Left Wartrace and arrived at Duck river the same day as guard for rail road bridges and fortifications there, and encamped for the night at Duck river bridge camp, making a march of 5 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 17
Left Camp Duck river and arrived the same day at Tullahoma and encamped for the night, making a march of 9 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 17
Came to Vernon and
camped. I went out and got some fodder and made beds, but did not get to enjoy
it long. Bout 1 o'clock started and came to Duck River, built fires of the
fence on river bank. Our squadron sent on scout eight miles, got back just
after day. Found them swimming the horses and taking the rigging over in a boat
flat. We were then sent on picket. A ford was found and the Brigade crossed over.
Camped one mile from the river. Crossed near Centerville.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 7
Came out on a
reconnoitering expedition, past Col. Lytle's. I stopped on return and saw
Misses Mollie and Alice. Miss Molly T. had returned home. From this time until
the 27th we did nothing but picketing. I piruted a little on Duck River, spent
a night or two with Mr. Stewart, took dinner twice at Mr. Wilhoit's and thus
the time passed. On 27th came in to Camp and on 29th we were relieved by
Wheeler's Brigade and with three days' rations started on a scout down on
Cumberland, passed through S. and out on Eaglesville pike to E. Camped near the
place.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's
Texas Rangers, p. 6
Passing on through
Shelbyville, crossing Duck River, we went into camps on its bank in sight of
town, in Bedford County, twenty-five miles from Murfreesboro, where we remained
until
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 135
No. 258.
Report of Capt. Joseph T. Cobb, of operations
November 28,1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to orders, that we moved on Shelbyville, surprised and took in their picket, numbering thirteen. Yesterday morning at daylight we charged the place, drove them into their stockade, and withdrew, moving in the direction of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. In the engagement at Shelbyville, I am sorry to say, Captain Jackson was wounded, shot in the mouth, ball lodging in jaw, breaking jawbone. The enemy pursued us in force, and we fought them from daylight until 3 p.m., when we recrossed the river (Duck). We had the home guard and Sixth Illinois Cavalry to contend with during the whole fight. I killed a number of them and took about thirty prisoners. Our loss, Captain Jackson and three of his men wounded; none serious. Lieutenant White, of my company, had his arm broken. Having reached this side of the river, I have pressed two shops, and am having my horses shod up as rapidly as possible. Unless I receive different orders from you, I will again move on the railroad to-morrow. The railroad is heavily guarded by stockades, besides they have sent the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Illinois Cavalry on the road to protect it. I hope to get orders from you. My horses are almost broken down and barefooted. We were compelled to leave some of our horses yesterday; not able to get back.
No. 255.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed by my brigade in the late campaign into Middle Tennessee:
First, however, and by way of introduction, it is proper to premise that we bore a full share in the arduous duties required of the cavalry in the Georgia campaign, and were particularly active during the operations of the army upon the enemy's line of communication.
October 24, in compliance with orders from division commander, I withdrew from my position near Cave Spring, Ga. crossed the Coosa River at Gadsden the day following, and by rapid marches arrived in front of Decatur, Ala., on the evening of the 29th. Was here halted to observe the movements of the enemy while the army rested at Tuscumbia. On the morning of 8th of November a strong reconnoitering party, consisting of three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, coming out from Decatur on the Courtland road, was promptly met, and after a sharp skirmish driven back, with some loss. The next day, being relieved by a portion of General Roddey's command, we retired down the valley to Town Creek and rested until the 18th, when we were ordered across the river at Florence, and moving at once to the front of the army, took position with the other cavalry commands on Shoal Creek.
November 21, all things being ready for the advance, we were ordered forward, following in rear of Armstrong's brigade. The effective fighting strength of my command at this time was as follows: Third Regiment Texas Cavalry, 218; Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry, 218; Ninth Regiment Texas Cavalry, 110; Twenty-seventh Regiment Texas Cavalry, 140, making a total of 686. With this small force we joined the advance into Tennessee, strong in heart and resolved to make up in zeal and courage what was wanting in numbers. The day after crossing Shoal Creek General Armstrong, having still the advance, came up with the Federal cavalry at Lawrenceburg. The fighting was chiefly with artillery, Captain Young's battery being freely used and to good effect. About sunset the enemy withdrew in the direction of Pulaski. Early the next morning I was ordered to take the advance and move out on the Pulaski road. About twelve miles from Lawrenceburg came up with the Federal pickets and drove them in. The Third Texas now dismounted, and, with two squadrons from the Twenty-seventh Texas, moved forward and attacked the enemy, forcing him from his successive positions, and following him up so vigorously as to compel the precipitate abandonment of his camp and all his forage.
The next day, having still the advance, when within five miles of Pulaski we changed direction to the left, following the route taken by the enemy on his retreat the evening before, and arriving about noon in sight of the little village of Campbellsville, I found a large force of cavalry, which proved to be Hatch's division, drawn up to resist us. Lieutenant-Colonel Boggess was ordered promptly to dismount his regiment, the Third Texas, and move it to the front. Young's battery was hurried up from the rear, placed in position, supported by the Sixth Texas, Col. Jack Wharton commanding, and commenced shelling the enemy's lines. In the meanwhile the Ninth Texas and Legion were drawn up in column in the field to the right of the road, to be used as circumstances might require. These dispositions completed, I watched with interest the effect of the shelling from our battery, and very soon discovered from the movements of the enemy an intention to withdraw, whereupon, believing this to be the proper moment, I ordered everything forward. The Ninth Texas and Legion, led by their respective commanders, Colonel Jones and Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield, rushed forward at a gallop, and passing through the village fell upon the enemy's moving squadrons with such irresistible force as to scatter them in every direction, pursuing and capturing numbers of prisoners, horses, equipments, small-arms, accouterments, and four stand of colors. The enemy made no effort to regain the field from which he had been driven, but, while endeavoring to withdraw his broken and discomfitted squadrons, was attacked vigorously in flank by a portion of General Armstrong's brigade and his rout made complete. The last of his forces, in full flight, disappeared in the direction of Lynnville about sunset, and we saw nothing more of them south of Duck River. Our loss in the fight at Campellsville was only 5 men wounded, while our captures, I found upon investigation, summed up to be 84 prisoners and all their horses, equipments, and small arms, 4 stand of colors, and 65 beef-cattle. Without further opposition we arrived the next day in front of Columbia and took the position assigned us on the Chapel Hill pike.
November 26, we remained in front of the enemy's works, skirmishing freely and keeping up a lively demonstration. On the morning of the 27th, being relieved by the infantry, we were ordered over to the Shelbyville pike, and camped the following night on Fountain Creek. Crossing Duck River the next morning, at the mill nine miles above Columbia, we were directed thence to the right, on the Shelbyville road, and when near the Lewisburg and Franklin pike, again encountered the Federal cavalry. A spirited engagement ensued, begun by the Third Texas, which being dispatched to attack a train of wagons moving in direction of Franklin, succeeded in reaching the pike, but was there met by a superior force of Yankees and driven back. Seeing this, I had Colonel Hawkins to hurry up his regiment (the Legion) to the assistance of the Third, and ordered a charge, which was made in gallant style, and resulted in forcing the Yankees from the field in confusion, and with the loss of several prisoners and the colors of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry. In the meanwhile Colonel Wharton with the Sixth Texas charged into the pike to the right of where the Third and Legion were engaged, capturing an entire company of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, three stand of colors, several wagons loaded with ordnance, and a considerable number of horses with their equipments. The Ninth Texas, Colonel Jones, having been detached early in the evening to guard the road leading to our right, with the exception of a slight skirmish with the enemy's pickets, in which several prisoners were taken, was not otherwise engaged during the evening. It was now after night, and very dark. The enemy had disappeared from our front in direction of Franklin, but before establishing camps it was thought prudent to ascertain if any force had been cut off and yet remained between us and the river. Colonel Hawkins was therefore ordered up the pike with his regiment to reconnoiter, and had proceeded but a short distance before he was met by a brigade of Federal cavalry. An exciting fight ensued, lasting about half an hour, when the enemy, having much the larger force, succeeded in passing by us, receiving as he did so a severe fire into his flanks. This closed the operations of the day and we were allowed to bivouac, well pleased with the prospect of rest after so much fatiguing exercise.
At Hurt's Cross-Roads, the next day, where the other commands of cavalry took the left and moved upon Spring Hill, my brigade was advanced upon the road to Franklin. Afterward, in obedience to orders of the division commander, we turned toward Thompson's Station, being now in search of the Federal army, which still held its position on Rutherford's Creek. The Yankee cavalry, completely whipped, had disappeared in the direction of Franklin and did not again show itself that day. When near Thompson's Station I discovered a few wagons moving on the pike, and sent Colonel Jones with the Ninth and Legion to intercept and capture them. At the same time the Sixth and Third Texas were drawn up in line and a squadron from the latter dispatched to destroy the depot. Colonel Jones was partially successful, capturing and destroying one wagon and securing the team. He then charged train of cars, which came up from the direction of Franklin, when the engineer becoming frightened cut the engine loose and ran off southward. The train, thus freed, began to retrograde, and, in spite of the obstructions thrown in its way and the efforts of the men to stop it rolled back under the guns of the block-house and was saved. The guard, however, and all the men on the train, were forced to jump off and became our prisoners. I now had the railroad bridge destroyed, in consequence of which the engine had escaped from us and another became the prizes of our army the next day. In the meantime the enemy at the depot, observing the approach of the squadron from the Third Texas, set fire to all his valuables, including a train of cars loaded with ordnance, and evacuated the place. Having accomplished all that could be effected at the station, we withdrew late in the evening, dropping back to the left of Spring Hill, and halted until I could communicate with the division commander. About midnight I received the order directing me to again strike the pike and attack the enemy's train, then in full retreat to Franklin. Moved out at once to obey the order, guided by an officer of General Forrest's staff who knew the country. When within half a mile of the pike I dismounted three of my regiments, leaving the Ninth Texans mounted to guard their horses, and cautiously advancing on foot, got within 100 yards of the enemy's train without being discovered. The Legion, Colonel Hawkins commanding, having the advance, fronted into line, fired a well-directed volley, killing several Yankees and mules, and rushed forward with a yell, producing among the teamsters and wagon guards a perfect stampede. The Yankees lost thirty-nine wagons, some of which were destroyed and others abandoned for the want of the teams, which we brought off. We captured also several prisoners. Remaining in possession of the pike for half an hour we withdrew upon the approach of several bodies of infantry, which, coming up in opposite directions, by mistake got to shooting into each other and fired several volleys before finding out their error. Having remounted our horses, we remained on the hills overlooking the pike until daylight, and saw the Yankee army in full retreat. While this was passing a regiment of cavalry, appearing in an open field in our front, was charged by the Sixth Texas, completely routed, and driven behind his infantry column. Soon after this we again pushed forward, keeping parallel with the pike upon which our infantry was moving; crossed Harpeth River in the evening about three miles above Franklin, only a small force of the enemy appearing to dispute the passage. Half a mile from the river we came upon a regiment of Yankee cavalry drawn up in line. This the Ninth Texas at once charged and routed, but was met by a larger force and, in turn, compelled to give back, the enemy following in close pursuit. The Third Texas now rushed forward, checked the advancing squadrons of Yankees, and then hurled them back broken and disorganized, capturing several prisoners and driving the others back upon their heavier lines. The gallant bearing of the men and officers of the Third and Ninth Texas on this occasion is deserving of special commendation, and it affords me much gratification to record to the honor of these noble regiments that charges made by them at Harpeth River have never been and cannot be surpassed by cavalry of any nation. By the charge of the Third Texas we gained possession of an eminence overlooking the enemy's position, and held it until late in the evening, when, discovering an intention on the part of [the] Yankee commander to advance his entire force, and being without any support, I withdrew to the south side of the river again. Very soon the enemy advanced his whole line, but finding we had recrossed the river again retired, and during the night withdrew from our front.
The next day we moved forward, arrived in front of Nashville December 3, and took position on the Nolensville pike, three miles from the city. Just in our front was a line of works, and wishing to ascertain what force occupied them I had two squadrons of the Sixth Texas to dismount, deploy as skirmishers, and advance. We found the works held only by the enemy's skirmishers, who withdrew upon our approach. After this, being relieved by our infantry, we retired to the rear, with orders to cook up rations.
On the morning of December 5 the brigade was ordered to La Vergne. Found there a small force of infantry, which took refuge inside the fort, and after a slight resistance surrendered upon demand of the division commander. Moving thence to Murfreesborough, when within a few miles of the city, the enemy's pickets were encountered, and after a stubborn resistance driven back by the Sixth and Third Texas, dismounted. A few days after this Major-General Forrest invested Mur-freesborough with his cavalry and one division of infantry. The duty assigned my brigade, being to guard all the approaches to the city from the Salem to the Woodbury pikes inclusive, was very severe for so small a' force, and almost every day there was heavy skirmishing in some portion of our line.
December 15, a train of cars from Stevenson, heavily laden with supplies for the garrison at Murfreesborough, was attacked about seven miles south of the city, and although guarded by a regiment of infantry 200 strong, was captured and burned. The train was loaded with sugar, coffee, hard bread, and bacon, and carried full 200,000 rations. The men guarding it fought desperately for about an hour, haying a strong position in a cut of the railroad, but were finally routed by a most gallant charge of the Sixth Texas, supported by the Third Texas, and 150 of them captured; the others escaped to a block-house near by. The next day, in consequence of the reverse to our arms at Nashville, we were withdrawn from the front at Murfreesborough, ordered across to Triune, and thence to Columbia, crossing Duck River on the evening of the 18th.
December 24, while bringing up the rear of our army, the enemy charged my rear guard at Lynnville with a heavy force and threatened to break over all opposition, when the Sixth Texas, hastily forming, met and hurled them back, administering a most wholesome check to their ardor. At the moment this occurred our columns were all in motion, and it was of the utmost importance to break the charge of the enemy on our rear. Too much credit, therefore, cannot be given the Sixth Texas for gallant bearing on this occasion. Had it failed to check the enemy, my brigade and probably the entire division, taken at a disadvantage, might have suffered severely. At Richland Creek, where the cavalry took position later in the day, I was assigned a position on the right of the railroad and in front of the creek. Soon afterward, however, the enemy moving as if to cross above the bridge, I was withdrawn to the south side of the creek, and taking position on the hill near the railroad skirmished with the enemy in my front, holding him in check until our forces had all crossed the creek. We were then ordered to withdraw, and, passing through Pulaski, again crossed Richland Creek, and camped near Mr. Carter's for the night. The next day my brigade, alternating with General Armstrong in bringing up the rear, had frequent skirmishes with the enemy's advance. Nine miles from Pulaski, when the infantry halted and formed, I was ordered on the right. Soon after this the enemy made a strong effort to turn our right flank, but failed and was driven back. About the same time the infantry charged and captured his artillery, administering such an effectual check that he did not again show himself that day. This done, we retired leisurely, and after night bivouacked on Sugar Creek. Early the following morning the Yankees, still not satisfied, made their appearance, and our infantry again made dispositions to receive them. Reynolds' and Ector's brigades took position, and immediately in their rear I had the Legion and the Ninth Texas drawn up in column of fours to charge, if an opportunity should occur. The fog was very dense and the enemy, therefore, approached very cautiously. When near enough to be seen the infantry fired a volley and charged. At the same time the Legion and Ninth Texas were ordered forward, and passing through our infantry crossed the creek in the face of a terrible fire, overthrew all opposition on the farther side, and pursued the thoroughly routed foe nearly a mile, capturing twelve prisoners and as many horses, besides killing numbers of others. The force opposed to us here and which was so completely whipped, proved, from the statements of the prisoners, to be Hammond's brigade of cavalry. After this the Yankees did not again show themselves, and without further interruption we recrossed the Tennessee River, at Bainbridge, on the evening of 27th of December.
Our entire loss during the campaign sums up as follows:
|
Command. |
Killed. |
Wounded. |
Missing. |
Aggregate. |
|||
|
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
||
|
3d Texas Cavalry. |
.... |
2 |
3 |
22 |
1 |
2 |
30 |
|
6th Texas Cavalry. |
.... |
6 |
3 |
19 |
.... |
1 |
29 |
|
9th Texas Cavalry. |
.... |
4 |
.... |
17 |
.... |
1 |
22 |
|
Texas Legion |
.... |
.... |
.... |
6 |
.... |
.... |
6 |
|
Total |
.... |
12 |
6 |
64 |
1 |
4 |
87 |
We captured on the trip and brought off 550 prisoners, as shown by the records of my provost-marshal, 9 stand of colors, several hundred horses and their equipments, and overcoats and blankets sufficient to supply my command. We destroyed besides 2 trains of cars loaded, one with ordnance and the other with commissary stores, 40 or 50 wagons and mules, and much other valuable property belonging to the Federal army.
My brigade returned from Tennessee with horses very much jaded, but otherwise in no worse condition than when it started, its morale not in the least affected nor impaired by the evident demoralization which prevailed to a considerable extent throughout the larger portion of the army.
Before closing my report I desire to record an acknowledgment of grateful obligations to the gallant officers and brave men whom I have the honor to command. Entering upon the campaign poorly clad and illy prepared for undergoing its hardships, these worthy votaries of freedom nevertheless bore themselves bravely, and I did not hear a murmur nor witness the least reluctance in the discharge of duty however unpleasant. All did well, and to this I attribute, in a great measure, the unparalleled success which attended all our efforts during the campaign.
To Col. D. W. Jones, Col. E. R. Hawkins, Col. Jack Wharton, and Lieut. Col. J. S. Boggess, who commanded their respective regiments; Lieut. Col. P. F. Ross and Maj. S. B. Wilson, Sixth Texas; Lieut. Col. J. T. Whitfield and Maj. B. H. Norsworthy, of Legion; Maj. A. B. Stone, Third Texas, and Maj. H. C. Dial, Ninth Texas; also, Captains Gurley, Plummer, Killough, and Preston, Lieutenants Alexander and Sykes, members of my staff, I feel especially indebted for earnest, zealous, and efficient co-operation. These officers upon many trying occasions acquitted themselves with honor, and it affords me pleasure to be able to commend them to the favorable notice of the brigadier-general commanding.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
[ Indorsement. ]
Lieutenant Hunt, of Twenty-eighth Mississippi, particularly distinguished himself; commanding a squadron of cavalry, dismounted his men in an open field.
W. H. JACKSON.
No. 254.
MAJOR: Your order directing me to forward a report of the operations of this division in the recent campaign in Middle Tennessee has been received and shall be complied with as well as it is possible for me to do in the absence of reports from subordinate commanders, which have not yet come in.
On the 17th of November we crossed the Tennessee River at Florence and remained on Shoal Creek until the 21st of November, during which time we had several skirmishes with the enemy, and a part of our wagon train was taken by them, but was afterward recaptured and about forty of the enemy made prisoners. On the morning of the 21st the forward movement of the army commenced, my division taking the road by West Point, Kelly's Forge, and Henryville to Mount Pleasant and Columbia. On the 23d instant Rucker's brigade met Capron's brigade of the enemy's cavalry near Henryville and captured forty-five prisoners. After retreating for about five miles the enemy made a stand and a sharp skirmish ensued, but Major-General Forrest, having got in their rear with his escort, charged them so vigorously that they fell back, leaving about twenty additional prisoners in our hands. Our loss in this affair was slight.
On the morning of the 24th Colonel Rucker pursued the enemy to within seven miles of Columbia, when he again encountered and routed them, following them into the edge of the town, capturing about thirty prisoners. I regret to say that in this pursuit Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson, commanding Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was killed while gallantly leading his regiment in a charge. He had discharged all the loads from his revolver and was endeavoring to wrest one of the enemy's flags from its bearer when he was shot.
During the afternoon of the 24th and on the three following days (25th, 26th, and 27th) we skirmished heavily with the enemy in front of Columbia, driving them from their temporary fortifications into their regular works and obtaining possession of a valuable flouring mill within less than three miles of the town.
On the 28th Columbia was evacuated by the enemy, who took a strong position on the north side of Duck River, covering the crossing at the town. This division was moved seven miles up the river, where we forded it, and after riding for the remainder of the day and the greater part of the following night, we struck the enemy on the morning of the 29th near Hurt's Cross-Roads. Here we were joined by Generals Buford's and Jackson's divisions of cavalry, and after driving the enemy's cavalry for some distance in the direction of Franklin we turned toward Spring Hill, where we met the head of the enemy's infantry column about 11 a.m., and held it in check until about 4 p.m., when Cleburne's division, of Cheatham's corps, came to our assistance. The cavalry alone had driven the advance line of the enemy for more than a mile across open fields, and with the assistance of Cleburne's division, which formed on our left, drove them from some temporary breastworks which had been erected about two miles from Spring Hill on the Davis Ferry road. It was then dark, and Stewart and Cheatham's corps of infantry having come up, this division was relieved.
During the night I was ordered to move south of Spring Hill across to the Carter's Creek pike to intercept a column of the enemy which was supposed to be cut off between Spring Hill and Columbia, and hold them in check, or if they had passed, to pursue them rapidly. When I crossed the Columbia pike I learned, to my great astonishment, that the enemy's whole column had passed up that pike, and within a very short distance of our infantry lines, during the night, and on reaching the Carter's Creek pike I found that no enemy had passed along it. I followed the latter pike to Franklin and saw nothing of the enemy until I arrived within two miles of that place, when I found them drawn up in two lines of battle behind a double line of intrenchments before it. I was joined here by Col. J. B. Biffle with a part of Colonel Dibrell's brigade of cavalry, which had been ordered to report to me. The infantry having come up, this division was formed on the extreme left of the line, and at 4.30 p.m. the whole line advanced, driving in the enemy's skirmishers easily, and this division drove back double its number of the enemy, who were strongly posted behind a stone wall, and pushed them back rapidly for one mile until they reached their permanent fortifications at Franklin. My line was pressed forward until the skirmishers were within sixty yards of the fortifications, but my force was too small to justify an attempt to storm them, and I could only hold my position, which we did during the night and until an early hour in the morning, when the skirmish line was pushed forward and was the first to enter the town, capturing some 20 prisoners. Our loss up to this time, 116 killed and wounded.
On the 1st of December we moved across to the Hillsborough pike, fording Harpeth River below Franklin, and up that road to a point opposite to Brentwood, where we crossed over to the Franklin pike, expecting to be able to intercept a part of the enemy's force on their retreat from Franklin; but finding that they had passed, we moved up the pike to within four miles of Nashville, where we encamped for the night. On the 2d Colonel Biffle's brigade was sent to cover the Hardin and Hillsborough pikes on the left of the infantry, and on the 3d Rucker's brigade was moved in the same direction, so that my division covered the Hillsborough, Hardin, and Charlotte pikes. On the same day Lieutenant-Colonel Kelley was sent with a detachment of 300 men and two pieces of artillery to blockade the Cumberland River at a point twelve miles below Nashville, and on the same day he captured two transports going down the river laden with horses and mules belonging to the United States Government. Some of the enemy's gun-boats coming down to the rescue recaptured the transports and a part of the freight, which had been removed from them to the shore, but Colonel Kelley succeeded in securing and bringing off 56 prisoners and 197 horses and mules.
On the 5th our line remained unchanged, and we had some slight skirmishing with the enemy. On the 6th, an infantry force having been sent to relieve Colonel Rucker on the Hillsborough pike, his whole brigade, with two additional pieces of artillery, was moved to the Charlotte pike and the blockade of the Cumberland was effected. On the 7th a monitor appeared in front of our batteries and attempted to force the passage of the river, but was badly damaged and driven back, and on several subsequent occasions fleets of gun-boats repeated the attempt without success. All remained unchanged until the 12th, when Biffle's brigade was ordered by General Hood to the right wing of the army, leaving me with Rucker's brigade alone. I wrote to General Hood, showing the strength of my command and the length of the line which I was expected to hold, and that it would be impossible for me to maintain my position if attacked unless supported. On the 14th Ector's brigade of infantry was sent to relieve my force on the Hardin pike, and my line then extended from the left of that pike across the Charlotte pike to the river, a distance of about four miles, to defend which and to support the batteries on the river I had a force of 900 aggregate present, the Seventh Alabama Cavalry being between Ector's brigade and the left of the main line of infantry.
On the morning of the 15th the enemy made a general attack along the whole line, and Ector's brigade, being forced back by the force in front of it, swung around to rejoin the infantry on its right without giving me any notice of their movement. The Hardin pike being thus left open the enemy moved down it, and the first intelligence I had of their presence on that pike they were already two miles in my rear on it. The wagons of my headquarters and division ordnance train had for greater security been left on the Hardin pike in rear of the infantry, and the commanding officer of the infantry having failed to give any notice of the approach of the enemy or of his intended movement, they were overtaken and captured before they could be removed. The attack on Rucker's brigade commenced in the morning by the gunboats on the river, which were repulsed, and was followed by an attack in front along the Charlotte pike by Johnson's division of cavalry, supported by a force of infantry. We held our position until I learned that the enemy were two miles in our rear on the Hardin pike, when we fell back two miles to a cross-road leading from that pike, where we remained until night, when I ordered Colonel Rucker to move across to the Hillsborough pike, leaving the Seventh Alabama Cavalry to hold the position on the Charlotte pike until daylight, which was done. I had attempted several times during the day to communicate with General Hood, but my couriers were either killed or captured and failed to reach him. Before daylight on the morning of the 16th I received an order from him to put myself in communication with his left wing and to hold the Hillsborough pike, which order I had already given. Before daylight I had taken position on that pike, with Rucker's brigade at the point where the road leading from Brentwood intersects it, and was soon engaged in skirmishing with the enemy. The force opposed to me was Hatch's division of cavalry, and their object was evidently to move down the cross-road to Brentwood, which would have placed them entirely in rear of our army, and put them in possession of the road by which it afterward retreated. Finding some hindrance in their way on this line of march, a brigade was sent rapidly across to the Granny White pike to move down it. I moved across the latter pike with my escort and Twenty-sixth (Forrest's) Regiment of Cavalry, and placing them in a strong position, held the enemy in check for more than three hours and saved Cheatham's ambulances. In the meantime Johnson's division of the enemy's cavalry had moved across from the Charlotte pike, following our path, and attacked Colonel Rucker in the flank, while the remainder of Hatch's division engaged him in front. Colonel Kelley having been forced back from his position, Colonel Rucker was withdrawn from the Hillsborough pike as soon as possible to support him, and the whole brigade (excepting the Seventh Tennessee Cavalry) was formed in front of Brentwood, to protect the wagons and ambulances which were collected there. The Seventh Tennessee was sent down the Hillsborough pike (by General Hood's order) to report at Franklin and aid in guarding the wagon trains at that place. About 4.30 p.m. I received an order from General Hood directing me to "hold the Granny White pike at all hazards," and Rucker's brigade was moved back upon it and placed in position in rear of that from which Colonel Kelley had been driven. It was attacked at once, front and flank, by Hatch's and Johnson's divisions, and, after a sharp struggle, was forced back in some disorder. By this time it was so dark that it was impossible to reform the men, or indeed to distinguish friend from foe, so closely were they mingled together, but an irregular firing was kept up for some time until we were compelled to retreat toward the Franklin pike. After we had retreated for some distance, Colonel Rucker having been wounded and captured and Lieutenant-Colonel Kelley having moved with his regiment to Brentwood, [Lieut. Col.] R. R. White, Fourteenth Tennessee Cavalry, the senior officer present, collected and reformed as many of the men as possible, and leaving the Fourteenth Tennessee on picket in front of the enemy, moved with the remainder to the Franklin pike, where they were halted until the infantry and artillery column had passed, and encamped for the night with the rear guard of the army, when we were joined by Colonel Biffle and his brigade, which had come up from the right in rear of the infantry. The enemy's cavalry encamped on the field where we had last fought them, and made no attempt to follow us, though our picket fires were within sight of them during the night.
In the engagements of these two days this division lost many valuable officers and men, the first of whom was Colonel Rucker, who was wounded and captured in the last fight while fighting hand to hand with the enemy. Many others were killed or captured at the same time, and others availed themselves of the opportunity desert and scatter through the country; some of these have now returned to their commands, but no accurate report can yet be made of our loss.
On the morning of the 17th we moved to Franklin, when, in obedience to orders from General Hood, I was placed in command of the cavalry, and reported to Lieutenant-General Lee for duty in assisting to protect the rear of the army, consisting of this and General Buford's division. During the day we were almost constantly engaged with the enemy, who followed us vigorously with a strong force, often in close encounters, and held them in check until nearly night-fall, when by a series of bold charges they broke the lines of our infantry and cavalry, but were severely punished and driven back by the second line of infantry. On the 18th, Brigadier-General Armstrong having come up with his brigade, and General Cheatham's corps having taken the place of General Lee's as the rear guard of the army, we moved down the turnpike from Spring Hill toward Columbia and crossed Rutherford's Creek, the infantry being on the pike and the cavalry in the rear and On the flanks. The enemy did not press us, and we had no fighting beyond a little skirmishing. On the 19th, Major-General Forrest having come up, I resumed command of my division, which was posted on the left of Cheatham's corps to guard the crossings on Rutherford's Creek. During the day we had some skirmishing with the enemy, but held our position until 4 p.m., when, they having succeeded in crossing a force in front of our infantry pickets, our whole force was withdrawn to the south side of Duck River. On the 22d, the enemy having effected a crossing of Duck River, and the rear guard, under Major-General Forrest, having commenced its retreat, this division (which had been consolidated into a brigade) moved down the Campbellsville pike, on the left flank of the infantry, and on the following day moved still farther down that pike without molestation from the enemy. On the 24th we moved back toward Columbia, so as to occupy a position on the left flank of our infantry, which had moved back as far as Lynnville. While here we were attacked by a superior force of the enemy and forced back to the main body on the turnpike, when we crossed Richland Creek and moved on to Pulaski. After this we moved on the right flank of the infantry, until we reached the Tennessee River, which we crossed on the evening of the 27th, without having been again engaged with the enemy.
During the engagements on the march to Nashville, and until after the fight on the Granny White pike on the evening of the 16th of December, the officers and men of this division behaved with great gallantry; but after that time, while there were many who continued to exhibit the same courage and constancy, I regret to say that there were some who so far forgot their duty as to desert their comrades and seek an ignominious safety in flight; some of these have since returned to their colors, but others are still absent.
ADDENDA.
Casualties in Rucker's brigade from November 25 to December 6, 1864.
|
Regiment. |
Killed. |
Wounded. |
Missing. |
Aggregate. |
|||
|
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Officers. |
Men. |
||
|
7th Alabama |
.... |
2 |
6 |
30 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
5th Mississippi |
.... |
2 |
.... |
8 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
7th Tennessee |
.... |
1 |
3 |
9 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
12th Tennessee |
.... |
.... |
.... |
1 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
14th Tennessee |
.... |
2 |
2 |
15 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
15th Tennessee |
2 |
3 |
.... |
10 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
Forrest's Regiment Tennessee Cavalry |
1 |
3 |
2 |
14 |
.... |
.... |
.... |
|
Total |
3 |
13 |
13 |
87 |
.... |
.... |
116 |
_______________
1 Original, incomplete and unsigned, found among General Chalmer’s military papers.
CAPTAIN: I have the
honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from
December 6, 1864, to the present date: On December 6 and 7 the command was busy
constructing a second line of works in, front of Nashville, a little to the right
of the Nolensville pike. On the morning of the 8th we took up the line of march
for Murfreesborough, having been ordered to report to General Forrest near that
place. At night-fall went into camp within eleven miles of the place. From that
time until December 15 the command did little else than destroy the railroad
between Murfreesborough and Nashville. On the 15th marched with Palmer's
brigade and a portion of the cavalry to a position considerably to the eastward
of Murfreesborough. On the next day, however, we retraced our steps, and (the
news of the disaster at Nashville reaching us that night) we immediately
started across the country for Pulaski by forced marches. The roads were in
horrible condition and the weather intensely cold, so that the sufferings of
the men, who were many of them barefooted and all poorly clad, were intense. On
arriving at Duck River it was found to be so much swollen by heavy rains as to
be impassable. We were accordingly ordered to Columbia, which place we reached late
at night on the 18th. Here we remained for three days, receiving orders to
report to Major-General Walthall as a portion of the rear guard of the army.
Early on the morning
of the 22d the enemy crossed the river in force above Columbia, and [we] commenced
our retreat. We retired slowly, forming line of battle occasionally, until we
had gotten some six or seven miles on this side of Pulaski, when the enemy
pushed us so hard that it was determined to stop and fight them. Accordingly,
the line was formed, our position being upon the extreme left of the infantry,
with Palmer's brigade upon our right, the cavalry upon our left. The enemy
approached boldly, a heavy line of skirmishers preceding them. Upon a given
signal our whole line charged, when the enemy retired in confusion after
offering but a slight resistance. We captured a number of horses and one piece
of artillery, a 12-pounder Napoleon. This was on Christmas day. On the
following day the rear guard was again attacked, but this brigade was not engaged
in the affair, nor did we again meet the enemy.
On the 28th we
recrossed the Tennessee, and on the 1st of January rejoined our division at
Corinth, from whence we marched to Tupelo.
The conduct of men
and officers in this trying retreat was admirable; they bore the hardships
forced upon them unflinchingly, and were ever ready to show a bold front on the
approach of the enemy.
I would especially
call the attention of the general commanding to the gallant conduct of Private
P. Murner, of the First Georgia, and Private A. Vicary, of the Fifty-fourth
Georgia. These men carried the colors of their respective regiments, and showed
conspicuous bravery in the charge on the 25th.
List of casualties:
1 killed, 2 wounded, 70 missing. The missing were most of them men who broke
down physically on the other side of Duck River, and are supposed to have
fallen into the hands of the enemy.
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.
