November 1, 1864
NOVEMBER 1864
November 1, 1864 - Patrol and skirmishes at Union Station
NOVEMBER 1, 1864.-Skirmishes at Union Station, Tenn.
Report of Col. John W. Noble, Third Iowa Cavalry, commanding brigade.
HDQRS. SECOND Brig., SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Memphis,
Tenn., November 3, 1864.
SIR: In compliance with your instructions I have the honor in regard to the
affairs of the 1st instant, in which the Tenth Missouri Cavalry met with a considerable loss, that on that day the patrol, required by special instructions, was
detailed from said regiment and consisted of forty men and two commissioned
officers. The officers were Lieut. Norman and Lieut. Miles Reilly. Having
crossed Wolf River the patrol drove three scouts of the enemy to Union Depot
and beyond, arriving at the depot between 9 and 10 o'clock. At this point Lieut.
Norman, being unable to learn anything of the enemy in force, took fifteen
men and proceeded to patrol toward Somerville, leaving twenty-five men at
Union Depot under Lieut. Reilly, who was particularly cautioned to be on the
alert, and not allow himself to surprised. After Lieut. Norman had been gone
some time (it was about 11.30 o'clock) a band or company of rebels suddenly
appeared on Lieut. Reilly's right flank as he was in line, and charging upon him
with shots and yells put him to flight. There were not over fifty or sixty rebels,
according to the best information I can get, and there was no cause for Lieut.
Reilly leaving his post. His men have heretofore proved themselves brave soldiers, and they were well armed and in line. Their officer fled and carried his
men with him. The rebels pursued and captured the most of this party. At once
investing themselves in the clothing of the men captured, the enemy turned in
pursuit of Lieut. Norman and his party. The lieutenant returning was warned of
the fact that Lieut. Reilly had left Union Station, and the rebels were there. He
left the main road with the intention of crossing at an upper ford of Wolf River,
but had gone but a little way when the rebels came in sight, but being in our
uniform, our part retained its fire. The enemy charged, and although some
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 1
November 1, 1864
shots were given in return, it was not until Lieut. Norman had reached the
adjoining woods that he was able to make any resistance. At this point he dismounted his men and did the best he could to hold his ground, but the enemy
now numbering between 80 and 100, the lieutenant retreated and succeeded in
getting off some of his men, but very few of his horses, &c. The alarm reached
me at camp about 1 o'clock, and taking with me seventy-five men of the Tenth
Missouri, I went at once to the scene of the skirmish, ordering seventy-five
more to follow from the Fourth Iowa. I picked up a number of stragglers and
some horses, but could find nothing of the enemy, who had fled with his prisoners several hours before, moving toward LaGrange. After crossing over the
country to the LaGrange road, as night was setting in and I deemed further pursuit hopeless, I returned.
~~~
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN W. NOBLE, Col., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 884-885.
November 1, 1864 - Confederate citizens of Johnson and Washington counties petition for
protection from Federal bushwhackers and guerrillas
NOVEMBER 1, 1864. Gen. J. C, BRECKINRIDGE, Cmdg. the Dept. of East
Tenn. and Southwest Virginia:
The undersigned, citizens of Johnson County, Tenn., would represent to you
that our county is infested with several bands of bushwhackers, murderers, and
deserters, who are committing depredations upon the lives and property of
Southern citizens to such an alarming extent that a great many of them had to
leave their homes and seek shelter in North Carolina and Virginia. Those that
remained at home have embodied themselves together under, arms, trying to
hold them in cheek until we can get assistance. We are about twenty in number,
taking in boys from fourteen years old and men up to sixty. The disloyal element in this county is too powerful for us to withstand without assistance.
There is a very large number of deserters from the Federal army lurking in the
woods with guns of the best quality, and could, if they were to unite, destroy
every Southern family in the county in a short time and is threatening to do so
if we attempt to arrest them. We would also represent to you that several of the
iron establishments in this county are under contract to make iron for the Confederate Government, and hands were detailed to carry on the contract and had
commenced work, but were stopped by the Yankee advancing into upper East
Tennessee. When they fell back they left a great many vagabonds in the county,
who are now bushwhacking, robbing, and killing or citizens. No Southern men
who have made contracts with the Government for iron nor none of the Southern men who have been detailed can leave their houses, without jeopardizing
their lives, unless they have a guard, and consequently cannot comply with
their contracts. The Union men seem to be in no danger; they go about their
Page 2 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 1, 1864
business fearing nothing. Now we cannot content ourselves with such a state of
affairs as this; after giving all our sons, or fathers, our brothers, and sympathies
to the cause of Southern independence and after all to be thus driven to such
extremes as this; to be robbed and murdered by wicked men, it is more than we
are willing to bear. Your petitioners would therefore earnestly call upon you to
give us some assistance. We have full confidence that you will not suffer any
portion of your military department to fall into the hands of the enemy if it can
be avoided, and especially we believe you will protect it from the bushwhackers. We would respectfully ask you to let the few soldiers remain that are yet in
this county. We would recommend that Clinton Bevins be commissioned to
organize the reserves and conscripts in this county, and that the loyal conscripts
be assigned to duty in this county with the loyal reserves, and then let us have
men enough to make out a full company when added to conscripts and
reserves, and we will try to hold this county. H. M. Baker, Company B, Second
Kentucky Battalion, and Green Hazleman, Company F, Second Kentucky Battalion, we ask to be assigned, to duty here. The aforesaid Clifton Bevins is a
citizen of this county and has been a faithful soldier in the Thirty-seventh Virginia regiment of infantry until he became disabled and was discharged. He has
been scouting after bushwhackers in this county for some time with good success. We ask for this petition your favorable consideration, hoping you will
grant our request by giving us protection in the way we have asked for it or any
other mode you may see proper.
G. MOORE, [And fourteen others].
[NOVEMBER -, 1864.]
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE, Cmdg. Dept. of East Tennessee and Western Virginia:
The undersigned, citizens of the county of Washington, Va., would represent
that they feel themselves endanger from a party of robbers, who make their
rendezvous in the mountains bordering on Johnson County, Tenn., and believe
that they ought to be afforded a guard to protect them. They will state that the
gang of robbers has made three raids into that part of Washington County
known as Denton's Valley. They robbed the houses of several citizens living in
the valley, took away eight horses, shot at several, and killed Fayette Marks.
They have threatened that they will come back into the valley, and they have
likewise threatened they will burn Abingdon. They have threatened to kill John
M. White and Campbell Denton, who live in Denton's Valley, and James
Campbell, who lives in the neighborhood east of the valley about— miles. The
citizens on the south side of the county, especially in Denton's Valley, are in
dread nightly of a repetition of an-other raid by the gang, and the loss of more
property and the loss of some of their lives. They pray that you will detail a
body of men to guard and protect the south side of the county of Washington
and to hunt down the gang and bring them to punishment.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 3
November 1, 1864
SAMUEL S. GLENN, [And fifty-nine others].
OR, Vol. 39, pt. III, pp. 873-874.
November 1, 1864 - November 6, 1864 - Confederate guerillas destroy railroad between Moscow and White Station
•See November 9, 1864-November 13, 1864-Expedition from Memphis to
Moscow
No circumstantial reports filed.
November 2, 1864 - Vaughn falls back from Greeneville
RHEATOWN, November 2, 1864—6 p. m.
(Via Carter's Station 3d.0
Enemy have advanced to Greeneville in force. I shall be forced to fall back.
J. C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 894.
November 2, 1864 - November 3, 1864 - Affair at Davidson's Ferry, Tennessee River [recapture of the U. S. S. Venus]
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Brigadier-General James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army
commanding cavalry division, relative to the affair at Davidson's Ferry,
November 2-3, 1864,
~~~
On the morning of November 1 moved my command up the river as far as
Danville, where we encamped, placing our guns in position on the river-bank
so as to protect our boats (the Undine and Venus), which had been ordered to
move up the river, keeping in rear of our batteries.
On the following morning I moved toward Reynoldsburg, in accordance with
previous instructions, but was afterward ordered, by the major-general commanding, to halt near Davidson's Ferry, and to place my guns in position at that
place, which was done. Our boats having ventured too far beyond the protection of our batteries, were attacked by two of the enemy's gun-boats, and the
Venus was recaptured by them. On the 3d instant we moved up the river opposite to Reynoldsburg and Johnsonville, and had frequent skirmishes during the
day with the enemy's gun-boats, of which there were three at the latter place,
but without any decisive results. Here we were joined by Col. Mabry's brigade
of cavalry and Thrall's battery of 12-pounder howitzers, attached to this division, which had been left at Paris, and had moved directly from that place and
take position a short distance above Johnsonville.
Page 4 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 3, 1864
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 874-875.
November 2, 1864 - November 4, 1864 - Destruction of U. S. S. Key West, Tawah, Elfin, Key
West, Undine and Venus by Forrest
•See November 4, 1864-November 5, 1864-Action at Johnsonville
November 3, 1864 - Mary A. Judkins' letter to her brother Cave Johnson Couts: "we are
now truly subjugated by the negros, we are not allowed to crop them, they
will walk over you, if we resent it, they report and we are put in Jail."
Social change in Middle Tennessee as a result of three years of Civil War
Clarksville, Nov. 3 1864
Mary A. Judkins
TO: Cave Johnson Couts
My own Dear Brother,
I wish you could take a peek at once happy an loved country, see the disorder
and sorrow and gloom that fills every home and when it will end God only
knows, we though a hand full of the South could soon whip the entire North,
we have whipped them in every instance, but the more we kill the thicker they
come. I look forward to their presidential election for a change for better, but
that is in the future. I believe the South prefers Old Abe. I hope McCellen will
be the man, four years more of Old Abe, and the country would be [a] ruined
world without end, if the South had have been as true to herself at the North,
we might have had our independence long before this, there are now thousands
in this county that ought to be in the army, here speculating, making fortunes.
When I consented for my child to join, I excused mine, none could have been
left more lonely and helpless than myself, I had a dozen boys, I would not say
to one, stay at home, I know if I were a man and my head white as cotton, I
would not stay here, and submit to all the insults they daily do, we are now
truly subjugated by the negros, we are not allowed to cropNOTE 1 them, they
will walk over you, if we resent it, they report and we are put in Jail. Some of
our prominent citizens have been treated thus, there are thousands of negros
here. The streets are filled with boys from 8 to 15 years. They will knock a
white child down and stomp on it, and we can't say a word, now where is a man
that has one drop of patriotism in his veins, that would submit to such, and they
will, on trial, tell you they believed a negro sick in preference to a white man.
It's a thousand wonders, they don't do a great deal worse, knowing the privileges they have. Mrs. Robb has suffered much. They encamped near here.
Springfield has a negro regiment also when George was reaping his wheat, a
squad of negros sent out there, ordered the boys to stop work and go with them,
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 5
November 3, 1864
cursed George, he left them, went to a house and every one of his followed
him.
My negro man left me 18 months ago, he is loafering about town, I want
McCelen elected, just that I may have control of him awhile. Such insolence I
have to take from him I cant well stand, at the time I did not know how I could
possibly get along without his services, but I have considerably this far.
Medora and myself have been alone night and day, ever since her Brother
joined the Army, not even a neighbor. All the houses around me is filled with
contrabands, we have never been disturbed in the least, there are five thousand
refugees to be quartered here this winter, all spare rooms and vacant houses
will be taken. Three federal officers called a few days ago to see if I had a spare
room, first time any of the dogs have been in my house, the citizens are to be
taxed to support them, if they call on me then, I do not know what we will do.
How I hate them!
Mary A. Judkins
P. S. Since I have just heard Hood's army was in Tennessee, am afraid it's too
good to be true. I know for some time he was in Sherman's rear. Sherman is in
a bad fix. I hope, by the time you get this, Hood will be in Kentucky. We have
seen the account of Early's defeat, the papers for the last month have been
filled with it. The scale has turned, they now acknowledge themselves
whipped. You must take the New York Metropolitan Record, it is the only
truthful papers out now.
Winds of Change, pp. 84-85.
NOTE 1: That is, to hit them with a riding crop as they commonly did before the war.
November 3, 1864 - Half-truths and Rumor in Carroll County
The soldiers may have misrepresented things. I wish not to do my fellow men
and my neighbors injustice. God forbid! Some soldiers will think on men in the
neighborhood very well calculated to cause neighbors to think hard of each
other. Col. Chennyworth's men camped at McLemoresville some little time.
Their tales cause me to think hard of some people in the neighborhood. Chennyworth's men were a bad set, but they told the truth as circumstances have
proved. One Dec. 1st, four Confederate got dinner and horses fed, and the four
stayed all night, had supper, breakfast, lodging and horses fed for which the
gents handed LouisaNOTE 1 the magnificent sum of five dollars in Confed.
money, probably worth ten cents or less. These were Tom Hutcherson's men,
and I think they were but little account. Henry county men, Milam Dillehunt
and Greer; the other's name not known, a heavy-set, red-head.
"Younger Diary."
NOTE 1: Youngers' spouse.
Page 6 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 4, 1864
November 4, 1864 - Communications from Pillow to Sherman relative to permission to cross
enemy lines
HDQRS. JACKSON'S [CS] CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Courtland, Ala.,
November 4, 1864.
Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Cmdg. U. S. Forces in the Field:
GEN.: I have the honor herewith to inclose a communication of Gen. Pillow,
and to request your favorable consideration of the same. Being actuated by
honest and natural motives to remove his large and dependent family south, I
feel that you will extend to him the courtesies which he asks. If granted, will
you permit his aide-de-camp and son, Lieut. George M. Pillow, and his
nephew, Lieut. Lem. Long, to accompany and assist him? I have also to request
permission for Dr. W. M. Gentry, a surgeon in our army, to accompany the
party to remove his family from Bedford County, Tenn., to our lines. May I ask
your early attention and reply to this? I will offer my assurances, if the permission is granted, that these gentlemen will pledge themselves to silence.
I have the honor, general, to be, your obedient servant,
W. H. JACKSON, Brig.-Gen.
[Inclosure.]
TUSCUMBIA, ALA., November 2, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. SHERMAN:
SIR: I have received information that my residence and the home of my family,
near Columbia, has been sold, or is to be sold in a short time, by decree of confiscation, and that my family are to be turned out of house and home. If these
facts be so, the removal of my family south becomes a necessity, and I send
this communication to get your permission for their removal and your safeguard for such carriages and horses or mules and wagons as may be necessary
to bring out such personal baggage as they may be allowed to remove. All my
large estate having been confiscated by authority of your Government, and my
family thus reduced to poverty, they are left without the means of getting out.
My family consists of a wife and six daughters (nearly all unwed ladies) and a
little son nearly eleven years old. Under such circumstances, I will accept it as
a personal courtesy, amenitory of the harshness of this war, if you would permit me to go in person to my residence to make the necessary arrangements for
their removal, and to carry with me, under your safeguard, such means of
transportation as I may be able to command here and such carriages as I may
be able to procure from my friends there. I also respectfully ask that you will
allow such servants of my family as may choose voluntarily to come with them
to do so, that having been allowed to the citizens of Atlanta. If the application
is not allowed in the form presented, you will confer a favor on me to allow a
personal interview with yourself, designating time and place. If allowed myself
to enter your lines, I would do so under such injunctions of silence as you may
think proper to impose. I addressed a similar communication some weeks ago
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 7
November 4, 1864
to Maj.-Gen. Rousseau, through Brig.-Gen. Roddey, but have received no
answer. A small guard of Confederates or Federals will be necessary to guard
my family, which you will also please allow, to protect them from bushwhackers and robbers.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON J. PILLOW, Brig.-Gen., C. S. Army.NOTE 1
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. III, pp. 639-640.
NOTE 1: It is not known if Sherman, who was very busy at the time, answered. If he
did respond no doubt he informed Pillow that such protection was given
only to those loyal to the United, not Confederate, States
November 4, 1864 - Confusion and fear of Federal raids in Gibson County
I have not done much noting for some time because so much confusion and
rumors of Federal raids. I am fearful to keep my books and papers where they
can find them (that is my note of acct. books). There have been three men shot
at, at home or near their homes in [the] eastern part of Gibson county the past
summer and fall, to wit, Jack Bullington, his cousin Pack Bullington and S. C.
Cudd. The two Bullingtons will probably recover. They were shot by the men
known as the Smith gang of ScullbornNOTE 1, Gibson Co. Tenn. Cudd was shot
by some person in ambush about dusk and died about four o'clock next morning. I am opposed to conscription and such hiding in the weeds.
"Younger Diary."
NOTE 1: Skullbone.
November 4, 1864 - November 5, 1864 - Action at Johnsonville
Report of Gen. G. T. Beauregard, C. S. Army.
TUSCUMBIA, November 8, 1864.
(Received 12th.)
Gen. Forrest reports on 5th instant that he was then engaged fighting enemy at
Johnsonville, having already destroyed 4 gun-boats of eight guns each, 14
steamers, and 20 barges, with large quantity of quartermaster's and commissary
stores, on landing and in warehouses, estimated at 75,000 to 120,000 tons. Six
gun-boats were then approaching, which he hoped to capture or destroy.
G. T. BEAUREGARD.
Reports of Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding Forrest's
Cavalry.
HDQRS. FORREST'S CAVALRY, Near Johnsonville, November 3, 1864.
Page 8 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 4, 1864
GEN.: Having advised you, by previous dispatch, of the capture of U. S. gunboats 55 and 3 transports and barges, and also of the damage to steamer Anna,
which, in consequence of damage from our batteries, is reported to have sunk,
I have now the honor to state that my command is in front of Johnsonville, at
which place there are three gun-boats, seven transports, and quite a number of
barges. I have batteries above and below the boats, and am to-night fortifying
and placing a battery directly opposite them, and will to-morrow endeavor to
sink or destroy them. Johnsonville is strongly fortified with heavy siege pieces
in their works, and is garrisoned by a heavy force. There are several boats and
barges yet unloaded for want of room; the landing and banks (several acres in
extent) are piled with freight for Sherman's army; all the houses are full, and
trains are running incessantly night and day in removing them. I regret to state
that the transport Venus was recaptured by the enemy. In moving up from Fort
Heiman orders were misunderstood and the boats got in advance of our land
batteries, were come upon suddenly, and vigorously attacked by two gun-boats
of the enemy; the transport was disabled and abandoned; the crew escaped.
having only my ordnance train and a few wagons for carrying cooking utensils
with me, I found it impossible to remove the stores captured from steamer
Mazeppa, at Fort Heiman, and had them placed on transport Venus, with a
view, if possible, of carrying them up the river by Johnsonville or hauling them
out from Reynoldsburg to Camden. Owing, also, to the condition of the roads
and the fact that the horses attached to the 20-pounder Parrott guns were worn
out, the guns were also placed upon the Venus and have fallen into the hands of
the enemy. We still have the gun-boat in possession, but she is out of coal, and
her furnaces being built for coal, and it being impossible to supply her or get
her by Johnsonville, I may have to burn her. Will make the attack on the transports to-morrow at Johnsonville, and will, day after to-morrow, if necessary to
do so, burn the gun-boat and move to join Gen. Hood.
~~~
Have received an order from Gen. Beauregard to move my command and
report to Gen. Hood, north of the Tennessee River, and will obey the order
unless it is countermanded. I am of the opinion, however, that blockading the
river here will be more detrimental to the enemy and advantageous to Gen.
Hood than to move my command into Middle Tennessee; nevertheless, I shall
go there as soon as the scattered condition of my command and worn-out condition of my horses will permit.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
N. B. FORREST, Maj.-Gen.
HDQRS. FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS, Verona, Miss., January 12, 1864.
COL.: Continued active service in the field for two months has prevented me
from reporting at an earlier day the action of my troops on the expedition along
the Tennessee River. I avail myself, however, of the first leisure moment, and
have the honor of submitting the following report:
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 9
November 4, 1864
On the 16th of October I ordered Col. Bell to move with his brigade from
Corinth and to form a camp at Lavinia. On the 18th Brig.-Gen. Buford was
ordered to move with the Kentucky brigade to Lexington for the purpose of
watching Gen. Hatch, who was reported to be in that direction. I moved from
Corinth on the morning of the 19th, with my escort and Rucker's brigade, to
Jackson, Tenn. At this place I was joined by Brig.-Gen. Chalmers with about
250 men of McCulloch's brigade and 300 of Mabry's brigade, which, with
Rucker's brigade, constituted his division. On the 29th I ordered him to proceed to the Tennessee River and there co-operate with Brig.-Gen. Buford, who
was blockading the river at Fort Heiman and Paris Landing. On arriving at the
river I found it most, effectually blockaded by a judicious disposition of the
troops and batteries sent for this purpose.
On the morning of the 29th, the steamer Mazeppa, with two barges in two,
made here appearance. As she passed the battery at Fort Heiman, supported by
Brig.-Gen. Lyon, she was fired upon by one section of Morton's battery and
two 20-pounder Parrott guns. Every shot must have taken effect, as she made
for the shore after the third fire and reached the opposite bank in a disabled
condition, where she was abandoned by the crew and passengers, who fled to
the woods. A hawser was erected on this side of the river and she was towed
over, and on being boarded she was found to be heavily loaded with blankets,
shoes, clothing, hard bread, &c. While her cargo was being removed to the
shore three gun-boats made their appearance, and commenced shelling the men
who were engaged in unloading the Mazeppa. They were forced to retire, and
fearing the boat might be captured Brigadier-General Buford ordered her to be
burned.
On the 30th the steamer Anna came down the river and succeeded in passing
both the upper and lower batteries, but was so disabled that she sunk before she
reached Paducah. The Anna was followed by two transports (J. W. Cheeseman,
the Venus) and two barges under convoy of gun-boat Undine. In attempting to
pass my batteries all the boats were disabled. They landed on the opposite side
of the river and were abandoned by the crews, who left their dead and
wounded. Lieut.-Col. Kelley, with two companies of his regiment, was thrown
across the river and soon returned to Paris Landing with the boats. The steamer
J. W. Cheeseman was so disabled that she was ordered, with the two barges, to
be burned; the gun-boat was also burned while moving up the river to Johnsonville. The Venus was recaptured by the enemy on [November 2,] but was
destroyed the next day [November 4] at Johnsonville by my batteries.
On the 1st of November I ordered my command to move in the direction of
Johnsonville, which place I reached on the 3d. At this point Col. Mabry joined
Col. Chalmers with Thrall's battery. The wharf at Johnsonville was lined with
transports and gun-boats. An immense warehouse presented itself and was represented as being stored with the most valuable supplies, while several acres of
the shore were covered with every description of army stores. The fort was situated on a high hill and in a commanding position, and defended by strong
works.
Page 10 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 4, 1864
All my troops having arrived, I commenced disposing of them with a view of
bombarding the enemy. As he commanded the position I designed to occupy, I
was necessarily compelled to act with great caution. I planted most of my guns
during the night, and while completing the work the next morning my men
worked behind ambuscades, which obscured everything from the enemy.
Thrall's battery of howitzers was placed in position above Johnsonville, while
Morton's and Hudson's batteries were placed nearly opposite and just below
town.
I ordered a simultaneous assault to commence at 3 o'clock. All my movements
for twenty-four hours had been so secretive the enemy seemed to think I had
retired, and for the purpose of making a reconnaissance two gun-boats were
lashed together and pushed out just before the attack opened. The bombardment commenced by the section of Morton's battery commanded by Lieut.
Brown. The other batteries joined promptly in the assault. The enemy returned
the fire from twenty-eight guns on their gun-boats and fourteen guns on the
hill. About fifty guns were thus engaged at the same time, and the firing was
terrific. The gun-boats, in fifteen minutes after the engagement commenced,
were set on fire, and made rapidly for the shore, where they were both consumed. My batteries next opened upon the transports, and in a short time they
were in flames. The immense amount of stores were also set in fire, together
with the huge warehouse above the landing. By night the wharf for nearly one
mile up and down the river presented one solid sheet of flame. The enemy continued a furious cannonading on my batteries.
Having completed the work designed by the expedition, I moved my command
six miles during the night by the light of the enemy's a burning property. The
roads were almost impassable, and the march to Corinth was slow and toilsome, but I reached there on November 10, after an absence of over two weeks,
during which time I captured and destroyed 4 gun-boats, 14 transports, 20
barges, 26 pieces of artillery, $6,700,000 worth of property, and 150 prisoners.
Brig.-Gen. Buford, after supplying his own command, turned over to my chief
quartermaster about 9,000 pairs of shoes and 1,000 blankets.
My loss during the entire trip was 2 killed and 9 wounded; that of the enemy
will probably reach 500 killed, wounded, and prisoners.
On this expedition my division commanders, Brig.-Gen.'s Chalmers and
Buford, displayed the same prompt observance in obeying orders, the same
kill, coolness, and undaunted courage which they have heretofore exhibited,
and for which I thank them.
My brigade commanders, Col.'s Bell, Rucker, Crossland, and Mabry, are
deserving of the highest commendation for their conduct on this as on all
former occasions.
Brig.-Gen. Lyon, who had been assigned to another department, reported to me
on this expedition and rendered much valuable service at Johnsonville and Fort
Heiman.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 11
November 4, 1864
To Capt. John W. Morton, acting chief of artillery, and the brave troops under
his command, my thanks are especially due for their efficiency and gallantry
on this expedition. They fired with a rapidity and accuracy which extorted the
commendation of even the enemy. The rammers were shot from the hands of
the cannoneers, some of whom were nearly buried amid the dirt which was
thrown upon them by the storm of shell which rained upon them by the
enemy's batteries.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
N. B. FORREST, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 868-872.
Report of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding Department
of the Cumberland.
NASHVILLE, November 4, 1864—10.30 p. m.
Col. C. R. Thompson, commanding at Johnsonville, telegraphs this p. m. that
three gun-boats were disabled at Johnsonville to-day and abandoned, and
destroyed by fire by rebel batteries on the western bank of the Tennessee River,
and that rebel batteries opposite the town on the other side of the river were
engaging his batteries at that place. He also reports that the gun-boat and transports captured by enemy a few days since were all destroyed.
In addition to the above I have just received the following from Lieut. Commander E. M. King, to Commander Shirk, Paducah:
At daylight this morning the Undine camp up through chute at Reynoldsburg
Island, loaded with rebels, who fired and left. At 8 a. m. the Paw Paw and three
other gun-boats came in sight. I went down with Elfin and Tawah and engaged
a battery of 20-pounder Parrotts above Reynoldsburg Island, west side; it was
too much for us. The Key West received ten shells through upper works, seven
through berth deck, and two through hull; guns disabled on my vessel and
Elfin; shell of Tawah, received from Nashville, mostly too large. At 10 a. m. we
returned here. At 2 p. m. the enemy's batteries opened on us at this place, above
and below. The three boats and forts engaged; in shipping cable got foul of
stern-wheel. Anchor was weighed and Tawah took us in tow and we moved to
bank opposite upper battery. Both batteries now opened on us; after firing
away mostly all our ammunition I gave orders to get ready to fire boats.
Tawah's starboard-box Parrott disabled by enemy's shell; my boat's wheel disabled. Seeing it was impossible to hold out longer we burnt the boat reluctantly. Paw Paw and other boats are below, with batteries above and, I think,
below them. My officers and crew I have ordered to the fort. Johnsonville can
only be saved by a large force and iron-clads. Seven transports and our prize
Venus are set on fire. We have done what we could.
~~~
Gen. Granger reports from Decatur 10.05 a. m. to-day that he had sent scouts
out on the Moulton and Courtland roads last night. Party on Moulton road saw
Page 12 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 4, 1864
no enemy, and was informed by citizens no troops had passed that road since
October 31. Party on Courtland road drove back some Texas cavalry, which
they ascertained to be part of the Texas Legion, of which three regiments are
encamped between Decatur and Courtland. Citizens reported to them that they
were told by soldiers, and others who came up from Tuscumbia, that main part
of Beauregard's army had gone to Corinth. He put one corps across river at
Florence, and commenced fortifying, but had moved on himself, and had also
withdrawn part of that force. Above statement is corroborated by citizens living on Moulton road, who say this is general impression in that section.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 859-860.
An inquiry was held by the U. S. Navy regarding the Undine. According to the
evidence of Acting Master of the Undine, J. L. Bryant, at the time of its capture:
~~~
At 3:10 the enemy opened with a cross fire of artillery and musketry. I opened
upon them with my broadside guns and returned the fire with rapidity. I used at
that time canister, the range not being over 100 yards, which apparently had
good effect among the enemy concealed in the bushes on the banks. At 3:45
the main steam pipe in the doctor room was cracked, and filled the place with
steam, and drove the engineer from his station. The vessel became entirely
unmanageable. I headed her for the east bank, in order to save as many of the
crew as possible. About 4 o'clock, knowing that I could not get off from the
enemy, I struck my flag, which the enemy did not respect, but kept up an incessant fire upon me. I fired my broadside guns, ordered all the guns spiked and
the ship fired, knowing I had fought as long as I could. I ordered the men to
save themselves. At this moment I was knocked senseless and when I came to I
got on shore and followed after the crew. That afternoon we hid in the woods
and at night made the best of our way for Pine Bluff, which we reached at 4:30
in the morning of the 31st.
~~~
Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 26, p. 603.NOTE 1
Report of Col. Reuben D. Mussey, One hundredth U. S. Colored Infantry, relative to action at Johnsonville.
HDQRS. COMMISSIONER ORGANIZATION U. S. COLD. TROOPS,
Nashville, Tenn., November 14, 1864.
CAPT.:
~~~
The behavior of the colored troops at Johnsonville, Tenn., during the recent
attack upon that place was, I am informed by several eye-witnesses, excellent.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 13
November 4, 1864
A section of Meig's battery, temporarily there, made excellent practice, dismounting one of the guns of a battery placed by the rebels on the opposite bank
of the river and causing the battery several times to change their location. The
rebel battery devoted its attention to this section, shelling it furiously. The men
stood their ground well. Some of the Thirteenth U. S. Colored Infantry, who
were at Johnsonville, were upon the river-bank as sharpshooters, and armed
with the Enfield rifle, and did good execution. The affair was slight, but it has
gained credit for the colored troops.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. D. MUSSEY, Col. One hundredth U. S. Colored Infantry, Commissioner
Organization U. S. Colored Troops.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 868.
NOTE 1: See also map, Navy OR, Ser. I, Vol. 26, between page 630 and 631.
November 4, 1864 - November 17, 1864 - Breckenridge's advance into East Tennessee
NOVEMBER 4-17, 1864.-Breckinridge's advance into East Tennessee.
SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN TENNESSEE.
Nov. 11, 1864.-Skirmish at Russellville.
Nov. 11-13, 1864.-Action at Bull's Gap.
Nov. 14, 1864.-Action ear Russellville.
Nov. 16-17, 1864.-Skirmishes at Strawberry Plains.
Nov. 17, 1864.-Skirmish at Flat Creek.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 885.
November 5, 1864 - Forrest's command burns United States Military Railroad buildings on
Tennessee River
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of the Office Director and General Manager Military
Railroads United States, Washington, February 8, 1866, to Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War, relative to Major-General Nathan Bedford Forrest's attack on
New Johnsonville and burning of buildings there.
~~~
. . . On the 5th of November Gen. Forrest burnt the buildings at Tennessee
River, but did no further damage at the time.
~~~
OR, Ser. III, Vol. 5, p. 585.
Page 14 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 6, 1864
November 5, 1864 - Scout near Bough's Factory near Pulaski
SHOAL CREEK BRIDGE, November 5, 1864—9 a. m.
Maj.-Gen. THOMAS:
The first report I received from the mouth of the Blue Water was that the
enemy were crossing in force, but learned afterward that several hundred
crossed to an island, and thence attempted to cross to this shore, but were
driven back by the guard at that point. I don't see how I can re-enforce that post
at present. Gen. Granger has not relieved the battalion at Lamb's Ferry. Col.
Capron reports he is in Pulaski. I don't know where Gen. Hatch is. The Tenth
and Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry are to Bough's Factory, on the military road,
with instructions to scout well to the right, but I don't rely upon their commander, Lieut.-Col. Clift, Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, very confidently.
JOHN T. CROXTON, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. III, p. 652.
November 6, 1864 - Scout, Pulaski to Lawrenceburg
PULASKI, November 6, 1864—6.30 p. m.
Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS:
Your dispatch of 12 m. received. Croxton's dispatch of 6.30 this a. m. will
explain his position and affairs to you. I sent the Eighth Michigan, of Capron's
brigade, to Lawrenceburg to scout northwest from that point and cover the railroad better. I keep the rest of Capron's forces here at present. I will direct Hatch
to watch and hold Shoal Creek. I think the demonstration at Florence a feint.
We worked hard fortifying to-day; will finish to-morrow. My train has made
slow progress; will be at Decherd to-night. I will burn the country around Lynnville if they continue to cut the wires. The ammunition is all right.
D. S. STANLEY, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. III, pt. III, pp. 669-670.
November 6, 1864 - Major-General R. H. Milroy as a humanitarian, excerpt from a letter to
his daughter in Rensselaer, Indiana
. . . There is a great deal of want and desolation in this country made by war.
There are a great many women and children whose husbands and fathers have
either been killed, run out of the country, or draged off in the rebel army. There
is hardly a day that I am not applied to by some poor creatures for something to
live on. I have had my post Commander to send teams out in the country and
collect provisions of rich rebels to feed these poor beings and to collect a tax
off business men in town for their relief. I also send a great many North on the
Railroad. A poor woman came to me today whose husband had been run off by
the rebels a year ago and has got to Illinois. . . I gave her transportation on the
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 15
November 7, 1864
Rail Road and by Steam boat to her husband in Illinois and gave her money to
get provisions, etc. The poor thing burst into tears when I handed her the transportation papers and money and could only say God bless you. You ought to
feel very thankful you are not in a country desolated by war and misery, and
that you have good clothing, plenty of food and a comfortable home and
peaceNOTE 1. . .
Your affectionate father,
R. H. Milroy
Papers of General Milroy, pp. 390-391.
NOTE 1: It would be expected that the General would write thus to his ingenuous
daughter, but it seems hardly probable, what with Milroy's spiteful treatment of the native population, that he was capable of behaving as he described in this letter. For example, see his letter to his wife for November
25, 1864, below.
November 7, 1864 - "I have plenty to eat and nothing to do." John C. Seibert, 31st Indiana
Infantry, writes home from Camp Pulaski
In Camp Pulaski, Tenn. Nov. 7, 1864
Dear Rachel,
I again write to you to let you know where we have got to by this time. We
came to this place on Saturday. It has been raining ever since we left Louisville. We are camping out now in tents. We are doing very well. I have gained 9
lbs. since I left home. If I gain as much in proportion until my time is out I will
be quite portly. We get plenty to eat here and have nothing to do. The probability is we will stay here all winter. I hope we will as it is a very good place to
camp. There is quite an army here and it is still increasing. They are fortifying
all around here. We are in a valley with large hills all around. There is nothing
going on here, only army movements. Farming has played out in this part of
the country. There is very good land here but it is of no use to anybody. Our
Reg't. will be here in a few days and then we will be regular organized and
equipt. We have not got our arms yet. I got me a good pr. of boots before we
left Nashville, so I am well clothed of for the winter. I have got more cloths
than I want if we have to march much. If I have a chance I would send my
overcoat home, but if we stay all winter I can use [it] very well for to sleep on.
We have a mess of eight all good fellows. There is Hyett, and Milt and Frank
Vance, Wm. Smith, James Mayden, John Tucker, Wm. Dennis, and myself.
Tell the young man that I am doing first rate. I have plenty to eat and nothing to
do. Tell him to take good care of my [unintelligible] and grain and keep plenty
of wood [cut]. Tell Palk that this is easier work than gathering that downed
corn besides what a fellow can see. [?] I have seen more since I left home than
I ever saw before. Our Col. is a very sociable man. He stays here in camp with
us, takes the same fare that we get, and is always in a good humor. Kiss the
Page 16 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
ca. November 7, 1864
babies for me. Tell them that I think about you all very often. Direct your letter
to me at this place in care of Col. Smith, 31st Reg[iment]'t. IVI, Pulaski, Tenn.
Yours,
Cris
John C. Seibert Correspondence.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.indianainthecivilwar.com.
November 7, 1864 - ca. December 1, 1864 - Daily anti-guerrilla scouts Pulaski to Columbia
environs
HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, Pulaski, Tenn., November 8, 1864.
Col. CARRON, Cmdg. Cavalry Brigade:
COL.: In order to give greater security to our railroad, I desire you to send
daily patrols, at least fifty men in strength, to scout the country from this place
to Columbia. I suggest that you start these patrols very early in the morning
each day, with two days' rations; let them go by any roads leading patrols to the
railroad, and generally to the west of it within six or eight miles of Columbia,
and return next day. They can forage on the route, and during the moonlight
nights should lay by at various points during the day and travel considerably at
night, as that is the time selected by the guerrillas to the mischief. The patrol
will not be confined to any route but will go where they can best disturb the
guerrillas. Of course much must be left to the enterprise and sagacity of the
office commanding the party. Please start one of the patrols to-day. They will
meet a scout of fifty Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry sent yesterday.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
D. S. STANLEY, Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. III, pp. 706-707.
ca. November 7, 1864 - Sack of Lynnville, Giles Co.NOTE 1
•See November 6, 1864--Scout, Pulaski to Lawrenceburg
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the journal of Brigadier General Jacob D. Cox, U. S. A., commanding 23d Army corps (temporarily) and Third Division, Twenty-third
Corps for November 14, 1864:
Leave Strickland's brigade at Columbia, and march to Lynnville, eighteen
miles. It was formerly a village of about thirty houses, most of which were
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 17
November 9, 1864
burned a week ago by the Tenth Tennessee CavalryNOTE 2 in revenge for being
fired upon by some rebel guerrillas in the neighborhood.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 356.
NOTE 1: This affair is not referenced in the OR summaries of principal events, or in
the OR General Index, but is found in theOR and suggests the possibility of
a great many military operations that took place in Tennessee that are similarly just as unknown. This "affair" was carried out by 10th Tenn. Cavalry
(U. S. ) as retribution for guerrilla attacks in the area. It is not clear whether
or not the entire town was razed. The date is an approximation.
NOTE 2: The Tenth Tennessee Cavalry was part of Military Governor and Brigadier
General Andrew Johnson's Governor's Guard. See: OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt.
II, p. 329.
November 9, 1864 - November 13, 1864 - Expedition from Memphis to Moscow
NOVEMBER 9-13, 1864.-Expedition from Memphis to Moscow, Tenn.
Report of Col. John W. Noble, Third Iowa Cavalry, commanding brigade.
HDQRS. SECOND Brig., SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, DISTRICT
OF WEST TENNESSEE,
Memphis, Tenn., November 13, 1864.
COL.: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of your orders I proceeded,
with 500 men, properly officered, from this brigade, out on the Germantown
road on the morning of the 9th instant, at 4 o'clock, and on arriving at White's
Station was joined by 500 men from the First Brigade, under command of
Capt. Fernald. Those of this brigade were under command of Maj. Spearman.
Proceeding at once to Germantown, we found a picket of the enemy, which we
drove in, capturing 2—1 wounded and left at the village. From the man captured I learn that the picket was that of the command of Col. Denis (rebel), who
had his headquarters below the Coldwater, in Mississippi, on the Pigeon Roost
road. His force is one regiment and two battalions, in complete organization.
They are the Mississippi Reserve Corps. Have not left Mississippi until week
before last, when ordered up to burn the railroad between Moscow and White's
Station, which was done between the 1st and 6th instant. The road is much
injured. The whole of this force will not exceed 1,000, is armed with muskets,
and has but little disposition to meet us out of Mississippi, at least. I advanced
to Collierville and camped over night a mile beyond. Started the next morning
at 4 o'clock and passed through La Fayette and Moscow. The bridge at Moscow was in good order. The river was high over the banks. I met many persons
from LaGrange and beyond, and became satisfied that there was no enemy at
LaGrange or as far out as Pocahontas. I therefore turned to the northwest,
crossing the north fork of Wolf on a bridge made by our troops when last at
Moscow, and came west on the lower LaGrange road, called the old Raleigh
Page 18 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 10, 1864
road. I ascertained there was no force at Somerville, and little, if any, at Jackson; that Forrest was at Johnsonville, about to cross over; that Hood was crossing near Tuscumbia. I camped near Moscow, at night, at a man's named Scott.
Just as we were going into camp Lieut. Swift, of the rebel service, was
arrested. I have good reason to believe Scott to be a strong rebel sympathizer,
and took from him what property my command needed to feed the men and
horses.
On Friday morning I again marched at 4 o'clock, capturing some straggling
rebel soldiers on the road, and reached neighborhood of Raleigh at sunset,
when we camped, and moved out the next morning at 4 o'clock crossed Wolf
River by the ferry by noon, and came into camp on the afternoon of Saturday. I
met with no loss.
~~~
The command marched 125 miles; found the country abounding in forage. The
weather was pleasant. Neither men nor horses suffered much.
Very respectfully,
JOHN W. NOBLE, Col., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 901-902.
November 10, 1864 - Scout near Memphis
NOVEMBER 10, 1864.-Scout near Memphis, Tenn.
Report of Capt. Eldred Huff, Fourth Iowa Cavalry.
HDQRS. SECOND Brig., SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, Memphis,
Tenn., November 11, 1864.
Maj. M. H. WILLIAMS, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Memphis,
Tenn.:
MAJ.: Agreeable to the orders of Col. Karge, of the 10th instant, I have the
honor to report that I ordered out a scouting party on the evening of the 10th
instant, with orders to examine minutely the premises indicated in Col. Karge's
orders and other placed in that vicinity. The result was the capture of 5 prisoners, supposed to be robbers. I ordered them sent to the Irving Block. Inclosed I
send Capt. Huff's report of his doings.
Your obedient servant,
J. H. PETERS, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg. Detachment Brigade.
[Inclosure.]
HDQRS. FOURTH IOWA CAVALRY, Memphis, Tenn., November 11,
1864.NOTE 1
I submit the following report regarding my proceeding last night: I moved at 7
p. m. from regimental headquarters on the old Raleigh road. When about three
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 19
November 11, 1864
miles and a half from the pickets I crossed over the Germantown road. Came
back to within half a mile of the house designated in your order. Dismounted
one platoon of men and sent them around in rear of the house. I then charged
up in front with the other platoon. The rebels, six in number, attempted to
escape by the rear, when the dismounted men fired upon them; they then
turned to the front, when we fired upon them. Seeing they were surrounded
they ran into the house, except one, whom made his escape. I then ordered
those men out of the house and proceeded to search it; found one gun and one
Colt revolver. I brought the men to camp and by your order sent to the Irving
Block prison.
Respectfully, yours,
E. HUFF, Capt., Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Cmdg. Scouts.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 902.
NOTE 1: An error was most likely made in the dates of the first and second report.
November 11, 1864 - Demonstration near Russellville
•See November 11, 1864--Skirmish, Russellville
November 11, 1864 - Skirmish, Russellville
WARRENSBURG, November 11, 1864—4 p. m.
One of my scouts met a small scout of the enemy this morning in the rear of the
gap some ten miles, and captured 3 prisoners, who state that Gillem had halted
in the gap, but knew nothing of you pursuing. I have started two regiments to
the railroad in the vicinity of Russellville to make a demonstration to-night. I
with the balance of my force will remain in this vicinity until I hear from them
or from you. I started two couriers to you before these two.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg. Cavalry.
HDQRS. CAVALRY BRIGADE, Warrensburg, November 11, 1864—5.30 p.
m.
My entire command is encamped around this place. I arrived here at 1 o'clock.
I met no enemy. I have sent 250 men to the rear at Russellville to make a demonstration on the [Bull's? Cumberland?] gap. The creek is past fording, but
think I can ford it by 12 o'clock to-night. I had to swim the parties that I sent today over the creek. One of my scouts met a scout of the enemy in the rear of
Russellville, capturing 3 and running the others into the gap.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
Page 20 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 11, 1864
JOHN C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 895.
November 11, 1864 - "Amusements in Nashville."
The army correspondent (Y. S. ) of the Cincinnati Gazette writes from this city,
under date of 21st inst., as follows:
Nashville us undoubtedly becoming one of the greatest places for amusements
in the country. Both the old and new theatres are each night filled almost to suffocation, and unless a visitor takes time by the forelock and goes early, he can
obtain neither sitting nor standing room. I regard this rage for playgoing at
Nashville as among the extraordinary developments of the present extraordinary time. A Northern theatre-goer can have no adequate idea of the crush and
jam which always takes place in this city on every night of exhibition, both
inside and outside the theatres. It makes no difference as to the state of the
weather; it matters not what may be the news, military or civil; the crowd is
always anxious, crushing and great. If Hood were to bring up his ragged
legions to Nashville tonight, and hurl his shells and cannon balls into the heart
of the city, it would have no effect in diminishing the numbers of the fast
throng rushing to see "the play."
This immense patronage enables the proprietors to procure the best talent in
the country, and the boards are always trodden by some brilliant "star." Messrs.
Duffield & Flynn, who are managing at one and the same time three threatres
in three cities-Cincinnati, Louisville and Nashville-display an energy and perseverance in their peculiar business which would insure them brilliant success
in any walk of life. Since I have been in this city they have placed upon the
state successively Mam'selle Zoe, Ed. Adams, and the "Boniface and Newton
Alliance," and their entire programme for the winter is equally brilliant. Their
stock company is certainly above the average, and they have so thoroughly
refitted their theatre that it looks as good as anew. Every individual connected
with the management of this establishment, from the proprietors to the
prompter, seems to have been selected with special reference to his business
capacity, and to the intelligence and courtesy of a gentleman. Mr. C. C. Adams,
the Treasurer, was personally known to your correspondent as an officer in the
army. He served there with enlightened fidelity; and now that his period of
enlistment has expired, I am glad to see him in so comfortable a position as that
of Treasurer of the Nashville Theatre.
Nashville Daily Times and True Union, November 27, 1864.
November 11, 1864 - Confederate scout and capture of prisoners near Warrensburg and
skirmish at Russelville
WARRENSBURG, November 11, 1864—4 p. m.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 21
November 11, 1864
One of my scouts met a small scout of the enemy this morning in the rear of the
gap some ten miles, and captured 3 prisoners, who state that Gillem had halted
in the gap, but knew nothing of you pursuing. I have started two regiments to
the railroad in the vicinity of Russellville to make a demonstration to-night. I
with the balance of my force will remain in this vicinity until I hear from them
or from you. I started two couriers to you before these two.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg. Cavalry.
HDQRS. CAVALRY BRIGADE,
Warrensburg, November 11, 1864—5.30 p. m.
My entire command is encamped around this place. I arrived here at 1 o'clock.
I met no enemy. I have sent 250 men to the rear at Russellville to make a demonstration on the gap. The creek is past fording, but think I can ford it by 12
o'clock to-night. I had to swim the parties that I sent to-day over the creek. One
of my scouts met a scout of the enemy in the rear of Russellville, capturing 3
and running the others into the gap.
I am, very respectfully, &c.,
JOHN C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 895.
November 11, 1864 - November 13, 1864 - "Regret to inform you my command has met a
terrible reverse." Action at Bull's Gap
KNOXVILLE, TENN., November 15, 1864.
Regret to inform you my command has met a terrible reverse. On the night of
the 9th moved from Greeneville to Bull's Gap; 11th, the enemy attacked me
and was repulsed; 12th, at daylight assault was renewed, Breckinridge leading
storming party. . . On the 13th the enemy renewed attack, but not with such
vigor. From our position we could see their infantry arriving, and, as my command had been living four days without bread, horses starving, and ammunition exhausted, I determined to evacuate the gap on the night of the 13th, and
was not interfered with until the greater part of my command, artillery, and
trains had passed Russellville, when the rear was attacked and men became
panic-stricken. All efforts of myself and their officers to rally them was fruitless. They ran over everything. The enemy, who had not attacked vigorously at
first, then charged and broke through our lines, capturing artillery and trains.
Do not think we had 20 killed. I passed over the grounds in the enemy's rear.
Did not see a dead Federal soldier; but, in horses, arms, and equipments, have
lost heavily. Two hundred men will cover our loss. This command has heretofore fought gallantly. Had it not become panic-stricken could have easily
repulsed the enemy and kept them back. I remained in our rear. Did not reach
here until last night. Will reorganize command and await your orders; and, if
Page 22 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 11, 1864
you are willing to trust me, try them again. Had assistance been extended when
asked for from the commander at Knoxville this disaster would not have
occurred. But my men were allowed to starve while storehouses were full and a
railroad running to Russellville.
ALVAN C. GILLEM, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 885-886.NOTE 1
Report of Brig. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem, U. S. Army.
HDQRS. BRIGADE, GOVERNOR'S GUARD, Camp at Love's Station,
November 16, 1864.
GOVERNOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Governor's Guard from the 9th to the 16th of November:
On the 8th of November I was at Henderson's Depot with my command and
sent the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry to Greeneville to insure quiet and give confidence to the people to attend the Presidential election. On the evening of the
8th I learned that Maj.-Gen. Breckinridge, commanding the Department (rebel)
of Western Virginia and East Tennessee, was at Carter's Depot, and was
advancing with a force much superior to mine; that he had avowed his intention of recovering the territory lost by Gen. Vaughn. On the 9th I sent out a battalion of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry on the Jonesborough road, under
Lieut.-Col. Ingerton, as far as Limestone Depot, and one battalion of the
Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, under Lieut.-Col. Brown, up the river road as far as
Broylesville, and with the remainder of my command fell back to Greeneville.
I then telegraphed Your Excellency that Gen. Breckinridge was advancing; that
I had fallen back to Greeneville; that the enemy would advance by the main
road and also by the river road, and that in all probability I would be compelled
to fall back to Bull's Gap. At the same time I telegraphed Gen. Ammen all I
knew of the enemy's movements, and asking him to assist me. Between 8 and 9
p. m. of the 9th Col.'s Brown and Ingerton came in from their scouts and
brought information that the enemy were advancing by the Jonesborough and
river roads, and that they were at Leesburg at 1 p. m. of that day, and from prisoners captured from them I learned that it was their intention to attack me at
Henderson's Depot at daylight the next morning. They were not aware that I
had moved from that position. Knowing that they would follow me so soon as
they learned that I had left Henderson's, and the position at Greeneville being
unfavorable for defense against superior numbers, I evacuated that place at 10
p. m. of the 9th and moved to Bull's Gap, where I arrived at 7 a. m. of the 10th
and posted my troops with a view to defense both from front and rear. During
the 10th I strengthened my position as much as possible with the few axes at
my disposal. During the day I learned that Vaughn's force had passed around
by way of Warrensburg to attack me in rear whilst Breckinridge attacked me in
front. This intelligence I telegraphed Gen. Ammen and appealed to him to
assist me in saving the railroad to Knoxville. At the same time I telegraphed
Doctor Brownlow to use his influence with Gen. Ammen to induce him to
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
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November 11, 1864
assist me. I am informed by Col. R. R. Butler, who was present at the interview
between Doctor Brownlow and Gen. Ammen, that the general told them that
he knew how many were advancing against me, and that there were just 1,200,
and that I should be able to whip them, and declined furnishing any aid under
the circumstances.
I was not at all surprised when the enemy attacked me on the morning of the
10th [11th]. If at all surprised it was at not being attacked in the rear, as well as
front. The attack of the enemy was handsomely repulsed by 11 a. m., and
though the artillery firing continued during the day the assault was not
renewed. That night our troops lay upon their arms, and at 4 a. m. on the 12th I
had them in line of battle, and just as day dawned the enemy opened on my
position with six pieces of artillery. At that moment I happened to be in our
principal battery, and suspecting that their artillery fire was intended as a feint,
I directed our artillery to remain quiet. We were not kept long in doubt as to the
point of the main attack. About 6 a. m. our picket on the extreme left was
attacked. I immediately concluded that the enemy were endeavoring to turn our
extreme left and get in rear of the battery. Lieut.-Col. Ingerton, of the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was ordered to hold the left of one ridge and Maj.
Deakins, with six companies Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, the other left of the
ridge on which the battery was placed. As the enemy continued to mass on our
left Lieut.-Col. Brown and Col. Miller were ordered to that point with one
piece of Patterson's battery. The enemy, led by Gen.'s Breckinridge and Duke,
assaulted with great fury, many of them actually entering the rude works
behind which our troops were posted, but every man knew that if these hills
were taken all was lost, fought with desperation, and finally repulsed the
enemy, who left 27 dead and many wounded in front of our lines. Some of their
dead were inside of our breast-works. Whilst this assault was being made a
strong force advanced against our front, evidently to prevent our weakening
that point by sending re-enforcements to our left. At the same time Gen.
Vaughn made an attack in our rear on the Knoxville road. This attack was
handsomely repulsed by Col. Parsons with Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, the
enemy leaving 1 captain and 8 privates dead on the field. Although skirmishing
and artillery firing continued during the day, the enemy did not again renew the
assault. During the entire day I had been anxiously expecting the arrival of a
train at Russellville with bread, my men having had none for two days. I dispatched messengers to Gen. Ammen urging him to send me ammunition and
bread, and if possible re-enforcements.
Early on the morning of the 13th the firing began along the entire front, but the
day wore away without an assault. My ammunition, both for artillery and
small-arms, was almost exhausted, and orders were given not to throw away a
single shot. The forage in the vicinity having been exhausted, the horses were
failing fast, as we were unable to forage except at night. The men having
fought for four days without bread or salt, and as I could see re-enforcements
of infantry arriving in the enemy's camp, I determined to evacuate the gap on
the night of the 13th, but still hoping that ammunition and bread might arrive I
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November 11, 1864
sent down beyond Russellville to ascertain. The messenger returned at 7 p. m.,
not having heard of any train. The moon shone brightly, and at 8 p. m. my
forces moved out in the following order: Two companies of the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, under Maj. Hornsby; the train, followed by the remainder of the
Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, under Col. Parsons; the artillery; two battalions of
the Eighth Tennessee Cavalry bringing up the rear, under Col. Patton. Col.
John K. Miller, with the Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry and one battalion of the
Eighth, was left in our position at the gap to prevent the enemy obtaining a
knowledge of our movements until the train should be well on its way.
Col. Miller had orders to move at 10.30 p. m., and act as a rear guard. When
the advance of our column had moved out about four miles and the head of the
train near Whitesburg, I learned that the rebels in strong force were moving on
the Arnett road, which runs almost parallel and in about two miles distant from
the road on which I was marching. I was confident that the rebel commander
was ignorant of the real character of my movement. I therefore ordered my
train and artillery, which for want of ammunition was reduced to mere carriages, to turn off to the right at Whitesburg and cross the Holston River at
Cobb's Ford, four miles distant, intending to move with all my force to Russellville, where the rebels would probably strike the main road, and attack and
hold them in check whilst my train crossed the river; and then, if compelled to
do so, retire to the Holston River and across at Anderson's Ford, one mile
below Cobb's Ford. At the same time I sent back orders to Col. Miller that
when he left the gap he would move by the same road that the train was on. I
would have thus interposed my entire force between the enemy and my train
and artillery. This disposition of my force, I believe, would have enabled the
train and artillery to have crossed the river unmolested. Just at this time I
received a message from Col. Crawford that a train had arrived at Morristown
with ammunition, provisions, and a re-enforcement of 600 infantry and a battalion of cavalry. Believing that with this re-enforcement I would be able to
repel any attack of the enemy, and knowing that it would be ungenerous to
leave the battalion of cavalry (the infantry could have returned upon the train)
to its fate, I sent orders for the re-enforcement and train to move forward to
Russellville and form at the intersection of the road (upon which the enemy
were traveling) with the Knoxville and Greeneville road, and that if they were
attacked by the enemy to hold him in check and that I would attack both on his
rear and flank. To enable me to do this I passed my force to the front of the
train and moved on in this order toward Russellville. Arriving at that place,
much to my surprise, I could hear nothing of the cavalry or infantry re-enforcements, and knowing that the enemy were in force upon my left flank I ordered
Col. Patton, with two battalions of his regiment, to hold the intersection of the
road until the entire train passed. I moved forward to Judge Bartow's, where a
second road intersects the main road, and was in the act of placing the Ninth
Tennessee Cavalry in position near that place when the rear of the train was
attacked at Col. Patton's position. I immediately sent Patton orders to hold his
position at all hazards until the train had reached a place of safety. At the same
time I placed Parsons' regiment in a position to check the enemy should he
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November 11, 1864
attempt a farther advance. Patton repulsed the enemy and the firing ceased.
The enemy soon renewed the attack and with overwhelming numbers, and Patton's regiment fell back in disorder on Parsons' position, not, however, until the
train had all passed to the rear. With the assistance of my staff and several other
officers, and especially Capt. Landon Carter, Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry,
attempted to rally them, but with all our endeavors but a fraction of the command could be gotten into line. The enemy soon after attacked and were met
with great gallantry by Col. Parsons with the Ninth Tennessee Cavalry, who
held them in check for upward of an hour, until his ammunition was entirely
exhausted. In the mean time as the re-enforcements, who were said to be in
Morristown, did not arrive on the field, I sent several messengers urging them
to come forward, among others Lieut. D. M. Nelson, one of my aides, to whom
the commanding officer, Maj. Smith, replied that he did not come there to fight
but to protect the train. I rode back myself to Morristown and requested Maj.
Smith to move forward and assist in holding the enemy in check. To my surprise he informed me that his entire force was 302 infantry and dismounted
cavalry, and that he did not consider that he would be justifiable in moving the
train forward or in separating his men from it, but finally agreed to move the
train a mile down the Knoxville road and form his men on a crest of a hill. This
was done with as little delay as possible, and the artillery posted in a position
which commanded the road, to fire away its few remaining rounds of canister.
These dispositions had scarcely been made when Parsons' ammunition having
failed, his men commenced falling back in disorder, but were rallied and
formed in a line with the infantry. Many of the Eighth were also rallied. The
enemy then advanced. As they were compelled to pass over an open field displayed their entire force, which was formed in two lines from a half to threequarters of a mile in length, numbering probably from 2,500 to 3,000 men.
When within about sixty yards of our lines they received a deadly fire from our
artillery, double-shotted with canister, and from our infantry and dismounted
cavalry lying behind the fences, and fell back several hundred yards. At this
time the command became panic-stricken and all efforts to rally those who
were falling back, or to retain those already in line, were fruitless. Seeing that
the artillery would soon be left entirely without support, I ordered it to fall back
as, for want of ammunition, it had become useless. I was convinced that its
capture was certain as I saw the enemy preparing to charge the second time.
The artillery had only proceeded a few hundred yards, when the enemy
charged and easily broke and put to flight the few fragments which remained of
my command under Col. Parsons and myself. Their entire force charged past
us without stopping to take prisoners, and continued the pursuit of our forces
this side of Morristown, capturing the artillery, ambulance and wagon train. No
stand having been made by our troops after the last charge of the enemy at
Morristown, our troops continued their retreat until they reached Strawberry
Plains. The enemy in their last charge having passed over me, I was in their
rear, and was compelled, in order to reach my troops, to avoid the main road
and did not rejoin my command until the next evening. Col. Miller left the gap,
as ordered, at 10.30 p. m., and did not meet the enemy until he arrived at Rus-
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 12, 1864
sellville, where, finding the enemy's force to be greater than he considered
himself justified in attacking, after one charge he moved off to his right and
attempted to join me at Morristown. Upon his arrival opposite to that place,
finding that the other portion of the command had fallen back, he turned north,
crossed the Holston River, and rejoined the command at Strawberry Plains.
My loss in this retreat was 6 pieces of artillery with caissons complete, 61 wagons, 71 ambulances, about 300 horses, and probably about 150 men. Over 200
are now absent, but are daily coming in.
With the knowledge which I now have, I see no other means by which I could
possibly have saved my command than by retreating at the time and in the
manner I did. Had my troops behaved with calmness and deliberation I might
have been able to have withdrawn with less loss in property, but more in men;
but having been forced back from their first position many officers and soldiers, who would have spurned to have been seen there, took advantage of the
darkness to find their way to the rear. All troops are subject to panic, and this
command has behaved too well on many occasions to forfeit Your Excellency's
confidence by one single mishap.
I beg leave to call Your Excellency's attention to the distinguished gallantry
displayed in repulsing the enemy's assault at Bull's Gap on the 12th by Col.
John K. Miller, Lieut. Col. William H. Ingerton, Maj. Wagner, Capt. Wilcox,
Thirteenth Tennessee Cavalry, Lieut. Col. A. J. Brown, Maj. Deakins, Sergeant
Pritchett, Company D, Eighth Tennessee Cavalry, and Capt. William J. Patterson, Battery E, First Tennessee Light Artillery.
I also beg leave to call your attention to the uniform gallantry and good conduct of Capt. Grisham, Lieut. Carpenter, Douglas, French, Miller, and Nelson,
of my staff.
I am, Governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ALVAN C. GILLEM, Brig.-Gen., Cmdg.
Brig. Gen. ANDREW JOHNSON, Military Governor of Tennessee.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, pp. 888-892.
NOTE 1: See also: Report of the Adjutant General, p. 522. This is referred to as "Ball's
Gap" in CAR, p.46.
November 12, 1864 - "The Negro Procession;" black support for Andrew Johnson's viceresidential candidacy ends in turmoil in Nashville
The negroes turned out in large force last night, some of them armed with muskets and other with pistols. They yelled and shouted like demons as the procession moved through the streets, rocks and roman candles, guns and pistols,
adding to the fearful forebodings of many who witnessed the turn-out. The procession extended nearly a quarter of a mile. Having reached the front of Governor Johnson's residence, the procession halted, and a dense mass of negroes of
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 27
November 12, 1864
all ages and sizes, and of both sexes, filled the street and the front of Capitol
grounds, when Lieut. Smith, of New Jersey, addressed them at some length,
stating, in the course of his remarks that he had left Atlanta in ruins a few days
ago, and asserting that McClellan was "a traitor, a coward, a miserable thief,
and a scoundrel." He concluded by introducing Governor Johnson who spoke
as follows:
I do not intend to detain you but a few minutes, and am sorry to have interrupted the capital speech of the gentlemen who has preceded me. You are come
here to-night not for a frolic, but for the celebration of the great victory of freedom you have gained, and I trust you thoroughly appreciate it. So far as this
audience is concerned, be they black, white, grey or yellow, let it be understood distinctly what is the great principle of freedom. You now know who has
stood the sneers and brutal insults of the opposing party, for the attainment of
this great result-who has struck the blow for your freedom. [Cries of "Yes, yes,
Governor, you have been our friend."] Now let me say to you, again, what I
have said on a former occasion that in gaining this great boon of liberty, you
have not gained the privilege of loafing; but have no an opportunity of taking
care of yourselves, and enjoying the fruits of your honest labor in the bosom of
your families. And let me say to you black men and women, and some white
men too, that you must not, after working industriously for six days, drive
around the city in a hack with a bottle of whisky for a companion. ["That's it,
Andy!"] The proper way to spend you surplus earnings is to pay for the education of your children, and supply them with decent clothes. Be moral, be industrious, and the great work that is now going on will soon be consummated. And
in connection with this let me say to you that there is a great and holy institution with which most of you, I hope, are acquainted, namely the institution of
marriage. I want the moralists of the nation to think about it. Here are four millions of human being; listen to me, four millions of human mankind living in a
state of open concubinage. We hear of the fearful immorality of the Mormons,
but how shall it be told that in our cities, in our villages, and even in our yards,
four millions of our fellow-beings are living in open lewdness. A nation to
become great, and to sustain that position, must be moral. I assume the prerogative of talking thus to you for your welfare. Has the sacred institution of marriage been recognized among you? No. In proof of this I will relate to you an
incident that occurred the other day. A long black woman came to me at the
Capitol, and told me that her husband had gone off with another woman, and
she wanted to bring him back, stating at the same time that she was the mother
of twenty-two children. I had the man brought up before me, who testified that
he had not seen her for six years, and on asking how many children he had had
by hers, he said that she accused him with being the father of twenty-five. He
added that she was no more his wife than any other woman at the iron works,
and that the old master had said that "the more niggers there were the more
property." This shows that the morals of this class is in a very loose state; but
with a strong resolution you will be able to throw off this state of affairs. We
are now engaged in this great work-let it go on. If you are not true to yourselves in this struggle, you do not deserve to be free. In conclusion, I may state
Page 28 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 12, 1864
that if there is a heart that throbs with the principle of freedom it beats in this
bosom. The world is my home, and every honest man, be he white or colored,
is my brother. You will please now accept my thanks for this compliment that
you have paid me tonight; and I would ask you, how long is it since a white
man would be allowed to stand up here and do as I have done [?]
We have copious notes of the Governor's speech, but want of space and the
lateness of the hour prevents a more full report.
During the time Col. Muzzy was speaking, some disturbance occurred about
the eastern end of the iron railing fronting the Governor's house, which ended
by some negroes shooting a white soldier-a pistol and some twenty or twentyfive muskets being fired at him, and several bayonet wounds inflicted, after his
death, some say. The stories of the origin of the difficulty are as contradictory
as possible, and since we neither saw the murdered man nor hear the language
used, we cannot say how much truth there is in the above statement. The stampede which followed baffles all description-whites and negroes were flying in
all directions in the most perfect state of disorder; they stood not upon the
order of their going, but went-over rocks, and over each other-a huge negro
wench with three babies tumbling over our reporter, who arose but a little
worse for his mishap, only to fall over heels over head upon a prostrate soldier.
Recovering his equilibrium, our representative tried to reach the scene of
slaughter, but was forced down the street by the mass of darkies, and was compelled to yield to the force of circumstances, and retire in disgust.
Nashville Dispatch, November 13, 1864.
November 12, 1864 - "It is utterly impracticable for cotton and efficient war, loyalty and
traitorous traffic to grow together and thrive equally in the same crop." N.
J. T. Dana's intention to stop cotton trading with the enemy in Memphis;
an excerpt from his letter to Major General O. O. Howard
HDQRS. SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Vicksburg, Miss., November 12,
1864.
Gen. O. O. HOWARD:
...
When I get to Memphis you may expect more howling against me. I shall certainly put a stopper on trade, comfort, and communication with the enemy,
even at the risk of "going under" by the weight of Washburn's political friends
and the cotton interest. It is utterly impracticable for cotton and efficient war,
loyalty and traitorous traffic to grow together and thrive equally in the same
crop. Don't be concerned about Lieut.-Col. Clark. I being on my guard will try
not to offend his amour proper, and will be ready to prevent any undue assumption of powers which I know you do not wish him to exercise. I feel under
much obligation, and am truly gratified at your good expressions and opinions.
I shall try to retain them, knowing your characteristics and instincts so well that
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 29
November 13, 1864
I shall feel satisfied when you find fault with me I am wrong, and nothing shall
be wanting on my part to aid you as you desire.
I shall examine the defenses of Memphis closely. I ought to have an engineer
officer. I am told the same mistake has been made there that has been made at
all river towns. The fort is too large, and requires entirely too large a garrison.
This may prevent the building of new works. Can't you have a competent engineer sent to me to see what ought to be done?
Hoping to hear constantly good news of you, truly, your friend,
N. J. T. DANA.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. I, p. 655.
November 13, 1864 - General Orders, No. 3, designating names for defensive earthworks
around Pulaski
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 3. HDQRS. U. S. FORCES, Pulaski, Tenn.,
November 13, 1864.
The following are announced as the names of the works composing the
defenses in and around Pulaski:
1. The battery at the most southern end of town to be called Battery Lane.
2. The work at the female seminary to be called Lunette Opdycke.
3. The work at McCullain's house to be called Lunette Evans.
4. The redoubt on the point of the ridge by the Cornersville road to be called
Redoubt Suman.
5. The work at the northern point of the same ridge, where the old Columbia
road crosses it, to be called Redoubt Waters.
6. The works on the cluster of hills, spurs, and ridges, fortified by Gen. Bradley's brigade, to be called Bradley's Intrenchments.
7. The line of works constructed by Col. Martin's brigade to be called Martin's
Lines.
8. The works constructed by Col. Knefler, on the most westerly hill, to be
called Redoubt Knefler.
9. The work constructed by Col. Post's brigade to be called Demilune Post.
10. The work on the central conical peak (where the flag-staff is) to be called
For Pulaski.
11. The works between Lunette Evans and Redoubt Suman to be called Grose's
Lines.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Stanely
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 52, pt. I, p. 658.
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November 14, 1864
November 14, 1864 - Action near Russellville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Brig. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem, U. S. Army relative to
the action at Russellville, November 14, 1864.
HDQRS. BRIGADE, GOVERNOR'S GUARD, Camp at Love's Station,
November 16, 1864.
GOVERNOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Governor's Guard from the 9th to the 16th of November:
The enemy in their last charge having passed over me, I was in their rear, and
was compelled, in order to reach my troops, to avoid the main road and did not
rejoin my command until the next evening [14th]. Col. Miller left the gap, as
ordered, at 10.30 p. m., and did not meet the enemy until he arrived at Russellville, where, finding the enemy's force to be greater than he considered
himself justified in attacking, after one charge he moved off to his right and
attempted to join me at Morristown. Upon his arrival opposite to that place,
finding that the other portion of the command had fallen back, he turned north,
crossed the Holston River, and rejoined the command at Strawberry Plains.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 891.
November 14, 1864 - January 23, 1865 - Campaign in Middle Tennessee [Hood's
Offensive]NOTE 1
NOVEMBER 14, 1864--JANUARY 23, 1865.-Campaign in North Alabama
and Middle Tennessee.
SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN TENNESSEE.
November 22, 1864.-Action at Lawrenceburg, Tenn.
23, 1864.-Skirmish at Henryville, Tenn.
23, 1864.-Skirmish at Fouche Springs, Tenn.
23, 1864.-Action at Mount Pleasant, Tenn.
24, 1864.-Action at Campbellsville, Tenn.
24, 1864.-Skirmish at Lynnville, Tenn.
24-27, 1864.-Skirmishes in front of Columbia, Tenn.
28, 1864.-Skirmishes at crossing of Duck River, Tenn.
28, 1864.-Skirmish at Shelbyville, Tenn.
29, 1864.-Action at the Columbia Ford, Tenn.
29, 1864.-Engagement at Spring Hill, Tenn.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 31
November 14, 1864
29, 1864.-Skirmish at Mount Carmel, Tenn.
29, 1864.-Skirmish near Rally Hill, Tenn.
29, 1864.-Affair at Thompson's Station, Tenn.
30, 1864.-Skirmish at Thompson's Station, Tenn.
30, 1864.-Battle of Franklin, Tenn.
December 1, 1864.-Action at Owen's Cross-Roads, Tenn.
1-14, 1864.-Operations about Nashville, Tenn.
2-4, 1864.-Operations against stockades and block-houses on Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad.
4, 1864.-Action at Bell's Mills, Tenn.
5-7, 1864.-Demonstrations against Murfreesborough, Tenn.
6, 1864.-Action at Bell's Mills, Tenn.
7, 1864.-Battle of the Cedars, Murfreesborough.
13, 1864.-Attack on railroad train near Murfreesborough, Tenn.
15, 1864.-Capture of railroad train near Murfreesborough, Tenn.
15-16, 1864.-Battle of Nashville, Tenn.
17, 1864.-Action at Hollow Tree Gap, Tenn.
17, 1864.-Action at Franklin, Tenn.
17, 1864.-Action at West Harpeth River, Tenn.
18, 1864.-Skirmish at Spring Hill, Tenn.
19, 1864.-Skirmish at Rutherford's Creek, Tenn.
19, 1864.-Skirmish at Curtis' Creek, Tenn.
20, 1864.-Skirmish at Columbia, Tenn.
22, 1864.-Skirmish at Duck River, Tenn.
23, 1864.-Skirmish at Warfield's, near Columbia, Tenn.
24, 1864.-Skirmish at Lynnville, Tenn.
24, 1864.-Action at Richland Creek, Tenn.
25, 1864.-Skirmish at Richland Creek, Tenn.
25, 1864.-Action at King's (or Anthony's) Hill, or Devil's Gap, Tenn.
26, 1864.-Action at Sugar Creek, Tenn.
January 15-18, 1865.-The Twenty-third Army Corps embarks at Clifton, Tenn.,
for the East.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 21-22.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 15, 1864
NOTE 1: There are a total of 258 reports relative to Hood's offensive in Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee.
November 15, 1864 - Skirmish near Collierville
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, DIST. OF WEST TENNESSEE, Memphis,
Tenn., November 16, 1864.
Maj. W. H. MORGAN, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., District of West Tennessee:
MAJ.: The officer in charge of patrol, which was sent out on the State Line
road yesterday morning and returned at 9 p. m., reports that he went within two
miles of Collierville, met a picket of about twenty men five miles the other side
of Germantown, which he skirmished with an drove into Collierville. The only
forces of the enemy he could hear of were Bill Forrest's regiment and Col.
Denis' command, which were reported on the Coldwater. It was reported that
Wirt Adams had his headquarters at Holly Springs about a week ago and had
moved toward the Coldwater with about two regiments. Could not learn
toward what point on the Coldwater Wirt Adams was going.
I am, major, your obedient servant,
M. H. WILLIAMS, Maj. and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 919.
November 15, 1864 - Garrison duty and patrols on N&C Railroad from Murfreesborough to
Christiana, Fosterville and Bell Buckle
No circumstantial reports filed.
SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 319. HDQRS. POST OF MURFREESBOROUGH,
Murfreesborough, Tenn., November 15, 1864.
~~~
IV. Pursuant to instructions from Maj.-Gen. Milroy, Col. Thomas C. Boone,
commanding One hundred and fifteenth Ohio Volunteers, is directed to detail a
garrison of about twenty men to be stationed at Christian[a], and a like force to
be stationed at Fosterville. Both stations will be under command of an intelligent and reliable officer, to be selected by Col. Boone. The men will be
instructed to protect the wood-yards, water-tanks, telegraph office, and all
other Government property, and to patrol the railroad twice during the night,
connecting with the patrols from Stone's River bridge and the block-house at
Bell Buckle Creek. The command will at once construct winter quarters, which
will serve at the same time the purpose of defense and comfort. They should be
constructed of logs and loop-holed for musketry. This order will be carried into
effect with the least possible delay.
By command of Brig.-Gen. Van Cleve
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 900.
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November 15, 1864
November 15, 1864 - John Watkins' letter home to Sarah about a soldier's life in Nashville
We have got there at last and have got partly settled down in camp. we arrived
here about 11 oclock last Saturday night lay on the cars till about noon on Sunday then got moved over here about 1/7 a mile north of the Capitol in a very
pleasant location and right in the city. we dont know how long we may state
here expect to stay a few days and if we get fitted out here we may stay here
some time. and I am really in hopes that we may have the chance of staying
here a little while to see what is going on and see what civilized life will do for
us. and since I have been here I have wanted to get out of the army more than
ever, this is the most like a city of any place we have been in yet and more people here than we have come across since we left Cincinnati and mostly northern people. from the long haired long legged white livired chivalry. it seems as
though every one here had all the wanted of the comforts of life except the soldiers the rank and file. the officers here put on more style than a great many of
them can support by general means. and those that have been here every day of
there service seem to put the most style one —but no boys look forward to a
good time coming. and then we will see if we cant have our share of the comforts that are awaiting us at home. and o darling these few months that we have
yet to serve can not slip off to quick for me[.] there is plenty of amusement
here[.] a theater every night and for a few days there was a circus here. I went
to the Theatre last night and for the time being the evening went very agreeably[.] but there is such a rush that a man has to exert his full strength to get in
with the crowds in order to get a seat or else stand up that altogether[.] it is not
very pleasant, and I am surprised I could see much to entice a body there the
2nd time. unless they had seats reserved. I got into camp about 11 oclock and
then it was raining a little and before morning it rained considerable[.] Nashville must be very near as large as Cleveland and it is a real pretty place and
kept pretty clean. dry goods stores plenty of them and well filled up [with] groceries any amount of them. I cant tell you how odd it did seem to us to be transferred from Chattanooga and everlasting mend almost a scarcity of everything
unless at exorbitant prices [.] in this place if a man has money [,] here he can
get most anything he could yearn for and at reasonable prices to [.] what they
ask nearer the front but some things are very high[.] butter is worst 75 cts eggs
45. but great many things that they suttlers have at the front can be got here for
one half here that the sell for. . . . I suppose by this time Sherman has struck out
from Atlanta with 60,000 men and gone south[.] the railroad between Chattanooga and that place having been torn up by our troops. Gen'l Thomas is left
here to take care of Hood with the 4th and 23rd Corps. while Sherman goes
right through the confederacy [.] he will take some of them up and with a rush.
some think he will go to Savannah or Charleston. but time will tell where. but
darling I must close but will write again. . .
John Watkins Collection
Page 34 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 16, 1864
November 15, 1864 - Arrest and extradition of a Tennessee guerrilla
The Louisville Press of yesterday says:
Capt. Pompelly, Acting Provost Marshall received an order from Shelbyville,
Tennessee, through the Provost Marshal at Nashville, on Saturday, for the
arrest of a young man in this city, and succeeded in making the arrest late Saturday night. It seems Blakemore was formerly the leader of band of guerrillas
in Tennessee, who committed all sorts of depredations for a while in the neighborhood of Shelbyville, and to whom is charged with the murder of several
Union citizens in that region. A few months ago Blakemore went to Shelbyville and gave himself up, and General Slocum paroled him and sent him
north Ohio. He came to this cityNOTE 1 and went over to Jeffersonville and
obtained employment in the depot of the Jeffersonville and Louisville Railroad, where he remained until two or three months ago, when his father, who
resides at Shelbyville, obtained an order from Gen. Sherman permitting him to
come and reside in this city.NOTE 2 He was forwarded to Shelbyville yesterday
morning under guard. It is supposed he was arrested on the charge of being formerly a guerrilla. Blakemore is quite a young man, and his conduct while in
Jeffersonville. . . has been exceptional.
Nashville Dispatch, November 15, 1864.
NOTE 1: Louisville.
NOTE 2: Nashville.
November 16, 1864 - Skirmishes at Strawberry Plains
No circumstantial reports filed.
KNOXVILLE, November 17, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. STEEDMAN:
Strawberry Plains attacked this morning.
J. AMMEN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 925.
KNOXVILLE, November 17, 1864.
Col. GIBSON, Loudon:
Col. Dilworth with troops from below will come on train direct to this place.
Last from Strawberry Plains they were fighting; our troops in good spirits.
J. AMMEN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 930.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 35
November 16, 1864
November 16, 1864 - Scout, New Market to Columbia Gap
•See November 17, 1864--Skirmishes at Strawberry Plains
HDQRS. VAUGHN'S CAVALRY, New Market, November 16, 1864—6 a. m.
CAPT.: We drove the enemy's pickets in last night only three-quarters of a mile
out from the railroad bridge. Considerable commotion in their camp, like they
were preparing to leave or fight; fight, I think, because the train ran so often
yesterday. I have sent the scout toward Cumberland Gap, as directed, and have
a few men gone to the rear to gather information. No chance to cut the road in
their rear only by a large force, as they have every point guarded. There are
only two bridges, one within three and the other four miles from the Plains.
Some negro troops were seen near the Plains yesterday—only three. Do you
desire me to move down this morning to the Plains?
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 896.
November 16, 1864 - Official Federal foraging policy in Middle Tennessee
SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 155. HDQRS. ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Pulaski, Tenn., November 16, 1864.
~~~
VI. In collecting forage from the country in this vicinity citizens must not be
deprived of the necessary forage for their animals and food for their families.
Foraging parties will take only the surplus over that required by the citizens for
private use. Foraging parties must invariably be in charge of commissioned
officers, who will be held responsible that no unauthorized acts are committed
by the men under their charge. Receipts will in all cases be given for the forage
for animals, will be taken for the use of the troops, unless, in special cases of
necessity, it be ordered by the highest commander present. Irregular foraging
and marauding are strictly prohibited and will be severely punished.
By command of Maj.-Gen. Schofield
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, P. 907.
November 16, 1864 - John C. Seibert, 31st Indiana Infantry, writes home from Camp
Pulaski
In Camp Near Pulaski, Tenn. Nov. 16, 1864
I received you package of letters of the 8th [at] one time. I was very glad to
hear from home and that you were all well. I have not much time to write as I
have to go out on detail duty of some kind this afternoon and I have dinner to
get before I go. We have been assigned to our companies. There was six of us
Page 36 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 17, 1864
put in Company C, so you can direct my letters and papers to that company
now. I would like to get a paper some times as we do not get anything to read
here. We see enough but hear little that is reliable. We are getting along finely.
So far I have been well since I left home. Frank Vance is in Company B. He is
well. I wrote to your father yesterday in regard to my things. I forgot to tell him
about my mail contract. I can be released from it by applying to Head Quarters
at Indianapolis but if he wants to keep it he can do so. I would like if you
would send me a pr of good socks. The socks we get from [the] government is
no account. They will not last over two weeks. Write as often as you can. Tell
Eddie that he must learn to write and write me a letter. Kiss them all for me and
take good care of yourselves. Tell Mag. she must write me a letter and let me
know how she likes married life. Give my resp't to all.
Yours, Cris
Direct to Col. Smith, Co. C, 31 reg't. IVI, 1st Div, 1st Brig. 4th Army Corps,
Army of the Cumberland
John C. Seibert Correspondence.
November 17, 1864 - Capture of Tracy City train by Confederate guerrillas
No circumstantial reports filed.
STEVENSON, [November 17,] 1864.
Maj.-Gen. MILROY:
The officer at the tunnel reports that the Tracy City train was captured to-day
by about fifty or sixty guerrillas; two of our men badly wounded and one captured; and also that they were going to Gizzard Creek to burn the bridge. I have
ordered seventy men from Decherd to go to Gizzard Creek.
W. KRZYZANOWSKI, Col., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 929.
November 17, 1864 - Skirmishes at Strawberry Plains
No circumstantial reports filed.
KNOXVILLE, November 16, 1864.
The enemy is reported crossing the Holston, seven miles above Strawberry
Plains, with large force; number not known. Will you send me assistance if I
need it?
J. AMMEN, Brig.-Gen.
KNOXVILLE, TENN., November 16, 1864.
About 1,000 of the enemy are on the hill opposite Strawberry Plains. A strong
force is crossing the river seven miles above the Plains; numbers unknown.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 37
November 17, 1864
Shall defend the bridge if possible; if not, shall withdraw my forces to this
place.
J. AMMEN, Brig.-Gen. of Volunteers.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 887.
November 17, 1864 - Skirmish at Flat Creek
No circumstantial reports filed.
KNOXVILLE, November 17, 1864.
The garrison at Strawberry Plains has not retreated, but the enemy is between
us and them, reported in strong force. Skirmished with them this evening near
Flat Creek, four miles this side of the Plains, our force finally retiring. Many
rumors of large force coming from Virginia—nothing reliable.
J. AMMEN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 39, pt. I, p. 887.
HDQRS. VAUGHN'S CAVALRY, Mouth of Holston River, November 17,
1864—10 a. m.
CAPT.: I have driven in the enemy's pickets into their fortifications on all the
roads this side of the river. Their works are too strong to carry by assault, I fear.
I have sent a force to destroy the railroad bridge over Flat Creek. Their force is
about that we have been calculating it to be. I shall await your orders.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. VAUGHN, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 896.
November 17, 1864 - Skirmish at Bough's MillNOTE 1 on Shoal Creek, Lawrenceburg road
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas, U. S. Army, commanding Department of the Cumberland, on the Middle Tennessee Campaign
of November-December 1864, relative to the skirmish at Bough's Mill, on
Shoal Creek, November 17, 1864.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Eastport, Miss., January 20, 1865.
COL.:
On the. . . 17th of November [1864]. . . part of the enemy's infantry said to be
Lee's corps, moved up the Lawrenceburg road to Bough's Mill, on Shoal
Creek, skirmishing at that point with Hatch's cavalry, and then fell back a short
distance to some bluffs, where it went into camp.
Page 38 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 17, 1864
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. I, 45, p. 32.
NOTE 1: Most likely this event occurred in Lawrence or Giles County.
November 17, 1864 - A Confederate prisoner's letter to his sweetheart at Mulberry Gap,
Hancock County
•See October 10, 1864-October 28, 1864-Operations in East Tennessee
Chattanooga Military Prison
Nov. the 17th, 1864.
Miss Jo:
I have been a prisoner of war since October 28th. I was captured at Morristown, Tennessee. I am in very good health and expect to be sent North in a very
short time-would like very much to receive a latter from you but do not expect
to be so heavenly favored soon.
When I am permanently located in a Northern Federal Prison, I will let you
know where I am and you must write me there. I saw your father at Knoxville,
he was looking well. I have written a note to Lizzie-I hope you succeed in
sending it through.
Yours as ever,
Jimmie
W. P. A. Civil War Records, Vol. I, p. 60NOTE 1.
NOTE 1: Tennessee, Records of East Tennessee, Civil War Records, Volume I, Prepared by the Historical Records Survey Transcription Unit, Division of
Women's and Professional Projects Works Progress Administration, Mrs.
John Trotwood Moore, State Librarian and Archivist, Sponsor, T. Marshall
Jones, State Director, Mrs. Penelope Johnson Allen, State Supervisor, Mrs.
Margaret H. Richardson, District Supervisor, Nashville, Tennessee, The
Historical Records Survey, June 1, 1939, p. 60. [Hereinafter cited as W. P.
A. Civil War Records, Vol.___, p. ____, etc.]
November 17, 1864 - Feeding Forrest's command
Part of Gen. Forrest's command camped at Shady Grove in Oct. I furnished
them with 10 bushels wheat and 182 pounds of flour for which I received 76
dollars in Confederate money.
"Younger Diary."
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 39
November 17, 1864
November 17, 1864 - November 29, 1864 - Confederate Cavalry operations in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Brig. Gen. James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army, commanding Cavalry Division, of operations November 17-December 27, 1864,
relative to activities in Middle Tennessee from November 17-29, 1864.
MAJ.: Your order directing me to forward a report of the operations of this
division in the recent campaign in Middle Tennessee has been received, and
shall be complied with as well as it is possible for me to do in the absence of
reports from subordinate commanders, which have not yet come in.
On the 17th of November we crossed the Tennessee River at Florence and
remained on Shoal Creek until the 21st of November, during which time we
had several skirmishes with the enemy, and a part of our wagon train was taken
by them, but was afterward recaptured and about forty of the enemy made prisoners. On the morning of the 21st the forward movement of the army commenced, my division taking the road by West Point, Kelly's Forge, and
Henryville to Mount Pleasant and Columbia. On the 23d instant Rucker's brigade met Capron's brigade of the enemy's cavalry near Henryville and captured
forty-five prisoners. After retreating for about five miles the enemy made a
stand and a sharp skirmish ensued, but Maj.-Gen. Forrest, having got in their
rear with his escort, charged them so vigorously that they fell back, leaving
about twenty additional prisoners in our hands. Our loss in this affair was
slight.
On the morning of the 24th Col. Rucker pursued the enemy to within seven
miles of Columbia, when he again encountered and routed them, following
them into the edge of the town, capturing about thirty prisoners. I retreat to say
that in this pursuit Lieut.-Col. Dawson, commanding Fifteenth Tennessee Cavalry, was killed while gallantly leading his regiment in a charge. He had discharged all the loads from his revolver and was endeavoring to wrest one of the
enemy's flags from its bearer when he was shot.
During the afternoon of the 24th and on the three following days (25th, 26th,
and 27th) we skirmished heavily with the enemy in front of Columbia, driving
them from their temporary fortifications into their regular works and obtaining
possession of a valuable flouring mill within less than three miles of the town.
On the 28th Columbia was evacuated by the enemy, who took a strong position
on the north side of Duck River, covering the crossing at the town. This division was moved seven miles up the river, where we forded it, and after riding
for the remainder of the day and the greater part of the following night, we
struck the enemy on the morning of the 29th near Hurt's Cross-Roads. Here we
were joined by Gen.'s Buford's and Jackson's divisions of cavalry, and after
driving the enemy's cavalry for some distance in the direction of Franklin we
turned toward Spring Hill, where we met the head of the enemy's infantry col-
Page 40 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 19, 1864
umn about 11 a. m., and held it in check until about 4 p. m., when Cleburne's
division, of Cheatham's corps, came to our assistance. The cavalry alone had
driven the advance line of the enemy for more than a mile across open fields,
and with the assistance of Cleburne's division, which formed on our left, drove
them from some temporary breast works which had been erected about two
miles from some temporary breast works which had been erected about two
miles from Spring Hill on the Davis Ferry road. It was then dark, and Stewart
and Cheatham's corps of infantry having come up, this division was relieved.
During the night [29th] I was ordered to move south of Spring Hill across to
the Carter's Creek pike to intercept a column of the enemy which was supposed
to be cut off between Spring Hill and Columbia, and hold them in check, or if
they had passed, to pursue them rapidly. When I crossed the Columbia pike I
learned, to my great astonishment, that the enemy's whole column had passed
up that pike, and within a very short distance of our infantry lines, during the
night, and on reaching the Carter's Creek pike I found that no enemy had
passed along it. I followed the latter pike to Franklin and saw nothing of the
enemy until I arrived within two miles of that place, when I found them drawn
up in two lines of battle behind a double line of intrenchments before it. I was
joined here by Col. J. B. Biffle with a part of Col. Dibrell's brigade of cavalry,
which had been ordered to report to me. The infantry having come up, this
division was formed on the extreme left on the line, and at 4.30 p. m. the whole
line advanced, driving in the enemy's skirmishers easily, and this division
drove back double its number of the enemy, who were strongly posted behind a
stone wall, and pushed them back rapidly for one mile until they reached their
permanent fortifications at Franklin. My line was pressed forward until the
skirmishers were within witty yards of the fortifications, but my force was too
small to justify and attempt to storm them, and I could only hold my position,
which we did during the night and until an early hour in the morning, when the
skirmish line was pushed forward and was the first to enter the town, capturing
some 20 prisoners. Our loss up to this time, 116 killed and wounded.
~~~
James R. Chalmers, C. S. Army, Brigadier-General
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 763-764.
November 19, 1864 - Skirmish at Butler Creek, Lawrence County
HDQRS. FIFTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Lexington Road, near Military Road,
at Watkins' House, November 19, 1864—8 p. m.
Maj.-Gen. THOMAS, Nashville;
My brigade on the right struck Forrest's column about 12 o'clock to-day, moving upon the Butler Creek road toward Lawrenceburg. (The Butler Creek road
is parallel with the Waynesborough and Florence road on the west side of
Shoal Creek.) The brigade first struck Buford's division, and whipped him.
About 3 o'clock Forrest came up with more of his command, and our men were
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 41
November 19, 1864
obliged to fall back to the east side of Shoal Creek. Buford had four regiments
of mounted infantry in his division. Two prisoners from Buford's escort say the
whole of Forrest's command is moving, its divisions on different roads. As
they have not come out on my left, the command, I believe, is moving by the
way of Waynesborough, and is going to strike the railroad about Duck River.
The infantry of the enemy did not move to-day, and cannot; the roads are in the
very worst condition. Forrest has in his command Jackson's, Buford's, Chalmers', and Roddey's divisions-2, 500 to a division is not a large estimate; probably has three batteries with him-perhaps, all four-gun batteries; of this,
however, I am not sure.
Very truly, your obedient servant,
EDWARD HATCH, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 945.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee dates this as November 22. See map of
the area then being scouted by U. S. Cavalry, inOR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p.
966.
November 19, 1864 - Confederate News from East Tennessee
FROM EAST TENNESSEE
From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 15.
Recent reports bear evidence that military affairs in East Tennessee have
assumed a more cheerful aspect. Gen. Breckinridge has taken command in person, absentees are returning, new recruits daily arriving, more rigid discipline
is being enforced and all is union and harmony.
The disaster of Morristown was not as serious as at first reported. Just preceding the fight the main body of our troops were at Morristown, while Major G.
W. Lay's Twelfth Battalion Cavalry was stationed at Bean's Station, twelve
miles distant. It seems to have been the design of Gen. Vaughan to fall back to
Russellville before giving fight, where he would have had some advantage in
position. To this end, and with a view of concentrating his whole strength, Maj.
Jay's command was ordered to the latter, which order was promptly obeyed.
But the enemy, in vastly superior force, brought on the attack at Morristown.
Gen. Vaughan, who is one of the "Bravest of the brave," did everything in his
power to repel the assaults. His efforts were unavailing. From some cause his
troops were panic-stricken, and retreated in much disorder toward Russellville.
Maj. Lay met our retreating forces at this point, with the enemy in hot pursuit,
and within three hundred yards of our wagon train. He immediately ordered a
charge upon the advancing column, to which his command gallantly
responded, and succeeded in driving the Yankees back more than a half-mile,
thereby stopping the retreat, and saving his wagon train. They were highly
Page 42 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 22, 1864
complemented by the Commanding General. The casualties in the battalion
were two wounded; none killed or missing.
New York Times, November 19, 1864.
November 19, 1864 - "Battle in Smoky"
A number of soldiers belonging to the third Tennessee cavalry got into Smoky
yesterday afternoon, and raised considerable excitement. One or two of them
were arrested by the military police, but they were unable to cope with a whole
regiment, armed and using their weapons freely. One soldier got his head so
badly smashed that his life is despaired of; the police officers made a narrow
escape, and were finally compelled to beat a retreat through the back door of
one of the houses the soldiers were firing into. As length, having driven the
"enemy" from the field, the soldiers quieted down for a time. It appears plain to
us that such disgraceful conduct might easily be avoided if officers would
remain with their companies, and insist upon good discipline. If this cannot be
done, soldiers ought to be disarmed before they are allowed to run wild
through the streets.
Nashville Dispatch, November 20, 1864.
November 21, 1864 - Guerrilla attack on Northwestern Railroad
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, November
22, 1864—3 p. m.
Maj.-Gen. SCHOFIELD, Pulaski:
The guerrillas got at the Northwestern railroad yesterday morning and
destroyed a train sent for [Major-General] Ruger, which has detained his brigade. He expects to be here by 4 p. m. Did Gen. Wilson reach Pulaski to-day?
Upon inquiry I learn that there are three crossings of Duck River below
Columbia, viz.,: at Williamsport, Gordon's Ferry, and at Centreville; at all of
them the ground at the north side commands. I will give Ruger instructions to
occupy the north bank at all three places.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 985.
November 22, 1864 - Action at Lawrenceburg
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Major General George H. Thomas, U. S. Army,
Commanding Department of the Cumberland, relative to the Action at Lawrenceburg, November 22, 1864.
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Eastport, Miss, January
20, 1865.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 43
November 22, 1864
~~~
. . . Hood commenced his advance on the 19th, moving on parallel roads from
Florence toward Waynesborough, and shelled Hatch's cavalry out of Lawrenceburg on the 22d. My only resource then was to retire slowly toward my reenforcements, delaying the enemy's progress as much as possible to gain time
for re-enforcements to arrive and concentrate. . .
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 32-33.
Excerpt from the Report of Col. Datus E. Coon, Second Iowa Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations September 30, 1864—January 15,
1865, relative to the Action at Lawrenceburg, November 22, 1864.
HDQRS. SECOND Brig., FIFTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY
DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Gravelly Springs, Ala., January 20, 1865.
MAJ.: In compliance with circular from division headquarters, I have the
honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command from
the 30th day of September, 1864, to the 15th day of January, 1865:
~~~
November 22, morning cold and the ground frozen hard. About 12 m. the
enemy commenced skirmishing with our pickets, when Capt. Jacob F. Bandy,
Second Iowa Cavalry, with one battalion was sent to ascertain their force. At
three miles distant from town the enemy was found in force and strongly
posted on bluffs and behind well-arranged rail barricades. After an hour's skirmish he fell back to the picket. At 2 p. m. the enemy moved up in heavy force,
infantry, cavalry, and artillery, and encamped in line in plain view of town and
of our bivouac. In compliance with orders I immediately put my command in
line of battle on north side of town. The enemy soon opened with one section
of artillery when my battery replied. An hour was spent in firing by the artillery
on both sides with no result, when we were ordered to fall back on Pulaski
road, Second Brigade to take the rear. My pickets and command withdrew in
good order, though heavily pressed by superior force. Halted and camped
seven miles east of Lawrenceburg, leaving Gen. Croxton's command in our
front.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 587.
November 22, 1864 - "Railroad Accident"
Accidents on the Chattanooga Railroad are so common that few people think
of mentioning it half an hour after it has taken place. We are informed that four
men were killed or maimed last week, and that on Sunday [20th] another man
had both his legs cut off by the train passing over him. He was taken up for
dead, and Currey's hearse passing it by at the time, he was placed in it; but
Page 44 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 22, 1864
before he had proceeded very far the poor man called lustily for water. We are
informed he died soon after, however.
Nashville Dispatch, November 22, 1864.
November 22, 1864 - "Another Murder"
P. B. Coleman, Esq., Coroner of Davidson county, was called upon yesterday
morning to hold an inquest upon the body of Maurice Scanlan, a native of
county Kerry, Ireland, who was found dead on Broad street, near the railroad
cut, about 10 o'clock, on Sunday [20th] night. From the evidence adduced on
the inquest and an examination of the body, it appears that the deceased had
formerly belonged to the third Wisconsin battery, and that he had been discharged in October last. He had been seen alive for the last time about five
o'clock, and was found dead by the watchman, about 10 o'clock at night, on
Broad street, beyond the railroad. A severe wound had been found inflicted on
the right temple, extending from that point to below the right ear, as if inflicted
by a club or heavy stick, the wound on the temple being sufficient to cause
death. He was supposed to have had upon his person when murdered, a belt
containing about $1600, but no money was found on the body. He was about
forty-six years old. The jury, after a careful examination, rendered a verdict
that the deceased came to his death from the hands of some person or persons
unknown.
Nashville Dispatch, November 22, 1864.
November 22, 1864 - "Murders and Robberies"
We believe the fact that our city is infested with gangs of desperate men, robbers and murderers, is generally conceded. The question now is, what ought to
be done by the civil and military authorities under the circumstances? One of
our contemporaries suggests an increase in the police and the arrest of all person found upon the streets without passes after nine o'clock at night. The pass
system has been tried and proved to be one of the best arrangements for burglars ever invented. Indeed, on one night, all passes having been revoked without public notice having been given, a portion of the Night Police were arrested
and confined during the night, while the balance of the force remained in their
quarters all night. Experience has proved that burglars and robbers can not only
obtain passes in abundance, but the countersign also. We made a suggestion
about two years ago, which was adopted, and worked admirably, making the
city as quiet and safe as any city could be; it was this: That the military detail
fifty or sixty men, and place them under the control of the Mayor. Detail one
policeman to accompany two soldiers in patrolling the city during the night.
Make the districts small, so that patrols will be within call of each other by a
given signal. Arrest all suspicious characters, and all found without viable
passes of existence let the strong arm of the military or civil law be laid upon
him, also as to give him to understand that it might benefit his health to find
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 45
November 22, 1864
honest employment or another city to ply his avocations. Hundreds of soldiers
and government employees are pounced upon and robbed before they have
their hard earned pay six hours in their possession. These are matters of daily
occurrence and well known to our police authorities. A special guard ought to
be detailed to patrol certain dangerous places, where robberies are of frequent
occurrence. We respectfully submit the above for considerations of those in
authority, believing their adoption would be productive of much good to the
community.
Nashville Dispatch, November 22, 1864.
November 22, 1864 - United States Military Railroad in Tennessee, harbinger of progress—a
lesson in early industrialism's application to military logistics
The March of Progress in the Wake of Ruin-Industrial Amelioration in the
South.
Those who are prone to the opinion that the advance of our armies southward,
and the permanent occupation by our troops of territory once controlled by the
rebels, are synonymous with general devastation and lasting ruin, may consult
with great advantage the letter on the military railroad system of Tennessee,
which we publish this morning.
Although Nashville was first recovered from the possession of the rebels thirty
months ago, it is less than two years since it came into permanent possession of
our troops; and it is little more than one year since-our army having got possession of Chattanooga-trains were put in regular running order between the two
cities. Twelve months ago, the road centreing in Nashville, were in a state of
dilapidation, from natural wear and tear, and from the exigencies of military
operations. To-day there are at that place fifteen hundred miles of converging
roads in good workable condition. And it is of the magnificent workshops
which furnish the "plant" and maintenance-of-way for this gigantic railway
system, that our correspondent writes. We are accustomed to speak of the
expenses of the War Department as if these embraced merely the sustenance of
our troops in the field, the purchase of mar material in its various forms, and
the provision of destructive agencies generally. This Nashville report, to which
we invite attention, shows that in rebuilding, extending and perfecting what
promises to be a permanent railway system for the Southwest, connecting the
great Cis-Mississipi regions of Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama, the Government is now committed to an expenditure at the rate of $25,000,000 a year. The
largest proportion of this goes toward the payment of mechanics and unskilled
laborers' wages.
The locomotive and railway machine shops at Nashville, we should judge from
our correspondent's description, are among the largest in the world. In these
departments there are now three thousand mechanics employed, although the
work hitherto performed in them has not extended beyond rebuilding and
repairing. In the machine-shop alone there are two horizontal engines at work
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November 22, 1864
of three hundred horse-power. The blacksmith shops and foundries are on an
equally grand scale; and the contingent provision for lodging and boarding the
workmen corresponds with the vastness and completeness of the whole
mechanical arrangements.
In the car department fifteen hundred men are employed, whose duty during
the coming Winter will be to turn out over 200 cars. The freight-house, the
armory and the hospital accommodations, all show the same extensive organization and careful arrangement. And those who want to see a mitigating feature
in the strife which has raged these last four years, cannot do better than turn to
the compensating picture which the Nashville Railway workshops present,
under the protection and the security for peaceful industry which the National
Army is now in a position to guarantee.
What has befallen Tennessee will come to the lot of the of the whole producing
regions of the South. We shall not probably find it incumbent to take under
Government management, or to amalgamate all the railways of the seceded
States, as the military necessity for their absorptions which exists in Tennessee
will have passed away with the collapse of the Confederacy, which is fast hastening. But the organization, the skill, the capital, and the enterprise which now
find scope at the railroad headquarters of Tennessee, under Government direction, will find an open highway and a field of operation in the innermost heart
of the South before many more months have elapsed. The war-path of Sherman
will point the way for the march of peaceful and unfettered industry. Northern
skill, endurance, energy and enterprise will be in as high demand in Central
Georgia as in Nashville. And we shall see, for the first time since the Republic
took its name, what the productive capacity of the Southern States really is,
when they cease to be hedged in by a barbarous social system which has outlived the civilization of the age, and now dies under the deep damnation of the
misery it has wrought.
New York Times, November 22, 1864.
November 22, 1864 - "WAR PICTURES—No. 1" United States Military Road System in
Tennessee, some details of its operation, a lesson in modern military logistics
The Military Railroad System
The Immensity of the Military Railroad System in the South-The Government
Workshops and Manufactories in Nashville-Graphic Description of the System, by our Special Correspondent.
~~~
Nashville, Tenn. Tuesday, Nov. 15, 1864.
Few persons, even of those in the highest military stations, are acquainted with
the gigantic efforts which have been called into requisition to sustain our
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
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November 22, 1864
armies occupying this portion of the Southwest. The results thus far have fully
met the expectations of the most sanguine.
It will be remembered that Nashville was first occupied by National troops in
February 1862. The Confederate forces, before retiring from the city, destroyed
everything in the shape of machinery for manufacturing purposes, stores, etc.but most particularly did the retreating armies employ themselves in making
complete their work of destruction in the shops and manufactories attached to
the Nashville and Chattanooga and the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad,
which had been of the most vital importance to the railroad system of this section. And eminently so in assisting the progress of the rebellion. Everything in
the shape of locomotives and rolling stock was, of course, removed, and has
since served our enemies in those districts of Dixie not penetrated by the warriors of the Imperial Republic.
You will at once perceive that everything necessary to the running of the road
above mentioned must be replaced. A short time after Gen. Buell arrived in
Tennessee a few locomotives and a small number of cars were produced, and at
the close of August trains ran between Nashville and Stevenson upon one road,
and between Nashville and Huntsville upon the other, in less than four weeks
after Gen. Bull's retrograde movement took place, and the railroads above
referred to were necessarily abandoned in consequence. The entire length of
these roads within four miles of Nashville were in the possession of the enemy
until the battle of Stone River. A few cars subsequently were daily run to and
from Murfreesboro. A little over a year ago we located our army at Chattanooga, and less than one year ago trains were run through from Nashville to
Chattanooga. Let me compare the military railroad system of one year ago with
to-day:
Chaos is no more!
There are now about fifteen hundred miles of road, employing eighteen thousand men, as mechanics, engineers, blacksmiths, conductors, brakemen, laborers, &c. The rolling stock consists of 271 engines and 2,000 cars, while the
buildings erected within the past year, and occupied by this particular branch
extends several miles-a detailed description of which I shall give below. I will
add, however, that these buildings are built upon the most improved plan of
wooden structures, all of which are guarded day and night, and protected
against fire by a multiplicity of rotary engines, steam fire-pumps, cisterns, &c.,
&c.
All this is, in a great measure, owing to the sagacity and zeal of Gen. McCullum, Col. J. C. Crane and Mr. Anderson, to whom the country at large is
greatly indebted. To Col. Grane must the highest honors belong, for the existence of this stupendous transformation. His is the executive eye, and to him
almost entirely belongs the credit of bringing about this great change. Great
credit, however, is also due to Gen. McCullum; Mr. A. Anderson, and the
Commander-in-Chief- of the Military Division of the Mississippi, who
together with Col. Crane, have shown to the world a new feature in the art of
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November 22, 1864
war, namely, building a railroad which shall keep pace with an advancing
army, and each evening deliver the necessary supplies for the coming day.
The expenses incident to the running of the military railroads in the Division of
the Mississippi, including the purchases of material and the payment of
employes, reached the astonishing sum of $2,200,00 per month.
Below I give a detailed description of Col. Crane's department, the result of a
visit which I made on Tuesday last [November 8].
LOCOMOTIVE AND MACHINE DEPARTMENT
This is by far the immensest establishment of the kind in the country-perhaps
the world. I shall endeavor to give you a fair view of its exterior and interior,
realizing the fact, however, that no such picture can urge the imagination to a
proper conception of its vast proportions.
The locomotive and machine department is under the efficient superintendence
of Mr. E. P. Benjamin, and employs three thousand men. The main building is
two hundred feet long and eighty wide, and is in process of extension, its projected extreme length to be 450 feet. The upper part of this building is used for
rebuilding and repairing locomotives and tenders, and is called the erecting
floor. This spacious room will accommodate thirty-four engines at a time.
Really, the shop has not yet built a new locomotive: but every piece of machinery necessary in the construction of an engine or locomotive with the exception
of the wheel tire, has been turned out. Captured and crippled locomotives find
their way into this shop, and in a few weeks steam out as good as new. The
foreman of the locomotive-shop pointed out to me a magnificent-looking
engine which had been elevated from a worn out boiler. Everything about the
structure had been manufactured in this shop, except the boiler and driving
wheels. While I think of it here, nothing is manufactured by the Government,
the foreman informed me, which involves a loss, except a steam whistle. These
can be bought cheaper than they can be manufactured, and the manufacturer of
them in whose has been discontinued in consequence. During my stay upon the
erecting floor, I saw a locomotive moved from one track to another, the performance of which required two men and lasted just half an hour. The locomotive
was raised by an apparatus called a hydrostatic jack, placed upon a substantial
track, and transferred from one track to another.
Adjoining this huge building is the machine shop, which is over two hundred
feet long, filled with the most improved machinery of the age, up stairs and
down. There are some very fine machines down stairs, including a marine
lather, for turning heavy shafting; a lather for truck axles; a compound planer,
for all kinds of light planing; two hundred planers; drill press, for all sorts of
light and heavy drilling; heavy drill press; large lathe, for turning locomotive
flying-wheels-turning two at a time; slotting machines, used for horizontal
planing; and two boring mills. In the upper machine shop are five bolt-cutting
machines, capable of doing the heaviest of work; cotter and key-seating
machine, self-feeding; several gear-cutting machines; six drilling machines;
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 49
November 22, 1864
large boring and turning mill; large hydrostatic press, for putting car wheels on
axles; two large driving-wheel lathes; seven planing machines; two milling
machines, and twenty lathes, all sizes and descriptions. The entire machinery is
new, and of the most improved pattern, and is chiefly from the well-known
establishments of William Sellers, Philadelphia; BAMENT & DOUGHERTY,
Industrial Works, Philadelphia; Putnam Machine Company, Fitchburg, Mass.;
Lowell Machine Company, Lowell, Mass: JOHN PAISHLEY, New-Haven,
Conn., and others.
The machinery of the whole, establishment is run by two horizontal engines of
three hundred horse-power. These engines were formerly in the Memphis
Navy yard. After the breaking out of the rebellion they were removed from
Memphis and placed in the gun-factory erected in this city by the enemies of
the country, for the manufacture of small arms. The engine and fire-room is a
perfect parlor, over which towers a chimney 120 feet in height, the brick used
in its construction having been taken from old houses which were torn down
for that purpose.
One of the most perfect and completely arranged blacksmith shops is connected with the locomotive and machine department. The foreman of the shop,
Mr. DUNCAN LIVINGSTONE, pronounces it the completest workshop of the
in the country. It is about two hundred feet in length and eighty in width, and
employs nearly two hundred of the best blacksmiths that could be found, all of
whom receive from three and half to ten dollars a day. There are four forges
which are blown by steam. By an invention of one of the employes of this
shop, the ashes and coal-dust is carried off by the same blast which blows the
fire, making the forge present a clean appearance at all times. Every variety of
heavy work as well as light is turned out here.
Connected with this department is a foundry, in which all kinds of work are
turned out. There are also carpentry and pattern shops, in which the woodwork
for the locomotive and tenders are manufactured. There is also an immense
storehouse, nearly two hundred fee long, containing an endless variety of
everything used upon a locomotive and railroad, such as axes, shovels, picks,
ropes, lanterns, oil-cans, stoves, lamps, batting, &c., &c.
A "round house," which is to be the largest in the country, is in process of construction, which, when completed, will have sixty stalls, and will be so constructed that one hundred locomotives maybe accommodated at a time.
One of the most durable structures is a water-tank, which has just been finished. It is 75 feet long and 25 long, cut out of solid rock (for the reader will
recollect that Nashville is situated on a rock,) and done by negroes. The existence of this tank is a wonder, and is entitled to higher rank than a multiplicity
of renowned structures which loom up in a greater advantage.
Within a few steps of the workshops, connected with the locomotive and
Machine Department, are the commodious lodging houses and dining halls for
the men connected thereto. There are some forty houses in all, many of which
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November 22, 1864
are over two hundred feet in length. In addition to these are at least a hundred
negro cabins, the entire collection making quite a respectable town. I will conclude by saying that the duties of three thousand men in this department is to
keep two hundred and seventy-one locomotives in good repair and complete
running order.
THE CAR DEPARTMENT
The car department, only second in proportion to the locomotive and machine
department, employs at present fifteen hundred men, under the superintendence of Mr. GEORGE HERRICK formerly of the New York and Erie Railroad. The chief duty of the employes of this department is to keep in good
repair three thousand freight and baggage cars, and will build two hundred of
the former and six [hundred] of the latter during the coming Winter. Every inch
of iron, brass and wood work, including the painting and upholstering, is performed here.
The main building of the car department is two hundred and two feet long and
eighty wide, and is solely used for the manufacturing and repairing of cars. At
present, Mr. Herrick is having a headquarters car built for Gen. Thomas,
which, for convenience and elegance, is the finest affair I have ever seen. With
the exception of the ornamental work, this model combination of house and
carriage is complete. It is an iron-plated vehicle, fifty-feet in length and of the
usual width, containing a kitchen, dining saloon sleeping apartment, washroom, and water closet, and office. Nothing could be more complete, while the
upholstery and ornamental work is recherche. A car of the same description is
also being manufactured for Gen. McCullum. Mer Herrick has also transformed half a dozen superb cars, which were capture a long time ago upon the
Memphis and Charleston Railroad, late hospital carriages, which must elicit
the hearty appreciation of many a poor fellow whom may yet require the
necessity of testing the mode of conveyance. This car is intended to run up to
the battle-field, and is so arranged that the wounded never leave their mattress
from the time they are placed upon it upon the battle-field until they are
removed to their cots in the hospitals at Nashville. The cars are all ventilated
by an invention of the manufacturer, and when empty present an incomprehensible mass of network, composed of iron and India-rubber. Each car will
accommodate 30 badly wounded. The hospital train always follows the passenger train, and the utmost care is taken to guard against accidents; and I will
state here, that since the commencement of running these improved hospital
carriages, no soldier had sustained the slightest injury. There are attached to the
Car Department a blacksmith's shop, brass and iron foundries, and paint, glass
and upholstery shops, besides a spacious storehouse. The blacksmith shop is
upon the same order as the one in the locomotive and machine department,
except that it does not employ so many hands. This shop, in connection with
the iron foundry, manufactures all the iron work and castings used about a baggage or passenger car and engines. The brass foundry turns out all the articles
of this metal required about cars and engines, all of which are handsome specimens of excellent workmanship. Every ounce of dust and dirt is saved, and all
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
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November 22, 1864
the sweepings of the foundry are collected, and washed out like gold dust. The
pain, glass and upholstery shops employ about a hundred hands, who are kept
constantly at work at their various trades. The employes in the car department
are so amply accommodated with lodgings as those at the locomotive and
machine shops.
A GUNBOAT CAR.
I almost forgot to mention that this establishment has just turned out a sort of
hermaphrodite affair, which is called a "gunboat car." It will accommodate
twenty men inside, who can keep off with the Minie rifle two hundred of an
attacking party with out fear of injury. Armed with the Spencer rifle, a much
greater body of men could be driven off by the twenty soldiers inside. Upon the
top of the car may be placed a six-pounder, which could be used with effect
upon a retiring party.
CARPENT SHOPS,
The carpenters' department occupy building a short distance from those above
described. There are about five hundred men employed in this department,
under the superintendence of Mr. NAGLE. This squad of men are engaged
solely in building, and are already the founders of a large town.
THE HOSPITAL.
The hospital, provided for the reception and care of all who may become sick,
or who may receive injuries in any of the departments of Col. CRANE, or who
may be wounded upon any of the railroads, consists of a pretty collection of
houses about two hundred yards to the west of the workshops. Without extending this subject, I will say that it is complete in every particular, it is under the
superintendence of Dr. FARGNARHARON, a genuine Union man, of Gallatin,
Tenn., who has sacrificed thousands of dollars during the progress of the rebellion. He is ably assisted by Dr. STEMMERMAN, and other, including Dr.
SHEFFIELD, Professor of Homeopathy. At present there are less than a hundred patients; there are accommodations for four hundred.
FREIGHT HOUSE.
A spacious freight house occupies the premises of Col Drane, used chiefly for
the storage of freight enroute South. It is six hundred and seventy five feet long,
and nearly one hundred wide.
THE ARMORY.
It must be remembered that a large number of the clerks and other employees
of the Quartermaster Department, are enrolled and liable to be called out at any
time, not only in the defence of the city, but to assist in the protection of stores
and depots in any section of the Military Division of the Mississippi. Col.
CRANE has organized and commands a brigade of infantry, and has armed and
equipped them, and built an armory, which is two hundred feel long by eighty
wide. Most of the men composing this brigade are picked, nearly all of whom
have seen from three months' to three years' service. The brigade has already
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 22, 1864
been called into the field of action and can be ready for service at an hour's
notice.
SKETCH OF COL. CRANE.
I cannot close without saying a few words more in relation to Col. JOHN C.
CRANE, the efficient and accommodating Quartermaster who is at the head
and front of this immense railroad fabric. Col. Crane is one of those extraordinary young man, who, despite his great responsibilities of this office, the continuous annoyance that must necessarily exist where so many employes are
congregated, bears all who seeming ease. His office is at all hours besieged
with a crowd of men, each of whom brings his story of grievance, or request
for favors, to all of which he listens with kind attention, tendering such advices
as his judgment suggests as most likely to subserve their interests and the welfare of the Government. Every spike, every hall, every foot of timber, every
pound of metal used in the shops and on the road, must be property accounted
for, as well as every dime of the $2,200,000 which is monthly expended.
Col. CRANE entered the service as a private soldier in the First Missouri Cavalry, but he was shortly after selected for a more prominent position-one more
fitting his ability. He was instrumental in having the first Western regiment of
cavalry accepted by the War Department in 1861, and at that time was offered
the command of the regiment, but refusing it, became its Quartermaster. Early
in 1862, he was appointed a Captain and Assistant Quartermaster, and ordered
to report to headquarters Army of the Potomac, and during the Maryland campaign rendered good service. By the devotion to duty, &c., he has fairly won
his present rank.
Col. CRANE has been relieved, and ordered to report to Cincinnati as "Inspector of the Quartermaster's Department," a position [in] which he will no doubt
[serve] all with credit to himself and the department.
Benjamin C. Truman
New York Times, November 22, 1864.
November 22, 1864 - "Juvenile Precocity"
Last night Coroner Coleman was called upon to hold an inquest upon the body
of John Phillips, aged 14 years, who was killed about 7 o'clock last night by
Oliver Morton, aged 12 years, a son of Dr. Morton. From what we can learn on
the subject, some person had stolen some cigars from the Commercial Hotel,
and John Phillips accused Oliver of taking them, calling him a "d____d thieving son of a _____," at which Oliver drew his pistol, and shot John, the ball
taking effect in the lower part of the breast bone, passing through the lungs,
and lodging in the back, causing death in a few minutes. A verdict in accordance with the above facts was rendered.
Nashville Dispatch, November 23, 1864.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 53
November 23, 1864
November 23, 1864 - Skirmish on Lawrenceburg Road
NASHVILLE, TENN., November 23, 1864—10 p. m.
Maj. T. T. ECKERT:
Gen. Hatch reports that Hood's infantry drove him from his position on the
Lawrenceburg road to-day. . . Hatch skirmished with Hood's advance all day,
and says his main force is there. He saw no cavalry, and thinks that has gone to
destroy the railroad between Nashville and the Tennessee River. . .
J. C. VAN DUZER.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 996.
November 23, 1864 - SkirmishNOTE 1 at Henryville
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Major-General Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army,
commanding cavalry, of operations November 16, 1864—January 23, 1865,
relative to the skirmish at Henryville, November 23, 1864.
~~~
At Henryville Brig.-Gen. Chalmers developed the enemy's cavalry and captured forty-five prisoners.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 752.
NOTE 1: Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee refers to this as an action.
November 23, 1864 - Skirmish at Fouche Springs
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry, of operations November 16, 1864—January 23, 1865 relative
to the skirmish at Fouche Springs, November 23, 1864
HDQRS. FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS, Verona, Miss., January 24, 1864.
COL.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the
troops under my command during the recent movements in Middle Tennessee:
~~~
. . . At Fouche Springs the enemy made another stand. I ordered Gen. Chalmers
to throw forward Rucker's brigade and to keep up a slight skirmish with the
enemy until I could gain his rear. I ordered Lieut.-Col. Kelley to move by the
left flank and join me in rear of the enemy. Taking my escort with me I moved
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 23, 1864
rapidly to the rear. Lieut.-Col. Kelley being prevented from joining me as I had
expected, I made the charge upon the enemy with my escort alone, producing a
perfect stampede, capturing about 50 prisoners, 20 horses, and 1 ambulance. It
was not near night, and I placed my escort in ambush. Col. Rucker pressed
upon the enemy, and as they rushed into the ambuscade my escort fired into
them, producing the wildest confusion. . .
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 752.
November 23, 1864 - Action in Polk CountyNOTE 1
Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
NOTE 1: Special Orders No. 53, HDQRS. District of the Etowah, Chattanooga, November 30, 1864 indicates the 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry was hastily
ordered to Cleveland, in nearby Bradley County. Dyer indicates Polk County and the 5th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, and as usual, gives no citation
for his entry. See: OR, Ser. I, Vol. Vol. 45, p. 1191.
November 23, 1864 - Action at Mount Pleasant
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Maj. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry, of operations November 16, 1864—January 23, 1865 relative
to the skirmish at Fouche Springs, November 23, 1864.
HDQRS. FORREST'S CAVALRY CORPS, Verona, Miss., January 24, 1864.
COL.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the
troops under my command during the recent movements in Middle Tennessee:
~~~
I ordered Col. Rucker to rest his command until 1 a. m., when the march was
renewed toward Mount Pleasant, where he captured 35,000 rounds of smallarm ammunition and the guard left in charge of it
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 752.
November 23, 1864 - Skirmishing near Campbellsville
NASHVILLE, TENN., November 24, 1864—9 p. m.
Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:
The following dispatch from Gen. Hatch is forwarded for your information:
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 55
November 23, 1864
FOUR MILES FROM CAMPBELLSVILLE, November 23, 1864—10 p. m.
Maj.-Gen. THOMAS:
We have had a good deal of sharp skirmishing to-day; this evening, before
dark, quite spirited. Gen. Croxton's brigade had the rear on the road from
Lawrenceburg. On leaving the camp, three miles from Lawrenceburg, this
morning, the skirmishing began. Gen. Croxton reports force attacking his was
infantry, and thinks it is the enemy's advance. We captured two prisoners
(infantry) from Stevenson's division. I look for enemy's cavalry to-morrow at
Campbellsville.
EDWARD HATCH, Brig.-Gen.
(Same to Gen. Schofield.)
Gen. Schofield from Columbia reports he has not heard from the troops sent to
the fords below Columbia. He reports some skirmishing in his front, but the
enemy has displayed only cavalry. Maj.-Gen. Stoneman from Knoxville
reports that the indications are that the enemy has fallen back to Bull's Gap. He
is putting everything in readiness to take the field. Gen. Burbridge will be at
Cumberland Gap to-night. Gen. Granger from Decatur reports that all in quiet
at that point, and he has not been able to learn anything of the whereabouts of
the enemy or of his movements.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1015.
November 23, 1864 - Confederate forces withdraw from Bull's Gap
•See November 23, 1864--Skirmishing near Campbellsville
November 23, 1864 - Death of Refugee Children in Chattanooga
We understand that four children of some refugee family died night before last
at the Chattanooga depot from cold, hunger, and exposure. It is a terrible thing
that in our midst persons are dying by inches from suffering, while thousands
of our citizens have an abundance of the comforts of life. We entreat our city
authorities to inquire into this matter and not let human beings in this city die,
neglected and unnoticed as if they were brutes.
Nashville Daily Union, November 23, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
November 23, 1864 - "They are fighting down about Chattanooga." John C. Seibert, 31st
Indiana Infantry, writes home from Nashville
Nashville, Tenn. Nov. 23, 1864
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 23, 1864
Dear Rachel,
We arrived all safe in this place at 6 o'clock last night. Perhaps we may go on to
the regiment at 2 o'clock this evening and we may stay here two or three days.
Our regiment is coming back this way. They are fighting down about Chattanooga. Our Col. says he thinks we will go to Alabama. Our Col. is along with
us. He is a very fine man. His name is Smith. He brought us through from Indianapolis without any guards. We are the only ones that have come through
without guards. The Col. told us when we started that he did not want any men
with him that had to be guarded. We are quartered in the House that Zollicoffer
built for a Hotel. It is the largest house I ever seen. There is about 5000 men in
it now and there is plenty of room for more. It is very muddy here as it has been
raining ever since we came here. I would like very much to have a good pr. of
boots. I missed seeing your father before I left. [If I] had seen him I would have
got a pr. I may get a pr. before I leave here. I have had good health since I left
home. I never seen as poor [soil] as there [is] between here and Louisville. I
did not see a farm on the road that I would give one acre of Lawrence Co. land
for five of Kentucky where I came through. I would like very much to hear
how you and the babies are getting along. You must keep in good spirits. I was
never in better [spirits]. All that troubles me is my little family. Tell Eddie to be
a good boy until I come back. Tell Eula to be a good girl and kiss them all for
me. If Thorp has moved in the house with you tell him that him and the young
man had better cut and haul wood enough to [last] all winter before the weather
gets to bad. Tell Tommy of John that I lacked $8.00 dollar paying Berry and I
advanced him ten dollars myself whitch I think they ought to refund to me as I
was at a good deal of other expenses. I was out $3.50 in going to Bedford
besides what it cost me to go with Berry to Indianapolis and I think they ought
to refund me part of my expenses. I will send you a statement of my expenses
and my other acct. with this [letter] so you can understand it or you cat get your
pop to attend to it for you—Tell Mrs. Vance that Frank is well and hearty and
in good spirits. The boys are all in fine spirits. You might send a letter to me
directed to Nashville to follow the regt. 31st I. V.I. Perhaps I may get [it]. Put
new recruit on the back.
Yours, Cris
John C. Seibert Correspondence.
November 23, 1864 - Confederate foraging in Carroll County
Yesterday and today General Lyons command Confederates had my wagon
and oxen and two load of corn from me. The foraging soldiers wanted to press
my wagon to haul corn from Joshua Springers. I would not let my wagon go on
such business and sent it loaded with my own corn, the two loads would make
about 33 or 34 bushels. Very few men in this neighborhood have furnished any
forage up to this time to the Confederate Army. They manage somehow to
keep from furnishing any thing. It is really disgusting to see how little and low
some people can act, and some of them members of the Church of Christ! I can
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 57
ca. November 23, 1864
number between 20 and 30 men who are pretending to farm in this neighborhood, within two and a half miles, who I am confident, never furnished one
bushel of corn to the Confederates, nor, I may add, to the Federal army. The
foraging companies invariably get dinner and feed their horses with me, for
which I don't receive anything. Their wagons are broken, their teams are of no
account, and they themselves are sick. These are the excuses made. But when
the block is raised at Paducah, they can make out a team sufficient to go to
Paducah. God pity such deceitful liars.
"Younger Diary."
ca. November 23, 1864 - November 25, 1864 - Ninety-first Indiana Infantry scouts Duck
River, Columbia to Williamsport
•See November 25, 1864--Scout from Columbia to Williamsport in search of
the Ninety-first Indiana Infantry
November 24, 1864 - Action at Campbellsville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Itinerary of the U. S. Cavalry Corps, Fifth [Hatch's] Division,
for actions in Middle Tennessee from November 4, 1864 to January 15, 1865,
relative to the skirmish at Campbellsville, November 24, 1864.
November 24.-Arrived at Campbellsville, Tenn. Two divisions of the enemy's
cavalry were at that place, and hard fighting was kept up until dark, when order
were received to fall back to Columbia, Tenn
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 87.
November 24, 1864 - Skirmish at Lynnville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the 4th Army Corps Itinerary for activities from November 13,
1863-February 1, 1865
~~~
LYNNVILLE, TENN.
November 24.-1 a. m., Maj.-Gen. Schofield, who is in Lynnville, sends word to
Gen. Stanley that he has just heard from Col. Capron, commanding brigade
cavalry, that the enemy's cavalry (and a small amount of infantry) has driven
him back to and through Mount Pleasant toward Columbia. His dispatch dated
about 9 p. m. Mount Pleasant is but twelve miles from Columbia, and there is a
good turnpike between these places; Lynnville is eighteen miles from Columbia, and turnpike thence. 1 a. m., Gen. Schofield directs the Fourth Corps to
Page 58 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 24, 1864
march for Columbia at 3 a. m. Cox's division, of the Twenty-third Corps (all of
said corps now with Schofield), is in camp eleven miles from Lynnville and
seven from Columbia. This division has also been directed to march for
Columbia at 3 a. m. There is no force in Columbia but about 800 of our infantry, under command of Gen. Ruger. The rest of Gen. Ruger's division is scattered on the Tennessee River and Duck Creek. Gen. R[uger] commands a
division of the Twenty-third Corps (Schofield's). 3 a. m., the corps started for
Columbia in order as follows: Second Division (which was in camp at Lynnville when we arrived there) leading; Third Division following; then the Artillery Brigade; then the trains; then the First Division. 9 a. m., head of column
three miles of Columbia. Firing heard on the Mount Pleasant and Columbia
pike, very near to Columbia. 10.05, head of column (Second Division) reaches
Columbia. About the same time a regiment of the enemy's cavalry make an
attempt to dash upon our artillery as it is moving along the road. It came from
the direction of the Mount Pleasant pike over a cross-road leading therefrom to
the road upon which our column is moving. Gen. Wood sent out a regiment of
infantry (Col. Knefler's) and drove the enemy back, killing a few. Gen. Cox's
division crossed over to the Mount Pleasant pike early this morning by a crossroad three miles out of Columbia. He reached that pike just in time to save Col.
Capron's brigade of cavalry from annihilation, as it was being driven rapidly
into Columbia by a largely superior force of cavalry. Gen. Cox checked the
enemy and drove them back a short distance. This also prevented the enemy
from getting into Columbia before the Second Division, Fourth Corps-the head
of our column. As fast as the divisions of the Fourth Corps arrive in Columbia
they go into position in line of battle and thrown up barricades and breastworks. 6 p. m., our line of battle as follows: The Second Division, Gen. Wagner, on the right, connecting with the left of Cox's division (Cox's division
about one mile west of the town, covering the Mount Pleasant pike, and its
right resting on Duck River); the third Division, Gen. Wood, on the left of Gen.
Wagner's, its right connecting with Gen. Wagner's left, on the Pulaski pike, and
facing almost south; the First Division, Gen. Whitaker, on Wood's left, the
right of the division connecting with Wood's left and the left of the division
resting near the river, east of the town, the division facing almost southeast; the
artillery of the corps in planted on the rising ground and knolls along our line
of battle. Gen. Cox has been skirmishing a little with the enemy during the
entire day. It is supposed that the enemy is now concentrating his infantry force
at Mount Pleasant, or this side thereof, on the Mount Pleasant pike.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 144-145.
[ORDERS. ] HDQRS. FOURTH ARMY CORPS, Lynnville, Tenn., November
24, 1864—1.45 a. m.
Sound reveille immediately, and an hour after march for Columbia. The following will be the order: First, Gen. Wagner, who will leave one regiment at
this point until the train has passed; Gen. Wood will follow Gen. Wagner, leaving one regiment to bring up all cattle; next will come Artillery Brigade; then
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 59
November 24, 1864
Gen. Whitaker will follow the artillery; trains will follow the First Division
(Gen. Whitaker's).
By order of Maj.-Gen. Stanley:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1018.
November 24, 1864 - Skirmish in front of Columbia
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Itinerary of the Artillery Brigade, Third Division, for activities from November 3, 1864 to January 12, 1865.
November 24.-Marched at 2 a. m. nineteen miles to Columbia; arrived at 1 p.
m. Batteries A and G, First Ohio Light Artillery, were placed in positions
southwest of Columbia, on line of Second Division, Fourth Army Corps; Sixth
Ohio Battery and Bridges' (Illinois) battery placed in position south of Columbia, covering Pulaski pike on line of Third Division, Fourth Army Corps.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 67.
Excerpt from the Itinerary of the TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS for the
period November 5, 1864 to January 31, 1865.
Thursday, November 24.-Moved at 4 a. m. for Columbia, Cox marching at
2.30 a. m. and Stanley about 3.30 a. m., Cox reaching Mount Pleasant pike,
two miles south of Columbia, in time to check Forrest's advance.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 70.
Excerpt from Third Division Itinerary for actions from November 1, 1864 to
January 31, 1865.
November 24.-Moved to Columbia, and reached there just in time to check the
enemy as they drove our cavalry into town.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 76.
Excerpt from the Itinerary of the 5th Division for activities from November 4,
1864 to January 15, 1865.
November 24.~~~
. . . From Columbia the division was actively engaged protecting the flank of
the infantry column in its retreat toward Nashville; participated in the battle of
Franklin, Tenn.; charged two divisions of rebel cavalry, driving them about
three miles and across Harpeth River.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 87.
Page 60 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 24, 1864
November 24, 1864 - Skirmish at Section 37 of Nashville & Northwestern Railroad
Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
November 24, 1864 - "The Refugees."
From the Chattanooga Gazette, Nov. 22.
The number of these poor people arriving in our city continues large. They
arrive here without being able to bring any food with them to subsist upon, and
very little household stuff. A couple of beds, or mattresses, a few blankets,
some cooking utensils and a chair or two generally comprise their whole supply the comforts of life. The great body of the refugees have arrived here during the last two weeks and in that time we have had the worst weather that has
visited Chattanooga for years, cold rains falling everyday and making the
streets almost knee deep in mud. At first, the arrival were so numerous that all
could not be accommodated in the camp, and as the cars in which they came
from Georgia were needed, they were compelled to move their things out of
them and do as best they could for the time; many of them stopped between the
tracks, just where their baggage was put out, others found places in the different warehouses and houses along the railroad and in the car shed and building
in the depot yard. At present, nearly all of them are gathered into a camp
around the "Refugee House," on the railroad, near the depot. During the week
ending Saturday, Nov. 19th, the following number were received and reported
at the camp.
Men, 596; women 1,115; children, 1,690; total, 3,401. During the same time
the following have been sent North to Nashville: men 225; women, 312; children, 544; total 1,081. The number remaining in camp on Saturday [19th] night
was 4,330. The whole number of rations issued to them during the week
amounting to 14,496. Several of them have died after their arrival here, some
of whom suffered from exposure, but we understand that the deaths are not
near so numerous as might be expected from the privations which they are
unavoidably forced to endure. Everything done by the military authorities than
can be done to relieve their distresses, but it is impossible to relieve all suffering. Many of the poor creatures were sick before they left their homes, and the
recent wet weather has caused many of them to shake with the ague. The cold
of Sunday night, and yesterday was so great that no amount of fire-living
almost in the open air as many of them are compelled to do-will keep them
warm. Some are despondent and gloomy, while others take the matter philosophically and even verrily, making light of their discomforts. In one of the
buildings in the depot yard we saw one group composed of two young men, six
women and ten or twelve children, huddled together amid a pile of beds and
quilts, and appearing to have a fine time, shouting and laughing over their troubles.
A woman from Calhoun, named Thomas, died in the building in the depot yard
known as the "Repair Shop."
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 61
November 24, 1864
On Sunday night the number of refugees reported in the camp was 4, 198.
Every effort is being made to send the North, or give employment to the males
of the different families, many of them engaging as wood choppers in the Government service on the railroads.
Nashville Dispatch, November 24,1864.
November 24, 1864 - Chattanooga Refugee Report
THE REFUGEES. -10 men, 29 women, and 50 children, a total of 89 persons,
were received at the "Refugee House" yesterday; 8 men, 13 women, and 27
children, a total of 48, were sent North. Whole number in the camp 4299, being
an increase of 41 over yesterday's report. Of this number 1674 are negroes, and
2625 are whites. The authorities are sending the white refugees North as fast as
possible, but no negroes. Twenty-five negro men, each with families were sent
to camp over the river, where they are to be employed in chopping wood for
the Government. Three deaths, one white man and child, and one colored
child, were reported at the Post Provost marshal's yesterday. Several families
of refugees moved into the "Soldiers' Home" yesterday.-Gaz. 24th [Chattanooga]
Nashville Daily Union, November 29, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
November 24, 1864 - "Last night, men, women, and children, were starving in our midst."
Thanksgiving Day comes to-day, the 24th day of November. For victories by
land and sea, for bounteous and overflowing harvests, for the preservation of
our national honor and integrity, for the additional star that has come out of the
eclipse of obscurity to glow and burn upon our national banner, for the deliverance and preservation from pestilence, we are called upon to give thanks. And
where is the citizen, that, thinking over the record of the past year, does not feel
his heart throb with pride and thankfulness for such a glorious record.
But the day demands other thoughts and other services, as well as these. With
the loud paean of victory and triumph comes also the wail of the fatherless, the
groans of the suffering, and the faint entreaties of the starving. In our own city,
today, hundreds are suffering for clothes, for food, for warmth. To many an
unfortunate has the gaunt spectre of starvation appeared, pointing with long
and bony fingers to the grave, as the last refuge to earth's weary ones. Last
night, men, women, and children, were starving in our midst. Benumbed with
cold, faint with hunger, weak from exposure, human beings died almost within
speaking distance of those dwellings where luxury and ease brooded, and
where plenty dwelt. Nor can it be said "I am not my brother's keeper." That was
the plea of the first fratricide.
Page 62 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 24, 1864
But we say not these words to reproach or censure, but to wake up the dormant
sympathies of those benevolent hearts that have but to know these things, to
make an effort to relieve them. And while in thousands of homes the day will
pass with mirth and pleasure, we hope those who are suffering will not be forgotten. The consciousness of kind deeds performed, of hearts made glad, will
add a keen relish to all the pleasures of the day, and like a benison of peace
hover over the record of life's deeds. Let some concerted action upon this matter be taken and the day will then be made a Thanksgiving day indeed.
Nashville Daily Union, November 24, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
November 24, 1864 - An Appeal to Ease Refugee Misery
Sufferings of Refugees—An Appeal to the Charitable.
Correspondence of the Nashville Union.
A professional call, Mr. Editor, to see a patient prostrated by a sharp attack of
pleurisy, took me Tuesday amongst the Southern refugees at the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad Depot.
I had heard something of the privations and distress off this unfortunate class,
but previously knew nothing from personal observation of the extent and
severity of their sufferings. Satisfied that the major portion of this community
are as ignorant as I was, on the subject; and for this reason alone little has been
done by private parties to relieve their necessities, I ask leave to call public
attention to the matter through your columns.
The cruel necessities of war have, during the past two years, caused large numbers of persons to seek a refuge from oppression here and at other points,
within the lines of the national army, as well as further north; but, at no former
period, have we had it in our midst such scenes of misery and woe, as are now
to be seen at the above named place. Hundreds of men advanced in years, greyhaired sires, with decrepit forms, gaunt, half famished boys within the rebel
conscript ages, delicate women, lightly clothed; half-grown girls, and tender
little children, of all ages, are congregated here. The most of them arrived
within the past week from Georgia, having been compelled to leave their
homes, and all that was dear to them, in the land of their birth, or to remain and
encounter persecution, insult, and whatever injury a maddened foe might
choose to inflict. Many are citizens of respectability and worth, reared in the
lap of plenty, and strangers hitherto to want. Amongst them are accomplished
matrons, and young ladies of culture accustomed to refined society. They
arrived here in the rain and mud of the week past, and finding no hospitable
voices to invite them to comfortable shelter, have found it necessary to put up
with such accommodations as they could get, in the vicinity of the depot. Their
condition was sufficiently deplorable, when they stopped here, but it has been
made worse by the sudden reduction in the temperature of the weather now
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 63
November 24, 1864
below the freezing point. Without proper shelter, covering, or fuel, they are
exposed to the frigid winds, and are suffering intensely. Much sickness prevails, and a number of children have already died from cold and exposure; and
unless something is done to relieve them, others must also die. It is enough to
make the heart bleed to witness the patient endurance and misery of these innocent people; and humanity shudders at the thought of their remaining a day or
an hour longer in their present condition.
In times past, citizens of Nashville, you won deserved praise for your noble
deeds of charity. The poor, which have always been with you, have been provided for, and made comparatively comfortable. But never before have you
had such an opportunity to do good, and to make yourselves a blessing to your
race; and I implore you not to let it pass unimproved. Bestir yourselves. No
time should be lost. Act promptly and efficiently. If you need to be convinced,
leave the warm fires in your grates and visit the refugees at their quarters; and
my word for it, you will be stricken with horror and shed bitter tears of sympathy and sorrow.
I do not make these remarks merely to incite others to perform their duty.
Heaven knows I am willing to contribute liberally of whatever means I possess, and shall do so whether others follow the example or not. But what are
the resources of one person in such an emergency.
Let us all act together, and combined effort may accomplish much. There are
thousands of the strangers sojourning in our city who will gladly, as I believe,
join us in this christian work.
Perhaps it would be well to have a public meeting, and appoint committees, to
solicit contributions and apply them; and I make the suggestion.
What say you, fellow-citizens?
L. L. COLEMAN, M. D.
Nashville Daily Union, November 24, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
November 24, 1864 - November 27, 1864 - Skirmishes in front of Columbia
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
November 25, 1864 - Scout from Columbia to Williamsport in search of the Ninety-first
Indiana Infantry
HDQRS. SIXTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.
Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Cavalry Brigade:
Page 64 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 25, 1864
COL.: An unofficial report has reached Gen. Schofield that the Ninety-first
Illinois [Indiana] Volunteers, sent a few days ago to Williamsport (some fifteen
miles below here, on Duck River), has been picked up. He desires this report
investigated. Send word to the officer in command of the fifty men that went
down the river last night to report at once if anything of importance has
occurred since his last report, and to endeavor to ascertain the whereabouts of
this regiment (Ninety-first Illinois) [Indiana] at once, either by sending a scout
or going with his whole force to or near to Williamsport, and report in regard to
this as soon as he can learn. Direct him further to watch the river closely from
Hamilton's Ford down to Williamsport and report any movement of the enemy
immediately by courier.
This by command of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1043-1044.
November 25, 1864 - Federal scout along Duck River, Columbia to Berlin
•See November 25, 1864--Reconnaissance on Duck River on Lynnville and
Mount Pleasant pikes and the Lewisburg and Nashville pike crossings
November 25, 1864 - Federal reconnaissance, toward Nashville via Duck River, Lewisburg
Pike
HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Columbia, Tenn., November 25,
1864.
Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:
COL.: In accordance with instructions received from Maj.-Gen. Wilson you
will, as soon as possible, send out a good battalion up Duck River to the crossing of the Lewisburg and Nashville pike. From there, crossing Duck River on
the Lewisburg and Nashville pike (if found fordable), let them feel well out
toward Lewisburg for the enemy, reporting frequently all indications of them
discovered. It is supposed that the ford will be found good, and the pike is easily found. The officer commanding will send in all information he can gather in
regard to the fords and bridges on Duck River. The battalion will start as soon
as possible. Do not fail to advise the officer of the scout sent out to-night
toward Berlin from your command as also that from Gen. Croxton's.
This by command of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Columbia, Tenn., November
25, 1864.
Col. CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 65
November 25, 1864
COL.: You will move your command at once through town on to the Lewisburg pike. The object of the movement is to feel to the left of our line for the
enemy; simply a reconnaissance, which being completed the command will
return to camp. You will therefore leave the camps standing in charge of a few
men from each battalion. You will take no transportation except ambulances.
By order of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1044-1045.
November 25, 1864 - Skirmish in front of Columbia
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the 4th Army Corps Itinerary for activities from November 13,
1863-February 1, 1865
~~~
COLUMBIA, TENN.
November 25.-Have been strengthening our lines to-day. 12.15 p. m., received
instructions from Gen. Schofield to send a reconnaissance out on the Pulaski
pike. The enemy's cavalry are now skirmishing with Gen. Cox's troops on the
Mount Pleasant pike. 4 p. m., the forces sent as a reconnaissance on the Pulaski
pike returned. The enemy's cavalry in force was met about one mile beyond
our picket-line. After considerable skirmishing they returned. 4.30 p. m., the
enemy's cavalry now is in front of the whole line of this army, and is nowhere
more than two miles off. 5 p. m., received Special Field orders, No. 64, headquarters Army of the Ohio, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864, as follows.
5.15 p. m., directed Gen. Whitaker and Gen. Wagner to move their divisions to
the interior line as soon as practicable after dark, and Gen. Wood to occupy all
of the old line, covering the Pulaski pike. 10 p. m., the new and interior line
occupied by Whitaker's and Wagner's divisions (First and Second) and they are
now working upon them.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 145.
November 25, 1864 - Reconnaissance on Duck River on Lynnville and Mount Pleasant pikes
and the Lewisburg and Nashville pike crossings
No circumstantial reports filed.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia,
Tenn., November 25, 1864.
Page 66 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 25, 1864
Brig.-Gen. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:
GEN.: The general commanding directs me to request you to send a guard into
this town to drive out the stragglers, who are reported committing depredations.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. N. ANDREWS, Capt., 8th U. S. Infty., and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia,
Tenn., November 25, 1864—2 p. m.
Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:
Gen. Schofield wishes a reconnaissance made from the left of the line to the
Mount Pleasant pike. You will take Capron's brigade and move out at once on
the Lynnville pike till you have cleared the lines of our troops, and then move
to the right as far out as possible till you have accomplished the object of the
reconnaissance, finding the enemy, and, as nearly as may be, strength and composition of forces. Having done this return to your camp.
J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia,
Tenn., November 25, 1864—7 p. m.
Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps:
GEN.: Send without delay one squadron of cavalry up Duck River to the crossing of the Lewisburg and Nashville pike. From there let them feel out well
toward Lewisburg for the enemy, reporting frequently all indications discovered. Upon reflection you had better make the force a good battalion. I understand the Lewisburg and Nashville road is a good one, and Duck River is
probably passable there at nearly all times.
Direct the commanding officer to send in all the information he can get in
regard to bridges and fords on the river.
Very respectfully,
J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1042-1043.
HDQRS. SIXTH DIVISION CAVALRY, November 25, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. WILSON, Chief of Cavalry:
GEN.: The party sent to examine the Hamilton Ford, six miles below, report it
impassable; nothing but a horse-path and not now passable. The party from
there went down the river six miles farther to another ford reported there. This
latter ford is also impassable, but there is a good road leading into and out of it,
there having been a ferry there. The party is now at the lower ford (fifty men
and an officer), and is ordered to remain there. They report no signs of the
enemy.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 67
November 25, 1864
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. W. JOHNSON, Brig.-Gen. of Volunteers.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia,
Tenn., November 25, 1864—10.15 p. m. (Received 10.50 p. m.)
Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON, Cmdg. Sixth Division Cavalry:
Gen. Schofield has received an unofficial report to the effect that the Ninetyfirst Illinois [Indiana] Infantry, sent a few days ago to Williamsport, on Duck
River, had been picked up by the enemy. While he does not rely upon this
information he feels somewhat anxious in regard thereto. Please send word to
the commanding officer of the squadron you sent down Duck River last night
to ascertain the whereabouts of the regiment just mentioned. The river from
here to Williamsport must be closely watched in order that any movements of
the enemy in that direction may be discovered in time.
Please report as early as possible.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen., Cmdg.
HDQRS. SIXTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.
Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Cavalry Brigade:
COL.: An unofficial report has reached Gen. Schofield that the Ninety-first
Illinois [Indiana] Volunteers, sent a few days ago to Williamsport (some fifteen
miles below here, on Duck River), has been picked up. He desires this report
investigated. Send word to the officer in command of the fifty men that went
down the river last night to report at once if anything of importance has
occurred since his last report, and to endeavor to ascertain the whereabouts of
this regiment (Ninety-first Illinois) [Indiana] at once, either by sending a scout
or going with his whole force to or near to Williamsport, and report in regard to
this as soon as he can learn. Direct him further to watch the river closely from
Hamilton's Ford down to Williamsport and report any movement of the enemy
immediately by courier.
This by command of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION,
Near Columbia, Tenn., November 25, 1864.
Col. CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:
COL.: Gen. Johnson directs that you detail a reliable and energetic officer with
a party of fifteen men to scout up Duck River, on the south bank, as far as Berlin, inquire for the enemy, and the condition of the fords, whether passable or
not. The object of the scout is to ascertain whether the enemy is moving any
troops to the east of this place to cross Duck River above this. If any are heard
of all possible information must be obtained of their number, character, and
Page 68 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 25, 1864
purposes. Send with this officer all the guides you have. He is to communicate
any information at once, by courier; or if necessary in his judgment, will return
himself, with his party, to bring it; if nothing is heard before that, he will go on
to Shelbyville.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
P. S. -Col. Croxton will send out a similar party on the same errand and in same
direction.
E. T. WELLS.
HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Columbia, Tenn., November 25,
1864.
Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:
COL.: In accordance with instructions received from Maj.-Gen. Wilson you
will, as soon as possible, send out a good battalion up Duck River to the crossing of the Lewisburg and Nashville pike. From there, crossing Duck River on
the Lewisburg and Nashville pike (if found fordable), let them feel well out
toward Lewisburg for the enemy, reporting frequently all indications of them
discovered. It is supposed that the ford will be found good, and the pike is easily found. The officer commanding will send in all information he can gather in
regard to the fords and bridges on Duck River. The battalion will start as soon
as possible. Do not fail to advise the officer of the scout sent out to-night
toward Berlin from your command as also that from Gen. Croxton's.
This by command of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1044-1045.
HDQRS. SIXTH CAVALRY DIVISION, Near Columbia, Tenn., November
25, 1864.
Col. CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade:
COL.: You will move your command at once through town on to the Lewisburg pike. The object of the movement is to feel to the left of our line for the
enemy; simply a reconnaissance, which being completed the command will
return to camp. You will therefore leave the camps standing in charge of a few
men from each battalion. You will take no transportation except ambulances.
By order of Brig.-Gen. Johnson:
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. T. WELLS, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 69
November 25, 1864
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Columbia,
Tennessee, November 25, 1864.
Brig.-Gen. CROXTON:
The general commanding directs that you report with your brigade temporarily
to Brig.-Gen. Johnson, commanding Sixth Division, Cavalry Corps.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
LEVI T. GRIFFIN, Capt. and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
NEAR COLUMBIA, November 25, 1864.
[Col. HORACE CAPRON, Cmdg. Brigade Cavalry:]
COL.: By direction of Gen. Johnson I send you sergeant of escort who has
report to make of suspicious persons seen near picket-line.
The general directs that you send small force from picket-post once an hour
during the night a short distance down the road, say one-quarter of a mile.
Yours, &c.,
JOHN J. KESSLER, Capt. and Provost-Marshal.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, Nashville, November 25, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. WILSON, Columbia, Tenn.:
MY DEAR GEN.: I arrived late last night, and have received orders to take
command of the Fourth Tennessee and Ninth Indiana Cavalry. From what I can
learn and see they can be ready to start Sunday evening or Monday morning. I
will take five day's full rations and what forage the wagons will carry. The
clothing, &c., is good. Fourth Tennessee armed-Maynard's carbines; Ninth
Indiana will be to-night-same arms. Horses in fair condition. Aggregate
strength about 1,200 for duty. Enough dismounted, &c., for camp guards. Hope
to reach you in short two days' march.
I am, general, with great respect, your obedient servant and friend,
J. H. HAMMOND, Brig.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1045-1046.
November 25, 1864 - A religious revival in the Cherry Creek community NOTE 1
. . . There is a revival going on down the creek and I went there last night. Martha Williams and Margaret Snodgrass professed a few nights ago and they had
both shouted till they could not speak above a whisper, but they went all over
the house like a couple of wild women slapping their hands and stamping and
beating and hugging and shaking everyone they came to. It may be right and I
have no doubt of their sincerity, but my understanding of the scripture is differ-
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 25, 1864
ent. There is a great awakening all over the country, and [more] professions in
the last four weeks than there has been in so many years before. . .
Diary of Amanda McDowell.
NOTE 1: The passage was entered on November 26, 1864, but refers to "last night,"
or the 25th.
November 25, 1864 - Treatment of guerrillas in Tullahoma environs, excerpt from a letter by
Major-General R. H. Milroy to his wife in Rensselaer, Indiana
My Dear Mary,
. . . The guerrillas are very numerous about and I keep my Tenn. and Ind. Cav.
constantly on the move after them and they kill on average about one every
day. I have ordered them to bring back no prisoners but the fools send in a few
every week and it bothers me to dispose of them. Deserters are coming in occasionally. A Reb Captain came in this evening and gave himself up. He says he
got tired and being convinced they were wrong and could not succeed and he
concluded to quit. . .
Papers of General Milroy, p. 393.
November 25, 1864 - "Serious Affray on Smoky."
Persons of a nervous disposition, living in the vicinity of the Louisville depot,
were badly scared Friday night at hearing several vollies of musketry and small
arms fired in the direction of Smoky [Row]. Their fears pictured Hood with his
whole army attacking Nashville, and we are told as an undoubted fact that several hastened with trembling fingers to do up their slender sock of valuables,
and were cogitating as to the kind of bed-room the coal cellar would make.
None laughed louder, nor called "fool" longer than the scary individuals in
question, when the real cause of the reports was understood. We understand
that several members of the 13th United States Infantry (Regulars), and the 9th
Pennsylvania and 4th Michigan volunteers got into an altercation near Mat.
Carson's house, in reference to the respective fighting abilities of volunteers
and regulars. Getting excited over their debate, pistols were drawn, and the
regulars retreated into Carson's domicile, which was immediately attached and
carried by the volunteers. Evacuating their first line of defences, the regulars
fell back in good order, and too up this next line of defence at Dutch Lize's.
Matters were beginning to look rather squally, when the guard made their
appearance, and speedily arrested nearly all of the parties concerned. Up to this
time over a hundred shots had been fired, and the two houses were almost riddled. Strange to say, in spite of the prodigious waste of gunpowder, no one was
hurt, though one woman rather narrowly escaped, having part of her shoe cut
off by a ball. The guard, not satisfied with the arrests they had made, seized
every man they found in the neighborhood, and marched them off to the guard
house. Some twenty were thus picked up, many of them estimable citizens,
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 71
November 25, 1864
who had to spend the long, dreary night in their cheerless domicile, until nine
o'clock, when the Recorder set them at liberty. We learn that four of the ringleaders in the affray escaped from the guard house, and have not yet been
recaptured.
Nashville Dispatch, November 27, 1864
November 25, 1864 - Report on the Refugee Population Relocation in Chattanooga
THE REFUGEES—Receipts yesterday, fifteen men, twenty women, thirty five
children; total, sixty. Sent North—forty-two men; seventy-four women, ninetyfour children; total, 210.
Whole number on hand, 4,147. Two births, both boys, occurred at the "Refugee
House." Mothers are as well as could be expected. One negro man died at the
Nashville Depot, and one negro woman at the "House." In order to get all those
lying in the sheds and warehouses along the railroad, into camp, no more
rations will be issued to them, and only those in the camp are to be furnished
subsistence.-Gaz. 25th [Chattanooga]
Nashville Daily Union, November 27, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://www.uttyl.edu/vbetts.
November 26, 1864 - Reconnaissance on the Lewisburg Pike
SCOUT EIGHTH MICHIGAN CAVALRY, November 26, 1864.
Capt. N. S. BOYNTON, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., Sixth Div., Cav.
Corps:
CAPT.: I have the honor to report that I made a reconnaissance down on the
Lewisburg pike until I was convinced that no force of the enemy had passed
through that town, and none known to be moving in the direction of Murfreesborough. One of my scouting parties was driven in by a small party of rebels,
about fifteen in number, but as they had not been seen in the vicinity before
were probably a scouting party. A party of nine bushwhackers was seen four
miles above the pike, near the river, on Sunday last.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
W. B. SMITH, Capt., Eighth Michigan Cavalry, Cmdg. Scout.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1068-1069.
November 26, 1864 - "Provost Order No. 246;" price fixing in Nashville by the U. S. Army
Office of the Provost Marshal
Nashville, Tenn., November 26, 1864
Page 72 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 26, 1864
Extract
~~~
In accordance with the decision of a Military Board, called from Post Headquarters for the purpose of preparing a schedule of prices regulating the sale of
Fuel, Vegetables, and other necessaries of life in this city, the following list of
prices are hereby established, viz.,: Wood, $15 per Cord; Beef, 18 cents per lb.;
Mutton, 15 cents per lb.; Potatoes $2.50 per bush.; Turnips, $1.00 per bush.;
Cabbage, 30 cents per head; Butter, 60 cents per lb.; Milk, 15 cents per quart;
Onions, $3.00 per bush.
The above prices will be changed as often as it becomes necessary, and proper
publication made thereof.
Any parties selling in market or private stores at prices higher than schedule
rates, will be arrested and their goods confiscated. All persons are invited to
report promptly any violation of this order to this office.
By command of Brig. Gen. John F. Miller
Hunter Brooke, Captain and Provost Marshal
Nashville Dispatch, November 27, 1864.
November 26, 1864 - Skirmish in front of Columbia
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Journal of the 4th Army Corps relative to skirmishing near
Columbia on November 26, 1864:
November 26.-7 a. m., Gen. Schofield received a telegram from Gen. Thomas,
dated Nashville, November 25, stating that he wished Gen. S[chofield] to hold
the north bank of Duck River if necessary to prevent Hood from crossing; to
hold Hood on the south side of the river a few days until our forces can be concentrated, when we can take the offensive. He further states that Gen. J. A.
Smith's force ought to be at Nashville to-day (25th), and that he will at once
send him to Murfreesborough if Hood moves toward the Chattanooga and
Nashville Railroad. He has already ordered five of Gen. R. S. Granger's regiments to that place, and will also order Gen. Milroy to send all of his force (on
railroad south of Murfreesborough) there. The enemy up to this time (12 m.)
has shown only dismounted cavalry. 12.30 p. m., the enemy is approaching on
the Mount Pleasant pike, and deploying on the left of the pike about one mile
in front of our outer line. 2 p. m., so far as can be discovered the enemy has
only deployed about one division of infantry and a small force of cavalry on
the Mount Pleasant pike. The enemy's action in deploying such a small force,
and in the character of his skirmishing to-day, indicates that he is only making
a demonstration in our front, while he may be endeavoring to cross Duck River
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 73
November 26, 1864
or operate over toward the Chattanooga railroad. It has been raining hard all
day and Duck River is rising. 2.30 p. m., received instructions from Gen.
Schofield to move all of our trains, artillery, &c., over the river this afternoon
(to the north bank), and to be prepared to move the infantry over after dark. 3 p.
m., directed division commanders to send all of their trains, except then ambulances and five ammunition wagons, to the division over the river, at once, and
to send the artillery at dusk; also, to be prepared to send the infantry over tonight-to move over the railroad and pontoon
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 145.
November 26, 1864 - Initiation of Federal anti-guerrilla sweep, Franklin and Columbia environs
HDQRS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND, Nashville, Tenn.,
November 26, 1864
Maj. BEAUMONT, Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Hdqrs. Chief of Cavalry:
MAJ.: The major-general commanding directs me to say that you will instruct
Col. Garrard, in command of cavalry detachments, on way to Columbia, to
clear out the country between Franklin and Columbia of the large number of
guerrillas said to be infesting the country. After this has been done Col. Garrard will inform Gen. Schofield of the wish of the major-general commanding
that a courier-line be communication is restored Gen. Schofield will be so
informed from these headquarters, but Col.-Garrard will nevertheless deliver
the same message to Gen. Schofield.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. H. RAMSEY, Capt. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville,
Tenn., November 26, 1864.
Col. ISRAEL GARRARD, Cmdg. Provisional Brigade:
COL.: I send you Gen. Thomas' order to clear the country of guerrillas. Please
carry out the order.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. B. BEAUMONT, Maj. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1061, 1069.
November 27, 1864 - Skirmish at Lawrenceburg
Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 27, 1864
November 27, 1864 - Skirmish in front of Columbia
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Journal of the 4th Army Corps.
November 27.-8 a. m., sent word to division commanders that they would not
move to-day, but must be prepared to receive orders to cross the river to-night.
Pioneers are working on the road at the river crossing at the pontoon bridge
and on the other side of the river, and the trains will be worked over if possible
this morning. The rain has now ceased. 1 p. m., in accordance with instructions
received from Maj.-Gen. Schofield, directed division commanders to send all
wagons to the north bank of the river at once. 3 p. m., received Special Field
Orders, of which the following is a copyNOTE 1 3 p. m., sent orders to division
commanders to move to-night across the river in the order-First, Gen. Wood;
second, Gen. Kimball; third, Gen. Wagner; and for Gen. Wood to start at 6 p.
m.; the pickets to be withdrawn to the outer line of works at 6.30 p. m., and to
the inner line at 7.30 p. m., and from this latter line toward morning. Gen. J. A.
Smith has not yet been heard from. It is not yet known whether he has reached
Nashville. The forces of this corps withdrew, in accordance with instructions,
at the hours indicated, without being followed by the enemy. The last of the
corps crossed the river at midnight. The rain has ceased; it has not rained since
daylight. It is now decided by Gen. Schofield to destroy the pontoon and railroad bridges across Duck River after the pickets have crossed to the north side,
as it will be impossible to protect them and the fords both above and below
Columbia. Deserters from the enemy, just in, report that the last of Hood's
infantry arrived at Columbia this evening; that Hood now has 40,000 infantry
strong and from 10,000 to 12,000 cavalry. Our force at present: Fourth Corps,
about 15,000, and Schofield's (Army of the Ohio), about 10,000, with about
3,500 cavalry. Our forces are increasing rapidly each day by the addition of
recruits arriving from the North, from 300 to 350 per day.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 146.
NOTE 1: Not found.
November 27, 1864 - Skirmish at Centreville
Dyer's Battle Index for Tennessee.
November 27, 1864 - "The Street Railroad."
We hear that a special meeting of both Boards of the City Council is to be held
on Monday, for the purpose of considering the memorial of the South Nashville Street Railroad Company, and for such other business as may be brought
before the meeting. We have long ago expressed a decidedly favorable opinion
in regard to the benefits of properly constructed and managed street railroad;
but at the same time we like to see the City Fathers consider the matter care-
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 75
November 27, 1864
fully, and act upon it advisedly. The bill now before the City Council is by no
means complete; it passed its first reading by resolution "subject to such regulations and restrictions as the City Council may from time to time adopt." A
resolution of this kind would have no effect in securing the right to the City
Council to "regulate," etc. If members wish to reserve this or any other right in
connection with the road, it must be expressed in the bill. The bill granting the
right of way ought to define, as explicitly as possible, the duties of the company to the corporation and the citizen; provide for the grading and keeping in
repair the portions of the streets used by the company; the amount of fare to be
charged; the hour of starting the cars in the morning, and of running at night;
the amount of license to be paid for each car; the penalties for neglecting to
comply with the laws made for the government of the company, etc. This
requires time and study to make the compact so complete as to present dissatisfaction and litigation in [the] future. We hope every member will come prepared to speak on the subject, and after all is done that is deemed necessary,
pass the bill and let us have a street railroad.
Nashville Dispatch, November 27, 1864.
November 27, 1864 - "The country is full of guerrillas." Increased guerrilla activity associated with Hood's advance
HDQRS. FIRST Brig., SIXTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Hardison's Mill, Tenn., November 27, 1864—
3.30 p. m.
Brig.-Gen. JOHNSON,
Cmdg. Sixth Division Cavalry, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi:
GEN.: My scouts on the Shelbyville road have reported that they ran on to a
small squad of the enemy, supposed to be Sam. Hardison's guerrilla band.
Capt. McDonell, in charge of the scouting party, reports that he went out on the
Shelbyville road to Chapel Hill and took the Nashville pike north two miles,
where citizens informed him that a gang of thirty rebels passed last night. Citizens in that vicinity report that Col. Miller, with one regiment of rebels, passed
within six miles of Chapel Hill, moving northward, at 8 o'clock last evening.
Col. Miller's regiment, Eleventh Tennessee (rebel) Cavalry, was raised in that
neighborhood. The country is full of guerrillas. The scouts further report coming upon a deserted rebel camp, supposed to have been 150 strong. There had
been at Lawrenceburg three rebel scouts inquiring after Capt. Thompson's
command. Rumors gathered from citizens say Forrest is working round on the
south side of the river, but in what direction could not be learned; also that a
brigade of cavalry and a corps of infantry were expected to reach Lewisburg
this morning. It may be proper to mention a rumor also, that Hood's command
is crossing the river below Columbia and moving on Nashville.
Very respectfully,
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 28, 1864
HORACE CAPRON, Col., Comdg. First Brig., Sixth Cav. Div., Mil. Div. of
the Miss.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1097-1098.
November 27, 1864 - November 28, 1864 - Skirmishes at Shelbyville, excerpt from a letter by
Major-General R. H. Milroy to his wife in Rensselaer, Indiana
November 28, 1864
. . . My forces at Shelbyville 18 miles from here were attacked last night and
some videtts captured. They were again attacked this morning and the enemy
repulsed. . . It is rumored that Hood is pressing North rapidly. . . The Chief of
my Union Bushwhackers got badly wounded a few days ago. . .
Papers of General Milroy, p. 397.
November 27, 1864 - November 28, 1864 - Confederate scout between Duck River and the
N&CRR to Shelbyville
•See November 28, 1864--Skirmish at Shelbyville
November 28, 1864 - Scouts from Columbia on Nolensville Pike and toward Shelbyville
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Near
Columbia, Tenn., November 28, 1864.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Army of the Ohio:
MAJ.: The following extracts from dispatches received during the night are
forwarded for the information of the general commanding:
~~~
Col. Capron reports that a scout on the Shelbyville pike has just returned; it
went "two miles up the Nolensville pike, and learned from citizens that a rebel
scout of thirty men passed there yesterday evening; that the Eleventh Tennessee (rebel) Cavalry (Col. Miller) passed six miles north of Chapel Hill, toward
Chattanooga railroad, about 8 p. m. November 26. Citizens say that Forrest is
moving on the south side of the river, but the direction could not be ascertained; also that a brigade of cavalry and a corps of infantry were expected in
Lewisburg this morning. Rumors from various channels concur in saying that
Hood's main army is not before Columbia, but is crossing the river lower
down, and moving on Nashville via Centerville."
~~~
. . . The scouts sent to Shelbyville have not yet returned, and no reports have
been sent in from the parties at the fords on the upper river.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 77
November 28, 1864
J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1109.
November 28, 1864 - SkirmishesNOTE 1 at crossing of Duck River
Report of Maj. J. Morris Young, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, of operations November
28, 1864.
HDQRS. FIFTH IOWA CAVALRY, Near Nashville, Tenn., December 3, 1864.
I have the honor to report the following action of my regiment and others temporarily under my command during the evening and night of November 28,
1864:
The Fifth Iowa Cavalry, under my command, was disposed, by order of Col.
Capron, commanding the First Brigade of the Sixth division, cavalry Command, in different positions on the north side of Duck River, above and below
the crossing of the turnpike running from Franklin to Lewisburg, to guard the
fords and prevent the enemy from crossing to this side, which was successfully
performed in my command and front. At 5 p. m. my patrols and pickets
reported the enemy in force in my rear and Col. Capron, commanding the brigade, gone. Hastily withdrawing my regiment, except Company A, which was
posted for miles column on the pike, and was in the act of giving the command
"forward," when the other regiments of the brigade, consisting of the Eighth
Michigan, Fourteenth and Sixteenth Illinois, came in successively, much to my
surprise, for I had supposed them gone out with Col. Capron, and reported the
enemy closing in all directions.
I made the following disposition of my new forces as hastily as possible. The
eight Michigan in line dismounted, to the left of and perpendicular to the head
of the Fifth Iowa column; the Sixteenth Illinois disposed in like manner on the
right; the led horses of both regiments to follow up at a safe distance in their
respective rears; the Fourteenth Illinois was placed in column of fours, to the
left and rear of the Eighth Michigan and parallel to the Fifth Iowa, which was
in column on the turnpike. The left was the most exposed to a counter charge
by the enemy, who were known to be in heavy force on that flank. As soon as
the enemy's fire was drawn the dismounted men were to immediately fall back,
mount, and follow out the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, which was to go through with
sabers. In fifteen minutes, these dispositions being completed, the command
was given, "forward." In fifteen minutes more we struck the enemy in acted by
Col. Capron. We received their fire and instantly sounded the "charge," riding
them down and scattering them in all directions. At 10 p. m. I reported the brigade entire to Maj.-Gen. Wilson.
In this charge, which was most gallantly executed, reflecting great credit on all
the troops engaged, I do not think out entire loss, out of over 1,500 brought
through safe, was more than thirty killed, wounded, and missing. Having been
superseded in command immediately by Col. Capron, who had preceded me
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 28, 1864
some two hours, I have no means of ascertaining definitely our loss. The injury
inflicted upon the enemy must have been considerable. The groans and cries of
their wounded, as we rode, cut, or shot them down, could be heard distinctly
above the noise and din of the charge.
Permit me to add in closing the fact of the growing confidence amongst our
troops that good cavalry never can be captured.
J. MORRIS YOUNG, Maj., Cmdg. Fifth Iowa Cavalry.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 604.
NOTE 1: It is difficult to know how many skirmishes took place. See map depicting
this operation in OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, between pp. 604 and 605.
November 28, 1864 - Skirmish at Shelbyville
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Colonel Datus E. Coon, 2d Iowa Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations September 30, 1864 to January 15,
1865.
~~~
November 28, rained until 12 m. At 2 p. m. received orders to move immediately. While "boots and saddle" was being sounded the enemy opened with a
volley upon the picket on the Shelbyville road. By aid of a glass the enemy
could be seen in heavy force through the thin fog, about two miles distant. I
ordered a battalion of the Second Iowa, Capt. Foster commanding, to support
the pickets, while the command made preparations to move. By direction of
the general commanding I sent the artillery and train on the Spring Hill road.
This order, however, was soon countermanded, and the train sent to Huey's
Cross-Roads, on the Lewisburg pike, where the brigade erected a slight barricade of rails, and slept on their arms during the night.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 588.
Report of Capt. Joseph T. Cobb, of operations November 28, 1864.
HDQRS. TEXAS SCOUT, Berlin, Tenn., November 29, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report, in obedience to orders, that we moved on Shelbyville, surprised and took in their picket, numbering thirteen. Yesterday morning at daylight we charged the place, drove them into their stockade, and
withdrew, moving in the direction of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. In
the engagement at Shelbyville, I am sorry to say, Capt. Jackson was wounded,
shot in the mouth, ball lodging in jaw, breaking jawbone. The enemy pursued
us in force, and we fought them from daylight until 3 p. m., when we recrossed
the river (Duck). We had the home guard and Sixth Illinois Cavalry to contend
with during the whole fight. I killed a number of them and took about thirty
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 79
November 28, 1864
prisoners. Our loss, Capt. Jackson and three of his men wounded; none serious.
Lieut. White, of my company, had his arm broken. Having reached this side of
the river, I have pressed two shops, and am having my horses shod up as rapidly as possible. Unless I receive different orders from you, I will again move
on the railroad to-morrow. The railroad is heavily guarded by stockades,
besides they have sent the Sixth, Seventh, and Ninth Illinois Cavalry on the
road to protect it. I hope to get orders from you. My horses are almost broken
down and barefooted. We were compelled to leave some of our horses yesterday; not able to get back.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOSEPH T. COBB, Capt., Cmdg. Scout.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 776.
November 28, 1864 - Federals abandon Columbia
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
November 28, 1864 - John B. Allison's letter home to his sweetheart, Martely "Martha" C.
Smellage, in Livingston
McMinnville, November 28, 1864
Dear Martha,
I have bad news to tell you, we are now ordered to march at 4 o'clock this
evening. It is reported that Hood is in the vicinity of Pulaski. I was aiming to
start home in the morning but I am sadely disappointed. I may never see home
again. . . Martha you must be a good girl. That if we never see each other on
earth that we may meet in heaven. . . Dearest girl as I have towled you before
that you have long since been the object of warmest and truest love, and though
I remain one thousand miles from you shall ever remember you and recognize
you as a lady and true friend. . . Martha, Peas excuse my bad writing for I am
in such a hurey. Write every chance your have.
John B. Allison to Maretley "Martha" Smellage, November 28, 1864.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in James B. Jones, Jr., Every Day in Tennessee History, (WinstonSalem, NC: John F. Blair, 1996), p. 230, from the private collection of Mr.
and Mrs. Michael Darby, Nashville, Tenn.
November 28, 1864 - Warning to soldiers of the Army of Tennessee against committing depredations
GEN. FIELD ORDERS, No. 37, HDQRS. Army of Tennessee, Near Columbia
November 28, 1864
Page 80 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 28, 1864
The commanding general is pained to learn that officers and men from this
army entered the town of Columbia this morning and wantonly and disgracefully plundered private and public property. He earnestly calls upon all welldisposed officers and men to check this unsoldierlike and ruinous conduct. It if
cannot be done by example and moral suasion, harsher means will be used. All
private property, either of friend or fore, must be respected, and all public property belongs to the C. S. Government. When any such can be useful to the army
it will be equitably distributed. Let us remember that this unbridled spirit of
plunder recently caused the defeat of our army in the valley of Virginia after
they had driven the enemy from the field.
By command of Gen. Hood
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1255.
November 28, 1864 - Revival and Murder in a Cherry Creek Church
I hardly know where to begin at to write this time. We all got so frightened on
Monday night that we hardly know ourselves yet. I reckon I had better begin at
the beginning and write it all down if I can think of it. On Monday evening
[28th] the meeting was still going on at the church, but it was very muddy and
disagreeable and I did not want to go much, for I knew there would be no
preaching at all, only singing (and poor at that) and shouting and crying, but
some of the girls wanted to go and I went with them as [sister] Mary would not.
Pat and Fayette [Amanda's brother] and William and others of the boys went;
Lucetta, Margaret, Carrie, Celete, Nannie and myself were all the girls that
went. When we got there, there were several Federal soldiers there, but it was a
common thing and no one seemed to care anything about them. But they got
information some way that these renegade Rebels that prowl about up the river
were going to come and attack them that night. Some of the congregation had
heard it but did not believe it. Fayette told the boys that he did not think there
was any danger if they would keep a good lookout. Pat told them to look sharp.
They went out after the congregation gathered and ordered all the stragglers
into the house and told Pat to let no one pass out, and they went off and hid
their horses and put Charles Burgess out to watch. And they would come in the
house some but were out most of the time. I saw Pat keeping the door, but
thought Mr. Hickman had ordered it. Two or three professed [their faith], and
from the time the first one professed there was such a noise that nothing was
distinct. Some shouting, some laughing, some praying, some crying, some
singing and all crowded as close round the altar as was possible to get, and at
least two thirds of the crowd were between the window and door and the pulpit. I with others got near the altar as possible in order to see, and also to assist
in the singing. They pressed on me so that I perched myself on the edge of the
pulpit. (There was no one on it but little boys.) Lucetta sat up there with me.
Carrie and the others were near on a bench. Most of the people were up on the
benches. In the midst of the noise a shot was heard at the window and in an
instant another. I jumped from my seat, in order to get out of the way of the
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 81
November 28, 1864
bullets, for I saw flashes and heard the shots faster than I could count them,
unless I had been more composed than I was. Someone pushed me down off
the bench I was standing on right on the women, for everyone in the house
nearly were down as near the floor as they could get by this time. I tried to find
room for my feet on the floor but could not and had to remain on my knees on
someone for ever so long. There was so much noise and confusion that I could
not distinguish anything, and I could not imagine what was up. I had to pull
Celete down to keep her from being hit; she was so frightened that she was
standing on top of a bench screaming with all her power, and making no effort
to keep out of danger. I tried to pull her and Cetta both down and make them
hush, but they were so frightened they could not understand me. It is no use
saying what I thought about it. But I thought when I saw so many shots fired
right toward the crowd that they were surely firing at the people just to see how
many they could kill, and I had a strong notion of going round there and asking
them what they meant, but I could not get out and then I had my hands full trying to take care of the girls, and then I though I might get shot before I could
get around there. The instant the firing ceased I started to hunt the boys and see
what was the matter, for I had never thought of the Rebels. I had to get Carrie
to hold Celete, and told the girls to say together. The whole house was in an
uproar, the soldiers swearing and roaring and the women screaming. The first
person I found was Hamp Clark. I asked him what it meant, he said they were
shooting at "them boys"; but I did not still take the hint, for some of the Rebels
had on blue Yankee clothes and I thought they were Yankees. I pushed round
through the crowd asking everyone I met for Fayette and Pat. I found out that
there was man killed and got to him as quick as I could and there were two soldiers sitting on the benches, and one of them had the dead man's feet up on the
benches, and one of them had the dead man's feet up in his lap. I asked him if
the man was dead. He said, "I don't know. I thought I would tie his feet
together." I examined him and saw he was a stranger to me. The man's indifference about who it was that was dead made me know that it was not a personal
enemy quarrel, and the though flashed over me that they were Rebels. I asked
him and he said, "Yes." I met Sam Stone, and he said, "Don't be scared. I don't
think Fayette is badly hurt." I asked him if Fayette was shot; he said, "Yes." I
then asked if it was done on purpose; he said he reckoned not. I found Fayette
lying in the altar where he had sat down on the mourners' bench and fallen over
and P. Cameron had caught him. I asked him if he was badly hurt, and if it was
done on purpose. He said "No" both times. He then told me to go and get leave
to carry him home. I didn't know where to go, but there was a man standing on
a bench walking and swearing at a great rate and I made my way, to him and he
said, "Yes, of course, take him home." Then Fayette came to himself and spoke
to the man and told him they had been in the war together and to call him "Benson." The man seemed slow about recognizing him, but told us we could go. I
ran back to where the girls were and got them not out of the house but in the
middle of the floor and went all over the house as fast as I could, hunting for
Pat, but could not find him. We got Fayette to wait and lie down on the writing
bench. I thought it would be dangerous to start. But every little bit he would get
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 28, 1864
frenzied and want to start anyhow, but one soldier advised us not to go. I met
several of the [Confederate] soldiers and tried to talk to them. I found only one
that had any civility about him. I found Emma Williams, when I first started
out, lying on the floor, and asked if she was shot. She said she did not know
and, I, knowing her as I did, did not expect there was anything the matter and
sure enough there was not, but Ann Gooch was wounded in the thigh and lower
part of the abdomen, one bullet making four holes. And the boy that I saw was
badly hurt, but I did not get to see either of them again. Some of the women
fainted and looked like they never would come to. At last the soldiers went out
and got on their horses and came back to the door swearing about the Yankees'
horses and wanting someone to go and show them where they were. Several of
us told them that they were in the yard when we came in. One man swore that
was a dead man in the yard under the window. I got a candle and looked but
could not find one. And there was no one there. At last they told the congregation to get away from there. Jim Cooper told me he saw Pat go out at the door.
And a soldier told me that me some men ran and he shot at them and heard a
man holler. I felt uneasy but thought I would get them all started with Fayette
and if he did not come to us in the lane, I would get some one to help me hunt
him, but he came to us before we got far. Fayette got home very well by one
walking on each side of him, but was out of his mind off and on all night. It
was Sam Potete that was killed, and the man was taking off his spurs in order
to get his boots off, so I have heard since. They did take his boots off and held
me up and called to know who they would fit, took his coat and hat too, but
dropped the hat. P. Camron asked leave to take him away, but they said, "Let
him lie there," and he lay there all night, but they carried the wounded to Mrs.
McGhee's. Fayette says he had got up on a bench to try to get them to quit
shooting, and a man snapped a pistol at his breast and them pressed to his head
and fired. He is not certain but thinks it was Benson and that he did it on purpose but don't want it known.
Diary of Amanda McDowell.
November 28, 1864 - "The ball struck John Read in the back; he ran about 60 yards and
fell." Excerpts from the letter of W. R. Featherston, a school boy in Cedar
Hill, Robertson County, to his Uncle in Nashville
Cedar Hill
November 28, 1864
Dear Uncle,
I embrace the present opportunity to thank you for you kind letter of the 12th
instant which I received yesterday. . . You say you are coming home christmas
and wish to know at what time the trains leave Nashville. I cannot say for
certain. . . The Government has found that this road does not pay and consequently the trains are very irregular. Sometimes there is not train for two or
three days. . . I am still going to school. . . Last Thursday at playtime as soon as
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 83
ca. November 28, 1864
we had finished our dinner George Fiser and I walked down in the woods and
the other boys went down to the pond at the tank to play on the ice when John
Read, Jo Stoltz and Irvin Fiser climbed upon the tank to see how much water
there was in the tub. When the negro guard at the station ordered them down
they got down and he ordered them to come to him. This they felt disinclined
to do and walked down the railroad. The negro then fired at them. The ball
struck John Read in the back; he ran about 60 yards and fell. He died in about a
half an hour afterward. He was an innocent school boy and had done nothing to
cause the negro to shoot him. I do not know what will become of us all. . . Be
sure to come Christmas and we will have a staving time provided the negro
soldier does not shoot me before that time.
Your nephew,
W. R. Featherston
Winds of Change, pp. 85-86.
ca. November 28, 1864 - December 1, 1864 - Scout by 5th Tennessee cavalry west of Tullahoma
No circumstantial reports filed.
TULLAHOMA, November 30, 1864—9.20 a. m.
Maj.-Gen. THOMAS:
. . . A portion of the Fifth Tennessee Cavalry, under Maj. Armstrong, have been
out west on a scout for several days, but I am looking for them in soon, when
they will come on with me or after me.
R. H. MILROY
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1187.
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish at Smith's Springs, South Harpeth River
No circumstantial reports filed.
JOHNSONVILLE, November 29, 1864.
Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS:
The following dispatch just received:
KINGSTON SPRINGS, November 28, 1864.
Col. C. R. THOMPSON:
Capt. Everett telegraphs from Newtom's that he has information that four rebel
Tennessee cavalry regiments of Forrest's command have crossed Duck River in
the vicinity of Williamsborough. He had a skirmish with about forty of the
Eleventh Tennessee rebel cavalry at Smith's Springs, on South Harpeth. Let me
know it you wish me to move.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 29, 1864
W. R. SELLON, Lieut.-Col.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt I, p. 1161.
November 29, 1864 - Depredations committed in Bradley and Polk Counties by Confederate
guerrillas
"The Polk County Murders."
The following communication from the pen of a perfectly reliable gentleman
well acquainted with all the country and people in and around Polk county. We
ask the candid Union men of the country to look at those cold blooded and
wholesale murders perpetrated by these rebel fiends, and then answer these
questions: "Ought any leniency to be shown such men? Ought any respect to
be entertained for Union men who would excuse such conduct, or enter into
their defense?"
Cleveland, Tenn., Dec. 5th, 1864.
Dr. Wm. G. Brownlow:
Dear Sir: The citizens on the east side of Bradley county and in Polk county,
have witnessed in the last few days, acts of cruelty and brutal barbarity that
have not been excelled by the rebels since the war began.
On last Tuesday morning [November 29], a rebel force, numbering about forty,
came to the house of A. J. Hill, on the State line, and commenced shooting at
one of Hill's sons. He ran from them and jumped into the Conassauga River,
and swam across, the rebels all the time shooting at him, but failed to hit him.
In the meantime, Horace Hill, the uncle to the boy whom the rebels were trying
to kill, ran out of the house, and another squad of rebels surrounded him and he
surrendered to them, and sat down upon a low fence, and turned and was looking at the fate of his nephew, who was swimming in the river, and the rebels
firing at him. He thus engaged, Captain Gatewood, of the rebel force, put his
pistol to the side of Horace Hill's head, and shot him through, killing him
instantly. The rebels then went to the house of Mrs. Armstrong, the widow of
Allen Armstrong, deceased. Here they arrested her son, Baker Armstrong, and
a man by the name of Raper, and one by the name of Londomilk. They made
all these stand up in the road in front of the house, and they shot and killed all
three of them, in the presence of Mrs. Armstrong and the family. After Baker
Armstrong fell, one rebel took him by the hair of the head and raised him up,
and other rebels shot him through four times more. The last shot the muzzle of
the pistol was put to his mouth and the ball passed out in the back part of the
head, While this fiendish deed was being perpetrated, her youngest son, but a
boy, ran. The rebels pursued and caught him. The mother followed to beg for
his life-he called to her to know if his brother Baker was dead. She replied that
he was. The little son began to weep, and the rebels cursed him for weeping,
and beat him over the head and face most cruelly, but spared his life.
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November 29, 1864
The rebels next went to Holland's and shot his son John three times as he ran.
One shot passed through his clothing and another through his hat, but he made
his escape. They arrested three young men at Holland's who had fled from
Georgia; they took all these out to the road and shot them. One was killed
instantly and the other two are yet alive.
They went next to the house of Samuel Parks, who fortunately, was not at
home. A man by the name of Gurley was shoemaking for Parks, they killed
Gurley. They killed young William Kinson at Benton. They went up the Ocoee
River to Park's Mill, and killed a man by the name of Jones, and shot a small
boy at the mill, who has since died, as reported. As they passed up the river the
shot Wm. Lillard, who is mortally wounded. Further up the river, on the same
road, the rebels met a party of men with some wagons coming to Cleveland.
The rebels shot and killed six of these men, and left them laying in the road in
a pile near the mouth of Greasy Creek. Further on the killed another man. At
Green's ferry, or near there, at the house of Sidney McClouds, they killed three
more men. But a few weeks since, a party of rebels came to the house of said
McClouds in open day, took him out and striped him, and put him in the road
before them, and rode their horses over him and mangled him, and then shot
him through the head, killing him instantly.
These rebels, whose deeds of last Tuesday and Wednesday I have been describing, went on up to wards Ducktown, and have got around back to the Connessauga River again. They boast of having killed twenty-seven Union men.
Citizens say the rebels have killed twenty-four, and mortally wounded three. I
have written the facts so far as they have come to my knowledge in a reliable
shape. While they were raiding and killing, they carried on a system of wholesale robbery and theft. The following are some of the rebel officers and privates engaged in said assassinations and robberies: Capt. G. B. May of Red
Clay, GA; Lieut. James Black Well, Ga.; Capt. Treme; Lieut. Leonard, Captain
Thomas, Polk Edmonson, and Capt. Jordin.
It is said that said Captains did not cross the river, but remained inside of Georgia while their squads crossed into Tennessee and performed the above
described bloody deeds. Captain Gatewood was along, and was the ringleader
of the gang, and did most of the killing with his own hands. He is a Kentuckian; he is a large man, his hair is almost red, wears it long, down to his shoulders. His face is covered with a long red beard-a savage in appearance. He and
four brothers are in the rebel army, and one of those brothers is with him. Jasper Gradey, two McSpaddens, two sons of Jacob Gregory, a son of Brian
Coxey, a son of the widow Alrheart, young Dean, and a young man who went
out to Georgia last spring from Meigs county, in a buggy dressed in female
clothing in company with Captain Peak's wife, were all along, and assisted in
the murders and robberies. The most of these men were raised in Bradley and
Polk counties. Bryant Coxey, after having served in the rebel army, got out, has
taken the oath, and is protected at home, while his son is killing his neighbors.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 29, 1864
The above is only a brief outline of the bloody deeds of the outlaws and rebel
land pirates.
Yours,
A.
Brownlow's Whig and Rebel Ventilator, December 14, 1864.
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish at Hurt's Crossroads
•See November 17, 1864-November 29, 1864-Confederate Cavalry operations
in Middle Tennessee previous to the Battle of Nashville
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish at Smith's Springs on South Harpeth
No circumstantial reports filed.
JOHNSONVILLE, November 29, 1864.
Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS:
The following dispatch just received:
KINGSTON SPRINGS, November 28, 1864.
Col. C. R. THOMPSON:
Capt. Everett telegraphs from Newtom's that he has information that four rebel
Tennessee cavalry regiments of Forrest's command have crossed Duck River in
the vicinity of Williamsborough. He had a skirmish with about forty of the
Eleventh Tennessee rebel cavalry at Smith's Springs, on South Harpeth. Let me
know it you wish me to move.
W. R. SELLON, Lieut.-Col.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1161.
November 29, 1864 - Reconnaissance on Lewisburg Pike
Excerpt from the Report of operations of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division
of the Mississippi, from October 24, 1864, to February 1, 1865, relative to the
reconnaissance on the Lewisburg Pike, November 29, 1864.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 1, 1865
~~~
After it was dark, a reconnaissance out the Lewisburg pike to the meetinghouse revealing no enemy on that road, I withdrew Gen. Hammond's brigade
to the north side of the Harpeth, and directed him to march, via Petersburg, to
the Nolensville pike at Triune, and from the latter place to watch the movements of the enemy in that direction.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 87
November 29, 1864
~~~
J. H. WILSON, Brevet Maj.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 559.
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish, Rally Hill
No circumstantial reports filed.
HDQRS. ARMY OF THE OHIO, November 27, 1864—8.45 p. m.
Bvt. Maj. Gen. J. H. WILSON: Cmdg. Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the
Mississippi:
GEN.: Yours of 6.30 p. m. is just received. In reply I am directed to inform you
that the commanding general has learned this evening that the detachment that
went to the lower ford had arrived at the ford and is all right. The inclosed
noteNOTE 1 will give all the information received at these headquarters as to the
whereabouts of the Seventh Ohio, Tenth Tennessee, and Twelfth Tennessee
Cavalry. A dispatch from Gen. Thomas of this date says the he sent two cavalry regiments day before yesterday, two yesterday, and will send one to-day,
to the front. The commanding general did not give the orders for Col. Garrard's
cavalry to turn off to Rally Hill.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. A. CAMPBELL, Maj. and Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1091.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, Near Rally Hill, November 28, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. SCHOFIELD, Cmdg. Forces:
GEN.: Maj.-Gen. Wilson directs me to inform you that the enemy, composed
solely of cavalry, from all he can learn, have crossed in considerable force and
occupy the roads between him and Rally Hill.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. C. WHARTON, Lieut.-Col. and Chief Engineer.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1113.
HDQRS. TWELFTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY, Spring Hill, November 29,
1864.
Gen. SCHOFIELD:
Three companies been left on picket between Huly [Hurt's?] Cross-Roads and
Rolough [Rally?] Hill; were attacked, and they retreated to this place, reporting
Buford's division of cavalry marching on this place to attack the wagon trains
between here and Columbia. I [have] only a small force, 200 or regiment; all
the rest is on courier-line.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 29, 1864
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHAS. C. HOEFLING, Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.
Communication between here and cavalry headquarters is cut off.
C. C. H.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1152.
NOTE 1: Not found.
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish at Mount Carmel
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch, U. S. Army, commanding Fifth Division, of operations October 29-December 27, 1864, relative to
the skirmish at Mt. Carmel, November 29, 1864:
~~~
On the 29th, when falling back toward Franklin, was ordered to relieve Croxton's brigade, then fighting in the rear; was thrown into position at Mount Carmel, where the enemy made two charges and were repulsed with a heavy loss
and gave up the attack, when I was ordered by Maj.-Gen. Wilson to fall back
toward Franklin, which was done under considerable light skirmishing in the
rear. Crossed Harpeth River that night.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 576.
Excerpt from the Report of Colonel Datus E. Coon, 2d Iowa Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations September 30, 1864 to January 15,
1865.
November 29, took up line of march at 4 a. m., passing Croxton's and Harrison's commands and moving toward Franklin, my brigade marching in rear of
division to Mount Carmel, where it halted and fed in line of battle to the left of
the pike. At 9 a. m. Gen. Croxton's command passed my brigade, heavily
pressed by the enemy. The light rail barricades previously prepared served as
temporary breast-works and enabled my brigade, then dismounted, to check
the enemy's movements. But a few moments passed until the whole line was
engaged in a heavy skirmish, which continued for an hour, when I received
orders to withdraw slowly, which was done by alternate numbers in line, dismounted, for two miles, when I ordered the brigade mounted. I then withdrew
by brigade in line of regiments, each regiment in line of squadrons in column
of fours. The enemy, discovering this formation, charged down the pike, in column of fours, on a small company of the Ninth Illinois Cavalry, which was acting as rear guard. In accordance with previous instructions from me the
company did not halt, but continued to fall back, leading the enemy between
the flanking columns right and left, who opened upon them a raking fire,
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November 1864 — Page 89
November 29, 1864
throwing them into confusion, and ending the pursuit for the day. The command arrived at Nolen's plantation at 12 m., and halted in line of battle until 4
p. m., when it moved toward Franklin two miles, and, turning to the right,
crossed Little Harpeth River and moved north to the Nolensville and Franklin
road, where the brigade was encamped for the night.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 588.
November 29, 1864 - Action at the Columbia Ford
No circumstantial reports filed.
November 29, 1864 - Affair at Thompson's Station
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Journal of Fourth Army Corps, relative to the affair at
Thompson's Station, November 29, 1864:
November 29.~~~
Thompson's Station, three miles north of this place [i.e., Spring Hill], on the
Franklin pike, is in possession of the enemy. . . Gen. Schofield started from
Spring Hill to force a passage, if possible, at Thompson's Station (three miles
north of Spring Hill), if the enemy still holds that place. . . There was fighting
at the river all day. 11.30 p. m., Gen. Schofield returned from Thompson's Station. The enemy had withdrawn from there, leaving only pickets. Gen. Ruger's
brigade halted there. 11.40 p. m., Gen. Schofield ordered Gen. Cox to move his
division for Franklin; Ruger's brigade to go with him from Thompson's Station; for the wagon train to follow Cox; Wood's and Kimball's divisions to follow the wagon train; and for Wagner's division to remain where it is, at Spring
Hill, until everything has passed, then to move, covering the rear of the army
Cox is now moving, and Wood and Kimball following. We lost in Wagner's
division about 250 men in killed and wounded to-day.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 148-149.
November 29, 1864 - Engagement at Spring Hill
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Abstract from journal of Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U. S.
Army, commanding Twenty-third Army Corps (temporarily) and Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps relative to the Engagement at Spring Hill,
November 29, 1864.
~~~
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 29, 1864
Tuesday, November 29.-Rebels reported crossing two corps at Huey's Ford
[Columbia Ford?], five miles above, having driven away our cavalry and laid a
pontoon. Wagner's division, Fourth Corps, move to Spring Hill, where they
have a lively engagement with advance of enemy. Kimball's and Wood's division, of Fourth Corps, and Ruger's division, of ours, arranged in echelon, connecting with Wagner's. I hold the ford till night, having a sharp affair, losing
about 75 men but holding the enemy from crossing the remaining corps,
which, with all their artillery, is in town. March at 7, leaving out pickets till
midnight.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, p. 358.
Excerpt from the Report of Surgeon J. Theodore Heard, Medical Director,
Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 29-30 and December 15-26,
1864, relative to the Engagement at Spring Hill, November 29,1864.
~~~
HDQRS. FOURTH ARMY CORPS, MEDICAL DIRECTOR'S OFFICE,
Nashville, Tenn., December 12, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the
medical department of the Fourth Army Corps at the battle of Spring Hill and
Franklin, November 29 and 30, respectively:
On the morning of the 29th of November the Fourth Corps (three divisions)
and the Twenty-third Corps (two divisions) were in position on the north bank
of Duck River, opposite Columbia, Tenn. The enemy, or the larger portion of
the rebel army, was upon the south bank and confronting our lines. At 9 a. m.
the Second Division, Fourth Corps, marched for Spring Hill, accompanied by
and guarding all the trains of the army, with the exception of twenty ambulances left with the First and Third Divisions, Fourth Corps, which divisions
were ordered to remain with the Twenty-third Corps until dark and then withdraw with the rest of the army. About 2 p. m., the head of column being within
one mile of Spring Hill, the general commanding was informed that the cavalry
of the enemy was pushing back our cavalry and rapidly approaching the town.
The troops were at once pushed forward at double-quick, passed through the
town, charged the enemy, checked him, and finally caused him to retire. The
division was then placed in position to protect the pike on which the trains
were moving. About 4 p. m. the right brigade (Third Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Bradley) was furiously attacked by what afterward proved to be two brigades of
rebel infantry. The attack was continued until nearly dark, when our right gave
way toward the pike, followed by the enemy. Fortunately, however, all trains
had then passed and were parked north of the town, where also division hospitals were temporarily established and the wounded rapidly cared for. A few
wounded were unavoidably lost when the right gave way. One hundred and fifteen wounded were brought to hospital. Shortly after dark orders were given to
break up hospitals, load ambulances, and be ready to move with the other
trains at a moment's notice. The rest of the army reached Spring Hill about 10
p. m., and continued their march through the town toward Franklin. The hospi-
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November 1864 — Page 91
November 29, 1864
tal and ambulance trains moved at the same time, reaching Franklin at 10 a. m.
November 30, without loss, although several times attacked by the enemy's
cavalry. The wounded and sick were shipped by rail to Nashville early in the
afternoon. The two divisions of the Twenty-third Corps, with the First and Second Divisions of the Fourth Corps, remained south of Harpeth River and
entrenched themselves; the Third Division, Fourth Corps, crossed to the north
side of the river, and was not engaged in the battle of Franklin.
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 174-175.
November 29, 1864 - Skirmish near Rally Hill
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Maj. Gen. David S. Stanley, U. S. Army, commanding Fourth Army Corps, of operations November 14-December 1, 1864,
relative to the skirmish at Rally Hill, November 29, 1864
At 8 a. m. on the 29th I started to Spring Hill with the First and Second Divisions, all the artillery that could be spared, and all trains and ambulances to follow; at the same time a reconnaissance, consisting of Col. Post's brigade, of
Wood's division, was sent up the river, and soon sent back word that the enemy
was crossing infantry and wagons and moving off rapidly to the north and parallel to the turnpike. It being apprehended that the enemy might make a flank
attack upon the position of our force between Duck River and Rutherford's
Creek, the First Division, Gen. Kimball commanding, was halted, and took up
position to cover the crossing of the creek. At 11.30 o'clock the head of the
Second Division was within two miles of Spring Hill. A cavalry soldier, who
seemed badly scared, was met here, who stated that a scout had come in from
the direction of Raleigh [Rally] Hill, and reported that Buford's division of
rebel cavalry was half way between Raleigh [Rally] Hill and Spring Hill, and
on the march to the latter place. The Second Division was pushed on, and
attracted by the firing east of the village, double-quicked into the place and
deployed the leading brigade as they advance, drove off a force of the enemy's
cavalry which was driving our small force of cavalry and infantry and would
very soon have occupied the town. Gen. Wagner was ordered to deploy his
division at once; Opdycke's and Lane's brigades to cover as much space about
the village as would serve for room to park the trains; Gen. Bradley's brigade
was sent to occupy a wooded knoll about three-quarters of a mile east of the
pike, and which commanded the approaches from that direction.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 113.
November 29, 1864 - " We are following up Hoods movements." John C. Seibert, 31st Indiana Infantry, writes home from Columbia environs
Near Columbia, Tenn.
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November 29, 1864
Nov. 29, 1864
Dear Rachel
I again have a few leasure moments to myself whitch I will consume in writing
to you. We left Pulaski on the 23 and have been moving pretty much ever
since. We are following up Hoods movements. We are on one side of the Duck
River and Hood on the other. There has been considerable heavy skirmishing
in front of us for several days but no heavy fighting. We are gathering up a
pretty good army in this section and perhaps we will act on the offensive soon.
We have just been falling back and fortifying since we left Pulaski. We have
been doing some pretty hard night marching. It made me sore for a few days
but I am all sound now. I received yours with the announcement of my poor old
father's death. It was very sad news to me although I was not surprized to hear
it. I don't know how it was but I was almost shure that Father was no more
before I received your letter. But we have to all die sometime. I received your
letter of the 22 yesterday, also one from James. I am glad to hear that you are
all getting along well. If [it] was not for my family [I] would enjoy soldiering
first rate. I seen your Uncle Jeff, he is well. I seen Frank Deckar the other day,
he is well. Tell Mrs. Vance that Frank is well. He got a letter from home last
night. All the rest of the boys are well. I have not much time to write. Frank
Vance is in Company D. My Cap'ts name is Noble. We have a good set of officers and men. I am well pleased with my place. The boys are all well mannered.
Yours, Cris
John C. Seibert Correspondence.
November 29, 1864 - January 12, 1865 - Operations of the Fourteenth, Sixteenth and Fortyfourth United States Colored Infantry
Report of Col. Thomas J. Morgan, Fourteenth U. S. Colored Troops, commanding First Colored Brigade, of operations November 29, 1864—January
12, 1865.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN., January 16, 1865.
MAJ.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the
forces under my command in the recent campaign:
On November 29, 1864, by order of Maj.-Gen. Steedman I assumed command
of the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry, Lieut.-Col. Corbin, the Sixteenth U.
S. Colored Infantry, Col. William B. Gaw, and the Forty-fourth U. S. Colored
Infantry, Col. L. Johnson, at Chattanooga, Tenn., and proceeded by railroad to
Cowan, Tenn., and thence by railroad to Nashville, Tenn., reaching there with
the Sixteenth and the main portion of the Fourteenth Regt. 's U. S. Colored
Infantry on the 1st day of December, 1864. Col. L. Johnson, with the Fortyfourth U. S. Colored Infantry, and Capt. C. W. Baker, with Companies A and D
of the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry, occupied the rear section of the train
which was transporting Gen. Steedman's command to Nashville, Tenn. Seven
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 93
November 29, 1864
miles north of Murfreesborough a train containing artillery and horses ran off
the track and stopped the progress of the rear train, which, for some reason,
unexplained, was taken back to Murfreesborough with troops on board, a
guard being left with the wrecked cars. During the night a construction train
from Nashville removed the wreck cars, horses, artillery, and guard, at an early
hour on the 2d ultimo, to Nashville. At 8 a. m. 2d ultimo Col. Johnson again
started for Nashville, but when near Mill Creek he was attacked by a rebel cavalry command under Gen. Forrest. The fight that ensued was quite creditable to
the forces under Col. Johnson. Col. Johnson and Capt. Baker are entitled to
credit for the skill with which they fought and baffled the enemy and brought
out their commands. I append the reports of those officers concerning this
affair, marked A. B. NOTE 1 During the 2d ultimo the portion of the brigade
with me, conforming to the movements of Gen. Cruft, occupied the extreme
left of the first line of battle, formed near house of Robert Rains, and constructed in its front, hastily, a line of defense, a breast work of rails and earth
with a light palisade in front. On the 3d this line was abandoned and a new line
established nearer the city, where the brigade by the return of Col. Johnson and
Capt. Baker and the addition of a battalion of the Eighteenth U. S. Colored
Infantry, under Maj. L. D. Joy, took position near the residence of Maj. William B. Lewis. On December 5 and 7 reconnaissances were made by the brigade, in conjunction with other troops, and the enemy were found to, occupy
the first line of works built by Gen. Steedman near Rains' house; each was
driven from the left of their works, with slight loss to us. On the 5th one lieutenant and seven enlisted men of the enemy were captured by this brigade. A
citizen living near the Murfreesborough pike was killed by a member of Company B. Sixteenth U. S. Colored Infantry. The report of Col. Gaw concerning
this is inclosed, marked C. NOTE 2 The conduct of officers and men on those
occasions, save the misconduct of Col. Gaw, which was reported at the time,
was, so far as, came under my observation, good. The coolness of the enlisted
men under fire was especially gratifying to me.
On the night of the 14th of December orders were received to move at daybreak to make a demonstration upon the left, to occupy our first line of works,
near Rains' house, if practicable, and to strongly menace the enemy's right to
prevent the moving of his troops to resist the advance of the right of [the] Federal army when the main attack was to be made. On the evening of the 14th
Col. Gaw, by unsoldierly process, succeeded in getting his regiment taken from
the First Brigade and ordered to a safer place in the rear. An excellent regiment, the Seventeenth U. S. Colored Infantry, under a brave and gallant officer,
Col. Shafter, reported to me instead of the Sixteenth. Lieut.-Col. Grosvenor,
commanding brigade of white troops, reported to me, and remained with me
during the two days' battle. I inclose Col. Grosvenor's reportNOTE 3 of the part
taken by his command. A section of artillery from Capt. Osborne's (Twentieth
Indiana) battery likewise was put under my charge. In company with my adjutant-general, during the night of the 14th ultimo, I visited the picket-line near
the enemy's work, which it was designed to attack on morning of the 15th. The
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 29, 1864
Murfreesborough pike at this point runs a little east of south, nearly parallel
with Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad. The line of works was built almost
at right angles with these roads. We ascertained from the pickets that the rebels
had been at works actively during the afternoon with the spade, and their line
of fires extended well toward the south. I concluded that a curtain had been
built to protect the flank of the work, and that a line of rifle-pits had been made
on the ground marked by the fires, and that if these rifle-pits could be carried
and column pushed well to the rear, the works near Rains' house would become
untenable and the ground east of Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad be given
to us with little loss. Accordingly, on the morning of the 15th, when the fog,
which lay like a winding sheet over the two armies, began to disappear, I
moved my command out upon the Murfreesborough pike and disposed it as
follows: The Fourteenth Colored Infantry was deployed in front as skirmishers; the Seventeenth and Forty-fourth Colored Infantry were formed in line of
battle in rear of Fourteenth, and given in charge of Col. Shafter, of the Seventeenth; the section of Capt. Osborne's (Twentieth Indiana) battery was supported by the battalion Eighteen U. S. Colored Infantry, Maj. L. D. Joy; Col.
Grosvenor was directed to send one battalion of his command to guard the left
flank and to hold the remainder of his command in rear of Col. Shafter. The
artillery then opened the enemy, and the lines moved forward. The Fourteenth
advanced until they drew a severe fire, when Col. Shafter was ordered to carry
the rifle pits, which he did handsomely, killing, wounding, capturing, or driving away the enemy from his front. He pushed forward until he reached the
Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, when he was met by a destructive fire at
short range from battery planted on the opposite side of a deep cut made by
railroad. Seeing that Col. Shafter had carried the line in his front, and that the
enemy still held their position on his right, I ordered up to his support the
reserve of Col. Grosvenor. This command carried a portion of the line, but was
quickly completed to return, with severe loss, by reason of musketry fire on its
right flank. What I had thought to be a mere curtain, proved to be a rude but
strong lunette, with ditch in front and heavy head-logs on top of parapet, forming a very safe for Granbury's brigade, which occupied it. About the time of the
repulse of Col. Grosvenor Col. Shafter was completed to withdraw his line
from the range of the artillery. The entire command was then withdrawn, by
order of Gen. Steedman, and moved to the north of Rains' house. A strong skirmish line, connecting on the right, at the railroad, with Col. Thompson's command, advanced very close to the enemy's line. Sharpshooters loop-holed a
dwelling house and outbuildings and silenced the enemy. Thus the day wore
away; the general's purpose, as communicated to me the night previous, had
been accomplished; the enemy had been deceived, and, in expectation of a real
advance upon his right, had detained his troops there, while his left was being
disastrously driven back. The troops under my command have, as a whole,
behaved well, and if they failed to accomplish all I expected it was my fault,
not theirs; I was deceived as to the character of the work built by the enemy on
the 14th. Could I have known the exact nature of the work, the troops would
have carried it by a direct assault from the north side, with perhaps less loss
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 95
November 29, 1864
than was sustained. During the night of the 15th the enemy retired from our
front.
On the 16th my command, by order of Gen. Steedman, crossed the Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad the Nolensville pike, and the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad, skirmishing with and driving the enemy. At an early hour in the
in the afternoon the command joined the left of Col. Thompson and confronted
Overton Hill. Col. Grosvenor was ordered to join the left of Second Colored
Brigade and conform to its movements. He thus took part in the first assault
upon Overton Hill. Col. Shafter, with Seventeen, was in echelon to rear of
Grosvenor; Lieut.-Col. Corbin, with Fourteenth, was directed to support and
protect the artillery; Col. Johnson, Forty-fourth, was directed to guard the left.
Capt. Osborne's (Twentieth Indiana) battery and Capt. Aleshire's (Eighteenth
Ohio) battery kept up an incessant fire upon the enemy, and did excellent work.
Subsequently the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry was deployed as skirmishers in front of the artillery and directly facing the enemy's works, where they
kept and received a brisk fire. When the first assault upon the hill failed the
assaulting column retired in disorder, passing through my skirmish line without
shaking it. At one time I thought and so reported that the line was being forced
back, but it was not true. The line remained; did its work amid the confusion
that followed the repulse. When the Sixty-eighth Indiana struck this line they
asked what regiment. Being answered, Fourteenth, they cried, "Bully for you;
we'll stay with you," and they did. I assisted Col. Thompson in reforming his
broken lines. When the final assault was being made upon Overton Hill the
forces under me moved forward and joined in the pursuit of the enemy, which
followed as far as Franklin, Tenn. Subsequently the First Colored Brigade, as
part of Second Provisional Division, accompanied the expedition toward Tuscumbia, Ala., going as far as Leigton, Ala. On its return it joined Gen. Cruft's
forces in the fruitless chase after Gen. Lyon's rebel cavalry. The brigade was
disbanded January 12, 1865.
Col. Shafter, Seventeenth, acquitted himself well, is cool and brave, and a good
disciplinarian. Lieut.-Col. Corbin, Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry, does not
possess sufficient courage to command brave men.NOTE 4 Capt. Baker in reality
commanded the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry in the battle of the 15th and
16th, and acquitted himself with great credit. He is brave, cool, untiring, and
deserves promotion. Lieut.-Col. Grosvenor obeyed every order with promptness, and is a good soldier. To each member of my staff, Lieut.'s Cleland and
Hall, Forty-fourth U. S. Colored Infantry, Wadsworth and Dickinson, Sixteenth
U. S. Colored Infantry, and Wyrill, Fourteen the U. S. Colored Infantry, I am
indebted for the promptness with which they carried out my desires, exposing
themselves, cheerfully to necessary danger. The wounded of the First Colored
Brigade were faithfully for by Surgeon, Clemons, Seventeenth U. S. Colored
Infantry, and Assistant Surgeon Oleson, Fourteenth U. S. Colored Infantry.
I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOS. J. MORGAN, Col. Fourteen U. S. Colored Infantry.
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 30, 1864
Maj. S. B. MOE, Asst. Adjt. Gen., District of the Etowah.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 534-537.NOTE 5
NOTE 1: See below: December 2-5, 1864, "Operatins against stockades and blockhouses held by U. S. C. T. on N&E Railroad," below.
NOTE 2: Not found.
NOTE 3: Not found.
NOTE 4: Col. Corbin was subsequently tried before a general court-martial on the
charge of "cowardice" and "misbehavior before the enemy," &c.; was found
not guilty, and "most honorably" acquitted. Vide General Orders, No. 6,
headquarters First Separate Division, Army of the Cumberland, March 14,
1865.
NOTE 5: See also: Rebellion Record, Vol. 11, pp. 98-100.
November 30, 1864 - Scout from Nashville to Nolensville
No circumstantial reports filed.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Nashville,
Tenn., November 29, 1864.
Capt. DAVIS, Cmdg. Tenth Tennessee Cavalry:
CAPT.: You will march at 5.30 to-morrow for Nolensville, to watch the movements of the enemy in that vicinity. Picket all the roads in the neighborhood,
move small parties in every direction, and keep your command constantly on
the alert. Take every precaution you may deem necessary for the good order
and safety of your command. Keep your command together, and allow no foraging, unless your forage should give out before you are recalled. Endeavor to
communicate with any of our cavalry that may be in your vicinity, and report to
Gen. Wilson for orders, if he comes within ten miles of your command. Report
any news of importance, without delay, to these headquarters, or to the headquarters of any brigade or other command in your vicinity; very important
information will be sent to these headquarters; communicate, if possible, with
Gen. Wilson without delay.
This can be done by thoroughly patrolling the country in your front. Have frequent roll-calls during the day, to compel the presence of your men in camp.
Arrest all officers found neglecting their duty, and punish with the utmost
severity disobedience of orders or neglect of duty on the part of any of your
men. Take the best possible care of your horses, and compel your officers to
see that they are well groomed, properly watered, and fed.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 97
November 30, 1864
By command of Brevet Maj.-Gen. Wilson:
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 1151-1152.
HDQRS. DETACHMENT TENTH TENNESSEE CAVALRY, Seven Miles
from Nolensville, November 30, 1864. Gen. WILSON:
I learn from reliable authority that several squads of rebels were in this neighborhood last night-in all, about twenty-five men; also that a regiment of cavalry crossed this road yesterday going toward Murfreesborough. The latter
report I am not prepared to believe.
Respectfully,
JOHN A. DAVIS, Capt., Cmdg. Detachment Tenth Tennessee Cavalry.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI, Two Miles
East of Franklin, November 30, 1864.
Brig. Gen. R. W. JOHNSON:
GEN.: The general commanding directs that you send the Fifth Iowa Cavalry,
to proceed by the north bank of the river, to the right of infantry line, and picket
from that line well down the river-pickets of observation.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNo. N. ANDREWS, Capt. and Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1180.
November 30, 1864 - Scout, Decherd to Shelbyville and Lynchburg environs
DECHERD, November 30, 1864.
Maj.-Gen. STEEDMAN:
Capt. Shipp has just returned from a scout in the direction of Shelbyville and
Lynchburg. He went ten miles, crossing Elk River, and neither saw nor heard
of any enemy. All quiet at bridge. I have road patrolled from bridge north two
miles every hour.
W. WARNER, Col., Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1192.
November 30, 1864 - Union withdrawal from Tullahoma
No circumstantial reports filed.
NASHVILLE, November 30, 1864—4 a. m.
Maj.-Gen. MILROY, Tullahoma:
I desire you to leave Tullahoma at no particular hour, but just as soon as you
can get all your sick on board north-bound trains and have carried out my pre-
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 30, 1864
vious directions given you. Have you shipped your artillery yet, and have the
commissary stores been loaded on south-bound trains for Chattanooga yet?
They must be loaded just as soon as trains arrive. Don't permit your men to be
stampeded, but have things done quietly, and no useless destruction of property
of any kind.
GEO. H. THOMAS, Maj.-Gen., U. S. Volunteers, Cmdg.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 1187.
November 30, 1864 - Skirmish at Thompson's Station
No circumstantial reports filed.
Excerpt from the Report of Colonel Emerson Opdycke, 125th Ohio Infantry,
commanding First Brigade, of operations November 29-3-, 1864.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND DIV., 4TH ARMY CORPS, Nashville,
Tenn., December 5, 1864.
CAPT.: I respectfully submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from November 29 to December 1:
The command is composed of seven regiments. . . [At] 4 a. m., November 30 [,
b]y Gen. Wagner's orders I then drew in all of the regiments, except Col.
Smith's, and made disposition to act as rear guard. I was informed that our situation was critical, and the greatest efforts would be needed. Formed in two
lines of battle, and Col. Smith's command came from picket and deployed as
skirmishers. A section of the Fourth Artillery reported to me at 6.30 a. m. We
faced to the rear and moved off in line. As we debouched into the little valley
at Thompson's Station, skirmishing opened. Col. Smith managed his line skillfully, and sustained no loss. He killed a few rebels, one an officer, within a rod
of our line. Stragglers soon commenced filling the road, mostly new men with
immense knapsacks. They were so worried as to seem indifferent to capture. I
ordered each of my three lines to bring along every man at the point of the bayonet, and to cut off the knapsacks. These orders were obeyed rigidly, and probably less than twenty men escaped our vigilance and were captured. I am sure
that we saved 500 men from capture by these severe measures. The enemy
continued to annoy our rear all the time, and at 11 a. m. we reached Stevens'
Hill. . .
~~~
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, pp. 239-240.
November 30, 1864 - Battle of Franklin
BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
General U. S. Grant was promoted to Supreme Commander of the Federal
Army after the Union victory in the Battle of Chattanooga. He was transferred
to Virginia to initiate an offensive against the Army of Northern Virginia. In
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 99
November 30, 1864
the West Federal General W. T. Sherman moved toward Atlanta where General
John Bell Hood had replaced General Jo Johnston in command of the Army of
Tennessee and in charge of the defense of Atlanta. After four disastrous attacks
which brought about consequential Confederate losses, General Hood was
compelled to forsake Atlanta and fall back into Alabama. Hood concocted an
industrious strategy to both cut off Sherman's supply lines in Tennessee and
through a war of attrition, starve the Federal troops in the Volunteer State into
submission. Hood's plan called for the seizure of Nashville, a vital rail and supply center for the Union, where he could resupply his troops. Then, refreshed
and rested, Hood planned then to move northward to attack Louisville and Cincinnati, after which he would join General Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern
Virginia for an expected Confederate comprehensive offensive on Washington,
D. C. Jefferson Davis, however, heedless of the need for secrecy, openly discussed Hood's plans. General Sherman became aware of Hood's strategy when
Davis's remarks appeared in the northern press. Sherman briefly pursued
Hood, but concluded that the Federal cause would be better served by sending
Major-General John M. Schofield to oppose Hood in Tennessee. Sherman was
free then to return to his base in Atlanta and begin his march to the sea. Hood's
plans to divert Sherman were thus ultimately futile.
On November 21, 1864, Hood advanced the Army of Tennessee from its refuge in Alabama into Middle Tennessee. When Hood learned that Major-General Schofield's army was only 30 miles away at Pulaski, he devised a scheme
to arrest Schofield's forces from linking-up with Federal troops in Nashville.
Schofield, however, cleverly managed to skirt Hood's army as it literally slept
at Spring Hill. By this time, many believed that Hood's perception was marred
by his very serious wounds which had left him with but one leg and a shattered
right arm.
The Federal troops entrenched themselves on top of a hill, behind earthen fortification built hastily at a bend on the Harpeth River, on the south side of Franklin. Hood aggressively followed when he discovered Schofield's new position
and hurled his army at the entrenched Federal troops with six direct frontal
assaults in the afternoon of November 30. In a battle lasting about six hours,
more than 6,000 Confederates including 12 generals were killed or severely
wounded. While Hood's army was not yet defeated, it would be vanquished at
the Battle of Nashville later in December.
Private Sam R. Watkins of Company H, 1st Tennessee Regiment of Carter's
Brigade wrote about the battle from a common soldier's viewpoint:
As [we] marched through an open field the to the rampart of blood and death,
the Federal batteries begin to open and move down. . . 'Forward, men,' is
repeated all along the line. A sheet of fire is poured down into our very
faces. . . 'Forward, men!' The air [is] loaded with death dealing missiles.
Never. . . did men fight against such. . . odds. . . 'Forward, men!' And the blood
spurts in a perfect jet from the dead and wounded. The earth is red with
blood. . . The death angel shrieks and laughs. . . I had made up my mind to die-
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 30, 1864
[it] felt glorious. We pressed forward. . . Cleaborne's division was charging. . .
I passed on until I got to their [Yankees] works and got over on their side. But
in fifty yards of where I was, the scene. . . seemed like hell itself. . . Dead soldiers filled the entrenchment. . . It was a grand holocaust of death."
Sam Watkins, Co. AytchNOTE 1
General Hood has betrayed us. This is not the kind of fighting he promised us
at Tuscumbia and Florence, Ala. when we started into Tenn.
This was not a 'fight with equal numbers and choice of the ground' by no
means.
And the wails and cries of widows and orphans made at Franklin, Tenn Nov
30th 1864 will heat up the fires of the bottomless pit to burn the soul of Gen J
B Hood for Murdering their husbands and fathers at that place that day. It can't
be called anything but cold blooded Murder.
Diary of Capt. Samuel T. Foster, Granbury Texas Brigade.NOTE 2
The following is Major-General John B. Hood's Official report on the Battle of
Franklin. It is noteworthy for its brevity and focus on the loss of general officers and not the thousands of ordinary Confederate soldiers. Union sources had
intercepted it from Confederate newspapers, and it was then forwarded to
Lieutenant-General U. S. Grant:
CITY POINT, VA., December 16, 1864.
Lieut. Gen. U. S. GRANT, Washington, D. C.:
~~~
THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
Gen. Hood's official report of the battle of Franklin has at last been received. It
will be seen that our reported extraordinary loss of general officers is but too
true. The following is Gen. Hood's dispatch:
"HDQRS. ARMY OF TENNESSEE, "Six Miles from Nashville, Tenn.,
December 3, 1864. (Via Mobile 9th.)
"Hon. J. A. SEDDON:
"About 4 p. m. November 30NOTE 3 we attacked the enemy at Franklin, and
drove them from their center line of temporary works into the inner line, which
they evacuated during the night, leaving their dead and wounded in our possession, and retired to Nashville, closely followed by our cavalry. We captured 7
stand of colors and about 1,000 prisoners. Our troops fought with great gallantry. We have to lament the loss of many gallant officers and brave men.
Maj.-Gen. Cleburne, Brig.-Gen.'s John Adams, Gist, Strahl, and Granbury
were killed; Maj. Gen. John C. Brown and Brig.-Gen.'s Carter, Manigault,
Quarles, Cockrell, and Scott were wounded; Brig.-Gen. Gordon was captured.
"J. B. HOOD, "Gen."
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 101
November 30, 1864
A subsequent telegram from Gen. Hood says that our loss of officers was
excessively large in proportion to the loss of men.
~~~
JNO. A. RAWLINS, Brig.-Gen. and Chief of Staff.
OR, Ser. I, Vol. 445, pt. II, pp. 211-212.
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY OF TENNESSEE, NEAR NASHVILLE, December 5, 1864, VIA BARTOW, AND MOBILE, December 10, 1864:
We pursued and overtook the enemy at Franklin, where he had thrown up one
line of breastworks and commenced two others.
The enemy evidently intended to hold permanently the line of Franklin and
Murfreesborough.
We attacked him in position about 4 o'clock p. m. and successfully carried their
two outer lines.
At dark we had reached and stood upon the outer edge of their interior and last
line of works while the fight continued until 11 o'clock.
We held our position during the night, expecting to renew the fight in the
morning, but unfortunately under cover of the darkness, about 12 o'clock, the
enemy had retired, leaving killed and wounded on the field.
We were unable to use our artillery on account of the presence of the women
and children in the town.
We massed about 100 pieces of artillery that night [and] opened on the enemy
at daylight, expecting the non-combatants to have gotten out before day.
We have lost an unusual large proportion of officers.
Generals [Patrick Ronayne] Cleburne, [Hiram Bronson] Granbury, [William
Wirt] Adams, [Otho French] Strahl, and [States Rights] Gist were killed.
Generals [John Calvin] Brown, [William Andrew] Quarles, [John carpenter]
Carter and [Thomas Moore] Scott were wounded.
We have captured about 1,300 prisoners and picked up on the battlefield about
6,000 stands of arms.
We have also captured a large number of colors.
We have also captured four locomotives and trains and are running the Tennessee and Alabama railroad.
Other trains are cut off, which we hope soon to have in our possession.
About 5,000 of the enemy are cut off at Murfreesborough.
The Army is in fine health and excellent spirits, and confident of success.
The people are delighted and enthusiastic at our advance.
SOR, Ser. I, Vol. 7, pp. 677-678.
Page 102 — November 1864
TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 30, 1864
We were now ordered to fix bayonets, fire, and charge the first line of works.
They received us with a volley of musketry, but all opposition was inadequate
to check our columns in the slightest degree, and with one prolonged and loud
cheer we carried the first line of works at the very points of the Federal bayonets. They stood their ground until we mounted the top of their works, but as
we went over, part of their line of battle broke and fled, while the remainder lay
down flat on their faces in the ditch to save themselves, and were either killed
or captured; but few of those who fled succeeded in reaching their main line.
Our lines of infantry swept over their works, annihilating nearly everything
before us. This partial victory was quickly won. It appeared as if our troops had
received an electric shock, which aroused their enthusiasm to its highest pitch,
and the air resounded with loud shouts from our whole army, which almost
made the earth over which we were going quake and tremble.
After taking this line of works, we made a momentary halt in order to reform
our front line, but this was only for an instant; we now pressed closely at the
heels of their retiring line, to storm the second. Their batteries immediately
opened upon us with a perfect hailstorm of grape and canister, and when within
a short distance of their main line, we encountered the abatis, or bois d'arc
hedge, and also the line of cheval-de-frise; here the battery of thirty-six guns a
little to our right, and that of twelve guns on our left, all double charged with
grape and canister, pointing down our lines from both directions, thus enfilading them both ways from end to end, sent a tremendous deluge of shot and
shell through our ranks, and these seconded by a murderous sheet of fire and
lead from the infantry behind the works, and also another battery of six guns
directly in our front, made the scene of carnage and destruction fearful to
behold.
This hurricane of combustibles now burst forth in its height of fury, leaving
ruin and desolation in its pathway, and nothing could be heard above the din of
musketry and the roar of cannon, which was incessant. They fired on friend
and foe, for we so closely pressed the retreating line in our front that had they
waited for their own men to enter the works we would have gone over with
them, and carried all before us. Whenever the dense smoke, in some degree,
was cleared away by the flash and blaze from the guns, great masses of our
infantry could be seen struggling to get over those ingeniously wrought
obstructions, who were being slain by hundreds and piled in almost countless
numbers. In the confusion which here ensued, numbers of our forces were
thrown farther to the left and near the pike, forming a confused body of soldiers who were totally oblivious to all sense of order, thus giving the battery of
thirty-six cannon on our right, the one of six pieces in our front, and that of
twelve to our left, full play upon them. The firing of these guns was so rapid
that it was impossible to discover any interval between their discharges.
The slaughtering of human life could be seen down the line as far as the
Columbia and Franklin pike, and where the works crossed the pike the destruction was indescribable. Along that portion of the works in front of the batteries
on the right, our troops were killed by whole platoons; our front line of battle
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November 1864 — Page 103
November 30, 1864
seemed to have been cut down by the first discharge, for in many places they
were lying on their faces in almost as good order as if they had lain down on
purpose; but no such order prevailed amongst the dead who fell in making the
attempt to surmount the cheval-de-frise, for hanging on the long spikes of this
obstruction could be seen the mangled and torn remains of many of our soldiers who had been pierced by hundreds of minie balls and grape shot, showing
that they, beyond a possible doubt, had been killed simultaneously with the
panic and consternation which happened upon their reaching this obstruction.
The remnant of our lines succeeded in reaching the ditch on the outside of the
works, and now became engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict across the top of
the head-logs at the point of the bayonet. The smoke of battle belched forth
from the hideous open mouth of this typical volcanic eruption cast a deep
shade of gloom over that bright and lovely November eve, darkening the ether
from earth to heaven, until a gentle breeze would lift and fan it away. The force
and wind of the grape and canister, when fired from the fifty-four pieces of
cannon on the Federal works, aided by that of the minie balls from their infantry behind the works, would lift us clear off the ground at every discharge. As
the great clouds of smoke had to some extent vanished and I could look around
me, I saw to my surprise I was left alone in the ditch, within a few feet and to
the left of the battery of six guns on the Federal works, which was still pouring
forth its messengers of death, and not a living man could be seen standing on
my right; neither could one be seen for some distance on my left. They had all
been swept away by that mighty tempest of grape and canister and rolling
waves of fire and lead. A Federal, who was running in my front just before we
entered the ditch, and a little beyond the reach of my bayonet, was shot dead
from the works in front, and fell forward into the ditch; in his belt were two
large army pistols, which were loaded and capped. I quickly removed them
from his belt, and with one in each hand emptied them under the head-logs at
the mass of men across the works in my front. The more our numbers became
reduced the fiercer the conflict for life, simply too dreadful for pen to describe,
and few who entered that portion of the ditch escaped death. When the pistols
were emptied, having nothing with which to reload them, I reloaded my gun,
and turned towards the embrasure of the cannon, which was a few feet on my
right, and tried my best to shoot the artillerymen who were so skillfully and
effectively manning that destructive battery, and whose gun swabs would whirl
in the air after every discharge, but each time I obtained a glimpse of any of
them, and before I could shoot, a cannon would run out and fire, forcing me to
take refuge away from it. After getting my face blistered and eyebrows burned
off, I abandoned that dangerous place by getting back away from the blaze of
these guns.
Streams of blood ran here and there over the entire battle ground, in little
branches, and one could have walked upon dead and wounded men from one
end of the column to the other; the ditch was full of dead men and we had to
stand and sit upon them,-the bottom of it, from side to side, was covered with
blood to the depth of the shoe soles.
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At the ditch we had to encounter an enfilading fire of musketry from both
directions, as well as that in our front across the works under the head-logs.
The enemy directly in our front attempted to shoot us by turning their backs to
the breast works, taking their guns by the breach and raising them above their
heads over the head-logs, so as to point the muzzles downward, firing them at
us this way, and having nothing exposed except their arms and hands. We had
to watch this and knock their guns aside with our bayonets, which was done
several times; many of their men had both hands shot off while making these
attempts to kill us. While this fearful battle was raging, a Federal officer on his
horse, at the head of a line of infantry, came dashing up to the works in our
front, and one of our soldiers in the ditch about ten feet on my left, raised his
gun and fired, shooting him off his horse. Among the first whom I saw in the
ditch, upon their feet and unhurt, were General Geo. W. Gordon, Lieutenant
Colonel Atkins, commander of our regiment, and Captain Williams, of an Alabama regiment; they were only a few feet on my left. These men appeared to
be undaunted, and a look of stoic determination had settled upon their weatherbeaten faces.
South of the Columbia and Franklin pike our troops were in some degree successful in capturing part of the line of works; the Federals who survived this
onslaught took refuge behind the works on the north side of the pike, in our
front. Our numbers were too weak on that portion of the line to charge the position in our front with any hope of success; however, they succeeded in reaching
the brick houses I have described. At the residence and in the yard of Mr.
Carter his son was killed dead. He had not been at home for two or three years,
and as he passed through the yard and stopped at the door his sister ran and
caught him by the hand and attempted to throw her arms around his neck, when
a Federal soldier, who had taken refuge in the house, ran up and shot him
through the body, killing him dead in the arms of his sister.
General Quarles and Adjutant General Cowley, of our brigade, fell near the
main line of the Federal works, the former wounded and the latter killed. General Pat Cleburne and his horse were killed while attempting to cross the
works, the horse falling on top of the breast works and General Cleburne on the
outside of the ditch; both rider and horse seemed to have received a missile of
death at one and the same instant.
The color-bearer and color-guard of our regiment were all killed near the edge
of the ditch; the last man of the color-guard was shot while waving the regimental colors at the breast-works, and fell forward, the flag reaching over
within the Federal works, the staff resting across the head-logs. Some brave
soldier of our little remnant quickly seized the staff, recovered the flag and carried it off the field. I regret never having learned his name. This deadly strife
was destined to be of short duration; as our attacking columns were destroyed
and repulsed, the firing became less frequent, except from our batteries in the
rear, which were kept active by the fearless and solitary few who survived this
bloody encounter.
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November 1864 — Page 105
November 30, 1864
The carnage and destruction was so dreadful that the sun, as if loath to longer
gaze on this terrific scene, slowly sunk behind the western horizon and hid
from view his smiling face; but the stars, more pitying, came forth to keep vigil
o'er the silent and sleeping dead.
As the firing from the enemy in our front began somewhat to abate, sixteen of
our soldiers, who were in the ditch some twenty or thirty feet on my left,
sprang up and ran out of the ditch, attempting to escape; a whole volley of
musketry was fired at them, killing the last one to a man. When they started I
raised in a stooping posture, thinking I would run also; but they being killed so
quickly caused me to abandon the idea of escape. The few of us who were alive
at the ditch were in considerable danger from our own batteries and stray minie
balls. We tried to lie down in the ditch; it afforded scant protection, being
almost full of dead men.
We now fully realized our critical situation, and saw that we had but one
choice, if any, left, and that to surrender. Lieutenant Colonel Atkins was
requested to surrender the little crowd, but declined, stating that he would
rather die in the ditch than to surrender us. Some few of our soldiers, a little
further on our left, raised their caps on ramrods, but they were fired upon and
riddled with bullets, the Federals refusing to recognize this. Captain Williams
then requested some one to hand him a white handkerchief, but not one could
be found. One of our soldiers who was fortunate enough to have on a white
shirt, tore off a large piece and handed it to him. The captain tied this on the
end of a ramrod, and hoisted it over our heads so it could be seen by the Federals. A Federal officer ordered the troops in our front to cease firing, which they
did. He came up to the works, looked over and said: "Throw down your arms,
boys, and come over." I threw my gun and the two pistols as far back toward
our lines as I could send them, and as I passed over the works glanced around
at my fallen comrades who lay on the ground wrapped in the winding sheet of
death, and drew a sigh of regret as I gave them a last sad look, knowing they
never again would be aroused by the sound of the reveille from their deep
untroubled sleep, but would remain in death's cold embrace until the last great
trump shall sound and call forth the dead from the armies of both friend and
foe.
Copley, Sketch, pp. 49-61.NOTE 4
One Federal soldier's description of the Franklin battlefield
HdQrs 3rd Battalion
Camp near Columbia, Tenn
Sunday January 15th/65
Dear Father
We are laying in camp today about one mile north of Duck River waiting for
the bridge to be finished.
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November 30, 1864
We left Nashville on Thursday and arrived here last night. Passed through
Franklin, and Spring Hill and over the battle ground at Franklin. The hardest
fighting was in a clear open field not even a stump of bush for shelter. The
ground is dotted thick with graves in clusters of from a dozen to 30 and 40 and
down to single ones here and there. It was a terrible fight.
~~~
Potter Correspondence.
NOTE 1: Sam R. Watkins, Co. Aytch Maury Grays, First Tennessee Regiment of A
Side Show of the Big Show, intro. by Bell Irvin Wiley, (Wilmington, N C:
Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1987), pp.219-220.
NOTE 2: As cited in Norman D. Brown, ed., One of Cleburne's Command: The Civil
War Reminiscences and Diary of Capt. Samuel T. Foster, Granbury Texas
Brigade, C. S. A., (University of Texas Press, Austin, TX, 1980), p. 151.
NOTE 3: See map in OR, Ser. I, Vol. 45, pt. I, p. 408.
NOTE 4: John M. Copley, A Sketch of the Battle of Franklin, Tenn.; With Reminiscenes of Camp Douglas, (Austin: Von Boeckman, 1893)
November 30, 1864 - A McMinnville Confederate Woman's Impressions of the Battle of
Franklin
~~~
. . . Wednesday [30th] was a golden day. . . I was out in the yard the greater
portion of the day—and set out some hyacinths and tulips. While at our pleasant work on this pleasant day—I would pause every now and then to listen to a
dull shudder in the air, which we so well knew to be distant cannon. It
reminded me so forcibly of the day when the battle of Stone's River was
fought—Tho' that was just one month later, and the day tho' bright was not so
warm. There was a fresher breeze on that day too and the cannonading sounded
much louder. Towards evening on Wednesday the guns seemed to redouble
their efforts, but the sound was different. Instead of being a shudder in the air,
the reports came like a thick—falling thud—Mollie had come home that day
and we listed to the guns with hearts filled with varied emotions. Hope and
fear, joy and sadness swayed us by turns. Towards nightfall all was quiet.
Towards nightfall all was quiet. . .
~~~
War Journal of Lucy Virginia French, entry for December 3, 1864.
TENNESSEE CIVIL WAR SOURCEBOOK
November 1864 — Page 107
November 30, 1864NOTE 1
November 30, 1864NOTE 1 - Skirmish 12 miles from Tullahoma, excerpt from a letter by
Major-General R. H. Milroy to his wife in Rensselaer, Indiana
. . . Two of my Cav. Companies had a considerable skirmish with gurillas about
12 miles from here this morning and at first got repulsed but finally drove
them. . .
Papers of General Milroy, p. 398.
NOTE 1: The transcript of this letter appears as "October 30, 1864," yet all other documents are in perfect chronological and page enumeration order so it may
well be that the date is incorrect as it appears. Moreover, since there was an
increase in partisan activity as Hood made his advance toward Nashville in
November 1864 it is plausible that the month is not October.
November 30, 1864 - "To the Union Men of Middle Tennessee."
The Executive Committee of Middle Tennessee takes this opportunity of
requesting the Union men of the Middle Division of the State, to appoint delegates to the Convention at Nashville, on the 19th of December. The people of
East and West Tennessee will be here. It is our duty to meet them. The people
meet to take such steps as wisdom may direct to restore the State of Tennessee
to its once honored status in the great National Union.
The dignity of men descended from a race of freemen and heroes, the maintenance of your rights, and the interests of your children, all call upon you to act
as brave and true men. Come forth in your strength to assert your rights and to
organize the loyal sentiment of Tennessee.
If you cannot meet in your counties, come upon your own person responsibility. It is the assembling of Union men for the restoration of their own Commonwealth to life and a career of success.
Lewis Tillman
Wm. Spence
M. M. Brien
Jos. S. Fowler
Executive Com. Middle Tenn.
Nashville Daily Times and True Union, November 30, 1864.
November 30, 1864 - "General Orders, No. 22."
Headquarters Post of Nashville
Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864
EXTRACT
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TENNESSEE HISTORICAL COMMISSION
November 30, 1864
~~~
II. ALL CITIZENS at this post not engaged in a legitimate business or employment, and not permanently domiciled at the post, are directed and required to
immediately proceed to Louisville, Ky., or such other places North of the line
of the Department as they may select.
Applications for passes will be made to the Provost Marshal of the Post. All
persons failing to comply with these orders within a reasonable time, and
unable to give satisfactory reasons for the delay, will be arrested and sent North
of the Ohio river to remain during the war.
The Provost Marshal is charged with enforcement of these orders.
By command of Brig. Gen Jno. F. Miller.
Nashville Dispatch, December 3, 1864.
November 30, 1864 - John C. Seibert, 31st Indiana Infantry, writes home concerning Hood's
offensive
Nov. 30th, 1864
We made a forced march from Columbia to Franklin, twenty five miles in
about 6 hours. I am tired. The Johnies shot at us several times but nobody was
hurt. We have marched night and day and [word unintelligible] for several days
and nights.
Cris
John C. Seibert Correspondence.
November 30, 1864 - December 31, 1864 - Excerpts from the diary of Albert Underwood, 9th
Indiana Light Artillery
Wed. Nov. 30: Left Smithland at daylight up the Cumberland River for Nashville, Tennessee. Landed a few minutes at Eddyville, Castle Rock, Canton and
Tobacco Point and reached Dover, or FT. Donelson, about 81/2 o'clock and tied
up for the night. The sun has shined about all day for the first for a long time.
The river is in a nice boating stage now. We got along today without any troubles or difficulties.
Thurs. Dec. 01: I went ashore and went up to the fort this morning. Flood's
Battery and part of the 83rd Illinois Infantry is here yet. We waited for other
boats and left Ft. Donelson at 101/2 o'clock. Run very slow. Passed quite a
number of boats today returning from Nashville. We reached Clarksville,
Montgomery county, about 8 o'clock, landed a few minutes and run all night.
Cloudy again.
Fri. Dec. 02: Drizzling rain this morning. Run all night and reached Nashville
at 10 o'clock and commenced unloading immediately. We got off by 2 o'clock
and started out to the front and took positions about 4 o'clock in the front line
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November 30, 1864
of battle on the Nashville Pike about 21/2 miles southwest of the statehouse.
Our men are throwing up rifle pits in earnest tonight.
Sat. Dec. 03: Rained last night. I went on the top of a high hill nearby where I
had a nice view of the city and the troops line of battle and the surrounding
country. Saw Maj. Gen. Thomas and Schofield and Brigadier Gen. McArthur
and Webster skirmishing all day and about 4 o'clock this evening cannonading
opened on the left wing but did not last long. A squad of citizens were brought
out and throwed us up breastworks. A pleasant day, saw Tom Man. Look some
for night attack.
Sun. Dec. 04: The gunboats were heard firing below last night and firing has
commenced on the left this morning and kept up all day. Our men are still
strengthening their works. The Rebs have throwed up fortifications in front of
the 4th Corps. Their works extend to within 1/4 of a mile of ours on the left.
The 3rd Indiana Battery throwed several shells into the Rebs line up to 9
o'clock tonight, and heavy picket firing was kept up all night. Four prisoners
were brought in this morning.
Mon. Dec. 05: Cannonading opened again this morning to our left and was
kept up at intervals all day and skirmishing was kept up all along the lines most
of the day. A detachment of the 4th Tennessee Cavalry made a charge on the
Rebs pickets this evening but found them too strong for them and returned
again with two or three wounded after killing six Rebs. Cannonading ceased
this evening. On guard today. My time is out today.
Tues. Dec. 06: Cannonading and skirmishing again today. In the evening the
2nd Illinois and 2nd Iowa Batteries opened fire on the right at a Rebel column
that was seen moving to the right, and throwed several shells among them. It
rained a little last night, has been a pleasant day. The gunboats are firing below
here this evening. I went over on the right this evening.
Wed. Dec. 07: Rained a little last night and is warm and cloudy this morning.
There has been some skirmishing today but not as much as usual. Our guns
were firing all along the lines again today. Our guns throwed several shells into
the Rebel lines this evening. It has turned quite cold this evening. Rained a little this evening. Mike Wilkins, David Beeson, Enock Whitted and Jerry Ferman came over this evening.
Thurs. Dec. 08: It was quite cold last night and still continues cold all day. Cannonading again today. We fired a few rounds in the morning. Captain Brown
has returned. I took a walk round to the left along our lines this evening. I went
about 2 miles. A charge was made on our picket line near the left center, the
31st Indiana was sent out and drove them back into their holes. We unharnessed this evening.
Fri. Dec. 09: Very cold disagreeable this morning. A cold sleeting snow is falling this morning. Ceased snowing about noon and I went down to the city and
went into the U. S. Christian Commission and wrote a letter. Quite a crowd of
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November 30, 1864
soldiers in the city today. Cannonading and skirmishing has about ceased now
as it is rather too cold and disagreeable to fight today.
Sat. Dec. 10: Quiet still this morning. I and R. C. Turner went to the city this
morning. Visited the State House which is a splendid building, and after we run
round over town till evening, we went back to the camp. There has been a little
cannonading today. It is quite slippery getting round now. Everything is very
high here in this market, but there is a large amount of business done here.
Sun. Dec. 11: Very cold here in camp. I went down to the city and went to the
Baptist Church in the morning. I then took a walk out to the forts in the south
part of the city. I went back through town, and Haines and I went to the St.
Cloud Commercial and the City Hotel and remained till nearly night and then
returned to camp. There has been no skirmishing along the line today.
Mon. Dec. 12: Cold and disagreeable all day. There was some cannonading
today on the left. Most of the cavalry has crossed over to this side of the river
this evening, and the indications are that a move will be made soon. I went
down where the cavalry camped tonight and saw the 12th Mo. Cavalry, also
the 11th Indiana and saw Burt Chapman and Capt. Woodard and Col. Mull.
Tues. Dec. 13: Still cold and disagreeable this morning and no move is being
made yet for the enemy. I am on guard today and have been writing some letters. It moderated considerable this evening. The snow and sleet has all gone
and it is misting rain a little. Skirmishing or picket firing is going on quite brisk
up to 11 o'clock tonight.
Wed. Dec. 14: Misty and foggy this morning. There was a brisk firing kept up
all night on the picket line. It is warm and cloudy and very muddy today. I
wrote some letters again today. The cavalry is still in camp near here. There
has been no cannonading here today I believe. There is a valley of from 2 to 3
miles width in front of our lines extending all around our lines between us and
the enemy.
Thurs. Dec. 15: Still warm and foggy. Left camp at 7 1/2 o'clock, formed our
lines in the valley in front of our works and begun to advance at 11 o'clock.
The ball opened pretty heavy about 12 o'clock and was kept up till after dark.
Our battery and the 2nd Illinois shelled one of their works for 3 or 4 hours, but
the infantry charged and took it. 8 guns were captured and turned on the Rebs,
also a lot of prisoners. Rained a little today. There was 33 pieces of artillery
and 1500 prisoners captured today. We camped tonight where the Rebs camped
last night.
Fri. Dec. 16: We were in readiness for action at an early hour and advanced 3/4
of a mile and the ball soon opened. We run our battery right up on the Rebel
skirmish line and opened and fired all day from the position. We run out of
ammunition for the Napoleons about 3 o'clock. The infantry advanced under a
galling fire and scaled their walls and took possession of their works. We
moved forward about 1 mile and camped for the night.
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November 30, 1864
Sat. Dec. 17: Rained hard last night and continued all day. We captured 22
pieces of artillery and (??) prisoners today, also 3 generals. I went over the battle ground this morning of guns, ammunition, dead horses, wagons stuck in the
mud and leaned against trees. It showed there had been a great panic. We
hauled off 4 guns and some caisson and left about 4 o'clock on the Granny
White Pike and then back to the Franklin Pike and into camp about 3 o'clock.
Sun. Dec. 18: Left camp at 71/2 o'clock. Very muddy and disagreeable.
Marched along pretty well to within about 2 miles of the town of Franklin and
halted about 4 hours. Met several hundred prisoners and 3 pieces of Rebel artillery. Moved up near town a while before night to camp, but got orders to cross
the Harpeth River. Crossed over on pontoon, passed through town about a mile
and went into camp at 7 1/2 o'clock. Marched 8 miles.
Mon. Dec. 19: Rained very hard last night. We have orders to march again
today. Heard heavy cannonading this morning in the direction of Columbia. It
rained hard all day, a cold disagreeable rain and very muddy. We have a solid
pike to travel on today or we could not get on at all. Passed through Spring Hill
about a mile and went into camp at 7 o'clock. Marched 12 miles, about 10
miles to Columbia.
Tues. Dec. 20: We have a tolerable good camp and there is some talk that we
will remain here till morning and then go back. It is still cloudy but it is more
pleasant today. We received orders to go to the front yet tonight. We harnessed
and went to the ammunition train and filled up our chests about 2 o'clock and
left about dark and went a few miles, but it rained and was so very disagreeable
we went into camp. It is the most disagreeable I ever saw since the war.
Wed. Dec. 21: I never went to bed last night, rained till nearly day and then
commenced snowing and continued all day. We can't cross a creek near here
till a pontoon is laid down. The 23rd Army Corps is passing this evening. I am
on guard today. This has been one of the most disagreeable times I ever saw in
or out of the service. All the little creeks are booming full.
Thurs. Dec. 22: It froze last night and is cold and still snowing this morning.
We received orders to move out this morning but the order was countermanded
till evening. The 23rd Corps and train is still passing yet. We left camp about 2
o'clock and moved toward the front and crossed and went out about 1 1/2 miles
and went into camp. The 4th Corps is in camp along here. The road was full of
trains and wagons all the way out. Cleared off this evening.
Fri. Dec. 23: Very cold last night and is clear and cold today. The 4th Army
Corps commenced moving out last night. The cavalry is crossing Duck River
this evening. The 23rd Corps is camped all along the road from Spring Hill to
Columbia. There is breastworks thrown up all along here. Gen Girard is commanding our division, and the 2nd, now. It is about 2 miles to Columbia.
Sat. Dec. 24: Left camp about 31/2 o'clock and went to the river and found the
pontoon out of repair and the 4th Corps train to cross. We had to wait till about
1 o'clock before we commenced to cross. The pieces of Rebel artillery was
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November 30, 1864
snaked out of the river before we crossed. We got over by 2 o'clock and passed
through Columbia which has been a very good town. We went out about 8
miles and went into camp about dark. We heard cannonading today.
Sun. Dec. 25: Rained a little this morning and turned off pretty fair day till
about 4 o'clock and then commenced to rain a little again. The 4th Corps train
has been passing all day and our train has come up, also the remainder of our
artillery. About 25 Rebel prisoners passed here today on their way to Nashville. The boys are foraging in earnest today. Christmas.
Mon. Dec. 26: Cloudy damp morning, left camp at 12 o'clock. The 1st and 3rd
Divisions march in front today. The pike is pretty muddy in places. Signs of
fighting and skirmishing all along the road. Lt. Caffee started back this morning. We passed through Linwood, small town, partly burnt, marched 10 miles
today and went into camp about dark about 1 mile beyond Linwood.
Tues. Dec. 27: Raining a little this morning. We left camp about 11 3/4 o'clock.
The roads are pretty muddy. Cannoneers all have to walk in this department of
the army. Crossed Big Creek and run down it for some ways and turned out and
went into camp about 8 o'clock. There has been considerable skirmishing along
here. A lot of Rebel prisoners passed here this evening on their way to Nashville.
Wed. Dec. 28: Received orders to remain in camp today. The boys are all out
foraging near by. I remained in camp till evening and then I and Wilson
McCallmont rode over to Pulaski, county seat of Girard [Giles] county. The
town is very much torn up now, but has been a very good town before the war.
There are plenty good springs and small streams in this part of the country.
23rd Corps gone down Duck River.
Thurs. Dec. 29: Left camp at 81/4 o'clock. The roads are frozen so as to bear up
this morning. Passed through Pulaski and turned west on the Florence road.
Crossed Richland's creek near junction with Weekly's creek. Marched in a west
direction, crossed several small streams, had bad hilly roads most of the way.
We went into camp at sundown in about 8 miles of Lawrenceburg and 10 miles
of Pulaski. Marched 14 miles. On guard.
Fri. Dec. 30: Left camp at 71/4 o'clock. On the Lawrenceburg road, had pretty
good roads to Lawrenceburg, which we passed about 11 o'clock and had very
bad roads this evening. Commenced raining before noon and rained a little all
this evening. We went into camp about 2 o'clock on the Clifton road in about 4
miles west of Lawrenceburg, County seat of Lawrence county. We marched
about 12 miles today.
Sat. Dec. 31: Rained very hard and then snowed last night. Clear and cold this
morning. Left camp about 11 o'clock, had very bad roads all day, not hilly, but
very deep, stiff mud. Country thinly settled. We marched in a northwest direc-
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November 30, 1864
tion today and went into camp about 4 o'clock in about 10 miles of Waynesburg, county seat of Wayne county. Marched 8 miles today.
Diary of Albert Underwood.NOTE 1
NOTE 1: As cited in: http://dcwi.com/~dave/underwood8.html. [Hereinafter cited as:
Diary of Albert Underwood.]
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