Camp Scott. The
Vermont brigade, under General Smith, was defeated at Warwick Creek. Temporary
suspension of beating drums, sounding the bugle, and playing of musicians.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 40
At nine o'clock A.
M. we went to the front. The enemy fired twice at our arrival. We did not respond.
In the evening we fell back to the woods, covered by the Fifteenth
Massachusetts regiment. A siege gun was fired during the night.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 40
At the front. The
enemy fired twice in the morning, and several times in the evening. Fire
returned in both cases. At dark we fell back again, in reserve.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 40
At the front. We
were relieved at nine o'clock A. M., by Battery B. News arrived of McDowell's
occupation of Fredericksburg. Heavy cannonade in the night.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 40
Fighting going
on. Our battery was ordered to the front. At our arrival,
fighting closed, and we went back to camp.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 40
Going to the front.
At ten o'clock P. M., General Sedgwick ordered Captain Tompkins to take
his battery to the Redoubt No. 7, to cover the finishing of Battery No. 8. The
rebels commenced heavy shelling, to which we replied vigorously. Sections of
Batteries B and G were also engaged in it. They returned to their camps at
nightfall. We fell back in reserve, supported by the Fifteenth Regiment
Massachusetts volunteers.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, pp. 40-1
At daylight we took
position in Battery No. 8, supported by one company of telescope-rifle
sharp-shooters. The rebels kept up a heavy fire all day. We went back in
reserve at dark.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 41
Battery No. 8. We
were relieved in the morning by Battery B. Heavy cannonading in the night.
SOURCE: Theodore
Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light
Artillery, p. 41
HAUTEVILLE HOUSE, Dec. 2, 1859.
SIR: When one thinks
of the United States of America, a majestic figure rises to the mind—Washington.
Now, in that country of Washington, see what is going on at this hour!
There are slaves in
the Southern States, a fact which strikes with indignation, as the most
monstrous of contradictions, the reasonable and freer conscience of the
Northern States. These slaves, these negroes, a white man, a free man, one John
Brown, wanted to deliver. Certainly, if insurrection be ever a sacred duty, it
is against Slavery. Brown wished to begin the good work by the deliverance
of the slaves in Virginia. Being a Puritan, a religious and
austere man, and full of the Gospel, he cried aloud to these men — his brothers
— the cry of emancipation "Christ has set us free!" The slaves,
enervated by Slavery, made no response to his appeal — Slavery makes deafness
in the soul. Brown, finding himself abandoned, fought with a handful of heroic
men; he struggled; he fell, riddled with bullets; his two young sons, martyrs
of a holy cause, dead at his side. This is what is called the Harper's Ferry
affair.
John Brown, taken
prisoner, has just been tried, with four of his fellows — Stephens, Coppoc,
Green, and Copeland. What sort of trial it was, a word will tell.
Brown, stretched
upon a truckle bed, with six half-closed wounds—a gun-shot wound in his
arm, one in his loins, two in the chest, two in the head—almost bereft of
hearing, bleeding through his mattress, the spirits of his two dead sons
attending him; his four fellow-prisoners crawling around him; Stephens with
four sabre wounds; "Justice" in a hurry to have done with the case;
an attorney, Hunter, demanding that it be despatched with sharp speed; a Judge,
Parker, absenting; the defence cut short; scarcely any delay allowed; forged or
garbled documents put in evidence; the witnesses for the prisoner shut out; the
defence clogged; two guns, loaded with grape, brought into the court, with an
order to the jailers to shoot the prisoners in case of an attempt at rescue;
forty minutes' deliberation; three sentences to death. I affirm, on my honor,
that all this took place, not in Turkey, but in America.
Such things are not
done with impunity in the face of the civilized world. The universal conscience
of mankind is an ever-watchful eye. Let the Judge of Charlestown, and Hunter,
and Parker, and the slave-holding jurors, and the whole population of Virginia,
ponder it well: they are seen! They are not alone in the world. At this moment
the gaze of Europe is fixed on America.
John Brown, condemned
to die, was to have been hanged on the 2d of December—this very day. But news
has this instant reached us. A respite is granted him. It is not until the 16th
that he is to die. The interval is short. Has a cry of mercy time to make
itself heard? No matter. It is a duty to lift up the voice.
Perhaps a second
respite may be granted. America is a noble land. The sentiment of humanity is
soon quickened among a free people. We hope that Brown may be saved. If it were
otherwise—if Brown should die on the scaffold on the 16th of December—what a
terrible calamity!
The executioner of
Brown—let us avow it openly (for the day of the kings is past, and the day of
the people dawns, and to the people we are bound frankly to speak
the truth)—the executioner of Brown would be neither, the Attorney
Hunter, nor the Judge Parker, nor the Governor Wise, nor the State of Virginia;
it would be, we say it, and we think it with a shudder, the whole American
Republic.
The more one loves,
the more one admires, the more one reveres the Republic, the more heart-sick
one feels at such a catastrophe. A single State ought not to have the power to
dishonor all the rest, and in this ease federal intervention is a clear right.
Otherwise, by hesitating to interfere when it might prevent a crime, the Union
becomes an accomplice. No matter how intense may be the indignation of the
generous Northern States, the Southern States associate them with the disgrace
of this murder. All of us, whosoever we may be—for whom the democratic cause is
a common country—feel ourselves in a manner compromised and hurt. If the
scaffold should be erected on the 16th of December, the incorruptible voices of
history would thenceforward testify that the august confederation of the New
World had added to all its ties of holy brotherhood a brotherhood of blood, and
the fasces of that splendid Republic would be bound together
with the running noose that hung from the gibbet of Brown.
This is a bond that
kills.
When we reflect on
what Brown, the liberator, the champion of Christ, has striven to effect, and
when we remember that he is about to die, slaughtered by the American Republic,
the crime assumes the proportions of the Nation which commits it; and when we
say to ourselves that this Nation is a glory of the human race; that—like France,
like England, like Germany—she is one of the organs of civilization; that she
sometimes even out-marches Europe by the sublime audacity of her progress; that
she is the queen of an entire world; and that she bears on her brow an immense
light of freedom; we affirm that John Brown will not die; for we recoil,
horror-struck, from the idea of so great a crime committed by so great a
People,
In a political
light, the murder of Brown would be an irreparable fault. It would penetrate
the Union with a secret fissure, which—would in the end tear it asunder. It is
possible that the execution of Brown might consolidate Slavery in Virginia, but
it is certain that it would convulse the entire American Democracy. You
preserve your shame, but you sacrifice your glory.
In a moral light, it
seems to me, that a portion of the light of humanity would be eclipsed; that
even the idea of justice and injustice would be obscured on the day which
should witness the assassination of Emancipation by Liberty.
As for myself,
though I am but an atom, yet being, as I am, in common with all other men,
inspired with the conscience of humanity, I kneel in tears before the great
starry banner of the New World, and with clasped hands, and with profound and
filial respect, I implore the illustrious American Republic, sister of the
French Republic, to look to the safety of the universal moral law, to save
Brown; to throw down the threatening scaffold of the 16th December, and not to
suffer that, beneath its eyes, and, I add, with a shudder, almost by its fault,
the first fratricide be outdone.
For yes, let America
know it, and ponder it well—there is something more terrible than
Cain slaying Abel—it is Washington slaying Spartacus.
SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, pp. 99-102
PARIS, 6th July, 1851.
MADAME: I have scarcely any thing to add to your letter. I would cheerfully sign every line of it. Pursue your holy work. You have with you all great souls and all good hearts.
You are pleased to believe, and to assure me, that my voice, in this august cause of liberty, will be listened to by the great American people, whom I love so profoundly, and whose destinies, I am fain to think, are closely linked with the mission of France. You desire me to lift up my voice.
I will do it at once, and I will do it on all occasions. I agree with you in thinking, that, within a definite time—that within a time not distant—the United States will repudiate Slavery with horror! Slavery in such a country! Can there be an incongruity more monstrous? Barbarism installed in the very heart of a country, which is itself the affirmation of Civilization; liberty wearing a chain; blasphemy echoing from the altar; the collar of the negro chained to the pedestal of Washington! It is a thing unheard of. I say more; it is impossible. Such a spectacle would destroy itself. The light of the nineteenth century alone is enough to destroy it.
What! Slavery sanctioned, by law, among that illustrious people, who for seventy years have measured the progress of civilization by their march, demonstrated Democracy by their power, and liberty by their prosperity! Slavery in the United States! It is the duty of this Republic to set such a bad example no longer. It is a shame, and she was never born to bow her head.
It is not when Slavery is taking leave of old nations, that it should be received by the new. What! When Slavery is departing from Turkey, shall it rest in America? What! Drive it from the hearth of Omar, and adopt it at the hearth of Franklin! No! No! No!
There is an inflexible logic which develops more or less slowly, which fashions, which redresses according to a mysterious plan, perceptible only to great spirits, the facts, the men, the laws, the morals, the people; or better, under all human things, there are things divine.
Let all those great souls who love the United States, as a country, be re-assured. The United States must renounce Slavery, or they must renounce Liberty. They cannot renounce Liberty. They must renounce Slavery, or renounce the Gospel. They will never renounce the Gospel.
Accept, Madame, with my devotion to the cause you advocate, the homage of my respect.
VICTOR HUGO.
SOURCE: James Redpath, Editor, Echoes of Harper’s Ferry, pp. 103-4
Organized at Benton Barracks, Mo., August 11 to September 8, 1864. Attached to District of St. Louis, Mo., Dept. of Missouri, to November, 1864. Paducah, Ky., November, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 3rd Division, 4th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland, to December 14, 1864. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division (Detachment), Army Tennessee, Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps (New), Military Division West Mississippi, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division, 16th Army Corps, to August, 1865.
SERVICE.—Moved to Mexico, Mo., October 20, 1864. Expedition against Paris, Mo., October 23-30. Moved to Paducah, Ky., November 7-10, thence to Nashville, Tenn., November 22-26. To Columbia November 26. Battle of Franklin, Tenn., November 30. Battle of Nashville, Tenn., December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood to the Tennessee River December 17-28. Moved to Eastport, Miss., and duty there till February 3, 1865. Moved to Vicksburg, Miss., thence to New Orleans, La., February 3-21. Moved to Lakeport, Mobile Bay, Ala., thence to Dauphin Island, arriving there March 3. Campaign against Mobile and its defences March 17-April 12. Siege of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely March 26-April 8. Assault and capture of Fort Blakely April 9. March to Montgomery, Ala., April 12-25, and duty there till August. Mustered out August 8, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 10 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 58 Enlisted men by disease. Total 68.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1336-7
Duty in District of Central Missouri. Skirmish on Clear Fork near Warrensburg September, 1862. Beach Creek, Johnson County, February 5, 1863. Operations against Price September and October, 1864. Defence of Jefferson City September 30-October 7, 1864.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337
Organized at Benton Barracks, Mo., August and September, 1864. Mustered in September 16, 1864. On garrison duty at St. Louis, Mo., till July, 1865. Mustered out July 11, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 1 Enlisted man killed and 2 Officers and 34 Enlisted men by disease. Total 37.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337
Skirmish at Barry, Mo., August 14, 1862.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337
Organized at Macon, Mo., September, 1864. Attached to District of Northern Missouri, Dept. of Missouri, to December, 1864. Tullahoma, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to February, 1865. Unattached, 4th Division, 20th Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland, to March, 1865. 2nd Brigade, Defences Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, Dept. Cumberland, to April, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Sub-District, District of Middle Tennessee, to June, 1865.
SERVICE.—Companies "A," "C" and "H" moved to Sturgeon, Mo., September 23, 1864. Garrison duty there and at Columbia till November. Regiment assigned to guard duty on line of the Northern Missouri and Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, till November 10. Moved to St. Louis, Mo., November 12-13, thence to Paducah, Ky., November 29-December 2. To Clarksville and Fort Donelson, Tenn., December 3-6, and duty there till December 30. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., December 30-31, thence to Tullahoma, Tenn., January 2-3, 1865, and duty there till March, operating against guerrillas in Southern Tennessee and Northern Alabama. Action at Corn's Farm, Franklin County, Tenn., February 6. Garrison duty at Shelbyville, Tenn., till June 23. Moved to Nashville, Tenn., June 23. Mustered out Companies "H," "I" and "K" March 22, 1865; Regiment June 28, 1865.
Regiment lost during service 6 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 124 Enlisted men by disease. Total 134.
SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, Part 3, p. 1337
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
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
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.
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,
[Inclosure.]
Return of
casualties of First Division, Fourth Army Corps, at the battle of
Franklin, Tenn.,
November 30, 1864.
|
Command. |
Killed. |
Wounded. |
Missing. |
Aggregate. |
||||||
|
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
||
|
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 |
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,
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,
Report of
casualties of the First Division, Fourth Army Corps, at the battle of Nashville,
|
Command. |
Killed |
Wounded. |
Missing. |
Aggregate. |
||||||
|
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
Officers. |
Men. |
Total. |
||
|
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
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
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
