Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 107. Report of Lieut. Col. Edward Maynard, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 107.

Report of Lieut. Col. Edward Maynard, Sixth Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. SIXTH REGT. EAST TENNESSEE VOL. INFANTRY,                       

In the Field, December 22, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to circular just received from headquarters First Brigade, I beg leave to submit the following as a report of the operations of this regiment on the 15th and 16th instant:

In accordance with instructions received from Brigadier-General Cooper, commanding First Brigade, tents were struck at 5 a.m. on the 15th, and breakfast over, the regiment was formed in order of march at 5.30 a.m. At about 8 a.m. took up the line of march from our encampment on the Franklin pike near Nashville, following the One hundred and thirtieth Indiana Volunteers, and crossed to the Hardin pike. We moved out from the defenses of the city on that pike, and were at once formed in line of battle on left of First Brigade. From this point we were moved forward to a dirt road intersecting the Hillsborough and Hardin pikes. In this road we lay until about 1 p.m.; we then moved to the right by the flank until we passed a fort on the right of the Hillsborough pike about six miles from Nashville, which a portion of our cavalry force had occupied a few moments before. At this place formed in order of battle again, and moved across the Hillsborough pike. We had proceeded nearly half a mile when the enemy opened upon us with artillery from a high point three-quarters of a mile in front of us. A charge was ordered and we moved on the rebel artillery at the run. As we approached the hill we discovered that a body of the enemy's infantry lodged behind a stone wall to our left was raking that flank. The direction of the movement was changed to the left, and we conducted our operations against the wall. As the men were already jaded I ordered them to halt behind a rail fence near the wall and unsling knapsacks. This having been done, we charged the wall, took it, and crossed it, where 150 prisoners surrendered to us, and were immediately sent to the rear. The charge was continued nearly half a mile beyond, resulting in capturing about fifty rebels, and was stopped because worn down by the race. My loss in the charge and during the day was 1 man killed and 9 wounded. After we reformed we took position on a wooded hill between the Hillsborough and Granny White pikes about seven miles from Nashville, and during the night of the 15th threw up a temporary line of works. During the night threw out a picket in my front and held one.third of the regiment under arms. On the 16th instant we lay at rest in these works until about 4 p.m. At that time we moved out and formed in a corn-field in rear of the position from which the enemy had just been dislodged, to the left of the Granny White pike. Moved across that pike and about half a mile toward the Franklin pike, and bivouacked for the night.

The following is a list of killed and wounded on the 15th instant.*

I owe it to all the officers and all the men to say that our success is owed during each day to their courage, coolness, and prompt obedience.

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

EDWARD MAYNARD,      

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Sixth Regiment East Tennessee Volunteers.

Capt. T. C. HONNELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 men killed and 8 men wounded.

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. 377-8

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 106. Reports of Maj. Rhadamanthus H. Dunn and Col. William Cross, Third Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

No. 106.

Reports of Maj. Rhadamanthus H. Dunn and Col. William Cross, Third Tennessee Infantry, of operations December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. THIRD TENNESSEE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,       

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

Official report of the operations of the Third Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry in the engagement near Nashville, Tenn., on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864:

At 6 a.m. on the 15th day of December I moved my regiment west from where I was encamped, on the Franklin pike, near Nashville, Tenn., until I struck the Hardin pike, where I passed through the outer line of fortifications surrounding Nashville, and formed my regiment in order of battle, my regiment forming the center of the right wing of the First Brigade. After forming I was ordered forward about half a mile, where the line was halted and lay down, during which time there was a heavy cannonading going on between our forces and the enemy. About 2.30 p.m. I received orders to move to the right and form on the right of the line, then forming the front line. I accordingly moved my regiment forward and to the right. After I had moved to the place to which I was ordered and had my command formed, fronting east, the command “forward” was given. After marching quarter of a mile in line I halted my command a short time near a large field, on the opposite side of which the enemy was posted on commanding points. Soon the command "forward" was given. My command moved forward in order of battle, and half way across the field the enemy opened directly in my front with artillery, when my command moved forward at double-quick time without orders, I having orders to move only at quick time. I then used my utmost endeavor to halt my command, or to bring them to move at the time I was ordered, which I succeeded in doing, and then moved on a short distance, when I ordered my command forward at double-quick time. There was a small force of dismounted cavalry in my front. My command moved forward with or near to the cavalry force, and both the cavalry and my command reached the enemy's position at or near the same time, driving the enemy in confusion and capturing the two pieces of artillery they had posted at this point. I then reformed my command and moved forward at double-quick, charging and driving the enemy from the second point some 300 yards from the first point gained. I then halted and again reformed my command. Here I received orders from General Cooper to hold my command in line on the top of the last hill gained until the command on the left established the line, my command at this time being the right of the brigade and the only regiment that had established the line on the last-named position. Shortly after this (it being about 5 p.m.) I received orders to throw up works in front of my command. Accordingly, as soon as I could obtain tools, I did so, and remained in this position for the night, throwing out a skirmish line, covering my front, according to orders.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. H. DUNN,            

Major, Commanding Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.

December 16, I remained in position of last night until about 3 p.m., when I received orders to move forward at double-quick in support of a brigade of the Sixteenth Army Corps, which charged and drove the enemy in confusion, after which I halted, and reformed my command as the right of the First Brigade. I then moved forward about a mile in order of battle, and halted, furnishing one commissioned officer and twenty-five enlisted men for picket, and rested for the night.

The casualties of my command are as follows.*

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM CROSS,  

Colonel Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 men killed and 8 men wounded.

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. 376-7

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 101. Reports of Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Cooper, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 24—December 8 and December 15-16, 1864.

No. 101.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Cooper, U.S. Army, commanding First Brigade, of operations November 24 — December 8 and December 15-16, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,   

Near Waynesborough, Tenn., January 7, 1865.

LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, from the 24th day of November, 1864, to the 8th day of December, 1864, inclusive:

On the evening of November 23 I received orders from Major-General Thomas to march my brigade and the Sixth Michigan Battery to Centerville, and guard the ford at that place and Beard's Ferry, five or ten miles above. I procured transportation from Captain Howland, assistant quartermaster, at Johnsonville, and marched on the morning of the 24th via Waverly and arrived at Centerville on the evening of the 27th, when I left two regiments — One hundred and thirtieth Indiana and Ninety-ninth Ohio — to guard the fords at Centerville, and moved with the remainder of my command to Beard's Ferry, which I found to be fifteen miles distant, the nearest road I could go. I found the country infested with guerrillas, who hung upon my flanks and advance and rear guard. I reached Beard's Ferry on the evening of the 28th, and immediately reported to General Ruger, commanding Second Division. I remained at Beard's Ferry until the morning of the 30th, when I received orders from General Ruger (dated November 29) to march to Franklin. I immediately sent orders to the two regiments at Centreville to join me at Killough's, five miles from Beard's Ferry. I marched to Killough's on the 30th and awaited the remainder of the brigade.

At 2 o'clock on the 1st of December I received a dispatch from General Thomas to march on the Nashville and Centerville road, and cross the Harpeth River at the Widow De Moss'. I immediately moved forward and crossed the Harpeth River over the iron bridge on the Hardin pike on the evening of December 2. I learned during the day from rebel deserters that our forces had fallen back from Franklin and Hood's army was probably on the road between me and Nashville, but I moved forward toward Nashville until I reached a high hill eight miles from the city, where I could distinctly see the enemy's camp-fires on both sides of the road between me and Nashville. I then reversed the order of march and moved across to the Charlotte pike, marching all night, and recrossed the Harpeth River at daylight on the morning of the 3d. I reached Clarksville on the evening of the 5th, and remained there until the morning of the 7th, when I moved on the dirt road toward Nashville, and arrived there on the evening of the 8th, making in all a distance of 210 miles.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

 JOSEPH A. COOPER,        

 Brigadier-General of Volunteers.

Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,

Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, 23d Army Corps.

_______________

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,   

Near Columbia, Tenn., December 23, 1864.

SIR: In obedience to orders from division headquarters I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, in the engagement near Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instant:

In obedience to orders the brigade was in line ready to march at 5.30 a.m. of the 15th, but did not move until 8 a.m. I moved out in advance of the division on the Hardin pike, and formed line of battle on the left of that pike at right angles with the pike, facing west of south. I then moved forward in line of battle about three-quarters of a mile, throwing forward the right until the brigade faced east of south. Nothing of importance occurred until 1 p.m., when I was ordered to form on the right of General Smith, commanding Sixteenth Corps. I moved by the right flank until I passed General Smith's right, and then moved briskly forward to support the dismounted cavalry, who gallantly charged a strong position of the rebels in our front, and captured a number of prisoners and some artillery. I continued to move forward directly across the Hillsborough pike, until in passing through an open field the enemy opened with artillery and musketry from a high hill in our immediate front. As soon as the rebel battery opened the men, without waiting for orders, commenced cheering and rushed forward, charging up the hill at double-quick. The lines were necessarily much broken, owing to the extreme difficulty of climbing the hill, but the men rushed forward as best they could and soon gained the top of the hill, and captured three pieces of artillery and a number of prisoners. As we charged up the hill the enemy opened on us with musketry from a stone wall on our left flank, which enfiladed our entire line, and the Sixth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry changed direction to the left, and charged the wall and captured about 150 prisoners, who were sent to the rear. The brigade took position on the crest of a hill, connecting with Colonel Moore, commanding Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, on the left, but without any connection on the right. The enemy still occupied a high hill on my right, and I refused the right of the brigade to protect that flank, and put out skirmishers and commenced building a line of works. Colonel Mehringer, commanding Third Brigade, joined on my right during the night, and connected his line of works with mine. In obedience to orders I sent two regiments — One hundred and thirtieth Indiana and Ninety-ninth Ohio — to build a line of works on the right of Colonel Mehringer's brigade, and sent a detail of 100 men to build a fort on the right of my brigade. I kept strengthening my works during the night, and kept one-third of the command in line all of the time.

On the morning of the 16th I found the enemy strongly intrenched on a hill in my immediate front. Shots were exchanged between my skirmishers and those of the enemy, but without loss to us. The brigade was not otherwise engaged during this day. After the charge made by the Sixteenth Corps I moved forward in line of battle, as ordered, until I crossed the Granny White pike, where I camped for the night.

The officers, without exception, and the men, with few exceptions, behaved gallantly.

The following are the casualties of each regiment in the brigade:

Command.	Killed.	Wounded.
26th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry	2	44
6th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry	1	9
3d Tennessee Volunteer Infantry	3	8
99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry		7
130th Indiana Volunteer Infantry	1	9
25th Michigan Volunteer Infantry		5
Total	7	82

All of which is respectfully submitted.

JOSEPH A. COOPER,         

Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Brigade.

Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,

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. 370-2