No. 155.
Report of Capt. Abraham N. Snyder, Thirty-fifth Iowa Infantry,
of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. THIRTY-FIFTH
IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS,
Columbia, Tenn.,
December 23, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of
operations of the Thirty-fifth Iowa on December 15 and 16, before Nashville:
Early upon the morning of December 15, in obedience to
orders from Col. S. G. Hill, commanding Third Brigade, the regiment moved from
camp in advance of the brigade, and formed line of battle on left of Hardin
pike, moving forward with Company E deployed as skirmishers. At 11 o'clock the
regiment was ordered to support the battery attached to the brigade, and formed
on the left and to the rear of it, remaining in that position until near 2
p.m., when we were again ordered forward, and our line swinging around from the
right at nearly a right angle with our former position, brought us directly in
front of the enemy's fort, and between the battery attached to the brigade and
the enemy's fire. Continued skirmishing was carried on until about 3.30 p.m.,
when we were ordered to take the fort, with instructions to hold our fire until
all were in the works. With fixed bayonets the men moved forward, never halting
until we had taken and passed through the first work and reached the stone wall
east of it. Major Dill being unable to proceed farther, upon being notified by
the adjutant, I immediately assumed command of and reformed the regiment, the
command remaining in its new position until ordered to move to the right and
front, where we encamped for the night in line of battle. Before daybreak
(16th) the command was ordered to move to the right and follow the Thirty-third
Missouri, keeping well closed up. Company H was deployed as skirmishers. Some
few moments later the command was moved still farther to the right and formed
line of battle, moving across an open field in rear and to the left of the
Bradford mansion, under a heavy artillery fire, until they reached the ravine,
when they were again moved to the right and facing the enemy's works. At 4 p.m.
the line moved forward; crossing the open field and passing through the enemy's
work, formed on the left of the Thirty-third Missouri.
Of both officers and men I cannot speak too highly, as all
were prompt and efficient at all times and under all circumstances. Captain
McKelvey, Company K, and Captain Dixson, Company G, being first in the enemy's
work on the 15th, deserve great credit for their courage and bearing during the
charge. Lieutenant Washburn, Company A, commanded Company E as skirmishers on
the 15th, until recalled before the charge, and was slightly wounded by a shell
while skirmishing with the enemy. Lieut. Whiting M. Wetherill, commanding
Company H, being deployed with his company to skirmish, on the 16th, and
becoming detached from our front by the continued movement to the right, seeing
the lines formed and charging, gallantly led his men forward and was first to
enter the fort of four guns upon the right front of the Fourth Corps, pushing
forward and pressing the enemy until dark, when he rejoined the regiment.
I inclose herewith list of casualties of the command.*
Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
A. N. SNYDER,
Captain Company F,
Commanding.
Lieut. HENRY HOOVER,
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. 465-6
