Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 255. — Report of Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Ross, C. S. Army, commanding Ross' brigade, of operations October 24-December 27, 1864.

No. 255.

Report of Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Ross, C. S. Army, commanding Ross' brigade,

of operations October 24-December 27, 1864.

HDQRS. ROSS' BRIGADE, JACKSON'S CAVALRY DIVISION,        

Corinth, Miss., January 12, 1865.

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,

L. S. ROSS,        

Brigadier-General, &c.

[Capt. E. T. SYKES,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Jackson's Cavalry Division.]

[ 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.

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. 767-73

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 195. — Report of Brig. Gen. John T. Croxton, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, First Division, of operations October 24, 1864-January 14, 1865.

No. 195. 

Report of Brig. Gen. John T. Croxton, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, First Division, 

of operations October 24, 1864-January 14, 1865. 

MAJOR: I have the honor to report that on the 24th of October, 1864, this brigade was on the Tennessee River, in compliance with the following order, viz:

 

NASHVILLE, October 13, 1864.

Brig. Gen. JOHN T. CROXTON:

 

I have just ordered that the Ninth and Tenth Regiments Indiana Cavalry and the Tenth and Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry be mounted from the horses used by General Steedman, and they will be ordered to report to you to assist in guarding the river Send Colonel Roper's brigade to this place, as it is made up of detachments, and I desire to reorganize it and send it to the front as soon as possible. Get into position by the 14th or 15th at farthest, if possible, and report to me the point selected for your camp, and establish a line of couriers between it and Pulaski or Athens, whichever may be the nearest point of telegraphic communication.

 

GEO. H. THOMAS,        

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

The effective strength of the brigade was about 1,000 men, two-thirds of whom were scattered from Lamb's Ferry to Florence, a distance of twenty-four miles, guarding the fords and ferries, and the remaining third in reserve, encamped near Center Star. General Thomas had promised to send the Tenth and Twelfth Tennessee and also the Ninth and Tenth Indiana to assist in guarding the river, but General Granger retained the latter-named regiments, and of the former only about 450 men reported, and these were so badly mounted and so carelessly managed that before the date mentioned they reported less than 200 effective men. These were stationed at Martin's Mills, three miles west of Florence, on the Waterloo road, and charged with watching Pride's, Garner's, and Cheatham's Ferries. On the evening of the 29th of October I obtained reliable information that Hood's entire army was at Town Creek, and would probably attempt to lay a pontoon bridge at Bainbridge during that night. I at once dispatched this information to General Thomas, and sent the Second Michigan Cavalry to re-enforce the guard at Bainbridge, a battalion to Raccoon Branch, two miles above Florence, and ordered the Tenth and Twelfth Tennessee from Martin's Mills to watch the ferry at Florence. No demonstration was made that night, but about 3 p.m. of the day following two brigades of Johnson's division, of Lee's corps, were suddenly thrown across the river in flat-boats, landing about three miles below Bainbridge, at a point never known or used as a ferry. The troops had been during the night previous crossed to an island near the northern bank, where they lay secreted during the day, and were rapidly crossed. As soon as it was discovered the troops above and below moved promptly to meet them, and fought until night-fall, but were unable to hold their ground. By that time the enemy had succeeded in driving them back until they held possession of the Huntsville and Florence road at Judge Posey's. During the night I gathered up all my available force at Shoal Creek bridge, at which point I remained, reconnoitering daily and driving in the rebel pickets in sight of Florence, until on the 5th of November my reconnoitering party was met and driven back by a column of rebel infantry, which proved to be Johnson's division. They attacked us at 10 a.m. at Shoal Creek, and, failing to drive us away, sent two brigades to a ford near the mouth of the stream, where they crossed and forced us to retire. The brigades recrossed during the night, and my outposts reoccupied the line of the creek.

On the 6th General Hatch arrived at Lexington with his division, and I reported to him. We remained in statu quo until the 20th, when the rebels began to move, and we accordingly by way of Lexington and Lawrenceburg until we joined the army at Columbia, on the 25th, where, by order of the general commanding the corps, I reported to Brigadier-General Johnson, under whose command I remained until we reached Edgefield.

On the morning of the 30th of November, when at Matthews' house, on the Franklin and Murfreesborough road, I was ordered to cross Harpeth and move to Douglass Church, on the Lewisburg pike, and if pressed by the enemy to recross the river at McGavock's Ford, one mile and a half from Franklin. About 10 o'clock the rebel advance attacked us, and skirmishing continued until about 2 o'clock, when their cavalry made a dash, and, being repulsed, moved up the river toward Hughes' Ford, while their infantry took their place I at once crossed my command, except the Second Michigan Cavalry, which was left to contest the advance of the rebel infantry, which it did very effectually, holding their position until nearly sundown, when, being forced to retire by overwhelming numbers, they recrossed the river just as the rebel cavalry that had crossed at Hughes' Mills made their appearance. I had just formed to meet them when Colonel Dorr reported the rebel infantry crossing between my position and Franklin, and, knowing the danger to the army from such a move, if successful, I left the First Tennessee and Second Michigan in position to resist the advance of the cavalry, and hurried with the Eighth Iowa and Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry to meet the infantry, and if possible drive them back. I discovered, however, the report to be unfounded, and at once moved' forward the Second Michigan and First Tennessee, while General Hatch moved on my left, and the whole of the rebel cavalry were driven back across the Harpeth.

On the morning of the 16th [15th] of December my command as ordered was in line of battle outside the intrenchments at Nashville and on the right of General Hatch, ready to move. When General Hatch moved, however, two brigades of infantry, said to belong to McArthur's division, were moving by the left flank across my front, and as soon as they were out of the way I moved forward, but found a rebel battery on the Charlotte pike which I could not pass, and as the troops on my right did not move up I wheeled the Second Michigan Cavalry to the right, and, supporting it with the Eighth Iowa, moved directly for the hills on which the rebels were posted, and from which they were driven at the first dash. I intended at once to mount and join General Hatch, but Colonel Alexander arriving directed me to remain, supporting General Johnson, which I did until sundown, when I proceeded, by order of the general commanding, to rejoin the corps on the Hillsborough pike. The rebels had already left General Johnson's front, and moving in the same direction as my brigade we encountered them on the Hardin pike, and I accordingly left the Fourth Kentucky Mounted Infantry at Williams' house to cover that road.

On the 17th [16th] my brigade was in reserve until nearly dark, when it was thrown across the Granny White pike, on the right of Knipe's division, but too late to accomplish its object. On the 18th [17th] we crossed the pike, passed around Brentwood, down the Wilson pike to Matthews' house, swimming the Harpeth at McGavock's Ford, encamping at Douglass Church, encountering only small parties of the enemy, and capturing near 130 prisoners.

Nothing of interest occurred until the 24th, when my brigade had the advance from Columbia on the Pulaski pike. We skirmished most of the day, and late in the evening drove the enemy across Richland Creek, capturing a few prisoners and a battle-flag. The Eighth Iowa Cavalry, Colonel Dorr commanding, had been sent by me to cover my right flank, and was directed to keep up communication with the First Tennessee, which formed the right of my line. Although 1 sent several times for it I was not able to get sight of it during the day, and at night in encamped several miles in rear of the brigade. Had it been up (and I know no good reason why it was not, as the firing indicated clearly the position of the brigade), we would, without doubt, have captured the enemy's artillery and many prisoners. After that day the brigade was not engaged.

On the 29th we were ordered from Bull's Mills to this place, with instructions to destroy Bear Creek bridge if practicable. As the transports had been lying in the river for four days (pointing clearly to the expectation of troops), and, as Hood's army reached Cherokee Station the night we reached Waterloo, I decided it was not possible to burn the bridge, and afterward, when it became possible, I determined it was not advisable. I sent Captain Johnston, Second Michigan Cavalry, and acting assistant inspector-general of my staff, with fifty men, over, on the night of the 6th instant, who captured and brought over an officer and 16 men of the Fourth Alabama Cavalry.

I send herewith a list of casualties in my command since September 1.* A report of prisoners captured has already been made the pro-vost-marshal.

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

JOHN T. CROXTON,        

Brigadier-General of Volunteers. 

        Major BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps.

A D D E N D A.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION,         

Near Richland Creek, December 25, 1864. 

Lieut. Col. A. J. ALEXANDER,
        Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to forward herewith a rebel battle-flag captured from Chalmers' division yesterday evening. The capture was made by Corpl. Harrison Collins, Company A, First Tennessee Cavalry. The corporal saw the rebel standard bearer, under the direction of a rebel major, trying to rally his men. He determined to have the flag; led a charge, killed the major, routed his men, and secured the flag.

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

JOHN T. CROXTON,        

Brigadier-General, Commanding. 

_______________ 

* Omitted; shows 1 officer and 35 men killed, 8 officers and 107 men wounded and 6 men missing. 

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. 572-4

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 122. Report of Capt. William F. Scott One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Infantry, of operations November 29-30, 1864.

No. 122.

Report of Capt. William F. Scott One hundred and eighty-third Ohio Infantry,

of operations November 29-30, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS 183D REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS,  

Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 1864.

SIR: I have respectfully to present the following as the report of the operations of my command since its removal from Columbia, Tenn., 29th of November, 1864:

Left Columbia at 12 m. and marched to Spring Hill, a distance of nine miles. Were posted with Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteers one mile from town, where we lay on arms till 2 a.m., when we took up our line of march for Franklin, Tenn., a distance of nine miles. Arrived at 12 m., and at 4 p.m. were attacked by the rebel army under General Hood. Were engaged till 2 a.m. of Thursday, when we crossed the Harpeth River and marched to Nashville, a distance of eighteen miles. Were posted in intrenchments immediately to the left of Fort Negley, where the command now lies.

A list of the killed, wounded, and missing is as follows.*

Very respectfully,

W. F. SCOTT,            

Captain, Commanding 183d Ohio Volunteers.

Lieut. J. B. McLOE,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 2 officers and 4 men killed, 3 officers and 33 men wounded, and 78 men missing.

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. 397

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 117. Report of Capt. James A. Sexton, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, of operations November 25-December 2, 1864.

No. 117.

Report of Capt. James A. Sexton, Seventy-second Illinois Infantry, of

operations November 25 — December 2, 1864.

HDQRS. SEVENTY-SECOND REGT. ILLINOIS VOL. INFTY.,                      

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 1864.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report herewith the history of this command from the date of its joining the Third Brigade, November 26, 1864, to the date of its assignment to the command of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith, December 2, 1864.

On the night of the 25th ultimo the regiment moved with the brigade from Columbia across Duck River and bivouacked. On the morning of the 26th ultimo we commenced throwing up works and kept at it all day during a heavy rain. During the day of the 27th ultimo the command lay idle. At night the brigade recrossed Duck River. The Fiftieth Ohio Infantry commenced throwing up works, this regiment acting as a support and to cover the evacuation of Columbia by our forces. At 2 a.m. of the 28th ultimo this regiment again crossed the river, occupying the same works which had been thrown up on the 26th; during the forenoon of the 28th, changed the front of our works; some skirmishing during the day between our pickets and those of the enemy on the opposite bank of the river. Pontoon and railroad bridges were also burned on that day. At 10 a.m. of the 29th of November Lieut. R. H. Mason and twenty men of Company A started with dispatches from General Schofield to the commanding officer post of Williamsport, distant about nineteen miles. He accomplished his errand successfully, passing several parties of rebels during the journey, and returning to his command at Nashville on the 1st of December, without losing a single man. At noon on the 29th ultimo the regiment, with the balance of the brigade, abandoned their works at the river and moved across to the Franklin pike; thence took up their line of march to Franklin. Just before dark, when within three miles of Spring Hill, the brigade passed the wagon train, already halted, and filed to the right of the road. Two companies of this regiment were deployed as skirmishers, the regiment moving forward as their support, forming the right of the advance line of the brigade; constant skirmishing until within half a mile of Spring Hill, when the brigade halted; the skirmishers having moved too far to the right, lost the support of the regiment. In this skirmish the regiment had 4 men wounded. At about 10 a.m. the brigade resumed its march through Spring Hill, and halted about 1.30 a.m., and rested until 3 a.m. of the 30th, at which time the march was again resumed. At about 7 a.m. reached Franklin, the brigade taking position on the right of the road and commenced fortifying, the left of the Fiftieth Ohio resting on the Franklin pike, the Seventy-second Illinois being on the right of the Fiftieth Ohio. Were at work on the fortifications at the time the enemy made their first assault. About 4 p.m., two divisions of the Fourth Corps, being in front of the works, gave way on the approach of the enemy and rushed pell mell into our works. At the same time the support on our left gave way, and the flank of our regiment being turned, the four left companies fell back, and as our right flank also became exposed to the enemy, the remaining companies were also ordered to retire to the second line of works, which was done. At that time, all of our field officers being wounded, I, being the senior captain, took command of the regiment, and a charge was ordered to recover our first position. In the charge all of our color guard, consisting of 1 sergeant and 8 corporals, were shot down, and the night being so dark it was not perceived that our colors, which had been shot to shreds, were missing. An attempt was made to regain the colors, which was unsuccessful. The regiment was ordered to retire by Colonel Strickland, commanding brigade, at about midnight. The regiment then crossed the Harpeth River, and the next morning joined the brigade while on the march to Nashville, at which place we arrived about 3 p.m. on the 1st instant, and camped near Fort Negley. The regiment remained in camp until the 2d instant, when it was assigned to the corps commanded by General A. J. Smith.

The regiment lost in killed, wounded, and missing during the time which we belonged to the brigade, 9 officers and 142 enlisted men. I append a list of casualties.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 J. A. SEXTON,

 Captain, Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers, Comdg. Regiment.

 Lieut. JOHN B. McLOE,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Brig., 2d Div., 23d Army Corps.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 10 men killed, 9 officers and 57 men wounded, and 75 men missing.

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. 392-3

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 97. — Reports of Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U.S. Army, commanding Twenty-third Army Corps, of operations November 30, 1864.

No. 97

Reports of Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U.S. Army, commanding Twenty-third Army Corps, of operations November 30, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,          

Nashville, Tenn., December 2, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following preliminary report of the battle of Franklin, fought on the 30th ultimo:

My division reached Franklin an hour before daybreak on the morning of the 30th of November, having marched from Columbia during the night and being in advance of the army from Thompson's Station. At daybreak I received orders from Major-General Schofield, commanding the army, to take command of both divisions of the Twenty-third Corps and put them in position covering the town and the passage of the army trains, &c., to the north bank of the Harpeth River. The Third Division was put in on the left of the Franklin pike, reaching from that road across the Lewisburg pike to the river, Reilly's brigade on the right: Casement's in the center, and Henderson's (Col. I. N. Stiles temporarily commanding) on the left. The Second Division occupied the ground from the Franklin pike toward the right, reaching to the Carter's Creek pike, Strickland's brigade on the left and Moore's on the right. About noon General Kimball, commanding First Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me, by order of the commanding general, and was put in on the right of the Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, covering the ground to the river on the right, having two brigades in line and one in reserve. At 1 o'clock General Wagner, commanding Second Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me, his division being then the rear guard of the army, two brigades (Bradley's and Lane's) being deployed across the Columbia pike on which the enemy were advancing, and one (Opdycke's) being in reserve in the town of Franklin. General Wagner informed me that he was already under orders to keep out the two brigades till the enemy should make an advance in line in force, when he was to retire skirmishing, and become a reserve for the line established by me.

The artillery of my division, under Captain Cockerill, Battery D, First Ohio Light Artillery, was in the fort on the north bank of the Harpeth, and Captain Bridges was ordered by the commanding general to report to me with three batteries of the Fourth Corps. These were stationed as follows: One section light 12's commanding the Lewisburg pike, one section light 12's and a battery of 3-inch ordnance guns on the left of the Columbia pike, and one battery light 12's on the right of the Columbia pike. One other battery light 12's was subsequently sent to the Carter's Creek pike and worked on that part of the line. At about 2 o'clock the enemy were seen advancing, deployed in three lines, which, as they passed the range of hills before the town and came into full view in the open ground, were plainly seen to extend from the river on their right nearly or quite to the Carter's Creek pike on their left. The fact was reported to the general commanding, as well as the dispositions of our own troops as they then were, and his orders received in reference to holding the position. At 3 o'clock the enemy engaged the two brigades of Wagner's division, which, in accordance with orders, fell leisurely back within our lines, and the action became general along the entire front. The left of Strickland's brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, was somewhat confused, some new troops there not understanding the movement of Wagner's division, and one or two regiments partially retiring with them. The enemy were at this time pressing vigorously in masses, and some of their troops reached and passed the parapet at that point. Opdycke's brigade, Second Division, Fourth Corps, was immediately ordered up and came gallantly on the charge, driving the enemy back and restoring the line. Major-General Stanley, who had been ill during the forenoon, came up with Opdycke's brigade and assumed command of the troops of the Fourth Corps. At every other point of the line the enemy were repulsed, though they renewed the charge again and again. They stubbornly persisted in assaulting after dark, and at intervals the firing was very hot till 10 o'clock in the evening. At midnight the command was quietly withdrawn to the north bank of the Harpeth without opposition.

Very respectfully your obedient servant,

 J. D. COX,    

 Brigadier-General, Commanding.

 Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Ohio.

____________________

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,          

Clifton, Tenn., January 10, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Twenty-third Army Corps in the battle between the U.S. forces, under Major-General Schofield, and the rebel army, under General Hood, at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th day of November, 1864:

My own division (Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps) reached Franklin about an hour before daybreak on the morning of the 30th, having marched from Columbia, twenty-two miles, during the night. The division was halted and massed on the ground upon which the battle was fought, and the men were allowed to cook their breakfast whilst the trains which were following filed past into the town. General Schofield, being with the head of the column, after an examination of the means of crossing the army to the north side of the Harpeth River, informed me that the means were so inadequate as to demand his immediate personal attention, and ordered that I assume command of the corps and put it in position to cover the crossing of the remainder of the army to the north bank of the river. The whole command was moving in from Columbia and Spring Hill by the turnpike leading from those places to Franklin, and the enemy was known to be following with his infantry by the same route, his cavalry being chiefly upon the turnpike leading from Lewisburg to Franklin. A reconnaissance of the position as soon as it was light showed that the ground immediately south of the village was almost level and without any cover from woods or orchards for a distance of nearly a mile from the outskirts of the village, and even for a considerably longer distance on the Columbia pike.

A brick dwelling, belonging to a Mr. Carter, the southernmost one of town, stands on the west side of the turnpike upon a slight knoll over which the road runs as it leaves the village. This knoll has an elevation of about ten feet above the lower ground around it, and even less above that directly south, the slope then being so slight as to be scarcely perceptible to one approaching from that direction. The crest of this elevation is about 200 yards in length from right to left, and is divided nearly equally by the Columbia pike. Two other turnpikes diverge from the village going southward, the Lewisburg pike on the left (east) and the Carter's Creek pike on the right (west). A curved line intersecting these two last-mentioned roads at the edge of the village crossed each of them upon slight elevations of ground, similar to that at Carter's house on the Columbia pike. This being the only line apparently tenable near the outskirts of the town, and sufficiently short to be occupied in reasonable strength by the two divisions of the corps (the Second being weakened by the absence of the strongest brigade), and it being also substantially the line indicated by the major-general commanding upon our approach to the town, I ordered the troops into position upon it, and directed that they throw up breastworks immediately. To completely understand the nature of the field it is, however, necessary to notice that the railroad also passes out of the town toward the southeast, and a little to the left of the Lewisburg pike, and that the Harpeth River, running northwestwardly, is nearly parallel to the railroad and quite near to it for some distance, whilst on our right it opens a considerable space between it and the Carter's Creek pike. Upon the north bank of the Harpeth and near the left of our line, as indicated, is a fort, erected some two years since (Fort Granger), which commands a stretch of the river to the left, and also a cut of the railroad, through which troops might advance under cover toward the left of our line. Reilly's brigade (First), of my own division, was placed with its right resting upon the Columbia pike, its front line consisting of the One hundredth Ohio and One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers, its second line of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky and the Eighth Tennessee Volunteers. Its left extended somewhat beyond a cotton gin, which stood in a slight angle of the line about 100 yards from the Columbia turnpike. The Second Brigade (Col. J. S. Casement, One hundred and third Ohio, commanding) extended the line from Reilly's left to the Lewisburg pike, the Sixty-fifth Indiana, Sixty-fifth Illinois, and One hundred and twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers forming his first line, and the Fifth Tennessee Volunteers in the second line. The Third Brigade (Col. I. N. Stiles, Sixty-third Indiana, temporarily commanding) continued the line from Casement's left to the Harpeth River, the One hundred and twenty-eighth Indiana, Sixty-third Indiana, and One hundred and twentieth Indiana Volunteers in the first line, and One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers in the second line.

Upon the right of the pike I directed Brigadier-General Ruger, commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, to put his division upon the line indicated, reaching as far to the right as he could firmly hold the line. He accordingly placed Strickland's brigade (Third) upon his left, being immediately on the right of the Columbia pike, the Fiftieth Ohio and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers in the first line, and the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio and Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteers in the second line. Moore's brigade (Second) was placed on the right of Strickland's, and in order to cover the Carter's Creek pike was deployed in one line in the following order: Eightieth Indiana, Twenty-third Michigan, One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana, and One hundred and eleventh Ohio Volunteers, numbering from right to left, as in the cases of all the other brigades mentioned above. Moore's line being still weak on account of its extent, General Ruger ordered fifty men of the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio (Strickland's second line) to report to him, and they were placed by Colonel Moore between the One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana and Twenty-third Michigan. By noon a tolerably good line of breastworks had been erected along the front described, and in a portion of the line a slight abatis had been constructed. A small locust grove and some fruit trees in front of Ruger's division had been used for this purpose, and some Osage orange hedges about a small inclosure in front of Stiles' brigade on the left had also been made good use of. One line of this hedge parallel to Stiles' left front wan slightly thinned out and left standing and in the end proved most useful. The remainder of the hedge was used along the front of the Third Division, but there was not sufficient material near at hand to make the line continuous, nor was there time to stake it down, so that it amounted simply to a slight obstruction of small branches and twigs that could offer no serious obstacle to an advancing enemy, except as the thorny nature of the Osage orange made it an unexpectedly troublesome thing to handle or remove under fire. The artillery of the corps had been moved to the north side of the river early in the morning, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Schofield, chief of artillery, and a portion of it placed in the fort.

As the troops of the Fourth Corps came in, later in the forenoon, four* batteries from that corps were ordered to report to me, and I assigned them positions as follows: First Kentucky Light Artillery, four guns, on the left of the Columbia pike, in the line of the One hundredth Ohio Infantry; Sixth Ohio Light Artillery, four guns, on the right of the Columbia pike, just west of Carter's house; and Battery B, Pennsylvania Volunteers, at the Carter's Creek pike. Although not strictly in the order of occurrence, it will tend to greater clearness to add that about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when an attack by the enemy in force had become more immediate, other batteries of the Fourth Corps were placed in position by Lieutenant-Colonel Schofield and Captain Bridges, chiefs of artillery of the Twenty-third and Fourth Corps, respectively, viz: Battery M, Fourth U.S. Artillery, and Battery G, First Ohio Light Artillery, were thus placed near the left of Stiles' brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps; Battery A, First Ohio Light Artillery, was placed in reserve near the Columbia pike; and Bridges' Battery Illinois Light Artillery, was placed near the center of Strickland's brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps. About noon, some appearance of the enemy's cavalry being reported on the Carter's Creek pike, I called the attention of the commanding general to the fact that Ruger's division could not reach any secure point at which to rest on the right, and shortly after Brigadier-General Kimball, commanding First Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me by order, and I directed him to go into position on General Ruger's right, filling the space between the Carter's Creek pike and the river.

At 2 o'clock I received orders to withdraw the command to the north bank of the river at 6 o'clock, in case there should be no attack by the enemy. At this time nearly the whole of the trains and Wood's (Third) division, of the Fourth Corps, had crossed the Harpeth. Shortly after, Brigadier-General Wagner, commanding Second Division, Fourth Corps, presented in person his orders to report to me and act under my orders. He informed me that one brigade (Opdycke's) of his division was already within the lines, and that the other two, with a section of artillery, had been acting as rear guard for the army and were then some two miles at the rear, where the Columbia pike passes through a high range of hills before reaching the plateau on which the village stands; that his orders then were to hold the enemy back until they developed a heavy force manifestly superior to his own, and then slowly retire within my lines. I directed Opdycke's brigade to be placed on the right of the Columbia pike, about 200 yards in rear of our center, as a general reserve; that the orders under which General Wagner was then acting as to the two brigades serving as rear guard should be carried out, and that when the troops were withdrawn within the lines they should be placed in position near Opdycke's brigade and held in reserve awaiting further orders, and in readiness to support any part of the line. At 3 o'clock the two brigades of Wagner's division in front had fallen back to a position about half a mile in front of the lines and reported the enemy developing in force in their front, whilst they opened upon the rebels with the section of artillery which was with them. The order was then reiterated to General Wagner to withdraw the brigades whenever the enemy appeared to be advancing in decidedly superior force, without allowing his troops to become seriously engaged. General Wagner was at that time in person upon the Columbia pike near the Carter house, where my headquarters had been during the day.

A slight depression beyond the lines held by Wagner's advanced brigades prevented the enemy from being seen from our lines till about 4 o'clock, when the officers on the skirmish line reported him advancing in several lines and in very great force. Almost simultaneously with this report the two brigades of Wagner's division in front opened a brisk musketry fire, and part of them were seen making a barricade of rails, &c., apparently with a view of endeavoring to make a stand there, though the section of artillery retired leisurely within our lines. Before an order could reach them they were so hotly engaged that they could not be withdrawn in order. The enemy wasted no time in firing, but charged them, and being enveloped on the flanks, the two brigades, after a short and brave, though useless, struggle, broke to the rear in confusion. The momentary check at the center brought the right wing of the enemy farther forward, and they came on at a double-quick with trailed arms, some pieces of artillery advancing and firing between brigade intervals. As soon as they were seen the batteries on our left opened upon them, as well as the guns in Fort Granger, and as they advanced into rifle range of our infantry, Stiles' and Casement's brigades opened fire also. The rebel lines could now be plainly seen, as well as the general disposition and apparent purpose of their movement. Their heaviest masses were advancing on the line of the Columbia pike, reaching quite to the river on our left, the two points of assault at that time being apparently our center and our extreme left, the latter being the point nearest to our bridges, which were necessarily much nearer that flank (one of them being the railroad bridge), and that being the line of movement by which they would most rapidly have cut us off from crossing the river had our lines been broken. The extreme left was the portion of our main line first warmly engaged. The enemy endeavored to pass up the railroad cut above mentioned, but were enfiladed not only by the guns in Fort Granger but by Battery M, Fourth U.S. Artillery, and driven from that shelter. Their lines on either side, however, advanced steadily. On reaching the Osage orange hedge in front of Stiles' left, they first endeavored to force their way through it and pull it aside. The tough and thorny nature of the shrub foiled them in this, and they attempted to file around the hedge by the flank, and under a terrible, withering fire from Stiles' and Casement's brigades and the batteries on that flank. They soon abandoned this effort, and most of those remaining unhurt lay down behind the bridge [hedge], and after keeping up a desultory fire for a time straggled to the rear, singly and in small squads.

In front of Stiles' right and Casement's left, the obstructions being fewer and more insignificant, the enemy advanced rapidly and in good order, though suffering very severely, up to the breast-works and made desperate efforts to carry them. Their officers showed the most heroic example and self-sacrifice, riding up to our lines in advance of the men, cheering them on. One general officer (Adams) was shot down upon the parapet itself, his horse falling across the breast-work. In all this part of the line our men stood steadily without flinching, and repulsed the enemy, inflicting terrible loss upon him and suffering but little in return. Meanwhile, in the center, the enemy gained some temporary advantage. When the two brigades of Wagner's division, Fourth Corps, broke, the enemy were close upon them and followed them in, overtaking and capturing considerable numbers of the fugitives. Our own men in the lines along the center were restrained from firing, in order not to injure those who were retreating, and the enemy were thus enabled to come up to the breast-works pell-mell with Wagner's men, without suffering loss or being seriously exposed to fire. Immediately upon the pike the crowd of the retreating troops and the advancing enemy overwhelmed the men at the breast-works there, and a portion of the right of Reilly's brigade (Third Division) and most of Strickland's brigade (Second Division) broke from the first line. This was not due altogether to the pressure upon their immediate front, but partly also to the fact that the orders given by their officers to the rear of Wagner's division coming in from the front to rally at the rear were supposed by many of the men in the lines to apply to them also. When the two brigades of Wagner's were first seen to be compromised by getting seriously engaged, as a provision against danger in the center I had ordered Opdycke's brigade to be ready to charge up to the lines instantly, if there should be any confusion there. This brigade was now ordered up, and came up the turnpike in the most gallant manner; Reilly's rushed forward at the same moment.

Major-General Stanley, commanding Fourth Corps, who had been ill during the prior part of the day, came on the field on hearing the sound of battle, and arrived in time to take an active part in the effort to rally Wagner's men, but was soon wounded and his horse shot under him. The most strenuous efforts were made by all officers along that part of the line to rally the men, and were so far successful that the line was quickly restored on the left of the turnpike, and after a sharp struggle on the right of Strickland's brigade also, though the enemy continued to occupy in some force a portion of the outside of the parapet on Strickland's left for a distance of about one regimental front. Opdycke's brigade occupied the second line which at that point was not over twen-ty-five yards rear of the first, and under cover of the smoke strengthened a barricade and breastwork which had been before there. The One-hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteers, a new regiment, unassigned to a brigade, had reported early in the afternoon by direction of the commanding general, and was by me temporarily assigned to Reilly's brigade and placed in reserve. It also advanced with the rest of the supporting troops and did good service, behaving with great steadiness and courage. The attack extended toward our right to the Carter's Creek pike. The enemy, being apparently satisfied of the impracticability of advancing again upon our left for the reason before stated, pressed farther to our right, and especially after they had seemed to have gained some advantage in the center, their efforts there and upon their own left were redoubled. Colonel Moore's brigade held its ground firmly, and although it was in imminent danger at the moment when the center wavered, repulsed a determined assault, and preserved its line intact throughout the battle. The condition of the atmosphere was such that the smoke settled upon the field without drifting off, and after the first half hour's fighting it became almost impossible to discern any object along the line at a few yards' distance. This state of things appeared to have deceived Colonel Strickland in regard to his line, as he reported the first line completely reoccupied along his entire front after the repulse of the enemy's first assault, whilst in fact a portion of it at his left was not filled by our troops, and Colonel Opdycke, not being personally acquainted with the lines, was not aware for some time that he had not reached the first line in Colonel Strickland's front, when the outbuildings of Carter's house prevented the line from being distinctly seen from the turnpike even if the smoke had not formed so dark a covering.

After a short lull the attack was resumed by the enemy with the same audacity and determination as before, and Strickland's [brigade] suffering considerably, and being reported by him a good deal weakened, I withdrew the One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers from the second line of Stiles' brigade on the extreme left and ordered it to report to Colonel Strickland and to aid in re-establishing the line in his front. It was led forward very gallantly by Lieutenant-Colonel Bond commanding, who was wounded in the advance. The smoke and growing darkness deceived also the enemy, who apparently supposed they had gained full possession of our lines in the center and continued to push in fresh masses of troops, only to be destroyed or captured, for very few went back, insomuch that prisoners captured continually expressed the utmost surprise, declaring that they supposed and had been informed that our lines were occupied by their troops, which had assaulted before, and of whom nothing since had been seen. The ditches in front of the whole line of the corps, and particularly in the center, contained many of the enemy who were unable to get back, and who, at the first opportunity, surrendered and came over the breast-works as prisoners. The assaults on the center extending considerably to the right of the Columbia pike and involving Moore's brigade more or less, were obstinately repeated until night-fall, and even as late as 9 o'clock attacks were made, which were, however, easily repulsed, and the enemy withdrew the remnants of his shattered lines to the position occupied at the opening of the battle by Wagner's division, in advance of our lines about 800 yards, Alarms occurred frequently until 11 o'clock, and frequently caused a general musketry fire on both sides from our center toward the right, but I found no evidence that any real attack was made at so late an hour, the demonstrations being manifestly made by the rebels to discover whether our lines were being abandoned during the evening.

At midnight, all being quiet in the front, in accordance with orders from the commanding general, I withdrew my command to the north bank of the river, leaving a skirmish line in the earth-works an hour later, when they also were withdrawn. The whole movement was made without interruption or molestation from the enemy, the Third Division moving by the left flank and crossing the river upon the railroad bridge, which had been planked, and the Second Division (with Opdycke's brigade of the Fourth Corps) moving through the town and crossing by a wagon bridge a little below the railroad crossing. Upon making the north bank I took up the line of march with my own division for Brentwood in advance of the army, by command of General Schofield. General Wagner rallied the two brigades of his division at the river, but they were not again brought into action. Kimball's division of the Fourth Corps, was to some extent engaged upon its extreme left in the late attacks, which reached to and somewhat beyond the Carter's Creek pike, and that command also suffered somewhat from the diagonal fire of the enemy upon Ruger's division of this corps. This, however, I state from my own casual observation alone, as I took no control of the troops of the Fourth Corps (except Opdycke's brigade) after General Stanley came upon the field, and have no official report of their part in the engagement. The casualties of the corps during the engagement are reported to me as follows:

Command	Killed		Wounded		Missing		Total		Aggregate
	O	M	O	M	O	M	O	M
Second Division
Moore’s Brigade	3	18	8	81	0	12	11	111	122
Strickland’s Brigade	6	67	19	159	2	278	27	504	531
Total	9	85	27	240	2	290	38	615	653
Third Division
Reilly’s Brigade	6	27	7	123	1	69	14	219	233
Casement’s Brigade	0	3	1	15	0	0	1	18	19
Stiles’ Brigade	3	9	5	46	1	20	9	75	84
Staff	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1
Total	10	39	13	184	2	89	25	312	337
Total in corps	19	124	40	424	4	379	63	927	990

[O = Officers, M = Men]

These lists were made up soon after the engagement, and I am convinced that corrected ones, when procured, will show a considerable diminution in the list of the missing. The loss of the enemy we are enabled to approximate with some accuracy from the public admissions from their commander as well as from the statements of prisoners, our own examination of the field after it again came into our possession, and the statements of citizens and hospital attendants remaining in Franklin. From all these sources the testimony is abundant that the rebels lost 6 general officers killed, 6 wounded, and 1 captured; that they buried 1,800 men on the field, and that 3,800 were wounded. The number of prisoners captured by this corps was 702. Thus, without estimating the prisoners taken by any part of the Fourth Corps, or the stragglers and deserters, who are known to have been numerous, the enemy's loss was not less than 6,300. The attack was made by Stewart's and Cheatham's corps of Hood's army, Lee's corps being in reserve, and it is only repeating what is proven by the concurrent testimony of all officers and men of the rebel army who were captured, when I assert that the two assaulting corps were so weakened in numbers and broken in morale in this engagement as to lose for the rest of the campaign the formidable character as opponents which these veteran soldiers had before maintained. Their remarkable loss in general officers attests sufficiently the desperate efforts to break our lines and the heroic bravery of our own troops, who repulsed their repeated assaults.

1 beg leave to refer to the brigade and division reports, forwarded herewith, for special mention of officers and men who particularly distinguished themselves. I will here notice, however, the gallant conduct of Col. Thomas J. Henderson, of the One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers, commander of the Third Brigade, Third Division, who, although so ill in the morning as to be obliged to transfer the brigade command to Colonel Stiles, could not remain absent from the field and was particularly noticeable by his efforts to encourage the men and direct their fire throughout the heat of the engagement. Lieut. James Coughlan, of the Twenty-fourth Kentucky Volunteers, my aide-de-camp, was instantly killed while assisting to rally the men at the center during the confusion incident to the first assault. He was a young officer of peculiar promise, his intelligence and zeal being rarely matched; his loss is a severe one to the army as well as to me personally. I beg leave also to make special mention of Maj. T. T. Dow, acting assistant inspector-general, upon my staff, and Lieuts. E. E. Tracy and D. C. Bradley, my aides, whose activity and courage were conspicuous in rallying the troops at the critical time referred to.

Among the trophies of the battle are twenty-two battle-flags captured from the enemy, of which eighteen were taken by Reilly's brigade, of the Third Division.

The transmission of this report has been delayed by reason of waiting for reports of subordinate commanders, and the whole are now submitted.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. D. COX,     

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

 Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Ohio.

_______________

* Only three mentioned in the context. But Bridges’ report (p. 320) adds the Twentieth Ohio.

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. 348-56