Florence and Athens, Ala., June 12-July 8. Duty at Athens till July 17, and at Murfreesboro, Tenn., till August 17. March to Louisville, Ky., in pursuit of Bragg August 17-September 26. Pursuit of Bragg, to Loudon, Ky., October 1-22. Battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8. Danville October 11. Wild Cat Mountain, near Crab Orchard, Big Rockcastle River and near Mt. Vernon October 16. Wild Cat October 17. Rockcastle River and Nelson's Cross Roads October 18. Pittman's Forks October 20. March to Nashville, Tenn., October 22-November 5, and duty there till December 26. Advance on Murfreesboro December 26-30. Lavergne December 26-27. Stewart's Creek December 27. Battle of Stone's River December 30-31, 1862, and January 1-3, 1863. Duty at Murfreesboro and Readyville till June. Woodbury January 24. Expedition from Readyville to Woodbury April 2. Middle Tennessee (or Tullahoma) Campaign June 23-July 7. At Manchester till August 16. Passage of the Cumberland Mountains and Tennessee River and Chickamauga (Ga.) Campaign August 16-September 22. Lee and Gordon's Mills, Ga., September 11-13. Battle of Chickamauga September 19-20. Siege of Chattanooga September 22-November 23. Before Chattanooga September 22-27. Reopening Tennessee River October 26-29. Chattanooga-Ringgold Campaign November 23-27. Lookout Mountain November 23-24. Mission Ridge November 25. Ringgold Gap, Taylor's Ridge, November 27. At Whitesides, Ala., till March, 1864, and at Cleveland, Tenn., till May. Atlanta (Ga.) Campaign May 1-September 8. Tunnell Hill May 6-7. Demonstration on Rocky Faced Ridge and Dalton May 8-13. Buzzard's Roost Gap May 8-9. Near Dalton May 13. Battle of Resaca May 14-15. Near Kingston May 18-19. Cassville May 19 and 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. Assault on Kenesaw June 27. Ruff's Station Smyrna Camp Ground July 4. Chattahoochie River July 5-17. Peach Tree Creek July 19-20. Siege of Atlanta July 22-August 25. Flank movement on Jonesboro August 25-30. Battle of Jonesboro August 31-September 1. Lovejoy Station September 2-6. Operations against Hood in North Georgia and North Alabama, September 29-November 3. Nashville Campaign November-December Columbia Duck River November 24-27. Battle of Franklin November 30. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Huntsville, Ala., and duty there till March, 1865. Operations in East Tennessee March 15-April 22. Duty at Nashville till June. Ordered to New Orleans, La., June 16; thence to Indianola, Tex., July 7. Duty at San Antonio and at New Braunfels till September. Mustered out September 28, 1865.

Regiment lost during service 11 Officers and 120 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 220 Enlisted men by disease. Total 353.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1121