Showing posts with label James W Reilly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James W Reilly. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 130. Reports of Lieut. Col. Laurence H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry, of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 130.

Reports of Lieut. Col. Laurence H. Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry,
of operations November 30 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. TWELFTH KENTUCKY VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,        
Nashville, Tenn., December 7, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to order just received, the operations of the Twelfth Kentucky Infantry at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th of November, as follows:

My regiment was exceedingly fatigued by recent fighting and marching, when about noon of the 30th of November we marched into Franklin, and were assigned our position on the left of the Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, both regiments, as was also the Eighth Tennessee Infantry, being in reserve to the remainder of the brigade. The space of time between our arrival and the engagement of the 30th was employed in cooking and sleeping, the men being sadly in need of both food and rest. When it became evident that the enemy was determined to attack I moved my regiment, by order of General Reilly, under shelter of the slight but steep ascent upon which the line of works in our immediate front was built. Our position was at this time in rear about fifty paces of the extreme left of the brigade. The assault commenced a very few minutes after I had made this move. I had my men in readiness to move to any point the instant I should receive orders. After remaining in this position a very short period I observed the line of works at and near the old cotton-gin in the angle of the line being abandoned by our troops; seeing the danger, and well knowing the disastrous consequences that would follow if the enemy should gain the works at this point, I ordered my regiment on my own responsibility forward to the works. Upon our arrival at that point I found a sufficient extent of the line abandoned into which to throw my whole regiment. The enemy had possession of the outside of the works, their officers calling on them to hold the works, “that they had them, if they knew it.” Their colors were planted on our works, and a number of their men had gained the top and fired down into our ranks; even bayonets and clubbed muskets were used. After a severe struggle we gave the enemy a check, and our line was becoming stronger and stronger every moment by the return of those who had at first abandoned them.

To hold the works after this crisis against the assaults which were again and again made was a task comparatively easy. When the repulse was finally completed, and a skirmish line was ordered out in front, a portion of my men were sent out, and the regiment was ordered back to the position it occupied at the beginning of the assault. Some little time before we withdrew across the river a detail of twenty men, with non-commissioned officers and a captain, was called for, which I furnished; immediately after I furnished two companies to report to Colonel Hayes, commanding the One hundredth Ohio, at his own request, to enable him to hold his portion of his line, against which the enemy was making repeated assaults.

The fatigues which my regiment had to undergo were of the severest kind. My men were without rest and sleep four nights in succession, having performed fatigue and picket duty in very heavy details, fought until midnight at Columbia on the 29th, marched to Franklin by noon of the 30th, fought until 11 o'clock the night of the 30th, and then marched to this place.

In regard to the conduct of the officers of my regiment, I deem it unnecessary to make any remark; they all did their duty to the fullest extent. But I would beg leave to mention particularly the conspicuous bravery and coolness of Capt. John Travis, Company B, acting major; Thomas Speed, adjutant; Captains Brown, Company D, Crozier, Company O, and Lieut. J. B. Francis, Company I, and Lieut. D. Gray, Company L These all I saw myself, and can bear testimony to their valuable service.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
 L. H. ROUSSEAU,              
 Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Regiment.
Lieutenant STEARNS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
_______________

HDQRS. TWELFTH KENTUCKY VETERAN VOL. INFANTRY,        
Near Spring Hill, Tenn., December 22, 1864.

I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry, in front of Nashville, on the 15th and 16th December, 1864:

Early on the morning of the 15th my regiment was withdrawn from the line of Works it had occupied on the right of the Franklin pike, and massed with the brigade in rear of the position the brigade had occupied. During the greater portion of the day, being in reserve, we remained inactive, merely moving in mass with the troops that were held in reserve. It was late in the afternoon, when apparently the flank movement to the right was completed, that we first came in contact with the enemy. This was when the First Brigade moved up in line to support the troops on the right of the Second Division, who were very briskly engaged. It was almost dark when we closed up to within a few paces of the rear, and were ordered to lie down and shelter ourselves behind the crest of the hill. In this position we remained perhaps two hours, when the troops in our front moved to the left, and we were ordered to advance to the crest of this hill and build works. The portion of the line occupied by my regiment in this position was the summit of the elevation, with the right refused to about a perpendicular to the left wing. In this position we threw up very secure works, which proved to be of great benefit on the next day. The morning of the 16th showed us that we were in very close proximity to the enemy, as we learned afterward by actual measurement only 400 yards from their line of works built the night previous. Until about 3 p.m. we remained in our works, sheltered from sharpshooting, which was very brisk. We annoyed the enemy to a considerable extent ourselves, and prevented their using a battery of four guns upon us, which was planted in our immediate front, and also prevented their removing it, when they attempted to do so. About 3 p.m. we received orders to charge the enemy's works. At the command my men moved out promptly, though in consequence of the right being refused to the rear, that portion of the regiment was unable to move with the left wing; however, being very energetically urged forward by Captain Travis, it was brought up very promptly. The enemy gave us several very severe volleys at first, but upon the whole made very feeble resistance. We went into their works and found we had captured 4 pieces of artillery, each with a limber-chest full of ammunition, 51 prisoners, and 40 intrenching tools, besides a considerable number of small-arms, which I neglected to have gathered up until too late, and found that some other troops had removed them.

In the operations of the two days my loss was small, only 5 men slightly wounded.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. H. ROUSSEAU,   
Lieut. Col., Comdg. Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
 Capt. J. H. BROWN,
Acting 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. 415-7

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 128. Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 30, 1864.

No. 128.

Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade,
of operations November 30, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,       
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to report the operations of the First Brigade-composed of the One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. O. W. Sterl; One hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. E. L. Hayes; Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. J. S. White; Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. L. H. Rousseau, and Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Capt. J. W. Berry — in battle of 30th ultimo at Franklin, Tenn.

The brigade was placed in position on the right of the division, on left of Columbia pike, facing south, or nearly so, the right of the brigade resting on pike, the left connecting with the Second Brigade. Owing to the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Veteran Infantry being rear guard upon the evacuation of position on north side of Duck River, near Columbia, on evening of 29th ultimo, they did not reach Franklin for some considerable time after the other portion of command, in consequence of which the brigade was formed with One hundredth Ohio Infantry on right, One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry on left, with Eighth Tennessee Infantry in reserve. The first line of the brigade, immediately upon being placed in position, commenced intrenching, and succeeded in getting up an ordinary line of works, with head-logs. Upon the arrival of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky Infantry, about 10 a.m., they were put in reserve. The brigade had strong line of skirmishers thrown well forward. At about 4.30 p.m. the enemy were discovered approaching in strong force upon a portion of the Fourth Corps, in front of brigade; the advance was rapid, the troops remaining until the enemy were in such close proximity to them before they retired, that the enemy's heavy assaulting columns pushed them back rapidly over our line of works, the enemy following closely and determinedly.

The officers of my command and myself were using our utmost to prevent our men from firing until all of our own men could succeed in getting into the works. This, with the enemy pushing close after, and in some cases with our own men on the works, caused a momentary abandonment of the line by a portion of the right of the brigade. The line was rapidly rallied by their officers and with the assistance of the Sixteenth Kentucky, that at this moment led by Lieutenant-Colonel White, who, seeing and appreciating the disaster that would be caused if our line should be broken, gallantly ordered and led his regiment forward to the breach before orders to that effect could reach him. That portion of the enemy who had gained inside our works were either killed or taken prisoners. The enemy made various and continued assaults upon the line, but were each time repulsed with fearful slaughter. Every inch of the works was held, both inside and outside, until the brigade was ordered to fall back. The One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel McCoy, was ordered up, or at least came up, gallantly and nobly, and mingled with our men in rear of the works during the remainder of the fight. The Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Col. John Russell, was ordered up, and right nobly did they come and render valuable services. The Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Rousseau, in reserve in rear of the One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry, pushed his men forward to the works and did valuable service.

It is proper for me to say that, with the exception of the aid rendered by the One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as herein stated, the brigade received no assistance during the fight, unless, perhaps, some of the men coming in over the works may have rallied in or behind the lines.

I cannot in justice but mention the efficiency and bravery of Col. O. W. Sterl, and also that of Lieut. Col. E. L. Hayes, who, with his regiment, particularly distinguished themselves.

Lieutenant-Colonels White and Rousseau have already been mentioned. In fact, the regimental officers and men of the brigade nobly sustained the reputation earned on other fields, to which the flags captured, some twenty, the number of prisoners taken, the almost unparalleled slaughter of the enemy in front of their works, the casualty list, all bear ample and indisputable evidence.

I herewith forward a list of the casualties in the brigade.

Among the many brave men killed I regret to report Capt. H. D. Palmer, Sixteenth Kentucky; Capt. W. W. Hunt, One hundredth Ohio; Lieut. W. F. Kemble, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. M. A. Brown, One hundredth Ohio Infantry; Lieut. J. J. Hiser, Sixteenth Kentucky, and Lieut. F. M. Jackman, Twelfth Kentucky Veteran Infantry. Among the wounded, Lieut. Col. J. S. White, Sixteenth Kentucky; Lieutenants Markley, Brown, and Wood, Sixteenth Kentucky; Lieut. S.S. Cope, One hundred and fourth Ohio; Lieut. H. Obee, One hundredth Ohio; and Lieut. G. W. Clarke, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.

My staff officers performed their duties bravely and efficiently. I regret to report that Capt. D. D. Bard, my assistant adjutant-general, was mortally wounded whilst fearlessly discharging his duty.

I would respectfully call attention to the reports of regimental commanders as to individual acts of bravery by officers and enlisted men that would more properly come under their notice.

The reports, no far as received, are herewith forwarded.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
 J. W. REILLY,         
 Brigadier-General, Commanding.
_______________

List of casualties in First Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps,
at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864.

Command.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Total.
Aggregate.
O
M
O
M
O
M
O
M
8th Tennessee.



5

2

7
7
12th Kentucky.
1
5

26
1
12
2
43
45
16th Kentucky.
2
8
4
38

9
6
55
61
100th Ohio
2
5
1
26

31
3
62
65
104th Ohio
1
9
2
28

15
3
51
54
Total
6
27
7
123
1
69
14
218
232

[O = Officers     M = Men]

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
 J. W. REILLY,         
 Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
Capt. THEO. COX,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Div., 23d Army Corps.
_______________

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,                      
Nashville, Tenn., December 3, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I herewith have the honor to report nine battle-flags captured at Franklin, on the 30th ultimo, by First Brigade, including two captured by the One hundred and seventy-fifth Ohio. There were twenty in all captured, but many were torn up and sent home by the privates, and some others were lost.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
 J. W. REILLY,         
 Brigadier-General, Commanding.
 Capt. THEO. Cox,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Div., 23d Army Corps.

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. 411-3

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 127. Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding Third Division, of operations November 30, 1864.

No. 127.

Report of Brig. Gen. James W. Reilly, U.S. Army, commanding Third Division,
of operations November 30, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,                      
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

SIR: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to report the operations of Third Division in battle of Franklin, on the 30th ultimo, I being temporarily in command thereof, General Cox commanding corps.

The division reached Franklin about 5.30 a.m. of the 30th ultimo, and about 7 a.m. were placed in position on the extreme left of the army, and between the Columbia pike and Harpeth River, connecting on right with Second Division of corps, the left resting at or near ——— River, facing southerly and southeasterly. The brigades of the division were in the following order: First Brigade, the right; Second Brigade, Colonel Casement, in center; Third Brigade, Colonel Stiles (in temporary command), on left. The division was substantially formed in two lines. The first line of the division, as soon as placed in position, threw up an ordinary line of rifle-pits, with head-logs, and in some cases abatis was placed in front of works.

As to the conduct of officers and, privates of the division during the many assaults made by the enemy on our line, commencing at or near 4.30 p.m., and continuing at intervals until after dark, I would most respectfully refer to the reports of brigade commanders herewith forwarded.

A compiled list of casualties in the command is hereto appended. The meagerness of this report will not require excuse to my superior officers, who are familiar with the circumstances under which it is made.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

J. W. REILLY,          
Brigadier-General, Commanding Third Division at Franklin.

Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox, Commanding Twenty-third Army Corps.

List of casualties Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, November 30, 1864.

Command.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Total.
Aggregate
O
M
O
M
O
M
O
M
First Brigade.









8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.



5

2

7
7
12th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.
1
5

26
1
12
2
43
45
16th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
2
8
4
38

9
6
55
61
100th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
2
5
1
26

31
3
62
65
104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1
9
2
28

15
3
51
54
Total
6
27
7
123
1
69
14
218
232










Second Brigade.









65th Indiana Volunteer Infantry

1

5



6
6
l24th Indiana Volunteer Infantry

1
1
4


1
5
6
65th Illinois Volunteer Infantry.



1



1
1
5th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry

1

5



6
6
Total

3
1
15


1
18
19










Third Brigade.









112th Illinois Volunteer Infantry

2
4
11

9
4
22
26
120th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
1
5

28

11
1
44
45
63d Indiana Volunteer Infantry.

2

4



6
6
128th Indiana Volunteer Infantry.
2

1
3
1

4
3
7
Total
3
9
5
46
1
20
9
75
84










Total Third Division
9
39
13
184
2
89
24
311
335

[ O = Officers, M = Men]

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. 410-1