We were reviewed to-day by our Governor. When I say reviewed, I mean all the North Carolina troops in our corps. After the review we went to Ramseur's Brigade, where he spoke again. So did Generals Early, Rodes and Stewart. That is all that is worth recording this month.
SOURCE: Louis
Leon, Diary of a Tar Heel Confederate Soldier, p. 58
CHARLESTON, S.C., January 4, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I embrace
this opportunity to forward a report of the Twenty-fourth Regiment South
Carolina Volunteers in the recent campaign from Palmetto, Ga., to Franklin,
Tenn., including the battle at the latter place.
The losses sustained
by the regiment at Franklin, together with the death of General Gist and the
wounding of the adjutant-general of the brigade, Maj. B. Burgh Smith, and the
terrible disaster which has since befallen the army at Nashville, make me
apprehensive that no official report may be made or called for, and I will send
this by the earliest opportunity and request that it be forwarded to the
headquarters of the army at once, and a copy kept at brigade headquarters.
On the 29th of
September last we broke camp at Palmetto and marched toward the Chattahoochee
on the Phillips' Ferry road. Lieutenant-General Hardee having left the army,
his corps was commanded by Major-General Cheatham, General Gist commanding
Cheatham's division, and Colonel Capers, Twenty-fourth South Carolina
Volunteers, commanding Gist's brigade. The brigade was composed of the
Sixteenth and Twenty-fourth South Carolina, the Forty-sixth Georgia, and the
Eighth Georgia Battalion. We crossed the Chattahoochee at Phillips' Ferry and
camped the night of the 29th in line of battle on the west bank. Turning north
on the 30th, we marched ten miles and bivouacked on the Villa Rica and
Campbellton road, the line facing the State railroad.
On the 1st, 2d, and
3d of October the march was continued beyond Powder Springs, camping on the road
to Lost Mountain on the 4th and 5th. While here we were engaged in intrenching
a strong position, facing east and running parallel, for the most part, with
the road, while Stewart's corps was at work breaking up the railroad north of
Marietta. Early on the 6th, after a dreadful night of storm and rain, from
which the men suffered very much, we broke up our line and marched in the rain
and mud on the Dallas road, continuing the march on the 7th, 8th, and 9th,
through Van Wert, Cedartown, and Cave Springs, to Coosaville, on the Coosa
River. The command crossed the Coosa on the 10th, and turning north we camped
in the beautiful valley of the Armuchee on the 11th. On the 12th and 13th the
march was pressed through Sugar Valley Post-Office to Dalton, arriving before
Dalton at 1 p.m. on the 13th, after a forced march of seventeen miles. From
Palmetto to Dalton the regiment had marched 157 miles, marching every day,
except the two days spent in fortifying the line on the Powder Springs and Lost
Mountain road. General Hood's summons to the fort at Dalton was refused, and
our division, now commanded by Maj. Gen. John C. Brown, was ordered to carry it
by assault. The fort was a square redoubt, surrounded by a deep ditch, and
situated on a hill just east of the depot and commanding the business part of
the town; it inclosed a large store-house, and was defended by a complement of
artillery and infantry. A hill immediately south and east of the fort commanded
it, and General Brown moved his division across the open fields toward this
hill, when a number of white flags were raised on the fort. The officer
commanding had supposed the summons of General Hood to be one of General
Forrest's efforts to capture him, but the display of our force and the evident
purpose to place our artillery on the hill that commanded his fort, convinced
his troops that their capture was certain, and they very eagerly surrendered.
The garrison was composed of about 800 negro troops, commanded by white
officers, and about 100 cavalry. We got some arms and a good quantity of
stores, which our corps enjoyed. The remainder of the 13th and the morning of
the 14th were spent by the corps in destroying the railroad at Dalton and back
to Tunnel Hill. We left Dalton on the afternoon of the 14th and passed Rocky
Face, through Mill Creek Gap, camping at Villanow.
On the 15th we
passed Taylor's Ridge, through Ship's Gap, and camped in the Chattooga Valley,
on the Summerville road. Early next morning, the 16th, I was ordered to march
back with the regiment to the gap, and dispute the pass until ordered to
retire. We reached the gap about 8 o'clock, and I at once disposed my regiment
for its defense. The growth of the mountain on the side of the enemy's approach
was thick, and the winding direction of the road made it impossible to see the
force advancing. To the right and left of the gap the woods made it easy for my
flanks to be turned by troops passing beyond the reach of my small force. I
placed Companies A and F, Captains Steinmeyer and Sherard, under Captain
Roddey, acting major of the Twenty-fourth, about a quarter of a mile in advance
down the mountain, and instructed Roddey to take advantage of the woods, deploy
his companies, and detain the enemy as long he could, falling back on the right
and left of the regiment when pressed too hard. I cautioned him about his
flanks, and left him full discretion to act as his judgment decided,
communicating with me as opportunity occurred. The cavalry passed in about 10
o'clock and reported General Sherman's head of column advancing on the gap. I
rode down to Roddey, and found his force well disposed, and was with him when
the skirmishers of the enemy began firing. Riding back to an open place on the
ridge, to the left of the regiment, I could see the enemy's trains and columns
on the Villanow road, and counted seventeen flags. These facts I reported by
courier to General Gist, who sent me a dispatch to hold the gap as long as I
could, but not to lose my regiment. It was now about 11 o'clock, and Roddey was
skirmishing heavily. I sent my adjutant, Lieutenant Holmes, to him, and he
reported to me that the enemy were firing from the front all along Roddey's
line, but showed only a strong skirmish line. Shortly after Lieutenant Holmes
returned from Roddey we heard the enemy raise a shout from the direction of
both flanks of Roddey's force, and the firing suddenly ceased. Very soon the
men of Companies A and F who had escaped capture came in and told us that a
force had passed around each flank of their line, and charging in rear, had cut
off Roddey and most of his command. The regiment was in the gap, with the right
and left companies deployed to protect our flanks. The enemy soon pressed up
the mountain and charged our position, but the well-directed fire of the Twenty-fourth
drove him back. He continued to fire from the front, and soon our vedettes
reported to me from the left that a force was moving through the woods to my
rear. This determined me to pass the defile, and I accordingly conducted the
regiment to the rear by the right flank, each company firing up to the moment
of marching. The enemy did not press us, and I conducted the regiment to the
bivouac of the brigade on the Summerville road, the cavalry relieving us at the
foot of the ridge. We lost 4 officers and about 40 men in this affair. Captains
Roddey, Steinmeyer, and Sherard, and Lieutenant Gray were captured, with about
half of the force they commanded. Most of those captured were so completely cut
off from the regiment that they could not escape. I regret that I cannot say
how many were killed or wounded of those who were captured; we had only 8
wounded in the gap.
The march of the
corps was continued on the 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th of October, passing
through Alpine to Gadsden, Ala., crossing the State line on the 18th. We halted
at Gadsden on the 21st, got our mails and drew the following: 21 blankets, 112
pairs of trousers, 74 pairs of shoes, 44 jackets, 82 pairs of socks, 37 shirts,
and 46 pairs of drawers. This issue by no means supplied our necessities, but
relieved the most needy. We had twenty men absolutely barefooted when we
reached Gadsden. On the evening of the 21st the commanding general communicated
to the army his purpose to cross the Tennessee and march into that State; accordingly,
on the early morning of the 22d, the march was resumed. Passing over Sand
Mountain we arrived before Decatur, Ala., on the afternoon of the 26th and
formed line of battle. The weather was wretched, the roads muddy, and the
marching most trying on the troops. The 27th and 28th were equally as bad, and
the regiment being kept in position and moved frequently as the line was moved
to the right, and the enemy throwing some shell meanwhile, made our stay in
front of Decatur most uncomfortable, especially as we expected to attack or to
be attacked at any moment. The men had no chance to cook and suffered from
hunger. We left this position at 3 o'clock on the afternoon of the 29th and
marched nine miles on the Tuscumbia road, camping in Florence County. The march
was continued on the 30th and 31st, passing through Courtland and arriving at
Tuscumbia at 4 p.m. on the 31st. The beautiful valley of the Tennessee, through
which we marched, was desolated by the enemy, and the commanding general
published a field circular to the army, calling attention of the troops to the
ruined homes on every hand, and exhorting every man and officer resolutely to
vow the redemption of Tennessee from the grasp of the foe. The circular was
received by the Twenty-fourth with a hearty cheer, though many of the gallant
soldiers who cheered were absolutely suffering for clothing and shoes. Hardee's
corps went into bivouac west of the town, and remained in bivouac until the 8th
of November. The weather for most of the time was miserable and the camp most
uncomfortable in consequence. The following issues were made to my regiment: 64
jackets, 16 pairs of trousers, 38 pairs of socks, 28 pairs of shoes, 24
blankets. This was a very inadequate supply. I applied for 113 pairs of shoes
absolutely needed, twenty-three men being barefooted on reaching Tuscumbia. Up
to this point we had marched 361 miles. On the 8th of November, in a storm of
rain, the corps marched to within a mile of the river, and went into bivouac,
waiting for the completion of the pontoon. On Sunday, the 13th, the weather
being fine, we marched over the pontoon, the bands playing and the men and
officers in high spirits. Marching through Florence we camped one mile west of
the town. The 14th and 15th were employed by Hardee's corps fortifying a line
designed, we were told, to defend the crossing of the river in case of disaster
in front. The weather from the night of the 14th was miserably bad; cold, rain,
and snow, and the bivouac wet and uncomfortable. Rations were short, seventy of
my men had next to no blankets, and as many needed shoes. On the 16th we got 16
pairs of shoes, 45 pairs of trousers, 50 pairs of socks, 26 shirts, and 34
pairs of drawers. We had no forage for our horses and a ration of only fifteen
ears of corn. In spite of this the men were cheerful and dutiful. The
Twenty-fourth reported at Florence 256 non-commissioned officers and privates
for duty, 23 company officers, 2 field officers, and 4 on the regimental staff.
Lieut. Alfred Holmes, adjutant, having gone to the rear sick, Lieut. W. M.
Beckham, Company G, was detailed to act as adjutant of the regiment, and
efficiently discharged his duties.
On the 21st of
November we marched from the bivouac in a storm of snow, and continued the
march for ten miles on the Waynesborough road. The roads were in such a
terrible condition that the men marched in the woods and fields to escape the
mud. The march was conducted through Waynesborough and Mount Pleasant to
Columbia, reaching Columbia on the 26th, just after the enemy, retreating from
Decatur, had entered that place. The brigade was bivouacked in line east of the
Bigbyville pike. The march from Florence to Columbia was forced all the way,
the weather and roads bad, and rations very short, three biscuits only on the
24th and 25th to each man. Except to furnish picket details, the Twenty-fourth
had no duty to perform at Columbia and had no casualties.
Early on the 29th we
left the bivouac and marched to Davis' Ford, on Duck River, crossing on a
pontoon and continuing the march toward Spring Hill, immediately on the rear of
the enemy's position at Columbia. The march was rapid and over bad roads, and
part of the way over the open plantations. We arrived before Spring Hill about
sunset, and were formed in line of battle, facing the town and apparently about
a mile distant. The enemy seemed to be in confusion, as we could hear the noise
of pulling down fences and houses and the rattling of wheels on the pike. Our
troops were fighting on our right and we were expecting momentarily to be
ordered forward. No order came, however, and as dark came on the general, Gist,
and myself rode out toward the enemy within pistol-shot. This state of affairs
was, and still is, inexplicable to me, and gave us a great disappointment.
Later on in the night we could hear the rolling of wheels over the pike, as the
enemy's artillery and wagons moved on to Franklin. After an anxious night of
waiting and watching we moved next morning onto the pike and marched, after
Stewart's corps, toward Franklin. Burnt wagons and dead mules were passed on
the pike and other evidences of a hasty retreat of the enemy. About 2 p.m. the
head of our corps reached a line of high hills crossing the Franklin pike, on
which the enemy had a force. Stewart drove this force back, and we formed line
of battle at the foot of the hills. In the order of formation Stewart's corps
was on the right of the pike, and Hardee's, commanded by Cheatham, was deployed
on the left. The divisions were formed in two lines, from right to left, as
follows: Cleburne’s, Brown's, and Bate's. In our division (Brown's), Gist's and
Gordon's brigades occupied the front and Carter's and Strahl's the rear line;
Gist was on the left of Gordon, and the Twenty-fourth on the left of Gist's
brigade, so that we occupied the left of the division. In this order the two
corps moved forward to the top of the hills. The enemy was intrenched in a
semicircle in front of Franklin, with his flanks refused and resting on the
Harpeth River in his rear; there was also a short line of troops, apparently a
division, about 500 yards in front of the main force. The distance from our
position to this advanced force seemed to be about a mile and a quarter. About
4 o'clock the two corps moved down the hills, our division marching by the
right flank of regiments until we descended the slopes, then forming forward
into line. As we advanced the force in front opened fire on us, and our line
moved steadily on, the enemy retreating as we pressed forward. Just before the
charge was ordered the brigade passed over an elevation, from which we beheld
the magnificent spectacle the battlefield presented--bands were playing,
general and staff officers and gallant couriers were riding in front of and
between the lines, 100 bat-tie-flags were waving in the smoke of battle, and
bursting shells were wreathing the air with great circles of smoke, while
20,000 brave men were marching in perfect order against the foe. The sight
inspired every man of the Twenty-fourth with the sentiment of duty. As we were
pressing back the enemy's advance forces Lieut. Col. J. S. Jones fell mortally
wounded in front of the right of the regiment. General Gist, attended by Capt.
H. D. Garden and Lieut. Frank Trenhohn, of his staff, rode down our front, and
returning, ordered the charge, in concert with General Gordon. In passing from
the left to the right of the regiment the general waved his hat to us,
expressed his pride and confidence in the Twenty-fourth, and rode away in the
smoke of the battle, never more to be seen by the men he had commanded on so
many fields. His horse was shot, and, dismounting, he was leading the right of
the brigade when he fell, pierced through the heart. On pressed the charging
lines of the brigade, driving the advance force of the enemy pell-mell into a
locust abatis, where many were captured and sent to the rear; others were
wounded by the fire of their own men. This abatis was a formidable and fearful
obstruction. The entire brigade was arrested by it. Fortunately for us the fire
of the enemy slackened to let their advance troops come in, and we took
advantage of it to work our way through. Gist's and Gordon's brigades charged
on and reached the ditch of the work, mounted the work, and met the enemy in
close combat. The colors of the Twenty-fourth were planted and defended on the
parapet, and the enemy retired in our front some distance, but soon rallied and
came back, in turn, to charge us. He never succeeded in retaking the line we
held. About dusk there was a lull in the firing west of the pike. Brown's
division had established itself in the ditch of the work and so far as Gist's
brigade front on the crest. Torn and exhausted, deprived of every general
officer and nearly every field officer, the division had only strength enough
left to hold its position. Strahl's and Carter's brigades came gallantly to the
assistance of Gist's and Gordon's, but the enemy's fire from the houses in rear
of the line and from his reserves, thrown rapidly forward, and from guns posted
on the far side of the river so as to enfilade the field, tore their line to
pieces before it reached the locust abatis. Strahl and his entire staff were
killed together before reaching the work, and Carter was mortally wounded. But
there was no backward movement of this line. Its momentum, though slackened by
its terrible losses, carried it on to the ditch. Maj. B. Burgh Smith, of the
brigade staff, who was commanding the Sixteenth South Carolina Volunteers, was
now also the senior officer of the brigade, every superior officer having been
either killed or wounded. Major Smith established the line on the works and
maintained an effective fire until 9 o'clock by having the men in the ditch,
many of whom were wounded, to load and pass up the muskets to the men on the work.
Major Smith informs me that men and officers of Deas' brigade/of Johnson's
division (which came on the field late in the evening), assisted in maintaining
this fire. About 10 or 10.30 o'clock, Lieut. James A. Tillman, of the
Twenty-fourth, led his own company (I) and men from other companies of the
regiment in a charge against the enemy over the work, and captured the colors
of the Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry and some forty prisoners. The
regiment held its position, as did the brigade, against repeated attempts to
drive it from the work, until about midnight, when the enemy retired and left
our army in possession of the bloody field of Franklin. I was shot down before
reaching the last work, and have reported the facts occurring after my wound
upon the statements of the men and officers who visited me at the hospital on
the next day.
At the close of the
battle Captain Gillis, of the Forty-sixth Georgia, was the senior officer of
the brigade; of the general's staff, Capt. H. D. Garden alone remained. Before
we reached the locust abatis the ranks of the regiment were decimated by the
direct and enfilade fire of the enemy, and the lieutenant-colonel and myself
had both been shot down, yet the company officers led their men forward, worked
their way through the abatis, and assaulted the main work. Lieutenant Galley,
of Company F, and Lieutenant Padgett, of Company I, with many of the men, were
killed beyond the work.
I would specially
commend the gallant conduct of Lieut. James A. Tillman, commanding Company I,
who led his company over the work and captured the flag and some forty
prisoners of the Ninety-seventh Ohio Regiment. Lieutenant Tillman specially
commends the gallantry of Privates J.P. Blackwell, Anderson Walls, and J. E. O.
Carpenter in this affair. I would also mention specially the gallantry of
Privates Prewett and Mock, both of whom were killed on the last line of the
enemy. Lieut. W. M. Beckham, of Company G, acting adjutant; Captain Bowers, of
Company D; Lieuts. Claude S. Beaty, Company F, Adrian C. Appleby, Company C, C.
D. Easterling, Company B, McDaniel, Company H, and Andrews, Company K, were
conspicuous in the field for their gallant conduct. The conduct of these
officers came under my notice, but I have no doubt others acted with equal
gallantry whose conduct did not come under my immediate notice. Private Adam
Carpenter bore the flag with courage and faithfulness, and Color-Corporals
Jones, Company B, and Morgan, Company K, were both wounded. Lieutenants Weeks,
Company C, Tatum, Company B, and Millen, Company H, were severely wounded on
the field.
I would specially
commend the gallantry and devotion of the litter corps, under Private Joseph
Breland. They kept up with the regiment, and rendered prompt assistance to the
wounded, several of them being themselves wounded on the field.
I have no data at
hand to report accurately our losses in the campaign. Captain Risher with his
company, E, had been detailed for special duty and was not in the engagement.
Relying upon my memory, I would report the loss of the regiment, including
about 43 captured at Ship's Gap and the loss at Franklin, to be about 150 men
and officers. Lieut. Col. J. S. Jones died of his wounds at the division
hospital a few days after the battle. His loss will be much felt by the
regiment and is greatly deplored by his colonel.
From Palmetto to
Franklin the regiment marched over 500 miles. We suffered much during November
from the bad weather and from the want of clothing, shoes, and blankets. Once
during the campaign the men received as a ration three ears of corn to each
man, and frequently we had nothing but corn meal. But I am happy to report that
no man deserted the flag of his regiment, and no command of the army fought
with more spirit and heroic determination at Franklin than the Twenty-fourth
South Carolina Volunteers.
The 1st day of
December was devoted to burying our dead and reforming the broken, decimated
ranks of the regiment. Under the skillful and kind care of Dr. W. G. McKinzie,
our division surgeon, the wounded were made comfortable in the Harrison house,
on the Columbia pike; and on the 2d of December the Twenty-fourth, under the
command of Captain Griffith, Company C, marched with the army to Nashville. I
have had no tidings from it since, except the published reports of the disaster
which befell General Hood on the 16th, and the retreat of the army to Corinth.
Bright, and very warm.
The President returned this morning, hastened hither by the perils environing the capital.
An order is published this morning revoking all details for the army of persons between the ages of eighteen and forty-five years
If this be rigidly enforced, it will add many thousands to the army. It is said there are 8000 details in the military bureaus of this State.
A dispatch from Gen. Hood, near Lost Mountain (in Georgia, Sherman's rear), dated yesterday, says Sherman is marching out of Atlanta to attack him. He says Gen. Stewart's corps struck the railroad at Big Shanty, capturing 350 prisoners, and destroying ten miles of the road. Gen. Forrest is marching against Altoona. We shall soon have stirring news.
All is quiet near Petersburg and Richmond to-day. Eight of the local companies (clerks) have been ordered to guard the prisoners to Salisbury, N. C.
I saw a New York Tribune to-day, of the 17th inst., and find the Peterson's are advertising new editions of several of my books.
No. 246.
Reports of Maj. Gen. Edward C.
Walthall, C. S. Army, commanding division and rear guard of infantry, of
operations November 20, 1864-January 8, 1865.
I respectfully
submit the following report of the operations of my command from the 18th of
July, 1864, till the close of the campaign in Tennessee:1
At this point [South
Florence] on 20th [November] we crossed the Tennessee River on a pontoon bridge
and went on with the corps by a route intermediate between Lawrenceburg and
Waynesborough, over roads so bad that it was almost impossible for the
artillery to move at all, the teams being very poor and greatly exhausted from
constant and excessive service. Until we struck the old Nashville road heavy
details (sometimes one, and often two regiments) were required to move with the
artillery to assist in getting it up the bills. After this we got along with
less difficulty, and passing through Mount Pleasant on 26th, on 27th just
beyond Pillow's place we turned off to the right and moved toward Pulaski pike
to a point near Porter's house, when my command was halted, and the enemy being
in line around Columbia, skirmishers were thrown forward. The enemy withdrew
the night of 27th to the north side of Duck River, and at daylight the skirmish
line was advanced into town.
On the morning of
29th, at an early hour, my command, following Loring's, crossed Duck River
several miles above the town, and, without artillery or any wagons, except a
few to carry a small supply of extra ammunition, by a forced march and
circuitous route, reached a point after night to the right of and near the
Franklin pike about a mile above Spring Hill. Here we were halted, and after remaining
in the road till 10 or 11 o'clock were ordered to bivouac near where we then
were.
The next morning we
[were] ordered to move at daylight, and I followed the advance division to the
pike, reaching which we moved rapidly toward Franklin, and when in sight of the
range of hills south of the town we discovered they were occupied by the enemy.
We thereupon left the pike; moved to the right through woods and fields until
within about a mile and a quarter of the town. Here a line was formed to attack
the enemy, who, by our last movement, had been compelled to withdraw to his
works around the town. My command, now numbering but 1,400 guns, was the center
of the corps, and presented two brigades front (Quarles' on the right and
Reynolds' on the left), with Cantey's, under command of Brig. Gen. C. M.
Shelley, in reserve. The advance was ordered about 4 o'clock, and my
instructions were in making it to conform to the movements of the division on
my right. There was an impenetrable brier thicket of considerable extent
immediately in front of my left brigade, and Brigadier-General Reynolds was
directed, when the line was put in motion, to make his way around it, and when
he had gotten upon ground that would enable him to do so, to move up at double
quick and resume his place in the line. After moving a short distance the line
of the corps, which had become somewhat disordered by reason of the broken
ground and undergrowth, when they had passed, was halted and reformed. Here
Brigadier-General Shelley, whose brigade had followed Quarles', was directed to
move up and take the position assigned to Brigadier-General Reynolds, who,
without fault of himself or his command, had not been able to regain his place
in the line by reason of the natural obstacles in the way of his march.
Brigadier-General Shelley came promptly upon the line, and in a few moments
afterward, when the entire line was rectified, the advance was resumed. Both
officers and men seemed fully alive to the importance of beating the enemy here
at any cost, and the line moved steadily forward until it neared his outer
works, and then fell upon it so impetuously that the opposing force gave way
without even retarding the advance and retired in disorder to the strong
intrenchments in rear. There was an extensive, open, and almost unbroken plain
between the outer and inner lines, across which we must pass to reach the
latter. This was done under far the most deadly fire of both small-arms and
artillery that I have ever seen troops subjected to. Terribly torn at every
step by an oblique fire from a battery advantageously posted at the enemy's
left, no less than by the destructive fire in front, the line moved on and did
not falter till, just to the right of the pike, it reached the abatis fronting
the works. Over this no organized force could go, and here the main body of my
command, both front line and reserve, was repulsed in confusion; but over this
obstacle, impassable for a solid line, many officers and men (among the former
Brigadier-General Shelley) made their way, and some, crossing the ditch in its
rear, were captured and others killed or wounded in the effort to mount the
embankment. Numbers of every brigade gained the ditch and there continued the
struggle with but the earth-work separating them from the enemy until late in
the night.
No reports of
brigade commanders have yet been received. These will be sent forward as soon
as they reach me. The number killed, wounded, and missing in the several
brigades has already been reported, and full lists will be forwarded with
brigade reports.
Brigadier-General
Quarles was severely wounded at the head of his brigade within a short distance
of the enemy's inner line, and all his staff officers with him on the field
were killed; and so heavy were the losses in his command that when the battle
ended its officer highest in rank was a captain. I regret that I cannot here so
present the details of this desperate conflict as to show how severely the
courage and manhood of my troops were tested, and to give to the living and the
dead the full measure of their honors well earned, though in defeat. Unequal to
this, I am content to say that a bolder and steadier assault, or one more
likely to prevail without greater numbers, could not have been made upon those
formidable works than was made by the gallant and skillful brigade commanders
of my division with the brave and faithful troops under their command.
My staff officers,
it is but justice to them to say, acquitted themselves to my entire
satisfaction, and in a manner extremely creditable to themselves. Two were
disabled while efficiently discharging their trusts, and the others dismounted
by shots from the enemy's line soon after the engagement commenced. My
assistant adjutant-general, Capt. W. R. Barksdale, an officer distinguished
alike for the intelligence and fearlessness with which all his official duties
were performed, was seriously wounded just after the enemy was driven from his
outer line, and Capt. H. Powell, my aide-de-camp—whose courage and accomplishments
had endeared him to my whole command, but to none so much as myself, who had
tested his fidelity in several trying scenes before—was shot through the body
while bearing an important order and died soon after from the wound.
The enemy withdrew
during the night, but not till after orders had been received to renew the
attack next morning—the artillery, which had now come up from Columbia, to open
at 7 o'clock and fire 100 rounds to the gun, and at 9 a general charge to be
made by the entire army.
At 3 p.m. December 1
we moved across Harpeth River to the right of Franklin, and the next morning at
daylight went forward on the pike toward Nashville, and when in a few miles of
the city turned across to the Granny White pike, where we bivouacked, with skirmishers
in front. Here we remained till the 4th, and then, our skirmish line having
been pressed up as near the enemy's position as possible, my command was put in
line near Gales' house, on the left of the Granny White pike and in the center
of the corps. This line, after being intrenched, was abandoned on the night of
the 10th and another adopted, and on the morning of the 15th my troops, then on
the extreme left, were withdrawn to the neighborhood of Compton's house and
there put in bivouac, and the space vacated filled by Major-General Loring
extending to the left nearly to the Hillsborough pike.
I had been
previously directed from time to time to furnish fatigue parties to work on
some detached inclosed works, being constructed under the supervision of
engineer officers of the corps, on a range of high points, whose general
direction was nearly that of the Hillsborough pike, running back in rear of the
left of the line. Lieutenant-General Stewart informed me that it was the design
of the general commanding, in the event of attack, to man these works with
detachments of 100 men, with artillery, to resist any effort that might be made
to turn the left flank of the army. Between some of these points there were
considerable intervals; in one case as much as 1,200 yards or more. Soon after
my command was withdrawn from the main line it became evident that the enemy
were preparing for attack in heavy force, and I received orders from the
lieutenant-general commanding to man the two redoubts farthest from the main
line, putting two pieces of artillery in that on the extreme left, there being
four, under Captain Lumsden, already in the other. He further directed me to
put my troops in position behind a stone fence along the Hillsborough pike, and
to instruct the officers commanding in the redoubts to hold their position at
all hazards. One hundred men from Quarles brigade were ordered into the
redoubts on the extreme left and a like number from Cantey's into the other.
When my command got into position it stood at right angles to the main line of
the army, with Brigadier-General Reynolds on the right, Brigadier-General
Shelley on the left, and in the center Quarles' brigade, commanded by Brig.
Gen. George D. Johnston, who, after its proper commander had been disabled, had
been assigned to it by my request. Between my right and Loring's division was
Sears' brigade, of French's division. The left of my line was nearly opposite
and several hundred yards in rear of the hill where Lumsden's battery was
posted. I had no artillery on the line, as all of Major Trueheart's battalion,
which had been serving with my command, except the six pieces in the redoubts,
it had been found necessary to post at other points when guns were needed on
the main line. Soon after my command was in position Lieutenant-General Stewart
notified me that Col. D. Coleman, commanding Ector's brigade, of French's
division, which had been supporting the cavalry on the left of the infantry
line, had been ordered to report to me. I dispatched a staff officer to notify
him of my whereabouts, and on his arrival put him in position on my left. About
11 o'clock the enemy, exposing a large force in my front, concentrated a heavy
artillery fire on the redoubt in front of my left, and after keeping it up for
about an hour, with great damage to the force within, moved upon it with a
heavy body of infantry, enveloped the base of the hill, and by assault carried
the position, which was well defended. Information having reached me that a
force was moving up the Hillsborough pike, I communicated it to
Lieutenant-General Stewart, who was near me at the moment, and, under his
orders, Ector's brigade was sent down near Compton's house to hold the pike for
the protection of my left flank. In a few moments after the first redoubt was
taken the force in the second was overwhelmed by the enemy's infantry, and
Ector's brigade, in position on the pike in its rear, was forced to withdraw.
In doing so, a body of the enemy being now between it and the left of Cantey's
brigade, it was cut off from my command, and posted, by order of General Hood,
on a hill some distance to my left, which the enemy late in the day made an
ineffectual effort to carry. When these redoubts were taken the enemy moved up
in my front and shelled my troops heavily. He made no assault on my position,
but threw a force across the pike into the woods near Compton's house and
threatened my left. I detached Brigadier-General Reynolds with his brigade from
my right, filling his place by extending the other two, and sent him to oppose
this force. With his left connected with Cantey's brigade he formed his line
diagonally across the woods, his left refused, and deployed his command to
lengthen his front, as the enemy extended his lines still farther to our left.
I sent Maj. D. W. Sanders, Major-General French's assistant adjutant- general,
who had been serving with me during the day, to the lieutenant-general
commanding to advise him of the situation of my line, and to say that unless
Reynolds was supported he could not hold the enemy back with his attenuated
line. He replied that he had already applied for troops to put on my left, who
were reported on the way. Troops came, but the enemy were not checked.
Reynolds, bravely resisting, was forced back, and it was with difficulty I
withdrew my other two brigades to prevent their capture by the large force he
had been opposing, which moved up in their rear. About dark, when the troops of
the corps had been collected on the right of the Granny White pike,
Brigadier-General Sears' brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Shotwell,
numbering not more than 150 men, was temporarily attached to my command.
About 2 o'clock the
following morning Major Foster, engineer officer of the corps, came to indicate
my position in the new line which the army was taking up. My right rested on
the Granny White pike, and my left connected with Bate's division, on the slope
of a high wooded hill and near its foot, which Ector's brigade occupied the
evening before. Brigadier-General Johnston, commanding Quarles' brigade, was on
the right, and next line Brigadier-General Shelley, commanding Cantey's
brigade, and Reynolds' brigade between him and Sears', which occupied the left.
Ector's brigade was held in reserve under the cover of the hill on my left.
Major Trueheart reported to me that he had a section of his artillery which he
had succeeded in bringing off the day before, and, with the consent of
Major-General Bate, I directed him to put it in position on the hill-side to my
left, there being no suitable position for it on my own line, and this one
enabling him to employ the guns in firing obliquely upon any force advancing on
my position. Early in the morning from the high hill on my left I could see the
enemy confronting us with two lines of infantry, well supplied with artillery,
but during the forenoon nothing beyond a feeble assault was made on my front,
but my troops all the while were subjected to a heavy cannonade and annoyed by
a constant fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, but the concentrated artillery
fire endured by the troops on the hill to my left was heavier, I observed, and
seemed to be more effectual than that directed at any other point of the line
within my view. At 12 m. I was directed to order Colonel Coleman, with his
brigade, to report to the commanding general, and, at 3.15 p.m., to send
Brigadier-General Reynolds, with his command, to Lieutenant-General Stewart, to
be employed in opposing a force which had gained the rear of our left. These
brigades, both of which did valuable [service] in holding the only passages
through which many detachments of the army were afterward enabled to reach the
Franklin pike, were not under my orders again during the day. By 4 o'clock a
line was distinctly visible on the hills in our rear, covering much of our
corps, which was the center in the army line. About this time the force in my
front moved upon my position, but there was no spirit in the assault, and it
was promptly repulsed without difficulty; but the hill to my left just then was
carried, and to save any part of my command an immediate withdrawal was
necessary. To produce confusion in its accomplishment, the proximity of the
enemy's flanking column, which had been observed by the troops, and the
distance and rugged ground between them and the Franklin pike, known to them to
be their only outlet, tended and conspired. Everywhere within my view the
disorder was great and general, but it was inevitable, the surroundings
considered. At Brentwood, on the Franklin pike, the commanding general,
seconded by officers from various commands, endeavored to gather up the
fragments of his broken forces. The effort was attended with but partial
success. Some time after dark we moved toward Franklin, arriving there about 3
o'clock the following morning.
The night of 17th we
encamped near Spring Hill, and about 2 p.m. the next day the corps took
position north of Duck River, to cover the crossing of the army on pontoon
bridge at Columbia. Here we intrenched, Major-General Loring's division on the
right and mine on the left, and remained till 11 o'clock on the night of the
19th, when we moved across the river and encamped a short distance from
Columbia, on the Pulaski pike.
Early next morning
reaching the quarters of the commanding general, in obedience to a message from
him borne me by a member of his staff, he directed me, with a special command
to be organized for the purpose, to report to Major-General Forrest to aid in
covering the retreat of the army, then in motion toward Pulaski, his purpose
being to cross the Tennessee river near Bainbridge, if practicable. This
organization was made up of the following brigades, viz: Brig. Gen. W. S.
Featherston's; Col. J. B. Palmer's; Strahl's brigade, commanded by Col. C. W.
Heiskell; Smith's brigade, commanded by Colonel Olmstead, of Georgia; Maney's,
commanded by Col. H. R. Feild; with three of my own command, namely, Brig. Gen.
D. H. Reynolds'; Ector's, commanded by Col. D. Coleman; and Quarles', commanded
by Brig. Gen. George D. Johnston. When these brigades were collected I reported
to Major-General Forrest, as directed, and was not again under
Lieutenant-General Stewart's orders till the evening of the 27th, when I was
directed by him, after crossing Shoal Creek, two miles from Bainbridge, to take
position at the ford and remain till further orders. The cavalry all crossed
during the evening, and at 10 that night he ordered me to leave one brigade at
the creek and move up and occupy the works covering the pontoon bridge, from
which the rear division of the main army had just withdrawn. Leaving Reynolds'
brigade, the balance of my command was carried to the position indicated, and
there remained till daylight, when all crossed the river, and a detail was
furnished to assist in taking up the pontoon bridge. The brigades of other
commands that had been with me on the march from Columbia reported back to
their proper divisions, and with my own three brigades and those that made up
Major-General French's division, including Cockrell's, commanded by Colonel
Flournoy, I moved toward Tuscumbia, passing that place and Iuka, on to
Burnsville. We took the road to Tupelo, Miss., and reached its vicinity on
January 8. The remnant of my command, after this campaign of unprecedented
peril and hardship, reduced by its battles and exposure, worn and weary with
its travel and its toil, numbered less when it reached its rest near Tupelo
than one of its brigades had done eight months before.
In preparing this
meagre outline of the operations of my command I have been able to furnish but
an inadequate idea of what was done and endured by my brave and faithful troops
in the arduous and eventful campaign here imperfectly sketched. The limits of
such a report as is expected at this time do not enable me to make full mention
of the hard marches and severer duties, in night time as well as in day,
accomplished by my command during the time to which it refers, nor to do more
than refer to the privations and trials bravely borne by my troops, ill clad
and often shoeless, campaigning in the depths of a rigorous winter in
Tennessee; but it is due to the officers who commanded the several brigades
under me, and the artillery battalion which served with me, and the men they
commanded, having witnessed their courage and endurance, their self-sacrifice
and their fidelity, during the trials and dangers of this severe campaign, that
I should here record my high appreciation of their conduct and services, and
accord to them with my thanks my unqualified approval. All that their skill and
courage, their labor and sufferings, could accomplish was freely given to reach
results which could not be attained.
No subordinate
reports have reached me later than those of the engagement on July 28. These
will hereafter be sent up, with full lists of casualties, of which tabular
statements have already been forwarded, and such details as cannot be
incorporated in this paper.
On this campaign I was seconded by an efficient staff, always willing and fully competent to discharge any duties I assigned them, whether dangerous or difficult, and justice would be withheld were I to fail here to acknowledge my indebtedness for their faithful support and valuable service to those whose names appear below: Capt. W. R. Barksdale, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. George M. Govan, assistant inspec-tor-general; Lieut. A. F. Smith, assistant inspector-general; Lieut. H. Powell, aide-de-camp; Lieut. Robert D. Smith, ordnance officer; Maj. W. A. Rayburn, quartermaster; Capt. W. P. Davis, assistant quartermaster; Maj. S. H. Mulherrin, commissary of subsistence; Dr. W. L. Gammage, chief surgeon; Maj. D. W. Sanders and Lieut. E. T. Freeman, of Major-General French's staff, who served with me at Nashville; Capt. T.L. Bransford and Capt. W. D. Harden, ordnance officers, and Lieut. J. J. Kendall, Fourth Louisiana Regiment, who were of my staff while the army was near Atlanta; and Privates E. D. Clark, Fourth Louisiana Regiment, and George M. Walthall, of Chalmers' escort, who acted as my aides in the battle at Franklin, and the former on July 20 and 28 also.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
CAPTAIN: I
respectfully report that the colors of the following regiments were lost in the
engagement at Franklin:
Quarles' brigade:
First Alabama Regiment, Fifty-third Tennessee Regiment, Forty-second Tennessee
Regiment.
The color-bearers of
these regiments were either killed or captured after having crossed the enemy's
interior line of works.
Tabular statement
of casualties in Walthall's division in engagement of November 30, at Franklin,
Tenn.
|
|
Killed. |
Wounded. |
Missing. |
Aggregate. |
|||
|
Command. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
|
|
General staff |
1 |
.... |
1 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
2 |
|
Quarles' brigade |
16 |
69 |
25 |
76 |
21 |
79 |
286 |
|
Cantey's brigade |
5 |
16 |
18 |
102 |
11 |
37 |
190 |
|
Reynolds' brigade |
5 |
15 |
15 |
67 |
.... |
.... |
102 |
|
Total |
28 |
100 |
59 |
245 |
32 |
116 |
580 |
I respectfully
submit the following report of the operations of my command from the time I
reported to Major-General Forrest, at Columbia, Tenn., on the retreat from
Nashville, until I rejoined my proper corps:
On the morning of
the 20th of December, when the main body of the army had commenced moving from
Columbia, I was informed by the general commanding that to three brigades of my
own command he had ordered five others to be added, and he directed me with
these troops to report to Major-General Forrest for service under his orders in
covering the retreat of the army. I reported accordingly with the following
brigades: Brig. Gen. W. S. Featherston's; Col. J. B. Palmer's; Strahl's,
commanded by Col. C. W. Heiskell; Smith's, commanded by Col. C. H. Olmstead;
Maney's, commanded by Col. H. R. Feild; Brig. Gen. D. H. Reynolds'; Ector's,
commanded by Col. D. Coleman; and Quarles', commanded by Brig. Gen. George D.
Johnston--the last three belonging to my own division. These brigades were all
greatly reduced in numbers, and deeming it expedient to consolidate them, that
the command might be more wieldy and compact, I organized them thus: Palmer's
and Smith's brigades, under Colonel Palmer; Maney's and Strahl's, under Colonel
Feild; Reynolds' and Ector's, under Brigadier-General Reynolds; and
Featherston's and Quarles', under Brigadier-General Featherston. All the wagons
of these brigades, except ordnance wagons and a few to transport a limited
supply of cooking utensils, were sent to the rear with the main army train.
During the afternoon
I was directed by Major-General Forrest to send 200 men to picket along Duck
River in front of Columbia, from the old mill, about a half mile above where
our pontoon bridge had rested, to the fort, this to be continued till further
orders. The enemy had appeared beyond the river in the forenoon, but made no
demonstration except to use his artillery for a short time upon the town, doing
no damage of consequence. No effort was made to effect a crossing in my front,
and nothing of interest occurred during that day or the next.
On the morning of
22d the officer in charge of my picket-line notified me that a detachment of
the enemy's force had crossed the river some distance above the mill. I sent
Colonel Feild with his command to protect the right of my picket-line, and the
rest of my troops were being put under arms, when a communination reached me
from Major-General Forrest, informing me that the enemy had laid down pontoon
between one and two miles above the town and that several hundred had crossed.
A few moments later the general came up, and after some little time spent in
ascertaining the strength and probable purpose of the enemy, he directed me to
put my command in motion on the pike leading toward Pulaski. Reaching a point
within two miles and a half from Lynnville, I then took a position, by his
direction, as a support for the cavalry, with which he operated in front, and
remained there till sunrise on the 24th, when the march was resumed. I was
directed when I arrived at Richland Creek to prepare to hold the crossing
should the cavalry, which was retiring slowly, be so pressed as to make it
necessary for them to pass over before night. I posted my command in strong position
on the creek, about seven miles from Pulaski, and remained there till 8 o'clock
at night, when I was ordered to retire to the outer line of earth-works, near
the town. I remained there till daylight next morning, when I withdrew, and
passing through Pulaski left the pike and took the road leading to Bainbridge,
on the Tennessee River. The roads now were almost impassable, and the artillery
and the few wagons which made our train were moved with considerable
difficulty. We soon began to overhaul straggling wagons belonging to the train
of the main army, and these, when practicable, were carried on with us, thus
somewhat embarrassing our own movements. The enemy, with a heavy mounted force,
as soon as we got on the dirt road at Pulaski, began to press us with boldness
and vigor. It was determined to turn upon him, and as an advantageous position
for this, a line was selected [25th] on Anthony's Hill, about seven miles from
Pulaski. Here Featherston's and Palmer's commands, with a brigade of cavalry on
either flank, were put in ambush to await the enemy's approach, Reynolds' and
Feild's being reserved for support. So broken is the ground at that point, and
so densely wooded, that there was no difficulty in effectually concealing the
troops. A line no thicker than a strong line of skirmishers was exposed, which
the enemy promptly engaged, and when it proved stubborn he dismounted part of
his troops and made a charge. When the attacking force neared the troops lying
in wait for them the latter delivered a destructive fire, and a section of
artillery belonging to the cavalry, concealed near by, opened upon it with
considerable effect. The enemy retreated in disorder, and my command, by prompt
pursuit, captured a number of prisoners and horses and one piece of artillery.
About sunset we withdrew from this position, and at 11 o'clock reached Sugar
Creek, where we camped. Here we came upon a large part of the army ordnance
train, which had been delayed at this point, as we were informed, that the
mules which belonged to it might be used to aid in moving the pontoon train to
the river. This last having reached the river, the mules had been returned and
the ordnance train moved on at an early hour next morning. Soon after it left I
learned from Major-General Forrest that the enemy, not more than a mile off,
were still pressing the cavalry, and that it would be necessary for the
infantry at this point to dispute his advance. About sunrise [26th] Reynolds
and Feild were put in position between the two crossings of the creek, and
Featherston and Palmer were posted on a strong point immediately on this side
of and commanding the second crossing, to guard against disaster in the event
the troops in front of them were overcome. There was a fog that morning so
dense that Reynolds and Feild were enabled easily to conceal their commands,
except a small force purposely exposed in advance, and this, when encountered
by the enemy, fell back by previous arrangement upon the main body. The enemy,
with part of his force dismounted, made vigorous pursuit, till fired on by the
line in concealment, and then broke in confusion, followed by our troops. His
flight being obstructed by the creek, we captured nearly all the horses of a
dismounted regiment and some prisoners. After he had made his way across the
creek the cavalry kept up the pursuit for a considerable distance. After this
the enemy hung upon our rear but made no further demonstration. About 9 o'clock
the march was resumed, and that night we encamped sixteen miles from the river.
In the afternoon the
next day we reached Shoal Creek, and after passing over I was ordered to take a
position to guard the crossing till I should be directed to withdraw. Here the
cavalry passed us and moved on toward the river. The order to halt at Shoal
Creek and my subsequent orders were received from Lieutenant-General Stewart,
by whose directions I crossed the river with my command on the morning of the
28th, leaving a detail of 200 men to assist in taking up the pontoon bridge,
under the supervision of the engineer officer in charge.
During the whole
time covered by this report the weather was excessively severe, and the troops
subjected to unusual hardships. For several days the ground was covered with
snow, and numbers of the men made the march without shoes, some had no
blankets, and all were poorly clad for the season. What they had to endure was
borne without complaint, and the march was conducted in an orderly manner,
though there was much in the surroundings to test severely the discipline of
the troops. When the main army had been moving for forty-eight hours, and they
were yet at Columbia and threatened by a heavy force, it was known, of course,
to them that their situation was one of extreme peril, and the serious and
discouraging disasters which had but recently befallen us were well calculated
to bring all commands into a state of disorganization. For their fine conduct,
despite these difficulties and disadvantages and the depression which then
pervaded the whole army, the officers and men of my command are entitled to no
little praise. I need not comment on it, as Major-General Forrest was present
to witness it in person.
My subordinate
officers and the staff' officers who served with me have my thanks for the
faithful and efficient discharge of all their duties and the support and
co-operation which they uniformly afforded me.
Field return of
Palmer's and Smith's brigades.
|
Command. |
Effective Total. |
Total Present. |
Aggregate Present. |
Servants. |
|
Palmer’s Brigade. |
|
|
|
|
|
3d and 18th
Tennessee |
12 |
12 |
17 |
3 |
|
32d Tennessee |
12 |
14 |
19 |
.... |
|
45th Tennessee |
37 |
49 |
80 |
.... |
|
54th Virginia |
105 |
128 |
142 |
.... |
|
63d Virginia |
85 |
129 |
147 |
.... |
|
60th North
Carolina |
46 |
106 |
122 |
3 |
|
Command. |
Effective Total. |
Total Present. |
Agreggate Present. |
Servants. |
|
Smith’s Brigade. |
|
|
|
|
|
1st Georgia. |
41 |
52 |
64 |
4 |
|
54th Georgia. |
111 |
168 |
176 |
5 |
|
57th Georgia. |
65 |
120 |
138 |
3 |
|
63d Georgia. |
102 |
143 |
165 |
5 |
|
Total |
(*)636 |
921 |
1,070 |
23 |
COLUMBIA, TENN.,
December 21, 1864.
Tabular report of the effective total, &c.,
Featherston's brigade, December 21, 1864.
|
Command. |
Effective total. |
Total present. |
Aggregate present. |
Servants. |
|
1st Mississippi
Battalion.. |
41 |
54 |
63 |
2 |
|
1st Mississippi
Regiment. |
50 |
65 |
67 |
.... |
|
3d Mississippi
Regiment. |
51 |
71 |
75 |
.... |
|
22d Mississippi
Regiment. |
74 |
93 |
104 |
1 |
|
31st Mississippi
Regiment. |
80 |
86 |
93 |
1 |
|
33d Mississippi
Regiment. |
68 |
85 |
91 |
4 |
|
40th Mississippi
Regiment. |
47 |
64 |
67 |
.... |
|
General and staff |
.... |
4 |
11 |
.... |
|
Total |
411 |
522 |
571 |
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarles' brigade |
87 |
136 |
156 |
3 |
|
Grand total |
498 |
658 |
727 |
11 |
Return of
strength of Maney's and Strahl's brigades, December 21, 1864.
|
Command. |
Effective. |
Total present. |
Aggregate. |
|
Maney's brigade. |
165 |
200 |
256 |
|
Strahl's brigade |
113 |
157 |
197 |
|
Total |
278 |
357 |
453 |
_______________
Tabular statement of Ector's and Reynolds' brigades,
December 21, 1864.
|
Command. |
Effective total. |
Total present. |
Aggregate |
Servants. |
|
Reynolds' brigade |
187 |
478 |
532 |
14 |
|
Ector's brigade |
341 |
563 |
735 |
20 |
|
Total |
528 |
1,041 |
1,267 |
34 |
1 For portions of report here omitted, see
Vol. XXXVIII, Part III, p. 924, and Vol. XXXIX, Part I, p. 825.
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. 719-30
