Our company went
back to Chestnut Mound. After the burial of Natcher and a short drill, we
returned to our former boarding places.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 131
Our company went
back to Chestnut Mound. After the burial of Natcher and a short drill, we
returned to our former boarding places.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 131
The morning of the sixth dawns beautifully, but upon a field of death-a field of blood; but thanks be to God, it dawns with the old flag triumphant. We will again walk among the dead and wounded. The loss of the Seventh has been fearful. At Fort Donelson, Shiloh and Corinth our loss was heavy, but our loss in this battle exceeds our whole loss in those three great battles. The following list of the Seventh's casualties in this battle will speak for itself; will alone tell how fierce was the storm of battle that raged on these hills.
STAFF. Wounded: Colonel R. Rowett, in the head, severely; Adjutant J. S. Robinson, severely.
COMPANY A.—Killed: Corporal Henry C. Hasson. Wounded: Sergeant James O'Donnell.
COMPANY B.—Killed: Privates Philip Saules, Jonathan Bishop; Wounded: private John Hunter.
COMPANY C—Killed: Privates Andrew Hellgoth, John McAlpine; Corporal John B. Hubreht.
COMPANY D.—Company D was left at Rome on guard duty, therefore was not with the regiment at the Allatoona Pass.
COMPANY E.—Killed: Privates James F. Burk, George W. Eversole, Michael F. Galbraith, Marion R. Kampf, Francis Love, David Roberts, Lewis C. Stroud, Calvin A. Summers, John W. Watt, W. H. Burwell, Lewis J. Allman, Levi Allen, Ezra M. Miller, Elias Hainline, Leonidas Burkholder, Corporal William Smith. Wounded: Sergeant and Color Bearer Joseph Bordwell; Privates L. D. Barnes, George G. Brooks, Lewis A. Burk, Abner W. Burwell, Samuel H. Ewing, Angelo V. Faucett, Albert Gardner, Phillip J. Gossard, John F. Hainline, James A. Hedges, George Sullivan, Edwin R. Jones, Thomas Gardner, A. N. Roelofson, James M. Allman, John L. Forbes, Joseph Lancaster, Eli Mushrush, Samuel M. Watt. Corporal Henry C. Montjoy; Taken Prisoner: N. A. Bovee, Samuel H. Jones, William E. Verry, William H. Miller.
COMPANY F. —Killed: Privates Philip Hale, John Phillips, Henry M. Robbins, Eldridge Walton, Nathan D. Atchison. Wounded: Privates James Kelley, Robert B. Kelley, George Brenton; Sergeant John McTurk.
COMPANY G.—No separate record given—consolidated with Company I.
COMPAMY H.—Killed: Corporal Samuel Walker; Privates Henry Bigler, John Etterlain, William T. Taylor, John White, Timothy Hoblitt, James L. Parish. Wounded: Sergeant William P. Hackney, severely; Edward C. Nicholas, severely; Privates Oscar J. Hackney, slightly; John E. J. Wood, severely; Richard P. Graham, severely; James M. Halbert, slightly; Aaron Watkins, slightly; Ferdinand Capps, severely. Taken Prisoner: Thomas Caylor, William R. Skiver, George W. Ballard.
COMPANY I.—Killed: First Lieutenant John E. Sullivan, Sergeant Charles Myres, Corporal William Ecker, Privates John W. Johnson, Ira Carey. Wounded: Privates Daniel O'Keefe, Alfred Scott, James Andrews, George Harris, William Massey.
COMPANY K.—Killed: Privates E. Thompson, Martin V. Kelton, Jesse C. Botkins. Wounded: Corporals John W. Bowman, Walter Smith; Privates Grundy McClure, Thesbold Steinberg, Lewis P. Moore, Albert H. Duff, John P. Van Dyke, Julius Wolf. Total killed, 42, total wounded, 53.
Though the Union loss is heavy, though Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota, offered a fearful sacrifice; we behold in looking around us a great many more of the traitors weltering in their gore. Six hundred rebels poured out their life blood—poured it out upon these hills for naught-six hundred lie still in death, and as many more are wounded. Ah! what an ill-fated field Allatoona has been to them. "They came for bread; Corse gave them war and lead." Their wounded tell us they never fought such men. Says a rebel officer, "I believe those Illinois and Iowa boys who were in yonder fort (pointing to the fort General Corse, Colonel Rowett and his Third Brigade occupied,) would have all died before they would have surrendered." All day the 6th we are engaged caring for the wounded and burying the dead. On the hill the Seventh bury their fellow-heroes. The regiment is now small, the survivors look sorrowful; now and then we see tears steal down the bronzed cheeks to fall and perish upon the lonely graves. Praises for Colonel Rowett are on every tongue. Allatoona tells us that no braver warrior ever drew a sword in battle. In the thickest of the conflict he was ever found, cheering his men when disaster threatened, leading amid dire confusion. In Allatoona's great battle he stood by the flag, and around him and it his men rallied; rallied to fall and die; rallied to see it victorious. But how sad were his men when they saw him fall; when they saw him bleeding; when they saw him fainting from loss of blood. But remembering his words of cheer; remembering his command to die rather than let the flag be lowered; his men struggled on and proved themselves true to their Colonel and their flag, and the sun went down with the fifteen-hundred triumphant, and that evening the Union's proud banner looked more beautiful than it had ever before looked—more beautiful because it stood upon another victorious field.
Lieutenant John E. Sullivan, of Company I, fell fighting like a Spartan. Heroically he braved the frightful tempest and went down crowned all over with laurels of glory. He fell mortally wounded in the early part of the day, and died .about ten o'clock the next morning. We were called to his side as his last moments of life were drawing nigh. Says he, "Give my sword to the gallant William Hackney of Company H," (which company he commanded until he fell.) "Brave men, I will soon leave you,—will soon pass the river of death." We stood by his side again, but his spirit had departed, and the noble warrior was free from the angry strife of men.
Lieutenant John S. Robinson, A. A. A. G. on Colonel Rowett's staff, was severely wounded during the last charge of the rebels, and no one performed his part more gallantly in this great battle than did this officer. Where the battle raged fiercest there he was ever found. He was standing by the side of Colonel Rowett, struggling against the wild tide of battle as but few men have ever struggled in this terrible war, until the scales began to show signs favorable to the fifteen-hundred, when he was stricken down, (which was but a short time before the battle closed.) He is dangerously wounded and we fear his days will soon be numbered. Courageous soldier! we can only say of him he was true; that he did his duty, and did it well.
Colonel Hanna, the dashing commander of the Fifteenth Illinois, was among the most conspicuous in this battle. With his impetuous and irresistible regiment he stood as firm as a gigantic rock, and against his front of bristling steel French's hungry rebels hurled themselves, but in vain did they attempt to crush the gallant "half-hundred," for when the fearless Hanna threw himself into the most dangerous ordeal, making his clarion voice heard above the loud din of battle, the eyes of his brave men grew brighter and each heart was kindled with the fire that ever warms the patriot's heart. We remember when the very air was red with flame, when the earth was strewn with the mangled dead, when the sun seemed to be hid behind an awful sheet of fire; how anxiously we watched Colonel Hanna moving with his regiment from beyond the railroad to the support of Colonel Rowett. Oh! that was a trying hour; the leaden hail flew thick and fast; it was a march of death, for ere they reached Colonel Rowett's fort many of their number had fallen. But how glad were the men of the Seventh Illinois when that grand old regiment rushed into the fort and waved over the ramparts their shattered battle flag. It was a glorious hour, glorious because we felt encouraged and strengthened. We will never forget that period in the battle; will never forget Colonel Hanna and his noble men who made that memorable charge across the railroad and cut their way through to Colonel Rowett's fort, a work which for fierceness has, we believe, never been surpassed in this war.
Captain Rattrey of the Fifty-seventh, aid to Col. Rowett, excited the admiration of every one for his bravery, accompanied with so much coolness and judgment. He was found constantly by Colonel Rowett's side, executing his orders with a promptness that was indeed remarkable. When the crushing tide of battle bore down Colonel Rowett, Captain Rattrey could not find a field officer in the brigade to report to; every one down to his rank having fallen as victims—either dead or wounded. The gallant defenders of the Pass who had been struggling through long weary hours, were now making their last desperate struggle, and signs were appearing that seemed to tell of a turning point in the battle, seemed to tell that the boys in blue were about to gain the mastery, were about to hurl back from the pass Hood's insane legions. There was no time to lose, and Captain Rattrey fearing that the men who had fought so long, and so well, who had seen so many of their comrades fall and die, would soon become exhausted, leaped like a giant from where lay the bleeding and seemingly lifeless Rowett, and with the robust courage of an angel in his soul assumed command of the gallant old Third Brigade and conducted the battle to its glorious consummation. There seemed to be no post of danger that Captain Rattrey did not wish to occupy.
In looking around us we miss many noble men who are now sleeping in death's cold embrace, Liberty in its great trial claimed them as sacrifices on its altar; but not for naught, as history will declare when this generation shall have long passed away. Private soldiers though they were, they performed their part, and hence are as worthy the country's gratitude as those in higher positions, who offered up their lives in this battle.
We cannot pass without alluding to the gallantry of Corporal Samuel Walker of Company H. He was standing with Colonel Rowett, and while fighting bravely in one of the desperate rebel charges the flag comes falling down over his head, and ere it reaches the blood stained earth, Corporal Walker is seen to grasp its shot-riven staff, and with its silken shreds falling around him, he mounted the works and there in one of the wildest battle storms that ever left blood in its wake, he waved it defiantly in the face of arch-treason,—waved it until a minie went crashing through his brain,—waved it until he fell, and there in blood under that grand old flag, the pride of his heart, the glory of his manhood, he died—died for the flag, died for his country, died for liberty. Glorious spirit! may his name ever shine bright in the book of perpetual remembrance as one of the boldest who helped to defend this second Thermopylae!
But all were brave, and like the legions of Bruce and the lovers of Sparta, they struggled against an adverse tide; for four fearful hours they held it in check; at last they turned it, and above streams of blood, the groans of the dying and the shouts of victors, light from the Union's proud banner seemed to flash against the sky. How proud were the Illinois and Iowa boys when the noble Corse, wounded and bleeding, said there was not a coward in the great battle of the Allatoona Pass; and prouder still were the men of the Seventh, when he said, "Colonel, your regiment sustained the heaviest loss; I will give it the post of honor." Before leaving the battle-field, Sergeant Major S. F. Flint writes:
Winds that sweep the southern mountain,
And the leafy river shore,
Bear ye not a prouder burden
Than ye ever learned before?
And the hot blood fills
The heart till it thrills,
At the story of the terror and the glory of the battle
Of the Allatoona hills.
Echo from the purple mountains,
To the dull surrounding shore;
'Tis as sad and proud a burden,
As ye ever learned before.
How they fell like grass
When the mowers pass,
And the dying, when the foe was flying, swelled the cheering
Of the heroes of the pass.
Sweep it o'er the hills of Georgia
To the mountains of the north;
Teach the coward and the doubter,
What the blood of man is worth.
Toss the flag as you pass,
Let their stained and tattered mass
Tell the story of the terror and the glory of the battle
Of the Allatoona Pass.
After burying the dead and caring for the wounded, which are placed on the cars to be sent to Rome, we return to our old camp on the Etawah. At no time during the war have we seen so much of sadness depicted upon the faces of the men as we have seen since our return to Rome. The men stand around in the camp lonely and silent, without a word to say to each other. There is indeed sorrow in the Seventh; sorrow for their brave comrades whom they left wrapped in death's pale sheet on the Allatoona hills. The Seventh felt sad when they stood on Shiloh's field and gazed upon their dead and wounded companions; their hearts were moved when they saw so many of their number who had perished on Corinth's plain, but the blood that flowed from the heroes of the Allatoona Pass has completely unnerved these strong men; and will our readers call it weakness when we tell them that after that work of blood at the Pass, while standing around the camp fires near the banks of the Etawah, we saw stalwart soldiers weep; saw tears sparkle in their eyes for those brave boys who had surrendered their lives in the great war for human liberty?
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh
Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 261-70
Yesterday passed off in comparative quiet; a few shot and
shell thrown from our batteries into the lines of the enemy, and a few rounds
from their sharp-shooters in return, was all that disturbed the Sabbath-like
stillness of the first day of the year. The enemy were engaged in burying their
dead, under flag of truce, and I understand that they have a big job of it. In
Sunday's and Monday's fighting we killed, wounded and captured near fifteen
hundred,* and sustained a very slight loss. The Third and Thirtieth Tennessee
and the First Louisiana regiments were the troops who bore the brunt of the
fight, and right nobly did they do their duty against the fearful odds.
* U. S. Official Report, 1929.
SOURCE: Edwin L. Drake, Editor, The Annals of the Army of Tennessee and Early Western History, Vol. 1, p. 17
This morning Colonel Rowett moves with the command towards Florence, leaving Company H, Captain Ring, near Cedar and Cox's Islands to guard the crossings. This morning Company H buries the Ninth Ohio Cavalry's fallen soldier, who was killed yesterday evening. We lay him in a lonely place beneath the drooping branches of a large tree on the bank of the Tennessee. Though he is an Ohio soldier, we care for him with the same interest as we would were he one of our own company, and why should we not, since he has been a brave warrior, fighting in the same common cause beneath the same starry banner. A dispatch from Rowett this evening informs us that Roddy crossed the Tennessee last night at twelve o'clock; that he would not fight Rowett on an equal footing. This evening Colonel Rowett arrested Buckee and Judge Foster as hostages for the delivery of Dr. McVay, now held by the rebels because of his devotion to the old Union.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 241
I received your
letter of the 3d inst. this morning. You express regret that I do not receive
your letters. I do receive them regularly, but you evidently do not receive
mine.
We are still in
"statu quo," the two armies confronting each other. I expect you know
as much about the situation—or more-than I do, for, although we are right here,
we know nothing unless we see the newspapers. I sent a telegram to Father on
the 7th inst. from Orange Court House that my brother Billie had passed through
the battle of the Wilderness safe.
We left there late
that afternoon for Spottsylvania. I went over part of the battlefield as we
were leaving, and saw that the Yankees had not taken time to bury their dead
except behind their breastworks. We had no breastworks as far as I could see.
In hurrying on we double-quicked much of the way. I understand that the dead
are very thick on the battlefield near this place.
The weather cleared
off yesterday, but it looks like rain again to-day. I never was more tired of
rain. We all still have plenty to eat.
I helped to bury
Cousin A. N. Ramsey, who had died of fever two days before, from Franklin
County, Alabama, and a member of the sixteenth Alabama Infantry. He was buried
in the honors of war, near Mr. A. R. West's.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 97
October 31.—Reached Tuscumbia from bivouac at Town Creek; found the pontoon unfinished and no supplies; waited here nine days, and on the 10th of November, orders having been issued to cross the river, we commenced the movement, but the river having risen so as to necessitate the removal of a portion of the pontoon, the order was revoked, [and] our headquarters changed from Tuscumbia to Mr. Jackson's, near the river, where we remained until Sunday morning, November 13, when our corps commenced crossing, the bridge having been repaired. The infantry passed through Florence, with music, &c., and encamped beyond. Trains did not finish crossing until late at night, owing to break in bridge. Our headquarters at Mrs. Lawrence's house, half a mile from Florence.
November 21.—We left Florence in a snowstorm and marched some miles on the Waynesborough road. Headquarters at Mrs. Westmoreland's. Weather very cold, with snow.
November 22.—Still snowing, cold increasing. Made eighteen miles to day. Headquarters at deserted house fourteen miles from Waynesborough. Cold and clear at night.
Wednesday, November 23.—Made Waynesborough by 4 p.m.; town deserted. Our wagon broke down four miles back.
Thursday, November 24.—Left Waynesborough and marched fourteen miles to Mrs. Chambers' house, where we made our quarters.
Friday, November 25.—Marched eighteen miles to-day, quartering at Kennedy's house, two miles from the Columbia pike. Heard of the evacuation of Pulaski, and that General Thomas was concentrating at Columbia, nineteen or twenty miles distant; also, that a great fight had taken place in Virginia, in which Lee whipped the enemy badly.
Saturday, November 26.—Marched about same distance as yesterday, to within two and a half miles [of] Columbia. Rained all day. Thomas in Columbia, with two corps (15,000). Skirmishing going on between Forrest and enemy. Headquarters at Mrs. Wilson's.
Sunday, November 27.—The army took position around the town, Lee, extending to the river, on the left, and Cheatham to river above, on the right. Some little skirmishing; cavalry pickets relieved. Preparations made to cross the river above the town, but our pontoon trains did not come up. Headquarters changed to Mrs. Francis'.
Monday, November 28.—The enemy having evicted Columbia during the night, we took possession of the place at daylight. Some of the troops behaved most shamefully in pillaging the citizens.
Tuesday, November 29.—Crossed the river above town with Cheatham's and Stewart's corps and moved toward Spring Hill to cut the enemy off; came up with him late in the afternoon, but no attack was made. He slipped by in the night, but finding his flank threatened by Forrest, destroyed a wagon train and cars of supplies and stores.
Wednesday, November 30.—A memorable day. Pursuing briskly as soon as it was light, we passed through Spring Hill about 7 a.m., and at 1 or 2 p.m. had again struck his rear about two and a half miles from Franklin. Driving in his advanced skirmishers we developed his position around the town. Cheatham and Stewart were at once put in position and moved on his works, Lee being held in reserve; order of battle from right to left—Forrest, Stewart, Cheatham—Cleburne, Brown, and Bate being the order of the divisions in the latter corps.
Thursday, December 1.—To-day spent in burying the dead, caring for the wounded, and reorganizing the remains of our corps. Lee and Stewart moved forward in the direction of Nashville, Forrest occupying Brentwood Station after a little brush.
Friday, December 2.—Our corps moved forward this morning on the Nashville pike, and bivouacked within five miles of the city on Mr. Regan's place.
Saturday, December 3.—To-day was spent in locating our lines. Some little skirmishing, the enemy opening on us briskly with artillery from their forts.
Sunday, December 4.—Nothing of importance transpired. The army fortifying.
Monday, December 5.—The enemy advanced on our extreme right, driving our pickets from an abandoned line of works, but were in turn driven back and our former line re-established. News from Forrest and Bate; both captured block-houses between this and Murfreesborough.
Tuesday, December 6.—Everything quiet.
Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11.—Nothing worthy of mention occurring save a few very weak demonstrations on our right by a brigade of negroes. Bate withdrawn from Murfreesborough and arrived at Antioch, seven miles distant, on yesterday.
Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, December 12, 13, and 14.—Nothing of interest.
Thursday and Friday, December 15 and 16.—The battle of Nashville, followed by our retreat. On the night of the 16th we reached Franklin.
Saturday, December 17.—We continued our retreat and reached the vicinity of Spring Hill that night.
Sunday, December 18.—We started from Spring Hill, and our corps formed line of battle about two and a half miles from the town, where we skirmished with the Yankee cavalry an hour or so. Moving on we crossed Rutherford's Creek, and bivouacked on the south bank.
Monday, December 19.—Fought the enemy nearly all day on the creek, withdrawing in the afternoon and crossing Duck River, leaving Stewart on the north bank, who, however, also withdrew that night and crossed.
Tuesday, December 20.—Marched to Lynnville, twenty-three miles south of Columbia.
Wednesday, December 21.—Made Pulaski.
Thursday, December 22.—Left Pulaski and moved out five miles.
Friday, December 23.—Marched about twenty miles on the Lewisburg road.
Saturday, December 24.—Marched fourteen miles to-day, leaving ten miles to make to the river.
Sunday, December 25.—Moving at daylight we soon reached Shoal Creek, two miles from the river. After great difficulty, on account of the high water and rough ford, we succeeded in crossing, and bivouacked between the creek and river. This corps was at once put in position, and built works that night to protect the bridge in case the enemy should move on us from below, which was thought not improbable. Heard the gun-boats all day in the direction of Florence.
Monday, December 26.—The pontoon across the river was completed this morning after working on it all night, General Cheatham supervising in person, and about sunrise the trains began to cross. By night most of our wagons and artillery had crossed. Leaving orders for his troops to move across at 3 o'clock the next morning, General C[heatham] came over about 7 o'clock at night and slept some two miles from Bainbridge. Two gun-boats came up the river in the afternoon to within two or three miles of the bridge, but were driven back by our batteries.
Tuesday December 27.—The army having nearly all crossed, we moved on through Tuscumbia, and bivouacked in the mud that night in the vicinity of Cane Creek, ten miles from Tuscumbia.
Wednesday, December 28.—Marched from Cane Creek, through Barton Station, to Bear Creek, a distance of sixteen miles; our quarters two miles this side of the bridge, at Henri's. Bear Creek swimming; have to pontoon it.
Thursday, December 29.—Spent in preparing timbers for the pontoon. Crossed some wagons on the railroad bridge.
Friday, December 30.—Left Head's at daylight and went to railroad bridge to see the corps across the creek. It being impossible to procure the boats, General C[heatham] determined to cross on the railroad; accomplished it by 2 p.m., and marched in the direction of Iuka, through which town we passed and bivouacked three miles beyond and five miles from Burnsville, making a march of twelve miles.
Saturday, December 31.—Passed through Burnsville and made Corinth, fourteen miles from Burnsville, that night.
January 1 to 9, 1865.—Spent in Corinth.
Tuesday, January 10.—We started from Corinth at daylight, the troops moving down the railroad, and made our quarters at Rienzi, fifteen miles distant, that night.
January 11 to 13.—Spent on the road to Tupelo. Owing to the impassable condition of the roads we were compelled to take a very circuitous route with the wagons and horses. At Saltillo, on the 13th, we parted with the wagons, they going around by Verona and we coming through the swamp around Tupelo, reaching that place about 3 p.m.
January 14 to 17.—Remained at Tupelo.
_______________
*From journal kept by Maj. Henry Hampton, acting assistant adjutant-general.
We laid on the battlefield of the first day, this the fourth day of July. No fighting to-day, but we are burying the dead. They have been lying on the field in the sun since the first day's fight; it being dusty and hot, the dead smell terribly. The funny part of it is, the Yankees have all turned black. Several of our company, wounded, have died. Katz is getting along all right. The battle is over, and although we did not succeed in pushing the enemy out of their strong position, I am sure they have not anything to boast about. They have lost at least as many in killed and wounded as we have. We have taken more prisoners from them than they have from us. If that is not the case, why did they lay still all today and see our army going to the rear? An army that has gained a great victory follows it up while its enemy is badly crippled; but Meade, their commander, knows he has had as much as he gave, at least, if not more. As yet I have not heard a word from my brother Morris since the first day's fight.
No. 3.
Report of Col. John
Coburn, Thirty-third Indiana Infantry.
SIR: In pursuance of
your orders to take possession of and occupy an eminence on the east of this
encampment, on the morning of the 21st of October I took Company D, Captain
McCrea; Company I, Captain Hauser; Company E, Captain Hendricks, and Company G,
Captain Dille, of the Thirty-third Indiana, comprising in all 350 men. The
companies were immediately deployed around the hill as skirmishers. In less
than 20 minutes the rebels, who were concealed in the woods, commenced firing,
when at almost the first fire Private McFerran, of Company D, was killed. In 10
minutes more the enemy appeared in front of our position to the south at a
distance of half a mile in the valley. They were in large numbers, and were
over half an hour in passing by an open space in the woods, when they formed
again in line. They soon came near us under cover of a wood, which entirely
concealed their approach until we were apprised of their presence by the firing
of musketry. At this time we were re-enforced by a portion of the Kentucky cavalry,
dismounted, under Colonel Wolford, about 250 strong, who immediately formed and
took part in the engagement. The firing at this time was very severe, which
caused the cavalry to waver and retreat. They were soon, however, rallied and
formed again in order, and fought with good spirit. The enemy engaged was
composed of a portion of General Zollicoffer's command, and consisted of two
regiments of Tennesseeans, under the command of Colonels Newman and Cummings.
They charged up the hill upon us, and were met by a galling and deadly fire,
which wounded and killed many of them. The front of their column approached
within a few rods of us with their bayonets fixed, declaring themselves “Union
men” and “all right,” at the next moment leveling their guns at us and firing.
After being engaged nearly an hour the enemy retreated, bearing off a portion
of their dead and wounded and their arms. Our men have buried their dead left
on the field and taken the wounded to our hospitals. Thirty corpses have been
found up to this time. A large number of their wounded and dead were carried
off in their wagons. It is safe to estimate the loss of the enemy at least 100
killed.
The bravery of the
Thirty-third Indiana was well tested in this engagement. I am happy to state
that universal courage, cheerfulness, and promptness marked their whole actions
during the entire engagement. Too much praise cannot be given to the brave
Captain Hauser, who continued fighting at the head of his men upon the brow of
the hill until disabled by a wound. He, however, continued on the field during
the day, doing his duty nobly. Captain McCrea, with his men, held a small
breastwork, and did fearful execution upon the enemy. Captain Dille was active
in rallying the men and urging on the fight in all parts of the field. Captain
Hendricks, with coolness and courage, kept his men to their places, and fought
without slackening his fire during the engagement. I cannot omit mentioning the
bold and active Adjutant Durham, who was wherever duty called him. Lieutenants
Maze and Scott were marked for their heroic bearing.
About the close of
the engagement four companies of the Seventeenth Ohio, Colonel Connell, came
upon the hill and formed in line of battle. Company E, Captain Fox; Company C,
Captain Haines; Company K, Captain Rea, and Company H. Captain Whissen, took
their positions with promptness, eager for the fray, under the command of Maj.
Durbin Ward, of that regiment. They remained on the field during the day and
night, and assisted in completing the fortifications. About 2 o'clock p.m. we
were again attacked. At this time the Fourteenth Ohio, Colonel Steedman,
appeared upon the field. Company C, Capt. J. W. Brown, of the Fourteenth,
immediately formed and opened upon the enemy, and this company: with others,
also assisted in completing the fortifications. Afterwards Company G, Captain
Eckles, and Company B, Captain Kirk, of the same regiment, came to our
assistance. At 10 o'clock at night Lieutenant Sypher, of Captain Standart's
Ohio battery, came on the hill, and on an alarm fired three rounds. They were
the last shots fired. At about 2 o'clock in the morning we heard sounds which
betokened a movement of General Zollicoffer's army. It proved to be a retreat.
From a prisoner I have ascertained that his command consisted of two Tennessee
regiments, two Mississippi and two Alabama regiments, together with a regiment
of cavalry and a battery of six pieces of artillery. The number of our loss is
as follows: Company D, 1 killed and 5 wounded; Company I, 1 killed and 10
wounded, 3 mortally. Colonel Wolford lost 1 killed and 11 wounded. The forces
now on the hill are in good spirits and ready for further service.
In conclusion, I
must commend the coolness, courage, and manliness of Colonel Wolford, who rendered
most valuable assistance to me during the day.
This morning the fallen soldier's comrades bury him in a lonely place. Thus is this land being dotted all over with the Union's noble defenders. As we stand by this soldier's last resting place we are tempted to pray to heaven that some blighting and dread malaria would settle on the godless traitors—that their widows might weep until their eyes are weary, waiting for the return of their husbands-murderers from the field of strife. The command soon moves. We are now following winding paths through the woods and swamps, hunting for the marauding bands that are infesting West Tennessee. The regiment is now divided, moving in different directions. About noon we enter Jack Creek and capture three guerrillas. We remain here waiting for the different companies and detachments to come in. The junction formed, we move in the direction of Saultilla Landing, Tennessee river. All day we have been on the trail of Colonel Newsom; at one time the scouts fired upon him fifteen or twenty shots, but they failed in their object. To-night we camp six miles from the Tennessee river.
No. 235.
Itinerary of the Army of Tennessee.1
November 14 to 20.—Army at Florence, Ala.
November 21.—Left Florence. Encamped to-night at Rawhide.
November 22.—Encamped to-night at the junction of the Waynesborough road with the old Nashville road.
November 23.—Encamped to-night at the iron-works, four miles from Waynesborough.
November 24.—Encamped to-night near Henryville.
November 25.—Moved to Mount Pleasant.
November 26.—Encamped to-night at Andrew Polk's.
November 27.—Crossed over to the Pulaski and Columbia pike and encamped.
November 28.—Part of the army entered Columbia this morning, which was evacuated last night.
November 29.—Army pursuing the enemy.
November 30.—Franklin was attacked at about 3 o'clock this evening. Fighting continued until about 9 o'clock at night. Thirteen general officers killed, wounded, or captured.
December 1.—Army entered Franklin, which was evacuated last night. Troops engaged to-day in burying the dead.
December 2.—Moved within four miles of Nashville and established our lines. Army headquarters at Colonel Overton's, on the Franklin pike.
December 3 to 14.—Army around Nashville. No fighting of importance. Forrest's cavalry and some infantry sent around to Murfreesborough. Some fighting around Murfreesborough, but no results. Two transports with some 300 mules captured on the Cumberland by Chalmers, but the boats were afterward recaptured.
December 15.—Enemy attacked and drove our left in some confusion. Johnson's division, of Lee's corps, and Stewart's corps gave way. Some guns captured by the enemy.
December 16.—Yankees charged our lines and were repulsed. About 3 o'clock the whole line gave way in confusion, losing guns and property, retreating in great disorder to Franklin.
December17.—Army falling back. Headquarters to-night near Spring Hill.
December 18.—Headquarters to-night at Columbia.
December 19.—Headquarters still at Columbia.
December 20.—Moved to Pulaski.
December 23.—Left Pulaski for Bainbridge.
December 24.—Some of the army reached Bainbridge to-day; the rest on the route.
December 25.—Army at and around Bainbridge.
December 26.—Pontoon bridge was completed today and the army commenced crossing. Headquarters at Bainbridge.
December 27.—Headquarters moved to Tuscumbia to-day.
December 28.—Headquarters at Tuscumbia.
December 29.—Moving on toward Corinth.
December 30.—Headquarters at Burnsville, Miss.
December 31.—Headquarters at Burnsville.
January 1, 1865.—Still at Burnsville.
1 Kept by Col. Edwin J. Harvie, assistant inspector-general, C. S. Army.
Cloudy and pleasant.
Still we have no
authentic account of the details of the fights on the north side of the James
River. We know we lost two brigadier-generals, and that we captured some 600
prisoners. Of the number killed and wounded on either side is all conjecture,
although a semi-official statement makes our loss but "light.”
Nevertheless, I
happen to know that the President rode out yesterday, and remained until late
in the night: for Mr. Craddock, his special detective (and formerly his
messenger), whom he sent for to accompany him, assures me while on the field
there was a flag of truce to bury the dead, and that the slaughter had been
large. Our cavalry had suffered; but he thinks the enemy's infantry lost many
more men than all our slain together. He says, moreover, that only one negro
prisoner reached the city. The rest, thrust forward, being killed on the field
in action, I suppose.
At 2 P.M. a rumor
began to be expanded that a terrific and probably a decisive battle was going
on at Petersburg. One report says the enemy assaulted our lines, the operations
on this side of the river having been more a feint to draw our forces away;
another that Gen. Beauregard attacked the enemy, finding their troops in large
force had crossed over to this side, and this in the absence of Gen. Lee, he
taking the responsibility. Be this as it may, some stir was in the cabinet: and
the Secretary of War was with the President from 11 A.M. till 3 P.M. This might
be on "appointments and promotions," and it might be on Beauregard.
About 5 P.M. brisk
artillery firing was heard in a southeast direction, which increased in
rapidity, and apparently became nearer the city, until musketry could be
distinctly heard from all parts of the city. My daughter Anne and her younger
brother, Thomas, had walked out to Hollywood Cemetery, where they could not
only hear the firing, but could see the lines of smoke below the city, on the
left or north bank. Between 6 and 7 P.M. the sound seemed to recede, indicating
that the assault had been repulsed; and finally all was silent again. It is
probable the battle raged likewise on the south side of the river, and it may
be hoped the assault on Petersburg was similarly repulsed. We shall know
to-morrow.
Killed
|
14
|
Wounded
|
106
|
Missing
|
4
|
Total*
|
124
|
Burying the dead that had lain between the Union and Confederate lines for three days. |
Command.
|
Killed.
|
Wounded.
|
Missing.
|
Total.
|
8th Illinois Cavalry
|
2
|
17
|
....
|
19
|
3d Indiana Cavalry
|
....
|
4
|
1
|
5
|
12th Illinois Cavalry (Captain Brown wounded)
|
2
|
14
|
4
|
20
|
Total
|
4
|
35
|
5
|
44
|
Locality.
|
Date.
|
Killed.
|
Wounded.
|
Missing.
|
Gettysburg, Pa(*)
|
July 1, 1863
|
16
|
80
|
29
|
Williamsport, Md.
|
July 6, 1863
|
3
|
....
|
1
|
Boonsborough, Md.
|
July 8, 1863
|
2
|
14
|
1
|
Funkstown, Md.
|
July 10, 1863
|
3
|
3
|
1
|
Failing Waters, Md.
|
July 14, 1863
|
....
|
5
|
....
|
Chester Gap, Va.
|
July 21, 22, 1863
|
1
|
8
|
16
|
Total
|
|
25
|
110
|
48
|