Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 112. Report of Col. Oliver L. Spaulding, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry, of operations November 24-December 5, 1864.

No. 112.

Report of Col. Oliver L. Spaulding, Twenty-third Michigan Infantry,

of operations November 24-December 5, 1864.

HDQRS. TWENTY-THIRD MICHIGAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,  

Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders of the colonel commanding brigade, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the regiment under my command from the 24th of November last to date:

On the 24th of November the regiment was at Johnsonville, Tenn., under orders to rejoin the brigade at Columbia. At 4 p.m. of that day it left Johnsonville by rail, and arrived at Columbia at noon on the 25th, and immediately built works on that part of the line to which it was assigned, sending five companies on picket. At 2 o'clock the next morning the regiment retired with the brigade some two miles, near to Duck River, and was occupied all day and night in building works on the left of the brigade line. On the morning of the 27th we were ordered to move to the right, where we took up a new position, our right resting upon the railroad a short distance from the railroad bridge, and threw up works. In the afternoon the regiment was ordered on a reconnaissance to the right of our line to ascertain what force, if any, the enemy had thrown across the river at a ford some six miles on our right. Having accomplished the object of the reconnaissance we returned to camp shortly after dark and crossed the river, with the brigade, (luring the night, taking position on the north bank of the river a short distance to the right of the railroad bridge. We remained here till morn of the 29th, when we retired with the division toward Franklin, reaching there on the morning of the 30th. On the evening of the 29th, when near Spring Hill, a body of the enemy was found to be in our front. In the advance upon them this regiment was thrown on the right flank of the line to move by the flank in the rear of the line and guard against any movement the enemy might make upon that flank. I threw out flankers, who, in the darkness, ran upon the pickets of the enemy. In the confusion we captured a rebel adjutant-general. On arriving at Franklin we threw up works in the position assigned us, throwing up traverses upon the flanks of each company, which proved of the greatest service to us in the engagement of the evening, as the enemy had a heavy flank fire upon us during most of the time. At a little past 4 p.m. the enemy assaulted our works with three lines, apparently confident of carrying them with ease, but after a most stubborn attempt he evidently became convinced that he had undertaken a very heavy contract, and one which one of the high contracting parties had no idea of ratifying. He renewed the attack several times, only to be repulsed each time, with terrible loss. During the engagement the left of the regiment was more hardly pressed than the right, and most of my fire was left oblique. At one time two companies of the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio, on our immediate left, broke and left their part of the Works unprotected. A body of the enemy occupied the outside of these works for some time. Here we shot down two color-bearers, and prevented their entering the works, till they were again occupied by two companies of the Eightieth Indiana. As the Eightieth was moving to the left to occupy this position I threw one company on the right center — where the enemy's fire at that time was very light — over the works, and fired one volley into rebels as they lay upon the outside of our works. During the engagement we took among other prisoners Lieutenant Lee, aide-de-camp, of General S. D. Lee's staff.

My loss during the engagement was 2 killed, 13 wounded, and 3 missing. Among the killed was Lieut. D. M. Averill, a brave and thorough officer.

Shortly after midnight we crossed the river with the division, and reached Nashville shortly after noon of December 1.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

O. L. SPAULDING, 

Colonel, Commanding.

Capt. H. A. HALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General Second Brigade.

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. 385-6

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 111. Report of Col. Charles A. Zollinger, One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry, of operations November 23-December 5, 1864.

No. 111.

Report of Col. Charles A. Zollinger, One hundred and twenty-ninth

Indiana Infantry, of operations November 23-December 5, 1864.

HDQRS. 129TH REGT. INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,

Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to transmit the following as a part taken by the One hundred and twenty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry in the late campaign in Tennessee:

On the morning of November 23, 1864, my regiment was put aboard the cars at Johnsonville, Tenn., from which place we proceeded to Columbia, Tenn., arriving there on the morning of the 24th, and took position on the right of One hundred and eighteenth Ohio, in support of brigade. At 10 a.m. same day was ordered out to protect the railroad bridge across Duck River, where we remained until after dark, at which time we were ordered to move and join the brigade. We there took position on right of brigade and fortified during the night. At this place we remained until 2 a.m. November 26, when we moved back (with brigade) to Duck River bridge, where we again fortified, and kept the position until 2 a.m. November 28, at which time we were ordered to cross the river (crossing on railroad bridge), where we again took position in support of the brigade, and remained in that position until 8 p.m., when we were ordered to take position in front line on the right of the One hundred and eighteenth Ohio, where we fortified during the night, and remained at our works until 12 m. November 29, when we were ordered to move in rear of the One hundred and eighteenth Ohio in the direction of Franklin, Tenn., and on arriving within two miles of Spring Hill was ordered back one mile and a half to guard a point until Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and one division of Fourth Army Corps should pass, which we did, and at 12 o'clock (midnight) we started and rejoined the brigade near Spring Hill, and without halting marched with it to Franklin, arriving at daylight November 30. Breakfast over, we took position near town, near Franklin pike, where we fortified and sent out pickets. At 4 p.m. the enemy advanced in three lines of battle, drove in our pickets, and charged our works repeatedly, with heavy slaughter to themselves and comparatively small to us. At about 3 a.m. December 1 we moved out in direction of Nashville, Tenn., where we arrived same evening and where we still remain.

In closing this report I have the honor to state that the officers and men of my command discharged every duty assigned them cheerfully and promptly, and deserve the title of true soldiers and devoted friends of our country.

List of casualties of my regiment are as follows.*

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

 C. A. ZOLLINGER,

Colonel, Commanding 129th Regiment Indiana Volunteers.

Col. O. H. MOORE,

Comdg. Second Brig., Second Div., Twenty-third Army Corps.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 4 men killed, 1 officer and 15 men wounded and 2 men missing.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 384-5

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 110. Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, of operations November 23-December 5, 1864.

No. 110.

Report of Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen, Eightieth Indiana Infantry, of

operations November 23-December 5, 1864.

HDQRS. EIGHTIETH REGIMENT INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,

Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

SIR: In compliance with circular issued from division headquarters of this date, I have the honor to make the following report of operations of my regiment from Johnsonville, Tenn., up to the present time:

Leaving that place November 23, 1864, by railroad, via Nashville, we arrived at Columbia, Tenn, about 2 a.m. of the 24th instant [ultimo], where we were ordered by Colonel Moore into the earth-works on the south side of town and the fort. About 10 a.m. I received orders to march out on the Mount Pleasant pike. After proceeding about a mile I was detached from the brigade, and moved to the right of the pike, where I relieved a battalion of cavalry, who were guarding a ford across the creek that ran into Duck River, and about one mile from its mouth. Here I threw up a barricade of rails, and at 10 p.m. Captain Lee, assistant commissary of musters, brought me orders to move to a commanding position 250 yards to my left, and relieved me by the One hundred and twenty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry. After completing another barricade I permitted my men to rest during the remainder of the night, and at 8 a.m. on the 25th Colonel Moore moved my regiment to the left of the One hundred and eleventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, where I constructed earth-works to the pike, a distance of 300 yards. Company B, Captain Mosier commanding, was on picket and under fire during the day, but sustained no loss. At 6 p.m. I received orders to march at 12 that night to Duck River railroad bridge, following the Twenty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, but in consequence of a misunderstanding the Twenty-third Michigan and my regiment were separated from the remainder of the brigade about 1 o'clock in the morning, and compelled to return to the pike, when we marched to Duck River bridge, arriving there shortly after daylight of the 26th instant. Here we were again occupied in erecting earthworks until 3 a.m. on the morning of the 28th of November, when we were ordered to cross Duck River and build works on the north side, but before finishing them the enemy's skirmishers made their appearance on the opposite bank, and occupied our attention until 11 a.m., when they opened upon my regiment with artillery. After firing a few shots two guns of the Twenty-second Indiana Battery, on my right, silenced those of the enemy.

Nothing more of interest transpired during the day or night, and at 10 a.m. on the 29th I moved, in obedience to Colonel Moore's orders, toward the Franklin pike. On arriving within two miles and a half of Spring Hill the enemy's skirmishers opened upon us and we were ordered into line of battle, and marched to within one mile of Spring Hill, where we halted for an hour, after which time we resumed our march, reaching Franklin at 7 a.m. on the 30th instant, and were again occupied in building works. At 4 p.m. the enemy moved upon us, but were driven back in confusion. During the engagement I received orders to send two companies to take possession of the works on the left of the Twenty-third Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, where troops had been driven back. I sent Companies C and H, under Captain Cochran, who retook the works and held them during the fight, taking 40 prisoners, including 1 major, 1 inspector.general, and 2 lieutenants. My loss during the fight was 10 men wounded — Sergt. George W. Walker, Company B; Corpl. J. Alexander Chambers, Company C; Privates William H. Spore and William C. Mcintire, Company E; Corpl. J. L. Knowles and Private Adam Emmert, Company F; Privates Henry Ferrell and John Hunley, Company H; Private W. H. H. Ranner, Company G, and Sergt. V. Corben, Company K. At 12 o'clock at night we left the works, crossing the river, and marched toward this place, arriving at 3 p.m. of the 1st instant, where we have remained uninterrupted until the present time.

Respectfully submitted.

ALFRED D. OWEN,            

Lieut. Col., Comdg. Eightieth Regiment Indiana Vol. Infantry.

Lieut. S. H. HUBBELL,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 383-4

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864 — January 23, 1865: No. 109. Report of Capt. Leander S. McGraw, One hundred and seventh Illinois Infantry, of operations November 23-December 1, 1864.

No. 109.

Report of Capt. Leander S. McGraw, One hundred and seventh Illinois Infantry, of operations November 23-December 1, 1864.

HDQRS. 107TH REGIMENT ILLINOIS INFANTRY VOLS.,    

Nashville, Tenn., December 6, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I respectfully submit the following as an official report of the One hundred and seventh Illinois Infantry Volunteers, from the 23d day of November, 1864, to the 1st day of December, 1864:

On the 23d day of November we left Johnsonville, Tenn., on the cars, and arrived at Columbia, Tenn., the day following. In the evening the regiment was ordered into line of battle and threw up works. On the 26th marched across Duck River and erected barricades, and recrossed said river on the evening of the 27th. On the morning of the 28th was ordered to move in the direction of Spring Hill, where we arrived about 10 p.m. of the same day; but not halting, moved on toward Franklin, some four miles, and took position a quarter of a mile east of the pike road, with brigade. About 1 o'clock next p.m. was ordered to hold our position, while the rest of brigade moved onward toward Franklin. At 2.30 o'clock skirmished briskly with the enemy, and at 5.30 took up the line of march for Franklin, where we arrived at 12 m. Threw up works during the afternoon were attacked by the enemy about 5 o'clock in heavy force. He charged the works time and again, but was successfully met at all times. At one time (about dusk) four stand of colors were planted upon our breast-works, across which the enemy charged furiously, but was met by our brave boys and hurled back in utter confusion. In this charge the heroic Lieutenant-Colonel Lowry fell while gallantly cheering his men on to victory, when Leander S. McGraw, captain, took command of the regiment. On the morning of December I was ordered to move in the direction of Nashville, where we arrived at 12 m.

The following is a list of the killed, wounded, and missing.*

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

LEANDER S. McGRAW,   

Captain, Commanding Regiment.

Capt. HENRY A. HALE,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

_______________

* Nominal list (omitted) shows 1 officer and 3 men killed, 1 officer and 14 men wounded, and 1 man missing.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 382-3

Walter E. Partridge, Pvt., Co. F, 36th Illinois Infantry

W. E. Partridge, now living retired in Alta, is numbered among the old settlers of Buena Vista county and is one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War. He is a native of England, born in Berkshire, June 3, 1833, a son of James and Anne (Edwards) Partridge, who spent their entire lives in that country. The father was a mechanic, being a wheelwright by trade, and he also engaged in farming. His family numbered thirteen children, of whom twelve grew to years of maturity.

W. E. Partridge, whose name introduces this review, spent the years of his boyhood and youth in his native land and when fifteen years of age accompanied a brother to the United States. He first located in Maryland and secured work on the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in that state, after which he spent two years working on the canal. He then took up his abode in Pennsylvania and from that state removed to Illinois, where he engaged in farming until 1882 when he came to Buena Vista county and purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on section 34, Nokomis township. This was an uncultivated and unimproved tract when it came into his possession but he at once began to develop the land, erected a good house, barns and outbuildings, and now has a well improved and valuable farm property, whereon he made his home for twenty-seven years. He planted a good orchard, which is now in bearing, and beautiful shade trees add to the attractive appearance of the place. In addition to general farming he engaged in raising stock, keeping registered shorthorn cattle and good grades of hogs. In 1908 he removed to Alta and is now living retired.

Mr. Partridge’s private affairs were interrupted at the time of the Civil War when, loyal to the best interest of his country, he enlisted September 9, 1861 at Aurora, Illinois, as a member of Company F, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry, joining the regiment at St. Louis. From that city they made their way to Rolla, Missouri, and Mr. Partridge participated in many of the important battles, including Pea Ridge, Perryville, Chickamauga, Spring Hill, Franklin and Nashville, and was with Sherman on his march to Atlanta. He was also for four months on duty at New Orleans, his regiment acting as guard to General Sheridan. After a hard service lasting four years and two months he was mustered out at New Orleans and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois.

When the country no longer needed his services, Mr. Partridge returned to Illinois and took up his abode in Kankakee county, where he purchased eighty acres of land, which he operated for sixteen years prior to taking up his abode in Iowa. It was prior to his enlistment for service in the war that Mr. Partridge was married, the lady of his choice being Miss Harriett Cottew, who was likewise born in England, coming to America when but two years of age. Their marriage was celebrated in Ottawa, Illinois, in 1860, and their union has been blessed with ten children: George, who follows farming in Nokomis township; Martha, the wife of William Miller, a farmer of Linn Grove, Iowa; Lizzie, the wife of Charles Reese, of Nokomis township; Charles who follows farming on the hold homstead in Nokomis township; Lincoln, who is engaged in farming in Minnesota; Ida, the wife of G. H. Tutt, a resident of Marathon, Iowa; Kate, the wife of John Sassman, who follows farming near Albert City, this state; Frank, who carries on farming near Marathon; Hugh; and William who died when eighteen months old.

Mr. Partridge gives his political support to the republican party and cast his first presidential ballot for Abraham Lincoln. He has held some township offices. He keeps in touch with his old army friends through his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic at Alta, of which he has served as vice commander. He has been identified with the Methodist Episcopal church at Alta for several years. His labors have contributed in substantial manner to the development and progress of Buena Vista county and not only as a worthy pioneer settler but also as a loyal defender of the Union cause he is well deserving of mention in this volume. His circle of friends is large and all esteem him for his genuine worth. In 1908 he had the pleasure of visiting his old home in England where he remained from July 12 until the 23rd of August.

SOURCE: Wegerslev, C.H. & Thomas Walpole, Past and Present of Buena Vista County, Iowa, S.J. Clark Publishing Co., Chicago, IL, © 1909, p. 279-280