No. 129.
Report of Col.
Charles C. Doolittle, Eighteenth Michigan Infantry,
commanding First
Brigade, of operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,
Spring Hill, Tenn.,
December 22, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of
the operations of this brigade during the recent engagements before Nashville,
on the 15th and 16th instant:
In obedience to Special Orders, No. 141, from division
headquarters, I assumed command of this brigade on the morning of the 15th
instant and withdrew the regiments from the positions occupied by them between
Forts Casino and Negley, massing them under the hill and out of sight of the
enemy, leaving a company of each regiment to occupy the works until relieved by
troops from General Steedman's command. In this movement we were favored by a
heavy fog. With the division, this brigade in advance, I moved my command
gradually to the right, crossing the Hillsborough pike about two miles from the
city and recrossing it at a point about three miles farther out, and, by
direction of the commanding general, took up position on the right of Col.
George Spalding's cavalry command, the brigade being formed in two lines, on
the left of the Hillsborough pike, with One hundred and fourth Ohio and Twelfth
Kentucky in first, and the One hundredth Ohio, Sixteenth Kentucky, and Eighth
Tennessee in the second line. I had thrown out two companies of the One hundred
and fourth Ohio as skirmishers, and was about to move forward, when an aide of
General Couch, commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, rode up
with an urgent request from General Couch to go to the support of one of his
brigades, which was being hotly pressed. I moved immediately on double-quick
and took position on the right of this brigade (Third), which was posted on a
hill about 600 yards to the right and as many to the front, preserving the same
formation, throwing out skirmishers and relieving it from the danger of being
crushed. I remained in this position until after dark, when the Third Brigade,
Second Division, being withdrawn, I occupied its ground, placing the regiments
in the following order: One hundred and fourth Ohio, Twelfth Kentucky,
Sixteenth Kentucky, One hundredth Ohio, and Eighth Tennessee, and immediately
proceeded to erect breast-works along the line, connecting with Colonel
Casement on my left and refusing my right well, so as to prevent a flank
movement. I now occupied the extreme right of the army, and was some distance
from support in case of a determined movement of the enemy against us.
The command worked all night, and when daylight appeared we
found ourselves within 500 yards of the enemy, who was well posted on high
hills, behind works erected during the night, our skirmish lines being not over
fifty yards apart in our front. We had a quiet morning, disturbed only by
occasional skirmish firing, until about 11 o'clock, when the enemy attempted to
move some artillery he had placed in position. My men opened on him with their
rifles, provoking him to fire a few shots. We soon silenced his guns and
prevented their removal. We remained comparatively quiet from this time until about
4 p.m., when the grand charge was made along our lines, and, according to
instructions, seeing the success of the charge on my left, I charged the works
opposite me, carrying them and capturing 8 pieces of artillery (light 12's),
ammunition in 4 limber-chests, 1 wagon loaded with grape and canister, 2 mules,
and between 200 and 300 prisoners; no exact account of these latter can be
given, as they were taken to the rear immediately. I went into camp for the
night on the ground just taken from the enemy, throwing up light works for
protection.
I would notice especially the conduct of the regimental
commanders — Col. O. W. Sterl, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. Col. E. L.
Hayes, One hundredth Ohio; Lieut. Col. L. H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky; Capt.
Jacob Miller, Sixteenth Kentucky; and Capt. J. W. Berry, Eighth Tennessee — who
were always present with their commands, leading them in the charge.
The Twelfth Kentucky, being nearest the enemy's works, were
the first to reach them, securing four guns. The other four were taken jointly by
the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee. I cannot praise too highly the
conduct of all the command, both officers and men, and I feel that I was
honored in being assigned to such a command at such a time. I would especially
mention Capt. J. H. Brown, Twelfth Kentucky, acting assistant adjutant-general,
and Lieut. D. M. Stearns, One hundred and fourth Ohio, acting aide-de-camp, who
behaved in the most gallant manner.
The casualties of the brigade were small, 9 wounded being
the total — One hundred and fourth Ohio, 3; Twelfth Kentucky, 5; Sixteenth
Kentucky, 1.
The hill charged being steep, the enemy fired over us, as
they also seemed to do in the valley through which the left of the brigade
passed.
Before closing this report I would refer to the fact that
McArthur's division, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, claim to have taken the four
pieces captured by the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee without any
shadow of right, as the One hundredth Ohio and Eighth Tennessee drove the enemy
from them, taking a large number of prisoners, besides the two mules and the
ammunition wagon. The One hundredth Ohio had placed a guard over them, but the
pieces were subsequently removed by order of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, as was also
the wagon.
I respectfully submit herewith reports of regimental
commanders.
I am, very
respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. C. DOOLITTLE,
Colonel Eighteenth
Michigan Infantry, Commanding.
Capt. THEO. COX,
Assistant Adjutant-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), p. 413-5
