Passing on through
Shelbyville, crossing Duck River, we went into camps on its bank in sight of
town, in Bedford County, twenty-five miles from Murfreesboro, where we remained
until
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 135
Our battalion
crossed the Tennessee River on the railroad bridge at Decatur, and went into
camps about one mile west of town. The artillery and wagons of our division
(Crittenden's), being loaded about two miles from the river, were brought over
on the cars. Distance from Athens to Decatur, fourteen miles; from Murfreesboro
to Decatur, one hundred and three miles.
Crittenden's Division
remained near Decatur, in Morgan County, for several days.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 136-7
Commenced
skirmishing early, falling back slowly; fought through Triune and beyond Mr.
Perkins. Rained on us all day. After passing Mr. P's, we took up line of march,
came up three miles and turned off for Murfreesboro. I stopped and spent the
night in a kitchen; came on Sunday 28th and overtook the Regiment. M. Met the
wagons, unloaded them days' rations, but were ordered to meet the Yankees. A
false alarm. Staid out until near midnight. Came back to where we left the
wagons but they were not there.
We came in five
miles of and prepared to cook three saddle up and get out to
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Sh elby
Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 5
Went out this
morning to the end of the Wilkerson pike. Met the Yankees and skirmished with
them all day, falling back gradually. Their cavalry charged us once but paid
dear for it. A number of prisoners were taken. We fell back to our infantry
this evening.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby
Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 5
Rained to-day; all
quiet till evening; fight then opened between the infantry and continued until
dark.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby
Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 5
The great day of
battle commenced at daylight and raged heavily all along the line until 3
o'clock. Yanks drove back four miles. Our Boys took in prisoners by the
hundreds. Captured twelve cannon and during the day about 2000 prisoners, 160
odd beeves, some wagons, etc.
SOURCE: Ephraim
Shelby Dodd, Diary of Ephraim Shelby
Dodd: Member of Company D Terry's Texas Rangers, p. 5
McNairy's
Battalion took up the line of March again, following the division in the
direction of Murfreesboro. As it rained nearly all day, and brother Ben was
unwell, he and I remained at one Mr. Coffee's, where we had been boarding for
several days.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 133
I
left home* to rejoin the battalion near Murfreesboro. After a ride of nineteen
miles I, with several others of Allison's Company, stopped for the night with
Colonel E. S. Smith's Battalion, within two miles of Murfreesboro.
I
will here pause to make a few remarks in reference. to the movements of the
Confederates at other points.
Fort
Henry, on the Tennessee River, fell into the hands of the Federals on February
6th. General Grant, making Fort Henry his base of operations, moved against
Fort Donelson on the Cumberland River.
General
Buckner, with about nine thousand five hundred rank and file, surrendered the
latter place to Grant on the 16th.
About
this time the Confederates at Bowling Green, Kentucky, fell back to Nashville
before General Buell. By the 23d the last of the Confederate troops evacuated
the latter place, falling back to Murfreesboro.
Nashville
was formally surrendered by the Mayor to General Buell on the 25th of February.
So
I found quite a number of infantry, cavalry and artillery at Murfreesboro under
the command of General Albert Sidney Johnston.
That
portion of Johnston's army which was now with him at Murfreesboro, and known as
the Central Army, was composed of three divisions, commanded respectively by
Major-Generals Hardee, Crittenden and Pillow, and one "reserve"
brigade under Brigadier-General Breckinridge. Each division was composed of two
brigades, making a total of seven brigades.
Bennett's
Battalion, which was afterward consolidated with McNairy's, belonged to
Hindman's Brigade and Hardee's Division.
_______________
*The
last time I saw home until June 3d, 1865.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 133-4
We
rejoined our battalion at Black's Shop, seven miles from Murfreesboro, on the
Lebanon pike. We were ordered to hunt quarters for the night, as we still had
no tents.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 134
On
reassembling the battalion drew five tents to each company, and put them up at
Black's Shop.
Hearing
that the Federals were about five miles south of Nashville and still advancing
toward Murfreesboro, the battalion moved out about eight miles in the direction
of the former place. Hearing that about one thousand Confederate cavalry were
three miles in advance of us, we turned and went back to camps at Black's Shop.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 134-5
Crittenden's
Division, to which McNairy's Battalion still belonged, took up the line of
march again for Corinth Mississippi. Passing on through Murfreesboro, we went
into camps about ten miles beyond, on the Shelbyville pike. Johnston also put
the rest of his command in motion southward.
SOURCE:
Richard R. Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second
Tennessee Confederate Cavalry, p. 135
By daylight all of
Colonel Statham's Brigade had crossed Caney Fork except a few wagons. Before
night General Carroll's Brigade, except two regiments (Stanton's1
and Murray's, that were yet behind), had crossed. Four companies of McNairy's
Battalion were still on the east side of Caney Fork waiting for those other two
regiments.
Seven regiments of
Crittenden's Division had crossed and moved out in the direction of Nashville
by the way of Lebanon. Allison's company was still boarding among the citizens
near Trousdale's Ferry.
The following
explains itself:
HEADQUARTERS Western DEPARTMENT,
Edgefield, February 17th, 1862.
Major-General
Crittenden, Commanding Chestnut Mound:
General
Johnston directs you to move your command to Murfreesboro (instead of
Nashville) without delay. Press all the wagons you need. Fort Donelson has
fallen, and General Floyd's army is captured after a gallant defense.
Respectfully,
W. W. MACKALL.2
_______________
1 Stanton belonged to Statham's Brigade.
2 Rebellion
Records, Vol. VII., p. 889.
SOURCE: Richard R.
Hancock, Hancock's Diary: Or, A History of the Second Tennessee
Confederate Cavalry, p. 132-3
General Johnston
directs you to move your command to Murfreesborough (instead of Nashville)
without delay. Press all the wagons you need. Fort Donelson has fallen, and General
Floyd's army is captured after a gallant defense.
SOURCE: The
War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and
Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 7 (Serial No. 7), p. 889
To-day we have another beautiful Sabbath. The boys are engaged in cleaning up guns for inspection, and as we are not in the immediate vicinity of the enemy, and have no hope of marching orders, we may expect a day of comparative idleness, which is more to be dreaded than any hardship that could be imposed, as it disposes the men to immoral practices to kill time. In two hours at least half of us will be playing cards, while a few, true to the principles of religion instilled into their hearts in times past, will be reading their Bibles, or engaged in other devotional exercises. The news of the defeat of our army in Tennessee [Murfreesboro] has created quite an excitement in our camp, as nearly all of the soldiers here are from that State. We are impatient for orders to go to the defense of our own homes, and some of the men say they will go whether they get orders or not. As yet, however, good order and discipline have prevailed, and I believe will to the end.
No. 256.
COLONEL: Your communication dated Selma, October 23, was received by me on the 12th instant. In answer to inquiries which it contained, and for the information of the lieutenant-general commanding, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 1st of October ultimo, of copy of General Orders, No. 118, from department headquarters, dated September 24, 1864, defining the territorial limits of the District of North Alabama and assigning me to command of the same. Since the receipt of this order, my reports and other official communications have been forwarded to department headquarters with as much promptness and regularity as circumstances would allow. The presence of the Army of Tennessee in my district, and the necessity which has existed since its arrival for me to communicate and co-operate with General Hood, has prevented my communicating with department headquarters as frequently as I could have desired. The condition of affairs in the extreme northeastern portion of my district, and the nature of information recently received from General Hood, have rendered it necessary that the whole of my available force should be concentrated at a point somewhat remote from the present terminus of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad and other established means of communicating with department headquarters. The following statements will explain more fully the present condition of my command:
About the first of the present month I was directed by General Hood to destroy that part of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad between Decatur and Stevenson. To do this it became necessary for me to move a portion of my troops from Cherokee and vicinity. I had already received orders from General Beauregard to rebuild the railroad from Cherokee to Tuscumbia, and one regiment of my command had been employed on this work before General Hood arrived in the district.
On the 5th instant I was again directed by General Hood to destroy the Memphis and Charleston Railroad to Stevenson, and the Nashville and Chattanooga road from Stevenson to Murfreesborough, Tenn. To carry out these instructions I have been compelled to withdraw such of my troops as were stationed in the vicinity of Corinth and at Grand Junction and transfer them to the new field of operations, which is being done as rapidly as possible, in view of the great extent of territory over which they had been distributed.
I have already two regiments and a battalion beyond Decatur watching the movements of a considerable force of the enemy which appeared at Paint Rock Station, on the Memphis and Charleston Railroad, about the 5th instant, my object being to hold them in check until the remainder of my troops can be brought up. As soon as this is done I shall endeavor to drive this force from the line of the railroad and complete its destruction, as directed by General Hood. From the best information I can obtain the enemy is endeavoring to hold the road from Paint Rock to Stevenson, a distance of about fifty miles, with a force made up of the troops recently employed to garrison Decatur, Huntsville, Cowan's Station, and Decherd, and a small force from Chattanooga. There are also at least five gun-boats on the river above Decatur. From these, however, I anticipate but little inconvenience I succeeded on the morning of the 12th instant, after an engagement of less than an hour, in driving back three gun-boats that appeared at Decatur. I had with me at the time only a section of smooth-bore six-pounder guns and a few sharpshooters. I shall probably be able to employ guns of heavier caliber and longer range in case another opportunity for engaging them occurs.
Two engines and twenty-eight freight-cars were captured by my troops on the 2d instant near Huntsville. These are now running between Huntsville, Athens, and Decatur. The repairs on the road between Cherokee and Decatur are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible, and by the time they are completed I hope to have succeeded in getting the captured engines across the river. Boats suitable for this purpose are now being constructed. General Hood expects to have the road from near Nashville to Pulaski in running order very soon, and every effort will be made by me to have the road from Cherokee to Decatur put in order at once. The railroad iron referred to in your communication as being needed for the repairing of one of the roads near Meridian, cannot now be procured between Tuscumbia and Decatur. It can be taken, however, from the road east of Huntsville, provided the necessity of which you speak still exists. A considerable time must elapse, though, before the iron can be sent from Decatur.
My present purpose is to move from Huntsville on the 20th instant with my whole available force (which, leaving out one regiment to be left at Decatur, is about 1,500 men) on Murfreesborough by the way of Stevenson. In the event of my penetrating as far as Murfreesborough my command will, I presume, be deemed by General Hood as under his orders and subject to his control. I shall endeavor, however, to keep the lieutenant-general commanding advised of my movements, &c.
Before concluding I desire to call the attention of the department commander to certain matters touching the condition of affairs in portions of my district. I regret to state that recent developments have established the fact of the existence of a large amount of disaffection and disloyalty in that portion of the district lying north of the Tennessee River and recently in the possession of the enemy. This feeling has manifested itself since the removal of General Hood's army in acts of violence against the persons and property of loyal citizens. Murders, robberies, and arson have been of frequent occurrence in various parts of the district, and I am convinced that the interests of our cause and the safety of the loyal people of the district demand the immediate adoption of vigorous measures toward such persons as may engage in or connive at the commission of outrages of the kind above alluded to. The removal of my troops in the direction already indicated will, it is feared, be taken advantage of by disloyal persons, and result in loss of life and property to such as have been heretofore protected by the presence of an armed force. It is my purpose before going to Huntsville to make a few examples, which, I trust, will have a salutary effect; and I would urge upon the lieutenant-general commanding the adoption of such measures as may suggest themselves to him as conducive to the end in view. The organization of the reserves in the counties north of the Tennessee River, and increased vigilance and energy on the part of conscript officers and officers in charge of “supporting force," cannot be too strongly urged. You may feel assured that I shall omit no effort to secure an efficient co-operation on the part of my command with the Army of Tennessee. I have established and will continue to keep up regular communication with General Hood's army by means of couriers, though the necessity of doing so has occasioned me serious inconvenience, in reducing the available strength of my command. I hope soon to establish telegraphic communication with the army by the way of Decatur and Athens.
In view of the imperfect condition of the mail arrangements on the lines of railroad between Cherokee and Meridian, I would suggest the propriety of sending special messengers with dispatches, &c., or the adoption of such other measures as will secure their prompt transmission.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
No. 255.
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,
[ 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.
SIR: Your order to me of the 10th instant to join General Zollicoffer immediately with all my armed force reached me last night. I immediately set about making the necessary arrangements to carry the same into effect, as indeed I had been doing for some days previous, under instructions from General Zollicoffer himself. A portion if not all of my command would now have been on the march for General Zollicoffer's present position but for the unsettled condition of affairs in East Tennessee, together with other obstacles that I have been utterly unable to overcome, though I have made every possible exertion to that effect, but as yet without success.
In justice to myself I feel that I may very properly lay before you the nature and extent of the embarrassments under which I have labored ever since I assumed my present command. When the President did me the honor to appoint me a brigadier-general in the Provisional Army I confidently expected to have had my entire brigade thoroughly armed within twenty days at furthest from that time, as I have taken every precaution to secure sufficient arms for that purpose while raising and organizing the regiments which I now have the honor to command. Early in the month of September I procured about 2,000 ordinary country rifles, and placed them in the Government armories at Memphis, Nashville, and Murfreesborough. In order to have them altered—made of uniform length and caliber, and fitted with a sword-bayonet. At that time I was assured by the armory officers at those places that these guns would be repaired and ready for use by the middle of October. On the 26th of that month you telegraphed to them to lay aside all other guns and put their whole force at work upon mine. This they informed me they did; but when I received your orders of the 3d of November to advance to this place and report to General Zollicoffer not a single gun had been completed.
The indications of an extensive outbreak in East Tennessee at that time were so alarming, that I deemed it unsafe to move my command through that country wholly unarmed. I therefore made application in every direction for guns of any description, to serve me until my own should be ready for use. I finally, after much annoyance, succeeded in getting from the arsenal at Memphis about 400 flint-lock muskets, rifles, and double-barreled shot-guns. With these, imperfect and almost worthless as they were, I advanced to Chattanooga, and halted my forces for a few days, for the purpose of dispersing the different bands of traitors who were gathering in that vicinity. This object being accomplished, I moved on to this point. When I reached here I found a general feeling of alarm and uneasiness prevailing throughout the surrounding country. Information every day reached me from all points that recreant Tennesseeans, with a few miscreants from other States, were organizing themselves into predatory bands in the counties of Blount, Sevier, Cocke, Hancock, Scott, Campbell, and other counties bordering on the North Carolina and Kentucky line. I immediately sent out scouting parties of cavalry, together with such small detachments of infantry as I could arm, to protect and assist the loyal citizens of these counties in driving these base ingrates from their midst. These various parties have succeeded in arresting many of the rebellious and disaffected, and bringing them to this place for trial. Out of the number thus arrested I have sent and will send about 100, as prisoners of war, to Tuscaloosa. I have for some days past been receiving information, from sources entitled to much credit, that a considerable force of the enemy were threatening a descent from the Kentucky border upon the counties of Campbell and Scott, by way of a small pass in the mountains above Cumberland Gap.
To-day I am in receipt of information, which apparently admits of no doubt, that a body of the enemy, some 500 strong, had attacked the town of Huntsville, and captured a company of cavalry stationed at that place. Other less reliable reports place the number of the enemy at 2,000. I have therefore made arrangements to dispatch Colonel White there with all the armed force I can command, with orders to attack them if not too strong, and if the numbers are too great to fall back until I can re-enforce him. The country abounds in mountain passes and ravines, and a position well selected can be easily held against largely superior numbers. This movement will not delay the prompt execution of your order, as the place mentioned is near my line of march to join General Zollicoffer. During the time I have been here I have continued my exertions to procure arms from every source where they were likely to be obtained, though almost entirely without success. A few days ago I dispatched one of my officers to General Johnston, at Bowling Green, with a statement of my condition, and an urgent appeal for arms of some description, if he should have any at his disposal; but he dispatches me that none are to be had. I have also sent a competent armory officer to Memphis upon a similar mission. From him I learn that 500 of my rifles will be ready by Monday next. These will be forwarded immediately. He further informs me that the remainder will soon be repaired and sent on, as they are being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. Two hundred of those left at Nashville were sent me some days ago, but so imperfectly repaired as to be wholly unfit for use, as you will see from the inclosed report from the ordnance officer at this place. The repairs on these I am having completed here, and will have them finished as soon as possible.
I have here now three regiments fully organized and another in process of formation, besides seven companies of cavalry, amounting in all to about 4,000 men, who could be brought immediately into the field if I could only supply them with arms. Out of my entire force I could not muster more than 300 men efficiently armed. A few hundred more have old hunting guns, but they are of little or no service in their present condition. I still hope that all my guns will be ready in a very short time. I send to Richmond Lieut. Col. E. J. Golladay, one of my best-informed and most discreet officers, to represent to you more fully the true condition of my command. His suggestions may perhaps be of service in shaping the policy proper to pursue in the region of country of which I have spoken.
For a detailed statement of the operations of my command since taking the field, together with an account of all the other forces now in East Tennessee, I beg to call your attention to my report made to Maj. Gen. G. B. Crittenden on the 9th instant, and by him forwarded to the office of the Adjutant and Inspector General. Colonel Golladay can also give you much valuable information of the strength, condition, &c., of the different commands in this portion of the State, together with the state of public feeling and real condition of the country here.
MAJOR: In obedience
to orders from corps headquarters, I have the honor most respectfully to
forward this report of the operations of my command in the late Tennessee
campaign.*
I left Florence,
Ala., on the 21st of November with my command, moving with its corps, via
Waynesborough and Mount Pleasant, to near Columbia, Tenn., and went into
bivouac on the 26th day of November, on the Shelbyville turnpike. The
succeeding day and night was followed with slight skirmishing on the line
around Columbia.
At daylight on the
morning of the 29th I moved to Duck River, four miles above Columbia, and
crossed on the pontoon bridge at 7.30 o'clock, which was as soon as I could do
so, having to wait for General Cleburne's division, which had the advance. I
moved that day in rear of that division to the neighborhood of Spring Hill, a
distance of twelve miles. After moving rapidly for several miles and wading the
creek I deployed my division in line of battle, in obedience to orders from
General Cheatham to form and move on Cleburne's left, Jackson on the right, and
Smith in echelon on the left of front line, Col. R. Bullock, commanding the
Florida brigade, supporting the left. Not seeing General Cheatham at the moment
of forming my line of battle, General Hood, who was personally present,
directed me to move to the turnpike and sweep toward Columbia. General
Cleburne, being in advance, formed and moved forward before it was possible for
me to do so, and changed front without stopping and without my knowing the fact,
owing to intervening hills obstructing the view. As soon as ascertained I
conformed to the movement as well as I could and pushed forward in the
direction of the enemy, who held the turnpike. It was now getting dark, and I
had moved more than a mile in line of battle. Cleburne had been engaged; with
what success I did not know. Procuring a guide, learning the exact locality of
the enemy and the general direction of the turnpike, I changed direction to the
right again, and was moving so as to strike the turnpike to the right of Maj.
Nat. Cheer's residence, which I believed would bring me near Cleburne's left;
Caswell's battalion of sharpshooters, deployed as skirmishers, was within 100
yards of and commanded the turnpike, checking the enemy's movement along it in
my front, and my lines were being adjusted for a further forward movement, when
I received an order, through Lieutenant Schell, from General Cheatham to halt
and join my right to General Cleburne's left. My main line was within 200 yards
of the turnpike when Major Caswell's battalion fired into the enemy on the
pike. He (the enemy) veered to his left, as I subsequently ascertained, and
took a road leaving the pike near Doctor McKessick's. I obeyed the order of
General Cheatham, and with delay and difficulty, it being in the night and near
the enemy, I ascertained the left of Cleburne's line, which had retired some
distance to the rear of my right. I made known to General Cheatham the fact of
the enemy threatening my left, and called for force to protect it. My left
brigade was retired to confront any movement from that direction, and during
the night (perhaps 10 o'clock) General Johnson's division, of Lee's corps, was
moved to my left. My command so disposed as to be an extension of Cleburne's
line, with its left retired, I bivouacked between 9 and 10 o'clock for the
night. At daylight there was no enemy in my front.
Early on the morning
of the 30th of November I was ordered to follow Cleburne and bring up the rear
of Cheatham's corps. In pursuance thereof I moved down the Franklin turnpike to
the rear of Winstead's Hill, three miles from Franklin, where our forces were
being deployed and lines formed. About 3 o'clock in the evening I was ordered
by General Cheatham to move my command by the left flank, pass a gap in the
ridge to the left, circle around a mound which rose in the plain below, and
move toward the Carter Creek turnpike, until, in a direct advance on the town
of Franklin, my left would strike the house of Mrs. Rebecca Bostick. I lost no
time in starting and moved rapidly. This gave me the arc, while the divisions
on my right moved on the chord of the circle. I was informed that General
Chalmers' cavalry was ordered to form and advance in conjunction with me on my
left. My line was formed with Jackson's brigade and Tyler's, commanded by Brig.
Gen. T. B. Smith, in the front, the former on the right, and Finley's brigade,
commanded by Col. Robert Bullock, supporting. Major Caswell had charge of the
skirmish line in front. With these dispositions I moved forward through the
open plain in good order. My skirmish line drove back that of the enemy, which
was located on a line with Mrs. Bostick's house. The center of my line swept by
this house, my left, which I had extended, reaching near the Carter Creek
turnpike. The line moved steadily on, not waiting for the cavalry, driving the
enemy from his outer works, which covered the right but not the left of my
line. The cavalry (dismounted) not touching my left, nor being on a line with
it, exposed that flank to a furious fire. I moved the Florida brigade to the
left and advanced it, two regiments extending beyond the left of the turnpike.
My line, now a single one without support, charged the works of the enemy. My
right got to the works (the second line) and remained there until morning; the
left was driven back. The enemy's [works] were strong and defiant, constructed
on a slight elevation, with few obstructions in front for several hundred
yards. The works to the left of Carter Creek turnpike were not strong, and with
a vigorous assault should have been carried; a fact, however, not known until
next day. A battery was located just to the right of this turnpike, which kept
up the fire until late at night. The left of my line was reformed on the branch
between the works of the enemy and Mrs. Bostick's house, but not in sufficient
numbers to justify another effort to carry the works, as the command on my left
had not come up. A battery, under the conduct of Colonel Presstman,
participated most gallantly in the fight, first occupying a position near the
house of Mrs. Bostick, and then was run up the turnpike close to the enemy's
works and engaged that battery of the enemy on our immediate front. Many of our
men who had gone into the interior works held their positions until morning,
when the enemy had evacuated the town. General Ed. Johnson's division came in
my rear just after dark, passing over that part of my line which had been
reformed near the branch fronting Mrs. Bostick's.
My loss in this
engagement was 47 killed, 253 wounded, and 19 missing. Among the killed was
Colonel Smith, of the First [Georgia] Confederate Regiment, Jackson's brigade,
who fell most gallantly while putting his regiment into the interior works of
the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton was badly wounded while pressing forward
in handsome style. Lieutenant-Colonel Badger, commanding First [Florida
(dismounted) Cavalry] and Fourth Florida Regiments was wounded three times
before he left the field. Captain Carter, on staff duty with Tyler's brigade,
fell mortally wounded near the works of the enemy and almost at the door of his
father's house. His gallantry I witnessed with much pride, as I had done on
other fields, and here take pleasure in mentioning it especially.
OPERATIONS AROUND
MURFREESBOROUGH.
On the morning of the 2d of December, as my command was moving from Franklin, Tenn., in the direction of Nashville, I received the following order, made official and inclosed to me by Major-General Cheatham, commanding corps:
HEADQUARTERS,
Near Franklin, December 2, 1864—7 a.m.
General
Hood directs that you will send Bate's division, with one battery of artillery,
over to Murfreesborough, and direct them to destroy the railroad from
Murfreesborough to Nashville, burning all the bridges and taking the
block-houses and then burning them.
A.
P. MASON,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
HEADQUARTERS,
Overton's House, Six Miles from Nashville, December 2, 1864.
Major-General
BATE:
GENERAL:
General Hood directs me to say that citizens report some 5,000 Yankees at
Murfreesborough. General Forrest will send some of his cavalry to assist you.
You must act according to your judgment under the circumstances, keeping in
view the object of your expedition, viz, to destroy the railroad. This report
is sent you for what it is worth.
Yours,
respectfully,
A.
P. MASON,
Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.
Slocomb's battery,
under command of Lieutenant Chalaron, acted with conspicuous and most effective
gallantry.
Col. Ed. Dillon
reported with the squadron of cavalry just before night---too late to take part
in the fight. I certainly did not suppose this was all the support I was to get
from General Forrest, mentioned in the before-quoted order. I ordered him to
relieve the infantry pickets at 10 o'clock, at which hour I withdrew my
infantry and artillery across Stewart's Creek, fearing the enemy might get on
my flank or rear with his superior numbers during the night, and also to begin
operations on the road early next morning.
In the fight my
losses were 15 killed, 59 wounded (Colonel Bullock, commanding the Florida
brigade, among the latter), and 13 missing. I have every reason to believe that
the losses of the enemy were much greater. We buried some of his dead which he
left when driven from the field.
Early on the morning
of the 5th dispositions were made to take the block-houses at Stewart's Creek,
Read's Branch, and Smyrna, which, as we moved upon them, the enemy
precipitately evacuated. Each of these were burned after removing the stores;
also the bridges they were intended to guard, and several miles of the railroad
destroyed. While these operations were going on General Forrest arrived with
two divisions of cavalry, followed by two infantry brigades (Sears', of
French's, and Palmer's, of Stevenson's division), with artillery, and, by
virtue of rank, assumed command of the forces near Murfreesborough. The order
to keep in view the object of my mission, viz, "to destroy the
railroad," seemed to be revoked, and offensive operations against
Murfreesborough assumed, which did not accord with my judgment, as I was
satisfied there were 8,000 or 10,000 Federals within, strongly fortified and
with a large amount of artillery in position. Not deeming it prudent to attack
such works manned with twice our numbers, I, however, readily gave cheerful
co-operation. By command of General Forrest I ceased operations on the railroad
and moved back toward Murfreesborough. On the 6th I closed in my lines and
pressed forward skirmishers as near to the works around Murfreesborough as
practicable, in doing which I lost sixteen men from Caswell's battalion of
sharpshooters. I dug pits for skirmishers and built defenses for my main line.
I was ordered by
General Forrest to move my entire command at daylight on the 7th to the
Wilkinson and my wagon train to the Salem turnpike, which was done. My command
was ordered to be an extension of the right of Colonel Palmer's brigade, which
occupied a hill fronting the fort and works of the enemy located on the west
bank of Stone's River. While the order was being executed the enemy was
observed to be moving a force across Stone's River above the town of
Murfreesborough and down the Salem turnpike. At this juncture I was ordered by
General Forrest to make dispositions to move, in conjunction with Colonel
Palmer, on the works of the enemy, which, however, was revoked by ordering me
to take charge of infantry and put it into position near where the Wilkinson
turnpike crosses Overall's Creek, which I proceeded to do, under the personal
direction of General Forrest. The main line was established on the southwest
side of the turnpike, diagonally to but not crossing it any point, with the
right towards the creek, in the following order by brigades, beginning on the
right: Sears', Palmer's, Finley's. Jackson's and Tyler's brigades were placed
by me in reserve across the turnpike from main line. Temporary works were
constructed of rails and logs. The artillery was placed at the most eligible
and advantageous points. While temporary works were being built of rails and
logs the enemy presented himself in our front, but was speedily driven out of
view by our artillery. I was ordered by General Forrest to put my entire
command in the main line. Jackson was then ordered to the left of Finley's
brigade, Sears brought from the right to the left in prolongation of and
retiring main line toward the turnpike. He soon presented himself again,
turning our left flank and advancing diagonally to it. General Forrest ordered
the whole line by the left flank. The extent of the enemy's line was not
visible. Sears leading and Jackson following, under my order, moved too far to
the left; the Florida and Palmer's brigades were halted in the temporary works
just vacated by these two. Smith was immediately brought in between them at
right angles with the turnpike and in full front of the enemy, who was within
200 yards, driving in our skirmishers, the cavalry on the left having fallen
back with but slight resistance. The time of the reappearance of the enemy
emerging from the woods, when he was thought to have retired to Murfreesborough
(no information being received by me from the cavalry in my front), did not
admit of sufficient time to adjust the line before he was upon us, hence there
was a space of perhaps 75 or 100 yards between Smith's right and Finley's left.
Jackson and Sears were immediately ordered to move, under the conduct of a
staff officer, Major Shaaff, by the right flank and align on Smith's left, who
was now engaged with the main line of the enemy. The enemy's line came
diagonally from the left and struck Finley's and Palmer's brigades, crumbling
and driving them from the temporary works. Meanwhile Smith's (Tyler's) and the
right of Jackson's brigade, which was getting in position, drove back in
gallant style the right of the enemy's line which confronted them. I did not
again see the Florida and Palmer's nor Sears' brigade until night, they being
under the immediate conduct of General Forrest. I remained in person with
Smith's and Jackson's brigades. The enemy occupied the line vacated by Finley's
and Palmer's brigades on Smith's flank, but did not push up vigorously. I
changed front to rear on my left battalion and formed line in the woods
parallel to and near the turnpike, where I remained without molestation until
ordered by General Forrest to move across the creek and join him (who was then
with cavalry, artillery, and Sears', Palmer's, and Finley's brigades), which I
did leisurely, moving off the two remaining brigades by the flank. If the
cavalry on either flank was seriously engaged, I was not aware of it.
In this day's fight
there were 19 killed, 73 wounded, and 122 missing. Among the former was
Lieutenant-Colonel Billopp [Twenty-ninth] Georgia Regiment, who fell gallantly
at his post.
I have to regret the
loss of two of the guns of that gallant battery, Slocomb's, commanded by
Lieutenant Chalaron. The horses being killed, they could not be brought off.
After crossing the
creek, about sundown, Smith's brigade was placed in position to resist in case
of pursuit, and brought up the rear In good order to the bivouac on the
Nashville turnpike.
Next day we engaged
again in the destruction of the railroad; but little progress was made, in
consequence of the extreme bad weather; the snow fell rapidly and the ground
was freezing. In consequence of the recent marches many of the men were
barefooted; all were shod, however, when we left Florence. I pressed every pair
of shoes which could be found for them, and in many instances the citizens gave
them second-hand shoes, which but partially supplied the demand. The country
afforded us superabundance of rations. While in this neighborhood I put in
operation several mills for the use of the army.
Major-General Forrest
gave me an intimation of a probable attack on the main army in front of
Nashville, and directed that I be ready to move at short notice. I soon
thereafter received an order to move to the right flank of the Army of
Tennessee, held by General Cheatham, to take part in the anticipated operations
there. The sleet and severe freezes had made the surface of the earth a sheet
of ice. Nearly one-fourth of the men were still barefooted, yet plodded
"their weary way" under these adverse circumstance (many with
bleeding feet), and arrived in good time to the position assigned in Cheatham's
corps. I was contiguous to and on the left of the Nolensville turnpike, at a
point known as Rains' Hill. I remained here in the intrenched line, with the
men uncomfortable from the extreme cold and the scarcity of wood, until the
evening of the 15th, when I was ordered by General Cheatham to move to the
left, where the fighting was going on, and should he not be there to report to
General Hood. When I passed the Franklin turnpike streams of stragglers, and
artillerists, and horses, without guns or caissons, the sure indicia of defeat,
came hurriedly from the left. I formed my division for battle at once, its
right resting near the turnpike, and communicated the situation to General
Cheatham, who meantime had come up. It was nearly dark. I received an order
from General Hood to move straight forward and take a skirt of woods beyond the
field, in the rear of which I had formed my line, and near which the firing was
going on. I did so, and made known that fact to my corps commander, and awaited
orders. The firing had now slackened. About 8 o'clock Major-General Cheatham
came to me and took me with him to find the line I was to occupy. He informed
me that he was directed by the general commanding to extend a line of battle
from the apex of the hill (now known as Shy's Hill) occupied by Ector's brigade
in direction of Mrs. Bradford's house, on the Granny White turnpike, so that a
prolongation of the same would strike the line then occupied by General
Stewart. We went together and found General Sharp's brigade on left of that
corps, in the rear of Mrs. Bradford's house, somewhat parallel to the turnpike,
its right resting near the woods, in which we were informed the balance of that
corps was. A fire was kindled, by General Cheatham's order, to indicate the
direction of my line from the, given point on the left. I moved my command in
the position indicated, but with much delay, attributable to the darkness of
the night and marshy fields through which I had to pass. The artillery I was
unable to get up. The field intervening the turnpike and my position was
impassable to artillery; the earth had thawed, and the cultivated low ground
was an obstruction through which even the ambulances could not pass with
success; hence the artillery was left in the rear for the night. Having a
personal interview with Colonel Coleman, commanding Ector's brigade, and
agreeing upon the point where the right of his line rested, I adjusted mine, as
ordered, between that and the point designated on General Sharp's line, taking
such advantage of the ground in its exact locality as I could in the night. My
left then rested near the crown on that slope of the hill, facing the turnpike,
and my right in the corn-field, advanced toward Nashville, hence not quite at
right angles with the turnpike. Seeing that my line at its junction with
Coleman's made a right angle, and the enemy already immediately under the brow
of the hill annoying me with sharpshooters, within 100 yards, and my right
unconnected with any one, I went in person to my corps commander and
remonstrated as to the position of my line. He informed me he was not
authorized to change it, and that General Stewart was to connect with my right.
I at once put the men to making defenses with such tools as I had. They worked
with alacrity the balance of the night (nearly all the while under my immediate
supervision), and constructed works along my entire front impervious to
ordinary shots.
Daylight [16th]
revealed the fact that Stewart's corps had been moved back several hundred
yards from the point toward which I was directed to extend my right. His two
left divisions were retired in echelon from my right, Walthall's on the same
side of the turnpike with me, and Loring's behind the rock wall on the opposite
side of the turnpike, in echelon to him. Ector's brigade was on my left,
occupying that side of the angle. It was prolonged in same direction by
Lowrey's (Cheatham's) division. My line was formed with Jackson's brigade on
the right, then Finley's and Tyler's in succession, with no support. The hill
on which my left rested was confronted by a similar one within 400 yards and an
open field in the intervening valley. On this hill the enemy had planted
several rifle pieces during the night. There was a deflection on the left of
this, and then a series of hills occupied by the enemy extending to its left
and culminating opposite Lowrey's left in an irregular range and greater
altitude than those held by us, surmounted here and there by a commanding peak.
This range of hills, from the point where Lowrey's left rested, extended at
right angles across the Granny White turnpike, almost parallel to and in rear
of my line of battle, a distance of not more than 600 yards, with open fields
between. At daylight I found a road skirting the inner border of the hills on
my left over which artillery could pass, but not without difficulty. I ordered
Captain Beauregard to send a section of howitzers and place them upon a small
plateau making out from the declivity of the hill just in rear of Finley's
brigade, from which they could sweep the front of my right and the entire line
of General Walthall. A desultory fire by sharpshooters was kept up during the
night and morning until about 8 o'clock, when the enemy began to deploy
additional masses, advanced his lines into the woods held by Stewart's corps
the night previous, where he soon planted batteries. He made a feeble charge
along my front and was quickly repulsed. About this time Ector's brigade was
taken out of the line and put in reserve, and I was ordered to extend to the
left. This not only gave me an additional ground to occupy, but necessarily
thinned my lines, as I had no reserves. The line established by Ector's brigade
had been located in the darkness of the night, and was, unfortunately, placed
back from the brow of the hill, not giving a view and range on the front of
more than from five to twenty yards, and the curvature of the hill, as well as
the gradual recession of the lines from the angle, forbid any flank fire giving
protection to the front of the angle. The works were flimsy, only intended to
protect against small-arms, and had no abatis or other obstruction to impede
the movements of an assaulting party. From the hour this became a part of my
line it was impossible to remedy it. The constant fire of sharpshooters from
the neighboring hills made it fatal to attempt a work in front. To advance my
line and attack the enemy was the only way to relieve the situation, and to do
that was to attack a re-entering angle of breastworks, which, of course, could
not be done unless the whole line moved. The enemy opened a most terrific fire
of artillery, and kept it up during the day. In the afternoon he planted a
battery in the woods in the rear of Mrs. Bradford's house and fired directly
across both lines composing the angle; threw shells directly in the back of my
left brigade; also placed a battery on a hill diagonally to my left, which took
my first brigade in reverse. The batteries on the hill in its front, not more
than 300 yards distant, that had borne the concentrated fire of my Whitworth
rifles all day, must have suffered heavily, but were not silenced. These rifled
guns of the enemy being so close razeed the works on the left of the angle for
fifty or sixty yards. Ector's brigade was withdrawn from its supporting
position in rear of the angle, and left me without any support whatever, at
which transfer I remonstrated. The enemy was in two lines in my front, and in
the afternoon moved by his right flank from direction of the Granny White
turnpike, and massed by advancing a skirmish line at a time under the brow of
the hill near the angle. I made this known to General Cheatham by a staff
officer (Lieutenant Rogan), and asked for re-enforcement. The general informed
me that he had nothing that could possibly be spared, and desired me to extend
still farther to the left, as he had to withdraw strength from his front to
protect his left, which had been turned. About this time the brigade on the
extreme left of our infantry line of battle was driven back, down the hill into
the field in my rear, and the balls of the enemy were fired into the backs of
(killing and wounding) my men. The lines on the left (as you go into Nashville)
of the Granny White pike at this juncture were the three sides of a square, the
enemy shooting across the two parallel lines. My men were falling fast. I saw
and fully appreciated the emergency, and passed in person along the trenches in
the angle built by Ector's brigade, where I had placed troops who I knew to be
unsurpassed for gallantry and endurance, and encouraged them to maintain their
places. The men saw the brigade on the left of our line of battle give way and
the enemy take its place on the hills in my rear, yet they stood firm and
received the fire from three directions with coolness and courage. Anticipating
a disaster I ordered Captain Beauregard, who commanded my artillery, to move
his battalion back to the Franklin turnpike, as the enemy already had the
Granny White pike in our rear, which was my channel for escape, as per order in
the forenoon. About 4 p.m. the enemy with heavy force assaulted the line near
the angle, and carried it at that point where Ector's brigade had built the
light works, which were back from the brow of the hill and without
obstructions; not, however, until the gallant and obstinate Colonel Shy and
nearly half of his brave men had fallen, together with the largest part of the
three right companies of the Thirty-seventh Georgia, which regiment constituted
my extreme left. When the breach was made, this command--the consolidated
fragments of the Second, Tenth, Fifteenth, Twentieth, Thirtieth, and
Thirty-seventh Tennessee Regiments--still contested the ground, under Major
Lucas, and, finally, when overwhelming numbers pressed them back, only
sixty-five of the command escaped, and they not as a command, but individuals.
The command was nearly annihilated, as the official reports of casualties show.
Whether the yielding of gallant and well-tried troops to such pressure is
reprehensible or not, is for a brave and generous country to decide. The breach
once made, the lines lifted from either side as far as I could see almost
instantly and fled in confusion. Two regiments, the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth
Georgia, then my extreme right, commanded by Colonel Mitchell (Jackson's
brigade), and adjoining Walthall’s division, did not break, but remained
fighting until surrounded. The section of artillery under Lieutenant Alston was
turned on the enemy and fired after being completely flanked and our lines
vanishing. I mention it in compliment to this gallant lieutenant. I first
sought to rally the men and form line in the wooded bottom in rear of Strahl's
brigade, Lowrey's right, but found it yielding to the example on its right
(there being no pressure of consequence either on its front or that of my
extreme left), and hence it was impossible to do so. I was then directed by
General Cheatham to form a line at Lea's house, on opposite side of Granny
White turnpike, but found on getting there that our lines on that flank had
also given way, and the enemy already commanding it with his small-arms. The
men then, one by one, climbed over the rugged hills in our rear and passed down
a short valley which debouched into the Franklin turnpike. The whole army on
this thoroughfare seemed to be one heterogeneous mass, and moving back without
organization or government. Strenuous efforts were made by officers of all grades
to rally and form line of battle, but in vain. The disorganized masses swept in
confusion down the Franklin turnpike, amid the approaching darkness and
drenching rain, until beyond Brentwood, when the fragments of commands were, in
some measure, united, and bivouacked in groups for the night.
At daylight [17th] I
moved my command across Harpeth River, through Franklin, to Spring Hill, and
next day crossed Rutherford's Creek, formed line of battle, and bivouacked for
the night.
The enemy's advance
appearing on the morning of the 19th slight skirmishing ensued. I retired with
my command, in conjunction with Cheatham's corps, across Duck River, at
Columbia, that evening. My division moved without separation from its corps and
crossed the Tennessee River, at Bainbridge, on the evening of the 25th of
December.
To my senior brigade
commander, General H. R. Jackson, I am especially indebted, not only for the
prompt and willing execution of orders, but for many practical suggestions
based upon his large experience, for his conspicuous gallantry and resistless
energy. General T. B. Smith, commanding Tyler's brigade, and Col. Robert
Bullock (Finley's), bore themselves with heroic courage both through good and
evil fortune, always executing orders with zeal and alacrity, and bearing
themselves in the face of the enemy as became reputations which each had
heretofore bravely won. The latter was severely wounded on the 4th of December,
near Murfreesborough, and was succeeded by Major Lash, whose coolness and
gallantry was marked. He, together with Brigadier-Generals Jackson and Smith,
was captured at Nashville, and are yet in prison. Major Ball having arrived,
and being ranking officer present in Finley's brigade, assumed command and
conducted it at Nashville.
Captain Beauregard,
commanding my artillery, showed merit beyond his years, [and] managed the
battalion not only to my satisfaction, but to the good of the service and to
his own credit.
I take pleasure in
making my acknowledgments for their promptness and gallantry to Maj. Arthur
Shaaff, my inspector; Capt. H. J. Cheney, my assistant adjutant-general;
Lieuts. R. B. McClure, John B. Pirtle, and Charles B. Regan, of my personal
staff; and Capt. W. H. Rhea, paymaster of my division, who participated with us
in the fight without obligation to do so; also to Lieutenant Magruder, my
ordnance officer. I am also much indebted to my chief surgeon, Doctor McDowell,
for his skill and unwearying application to his delicate trust; to Maj. John L.
Brown, commissary, for his success in getting up and distributing supplies
under most embarrassing circumstances; and Maj. E. P. Tyree, quartermaster, for
his promptness, vigilance, and success in managing his department without loss
during the long march and hazardous retreat of either wagons or supplies.
My escort company,
under Capt. J. H. Buck and Lieut. J. W. Henderson, merits my special
commendation for gallantry upon the field and the faithful and cheerful
performance of all duty devolving upon them. My excellent pioneer company,
under Lieut. H. W. Reddick, labored day and night without murmur, for which
they will receive my thanks. My provost-guard was most efficiently managed by
Capt. Matthew Dwyer, for which I am under obligations. My squad of
sharpshooters (with Whitworth rifles), under Lieut. A. B. Schell, behaved with
marked gallantry on every occasion when brought into requisition.
In this report I
have dealt more in particulars for the reason there are no reports from brigade
commanders, all three of whom having been captured, I reserve to myself the
privilege of making such corrections as would appear right and proper when I
subsequently have the opportunity to examine their reports.
* For portion of
report here omitted, see Vol. XXXIX, Part I, p. 826.
