Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 21. — Reports of Brig. Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, U.S. Army, commanding Second Brigade of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 21.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Walter C. Whitaker, U.S. Army, commanding Second Brigade of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Nashville, Tenn., December 6, 1864.

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade on the 30th day of November, 1864:

On that day at 4 a.m. my brigade moved from Spring Hill, on the west side of the turnpike road, bringing up the rear of the army. On reaching the heights about two miles south of Franklin, I formed a line of two battalions front on the summit of the ridge, and massed my remaining regiments in rear. My position was on the west side of the pike; joining me east of the pike was General Wagner's division, of the Fourth Corps. About 12 o'clock the enemy was discovered moving upon my position in strong force in several lines of battle, with a heavy skirmish line in front. I at once deployed my brigade along the high range of hills to my right, and threw up a temporary line of breast-works. While moving into position one man, a sergeant of Company C, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers, was mortally wounded. After remaining in this position about one hour I was ordered to withdraw my brigade and report to the general commanding, at Franklin. I moved into the city at once and was thrown into position on the right of the division and army, my right flank resting on the Harpeth River. My line of battle was formed in the following order: Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. H. Humphrey commanding, on the right; next on its left the Fortieth Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. James Watson commanding; next, Twenty-first Kentucky Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. C. Evans commanding; and the Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. A. G. Tassin commanding, on the left. I held in reserve the Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers, Maj. George Hicks, the Twenty-third Kentucky Volunteers, Lieut. Col. G. W. Northup, and the Fifty-first Ohio, Lieut. Col. C. H. Wood. My front line was ordered to construct a line of works, which were but half finished when they were assaulted by the enemy in force, supposed to be two brigades. The fighting was short but severe. The enemy persisted in the assault about fifteen minutes, when they broke and fled, to return no more; they lost many killed and wounded. My loss was slight, having but 1 man killed and 8 wounded. I remained in this position until 12 o'clock at night, when, pursuant to orders, I withdrew from my works and crossed the river, taking up the line of march for Nashville.

In speaking of the conduct of my staff and of my officers and men, it is only necessary to state that they displayed their usual coolness and bravery in all the operations in which we were engaged.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

W. C. WHITAKER,        

Brigadier-General.

Capt. N. G. FRANKLIN,
        Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Fourth Army Corps.

_______________

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG. FIRST DIV., FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

In the Field, Columbia, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

The 15th of December my brigade reposed of Twenty-first Kentucky Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. C. Evans commanding; Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry, Lieut. Col. G. W. Northup commanding; Thirty-fifth Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Tassin commanding; Forty-fifth Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Humphrey commanding; Fifty-first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood commanding; Ninety-sixth Illinois, Maj. George Hicks commanding; One hundred and fifteenth Illinois, Col. J. H. Moore commanding—moved from their camp, below Nashville, about one mile to the right on the Hillsborough turnpike, to assault General Hood's army, occupying his lines of intrenchment in front of and south of that city. The First and Third Brigades of this division formed the first line. My brigade, massed in column of regiments, was held in reserve, covering the interval between the First and Second Divisions, ready to move to any point requiring support, and its movements were ordered to conform to those of the advancing column it was supporting. The general movement was for the right to swing round on the left as a pivot. The troops were put in motion, and about noon General Smith, on the extreme right, began to drive the enemy slowly, and soon heavy skirmishing began along our entire line. The Second Division, Fourth Corps, moved so slowly that the First Division on its left advanced beyond it and moved so rapidly that I was compelled to move my command by the left flank to unmask it from the Second Division, in order to be in readiness to support the First and Third Brigades of the First Division in an assault they were, at 4 p.m., making on a fortified hill in front of the Second Division, on the Hillsborough turnpike road. This hill was carried in such spirited and gallant style by the First Brigade, Colonel Kirby commanding, and the Ninth Indiana, Colonel Suman commanding, that the reserve was not called into action at this time.

The enemy having been driven from this position, he was pursued and driven along his intrenched lines beyond the Granny White turnpike. Darkness coming on, my brigade bivouacked on this turnpike, about three miles from Nashville. Though in reserve for a large portion of the time, my command was under heavy artillery fire, and lost this day I killed and 4 wounded.

December 16, between 6 and 7 a.m., we advanced, Second Brigade and Third Brigade having the advance of the division, my brigade being on the right, and formed in two lines, from right to left, as follows: Fifty-first Ohio, Forty-fifth Ohio, Twenty-first Kentucky, Ninety-sixth Illinois in first line, and in my second line, One hundred and fifteenth Illinois, Thirty-fifth Indiana, and Twenty-third Kentucky. Throwing out a strong line of skirmishers, under Captain Quigley, of Twenty-third Kentucky, the enemy's skirmishers were firmly driven by him, with some loss, and the rebels were found in a position strongly intrenched covering the Franklin turnpike road. Steadily advancing under a heavy fire of artillery, my command moved to within 1,000 yards of the enemy's works. In my immediate front were two rebel batteries of four guns each, 12 pounder Napoleons, Pettus' brigade and other rebel troops supporting in strong intrenchments, with strong embrasures for their artillery. They kept up a constant fire of shell, round shot, and musketry on my main line and skirmishers, killing and wounding some of my officers and men. By 2 p.m. of to-day three several assaults had been made on the enemy's lines—one by the Third Division, one by the Second Division, and one by the Third Brigade of the First Division of the Fourth Corps. They were made with great bravery and persistence, but were repulsed. Between 1 and 2 p.m. my front line was moved, under heavy fire, to between 400 and 500 yards of the enemy's main lines, in an open corn-field, where a frail protection was temporarily thrown up. At between 3 and 4 p.m. heavy firing indicated that General Schofield and General Smith were driving the rebels on the extreme right on their front. General Garrard's division, on my right, having orders to advance, without awaiting orders I directed my brigade to storm the enemy's works in my front. This order met with the most cordial approval of General Kimball, division commander, who came up as my troops were beginning to move. With alacrity and gallantry unsurpassed the storming column, composed of the Fifty-first Ohio, Forty-fifth Ohio, Twenty-first Kentucky, and Ninety-sixth Illinois, with the second line at supporting distance (all under fire), advanced through an open cornfield for 400 or 500 yards, under a terrific fire of shell, canister, and musketry. The enemy's lines were stormed. Nothing could impede the boldness and energy of the attack, and in four or five minutes their works, 6 pieces of artillery, 600 stand of small-arms, and between 400 and 500 prisoners were ours. Many of the enemy were killed and wounded, and those surviving not taken prisoners precipitately fled in great disorder. The Ninety-sixth Illinois followed them rapidly, sweeping down the line of their works, adding to their wild confusion and terror. By the time we had possession of their works and had planted the flag of our country on them, the Third Brigade swept down on its front, and soon the entire rebel front was one wild scene of rout and terror. So energetic and impetuous was the assault of my brigade that two of the pieces of artillery captured were found double-shotted with canister; the gunners had fallen or fled, and the pieces left undischarged. With alacrity the brigade was pushed forward down to and on the right of the Franklin turnpike road, accompanied by Battery M, of the Fourth Regulars, until it became too dark to proceed farther.

After halting, Provost-Marshal Lieutenant Pepoon was sent to collect and take care of the spoils of victory, and reported, in addition to the cannon, small-arms, and prisoners, a large supply of intrenching tools.

My loss was light, compared with the danger incurred and the great results accomplished, being 1 officer and 8 privates killed, and 34 privates wounded, and 1 private missing, making a grand total on both days of 49. This smallness of loss is attributable to the high firing of the enemy, who overshot the storming column.

It is with deep regret that I record the death of Lieutenant Hugh A. Hedger, of the Twenty-first Kentucky. He was killed by a solid shot, at the head of his company. Intelligent, brave, generous, and efficient as an officer, his loss will be deeply felt by his regiment and the service; to his friends and widowed mother it is irreparable, but they feel that he has left a name for honor as imperishable as the everlasting hills under whose shadow he yielded up his life for his country.

Appended to this report will be found tables of my loss. The ardor of pursuit prevented my enumerating and giving the loss of the enemy; it was heavy.

We were supported on the advance of to-day by Captain Ziegler's (Second Pennsylvania) battery, and later in the day by Battery M of the Fourth Regulars, Captain Canby and Lieutenant Stephenson being in command. Both batteries were handled with consummate skill and effect. Each of the officers I have mentioned, as also the men of the batteries under my immediate notice, bore themselves well and deserve the highest praise.

A generous emulation and spirit of rivalry pervaded my command as to who should reach the enemy's lines first. From the length of my line it was impossible for me to see whose colors were first on the enemy's works, but little difference of time was between all of the storming column. I must divide the honor between them, for the flag of our country was never more gallantly borne. A high meed of praise is due the supporting column for the promptness of its movements. I must specially mention as highly deserving of our country, Col. J. H. Moore, Lieutenant-Colonel Evans, Lieutenant-Colonel Wood, Lieutenant-Colonel Northup, Lieutenant-Colonel Tassin, Lieutenant-Colonel Humphrey, and Major Hicks. Each one of these officers commanded regiments, and did so bravely and ably. I speak most favorably of the coolness and bravery of Major Hoskins, of the Twenty-first Kentucky, and of Lieutenant-Colonel Poteet, of the One hundred and fifteenth Illinois, who was division officer of the day. 'Tis with pleasure that I call the attention of the general commanding to a list of those who have been specially noticed by their regimental commanders, accompanying this report. Of the brave and indomitable men composing my command from Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky, I can truly say they did their whole duty fairly, efficiently, and with an intensity of spirit seldom equaled, and never surpassed.

Through the labors and services of my brave staff officers—Capt. H. F. Temple, acting assistant adjutant-general; my aides, Lieut. John B. Buckner and Lieut. C. W. Earle; my inspector, Capt. John M. Frew, and my provost-marshal, Lieutenant Pepoon—the whole power and effective strength of my brigade was hurled upon the enemy at the right moment, and in the most available manner. Quick to comprehend and swift to execute every order regardless of any danger, the warmest gratitude of our country, the highest praise of the general commanding, and my warmest thanks for their services, are due them.

Brigade Surg. C. J. Walton and Surgeons Jennings, Evans, and Averdick came under my immediate observation in the discharge of their noble duty of alleviating the sufferings of our brave wounded, and this while under heavy fire from the enemy.

Of Father Cooney, chaplain of the Thirty-fifth Indiana, I commend him as an example of the army chaplain; meek, pious, and brave as a lion, he worked with his brave regiment in the valley of the shadow of death, affording the ministrations of his holy religion to the wounded and dying, and giving words of encouragement to his fellow soldiers.

It is with  commingled feelings of pride and satisfaction that I record the part taken by the Iron Brigade—an integral part of the splendid, victorious Army of the Cumberland—in adding another laurel to that immortal wreath that now crowns our national honor, integrity, and glory.

I have the honor to be, yours, with respect,

WALTER C. WHITAKER,        

Brigadier-General.

Col. E. D. MASON,
        Asst. Adjt. Gen, First Division, Fourth Army Corps.

Report of officers and men mentioned specially by their regimental commanders for gallantry and meritorious conduct in the battles before Nashville, Tenn., which I desire to append to my official report:

Father P. P. Cooney, chaplain Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers; Adjt. W. M. Williams, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers; First Lieut. A. G. Henderson, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers; Adjt. John E. Smith, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteers; Capt. William Nicholas, Fifty-first Ohio Volunteers; Lieutenants Knous, Fisher, Ayres, Croxton, Pocock, and Purvis, also Sergt. Maj. S.G. J. Worthington and Sergeants Shaw, English, and Carruthers, commanding companies Fifty-first Ohio Volunteers; Capt. Charles E. Rowan, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers; First Lieut. William Dawson, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers; Adjt. E. A. Blodgett, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers; Color-Sergt. John Vincent, Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers.

_______________

List of casualties in the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, in the battles before Nashville, Tenn., December 15-16, 1864.

Command.	Date.	Officers.				Men.				Aggregate.
		K	W	M	T	K	W	M	T
21st Kentucky Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. C. Evans	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	1	1	....	2	2
	Dec. 16	1	....	....	1	1	3	....	4	5
23d Kentucky Volunteers, Lieut. Col. G. W. Northup.	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
	Dec. 16	....	....	....	....	....	3	....	3	3
35th Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. A. G. Taasin.	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
	Dec. 16	....	....	....	....	2	2	....	4	4
45th Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. H. Humphrey	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	1	....	1	1
	Dec. 16	....	....	....	....	1	2	....	3	3
51st Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. C. H. Wood	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
	Dec 16	....	....	....	....	1	8	....	9	9
96th Illinois Volunteers, Maj. George Hicks	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
	Dec. 16	....	....	....	....	3	9	1	13	13
115th Illinois Volunteers, Col. J. H. Moore	Dec. 15	....	....	....	....	....	2	....	2	2
	Dec. 16	....	....	....	....	....	7	....	7	7
Total		1	....	....	1	9	38	1	48	49

[K = Killed.  W = Wounded.  M = Missing. T = Total.]

This list is made from lists accompanying each regimental commander's report, and is believed to be correct.

W. C. WHITAKER,        

Brigadier-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), pp. 195-9

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 9. — Report of Maj. Gen. U S. Stanley, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 14—December 1, 1864.

No. 9.

Report of Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 14—December 1, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH ARMY CORPS,        

Huntsville, Ala., February 25, 1865.*

On the 14th [November] Major-General Schofield arrived and assumed command, by direction of Major-General Thomas. On the 21st it became positively known, from a dispatch intercepted by General Hatch's pickets and from other sources, that the enemy were moving north and in the direction of Columbia The roads, however, off the pikes were very bad, it having rained very heavily for some days, and then frozen, but not hard enough to bear wagons. It was believed the enemy could make but little speed, and the evacuation of Pulaski was made the afternoon of the 23d. The corps marched to Lynnville that night, to which place the Second Division (General Wagner) had moved the day before. During the night it was learned that the enemy had made good use of his time, notwithstanding the bad roads, and that Colonel Capron's brigade had been driven out of Mount Pleasant; it was believed by an infantry force. This information was received about 1 o'clock at night, and the troops were immediately waked up and put in motion for Columbia, twenty-one miles distant. General Cox's division, of the Twenty-third Corps, was ten miles nearer Columbia, and marching at the same hour as ourselves he arrived in time to save Capron's brigade of cavalry from annihilation and perhaps the town of Columbia from capture. Turning west at a point three miles south of Columbia, on the Pulaski pike, General Cox, by a cross road, reached the Mount Pleasant pike, and immediately attacking the advancing rebels, drove them back. As fast as the divisions of the Fourth Corps arrived they were placed in line of battle and immediately intrenched themselves. The First Division, Brigadier-General Whitaker, did not get into position until after night. The enemy's cavalry made some demonstrations upon our left flank during the march, but were easily driven off by a regiment of infantry commanded by Colonel Knefler. During the 24th and 25th a very strong and complete set of earth-works were constructed, but the line being very long, and leaving no disposable troops after properly occupying it, two divisions of the corps were withdrawn from it on the night of the 25th to occupy a short and interior line, leaving General Wood's division to hold the front, formerly held by the entire corps. Cox's division, of the Twenty-third Corps, at the same time crossed to the north of Duck River, and General Ruger commenced the construction of a bridge-head.

The enemy undoubtedly deployed their whole force upon our front, and they made several attacks upon our pickets; but it became evident very soon that Hood was moving to the east, and most likely with a view of crossing Duck River above us. The intentions of the enemy became so apparent that it was determined to cross the entire of our force to the north bank of Duck River. The night of the 26th orders were given accordingly, but the night was so dark and the rain poured down so that no progress could be made crossing the artillery, and at midnight the movement was given up and the artillery replaced in position. During the night of the 27th the withdrawal to the north side of Duck River was made very successfully, the pickets leaving the outside line and falling back to the first line of works at 7 o'clock and remaining one hour, when they fell back to the interior line abandoned by the troops, holding that line until near daylight. The fort and magazine were fired, but the destruction was not very complete. The morning of the 28th we occupied the high ground immediately north of Duck River, from below the railroad bridge to about a mile above Columbia. The railroad and pontoon bridges had been destroyed. The enemy could be seen in full view across the river. The troops were employed on the 28th in strengthening their position on the north bank of Duck River; one brigade, Whitaker's, was sent back to Rutherford's Creek to protect all the trains of the army parked near the crossing on the Franklin pike. About 3 p.m. it was learned that Forrest's cavalry had driven Colonel Capron's brigade of cavalry to the north bank of Duck River, eleven miles above, and that the rebel cavalry had effected a crossing to the same side. Later in the evening the pickets of Wood's division reported the enemy crossing cavalry at Huey's Mills, five miles above Columbia. A reconnaissance sent after dark failed to find the enemy, but early on the morning of the 29th General Wilson sent word that the enemy had laid a pontoon bridge at Huey's Mills.

At 8 a.m. on the 29th I started to Spring Hill with the First and Second Divisions, all the artillery that could be spared, and all trains and ambulances to follow; at the same time a reconnaissance, consisting of Colonel Post's brigade, of Wood's division, was sent up the river, and soon sent back word that the enemy was crossing infantry and wagons and moving off rapidly to the north and parallel to the turnpike. It being apprehended that the enemy might make a flank attack upon the position of our force between Duck River and Rutherford's Creek, the First Division, General Kimball commanding, was halted, and took up position to cover the crossing of the creek. At 11.30 o'clock the head of the Second Division was within two miles of Spring Hill. A cavalry soldier, who seemed badly scared, was met here, who stated that a scout had come in from the direction of Raleigh [Rally] Hill, and reported that Buford's division of rebel cavalry was all way between Raleigh [Rally] Hill and Spring Hill, and on the march to the latter place. The Second Division was pushed on, and, attracted by the firing east of the village, double-quicked into the place and deployed the leading brigade as they advanced, drove off a force of the enemy's cavalry which was driving our small force of cavalry and infantry and would very soon have occupied the town. General Wagner was ordered to deploy his division at once; Opdycke's and Lane's brigades to cover as much space about the village as would serve for room to park the trains; General Bradley's brigade was sent to occupy a wooded knoll about three-quarters of a mile east of the pike, and which commanded the approaches from that direction.

Up to this time it was thought we had only cavalry to contend with, but a general officer and his staff, at whom we sent some complimentary shells, were seen reconnoitering our position, and very soon afterward General Bradley was assailed by a force which the men said fought too well to be any dismounted cavalry. I received General Schofield's dispatch about the same time, telling me that the rebels had been crossing the river, and leaving no doubt but that we now confronted a superior force of rebel infantry. About the same time an attack was made upon a small wagon train, composed of some pressed wagons which had passed on, by rebel cavalry, at Reynolds' [Thompson's] Station, three miles toward Franklin, and simultaneously the rebel cavalry appeared west of us and threatened the railroad station of Spring Hill. Thus we were threatened and attacked from every direction, and it was impossible to send any re-enforcements to Bradley's brigade, which had become quite severely engaged, lest in so doing we should expose the train and artillery park to destruction. The enemy made two assaults on Bradley's position, and were severely handled and repulsed; but finding his flank the third time they overlapped him on his right,. and the general at the time receiving a severe wound whilst encouraging his men, his brigade was driven back to the outskirts of the village, where we rallied them and again formed them in line. The enemy attempted to follow up his advantage, but coming across the corn-field toward the village they fell under the fire of at least eight pieces of artillery, at good range for spherical case-shot, and received a fire in flank from a section of a battery which had been placed on the pike south of the village. A part of the rebel force making the charge fled to their rear, and a portion ran down into a ravine between their own and our lines and concealed themselves in the bed of the small stream, neither able to crawl forward or go back until night-fall. This was the condition of affairs when night fell. General Bradley's brigade had lost about 150 men in killed, wounded, and missing. We now know that the enemy lost, according to the statement of one of their surgeons who was on the field, 500 men. Our greatest loss was in the disabling of so intrepid an officer as General Bradley.

As night closed we could see the enemy rapidly extending his lines, and by 8 o'clock it was evident that at least a corps of Hood's army was formed in line of battle, facing the turnpike, and at a near distance of but little more than a half a mile from it. General Schofield arrived from Columbia at 7 o'clock in the evening with Ruger's division. He found the enemy on the pike, and had quite a skirmish in driving them off. My pickets had reported seeing rebel columns passing east of our position as if to get possession of the hills at Thompson's Station, and the anxious question arose whether we could force our way through to Franklin. It was determined to attempt this, and General Schofield pushed on with Ruger's division to ascertain the condition of affairs. He found that the enemy did not attempt to hold the road. It was now 11 o'clock at night, and Cox's division had just arrived from in front of Columbia; the division pushed on at once for Franklin. From a rebel officer, captain and adjutant-general of Cleburne's division, we learned that it was his division of the rebel army we had been fighting. Wood's division, of the Fourth Corps, arrived just after Cox. The enemy's skirmishers fired into the column frequently, and stampeded a new regiment which had just joined the day before; but instructions were sent to push on and not get into a fight if the enemy kept off the road, and in half an hour after General Wood's division arrived I had the satisfaction of meeting the head of General Kimball's column, which got through with some skirmishing. So close were the enemy on our flank that, when a column was not passing, it was difficult for a staff officer or an orderly to get through on the road. General Cox's division was out of the way, and the train commenced to pull out at 1 o'clock the morning of the 30th. The number of wagons, including artillery and ambulances, was about 800. At the very starting point they had to pass singly over a bridge, and it was exceedingly doubtful whether the train could be put on the road by daylight. Unless this could be done, and the corps put in motion, we were sure of being attacked at daylight and of being compelled to fight under every disadvantage. I was strongly advised to burn the train, and move on with the troops and such wagons as could be saved, but I determined to make an effort to save the train. My staff officers were busily employed hurrying up teamsters, and everything promised well, when we were again thrown into despair by the report that the train was attacked north of Thompson's Station, and that the whole train had stopped.

It was now 3 o'clock in the morning. General Kimball was directed to push on with the First Division and clear the road. General Wood's division, which had deployed in the night north of Spring Hill and, facing the east, had covered the road, was directed to move on, keeping off the road and on the right flank of the train, and General Wagner's division, although wearied by the fighting of the day before, was detailed to bring up the rear. Before Kimball's division could reach the point at which the train was attacked, Major Steele, of my staff, had gotten up a squad of our stragglers and driven off the rebels making the attack; they had succeeded in burning about ten wagons. The trains moved on again, and at about 5 o'clock I had the satisfaction of seeing the last wagon pass the small bridge. The entire corps was on the road before daylight. The rebel cavalry was in possession of all the hills to our right, and made numerous demonstrations upon our flank, but were easily driven off by General Wood's skirmishers, and when finally a section of Canby's battery unlimbered and threw a few shells into them the rebel cavalrymen disappeared and troubled us no more. Colonel Opdycke's brigade formed the rear guard, and rendered excellent service, skirmishing all the way with the rebel force following us and forcing our stragglers and lame men, of whom there were many, to make a final effort to reach Franklin. General Kimball's division reached Franklin soon after 9 o'clock and took up position on the right of the Twenty-third Corps, the right flank of the division resting on the Harpeth below Franklin. The line selected by General Schofield was about a mile and a half in length, and inclosed Franklin, resting the flanks upon the river above and below the town. The trains were all crossed over to the north side of the Harpeth; Wood's division was also crossed and posted to watch the fords below the place. Colonel Opdycke reached the heights two miles south of Franklin at 12 m. He was directed to halt on the hills to observe the enemy. Croxton's brigade of cavalry was steadily pushed back by the enemy's infantry column on the Lewisburg pike, and at 1 o'clock General Wagner reported heavy columns of infantry approaching on the Columbia and Lewisburg pikes. General Wagner was instructed to fall back before the advance of the enemy, observing them. About the same time word was received that the rebels were trying to force a crossing at Hughes' Ford, two miles above Franklin.

From 1 o'clock until 4 in the evening the enemy's entire force was in sight and forming for attack, yet in view of the strong position we held, and reasoning from the former course of the rebels during this campaign, nothing appeared so improbable as that they would assault. I felt so confident in this belief that I did not leave General Schofield's headquarters until the firing commenced. About 4 o'clock the enemy advanced with his whole force, at least two corps, making a bold and persistent assault, which, upon a part of the line, lasted about forty minutes. When Wagner's division fell back from the heights south of Franklin, Opdycke's brigade was placed in reserve in rear of our main line, on the Columbia pike. Lane's and Conrad's brigades were deployed--the former on the right, the other the left of the pike--about 300 yards in front of the main line. Here the men, as our men always do, threw up a barricade of rails. By whose mistake I cannot tell, it certainly was never a part of my instructions, but these brigades had orders from General Wagner not to retire to the main line until forced to do so by the fighting of the enemy. The consequence was that the brigades stood their ground until the charging rebels were almost crossing bayonets with them, but the line then broke--Conrad's brigade first, then Lane's--and men and officers made the quickest time they could to our main lines. The old soldiers all escaped, but the conscripts being afraid to run under fire, many of them were captured. Conrad's brigade entered the main line near the Columbia pike, Colonel Lane's several hundred yards to the right of the pike. A large proportion of Lane's men came back with loaded muskets, and turning at the breastworks, they fired a volley into the pressing rebels now not ten steps from them. The part of the Twenty-third Corps stationed in the works for a distance of about three [hundred] or four [hundred] yards to the right of the Columbia pike, and which space took in the First Kentucky and Sixth Ohio Batteries, broke and ran to the rear with the fugitives from Conrad's brigade. To add to the disorder the caissons of the two batteries galloped rapidly to the rear, and the enemy appeared on the breast-works and in possession of the two batteries, which they commenced to turn upon us. It was at this moment I arrived at the scene of disorder, coming from the town on the Columbia pike; the moment was critical beyond ally I have known in any battle--could the enemy hold that part of the line, he was nearer to our two bridges than the extremities of our line. Colonel Opdycke's brigade was lying down about 100 yards in rear of the works. I rode quickly to the left regiment and called to them to charge; at the same time I saw Colonel Opdycke near the center of his line urging his men forward. I gave the colonel no order, as I saw him engaged in doing the very thing to save us, viz, to get possession of our line again. The retreating men of Colonel Conrad's brigade, and, I believe, the men of the Twenty-third Corps, seeing the line of Opdycke's brigade start for the works, commenced to rally. I heard the old soldiers call out, "Come on, men, we Call go wherever the general can," and making a rush, our men immediately retook all the line, excepting a small portion just in front of the brick house on the pike. A force of the rebels held out at this point, and for fifteen or twenty minutes, supported by a rebel line fifty yards to the rear, poured in a severe fire upon our men. So deadly was this fire that it was only by the most strenuous exertions of the officers that our men could be kept to the line; our exertions, however, succeeded, and in twenty minutes our front was comparatively clear of rebels, who fell back to the position formerly held by the two brigades of the Second Division in the commencement of the fight, from whence they kept up a fire until midnight, when we withdrew. Just after the retaking of the line by our troops, as I was passing toward the left to General Cox's position, my horse was killed, and no sooner had I regained my feet than I received a musket-ball through the back of my neck. My wound, however, did not prevent my keeping the field, and General Cox kindly furnished me a remount. The rapidity of the firing made it very difficult to keep up the ammunition, the train being some two miles distant on the road to Nashville when the battle commenced, and our greatest danger at one period of the battle was that we would exhaust our ammunition. One hundred wagon-loads of ammunition, artillery and musket cartridges, were expended in this short battle, belonging to the ordnance train of the Fourth Army Corps; this train, however, supplied in great part the wants of the Twenty-third Corps.

After the first great attack and repulse the enemy made several feeble demonstrations, and until 9 o'clock in the evening formed and advanced upon the Columbia pike three or four times. I think these movements were made to keep us from moving, or to ascertain the very moment we left. At the commencement of the engagement word came that the enemy's cavalry had forced a crossing at Hughes' Ford, and calling upon me for support for our cavalry. General Wood was directed to send a brigade, and General Beatty's brigade had started, when information came that our cavalry had driven the rebels back and the re-enforcements would not be needed. General Kimball's division, holding the extreme right of the line, had comparatively an easy thing of this fight; being well posted behind breast-works, their volleys soon cleared their front of rebels. One brigade, Colonel Kirby's, only had the opportunity to fire one volley, and this was a very effective one, at a rebel brigade which endeavored to move obliquely across our front to gain the right bank of the river. It having been determined to withdraw the troops to Nashville, they were directed to leave the line at midnight, the flanks withdrawing first and simultaneously, the pickets to be withdrawn when all the troops had crossed. Some villain came very near frustrating this plan by firing a house in Franklin; the flames soon spread, and the prospect was that a large fire would occur, which, lighting up objects, would make it impossible to move the troops without being seen. My staff officers and General Wood's found an old fire engine, and getting it at work, the flames were soon subdued and the darkness was found to be increased by the smoke. At midnight the withdrawal was made successfully, although the enemy discovered it and followed our pickets up closely.

General Wood's division remained on the north side of the Harpeth until 4 o'clock in the morning as rear guard, destroying the bridges before he left. The enemy indulged in a furious shelling as soon as they found we had left. In the fight of the day before their artillery had not come up, and but two batteries were used upon us. These two batteries threw shells into the town during the entire fight.

The march was continued to Nashville without interruption; the troops made a short halt at Brentwood to get breakfast and allow the trains to move on. Our men were more exhausted physically than I have ever seen them on any other occasion. From November the 23d, when we left Pulaski, until arriving at Nashville we had been constantly in the immediate presence of an enemy we knew to be vastly superior to us in numbers, closely watching to attack us at disadvantage. With us both mind and body were kept at full stretch, and it was only by night marching and the constant use of intrenchments that we could hope to save ourselves. Many of our men were overtaxed and broke down; unable to travel any longer, they fell into the hands of the enemy. On two occasions the enemy was very near obtaining the advantage he sought of us--the first was when Cox drove back his advance, just about entering Columbia; the second and greatest escape for us was at Spring Hill, where, with a whole corps in line of battle, the left of the line within 600 yards of the road, they allowed all our army, excepting Wagner's division, which had fought them during the day, to pass them with impunity in the night. Upon arriving at Nashville I turned the command of the Fourth Corps over to Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood, and took advantage of leave of absence on account of my wounds.

Before closing this report I must mention the distinguished and faithful service rendered by some of the officers of my command. To Brig. Gen. Thomas J. Wood I am under more than ordinary obligations for advice, and for his success in selecting every position we occupied from Pulaski to Franklin. To General Whitaker, who commanded the First Division up to Columbia; to General Kimball, who succeeded him, and to General Wagner, commanding the Second Division, I am under many obligations for the zeal in carrying out my plans and orders.

To the members of my staff much is due for the cheerful and thorough manner in which they discharged their constant and severe duties during the campaign. Col. J. S. Fullerton, assistant adjutant-general and chief of staff; Col. W. H. Greenwood, inspector of the corps; Maj. William H. Sinclair, assistant adjutant-general; Maj. J. W. Steele, aide-de-camp; Capt. S. J. Firestone, acting aide-de-camp, and Capt. L. L. Taylor, aide-de-camp---all were most zealous in the discharge of their duties. Colonel Greenwood's duties were particularly important and thoroughly attended to.

To Capt. Lyman Bridges, chief of artillery; to Colonel Hayes, chief quartermaster; to Surg. J. T. Heard, medical director; Captain Hodgdon, chief commissary, and to Captain Tousley, chief of ambulance corps, and Lieutenant Laubach, quartermaster at corps headquarters, I am much indebted for the efficient manner in which they discharged their respective duties.

Before closing this report I will mention the names of Colonel Opdycke, One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Colonel Conrad, Fifteenth Missouri Veteran Volunteers; Lieut. Col. Arthur MacArthur, Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Volunteers; Captain Morgan, assistant adjutant-general, and Captain Tinney, of General Wagner's staff, as some of the officers whom I knew and whom I saw behave most gallantly at the battle of Franklin. Colonel Opdycke's gallant services on that occasion I have before noticed in a communication to department headquarters.

Although Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox was not in my command, he was my close neighbor in the battle of Franklin, and I take this opportunity to express to him my thanks for his gallant help at that time.

A list of casualties has already been furnished. A recommendation for promotion will be forwarded.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. S. STANLEY,        

Major-general.

Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE,
        Chief of Staff.

_______________

Report of casualties in Fourth Army Corps, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864.

	Killed.			Wounded.			Missing.			Total.		Aggregate.
	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.
First Division	....	5	5	3	34	37	1	17	18	4	56	60
Second Division	5	47	52	31	488	519	13	657	670	49	1,192	1,241
Third Division	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....	....
Artillery Brigade	....	10	10	3	48	51	....	6	6	3	64	67
Total	5	62	67	37	570	607	14	680	694	56	1,312	1,368

NASHVILLE, TENN., December 6, 1864.

ADDENDA.

FORT LEAVENWORTH, KANS., December 17, 1866.

Bvt. Brig. Gen. W. D. WHIPPLE,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Dept. of the Tennessee:

My report of the battle of Franklin, November 30, 1864, was, from unavoidable circumstances, not written until the 25th of February ensuing. In the notice of the services of my staff on the day of battle I omitted mentioning the name of Capt. John D. Moxley, First Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, one of my aides-de-camp. I take this opportunity, though late, to correct my report. Captain Moxley did his duty gallantly and well on that day, and was busy throughout the fight encouraging and rallying our troops.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

D. S. STANLEY,        

Colonel Twenty-second Infantry, Brevet Major-General.

_______________

* For portion of report here omitted, relating to operations in North Georgia and North Alabama, see Vol. XXXIX, Part I, p. 907.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 112-9