No. 255.
Report of Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Ross, C. S. Army, commanding Ross' brigade,
of operations October 24-December 27, 1864.
HDQRS. ROSS' BRIGADE, JACKSON'S CAVALRY DIVISION,
Corinth, Miss., January 12, 1865.
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,
L. S. ROSS,
Brigadier-General, &c.
[Capt. E. T. SYKES, Assistant Adjutant-General, Jackson's Cavalry Division.]
[ 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.
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. 767-73
