Civil War Notebook

Friday, April 10, 2026

42nd Missouri Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Skirmish near Iberia August 29, 1862. Expeditions from Waynesville August 29-September 2, 1862.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

42nd Missouri Provisional Enrolled Militia Infantry.

Duty in Central District of Missouri. Skirmish at Iberia, Mo., August 29, 1862.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 13. — Reports of Brig. Gen. Nathan Kimball, U.S. Army, commanding First Division of operations November 30 and December 8 and 14-28, 1864.

No. 13.

Reports of Brig. Gen. Nathan Kimball, U.S. Army, commanding First Division of operations November 30 and December 8 and 14-28, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,

Near Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by my division in the battle at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th ultimo:

On the evening of the 29th orders were received to withdraw from our position on the north side of Duck River, opposite Columbia, my division to cover the retreat of the entire army. After the Twenty-third Corps and the Third Division of the Fourth Corps had withdrawn and passed Rutherford's Creek I withdrew my division, and at 12 midnight crossed Rutherford's Creek and moved on rapidly to Spring Hill, passing within 300 yards of the rebel lines. Here I joined the Second and Third Divisions of this corps. Receiving orders from Major-General Stanley, I at once took position on the left of the road, covering the artillery and trains of the Fourth Corps, and moved forward toward Franklin. We had proceeded about three miles, when word was sent me that the enemy had attacked and were burning the train of the Twenty-third Corps, which was in our front and without guard. I at once sent Col. I. M. Kirby, commanding my First Brigade, forward to save the train if possible. Colonel Kirby was prompt in his movements and reached the point in time, driving the rebels off and saving all but ten wagons, which the rebels had burned before he came up. From this point we moved on to Franklin, at which point we arrived at 12 m. of the 30th. Receiving orders, I went into position, on the right of the Twenty-third Army Corps, in the following order: My right, composed of the Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. W. C. Whitaker commanding, resting on the Harpeth River; my left, the Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Grose commanding, resting on the Centerville pike, and connecting with the Second Division of the Twenty-third Corps; my First Brigade, Col. I. M. Kirby commanding, in the center. Captain Ziegler's battery, (B) Pennsylvania Artillery, having reported to me, was placed in position by General Grose on the left of the division, near the Centerville pike. General Cox, commanding Twenty-third Corps, calling upon me for a regiment to re-enforce the Second Division of that corps, I detached the One hundred and first Ohio, Lieutenant-Colonel McDanald commanding, from my First Brigade, and ordered it to report to General Ruger. I have no report from it, but am informed by the officer in command of that line that it behaved splendidly, holding a position from which two regiments had been compelled to retire until the end of the battle.

Having established my line I gave direction that barricades should be made, and by 4 p.m. my men had thrown up excellent barricades the entire length of our line. Thus having completed our works, with skirmishers thrown forward, we awaited the approach of the enemy. At near 5 o'clock he made his appearance in my front in heavy force, moving in line of battle, advancing upon us, my skirmishers retiring gradually before them to my main line. The enemy advanced to within 250 yards of my main line, when my men opened upon them with such precision that the rebel line was literally mown down. The destruction of the enemy was terrible indeed, yet they pressed forward with still another line, seemingly determined to carry our position. Reaching within a few yards of our line, my men gave them such deadly volleys that their lines mostly fell killed or wounded; the survivors broke and fell back in great confusion. In about half an hour after this first repulse the enemy again made his appearance, more to my center and right, and again was he driven back in confusion, and with terrible slaughter. Still not satisfied, and waiting until it was dark, the enemy again advanced and attempted to carry our position, but was again repulsed; after this last repulse of the enemy my skirmishers were again thrown forward from the main line some 300 yards, and remained in their position until the army was withdrawn to the north side of the Harpeth River. It was Loring's division, of Stewart's corps, and a part of Lee's corps, of the rebel army, that engaged my division, as we ascertained from prisoners captured. Captain Ziegler's battery on this, as on former occasions, did splendidly, inflicting severe punishment upon the enemy, and, in fact, at one time prevented the enemy penetrating our line near the right of Second Division, Twenty-third Corps. Too much praise cannot be awarded this battery.

At midnight, in obedience to orders, I withdrew my division from its position, leaving my skirmishers on duty in front of the line, and moved to the bridge to effect a crossing, as I had been directed to move at once upon Brentwood to take up position until the army should arrive; but to my surprise I found the way blocked up by other troops who had left their position in advance of the time, and hence was unable to cross in advance, but was compelled to wait and take the position which others should have taken. General Grose's brigade (the Third), of my division, was the last of the army to withdraw from the line in front of Franklin. My skirmishers stood alone in front of the enemy until the army had crossed Harpeth River, and I am proud to say that every man of my division was in his place and all came off in good order. My dead were buried and all my wounded brought away. My loss is 60 in killed, wounded, and missing, as will be seen by the inclosed report.

Every officer and man of this division behaved nobly and is entitled to the highest praise. Brigadier-Generals Grose and Whitaker and Col. I. M. Kirby, my brigade commanders, are officers worthy to command such noble men as those composing their brigades. They all deserve well of their country, and I again recommend Col. I. M. Kirby, of the One hundred and first Ohio, for promotion. I am greatly indebted to every member of my staff for valuable services rendered during the engagement. One of my aides, Lieut. Joseph O. Waters, was severely wounded in the right arm while conveying orders. Every officer and man of the division and of my staff has my thanks and commendations for his services and noble bearing.

For further details you are referred to the inclosed reports of brigade and regimental commanders.

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

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. J. S. FULLERTON,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Fourth Army Corps.

[Inclosure.]

Return of casualties of First Division, Fourth Army Corps, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30, 1864.

Command.	Killed.			Wounded.			Missing.			Aggregate.
Command.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Aggregate.
First Brigade	....	2	2	....	8	8	1	3	4	14
Second Brigade	....	....	....	1	4	5	....	4	4	9
Third Brigade	....	3	3	2	22	24	....	10	10	37
Total	....	5	5	3	34	37	1	17	18	60

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,

Nashville, Tenn., December 8, 1864.

COLONEL: In obedience to orders I have the honor to make the following report relative to the affair on my picket-line to-day:

The enemy advanced a strong skirmish line and drove my pickets from their position, taking possession, for a short time, of my line. My pickets were reformed and advanced as skirmishers, driving the rebels back and regaining their original position, and which they now hold. The picket-line of the Twenty-third Corps immediately on my left gave way first, thereby enabling the enemy to enfilade my line. In order to regain possession of the original position, I took a section of Ziegler's battery to a position near the Franklin pike, in rear of my picket reserves, and opened fire upon the rebel lines. They gave way in confusion, and I then advanced my picket-line, and at the same time the picket-line of the Twenty-third Army Corps (Cox's division) went forward. Two prisoners were captured, belonging respectively to Stevenson's and Johnson's divisions.

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

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers.
Lieutenant-Colonel FULLERTON,
Chief of Staff, Fourth Army Corps.

_______________

HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, FOURTH ARMY CORPS,

Huntsville, Ala., January 6, 1865.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on the evening of the 14th of December last I received the order of the general commanding the corps to be ready to march at 6 o'clock the next morning, for the purpose of attacking the rebel army, then intrenched before Nashville. At that hour my command was under arms, and immediately after daybreak it was moved toward the right and out through our line of works on the Hillsborough pike, and put in position—the Third Brigade, Brig. Gen. William Grose commanding, on the right, his right extending to the position taken by the left of the Second Division of this corps, and the First Brigade, Col. I. M. Kirby commanding, on the left, his left resting on the Hillsborough pike; the Second Brigade, Brig. Gen. Walter C. Whitaker commanding, was placed in reserve opposite my center. All of my brigades were formed in two lines of battle. During the forenoon my line was advanced, driving the enemy's skirmishers before it to a ridge fronting and about 1,000 yards from Montgomery's Hill, where the enemy had strong works and a battery commanding the Hillsborough pike. In this advance my command had obliqued to the left, conforming its movements to adjacent commands, and nearly all of the First Brigade crossed the turnpike and took position to the left of it. Ziegler's battery (B, Second Independent Pennsylvania Artillery) had been ordered to report to the, and was placed in position on the ridge before spoken of, near the pike, and on the left of it. About midway between this position and Montgomery's Hill, in front of my left, intervened a small ridge of ground, which almost disappeared at the Hillsborough pike, in front of my left center. The country between my position and the enemy's works was open, and every movement of my troops could be plainly seen by him. At 2 p.m. I was ordered to occupy this ridge, which was promptly done by Kirby's brigade, Grose's brigade connecting with his right. The right of Grose's brigade in this movement was retired to protect my right flank, which was left exposed in consequence of the Second Division not having moved at the same time. Ziegler was sent forward with his battery, and took position on the Hillsborough pike, on the right of First Brigade, and within easy musket-range of the enemy's works. From this point he kept up a galling and continuous fire upon the enemy, sending many of his shells through the rebel embrasures into their ranks. Upon securing the ridge of ground referred to it was discovered that at the foot of the slope toward the enemy there was an old road, somewhat worn by rains and long use, and which Kirby's front line was ordered to occupy. A good protection to a part of my line was thus procured for the time being within 250 yards of the enemy's works.

At 4 p.m. I asked and received permission of the general commanding the corps to assault this hill. The command, "forward," was immediately given. Grose's brigade advanced along the turnpike, and, crossing it, passed a stone fence which had been used by the enemy, and charged up the steep hill at double-quick. The right of this brigade reached around and inclosed the southwesterly or left end of the enemy's works on Montgomery's Hill. Kirby's brigade moved directly forward, with an unbroken line, across a corn-field where the ground was very heavy, and through the brush and fallen timber on the hill-side, never halting until his front line was inside the enemy's works. Both brigades moved in the face of a murderous fire of canister and rifle-balls, and both reached the hill-top at nearly the same moment. Kirby lost heavily while crossing the corn-field, as he was necessarily much exposed to the enemy's fire. In this assault my command captured — pieces of artillery, about 300 prisoners, and great numbers of small and side arms. The prisoners were sent to the rear, and the command pushed on in pursuit of the retreating enemy, leaving the artillery, small-arms, and other trophies in the works from which the enemy had been driven. The right of my line was here thrown forward and the direction of my front changed toward the left. The enemy was closely pursued until my command reached the Granny White pike, where darkness ended the day's work, and the command bivouacked for the night.

In obedience to your orders, at 7 o'clock the morning of the 16th, I formed my command in line of battle, with the Second Brigade, Brigadier-General Whitaker commanding, on the right, the Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Grose commanding, on the left, and the First Brigade, Col. I. M. Kirby commanding, in reserve, each brigade in two lines. Throwing forward a strong line of skirmishers, and supporting them with my whole command, the enemy's position in my front was soon developed, and he was found strongly posted in earth-works along the base of a high ridge, his line extending toward the east across and covering the Franklin pike. At 10 o'clock I was in position in front of the enemy, my line parallel to his, my left resting upon the Franklin pike, and my right connecting with Garrard's division, of the Sixteenth Corps. Ziegler's battery was posted upon an eminence near my center and about 1,000 yards from the enemy's works. At 1 p.m. I advanced my lines to a ridge about 400 yards from the enemy's main works, and occupied it, under a most galling fire from his artillery immediately in my front. It was in this position, while using his battery with great effect upon the enemy, that Ziegler had two of his pieces disabled by solid shot. His battery was then withdrawn, and Battery F [M], Fourth U.S. Artillery, Lieutenant Canby commanding, reporting to me, was put in the position formerly occupied by Ziegler's battery, where it did excellent service, punishing the enemy severely. At 4 o'clock my command charged the enemy's works successfully, capturing — pieces of artillery, 900 prisoners, and a great number of small-arms and intrenching tools, which were left in the works while the command pressed on after the enemy, who were fleeing down the Franklin pike. The Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry, Maj. George Hicks commanding, was in the advance, and pressed the enemy so closely that a drove of cattle was abandoned by them. The pursuit ended soon after dark, and my command bivouacked seven miles from Nashville, on the Franklin pike, picketing the Brentwood Pass. Canby's battery pressed forward with the division during the pursuit of the enemy.

Early on the morning of the 17th the pursuit was continued, and my command bivouacked at night on the north bank of the Harpeth lover near Franklin. During this day's march great numbers of stragglers and deserters from the enemy were picked up and sent to the rear. On the 18th my command crossed the Harpeth River, and marching through Franklin, bivouacked three miles south of Spring Hill. On the 19th I moved to near Rutherford's Creek, which, although usually easily forded, was then so swollen by the heavy rains which had continued to fall without cessation since the afternoon of the 16th, as to be impassable, all the bridges having been destroyed. The Third Brigade, Brigadier-General Grose commanding, was sent soon after noon to bridge the stream, and before dark the next day my whole command had crossed the creek, bivouacking near the Franklin pike, about three-quarters of a mile from Columbia. The division remained in bivouac at that point until 9 o'clock the evening of the 22d, when it crossed Duck River by the pontoon bridge, and bivouacked about midnight south of the town of Columbia. The march was resumed at 2 o'clock the evening of the 23d. The advance guard of cavalry immediately in my front came up with the rear guard of the enemy about five miles south of Columbia, strongly posted in a pass between high hills and through which the road ran. I immediately deployed a strong line of skirmishers and sent them forward. A section of Thomasson's (First Kentucky) battery was put in position about 800 yards from their lines and opened upon them. After a sharp skirmish they were driven from the pass, leaving behind a captain mortally wounded and one man killed. My command bivouacked for the night in the pass. On the 24th I marched to a point on the Pulaski road three miles south of Lynnville and bivouacked. On the 25th I moved through Pulaski to a point on the Lamb's Ferry road six miles south of Pulaski, where my command bivouacked and remained next day awaiting the arrival of rations. On the morning of the 27th I moved at daylight, and bivouacked near Puncheon Church, on Sugar Creek. At daylight the 28th my command resumed the march, and bivouacked at sundown near Lexington, Ala, where orders were received announcing that the pursuit of the enemy for the present was ended.

I have receipts for 9 pieces of artillery and 968 prisoners of war captured by this division during the actions of the 15th and 16th. The reports of my brigade commanders make the captures of artillery amount to 17 pieces, but I have no doubt that 4 of these are claimed by two different brigades. I am, however, positive that this division captured 13 pieces of artillery and 1,200 prisoners of war, besides great numbers of small-arms, several wagon-loads of intrenching tools, and a number of beef-cattle.

In the eagerness of both officers and men to pursue the fleeing enemy prisoners were sent to the rear and the artillery and other spoils passed by, which by this means falling into the hands of commands which came after us were accredited to them, although the credit of the capture is due to this division.

My losses were 9 officers killed and 4 wounded; 32 enlisted men killed, 207 wounded, and 2 missing. Reference is respectfully made to the accompanying tabular statement of the losses of each brigade. For a full and complete statement of the gallantry of officers and men I respectfully refer you to the accompanying reports of brigade and regimental commanders.

It is unnecessary for me to mention to the general commanding the corps the conduct of my division in the battles of the 15th and 16th ultimo and in the pursuit of the enemy succeeding those battles. He was an eye-witness to the noble bravery of the officers and men in their daring and successful assaults upon the enemy's works, and the patient and cheerful temper with which they endured the tedious and fatiguing pursuit, through rain and mud, while driving the rebel hordes across the Tennessee. But I cannot close this report without commending to the general commanding and to the Government Brig. Gens. Walter C. Whitaker and William Grose and Col. I. M. Kirby, of the One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, my brigade commanders, for the skillful manner in which they handled their troops and the promptness with which they obeyed and executed my orders. My thanks and gratitude are tendered them, and the Government should reward them. I also with pleasure commend the officers and men of my whole command, who deserve the highest praise and gratitude of the nation. Although in general terms I thus commend all, I would make special mention of Capt. Charles E. Rowan, of the Ninety-sixth Regiment Illinois Infantry, who, when the rebels were driven from their works on the afternoon of the 16th, pursued them with twenty of his men so closely that he was beyond hearing of the order to halt and reform, and continued pressing immediately upon their heels, taking many prisoners and stampeding their drove of cattle; and of Lieut. William Felton, Ninetieth Ohio Infantry, and acting assistant adjutant-general of the First Brigade, who, in the charge on Montgomery's Hill, seized the colors of his regiment and bore them on horseback through an embrasure into the rebel works; and of Father Cooney, chaplain of the Thirty-fifth Indiana Infantry, who remained in the front with his regiment, encouraging and cheering the men by his words and acts; and of Color-Sergt. Jesse H. Hall, of the One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, who, when attacked by a rebel officer with a drawn saber, defended himself with his flagstaff' and beat the officer into an unconditional surrender; and of Sergt. John Vincent, of the Ninety-sixth Illinois Infantry, who bore the colors of his regiment into the rebel battery ahead of his comrades and planted them there while the enemy were loading the guns. I cannot speak in too high terms of commendation of Ziegler's (Battery B, Second Pennsylvania Independent Artillery) and Canby's (Battery F [M], Fourth U.S. Artillery) batteries. To the bravery, energy, and skill of their officers and men this division is greatly indebted for its success in charging the enemy's works. Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky may well be proud of such sons, their representatives in the nation's army. The honor of those States and the welfare of the nation will ever be safe in their hands when led by such noble chiefs as Bennett, Suman, Smith, Rose, Moore, Yeoman, Evans, Morton, Wood, McDanald, Tassin, Northup, Humphrey, Hicks, Taylor, Mathey, Jamison, Pollard, Cunningham, and Lawton.

To the officers of my staff I am grateful for their valuable services in promptly delivering my orders and assisting in the execution of them upon every part of the field. I commend them to your most favorable consideration.

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

NATHAN KIMBALL,

Brigadier-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
Lieut. Col. J. S. FULLERTON,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff, Fourth Army Corps.

_______________

Report of casualties of the First Division, Fourth Army Corps, at the battle of Nashville,

Command.	Killed			Wounded.			Missing.			Aggregate.
Command.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Officers.	Men.	Total.	Aggregate.
First Brigade	6	19	25	....	98	98	....	....	....	123
Second Brigade	1	9	10	....	38	38	....	1	1	49
Third Brigade.	2	4	6	4	71	75	....	1	1	82
*Total()**	9	32	41	4	207	211	....	2	2	254

*But see revised table, p. 97.

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), pp. 177-83

Thursday, April 9, 2026

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Wednesday, March 1, 1865

Raining this morning. get a pass to go to Ft. Gains to Muster. So foggy boat does not run. continues to rain by spells all day—Discharge read

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Thursday, March 2, 1865

A. M. to Ft. Morgan. at 12 M. Steamer Tamanlapas crosses. to Ft Gaines, I succeed in being mustered to date from Feb 21st 1865. Judge Ft Gaines not so good a fort as Ft. Morgan. Return to camp at 5 P. M. Regt just from Parade listening to speech from Agent of Orphan Asylum, Regt Subscribed about $5000. a brig loaded with lumber & hay was wrecked on sand Island yesterday during the fog. Meet an old friend Joel Deweese of 23d Iowa

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Friday, March 3, 1865

Rumor in camp today that Mobile is evacuated. dont know. & that a blockade runner was captured. Evening both rumors false. Jewish smuggling craft loaded with Liquors was seized & confiscated beautiful day but misty rain in the evening

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Saturday, March 4, 1865

Storm in night. sand wouldn't hold tent pins. get wet &c. day somewhat cool. Nothing unusual going on. 24 yr's old.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Sunday, March 5, 1865

Morning with major Boydston to Ft Morgan to go to Ft Gaines No boat. All through fort. Near the pier & within 400 yds. of Ft. a pole which is fixed to the turret of the Gunboat Tecumseh sunk by the explosion of a torpedo, shows the watery grave of 100 brave boys, who are yet in the great iron coffin 30 ft below the surface, 1 mile out a smokestack sticks out of the water. a little this side the pier is the wreck of the Reb Gunboat Gaines, crippled & beached during the action P. M. in camp. Service at 3. P. M. News—35 men of our Regt lately exchanged are at New Orleans—Col Benton of 29th Iowa, & Col Glasgow of 23d Iowa appointed Brevet Brig. Genl's by the President, Detailed tonight to take charge of fatigue party tomorrow.

All experienced Rail Road, men called for, to report to Capt Jackson. It is the purpose to make a permanent Rail Road from Ft Morgan to Navy Com & extend around the Bay to Mobile as the Army advances.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Monday, March 6, 1865

Start with fatigue party at 7.30 work until 5 P. M. grading Rail Road tracks. 700 men at work grade about 2 miles. At 12. M. great smoke in the direction of Mobile, at 3 P. M. it is reported that Mobile is burning (?) in camp all evening.

SOURCE: “Diary of John S. Morgan, Company G, Thirty-Third Iowa Infantry,” Annals of Iowa, Vol. XIII, No. 8, Third Series, Des Moines, April 1923, p. 576

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant John S. Morgan, Tuesday, March 7, 1865

Day rather cool to be agreeable drilled the co. P. M. 1 hour, rained at 3 P. M. News is that a Rebel Ram French built has appeared in the Gulf, monitor moves up to Flag ship. Reb flag of truce report that news in Mobile is Beauregard has defeated Sherman, & that Lee was evacuating Richmond. The Rebel force at Mobile is augmenting. Deserters report one division of Hoods army 10000 strong to have arrived there.