Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 258. — Report of Capt. Joseph T. Cobb, of operations November 28,1864.

No. 258.

Report of Capt. Joseph T. Cobb, of operations November 28,1864.

HEADQUARTERS TEXAS SCOUT,        

Berlin, Tenn., November 29, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to orders, that we moved on Shelbyville, surprised and took in their picket, numbering thirteen. Yesterday morning at daylight we charged the place, drove them into their stockade, and withdrew, moving in the direction of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. In the engagement at Shelbyville, I am sorry to say, Captain Jackson was wounded, shot in the mouth, ball lodging in jaw, breaking jawbone. The enemy pursued us in force, and we fought them from daylight until 3 p.m., when we recrossed the river (Duck). We had the home guard and Sixth Illinois Cavalry to contend with during the whole fight. I killed a number of them and took about thirty prisoners. Our loss, Captain Jackson and three of his men wounded; none serious. Lieutenant White, of my company, had his arm broken. Having reached this side of the river, I have pressed two shops, and am having my horses shod up as rapidly as possible. Unless I receive different orders from you, I will again move on the railroad to-morrow. The railroad is heavily guarded by stockades, besides they have sent the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Illinois Cavalry on the road to protect it. I hope to get orders from you. My horses are almost broken down and barefooted. We were compelled to leave some of our horses yesterday; not able to get back.

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

JOSEPH T. COBB,        

Captain, Commanding Scout.

General FORREST.

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. 775-6

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 256. — Report of Brig. Gen. Philip D. Roddey, C. S. Army, commanding District of North Alabama, of operations December 1-15, 1864.

No. 256.

Report of Brig. Gen. Philip D. Roddey, C. S. Army, commanding District of North Alabama,

of operations December 1-15, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NORTH ALABAMA,        

Tuscumbia, Ala., December 15, 1864.

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,

P. D. RODDEY,        

Brigadier-General.

Lieut. Col. E. SURGET,
        Assistant A djutant-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. 773-5

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 249. — Report of Brig. Gen. James A. Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Cleburne's division, of operations November 20-December 26, 1864.

No. 249.

Report of Brig. Gen. James A. Smith, C. S. Army, commanding Cleburne's division,

of operations November 20-December 26, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS CLEBURNE'S DIVISION,        

Tupelo, Miss., January 23, 1865.

I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this division in the late campaign in Middle Tennessee:

When the army moved from Florence, Ala., on or about the 20th of November, my brigade was detached and left behind for the purpose of convoying a supply train which it was supposed would be ready to follow the army in a few days. It was, however, detained at the river until the 28th, when I moved with it and joined the army in front of Nashville on the 6th of December. Being the senior officer present with the division after the death of General Cleburne I took command of it on my arrival. I found it much reduced in numbers, especially in officers, many having been killed and wounded in the battle of Franklin on the 30th of November; nor was the tone and morale such as was desirable, owing to the fearful loss sustained in that battle. The division was at this time in line of battle on the extreme right of the army, its left (Govan's brigade) resting on to Nolensville pike, and the right (Lowrey's brigade) on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad cut, about two miles and a half from the city, Granbury's brigade being in reserve to support the other brigades or check any movement of the enemy on our right flank. On the 7th my brigade, commanded by Colonel Olmstead, of the First Georgia Regiment, was again detached and ordered to report to Major-General Forrest, who was operating near Murfreesborough. It did not rejoin the division again until we recrossed the Tennessee River. (For information concerning it I refer you to the accompanying report of Colonel Olmstead.) While the division was in line as above stated skirmishes with the enemy (generally negro troops) were of frequent occurrence, resulting, however, in but little loss on either side. On the 13th Granbury's brigade was ordered to take position on the north side of the railroad cut and to construct a redoubt capable of containing 300 men. On the 15th the enemy made a formidable attempt on this position by a direct assault, and at the same time by a flank movement came in its rear. This attempt was a disastrous failure, he having to retire in confusion, leaving many of his dead and wounded on the field. In this affair Granbury's brigade behaved with its habitual spirit and gallantry, its loss on this occasion being about thirty killed and wounded, principally from the enemy's artillery and sharpshooters. During the night of the 15th I was ordered to move with my division toward the left of the line and bivouacked at Lea's house, near the Granny White pike. On the morning of the 16th I went into position on the extreme left of the army and to the west of the Granny White pike. I had not, however, been here but a short time when I was ordered by General Cheatham to report with my command to General Hood near the center of the line, which I did, and was ordered by him to send one brigade (Govan's) back to the left to check a movement of the enemy on that flank. (For a report of his operations during the remainder of the day you are referred to the accompanying report of Colonel Green,* of the Fifth Arkansas Regiment, who succeeded General Govan in the command after the latter was wounded.)

Shortly after reporting to General Hood I was again ordered by him to report to General Cheatham, on the left. By the latter I was directed to cross my command in rear under cover and to await orders. About an hour afterward [sic], their ill-provided-for condition, many being barefooted and otherwise badly clothed; the division recrossed the Tennessee River on the 26th of December.

Owing to the absence of General Lowrey, and to the fact that his brigade changed commanders so often, I find it impossible to get a satisfactory report from this brigade. This latter fact—frequent change of brigade commanders—should be stated as the reason why this report is so meager and deficient in detail.

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

J. A. SMITH,        

Brigadier-General

Maj. J. D. PORTER,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Cheatham's Corps.

_______________

* Not Found.

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. 739-40

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 222. — Report of Col. Gilbert M. L. Johnson, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 4-9, 1864.

No. 222.

Report of Col. Gilbert M. L. Johnson, Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry, of operations December 4-9, 1864

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY,        

Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 10, 1864.

SIR: In compliance with orders received in communication dated headquarters, Murfreesborough, December 5, 1864, I have the honor to report that, in accordance with verbal orders received from Major-General Rousseau on the evening of December 3, 1864, I took up the line of march with my command on the morning of December 4, 1864, toward La Vergne, with the view of camping that night at that point. Upon reaching a point some three miles distant from this place I met a detachment of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, which had been stationed at Overall's Creek, retiring upon this point, being pursued by the enemy. I ordered the captain in charge of the same to deploy his men as skirmishers on the left of the road, at the same time throwing a company of my command on the right, and proceeded in this manner one mile to the creek, the enemy's skirmishers falling back to the opposite bank. A brisk skirmish was kept up, the creek intervening, the enemy at the same time opening on us with three pieces of artillery. At this time I addressed a communication to the general commanding, of which the following is a copy:

HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY,        

Overall's Creek, December 4, 1864.

Major-General ROUSSEAU:

 

GENERAL: I am holding the skirmish line at Overall's Creek. The enemy expose a line double to mine; reported moving column on my right flank; have used three pieces of artillery on me; also reported the same to be used on the block-house. Slight loss; skirmishing rapid; await orders; artillery moving toward their rear on the pike. Heavy artillery firing distinctly heard in the direction of Nashville. I shall endeavor to cross the creek.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

G. M. L. JOHNSON,        

Colonel Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry.

Shortly afterward General Milroy came up with re-enforcements, his infantry relieving my skirmish line, and I formed my regiment in column on the pike, at a distance of 400 yards from the bridge. Just before night-fall I received an order from General Milroy, through Captain Carson, to charge across the bridge, which order I obeyed. After gaining the opposite bank I turned the head of my column to the right, and swung round the base of the hill, menacing the enemy's left flank, which had the effect of causing the retiring of a large part of the enemy's force. My pieces (Enfield rifles) being discharged and difficult to reload when men are mounted, and the enemy having turned their artillery on me, I retired my column to the creek under cover of the bank, and in doing so received a slight fire from our own forces stationed in the block-house, they evidently in the darkness mistaking us for the enemy. I immediately threw out skirmishers, dismounted, and, reforming my line, made another dash around the former position of their left flank and in rear of the hill on which their artillery had been planted. The enemy having retired, I threw out outposts and withdrew my command to this side Overall's Creek. I retired, in accordance with orders from General Milroy, and arrived in camp at this place about 1 a.m. December 5, 1864.

Additional skirmishes and reconnaissances have been had with the enemy on the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 9th of December, 1864. In these my command has captured about 20 prisoners, among whom were 1 major and 1 lieutenant.

Please find the list of casualties appended.*

I have the honor to be, your obedient servant,

G. M. L. JOHNSON,        

Colonel Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry.

Major CRAVENS,
        Asst. Adjt. Gen., Defenses Nashville and Chattanooga R. R.

_______________

* Shows 1 officer and 7 men killed and 34 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. 630-1

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 224. — Report of Col. Thomas Saylor, Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, of operations December 13, 1864.

No. 224.

Report of Col. Thomas Saylor, Twenty-ninth Michigan Infantry, of operations December 13, 1864.

HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH REGT. MICHIGAN VOL. INFANTRY,        

Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 14, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report that, in compliance with your order of the 13th instant, I proceeded with my regiment in charge of a train south on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad for the purpose of obtaining fuel, and reconnoitering with the view of preventing the enemy from destroying the road at any point which time and circumstances would permit me to pass over. About three miles from town, immediately in the vicinity of the residence of Mr. Russell, we found a culvert on fire and a few rebels scattered about the premises. I left a sergeant and fifteen men as a guard to that portion of the road, and proceeded between eight and nine miles, when, on the suggestion of the conductor, I stopped to load the train. About 4 p.m., the train being loaded, I moved cautiously toward town. I had proceeded but a few miles when clouds of smoke were seen to rise from the track a short distance ahead. On approaching the same and halting the train, we were greeted with a volley of musketry from the enemy, who were posted behind a ridge on our left, apparently in large numbers. I disembarked two companies, deployed them, and threw them rapidly toward the enemy, who fell back on their approach. In the meantime the fire was removed from the track and the men lively at work relaying the same, about fifty feet of which was torn up and thrown aside. About the time the track was in sufficient repair to pass over they opened upon us with artillery. I then ordered the train to move forward, when, to my surprise, I found that the brakemen had decamped and the engineer could not be found. He finally made his appearance after an absence of about ten minutes, during which time we were exposed to a galling fire and the engine in great danger of being demolished by the rapid firing of the enemy. We finally got in motion and moved slowly on, with a line of skirmishers in rear of the train, who were at times heavily pressed by the rebels. The water-tank of the engine was rent by a ball and the water escaped, for the want of which the train was brought to a stand about four miles from town, from which point we were obliged to push it home by hand.

In our exertions to repel the enemy and conduct the train safely in we lost in killed, wounded, and missing as follows:1 man killed; 9 men and 1 officer wounded; 6 men missing; total loss, 17.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOMAS SAYLOR,        

Colonel, Comdg. Twenty-ninth Regt. Michigan Vol. Infantry.

Capt. E. A. OTIS,
        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. 634

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 215. — Reports of Col. John S. Jones, One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry, of operations December 4 and 7, 1864.

No. 215.

Reports of Col. John S. Jones, One hundred and seventy-fourth Ohio Infantry,

of operations December 4 and 7, 1864.

HDQRS. 174TH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,        

Fortress Rosecrans, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

MAJOR: In compliance with orders received from headquarters Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command at the engagement of Overall's Creek, December 4, 1864:

In obedience to orders from the general commanding, my command formed in line of battle to the right of the Nashville pike, throwing out skirmishers to the front, in the direction of Overall's Creek. I was ordered to remain in this position in support of the artillery on our right. My command thus remained until the advance was ordered across Overall's Creek. I then moved my command forward in line of battle to the creek. The skirmishers were immediately thrown across, and the right and left wings were directed to remain in line until the center crossed the bridge and formed on the opposite side. The color company crossed and formed, and the companies from the right and left wings alternately crossed and formed in their respective places in line of battle. This was done under a severe fire from the enemy. The bridge was torn up, and somewhat impeded our progress, but the movement was executed promptly and in good order. The command was then ordered to move by the left flank until the right would rest on the pike, and then move forward by the right flank, which was done as directed. We advanced directly against the enemy, driving him steadily before us until we advanced from one-half to three-quarters of a mile, when we were ordered to withdraw. On receipt of this order we marched back in line “faced to the rear.” On reaching the creek we moved by the left flank by file right, recrossed the bridge, and formed line of battle a little in advance of the position we were in when in the support of the artillery at the commencement of the engagement. I left one company at the bridge, one deployed to the left of the bridge, and one at the right of the same, under charge of the major, to protect the recrossing of the cavalry. Remained in this position until ordered to return to Murfreesborough.

Any allusion to the conduct of the officers of my command may seem unnecessary, as they fought under the eye of the general commanding. It is due them, however, from me to say their conduct was unexceptionable. My lieutenant-colonel, A. J. Sterling, and major, B.C. G. Reed, also my adjutant, Harry M. Dean, performed their respective duties in the most prompt and gallant manner, and my line officers all behaved so well that it would be invidious to make distinction. It affords me pleasure to be able to say their conduct deserves special commendation. The horses of my lieutenant-colonel, major, and adjutant were wounded, and I had my own horse killed during the engagement.

The following is a list of casualties in my command.*

Number of prisoners captured and sent to the rear, 20. The prisoners were from the Second and Seventh Florida Regiments. From the number of the enemy dead and left on the field over which my command passed, their loss must have been severe. Among those left by them was one commissioned officer. All the killed and wounded of my command were brought from the field.

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

JOHN S. JONES,        

Colonel, Commanding 174th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

[Maj. JOHN O. CRAVENS.]

_______________

HEADQUARTERS 174TH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,        

Murfreesborough, Tenn., December 8, 1864.

COLONEL: In obedience to orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my command in the engagement with the enemy on Wilkinson's pike, on December 7, 1864:

In obedience to orders, my command moved out on the Salem pike, crossed Stone's River bridge, and, by direction, formed in double column, at half distance, "in the field to the left of the line of battle." Remained in this position until the receipt of orders to move by the right flank. On reaching the woods I deployed my command into line, it being difficult to move through the woods in double column. On reaching the hill, where we were opened upon by the enemy's guns, my command was formed in line of battle in the edge of the woods to the left of our artillery. I threw skirmishers well to the front in the corn-field and in a skirt of timber to my left, with a view of picking off the enemy's cannoneers. Remained in this position until received orders to move to the right. In the execution of this movement I was directed by the general commanding to move in line "faced to the rear," and then by the left flank, in order that the rising ground in our front might conceal the movement to the right from the enemy. In the formation of the line of battle near the pike my command formed the left center of the brigade. One company (Company E, Capt. George Campbell) was thrown out as skirmishers, and we advanced directly against the enemy across an open field, driving his skirmish-line from their defenses back into the breast-works in the woods. On discovering their main line of works we moved immediately forward and carried them by storm, capturing at this point 1 stand of colors, 8 commissioned officers, and 52 enlisted men. My command moved forward, capturing a large number of prisoners and the two pieces of artillery on the pike in the rear of the enemy's works. We advanced our line beyond the white house, driving back the battery that was shelling our line from the opposite side of the field.

It being reported to me that the enemy were making an attempt to turn our left flank by advancing through the woods to our left, I immediately moved my command to the left, forming the line in the edge of the timber, with the view of checking any movement of the enemy that might be made from that direction. By the direction of the general commanding we remained in this position until he could advance the line on our right. By his order I took command of the three regiments to the left of the white house, and was directed to hold the position until further orders. When the right was brought forward to the line I received orders from the general commanding to move my command by the right flank until my right reached the left of the right wing, and then sweep down by the left flank across the open field in my front. I was in the execution of this movement when the order to return to Murfreesborough was received[.]

My command behaved in the most gallant manner. My major, B.C. G. Reed, was shot dead from his horse while charging the enemy's works. He was an excellent officer, possessing most chivalrous and daring courage, and fell gloriously while waving his sword beckoning the line forward. My lieutenant-colonel, A. J. Sterling, and my adjutant, Harry M. Dean, rode gallantly through the action, and did everything that men could do In cheering forward the line.

I cannot say too much in praise of my line officers. Captain Robb, Company C, and Lieutenants Rigby and White, Company A, were severely, and Lieutenant Swartz, Company C, slightly, wounded in the charge on the enemy's works. One of my color-bearers, Sergt. Joseph E. Crow, Company I, was severely wounded in the same charge. To Captain Beatty, Company A, to whose company is due the honor of capturing the stand of colors; Captain Cole, Company B; Captain Robb, Company C; Captain Combs, Company D; Capt. George Campbell, Company E, whose company led the advance as skirmishers; Lieutenant Price, commanding Company F; Captain Evans, Company G; Captain Basiger, Company H; Captain Garrett, Company I, and Captain McPeek. Company K, special thanks are due for the admirable manner in which they handled their companies during the action. These officers and also their subordinates were conspicuous for their gallantry throughout the entire engagement. I desire to make special mention of First Sergt. William F. Wallace, Company A, to whom the officer commanding the rebel color company delivered up his sword, and who also secured the colors.

On receiving orders to return to Murfreesborough we brought from the field all our dead and wounded, also the wounded of the enemy who were left on the field.

The following is a list of casualties in my command.^† Recapitulation: Commissioned officers--killed, 1; wounded, 5. Enlisted men--killed, 5; wounded, 33. Total killed and wounded, 44. Two horses were wounded in my command (Major Reed's and my own) so severely as to be worthless.

The loss of the enemy was heavy; he left in our immediate front not less than 30 dead and many wounded; among the number mortally wounded was one lieutenant-colonel.

The following is the list of captures: 1 stand of colors; 2 cannon; 60 prisoners, 8 of whom were commissioned officers. A large number of prisoners not included in the above were captured, disarmed, and sent to the rear, there being neither time nor men to spare to collect them in a body and guard them to the fortress.

The number of my command engaged was: Commissioned officers, 20; enlisted men, 555. Number of the enemy not known, but, judging from their lines and reports of prisoners captured, their number must have been much greater than our own.

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

JOHN S. JONES, Colonel,        

Commanding 174th Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

[Col. M. T. THOMAS.]

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 3 men killed and 1 officer and 49 men wounded.

^† Nominal list omitted.

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. 624-6