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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:39:06 GMT -5
BATTLE OF ALLATOONA, GA. 563
Report of Maj. James C. Edson, Fourth Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY VET. VOLS.,
ALLATOONA, GA., Oct. 7, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by my regiment in the action at this place October 5 instant:
I had 450 men engaged in the battle, a part of which were on grand guard, and skirmished with the enemy before and after daybreak. During the night previous Capt. D. G. Towle was sent out with part of his company on the road leading to the Allatoona Iron Works, with instructions to hold the pass at the foot of the bluff on the north side of the railroad, and, in case of need, to send for assistance. At 9 A. M. he sent to me that he was hard-pressed and must have im mediate help, whereupon I ordered Capt. I. N". Morrill to join him with his com pany, directing him to fall back, if attacked by a heavy force, to the works on the hill near our camp. This he did, holding in check two regiments of the ene my until the remaining portion of my command, excepting two companies sta tioned at the north fort, were placed in position to receive them. I regret to say that Captain Towle was severely wounded. Meanwhile we were being furiously shelled from the opposite direction, and also suffered a serious cross-fire from the enemy beyond the south fort. The two regiments of the enemy charged with much desperation, but were forced back, excepting small detachments of each that pushed forward and took shelter in a narrow ravine near our works, where we captured 80 prisoners, including one field and several line officers, with the colors of the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-ninth regiments Mississippi Infantry, and 123 stand of arms. My losses are: Killed and died of wounds, 13 enlisted men; wounded, 1 commissioned officer and 29 enlisted men; total, 30; total killed and wounded, 43.
I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and men of my com mand. All behaved like heroes. About 160 of my regiment were recruits who had received their arms only three days before. They behaved most admirably, fighting with the steadiness of veterans. Where all did so nobly it is impossible to distinguish individual acts of bravery.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES C. EDSON, Major, Commanding Regiment. Capt. J. E. STANFORD,
Actg. Asst. Adjutant General, First Brigade, Third Division.
List of Casualties in the Fourth Minnesota Infantry, Veteran Volunteers, in Action at
Allatoona, G-a., Oct. 5, 1864.
FIELD AND STAFF Wounded : Lieut. Col. J. E. Tourtellotte, commanding post, thigh, severely.
COMPANY A Killed: Privates Geo. W. Rogers, John Young.
Wounded: Private Miles Babthingy, side, slightly.
COMPANY C Wounded: Privates John Casey, thigh, severely; John Linn, wrist, severely; Michael Lieser, breast, slightly; Morgan F. Moore, breast, slightly.
564 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
COMPANY D Killed: Private Michael Kenna.
Wounded : Privates A. P. Knowles, leg, severely ; Morton L. Webb, arm, severely.
COMPANY E Killed: Private James H. Russell.
Wounded: Capt. Daniel G. Towle, right side and arm, severely.
COMPANY F Wounded: Privates Almon H. Cottrell, left arm. amputated; Hans Chymons, thigh, severely; Henry Lovell, foot; John Hughs, cheek, slightly; Albert Sweet, thigh, slightly.
COMPANY G Wounded : Privates Wm. Hutchins, on left shoulder, severely; Charles Brooks, hip, slightly.
COMPANY H Killed: Privates John Penrith, Charles Grosser.
Wounded: First Lieut. E. P. Lieberg, right arm, slightly; Privates F. Bracklesberg, thigh, severely; Anson Bently, knee, slightly; John Bust, breast, mortally; A. W. Littlefield, knee, severely; Andrew Jamison, foot, slightly; Peter Selhin, thigh, slightly.
COMPANY I Killed: Privates Jonathan J. Isaac, Ulrick Sohn, JohnF. Teats.
Wounded: Corp. Sewell Randall, right breast, since died; Privates Thomas B. Jackson, face, severely; Hilbert W. Rogers, breast, mortally; Ephraim Dudley, left shoulder, severely; Andrew L. Gish, groin, since died; Cyrus C. Aldrich, face, severely; Wayne Donaldson, wrist, slightly. COMPANY K Killed: Privates Oscar Bloss, Ayrs Palmer.
Wounded: Privates Benjamin Lang, left shoulder, severely; Abraham O. Hollister, foot, se- Terely; Edmund Brezet, foot, slightly.
RECAPITULATION Killed and died of wounds, enlisted men, 13; wounded, commissioned officers, 3; wounded, enlisted men, 28; total wounded, 31; total killed and wounded, 44.
JAMES C. EDSON, Major, Commanding Regiment.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
ALLATOONA, GA., Oct. 11, 1864. O. MALMROS,
Adjutant General State of Minnesota,
COLONEL: By the bearer hereof, ID behalf of the officers and men of my com mand, I have the honor to present to the state the colors of the Thirty-fifth and Thirty-ninth Mississippi Infantry, captured by this regiment in action at this place October 5th instant.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES O. EDSON, Major, Commanding Regiment.
Eeport of Brig. Gen. John M. Corse, Commanding Fourth Division.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
ALLATOONA, GA., Oct. 7, 1864. I have the honor to submit the following report:
Started from Eome, Ga., at 8:30 P. M., October 4th, on signal telegram from you, via Allatoona, with a portion of one brigade of my division. Arrived at this place about midnight. Sent train back for another load of troops, and with Lieutenant Colonel Tourtellotte, commanding this post, rode around and made myself acquainted with the nature of the defenses and surrounding country.
BATTLE OF ALLATOOXA, GA. 565
At daylight the 5th disposed my troops ready for the enemy, who had been pushing the picket lines warmly since my arrival. About 7 A. M. the enemy opened artillery upon us from Acworth road, to which we responded. Skirmish fire continued to extend to our right and rear until 8:30 A. M., when a flag of truce appeared on the Cartersville road, bearing a summons to surrender, a copy of which, with reply, find inclosed. About 8:45 A. M. a furious assault was made on our lines from three directions, south, west, and north. We held our position in the outer works for about two hours, when we were driven into the west fort. The enemy followed up and continued to fight with great desperation until 3:30 p. M., when they withdrew in disorder, repulsed at every point. With a brigade of fresh troops I would have captured French s entire division. We saved all the stores, buried 150 rebel dead, including 2 colonels and several other field offi cers. Have 400 prisoners, including the wounded; among the wounded are 1 rebel colonel and several other field officers. We have in our possession 3 stand of rebel colors, and have already gathered 500 stand of small-arms, and the country is still strewn with them. A rebel surgeon reports General Young killed and General thingyrell wounded. My loss is about 600 killed, wounded, and miss ing. I brought about 900 muskets with me. Colonel Tourtellotte had about 600, making in all about 1,500. We looked anxiously all day for the arrival of my troops from Eome or re-enforcements from you. The damage done to the track by the recent heavy rains prevented the train I sent from returning with my troops until the morning of the 6th.
Lieut. "William Ludlow, of Engineers, sent to Eome by Captain Poe to inspect fortifications there, accompanied me here as volunteer aide, and will bear this in formal report to you. He will give you the minute details of the affair. Tho pain occasioned by the severe wound in my head prevents me from doing so, also from mentioning the numerous deeds of gallantry and daring performed by offi cers and men during the action. All did well. My thanks are especially due to Lieutenant Colonel Tourtellotte, Fourth Minnesota Infantry, for his hearty co operation, cool courage, and gallantry. Though wounded in the early part of the action he remained with his men until the close. Colonel Eowett, of Seventh Illinois Infantry, commanding the Third Brigade of my division, also did gallant service.
I have the honor to be, your very obedient servant,
JNO. M. CORSE,
Brigadier General. Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN,
Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi.
EXTRACT FROM EEPORT OF MAJ. GEN. WILLIAM T. SHERMAN, COMMANDING MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
IN THE FIELD, SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 1, 1865.
* * * About the 1st of October some of the enemy s cavalry made their ap pearance on the west of the Chattahoochee, and one of his infantry corps was re-
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:39:56 GMT -5
566 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
ported near Powder Springs, and I received authentic intelligence that the rest of his infantry was crossing to the west of Chattahoochee. I at once made my or ders that Atlanta and the Chattahoochee railroad bridge should be held by the Twentieth Corps, Major General Slocurn, and on the 4th of October put in motion the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps, and the Fourth, Fourteenth, and Twenty- third Corps, to Smyrna camp-ground, and on the 5th moved to the strong posi tion about Kenesaw. The enemy s cavalry had by a rapid movement got upon our railroad at Big Shanty, and broken the line of telegraph and railroad, and with a division of infantry (French s) had moved against Allatoona, where were stored about a million of rations. Its redoubts were garrisoned by three small regiments under Colonel Tourtellotte, Fourth Minnesota. I had anticipated this movement, "and had by signal and telegraph ordered General Corse to re-enforce that post from Borne. General Corse had reached Allatoona with a brigade dur ing the night of the 4th, just in time to meet the attack by French s division on the morning of the 5th. In person I reached Kenesaw Mountain about 10 A. M. of the 5th, and could see the smoke of battle and hear the faint sounds of artillery. The distance, eighteen miles, was too great for me to make in time to share in the battle, but I directed the Twenty-third Corps, Brigadier General Cox command ing, to move rapidly from the base of Kenesaw, due west, aiming to reach the road from Allatoona to Dallas, threatening the rear of the forces attacking Alla toona. I succeeded in getting a signal message to General Corse during his fight, notifying him of my presence. The defense of Allatoona by General Corse was admirably conducted, and the enemy repulsed with heavy slaughter. His de scription of the defense is so graphic that it leaves nothing for me to add; and the movement of General Cox had the desired effect of causing the withdrawal of French s division rapidly in the direction of Dallas. * * *
HEADQUARTERS, ALLATOONA, GA., Oct. 23, 1864. Gov. S. MILLER,
St. Paul, Minn.,
GOVERNOR: You have, I presume, before this time received from Major Edson an account of the part taken by the Fourth Minnesota in the engagement with the enemy, had at this place the 5th inst. For some time I have commanded all the troops here, viz., three regiments of infantry, one 6-gun battery and a few cavalry, the whole numbering about 900 men. A few hours before we were attacked General Corse re-enforced us from Rome with about 1, 000 men. General French s division of Stewart s corps attacked us. The fight lasted about six hours, when the rebels retreated at every point. Our total loss was 620 men. Total loss of the enemy not known, inasmuch as all their slightly wounded men escaped. We buried on the field 150 rebel killed, captured 149 men not wounded, and over 200 so badly wounded they could not get away. The rebels left 3 surgeons to care for the wounded. We also captured 2 stand of colors and about 1,000 stand of arms. At the time of the battle we had at this place 1,000,000 rations for our troops at Atlanta. Hood has torn up on this raid about 40 miles of railroad track, but it is nearly all repaired, and it is expected that
BATTLE OF BOYDTON ROAD. 567
cars will run to-morrow from Chattanooga to Atlanta. The recruits in my regiment are just beginning to have the measles. The recruits behaved very prettily on the day of the recent fight, and I think they are rather proud of them selves. The loss in my regiment was 11 killed and 33 wounded. Several of the wounded have since died.
Should have written you sooner, but for some days we have had no communi cation with the North, and for some days I was not in a very good condition to write, inasmuch as I was wounded in both legs. But the wounds were simply in the flesh and are doing well.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. E. TOURTELLOTTE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, ST. PAUL, Nov. 12, 1864.
To Col. J. E.. TOURTELLOTTE,
Commanding Fourth Minnesota Volunteers, Allatoona, Ga.,
MY DEAR COLONEL : Your favor of the 23d ultimo is j ust at hand, and conveys the first official intelligence of the gallant conduct of your regiment in the battle of October 5th. Please convey to your officers and men assurances of the pride and gratitude of the government and people of Minnesota for the heroic manner in which they on that fearful occasion sustained the honor of the Union and the reputation of the state.
Hoping for the early restoration of yourself and of the wounded of your com mand, and assuring you of my highest appreciation of your conduct, as an officer and a gentleman,
I am, colonel, very truly, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota.
BATTLE OF BOYLTON ROAD, Oct. 27, 1861.
Report of Capt. J. C. Farwell, First Battalion Minnesota Infantry.
i
HEADQUARTERS FIRST BATTALION MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
NEAR PETERSBURG, YA., Nov. 15, 1864. To OSCAR MALMROS,
Adjutant General Minnesota,
SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by my command in the recent engagement south of Petersburg, near Hatcher s Eun.
In accordance with Special Orders, No. , on the 25th of October the
Seventh Michigan and First Battalion of Minnesota Infantry were consolidated for field operations and I, being the senior officer, was placed in command. On
568 OFFICIAL EEPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
the night of the 25th we were relieved from the front line before Petersburg and marched some two miles to the rear and rested until 2 o clock P. M. of the 26th, when we resumed our march until we reached the left of our army, which was resting well down and on the Weldon railroad. It then being late in the evening, we camped for the night. At 2 o clock on the morning of the 27th we resumed our march into the enemy s country and in the direction of the south side rail road. After marching some six or seven miles and coming in sight of the ene my s pickets, I was ordered to deploy the Seventh Michigan Eegiment on the left and the First Minnesota on the right of the road, to act as flankers to cover the brigade. We marched as flankers some two miles through heavy timber, when the head of the column came in contact with the enemy. After maneuver ing some time, our force charged the enemy s works and carried them with the loss of one lieutenant colonel, one major and a small number of killed and wounded. The column then moved forward at a rapid rate, leaving us as skir mishers. Shortly after, I received an order to draw in my men from the right and left of the road and join the brigade, which I did at 2 o clock P. M. I found the brigade formed in line of battle, running east and west across the Boydton plank-road. I was then ordered to form my command on the left of the brigade, which order I promptly executed. The enemy was soon seen advancing in line of battle. Our brigade was at once ordered forward and took a position, our right resting at or near the plank-road and our left, which constituted a part of my command, rested in a piece of timber and on the left of the plank- road. A furious attack was then made by the enemy, but our men held their ground. Farther around to the right and rear the enemy massed a heavy force and charged our line, breaking through and reaching my left flank. I then received orders to face my command by the rear rank and throw my right into the timber, forming a line to protect my flank and rear. The order was promptly executed. I then de ployed my right and left and at once met the enemy. "We then commenced cap turing prisoners. We captured 400 of the enemy, including thirty commissioned officers, and a flag belonging to the Twenty-sixth North Carolina Infantry. In the meantime the balance of the brigade had moved farther to the right and left us alone to finish the job. I remained in this position until after dark and then moved out to our old position awaiting further orders. At 11 o clock at night the army fell back and I was left without knowledge of the fact. I kept my men under arms during the night and the next morning, seeing no troops on my left or right, I at once sent out three of my best men to ascertain if our forces had changed their position during the night. They did not report back. I then sent Lieutenant Coquillard of the Seventh Michigan Eegiment to where the right of our brigade rested the day before. He came back out of breath, saying that our force had all left and the enemy s cavalry were advancing. The Nineteenth Massachusetts Eegiment had been sent out on picket in my front and had been left the same as myself. I at once notified them of the danger we were in and they at once joined my command. At this time the enemy could be seen advanc ing from all sides. We then held a council of war and resolved upon trying to make our lines. To prevent our colors from falling into the hands of the enemy, the United States flag was torn to pieces and every man took a piece. The state flag was folded and wrapped around the body of the color bearer, his shirt and blouse over it. I had 1 captain, 3 lieutenants and 120 men. I, being the senior
BATTLE OF BOYDTON ROAD. 569
officer, it fell upon me to pilot the command through, every man agreeing to obey my orders and follow me. I gave the command "Forward! " and we started out of the timber, all well armed and supplied with ammunition which we had taken from the captured rebels. We marched out of the timber and were about to cross the plank- road when the enemy charged down the road with a yell. I at once about-faced the command and ordered them to fire. We broke and drove the enemy back in disorder, killing and wounding quite a number. We then marched for the timber on the opposite side of the road, which we reached Justin time to prevent the enemy s "cavalry from cutting us off. The enemy charged in to the timber after us, but owing to the heavy underbrush, they were unable to overtake us. We made good time for about two miles through heavy timber when I halted the command to rest and learn the correct course to strike for Wei- don railroad. After learning the course by the sun I deployed my command in single file and marched eleven miles through the timber, striking the Weldon railroad between the left of our army and Ream s Station. We arrived inside our picket line about 5 p. M. of the 28th, and my men being tired, I camped for the night.
On the morning of the 29th we marched some seven miles and found our divi sion and brigade in the rear of our front line of works. I reported at division and brigade headquarters. All the officers were surprised at seeing us, for it had been circulated through the corps that we had been taken prisoners. We cap tured two rebels on our way in and brought them in with us and turned them over to the provost marshal.
Casualties in battalion were as follows:
Wounded, Company A, George Sias, in hip; Private Eufus M. Eastman, side, slightly. Company B, L. Snow, in knee, severely.
I am indebted to both officers and men for the promptness with which all or ders were executed. I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. C. FARWELL, Captain, Commanding Battalion.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, Nov. 12, 1864. To Lieut. OWEN EVANS,
Comdg. Company A, Second Regt., U. 8. Sharpshooters, Army of the Potomac, via Washington, D. C.,
MY DEAR SIR: Your favor of October 31st is just at hand, reporting the part taken by your gallant company and the regiment in a series of battles and skirmishes. Be pleased to convey to all concerned the warmest thanks of the government and people of Minnesota for their heroic conduct in so many perils and engagements. God will, I have the very strongest faith, very soon reward them with a final triumph and a grateful reception at your homes. I am, lieutenant, with much esteem, truly your friend,
S. MILLER, Governor of Minnesota.
570 OFFICIAL EEPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
SCOUTS FROM DEVALL S BLUFF, ARK.- November -December, 1864.
Reports of Brig. Gen. Christopher C. Andrews, Commanding Second Division, Seventh
Army Corps.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEVALL S BLUFF, ARK., Nov. 18, 1864 10 a. m.
COLONEL: The scout of 150 infantry under Captain Dreher, Third Minnesota, and 60 cavalry under Captain Flesher, Ninth Kansas, which started for West Point on the Ella Wednesday morning, has returned. One hundred of the in fantry landed below Negro Hill and marched to West Point in the night, where it captured Lieutenant Oliphant, a notorious fellow, and 10 other rebels, and then returned, having marched 30 miles in the rain on heavy roads. The cavalry landed 2 miles up Little Bed and scouted 10 miles out between that river and the White, capturing 6 prisoners, 10 horses, also destroying some saddles. No acci dent happened to any of our men. McCray is reported near Jacksonport with about 500 men. I am anxious to send a scout up of infantry and cavalry there on a boat. Generals Carr and West are still here.
C. C. ANDREWS,
Lieut. Col. W. D. GREEN, Brigadier General.
Little Rock.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEVALL S BLUFF, ARK., Dec. 8, 1864 9 P- m.
CAPTAIN: Captain Swan, Third Minnesota, who left here yesterday morning for Augusta with 100 men on the Mattie, has returned, having met with no acci dent or loss. No organized force near Augusta, which place he left at 9 o clock this morning, having surrounded it before daylight. The force under McDowell, of about 600 men, which was twelve miles above Augusta two weeks ago, has divided to go south. A part went northwest. The rest crossed Cache river. Dobbin with a very few men is east of Cache, and expects to organize on the 15th instant. He has promised the citizens that he will not molest a boat which may be sent up to Augusta to take their cotton. Such are the statements made to Captain Swan by all classes at Augusta. The people say they are in great need of salt and expect suffering. It was reported at Des Arc that Eayborne had a skirmish with Federal troops day before yesterday on Brownsville and Des Arc road. C. C ANDREWS,
Capt. S. E. GRAVES, Brigadier General
Acting Assistant Adjutant General, Little Rock.
Report of Col. Hans Mattson, Third Minnesota Infantry, Commanding First Brigade, Second Division, Seventh Army Corps.
HEADQRS. FIRST BRIG., SECOND Div., SEVENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEVALL S BLUFF, Dec. 15, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of order from the brigadier general commanding division, I proceeded on the 13th instant on board
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:40:48 GMT -5
SCOUTS FROM DEVALL S BLUFF, ARK. 571
the steamers Sir William Wallace and Kate Hart with 400 infantry [Third Min nesota] and 150 cavalry up White river. I disembarked 75 cavalry, Captain Flesher, at Peach Orchard Bluff, at 8 o clock that evening. Also 95 infantry, Capt. O. F. Dreher, at Negro Hill, and 95 infantry, Lieutenant Armstrong, at mouth of Red river, the same evening. I landed with the remainder at the point eight miles below Augusta at 1 :30 o clock the same night. I then proceeded in per son with 75 cavalry, Captain Goss, and 75 infantry, Captain Taylor, to Gray s Ferry, on the Cache, ten miles east of Augusta, where I got possession of the ferry and crossed the cavalry before daylight. I stationed the infantry (Captain Taylor) at the ferry, and with the cavalry scoured the country east of Cache. I got as far as Widow Thomas place before the people or soldiers in the country had any notice of our approach, but from that place notice was spread, and im mediately after, all the Confederate soldiers scattered in that neighborhood, un der Colonels McCray, Dobbin, Jackman, and Freeman, took to the woods and bottoms, where I could not reach them. Captain Flesher, whom I expected to have met at or near the Widow Thomas 7 , was unable to cross the Cache at all; therefore the programme as agreed upon at my previous interview with the gen eral, and which would otherwise have been good and successful, was materially interfered with.
The certain information gathered is that Colonels McCray and Dobbin are re organizing their respective commands, and were to have rendezvoused on the 16th at a place six or eight miles east of Gray s Ferry; that the neighboring country is overrun by small bands of rebel soldiers and jayhawkers making their way to the proposed rendezvous; that the country abounds in corn and cattle, all of which is being gathered by those forces; that the citizens are heartily tired of these rebel marauders and anxious to have the country held by the U. S. forces. I also learn that the forces about to be organized there will probably number 500 men, mostly unarmed and short of ammunition, and that the purpose of McCray is to move south, by way of Cotton Plant, in a short time. Failing to form a junction with Captain Flesher, and finding that I could act by surprise no longer, I returned to Augusta in the afternoon of the 14th instant, where I joined Cap tain Flesher, who had captured a number of rebel soldiers in the country called The Point. Lieutenant Colonel Foster, who had remained in the vicinity of Au gusta with the remainder of the infantry, captured a lot of contraband goods on their way from Memphis to the west side of White river. I am convinced that an extensive contraband trade is carried on at Memphis with that part of the country at enormous profits (such as a bale of cotton for a barrel of salt) to the parties at Memphis engaged in it. The articles captured were ten barrels salt, one barrel pork, one-half barrel of molasses, which I learned had been smuggled through from Memphis by a party there named B. F. Leamice to one E. G. Don nelly, of White county, Arkansas.
On my return I left Augusta at 4 o clock this morning, took on the troops at Eed river and Negro Hill, who had captured some prisoners at or near West Point and at the salt works. I learned that Captain Eayborne is in the country about White river, below Eed river, and that the salt works are being run per order of rebel General Shelby for the Confederate cause. This I did not learn till after I had returned below these works, or I should have destroyed them. We were fired into by a party of perhaps a dozen men (probably Eayborne s) six
572 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
miles below Red river to-day, but no damage was done. No accident occurred during the trip. The officers and men all behaved with the utmost promptitude and good order, and I deem it a great pleasure to testify especially to the energy, vigilance, and good and orderly behavior of the command of Captain Goss, Ninth Kansas Cavalry, which I had the best opportunity to observe, being constantly near them. We captured during the trip, 5 Confederate officers, 24 Confederate soldiers, 3 bad, disloyal citizens, 28 horses of rebel soldiers. We also destroyed a number of small-arms found in the hands of rebel soldiers, and which we could not conveniently carry. Finding that the ferry on the Cache was used more by the citizens for their convenience than by the rebel soldiers, and also that it might hereafter prove of value to our own forces, I did not destroy it. The citi zens of Augusta, especially the known loyalists, are suffering much at the hands of jay hawkers.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. MATTSON,
Colonel, Third Minnesota Vol. Infty., Comdg. Brigade. Capt. GEORGE MONROE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Seventh Army Corps.
DEYALL S BLUFF, ARK., May 16, 1865. Governor S. MILLER,
St. Paul, Minn.,
MY DEAR SIR: I have the great pleasure to inform you that my regiment is finally under marching orders, and will have an end to the drudgery at this place. We go to Batesville, 225 miles above this point, on the White river. It is said to be the most healthy and delightful part of this state. Jeff Thompson, the rebel general, lately in command of that district, has surrendered. I shall have command of the post and surrounding country. My orders are to organize the people into home guard companies, and furnish them arms and ammunition 5 to clear the country of bushwhackers, robbers, etc. ; protect the people, encour age agriculture and restore law and order. I trust that we shall be able to dis charge those duties to your and to the country s satisfaction. The health of the regiment is good, and all are cheerful and glad of the change.
I am, very respectfully, your friend,
H. MATTSON, Colonel, Third Minnesota Infantry.
HDQRS. THIRD REGT. MINN. VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
JACKSONPORT, ARK., June 16, 1865. Brig. Gen. JOHN PELLER,
Adjutant General Minnesota,
GENERAL: I have the honor to transmit herewith monthly return of this regiment for the month of May, 1865.
SCOUTS FROM DEV ALL S BLUFF, ARK. 573
The regiment since the 31st of May has been broken into detachments and sta tioned at four different places on the White river, and owing to the very irregu lar communication between these stations I have been unable to forward this re turn until this late date.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. MATTSON. Colonel, Third Eegt. Minn. Vet. Vol. Infy., Comdg. Eegt.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, July 31, 1865. ADJUTANT GENERAL IT. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.,
SIR: I respectfully inclose an application from Col. H. Mattson, command ing Third Eegiment Minnesota Volunteers, presenting reasons for the discharge of said regiment from the service.
For reasons therein stated, and because of the sparsely settled condition of our exposed Indian frontier, and on account of the great scarcity of labor, I respect fully ask the discharge of this and all our Minnesota organizations at the earliest moment consistent with the necessities of the service.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
Aug. 29, 1865. ADJUTANT GENERAL IT. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.,
SIR: The navigation on the upper Mississippi river closes about the middle of November and I earnestly desire the return of all our military organizations now in the South, to their homes prior to that date.
The First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, now at Chattanooga, is made up mainly of farmers and married men, whose time will expire next winter.
The Third Eegiment Minnesota Infantry (veterans), now at Jacksonport, Ark., has rendered four years of faithful service, and I earnestly present special reasons for its discharge.
The Fifth Eegiment Minnesota Veteran Infantry, now at Demopolis, Ala., has also been nearly four years in the service and owing to its good service and many battles is greatly reduced in numbers, and I specially ask that this organization may be mustered out of the service as early as practicable. Owing to the great severity of our winters, the scarcity of labor, and the scattered condition of our people, the families of these gallant men will be exposed to much suffering and privations, if they are not returned to their homes at an early day. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota.
574 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Sept. 21, 1865. To COMMANDING AND MEDICAL OFFICERS, AND ALL OTHERS CONCERNED:
The Third Eegiment Minnesota Volunteer Infantry has been discharged and was paid at Fort Snelling last week. The Fifth Eegiment Minnesota Infantry will reach Fort Snelling for discharge and final payment on to-morrow; and the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery Eegiment is en route for Fort Snelling from Chatta nooga, Tenn., ordered to be mustered out forthwith.
I request that all members of the Veteran Eeserve Corps desiring discharge, who formerly belonged to either of the above organizations, be immediately dis charged or transferred to Fort Snelling for that purpose.
Very respectfully, STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota.
JOHN PELLER, BED WING, MINN., Nov. 24, 1865.
Adjutant General Minnesota,
GENERAL: In compliance with your request, I have the honor to submit the following report or history of the Third Eegiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, from the 1st of November, 1864, up to the 14th of September, 1865, at which time the regiment was mustered out of the service. *
At the time of my last annual report, Nov. 1, 1864, the regiment was doing post and garrison duty at Devall s Bluff, Ark. It continued in such duty at that place until the latter part of May, 1865. The regiment had very comfortable winter quarters and the health of the men continually improved. The work and duty, however, were excessively hard, the men being on duty every day and most every other night. The fatigue work consisted in building extensive forti fications and military roads, and this work was continued until some time after the surrender of Lee s army.
On the 23d of May the regiment was ordered to proceed up White river and occupy the country in the White Eiver Valley. The regiment there after, together with a detachment of cavalry, garrisoned the towns of Jackson- port, Batesville, Augusta, Searcy, Powhattan and Franklin during the summer months. The duty was light and pleasant and the men enjoyed excellent health. I had command of that district, with headquarters at Jacksonport. The princi pal duty of the military there consisted in upholding and enforcing civil law and organizing the loyal citizens as militia for self-protection against the "jayhawk- ers" and other lawless bands.
On the 23d of August we received orders to be mustered out. The scat tered companies rendezvoused at DevalFs Bluff on the 30th and were mus tered out the 2d of September. We were relieved by colored troops. We left Devall s Bluff on the 2d, en route for Fort Snelling, Minn., where we arrived on the 12th. On the 15th the regiment was paid off and finally discharged and disbanded. This was just four years from the time the organization of the regi ment first commenced.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. MATTSON, (Late) Colonel, Third Minnesota Vet. Vol. Infantry.
ACTION AT OVERALL S CREEK, TENN. 575
ACTION AT OVERALL S CREEK, TENN.- Dec. 4, 1864.
Report of Col. M. T. Thomas, Eighth Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS EIGHTH MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS,
FORTRESS EOSECRANS, TENN., Dec. 5, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by the Eighth Minnesota Volunteers in the engagement at Overall s creek, on the evening of the 4th instant.
The first position was to the right, with the left resting near the brick house on the right of the pike road. I was there ordered to move by the right flank in the direction of the block-house on the railroad, following and supporting a line of skirmishers from the Sixty-first Illinois. When within fifty yards of the block-house, halted and formed line of battle. The enemy in front were sharp shooters posted in a wood and behind a rail fence, between the enemy s battery and the block-house. After remaining in this position for a short time and be ing annoyed by the sharpshooters and shell from the enemy, I first moved down two companies to the right of the block-house and, by opening fire, drove the sharpshooters from cover and was in the act of opening on the battery, when I discovered our cavalry charging through the intervening space, which compelled me to cease, and moved down the whole force. When in this position we were subjected to the fire of the battery for a few minutes, which was sharp and well directed. My orders permitting me to go no further, I remained in this position until ordered to retire, which was done, first to the first position on the field, and at 9 P. M. inarched to the fortress. The only casualty was Private Dominick Barney, Company H, wounded in head severely (left at block-house). Private John Paine, Company A, slightly.
Eespectfully, your obedient servant,
M. T. THOMAS,
Colonel, Eighth Minn. Vols., Comdg. Regt. Maj. JOHN O. CRAVENS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
EXTRACT FROM EEPORT OF MAJ. GEN. E. H. MILROY.
FORTRESS EOSECRANS,
MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., Dec. 6, 186 Jf.
GENERAL: * * * and sent up the Eighth Minnesota to the block-house, at the railroad crossing about half a mile below the pike, with orders to cross there, if practicable, and flank the rebel battery on the right. * * *
It being now quite dark, and the enemy having been driven back near eighty rods and ceased firing, and the Eighth Minnesota not having found a crossing, I withdrew the One Hundred and Seventy-fourth Ohio with the skirmishers of the Sixty-first Illinois to the south bank of the creek. * * *
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576 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
The Eighth Minnesota being a veteran regiment of long and true service, would of course have done efficient service could they have found a crossing at the block house. * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
E. H. MILROY, Major General of Volunteers. Maj. Gen. LOVELL H. EOUSSEAU,
Commanding District of Tennessee.
BATTLE OF MTIRFREESBOROUGH.-Dec. 7, 1864.
Report of Col. M. T. Thomas, Eighth Minnesota Infantry, Commanding Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENT BRIGADE,
FORTRESS EOSECRANS, MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., Dec. 8, 1864. MAJOR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Independent Brigade in the engagement of the 7th instant on the Wilkinson pike, near Stone s river. In moving round the fortress the enemy was first discov - ered in force about one mile left of the Wilkinson pike, and two miles from the southwest corner of the fortress, two sections of artillery, one of the Twelfth Ohio and one of the Thirteenth New York batteries, were placed in position and engaged the enemy with spirit, and showed him to be well posted and in strong force. Having but a limited amount of artillery ammunition (fifty rounds per piece), the brigade was moved by the right flank until the Eighth Minnesota 1 Eegiment had crossed the Wilkinson pike, when it was formed in line of battle to the front with its left resting on the pike, One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio on the left of the pike, and One Hundred and Seventy- fourth Ohio on the left of it, the Sixty-first Illinois being deployed in front as skirmishers; an advance was immediately made of several hundred yards, when an interval appeared in the skirmish line. Two companies of the One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio were thrown forward to strengthen it, and the line being corrected, the brigade again advanced in double-quick time until the enemy s skirmishers were driven about one mile. This advance was made, forcing back a heavy line of skirmishers, and under a heavy fire of artillery, without much loss, until we had advanced to the centre of an old cotton-field, when we were confronted by the enemy in the tim ber beyond the field, well covered either by woods or rifle-pits. At this point the firing from both sides was furious and very destructive. After an incessant fire for ten or fifteen minutes, a charge was made by the whole line, and the rifle- pits and woods cleared, the enemy leaving probably 100 dead and wounded, two 12-pounder Napoleon guns, and 197 prisoners in our hands; the enemy having disappeared except a mounted force which was driven pell-mell by our artillery (it having just returned from the fortress where it had gone to replenish its am-
1 No report of the Eighth Minnesota in this battle can be found after repeated searches, either in the Adjutant General s office, Minnesota, or in the War Records office, Washington.
BATTLE OF MURFREESBOROTJGH. 577
munition). The troops were withdrawn in as good order as if coming from an afternoon drill and reached their quarters at 6 p. M. The fight was sharp and decisive, and the battle-flags of our country floated again victoriously over the memorable field of Stone s river. Inclosed please find reports of subordinate commanders, giving complete lists 1 of killed and wounded. The conduct of the troops for steady, determined bravery, and rapidity of movement could not be excelled. The enemy engaged consisted of Major General Bates division with two brigades attached and Forrest s cavalry, the whole force amounting to proba bly 4, 500 men, with two batteries of artillery. The Independent Brigade took into the fight 1,800 officers and men. Their total loss was 21 killed and 167 wounded.
Recapitulation of the killed and wounded in the following regiments and bat teries composing the Independent Brigade, in the engagement of the 7th instant: * * * Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. Killed, 13 enlisted men; wounded, 1 field officer, 2 officers and 74 enlisted men. * * * Number engaged in Eighth Minnesota Volunteers:. Commissioned officers, 29; enlisted men, 520. * * *
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. T. THOMAS,
Colonel, Eighth Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding Brigade. Major JOHN O. CRAVENS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
List of Casualties in the Eighth Minnesota Infantry in the Battle of Murfreesborough, Tenn.j or Wilkinson s Pike, also called Battle of the Cedars, Dec. 7, 1864, as Compiled from the Roster.
9
FIELD AND STAFF Wounded : Lieut. Col. Henry C. Rogers.
COMPANY A Wounded: Privates William Cooper, Eben E. Fuller.
COMPANY B Killed: Privates William Deike, Warner Yonnels.
Wounded: Sergt. William S. Sargent; Privates Hanson Mills, Ephraim C. Moody, Winfield S. Snyder.
COMPANY C Wounded: Privates William Hamilton (died of wounds), William Wilson (died of wounds).
COMPANY D Killed : Privates George E. Haymaker, George N. Williams.
Wounded: Corporals Alfred C. Ballard, Alfred B. Crittenden; Privates Andrew J. Best, Dan iel T. McEldery (died of wounds).
COMPANY E Killed : Corp. Ellett P. Parcher; Private Elbridge F. Washburne.
Wounded: Second Lieut. Harvey S. Brookins; Corporals Alonzo Bryant, William Dallas, Henry W. Fuller; Wagoner Thomas Anderson; Privates John Albright, Lewis Goyette, Samuel G. Kriedler, Joseph N. Locke, Frank M. Parcher, William Ponsford, Elisha C. Sabin, George R. L. Wedgewood.
COMPANY F Killed: Corp. Aaron A. Brigham; Privates Samuel H. Higgins, James H. Payton.
Woundtd: Privates August Boyn, Elijah Houch.
COMPANY G Killed: Corp. Stanley M. Veeder.
COMPANY H Killed: Private Peter Dolen.
Wounded: Private Charles Colwell.
COMPANY I Wounded: PrivateaHarveyH.Dean, Francoise Denoyer, Wallace Rives, Louis E. Tauf (died of wounds).
COMPANY K Killed : Corp. William Downs.
Wounded : Thomas Pemberton (died of wounds).
1 Not found.
37
578 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
EXTRACT FROM EEPORT OF MAJ. GEN. E. H. MILROY.
FORTRESS EOSECRANS,
MlTRFREESBOROUGH, TENN., Dec. 10, 186 If.
GENERAL: * * * For convenience, I divided these regiments into two brigades (pro tempore ), as follows: First Brigade, Colonel Thomas, of the Eighth Minnesota, commanding, consisted of a 6-gun battery, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry; Sixty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry; One Hundred and Seventy-fourth and One Hundred and Eighty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 1,973 strong. * * *
Colonel Thomas brigade forming the front line and Colonel Anderson s the second line. The Sixty -first Illinois was deployed as skirmishers in front of the first line. In this order I advanced upon the enemy through the brush, cedars, rocks and logs, under a heavy fire of artillery. I had sent my artil lery back to the fortress for ammunition before commencing my last advance, and consequently had no artillery to reply to that of the enemy. Skirmishing with small-arms began very soon after commencing my advance, but my skirmish line advanced rapidly, bravely, and in splendid order, considering the nature of the ground, driving the rebels before them for about one mile, when coming to a cotton-field I found the enemy strongly posted in a wood on the other side behind a line of works constructed of rails and logs. The enemy s fire of small-arms here became so strong that my skirmishers withdrew to the flanks of my line of battle, opened on the enemy a terrific fire, while it still advanced in good order to the middle of the field, when the line halted, and the fire from both sides was most furious and destructive for about ten minutes, when I ordered an advance, and the front line moved forward into the edge of the woods, where, for a few minutes, the roar and fire of musketry was like the thunder of a volcano, and the line wavered as if moving against a hurricane. Fearing that my front line would fall back, I ordered the One Hundred and Seventy-eighth Ohio Volunteer Infan try to move on the double-quick from the left of the front line, and the balance of the rear line to advance to support and relieve the front line, but before this could be fully executed the gallant regiments composing the first line, seeing them selves supported, advanced with a yell, and darted over the enemy s works, cap turing many prisoners, and putting the enemy to a hasty flight. A rapid pursuit of half a mile resulted in the capturing of many more prisoners, one battle-flag and two fine pieces of artillery (12-pounders), Napoleon, with their caissons. The ammunition of some of the regiments being exhausted, I ordered them to halt and replenish from the ammunition wagon that overtook us at that point. While this was going on, I received your dispatch, general, admonishing me of the re port of a large rebel infantry force from the north, and directing me to return to the fortress, if I could do so with safety. My artillery, which I had sent back for ammunition, arrived at this time, and a large body of the enemy s cavalry being in plain view, I directed the artillery to open on them rapidly for a few minutes, when they rapidly disappeared out of sight. I cannot speak too highly of the bravery exhibited by my troops, especially by those in the front regiments under the gallant Colonel Thomas. Never did troops fight better for the time they were engaged. Every officer and man performed his duty with the most unflinch ing bravery and promptness. * * *
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant, Maj. Gen. L. H. EOUSSEAU, E. H. MILROY,
Commanding District of the Tennessee. Major General.
BATTLE OF MURFREESBOROUGH. 579
MEDICAL DIRECTOR S OFFICE, MURFREESBOROUGH, TENN., Dec. 10, 1864.
MAJOR : I have the honor to transmit the following report of killed and wounded in the action of Dec. 7, 1864, near Murfreesborough, Tenn.
Eighth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers ; wounded, commissioned officers, 3 ; enlisted men, 67. Killed, enlisted men, 13 ; total killed and wounded, 83. * * * I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Surgeon U. S. Volunteers and Medical Director Post. JOHN O. CRAVENS,
Major and Asst. Adjutant General.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Col. M. T. THOMAS, ST. PAUL, Nov. 22, 1864.
Comdg. Eighth Minn. Vols., Murfreesborough, Tenn.,
COLONEL: I deeply regret my inability to greet yourself and the gallant Eighth, as you recently passed through the state towards Tennessee.
No regiment has left Minnesota during the war- in which I have greater confi dence, or for which I entertain a higher regard. For garrison duty, marching, and Indian fighting, your command has built up an enviable reputation; and we know that when it shall meet traitors in arms against the old flag, it will add new honors to its already noble history, and gallantly maintain the proud military record of the "Star of the North."
Be pleased to communicate these sentiments to your regiment, and assure every officer and private of the command that they have left behind them in Minnesota a loyal people and a sympathizing state government.
Please advise me freely of the perils, battles, and wants of the regiment.
I am, colonel, faithfully your friend,
S. MILLER, Governor Minnesota.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Dry., TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,
CAMP, NEAR COLUMBIA, TENN., Dec. 30, 1864. Oov. S. MILLER,
St. Paul, Minn.,
GOVERNOR: For the kind and I hope merited praise bestowed upon the Eighth Eegiment of Minnesota Volunteers, in your official communication of Nov. 22, 1864, please to accept their thanks.
In obedience to your request, I have the honor to inform you that their con duct since their arrival in the South has been such as to merit a continuation of your confidence and esteem.
The condition of the regiment is all that could be desired. The aggregate effective force is 710.
Inclosed official reports will show a part of their work.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
M. T. THOMAS, Colonel, Commanding.
580 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, Dec. 29, 1864. Col. M. T. THOMAS,
Comdg. Eighth Minn. Vols., Murfreesborough, Tenn.,
MY DEAR COLONEL: Not until a few days ago did we receive the newspaper intelligence of the participation of your gallant regiment in the conflict of the 7th instant in the vicinity of Murfreesborough, and up to this moment I have no offi cial communication on the subject. Enough has been learned, however, to authorize me to congratulate your command upon its deeds of valor and to tender to the wounded of the regiment and the bereaved families of the slain my earnest sympathy.
Among the proud achievements which mark the history of our noble military organizations, the Eighth Minnesota Eegiment will ever hold an honorable posi tion. Do not fail to present these sentiments to your command and to give the strongest assurance to your officers and men that they are held in grateful remem brance by the people and government of Minnesota.
I dispatched Eev. Dr. McMasters several days since to minister to the wants of your sick and wounded. He is a physician as well as a clergyman and has had considerable experience in the army. He has funds from the state to aid the necessitous, and I hope will be of great service to the sufferers. *
Very truly your friend,
S. MILLEK, Governor Minnesota.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE- Dec. 15 and 16, 1864.
Reports of Lieut. Col. William B. Gere, Fifth Minnesota Infantry.
NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 18, 1864.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the colonel commanding the brigade, the following report of the part taken by the Fifth Eegiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the battles before Nashville on the 15th and 16th instant.
At 6 o clock on the morning of the 15th instant, in obedience to orders re ceived the evening previous, my command was in line, supplied with three days 7 rations in their haversacks and fifty rounds of cartridges per man. Soon after I was directed to move out to the Charlotte pike and await further orders. At about half-past 8 or 9 o clock the brigade inarched out on the Charlotte pike nearly a mile, the Fifth following the Ninth Minnesota, when the column struck off into an open field to the left of the pike, when the order of march was re versed, and I was directed by the colonel commanding to move by the left flank, in rear of the Second Iowa Battery, with a line of skirmishers deployed on my right to protect my flank. The regiment then moved forward in the place assigned it
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BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 581
in the column, passing in range of a masked battery of the enemy on our right, from which several shells where thrown, bursting near our ranks, but doing no damage, my flankers occasionally coming in contact with and firing upon the enemy s skirmishers on my right. After moving by the flank something more than a mile, I received orders from the colonel commanding to form my regiment in line on the right, and forty paces in rear of the Eleventh Missouri (the formation of the brigade being en echelon by regiments), and to deploy a strong line of skirmishers in my front, all of which was promptly obeyed. Soon the order to move forward was given, and my regiment marched steadily forward in the place assigned it in the line. We had proceeded but a short distance when we encoun tered the enemy s skirmishers, and driving them back advanced nearly two miles, when the enemy opened upon our line with a battery posted upon a hill and behind earthworks, about half or three-quarters of a mile in our front. During a heavy cannonading between our own and the enemy s artillery, in obedience to orders, I moved my regiment forward on a line with the regiment on my left, and the entire line was advanced across a hollow and creek to the crest of the hill, and to within about 100 rods of the enemy s battery and works, where they were formed in strong line of battle.
I was here directed by the colonel commanding the brigade to form my regi ment on the left of the Ninth Minnesota, in the front line (the brigade here being formed in two lines), and prepare to assault the enemy s works. My regi ment threw off their knapsacks, blankets and overcoats, and fixed bayonets ready for the charge. The order to forward was soon given, and our line moved stead ily on through the brush and fallen timber in our front, under a heavy fire from the enemy, closely followed by the second line, and as we drew near the rebel line of battle, volley after volley was poured into their wavering ranks, which soon gave way, and as they fled our forces pursued them, killing and wounding many, and capturing large numbers of prisoners. The pursuit was continued Until we crossed the Harding pike, when our line was halted. The enemy were soon discovered to be moving on our left flank, and I was directed to change my front to the left, which I did under a sharp fire, and moved my regiment, in obedience to orders, by the left flank, across the pike, my right resting on or near the same. Our skirmishers soon became hotly engaged, and we were again ordered to advance. The enemy soon opened upon us with musketry from the crest of a hill in our front, where they were formed in strong line, and with artil lery on our right; but our troops, flushed with victory, rushed forward with bayo nets fixed, at a double-quick, breaking the enemy s lines, killing and wounding large numbers and capturing hundreds of prisoners and small-arms. In this charge the loss in my regiment was quite severe, as we were exposed to an enfi lading fire of musketry and artillery on our right flank, as well as the direct fire in front. First Lieut. Henry G. Bailley, commanding Company K, was severely and probably mortally wounded, and several non-commissioned officers and pri vates were killed and wounded. We pursued the enemy nearly or quite a mile, when our line was again halted, and in obedience to orders I bivouacked my regiment in rear of the Second Iowa Battery, it being then quite dark. During the night I constructed rifle-pits in front of my regiment and the battery, all be ing quiet in our front, except occasional firing by the pickets. At 8 o clock on the morning of the 16th I was directed to form my regiment on the left of the
582 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
Ninth Minnesota, outside the works constructed the night previous, and to de ploy a line of skirmishers in my front. As soon as the line was formed the order to move forward was given and our line was advanced, under a heavy fire, nearly a mile and to within about 100 rods of a strong line of intrenchments occupied by the enemy in large force. Here the line was halted and the brigade formed in two lines, the Fifth Minnesota on the left and in the front line, the Third Bri gade being on my left. Intrenching tools were sent to the regiment and I caused temporary breastworks to be constructed to protect the men from the enemy s sharpshooters. About 3 o clock in the afternoon I received orders from the colonel commanding to be in readiness to charge the enemy s works in our front at a moment s notice, and at a quarter-past 4 p. M. the order to forward was given, which being repeated along the line, the Fifth Minnesota, with bayonets fixed, moved over the breastworks in their front, into the open field which lay between them and the enemy s works, and at a double-quick rushed forward under the most terrific and withering fire of musketry and artillery it has ever been my fortune to behold or encounter, yet forward our line pressed, and soon the colors of the Fifth Minnesota were planted, the first in the brigade, upon the rebel intrenchments, and the enemy were driven from their fortified position. The regiment pursued, capturing hundreds of prisoners, among whom was Briga dier General Jackson and many other officers. I think I can safely say that the Fifth Minnesota captured more prisoners in this charge than the regiment num bered. The pursuit was continued about one mile, to the foot of the Granny White hills, where the regiment bivouacked for the night. The glorious victory we had won had not, however, been a bloodless one. The loss in my regiment in this charge had been nearly 100 killed and wounded, which was about one-fourth my entire command. Captain Henry Stasson, commanding Company E, a brave and faithful officer, was killed while leading his company in the charge. Capt. A. P. French, commanding Company I, was severely wounded at the head of his company. A list of the killed and wounded in the two days engagement is here with respectfully transmitted. The officers, without exception, behaved with conspicuous gallantry, and performed their duty with coolness and good judg ment, and the soldiers fought with that bravery and determination which knows not defeat, and are entitled to the warmest gratitude of their country. Captains Morehouse and French, and Lieutenants Bishop and Hatch, while in command of the skirmish lines in front of the regiment, at intervals during the two days engagement, performed their duty most satisfactorily. Capt. T. J. Sheehan, commanding Company C, the color company, gallantly stood by the colors, and in the last charge on the 16th instant, two color bearers having been shot and three wounded, he placed the colors in the hands of a non-commissioned officer of his company, who planted them on the rebel intrenchments. My especial thanks are due to Maj. John C. Becht, who rendered me efficient aid on the field during the two days engagements. First Lieut. Eoscoe Hilton, acting regimental adjutant, a brave and gallant young officer, was always in the right place at the right time, and discharged his duties to my entire satisfaction and with credit ta himself. Surgeons Kennedy and Leonard were untiring in their efforts in the care of the wounded, both upon the field and at the hospitals.
On the morning of the 17th instant, the regiment was ordered to join in the pursuit of the defeated enemy, and being unable to remain in the field, on ac-
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 583
count of physical disability and injuries received the day previous, I turned over the command to Major Becht, to whom I would respectfully refer the colonel commanding for any information pertaining to the regiment since that time.
Respectfully submitted,
WILLIAM B. GERE,
Lieut. Colonel, Comdg. Fifth Eegt. Minn. Vet. Vol. Infantry. To Lieut T. P. GERE,
Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., First Div., Detachment Army of the Tenn.
Col. OSCAR MALMROS, NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 22, 1864.
Adjutant General Minnesota,
COLONEL: I herewith transmit a list of the killed and wounded in the Fifth Eegiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, in the battle before Nashville, on the 15th and 16th instants, with such particulars as I have been able to obtain regarding the nature of wounds, etc.
The battle closed at dark on the evening of the 16th instant, and at daylight next morning the regiment joined in the pursuit of the flying enemy, and at last accounts were pressing him hard toward the Tennessee river. It has not, there fore, been possible to obtain as complete details as I desired to furnish at this time, but the same will accompany a subsequent report, which will be made to your department as soon as practicable.
The officers and soldiers of the regiment behaved with marked gallantry and coolness under fire, and have added another brilliant page to the military record of their regiment and state.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. B. GERE, Comdg. Eegt. on Battle-field, Dec. 15th and 16th.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH MINNESOTA VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
ON THE FIELD, Dec. 22, 1864. OSCAR MALMROS,
Adjutant General of Minnesota,
SIR: I have the honor to report the following list of casualties in the Fifth Minnesota Veteran Infantry, in the engagement near Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 and 16, 1864:
Colonel Lucius F. Hubbard, commanding Second Brigade, First Division, Detachment of Army of Tennessee, slightly wounded.
Adjutant Thomas P. Gere, acting assistant adjutant general, Second Brigade, First Division, Detachment of Army of Tennessee, slightly wounded.
COMPANY A Killed: Sergt. Pulaski Miller; Corp. John Irish; Private William W. Everett.
Wounded: Sergt. Augustine Knapp, arm, slightly; Corporals Edmund Druse, left leg, ampu tated; Hans Jardt, right knee, slightly; Privates George Aeshier, left arm, slightly; Tracy Bard- well, left shoulder; J. F. Hopkins, head and right foot, severely; Knud Otterson, left side, severely; David Pury, hand, slightly.
COMPANY B Killed: Private Willard Woodard.
584 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
Wounded: Color Sergt. Joel A. Underwood, head, seriously; Privates John Coley, side, seriously; James Dunn, side and face, mortally; Jacob Bren, left arm, seriously; Frank Clapatch, foot, seriously; James W. Douglas, side, mortally; Peter Eichelberger, side and arm, seriously; M. D. L. Fauver, face, slightly; John Johnson, shoulder, slightly; D. S. Rathburn, arm, amputated; Eugene Roberts, ankle, seriously.
COMPANY C Killed: Privates John Rattles, Lars Forkelson, Bartley Homley.
Wounded: Sergeants Horace M. Beach, right arm, seriously; William Young, groin; Corporals Joel L. Rullock, leg, amputated; Ben F. Ross, leg, seriously; Wm. J. Horning, leg, slightly; Pri vates Wilmot Pennock, leg, severely; James M. Brown, hand, neck and hip, slightly; Thos. Barry, leg, slightly; Halford Richardson, hand, slightly.
COMPANY D Killed: Private Nicholas Angelsberg.
Wounded: First Lieut. Henry G. Bailey, head, mortally; First Sergt. William Deutsch, face, slightly; Sergt. Chas. Gervais, leg, slightly; Corporals Christian Wolf, both legs, seriously; Louis Sausoucy, leg, seriously; Privates Nelson Roberge, breast, mortally; Jacob Moosbruger, arm, breast and neck; John Ess, side, slightly; Casper Kohler, leg, slightly; Philip Frank, hand, slightly.
COMPANY E Killed: Capt. Henry Stasson.
Wounded: Sergt. Julius Weyl, leg, seriously; Corp. Anthony Matter, arm, slightly; Privates Abraham Freck, breast, mortally; Joseph Retzer, head and arm, mortally; Christian Schmaiz, breast, mortally; August Klammer, right leg, seriously; Charles Lang, hand, slightly; Michael Herman, arm, slightly; Werner Meyer, head, slightly; Ignatz Jetzer, head, slightly.
COMPANY F Killed: Privates Patrick Burns, Richard Green.
Wounded: Sergt. Thos. J. Smith, leg, slightly; Corporals John Kuykendall, knee, slightly; John Kunzleman, hand and side, seriously; Privates Odelin De Febre, arm, seriously; Narcisse Mail- loux, arm, seriously.
COMPANY G Killed: Private Jacob Youngles.
Wounded: Sergeants Jacob Bush, leg, seriously; George Kellogg, arm, slightly; Henry T. Johnson, head, slightly; Corporals John Glenn, leg, severely; Edward French, arm, slightly; Pri vates Jeremiah Ryan, mortally, since died; Thomas Cramp, leg, severely; Joseph Kempen, thigh, severely; Joseph Hoffman, arm, slightly; John Huddleston, slightly; Daniel Glenn, slightly.
COMPANY H Killed: Private Daniel Eddy.
Wounded: Color Sergt. Isaac R. Ryan, arm, slightly; Sergeants Wm. F. Smith, side, slightly; Chas. Strong, arm, slightly; Privates Wm. D. Galloway, hand, slightly; Andrew Stramberg, thigh, slightly; John A. Emmons, arm, slightly; T. S. B. Munger, severely; Chas. Erickson, ab domen, severely; John McGuire, severely.
COMPANY I Killed: Private Lycias Raymond.
Wounded: Capt. Alpheus P. French, shoulder, severely; Corp. Jacob Pauli, arm, slightly; Pri vates James O Brien, knee, severely; Daniel Sharin, ankle, slightly; Ole Peterson, slightly; Michael Horan, leg, seriously; Louis Coursell, slightly; Henry Bush, thigh, slightly.
COMPANY K Killed: Privates Frank Schlechter, Nickolas Schutz.
Wounded: Capt. John P. Houston; Sergeants Richard R. Mahoney, bowels, severely; Henry Base, mortally; Corp. Patrick O Grady, wrist, severely; Privates Michael Lehay, breast, moi tally; Henry A. Jones, side, slightly; Nicholas Schranz, bowels, severely; Christian Schulz, leg, severely; Mathias Schidack, severely.
Missing: John Schlechter.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN C. BECHT,
Major, Commanding Regiment.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, Dec. 22, 1864. To THE COMMANDING OFFICER, FIFTH REGIMENT MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS,
Nashville j Tenn.j
SIR: We have learned by telegram of the glorious victory achieved by our armies over the rebel army under command of General Hood in the vicinity of Nashville.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 585
The pro ad record made upon that memorable occasion by your gallant regi ment is gratefully appreciated by the people and government of Minnesota, and the memory of the dead, the sufferings of the wounded, and honor of the living will ever beheld in grateful remembrance by all who love their country and value free institutions.
I deeply sympathize with the wounded of your command, as well as with the bereaved at home, whose beloved ones went down so nobly on behalf of the Union. I will within a day or two dispatch a state agent to attend to the immediate wants of the wounded of the late battles.
Be pleased to convey the contents of this communication to the officers and soldiers of your command. Very truly yours,
S. MILLER, Governor of Minnesota.
NASHVILLE, TENN., Jan 3, 1865. ol. OSCAR MALMROS,
Adjutant General, Minnesota,
COLONEL: I herewith transmit copy of my official report of the part taken "by the Fifth Regiment in the battles before Nashville on the 15th and 16th ultimo. The regiment behaved nobly, and has been highly complimented by officers of the army and the Nashville press. The new recruits and drafted men fought like veterans. Both the major s and my own horse were killed in the last charge on the 16th.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. B. GERE, . Lieutenant Colonel, Fifth Minnesota Vet. Vol. Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH EEGIMENT MINNESOTA YET. YOLS., SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST Div., SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
DAUPHIN ISLAND, ALA., March 17, 1865. Col. OSCAR MALMROS,
Adjutant General of Minnesota,
COLONEL: I have been permitted by special order of Brevet Brig. Gen. L. F. Hubbard, commanding brigade, to send to Minnesota, to be deposited at the state capitol, the colors of the Fifth Eegiment, and respectfully transmit the same by the bearer hereof. These worn and battle-stained flags have been borne by the regiment in the field for the past fifteen months, during which time it was en gaged in the following battles, viz. : Fort De Bussey, La., March 14, 1864; Hen derson Hill, La., March 22, 1864; Campti, La., April 3, 1864; Pleasant Hill, La., April 10, 1864; Cloutierville, La., April 23, 1864; Bayou Eobert, May 3, 1864; Mansura, La., May 15, 1864; Yellow Bayou, May 18, 1864; Lake Chicot, Ark., June 6, 1864; Tupelo, detachment of regiment engaged, July 14 and 15, 1864; Abbey ville, Miss., Aug. 23, 1864; Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 15 and 16, 1864. These may be added to the former list of battles in which the regiment was engaged prior to Dec. 14, 1863. In parting with these tattered emblems of our nationality,
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586 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
around which we have rallied upon so many battle-fields, and in the defense of which many of our brave comrades have given to their country their lives, we can but feel a degree of sadness, though proud of the record which is interwoven with their history. Many instances of individual bravery and personal deeds of valor might be enumerated in this connection, but I forbear, with one exception, lest I might do injustice to some of the many brave and noble men who have fought under these banners. The brave and gallant Sergt. Joel A. Underwood received a mortal wound while bearing this national flag in advance of our regiment and brigade, in the charge upon the enemy s works at Nashville on the 16th of December, 1864, and his name should ever be remembered as one of Minnesota s bravest sons.
The regiment has been furnished with a new set of colors, upon which we are entitled to have inscribed twenty-three different engagements with the enemy in which we have borne a part, and in all which we have been victorious. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. B. GERE, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Regiment*
Reports of Col. J. F. Marsh, Ninth Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH MINNESOTA VOLUNTEERS,
CAMP, NEAR DUCK EIVER, TENN. , Dec. 21, 1864. Lieut. THOMAS P. GERE,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brigade, First Div., Det. Army of the Tennessee,
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following as my official report of the part performed by my regiment in the battles of the 15th and 16th instant, in front of Nashville, Tenn. :
We arrived in Nashville, Tenn., from St. Louis, Mo., on the morning of the 1st instant, and were immediately ordered to the front, and took a strong position on elevated ground about two miles from the city; my regiment occupying the right of the Second Brigade, and resting on the Charlotte pike. Here we pro ceeded to intrench, and remained until the morning of the 15th instant.
On the evening of the 14th instant, we received orders to be in readiness to move at 6 o clock the following morning. Ample preparations were made, and at the appointed hour, my command, fully equipped for the anticipated struggle, was in line, anxiously awaiting orders to advance. By direction of the colonel commanding Second Brigade, I took the advance, and moved out on the Char lotte pike about one mile, where a line of battle was formed ; the whole bri gade then moved by the left flank about one and a half miles, into an open field, where we were halted, and the whole of the First Division formed en echelon by brigade, from left to right, and in this order advanced steadily to the front, feeling for the enemy with a strong skirmish line until about 11 o clock A. M v when the fog, which up to this hour had enveloped the country, was suddenly dispelled by a lively breeze from the south, unveiling the first line of the enemy s works. Our batteries were soon in position, and for more than an hour shelled the fort which the enemy had constructed upon an eminence commanding the
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 58 T
Charlotte pike; but being unable to silence his guns, a charge was ordered, and niy command, posted on the right of the first line of the Second Brigade, which position we occupied throughout both day s fighting. The order to ad vance was received by our brave boys with a shout, and on they went at double- quick, under a terrible fire. Not a man faltered, however, but on they pressed, preserving a good line, and in a few minutes our colors were floating over the rebel works. We captured in this assault four Napoleon guns and about fifty prisoners. Our men, stimulated by their success in this first assault, were impatient and anxious to advance on the second work, but a short distance to the left and in front, consequently no time was allowed for the usual artillery firing, but our lines adjusted as soon as possible, and on we moved in the face of a most destruc tive fire, without halting, until the stars and stripes were planted over two more rebel guns, which, together with quite a large number of prisoners fell into the hands of the First Brigade, which halted here to rest for the night. Here the Second Brigade was also halted and allowed to rest for a short time, and then swinging to the left, we crossed the Hardin pike, and pushed forward in the direction of a strong position occupied by the rebels, on an eminence commanding the Granny "White pike. This point gained, and we had reason to believe that the balance of our work would be comparatively easy. To gain this point, we were compelled to charge through an open wood and across a field of about a mile in extent, every inch of which was stubbornly contested by a superior force of the enemy; yet there was no faltering in my command, but all pressed forward with energy, and ere the sun set the position was carried and several guns and a large number of prisoners captured. Night was now closing in around us, and finding that we were far in advance of the balance of our division, by direction of the colonel commanding we bivouacked for the night. I cannot close the record of this days work without inviting the attention of the colonel commanding to the gallant conduct of Lieut. Jules Capon of my regiment. He had command of our skir mish line during the day, and received a severe wound in his head while gallantly leading his company in this last charge. On the morning of the 16th instant we discovered that the rebels had fallen back during the night, and were strongly posted behind heavy works of earth, timber and stone, on a line at right angles with our own. Here was work again for us, and all appeared anxious to be at it. Our lines were soon in motion, and wheeling to the right were brought parallel with, and advanced to within 300 yards of the rebel line of intrench- ments. This movement was made in the face of a galling fire from a well-pro tected foe, and not without loss to us. The point was gained, however, and we were directed to cover ourselves as well as possible, and wait further orders. While occupying this position, I had one officer and three enlisted men severely wounded. On arriving at this point, I sent forward a company of skirmishers, under command of Lieut. A. J. McMillen of my regiment, to cover our front and watch the movements of the enemy. His position, though a dangerous one, was nobly maintained until 4 o clock P. M., when he joined his regiment in the final charge. The rebel sharpshooters annoyed us considerably during the day, and my men were becoming very impatient, when at about 4 o clock p. M., the order to charge came, and was received with a shout that might be heard for miles away. The Second Brigade led off, my regiment on the right, and although the ground was very soft, and the fire from the rebel works the most destructive we
588 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
had ever met, yet there was no faltering, but on we pressed. The works were soon gained, and the flag of the Xinth Minnesota the first planted thereon. Dur ing this assault my regiment captured two battle-flags, and about 550 prisoners, including one colonel. We did not tarry long here, but pushed forward in pur suit of the retreating enemy, and again engaged him, keeping up a brisk fire for half an hour, when a rebel officer, with 60 men belonging to- the Twentieth South Carolina Infantry, surrendered to us, and were sent to the rear. Firing now ceased, and several small squads were afterwards captured by my regiment, in all about 150 men, and three line officers. During the pursuit we also took three brass field-pieces; in the capture of which, however, we were assisted by the Eighth Wisconsin. Our loss in killed and wounded during the two days fight ing is 58; a statement of which has been transmitted. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and men of my command. All were prompt in their obedience of orders, and conducted themselves in a manner that called forth the praise of the oldest veterans. Lieutenant Colonel Markham and Major Strait were at their posts throughout and discharged their duties faithfully. Adjt. E. H. Couse displayed a great deal of coolness and bravery, and rendered efficient service. Surg. E. H. Bingham and Asst. Surg. J. C. Dixon were at the field hospital, and displayed great skill in the discharge of their duties. I cannot pass unnoticed the untiring efforts of our worthy and much esteemed chaplain, A. H. Kerr. He visited the battle ground several times during the engagement, doing all that could be done to relieve the sufferings of the wounded, and assisted in carrying them from the field. "When the battle was over he returned to the hos pital, where he remained several days, procuring and dealing out luxuries to and comforting the wounded. Few chaplains have done as much, none more than he, for the relief of our suffering soldiers; and I am happy to state that he enjoys the heartfelt thanks of every officer and soldier of his regiment.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. F. MARSH, Colonel, Ninth Minn. Vol. Infly., Comdg.
Casualties in Ninth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers, Dec. 15 and 16, 1864, Battle
Before Nashville, Tenn.
FIELD AND STAFF Wounded: Adjt. E. H. Couse, under left eye, flesh wound, slightly.
COMPANY A Killed: Private Alex. Rice.
Wounded: Capt. Harrison Jones, lung; Privates William A. Lunt, left leg, flesh wound, slightly; D. L. Hewitt, leftside, flesh wound, slightly; J. Desmon, left foot, flesh wound, slightly; John Peel, thigh, flesh wound, severely.
COMPANY B Wounded: Corp. F. M. Harrington, face, flesh wound, severely; Privates Wm. Garrison, neck, slightly; M. Klock, right knee joint, amputated; J. H. Crandall, left leg, slightly.
COMPANY C Killed: Private A. Wilcox.
Wounded: Musician A. H. Chapin, left hip, flesh wound, slightly; Sergt. Frank Merchant, right hand, flesh wound, slightly; Privates James M. Tanner, left breast, flesh wound, slightly; Carl ton Curry, back, penetrating wound, severely; D. L. Chase, left foot, slightly; John H. Hart ley, right hip, flesh wound, slightly; John Watkins, right hand, flesh wound, slightly.
COMPANY D Killed: Capt. A. K. Skaro, shot through lung and head; Private John Bergink.
Wounded : Corp. Lorin Cray, left shoulder joint, fracture; Privates John Burke, shoulder, flesh wound, severely; Robert Bland, right arm, slightly.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 589
COMPANY E Wounded: Second Lieut. J. E. Roberts, left leg, fracture; Sergt. S. H. Hor- ton, left shoulder, severely; Corporals E. E. Buel, right thigh, slightly; John Husten, right hip, flesh wound, severely; Privates James Cleary, back, under left shoulder, penetrating wound, severely; William H. Love, right thigh, contusion, slightly; George Mayfield, back, between shoulders, flesh wound; J. H. Lane, right arm, flesh wound, severely.
COMPANY F Wounded: Sergt. F. W. Warner, left leg, slightly; Privates James H. Mar- lott, left groin, flesh wound, slightly; Geo. C. Sherman, shoulder, slightly.
COMPANY G Killed: Privates Eli Bertrand, William Wallace.
Wounded: Privates William McDole, right hip, flesh wound, slightly; J. C. McDonald, neck, flesh wound, slightly; D. Burman, thigh, flesh wound, slightly; Henry Huther, side, flesh wound, slightly; Edward Belland, wrist, flesh wound, slightly.
COMPANY H Wounded: George C. Gay, right shoulder, severely.
COMPANY I Killed : Privates Thos. Kennedy, Stephen Demers.
Wounded: Sergt. Geo. T. Lyon, elbow joint, severe fracture; Privates John Brown, leftside, penetrating wound, dangerous; Wm. T. Henry, right loin, flesh wound, severely; Fred Cords, left side, flesh wound, slightly; Dennis O Laughlin, left thigh, flesh wound, severely; Fred T. May, left thigh, flesh wound, severely; John Rutledge, shoulder, flesh wound, slightly; Oliver Herscher, right thigh, flesh wound, severely.
COMPANY K Wounded: First Lieut. Jules Capon, left eye, slightly; Corp. Alonzo Whee- lock, left leg, flesh wound, slightly; Privates George Abbott, left foot, fracture, severely; Freder ick Heilmann, finger shot off, thigh injured, flesh wound, severely; Karl Kircher, left leg, slightly. RECAPITULATION: Commissioned officers killed, 1; commissioned officers wounded, 4; en listed men killed, 7; enlisted men wounded, 46; total, 58.
J. F. MARSH,
Colonel, Commanding Ninth Minn. Vols.
Report of Col. Lucius F. JIubbard, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, Commanding Second
Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, DETACHMENT ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
NEAR PULASKI, TENN., Dec. 23, 1864. Capt. "VV. H. F. BANDALL,
Assistant Adjutant General, First Division,
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit, for the information of the general com manding, the following details of the operations of the Second Brigade, First Division, Detachment Army of the Tennessee, in the engagements with the enemy on the 15th and 16th inst. near Nashville, Tenn. :
On the evening of the 14th inst. I was directed by the general commanding to hold my brigade in readiness to move at 6 o clock on the following morning. In compliance therewith, I moved at the hour designated from the line of works occupied by the brigade, and formed in column of regiments near and to the left of the Charlotte pike. At 8 o clock A. M. I moved out on the pike in column by the flank, and about a mile from the point of starting was directed by General McArthur to move to the left across the country to the vicinity of the Harding pike, or until I should be enabled to connect with the line of the Third Brigade. In executing this movement I encountered a skirmish line of the enemy, which I was required to engage and press back. This, however, involved but little delay.
590 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
the connection was readily formed and niy line established upon the right of the Third Brigade. The regiments were formed in the following order from right to left, viz., Ninth Minnesota, Fifth Minnesota, Eleventh Missouri, Eighth Wiscon sin, with the Second Iowa Battery in reserve. I advanced in order en echelon by battalion, the formation being made on the left and with a line of skirmishers, consisting of four companies, one from each regiment, deployed in my front. A Steady advance was maintained until about the hour of 12 o clock M., no force of the enemy being encountered that the skirmishers were not enabled to press back. The line swung gradually to the left as the advance progressed, crossing the Harding pike at an angle and in a southerly direction. About a mile from the point where the line crossed the Harding pike the enemy began to develop him self in considerable force and to dispute our advance more stubbornly. An in trenched battery of four guns posted on a commanding eminence to the right of the Hillsborough pike and a section in position on a hill some 400 yards to the rear opened up on our advancing line, to which the Second Iowa Battery, in con junction with the other artillery of the division, returned a spirited fire. A position for the artillery at close range was obtained, and some very effective practice upon the part of our batteries witnessed, which in conjunction with the operations of the skirmishers, effectually silenced the enemy s guns. Com pany A, Eleventh Missouri Infantry, Captain Nolstine, engaged as skirmishers, advanced to within a dozen yards of the more advanced work of the enemy, from whence they drove the gunners from their pieces. By direction of the gen eral commanding, I gained a position as near the enemy s battery as practicable, formed the brigade in two lines, the Fifth and Ninth Minnesota constituting the first and the Eleventh Missouri and Eighth Wisconsin the second line, and pre pared to assault the works. Simultaneously with the line upon my right I advanced at double-quick, and crossing a ravine, moved in a manner to turn the right flank of the position. The enemy made but a feeble effort to check the assault, his infantry gave way in disorder, and his artillery fell into our pos session. Captain Nolstine s skirmishers were the first to enter the work, and assisted in turning the captured guns upon the retreating enemy. I pursued as far as the Hillsborough pike, steadily driving everything in my front and capturing many prisoners, my skirmishers the while pressing up the hill to the rear of the captured position and entering the second work simultaneously with the troops upon my right. The enemy now made a strong effort to rally and showed himself in some force upon my left, which, at this time, was wholly unsupported. His line of battle was being formed, running across my left toward the rear, and his skirmishers showed a bold front and were advancing. I had already deployed a line of skir mishers covering my left flank, which I now re-enforced and ordered forward, at the same time changed front on the centre right wing forward, thus facing south easterly, and crossing the Hillsborough pike at nearly a right angle. The Sec ond Iowa Battery in the meantime had taken position to my left and rear and was throwing shell with marked effect at a body of the enemy maneuvering in my front. The fire of the artillery and the rapid advance of my skirmishers, two companies of which Company D, Eighth Wisconsin, Captain Williams, and Company D, Eleventh Missouri, Captain Erwin charged across the Hills- borough pike at a run, had a very demoralizing effect upon the enemy, who sur rendered in large numbers or retreated in utter disorder. The two companies
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 591
mentioned captured 450 prisoners, among whom were several field officers. The prisoners were turned over to Lieutenant Kelly, of General Thomas staff. I was directed by the general commanding to remain where I had established my line across the Hillsborough pike, until support could be brought up for my left, un less an advance movement was made upon the right, in which case I should also move forward. At about 4 o clock p. M. the troops of the Twenty-third Army Corps, that had formed in line upon the right, but somewhat to the rear of my position, commenced an advance, which I took up, and swinging to the right moved across the pike and through the timber up the hill. I had advanced but about sixty rods when I encountered the enemy in force. His line of battle was formed along the crest of the hill, in a position of some natural advantage, very favorable for a defense, and from which I received, for a moment, a sharp and effective fire, but a very brief encounter with the veterans of the Second Brigade sufficed to break the enemy s line, which recoiled under our withering fire and fell back in disorder before the steady advance I maintained. In the pursuit the retreat of the enemy was rendered a rout, the killed and wounded were strewn thickly along the field and straggling detachments surrendered at almost every step. Upwards of 400 prisoners were sent to the rear. Captain McGrew of my staff turned over to Lieut. Kelly 218 in one body, and numerous squads of from ten to twenty and upwards were sent under guard to the general corral. The pursuit was continued to the Granny White pike, where two pieces of artillery were captured, the enemy being so hotly pressed that he abandoned them in the road. Finding myself far in advance of the troops on my right, and being wholly with out support upon the left, I deemed it prudent to order a halt, particularly as the enemy was moving up re-enforcements towards my left and maneuvering as if to turn my flank. I retired my line a few yards and formed along the crest of a ridge, and at the same time ordered up the Second Iowa Battery, whose effective practice checked the movements of the re-enforcing column of the enemy and served to increase the confusion of the retreat. A brigade of the Twenty-third Corps soon formed upon the right in continuation of my line and the Third Bri gade of this division closed up upon my left. It had now become quite dark, and the general commanding directed that I maintain my present position for the night. The men were directed to lie upon their arms, each regiment supplied with tools and instructed to intrench its front.
I deem it necessary, to complete the record of the Second Brigade in this day s work, to state, that in breaking the enemy s line in the final charge of the day, I completely turned the right flank of the enemy s position in front of the Twenty- third Corps, which undoubtedly contributed in some measure to the success of its capture and the repulse of its support.
At about sunrise on the morning of the 16th instant, the general commanding directed me to advance my brigade and feel for the enemy s position. I moved out in line, maintaining the formation of the previous day, my left resting on the Granny "White pike. An advance of perhaps 100 rods developed the ene my s position, and drew from his line a very galling fire. I found him posted behind a line of works running parallel with my front and crossing the Granny White pike at a right angle. I continued to advance, under a severe fire, until I had reached a point within 300 yards of the works, where the men could cover
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592 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
themselves in a measure, halted, formed the brigade in two lines, as on the pre ceding day, preparatory to an assault, and reported progress to the general com manding, who directed me to maintain my position until further dispositions could be made. The Second Iowa Battery with other artillery of the command was brought forward and placed in favorable positions for an effective fire against the enemy s line. The Second Iowa occupied a point on elevated ground to the right and rear of the brigade, where it performed most efficient service for several hours during the day, effectually silencing one of the enemy s batteries, exploding a limber, and seriously damaging the defenses, with the precision of its shots. Company H, Fifth Minnesota, Captain Morehouse, and Company F, Ninth Minnesota, Lieutenant McMillan, deployed as skirmishers, advanced to within 100 yards of the hostile works, where, though suffering severely, they maintained their positions until the final assault. For the purpose of securing for the men a better cover from sharpshooters, w T ho kept up an annoying fire, as well as to provide for possible contingencies, I directed my first line to intrench its front.
At 4 o clock p. M. I received the order to assault the works in my front. The order was no sooner communicated to the command than each regiment moved forward with a determination that bespoke success. Every officer and man was at once in his place, and fully comprehending the duty of the hour, resolved upon its fearless discharge. My line of advance lay across a cornfield, through every step of which the men were exposed to a direct fire from the line of works in front and a cross-fire on either flank. My line was no sooner in motion than it was met by a most withering volley, and as the regiments struggled on through the muddy field, softened by the recent rain, their ranks were sadly decimated by the continuous fire they encountered. A battery on my left enfiladed my line and with fearful accuracy poured its discharges of grape through the ranks. But seemingly unmindful of the storm of missiles they were breasting, the veterans of the Second Brigade did not falter, but pressing steadily on gained the works and carried them, in literal execution of the order they had received. Almost at the same instant the colors of the Fifth and Ninth Minnesota were pushed over the parapet, closely followed by the flags of the Eleventh Missouri and Eighth Wis consin. Large bodies of the enemy surrendered in the works. Some, however, attempted to escape by retreating to the hills to the rear. Directing the Ninth Minnesota and Eighth Wisconsin to pursue up the hills, I swung the Fifth Min nesota and Eleventh Missouri to the left, and sweeping along the flank of the enemy inside the works, secured many prisoners and driving the support that was attempting to rally in protection of the battery from whose fire I had suffered so severely, captured it entire. Three pieces of artillery were also taken by the Eighth Wisconsin and Ninth Minnesota, which they compelled the enemy to abandon in his hasty flight. The enemy kept up a desultory fight, as he retreated in straggling bodies up the hills, but the pursuit did not cease until the heights were gained and darkness had put a period to the operations of the day. The material results of this day s work was to be seen in the 1,200 prisoners sent to the rear, among whom was Brigadier General Jackson, who surrendered to Lieut. J. F. Bishop, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, seven pieces of artillery with caissons captured and the colors of seven rebel regiments in possession of the brigade,
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 593
making an aggregate of captures made by the brigade in the two days operations of one brigadier general, over 2,000 prisoners, 9 pieces of artillery and 7 stand of colors. The brigade went into action with a total of 1,421 muskets, and ex pended 61,000 rounds of musket and 1,500 of artillery ammunition.
As the brigade acted for the greater part of the time during both days under the eye of the general commanding, it is unnecessary for me to speak particularly with reference to the conduct of the command during the trying ordeals of the 15th and IGth instant. I cannot, however, in justice to the gallant officers and men of the Second Brigade, conclude this report without recording my high ap preciation of their conduct on every occasion during the two days fighting, and returning to every officer and soldier of the brigade my thanks for the heroism they displayed and for the promptitude with which they responded to every order given them. To regimental and battery commanders I am much indebted for efficient co-operation, especially manifested in their successful execution of the various movements incident to the operations of the command. Col. J. F. Marsh, commanding Ninth Minnesota, Lieut. Col. Win. B. Gere, commanding Fifth Min nesota, Lieut. Col. William B. Britton, commanding Eighth Wisconsin, and Lieut. Col. Eli Bowyer, commanding Eleventh Missouri, each handled their regiments in an admirable manner and by examples of personal gallantry encouraged their men to deeds of glorious daring. Lieutenant Colonel Markham and Major Strait, Mnth Minnesota, Major Becht, Fifth Minnesota, and Major Green, Eleventh Missouri, were prompt and efficient in the discharge of their respective duties. Capt. J. E. Reed, commanding Second Iowa Battery, performed highly impor tant service in both day s operations.
I cannot cite, in evidence of the severe character of the work the Second Bri gade performed in the battle of Nashville, anything more suggestive than the list of casualties it suffered. Three hundred and fifteen officers and men were killed and wounded in the two days fighting. Lieutenant Colonel Bowyer, Eleventh Missouri, received a very severe wound in the arm, and with great reluctance was taken from the field. Major Green, while subsequently commanding the regiment, had his horse killed under him and was himself painfully wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Gere and Major Becht, Fifth Minnesota, had each a horse killed under them in the thickest of the fight. The colors of the Fifth Minnesota were four times shot down in the final assault, and the flag of the Eleventh Mis souri fell the third time, but both were still borne onward.
To my staff the thanks of myself and the command are due, for very valuable service in all the operations on the field. Lieut. Win. H. Sargent, Eighth Wis consin Infantry, acting assistant inspector general of the brigade, was killed in the last day s fight. He had distinguished himself by great personal gallantry during the assault, and was urging forward in pursuit of the enemy after the works had been carried, when he fell. Endowed in an eminent degree with those qualities that endear man to his fellow and a bright ornament to his profession, the fall of Lieutenant Sargent adds another to the list of her brave defenders, for whose memory the country will drop a tear, when the records of this war are made up. Lieut. Thomas P. Gere, acting assistant adjutant general, received a painful wound while in the very front of the line, when the conflict was fiercest. Captains James G. McGrew and William Clellan, acting aides, each distinguished
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594 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
himself for his efficiency and were conspicuous for acts of personal daring. Lieut. J. P. Owens, acting assistant quartermaster, discharged all the duties pertain ing to his department with promptness and ability.
Subjoined is a summary of the casualties suffered by the brigade in the two days fighting:
FIFTH MINNESOTA VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Officers killed, 1; wounded, 5. En listed men killed, 13; wounded, 87; missing, 1. Total, 107.
NINTH MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Officers killed, 2; wounded, 3. Enlisted men killed, 7; wounded, 46. Total, 58.
ELEVENTH MISSOURI VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Officers wounded, 8. Enlisted men killed, 4; wounded, 75. Total, 87.
EIGHTH WISCONSIN VETERAN VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Officers killed, 1, wounded, 5. En listed men killed, 6; wounded, 50. Total, 62.
SECOND IOWA BATTERY Enlisted men wounded, 1.
Total officers killed, 4; wounded, 21. Enlisted men killed, 30; wounded, 259; missing, 1. Total, 315.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. F. HUBBARD, Colonel, Fifth Minn. Vol. Infy., Comdg. Brigade.
HDQRS. FIRST Dry., DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
IN THE FIELD, NEAR NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 17, 1864. ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
President of the United States :
Smith s " Guerrillas" again did a noble work yesterday, not the least portion of which is due the First Division. I respectfully ask, as an act of justice and honor fairly won, that Col. W. L. McMillen, Ninety-fifth Eegiment Ohio Infantry Volunteers, Col. L. F. Hubbard, Fifth Regiment Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, commanding the First and Second brigades respectively, be appointed brigadier generals, also Col. S. G. Hill, Thirty-fifth Eegiment Iowa Infantry Volunteers, who commanded the Third Brigade, and was killed while gallantly charging the enemy s work, I would recommend to be gazetted as brigadier general.
J. McARTHUR, Brigadier General, U. S. Vols.
I heartily concur in the recommendation of General McArthur and respect fully request the appointments may be made.
A. J. SMITH, Major General.
I witnessed the assault on the enemy s works conducted by the above named officers and unhesitatingly commend them for their gallant bearing.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major General, U. S. Vols., Comdg. D. C. Permitted by Telegraph, J. D. Webster, Mngr.
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:43:44 GMT -5
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 595
Report of Lieut. Col. George Bradley, Seventh Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH REGT. MINN. VOL. INFY.,
IN THE FIELD, Dec. 20, 1864. Lieut. HENRY HOOVER,
Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., Detachment Army of Tenn.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventh Regiment Minnesota Infantry in the engagement of the loth and 16th instant.
On the morning of the 15th instant the regiment commanded by Col. William R. Marshall moved out from camp near Nashville with the brigade to which it belonged at 6 o clock A. M. They moved out on the Harding pike about a mile, when they formed line of battle and halted. During this halt the extreme right of the army appeared to be quite heavily engaged. Company B of my regiment, commanded by Capt. A. H. Stevens, were ordered to advance and deploy as skirmishers in front of the regiment. Soon after the whole line moved forward, crossing the Harding pike obliquely to the left, until they arrived in front of the enemy s works, about three miles from the camp we had left. Here our line was moved somewhat to the left, which brought the regiment into an open field, where they were ordered to lie down, while the artillery in our line opened upon, the enemy. The enemy were posted upon a range of high hills, upon which they had erected strong fortifications, from which it was our business to dislodge them. The regiment lay in the field before referred to until the first of the fortifications on the enemy s left were charged and taken by the brigades of our division upon our right, when our brigade was moved forward to a hill opposite a fortification still occupied by the enemy, conforming our movements to those of the troops upon our right. We were shortly moved forward again to the foot of the hill upon which the fortification last named was situated, from which point we charged the enemy in his works, driving him in confusion.
By the death of the gallant officer commanding the brigade, Colonel Hill of the Thirty-fifth Iowa, who was killed just as he reached the top of the hill upon which the fortification was situated, Colonel Marshall was called to the command of the brigade, and the command of -the regiment devolved upon me. It was now dark and the regiment bivouacked in its place in the brigade for the night. In this action the regiment lost eighteen men wounded, whose names appear in my report of casualties. Lieut. A. A. Rice, of Company B, was severely wounded while in the skirmish line. He is a gallant officer and performed his duties up to the time he was wounded with courage and ability. In this day s action the regiment captured over fifty prisoners, who were turned over to the provost mar shal general, and shared with the other regiments of the brigade the capture of three guns. On the morning of the 16th instant, we again moved upon the enemy, and took a position on the left of the Twelfth Iowa in the front line of the brigade, behind a fence directly in front of a strongly fortified position held by the enemy. The right of the Twelfth Iowa rested on the Granny White pike. The enemy was protected by a high and thick wall of stone, which was strength ened by earth thrown up against its front along a portion of the wall, and by large rails planted firmly and standing from the top of the wall to the ground
596 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
along the remainder of it. Inside of the wall cannon were planted and deep pits dug for the protection of the men against our guns; outside the walls and some rods advanced, were barricades made of rails piled closely together, with rifle- pits behind them, from which the enemy s sharpshooters continually fired upon our line. Here my regiment remained the greater part of the day, the left of the regiment keeping up a fire upon the enemy the most of the time. We had some men wounded while occupying this line, and two killed while advancing to it. A heavy cannonading upon the enemy was kept up the whole day by the batteries upon our right and in our rear. Toward the close of the day a charge was made upon the enemy s works; commencing upon our right, the brigades of the First Division moving rapidly one after the other until the whole line was in motion. My regiment moved forward with the line in the face of a heavy fire of grape and musketry poured over the works of the enemy, who were completely routed, capturing their guns and many prisoners. The ground over which the regiment passed was soft, a portion of the way was a cornfield, rendering the rapid move ment of the line exceedingly difficult, and greatly adding to the hazard of the movement. We advanced as far as a high hill, beyond the line of works where we charged the enemy, and bivouacked for the night. In the charge the regi ment captured four of the enemy s guns, and more than 200 prisoners, making with those taken the day before, 250 prisoners taken by them. Major Burt of my regiment had charge of the brigade skirmish line during the day, and dis charged his duties with his usual skill and fidelity. Our losses in this day s fight were 43, 7 killed and 36 1 wounded, whose names have been furnished in a previous report. The most of the losses occurred in the charge. Captain McKelvy, of Company I, and Lieutenant Potter, of Company E, were both wounded in this charge, the first slightly, the latter somewhat severely. In conclusion I ought not to omit to mention Corporals Sylvester, of Company I, and Dowling, of Com pany B, who bore the colors of the regiment in both day s fight. Cool and intrepid, they pushed steadily on through the terrific charges made upon the enemy, un moved by the tl leaden rain and iron hail" which fell thickly around them, mind ful only of the honorable duty of bearing the colors erect in the van of the fight. Assistant Surgeon Mattocks was constantly with us in the field, fearlessly expos ing himself wherever his presence could benefit the wounded, and faithful and untiring in the discharge of all his duties. Dr. Ames was on duty at the hospital during the fight, by order of the division surgeon. Chaplain Edwards was active and zealous in his administrations to the wounded, constantly and effectually exerting himself in their behalf. Of the officers of the field, staff and line of the regiment, I can only say that the conduct of all was such that any distinction w r ould be invidious. It is enough to say that all were earnest, zealous and efficient in the discharge of every duty. Lieutenant Potter, though wounded by a shot through the arm, still pushed on with his company and did not fall back till the works had been carried. The conduct of the men present in the two days engagement was unexceptionable; they were fearless amid the dangers of the battle, and cheerful and uncomplaining in enduring hardships and ex posures of the bivouac and the march.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEORGE BRADLEY, Lieutenant, Colonel, Commanding the Regiment.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 597
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 17 , 1864. Lieut. A. J. PATCH,
Acting Adjutant Seventh Minnesota Infantry,
LIEUTENANT: I would respectfully report the following casualties in the Seventh Eegiment Minnesota Infantry, at the battle of Nashville, Tenn. , Dec. 15 and 16, 1864:
Killed: Company B, Corp. N. Chamberlain; Company C, Private George W. Simmons; Com pany E, Private Milton Barrows; Company G, Private Sebastian Baulig; Company H, Private Fred H. Fessenden; Company K, Corp. Archibald Savadge, Private D. Coolidge.
Wounded: Company A, Privates Peter Morgan, J. G. Beardsley, Melvin Lockwood; Com pany B, First Lieut. A. A. Eice, First Sergt. James McDonald, Sergeants Stephen Mills and Edwin C. Hinkley, Privates John Murphy, Martin V. Oliver, George Fletcher; Company C, Corporals Thomas Criswell and Thomas Morton, Privates John Elmquist, John M. St. John; Com pany D, Privates Daniel Steadman, Horace Jeffreys, Benjamin Shaffner; Company E, First Lieut. M. L. Potter, Corp. John Blackburn, Sergt. G. W. Graham, Privates S. E. Ford, L. D. Emmons, L. E. Monroe, Peter Hanson, J. A. Steybe; Company F, Corp. J. A. Morton, Privates Samuel Ells, A. M. Hunt, Robert Seeley, N. C. Johnson, Zimri Harrison, J. A. Jeffreys; Company G, Sergt. Jacob Christ, Corp. James S. Hamlin, Privates Samuel Budd, H. H. Danielson, A. M. Crane, Ferdinand Ehlert, H. K. Carson; Company H, First Sergt. E. F. Wright, Sergt. Henry L. Mills, Private Charles T. Groot; Company I, Capt. James McKelvey, Privates Joseph Fadden, A. T. Sum mer, Henry Myers, Oliver Doville; Company K, Privates John Dahlman, C. W. Gore, H. F. Hal- lack, E. Reyff, E. M. ReyfF, M. Harrier, A. Guntz, F. Burke. Total, 7 killed and 55 wounded.
I ani, lieutenant, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. A. AMES, Surgeon, Seventh Minnesota Infantry.
Report of Capt. H. C. Sanders, Tenth Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
EASTPORT, Miss., Jan. 15, 1865. Brig. Gen. O. MALMROS,
Adjutant General State of Minnesota,
GENERAL: I have the honor to report the part taken by the Tenth Minnesota Infantry in the battle of the 15th and 16th before Nashville, Tenn.
On the morning of the 15th the regiment, commanded by Lieut. Col. S. P. Jennison, moved from the earthworks near Nashville as centre of the First Bri gade, First Division, Detachment of the Army of Tennessee, commanded by Col. AY. L. McMillen. It maneuvered until about 2 o clock p. M. , when it took posi tion in front of the left centre of the enemy s lines, and remained in this position a few minutes, when it participated in a successful charge against the enemy, who was strongly intrenched on a commanding eminence, which resulted to him in the loss of four cannon and many prisoners. After pausing a few minutes for rest, the regiment, in connection with the other regiments of the brigade, moved about half a mile to the right, and again charged the enemy, who was surrounded by heavy earthworks upon a high hill, and after a severe struggle had the honor of first planting its colors upon his works, and capturing two cannon and over
598 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
100 prisoners. It bivouacked for the night upon ground which was held by the enemy in the morning. On the morning of the 16th it moved about three-fourths of a mile to the left and took a position within easy musket range of the enemy s lines, with its left resting on the right of the Second Brigade of General McAr- thur s division and its right upon the left of the Ninety-third Indiana of the First Brigade. It remained in this position until about 2 o clock, when it moved nearly 100 rods to the right and formed a line parallel to and in front of the left wing of a division of the Twenty-third Army Corps. It remained here about forty-five minutes, when, in connection with the Ninety-third Indiana and One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois, it charged the salient point in the enemy s lines, and after a severe and bloody conflict, forced him with the bayonet from his works, and captured sixteen cannon and 2,000 prisoners, and then joined the pursuit of the scattered and demoralized foe. In all of these sanguinary conflicts the regiment more than realized the expectations of its friends. Every officer and man was at his post and nobly did his duty. Especially did its commander, Lieutenant Colonel Jeunison, display a high order of those qualities requisite in an officer who wins battles over a brave and stubborn foe. His own personal bravery did very much in enabling him to carry repeatedly his regiment over the enemy s defenses. In the charge which decided the fate of the day, the last one made, he fell, severely wounded, in front of his command and within a yard of the enemy s works. I should hardly do my duty if I failed to mention Sergeant O Neil, the color bearer of the regiment. In all the charges made he distinguished himself, and especially so in the last one, in which case he was the first one over the works, and with one foot upon an enemy prostrated by his own hands raised the regimental banner. The loss to the regiment in killed and wounded was severe. In the last charge the companies on the left suffered most, being subject to a cross-fire. For the number disabled, the loss in killed was unusually great, owing to the near proximity of the combatants. For the same reason the loss of officers was proportionately much larger than that of the enlisted men. Many were slightly injured but not disabled, whose names do not appear among the wounded.
In the deaths of Major Cook and Captain White, the regiment has lost two of its bravest and best officers, and the state two of its most honored and worthy citizens, nor could their names be associated with braver soldiers or more disin terested patriots than their comrades in death, a catalogue of whom, together with the names of the wounded, I herewith send you.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
E. C. SANDERS, Captain, Comdg. Tenth Regiment Minn. Infantry.
Official Report of the Killed and Wounded in the Tenth Minnesota Infantry Volunteers in the Battle of Nashville, Tenn. , Dec. 15 and 16, 1864.
FIELD AND STAFF Wounded: Lieut. Col. S. P. Jetmison, head, severely; Maj. M. Cook, breast, mortally; Sergt. Maj. Chas. Eichler, arm, amputated. COMPANY A Killed: Private Joseph R. Webster. Wounded: Private John Morris, head, slightly.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 599
COMPANY B Wounded: Lieut. T. J. Hunt, face, severely; Sergeants C. S. Bruce, shoulder; J. G. Miracle, right arm, flesh wound; Corp. J. A. Causdell, left knee, severely; Privates T. D. Prentice, right side, severely ; Felix My res, left arm, amputated; James Stuart, right arm; Wm. M. Bosley, severely.
COMPANY C Killed: Sergt. C. G. Dawley; Corp. A. D. Carroll; Privates J. W. Murphey, D. D. Putnam, Christr. Nelson.
Wounded: Lieut. W. W. Case, right arm, severely; Corp. F. W. Knapp, hand; Privates E. Case, right arm, severely; A. H. Doeg, chest and shoulder; Frank Harpham, foot; E. Mullius, nip ple, severely; S. H. Matthews, knee, contusion.
COMPANY D Killed: Privates G. L. Lumsden, Frank Griffin, Isaac Ryan.
Wounded: Sergt. D. Wightman, leg; Corp. Isaac G. Hasbrouk, face, slightly; Privates Geo. Eeeves, chest, severely; Ole Nelson, body; Wm. S. Barnes, head, arm and hand.
COMPANY E Killed : Privates S. Benson, F. Chamberlain.
Wounded: Sergt. Rufus Kelley, slightly; Privates F. M. Davis, arm; S. E. Bullock, S.H. Pace.
COMPANY F Killed : Capt. George T. White; Privates Theodore Hacker, Hanson Oleson, Chandler Fleming, J. D. Furgeson.
Wounded: Lieut. Isaac Hamline, right arm; Sergeants H. A. Mosier, left arm and side; Geo. Woodbury, back; Corp. David Snyder, left thigh; Privates Alex. Harrison, hand and thigh; Wil liam Wooden, head, slightly; Theodore Estch, groin; Edward Brassard, shoulder.
COMPANY G Killed: Privates Hiram Vasterling, J. Capert.
Wounded: Sergt. H. Kinsey, right shoulder, severely; Corp. Wm. Smith, right shoulder, severely.
COMPANY H Wounded: Lieut. A. C. Flanders, left thigh, slightly; Sergt. James O Brien, side of neck; Corp. Robert Hunt, groin, severely; Privates Elzero La Clare, right leg; Patrick J. Smith, left arm.
COMPANY I Wounded: Sergt. F. Walsh, back; Privates Geo. Woodward, right arm; John D. Duff, finger on right hand.
COMPANY K Killed: Private L. L. McMannon; Corp. Daniel Bracken.
Wounded: Lieut. Michael Hoy, right arm; Corp. M. S. Connelly, groin; Privates E. Neary, right hand; James McCoy, thigh; P. Ronan, finger; P. Cannon, left shoulder; James Nash, right shoulder; E. Siebert, right arm; Matthew Flood, hip, slightly.
Reports of Col. Wm. R. Marshall, Commanding Third Brigade.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., DET. ARMY OF TENN., EIGHT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, NEAR PULASKI, TENN., Dec. 28, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following reports of the operations of this command in the battles before Nashville on the 15th and 16th instant.
In obedience to orders received from the brigadier general commanding the division, the Third Brigade (Col. S. G. Hill commanding), composed of
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:44:51 GMT -5
the Twelfth Iowa Veteran Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. H. Stibbs, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, myself commanding, Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, Lieut. Col. W. H. Heath, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, Maj. Wm. Dill, and Battery I, Sec ond Missouri Light Artillery, Capt. S. H. Julian, moved from behind iutrench- ments before Nashville at 7 A. M., 15th instant, and formed line of battle, with the left of the brigade resting on the Harding pike, and connecting with General Garrard s division; the right of Third Brigade connecting with left of Colonel Hubbard s brigade. Two companies were ordered forward as skirmishers, and
600 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
at 10 A. M. the line advanced towards the enemy s position, crossing the Harding pike obliquely to the left, conforming to the movements of the general line on our right and left. Our skirmishers pushing rapidly forward, were soon briskly engaged with those of the enemy, driving the latter back. About 12 M. we ar rived in front of formidable works on the enemy s left, and were exposed to a heavy artillery fire from the same. Captain Julian s battery was ordered into position, and opened promptly a rapid and effective fire on the enemy s works. The cannonading was kept up on both sides for more than an hour; the enemy s guns pouring a heavy fire into the exposed position of our battery. The infantry were ordered to lie down to lessen their exposure. About 2 p. M. , the right of our division, the First and Second brigades (with General Hatch s dismounted cavalry co-operating) assaulted and captured the fort on the enemy s left. Bur- ing the time the enemy s extreme left was being thus turned, the Third Brigade was exposed to a partially enfilading fire from a fort immediately on the right of the Hillsboro pike (just five miles by mile-post mark from Nashville), and nearly in front of our left. This fort was on elevated ground, giving its guns great range. Soon after the forts were captured by the First and Second bri gades, the Third Brigade swung around to the left, and advanced over open and exposed ground to a brook valley at the foot of the hill on which the above de scribed fort on Hillsboro pike was situated, about 300 yards distant from the fort, where the infantry of the brigade rested lying down. The battery was advanced to the ridge just in rear of the infantry and at short range poured a terrific fire into the fort, that in due time almost silenced the enemy s artillery. Our skir mishers, from such cover as they could get, behind trees and undulations of the ground, kept up a constant fire wherever the enemy was exposed. It was nearly 4 P. M. when the brigade was ordered to assault the fort. With a shout, the men rose from the ground and eagerly pressing forward, ascended the hill in the face of a storm of artillery and musketry missiles, and captured the fort, not, however, without paying dearly for it in the loss of the noble, good, and gallant Colonel Hill, who fell just as we gained the parapet of the enemy s works. He was shot by a musket ball through the head and expired in a few minutes. When in formed of the death of Colonel Hill I assumed command of the brigade, and Lieut. Col. George Bradley command of the Seventh Minnesota Volunteers. The enemy had withdrawn their artillery from the fort before we reached it, but in the pursuit we captured two of the guns. We captured about fifty prisoners immediately in the fort. When we got inside the fort we found ourselves ex posed to a destructive fire from a second work of the enemy about 200 yards to the left of the Hillsboro pike, and a continuation of the chain of detached works that constituted the main line of the enemy s fortifications. Scarcely halting in the first fort, that part of the brigade which was on the left quickly advanced to the second fort, and charging it carried the work, capturing immediately in it one gun, caisson, battery wagon, horses and other property, and pressing on after the retreating enemy captured two additional guns and about 100 prisoners. Just beyond the second fort my line came in rear of the enemy s line and works (which here made an angle back from the line of the two forts we had captured), just at the time the right of the Fourth Corps was charging them in front, the withering fire which the Third Brigade poured into the enemy s rear contributing to the success of the Fourth Corps. Indeed our fire at this time killed more of
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 601
the enemy than at any other time during the day. I followed up the enemy un til I found myself considerably in advance of the troops on my right and left, when I fell back even with the general line, and received orders to bivouac for the night. A part of the Third Division was between the Third Brigade and the Second Brigade.
About 4 A. M. of the 16th instant I moved to the right and took position on the left of the Second Brigade. The casualties of the brigade on the 15th were 1 officer killed, 1 wounded, 1 enlisted man killed and 35 wounded.
At 8 o clock A. M. on the 16th the brigade was ordered forward, moving in line of battle toward the Granny White pike, conformably to the general move ments on our right and left. Our skirmishers were soon engaged. We were wheeled rapidly to the right, bringing the line perpendicular to the Granny White pike, and as we advanced across and to the left of the pike, Captain Julian s battery took up a position on the left of the pike and about 300 yards in rear of the Bradford mansion. The enemy were found in force and strongly forti fied about 300 yards south of the Bradford mansion, his line of works crossing the pike at right angles. As we advanced the enemy opened with artillery and mus ketry upon us. Our skirmishers effected a lodgment in and about the Bradford house, and the brigade advanced to the fence running from the pike to the house. In gaining this position the brigade lost several men killed and wounded. By lying close to the ground in rear of the fence the line was in a good measure pro tected from the heavy fire that the enemy kept up. The right of the brigade rested on the pike, connecting with the left of Colonel Hubbard s brigade. Our battery kept up a rapid fire on the enemy s works with visible effect. The enemy had a 4-gun battery directly in front of the left of my brigade. We remained in this position, our skirmishers on our left (not being able to shelter themselves in the open ground in our front) vigilant and active in returning the enemy s fire, until 3 P. M., when intrenching tools were sent to us and orders to throw up effective breastworks and prepare to hold the position through the night. Shortly after we had begun to intrench, about 4 P. M., I observed a movement on the right of the division indicating that an assault on the enemy s works was intended. It was quickly apparent that Colonel McMillan s brigade was charging the high hill directly in his front. When his movement was fairly begun I saw Colonel Hub- bard, immediately on my right, getting his brigade up and ordering a charge. Although I had received no orders to charge, I saw that Colonel Hubbard ought to be supported, and I ordered the Third Brigade to rise and charge forward. The brigades were thus moving en echelon, the First on the right in advance, the Second in the centre following, and the Third on the left following the Second. A most terrific fire of musketry and artillery, grape, canister and shell greeted us, but with unsurpassed bravery and persistence the line advanced and carried the enemy s works. By the nature of the en echelon movement, the brigades entered the works in the order of numbers from the right. Although the Third Brigade was the last in gaining the enemy s works, it was not less exposed, having to meet the fire of a 4-gun battery and heavy infantry supports directly in its front. As the Third Brigade passed over the works the gallant Colonel Hubbard was seen sweeping down from our right. He claimed a share in the capture of the battery, and although there could be no doubt that the Third Brigade first entered the works on the left of the pike by the front, I was not disposed to insist on our
602 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
claim to the four guns, and in view of the fact that the Second gained the works on the right of the pike before I did on the left, and would undoubtedly have been able by a flank attack to have carried the works that I captured, I conceded two of the four Napoleons to Colonel Hubbard. Besides the battery, we captured two battle-flags, between 300 and 400 prisoners, and an equal number of small- arms.
We pursued to the foot of the mountains, nearly a mile from the enemy s- works, capturing prisoners, until darkness begun to shadow the earth, when we were ordered into line and bivouacked for the night.
In the charge that splendid young officer, S. E. Day, adjutant Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, fell, mortally wounded. Lieutenant Eutledge, Thirty-third Missouri, also was mortally wounded. Captain McKelvey, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, was severely wounded; also Lieutenant Potter of Seventh Minnesota Volunteers. Eleven men were killed and eighty-nine wounded. Full lists of casualties have been already forwarded to you.
I cannot too highly commend the gallant conduct of the officers and men of this brigade during the actions of the two days. Their veteran valor is beyond all praise. My acknowledgments are specially due to the officers of my staff. I received the most prompt and able assistance from Lieut. Henry Hoover (of Thirty-fifth Iowa), acting assistant adjutant general, whose long acquaintance with the brigade and the duties of his position, together with his veteran experience, rendered him most valuable to me upon assuming command of the brigade. Lieutenants "W. H. Thomas and L. W. Collins (of Seventh Minnesota) shared fully the labors and dangers of the conflict, and in all necessary duty and expos ure brigade quartermaster Lieutenant Creitz was ready and efficient. Brigade Surgeon Bartlett was in his proper place, faithfully and skillfully attending the wounded. I desire to call attention to the unusual circumstance of the Twelfth Iowa Veteran Volunteers going into and through the fight without line officers (all the line officers had been mustered out a few days before the battle, their terms of service having expired some weeks before). The Twelfth, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Stibbs and Captain Knee, acting major, and Adjt. D. W. Eeed, did its duty as gallantly as if its full complement of officers were present.
To recapitulate, the following captures were made by the brigade, viz. : 5 guns, 12-pounders, 5 caissons, 2 battle-flags, about 500 prisoners (many prisoners were actually captured by the Third Brigade, who were taken to the rear by, and credited to, other troops), a number of small-arms probably equal to the number
of prisoners, but not counted. The flags were captured by of the Twelfth
Iowa, but without detracting from the honor due these gallant men and their regiment, it is but just to the other regiments to say that the honor belonged al most equally to the entire brigade, being the result of the general success in car rying the enemy s works in which the flags were abandoned.
I am, captain, respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. E. MARSHALL,
Colonel, Seventh Minn. Infantry, Commanding the Brigade* Capt. W. H. F. EANDALL,
Asst. Adjt. G-en.j First Div., Detach. Army of the Tenn.
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:45:38 GMT -5
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 603
[TELEGRAM.]
NASHVILLE, TENN., Dec. 17, 1864. Gov. S. MILLER,
St. Paul:
A glorious victory, to which Minnesota has contributed much of her best blood, as the following casualties will show:
FIFTH MINNESOTA Killed: Capt. Henry Stasson; First Sergt. S. Miller; Corporals J. M. Everett, M. Woodward; Privates B. Hawley, L. T. Torkelson, J. Butler, N. Roberg, D. Clemens, D. Urberry, H. Burns, F. R. Green, D. Johnson, G. J. Young, L. Lyons, D. Eddy, H. Patterson, J. Raymond.
Wounded: Captain French, mortally; officers, 5; men, 80.
SEVENTH MINNESOTA Killed: Corp. N. Chamberlain, Company B; G. W. Simmons, Com pany C; Milton C. Burroughs, Company E; Sebastian Baulig, Fred H. Fessenden, Company H; Company K, D. Coolidge.
Wounded: Captain Me K el vey, slightly; Lieutenant Rice; men wounded, 51.
NINTH MINNESOTA Killed: Captain Skaro; Company A, A. Wilcox, C. J. Bergink; Com pany D, Ed. Bertrand, G. W. Wallace, I. F. Kennedy, S. Demors, Lieut. F. Henry.
Wounded : Captain Jones, severely ; Lieutenant Capon, severely; Lieutenant Roberts, slightly ; Adjutant Grouse, severely, and 37 men.
TENTH MINNESOTA Killed: Sergeant Major Dawley; Corporal Carroll; J. Murphy, C. Nelson, N. A. Putnam of Company C; Geo. L. Lumsden. Frank Griffin, James Dion, Company D* Henry Vasterburgh, John Capperts, Company G; Stengren Benson, Company E; McManniman, Company K; C. R. Wessers, Company A; Thomas Hocker, Company F; Hans Olson, J. J. Fer guson, C. Landlor Hanning.
Wounded: Lieutenant Colonel Jennison, severely; Captain White, dangerously; Lieutenant Hamlin, slightly; Lieutenant Case, severely, Lieutenant Hunt, slightly; Lieutenant Flanders, flesh wound ; Lieutenant Hay, slightly, and 42 men.
WM. E. MARSHALL,
Colonel, Seventh Minnesota.
Report of Brig. Gen. J. Me Arthur, Commanding First Division.
HDQRS. FIRST Div., DETACHMENT ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
NEAR PULASKI, TENN., Dec. 28, 1864.
MAJOR: I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken, by my division during the battles of the 15th and 16th instant in front of Nash ville, Tenn. :
Pursuant to orders from the major general commanding, I moved on the morn ing of the 15th, at 7 A. M., the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillen commanding, consisting of the Seventy-second and Ninety-fifth Ohio, One Hundred and Four teenth Illinois, Ninety-third Indiana and Tenth Minnesota Infantry regiments, and Cogswell s Independent Illinois Battery; also, the Second Brigade, Col. L. F. Hubbard commanding, composed of the Eleventh Missouri, Eighth Wis consin, Fifth and Ninth Minnesota Infantry, and Second Iowa Battery, out of the intrenchments around Nashville on the Charlotte road; also, the Third Bri gade, Col. S. G. Hill commanding, consisting of the Twelfth and Thirty-fifth Iowa, Thirty-third Missouri, and Seventh Minnesota regiments, and Company I,,
604 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Second Missouri Artillery, out on the Harding road 5 the Third with orders to take position on the right of the Second Division, and the First and Second to swing to the left and connect with the Third, so as to complete the line. The two brigades on the Charlotte road waited two hours for the cavalry to take the advance according to the instructions received the evening previous, but no move taking place on their part, and being informed that the line was awaiting my ar rival, I passed through the cavalry line, deploying to the left of the road, right resting on same until they reached Eichland creek, two and a half miles, encoun tering the enemy s battery and skirmishers, which were silenced by Cogswell s battery, giving the cavalry an opportunity of advancing. Finding that they were too far advanced and not connecting with the main line, I moved them by the left flank obliquely to the rear, connecting with the Third Brigade as designated, the whole line moving forward. My division being on the flank, the whole swinging on our left as a pivot, our march was necessarily long and tiresome. After cross ing the Harding road the First Brigade encountered the first redoubt of four guns on the enemy s extreme left. Moving up the Second Brigade to its support, they were immediately formed for assault, both batteries taking position about 300 yards distant. After a brisk fire the fort was silenced and the infantry dashed forward. Simultaneous with their advance the cavalry of General Hatch s divi sion charged, and from their advantageous position entered the works with my skirmishers and claimed the guns as their capture, which I conceded to them, their gallantry on that occasion being conspicuous, although the fort had been rendered untenable by the fire from my batteries. I then ordered the First Bri gade to charge the second hill to the rear of the fort just taken, which they gal lantly did, capturing two guns and caissons and a great many prisoners. In this they were supported by the Second Brigade, their skirmishers entering simul taneously with the First Brigade. While this was going on the Third Brigade charged the redoubt commanding the Hillsboro road, and carried it in gallant style; but pressing on in connection with the Second Division, the guns, three in number, were taken into possession by the Fourth Corps, together with a number of prisoners, which might have been, properly credited had not Col. S. G. Hill, commanding brigade, been unfortunately killed in the charge. (Col. W. R. Mar shall, Seventh Minnesota, succeeded to command of the brigade.) For further evidence of this I refer to Brigadier General Garrard, commanding Second Divi sion. Immediately following this, General Couch s division, which had come into position by moving around by my right and rear, charged the fourth position, a strong hill to our left. Simultaneous with the charge I ordered Col. L. F. Hub- bard, commanding Second Brigade, to move forward on the left of Couch s divi sion, sweeping around the base of the hill, thereby flanking the enemy s position and rendering the charge of General Couch an easier one. This was a bold and successful movement on the part of Col. L. F. Hubbard s command and reflects great credit on him in handling his troops so successfully; for he encountered the enemy for a short time in front of him and on his flank, yet did not falter. Our line was then formed for the night and fortified between the Hillsboro and Granny White roads, nearly parallel with the same, thus ending the first day s battle.
On themorning of the IGth, at 8 A. M., I moved the division forward, by wheel ing to the right of the Twenty-third Corps, forming at right angles to the posi tion held the night previous with the Granny White road, running through
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 605
between the Second and Third brigades, and moved up at 9 A. M. to within charging distance of the enemy s main line of works; but finding no dispositions made by the corps on my right to co-operate with me, I ordered the command to construct rifle pits to protect them from the infantry fire of the enemy s main line, ray batteries in the meantime being used with good effect on their works. Con tinuing in this position until 3 P. M., when again consulting with Major General Couch, commanding division on my right, and being informed that he had no or ders to advance, and fearing that if delayed until next day the night would be employed by the enemy to our disadvantage, I determined to attack, sending word to this effect to the major general commanding corps, and no contrary or ders being received, I prepared for the assault. In order to do so successfully, it was necessary that the hill on the enemy s extreme left, and immediately in front of the Twenty-third Corps, should be taken first. I ordered the First Brigade, Col. "W. L. McMillen commanding, to move by the right flank and take position in front of and to take the hill, Major General Couch sending forward a brigade to occupy and hold the intrenchments vacated by Col. "W. L. McMillen in case of an emergency, the Second and Third brigades having orders to advance as soon as the First had advanced half-way up the hill, which was the salient point of the position. The First Brigade with fixed bayonets, without a cheer or firing a shot, but with firm resolve and without doubting their success, commenced the difficult ascent, and without a halt, although exposed to a murderous fire, which none but the bravest troops could withstand, planted their colors on the very apex of the hill. At the appointed time the Second and Third brigades, the Third commanded by Col. W. E. Marshall, Seventh Minnesota Infantry, moved forward on the enemy s works. Their path lay across a cornfield, traversed by stone walls and ditches, which, together with the softness of the ground, exposed as they we re to a direct fire in front, and enfiladed by batteries on the flank, for a time held with intense interest the most experienced officers who beheld it; but onward was their motto, and their banners were planted on works defended by the choicest troops of the rebel army, calling forth the remarks of the rebel offi cers that powder and lead were inadequate to resist such a charge. Onward still the division pressed, gathering in prisoners by the hundreds and guns by bat teries (a list of which is appended) until the hills in rear of the enemy s lines were secured, where the line was formed for the night, and attention turned to the many brave officers and men who had so gloriously maintained their country s honor and sealed it with their blood. * * *
I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McARTHUR, Brigadier General, Commanding.
P. S. I wish particularly to mention in connection with this report the gal lant conduct of Col. W. E. Marshall, Seventh Minnesota Infantry Volunteers, commanding Third Brigade, called to take command during the first day s battle and continuing throughout. His admirable management and example stamp him as an officer of rare merit.
J. McARTHUR,
Brigadier GeneraL Maj. J. HOUGH,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Detach. Army of the Tenn.
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:46:48 GMT -5
606 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
EXTRACT FROM EEPORT or MAJ. GEN. A. J. SMITH, COMMANDING SIXTEENTH
CORPS.
# # * General McArthur was directed to take two brigades and carry the works by assault; placing the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillen, in advance, and supported by the Second Brigade, Col. L. F. Hubbard commanding. The work was carried at a run. * * *
The First and Second brigades, McArthur s division, obliquing to the right without stopping, carried the second fort, capturing the two guns and about 200 prisoners, the First Brigade moving directly to the top of the hill and the Second flanking it on the left.
December 16th, General McArthur * * * directed the First Brigade, Col. W. L. McMillen, Ninety-fifth Ohio, to storm the hill on which was the left of the enemy s line, and the Second and Third brigades of the division to attack in front when the First should be half-way up the hill. Accordingly Colonel McMil len formed his brigade in two lines, with the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illi nois, Ninety-third Indiana, Tenth Minnesota in front and the Seventy-second Ohio and Ninety-fifth Ohio in the second line, and gave his men orders not to cheer or fire a shot until the works should be gained. Throwing out a strong party of skir mishers, under a rapid fire from them and his artillery, he commenced the ascent. He had no sooner fully commenced his movement than the Second Brigade, Col. L. F. Hubbard commanding, eager in emulation, also took up the attack, imme diately followed by the Third Brigade, Col. Wm. E. Marshall commanding. * * * The enemy opened with a fierce storm of shell, canister and musketry, sadly decimating the ranks of many regiments, but nothing save annihilation would stop the onward progress on that line. Sweeping forward, the right up the hill and the left through the mud and over walls, they gained the enemy s works, call ing forth the remark from one of their general officers that " powder and lead were inadequate to resist such a charge." The enemy were whipped, broken and demoralized. Prisoners were taken by the regiment and artillery by batteries. The pursuit was continued until dark, when the troops bivouacked in line. * * * Col. L.F. Hubbard had three horses shot under him on the 16th. Going into action with a total of 1,421 muskets in his brigade, he captured over 2,000 prisoners, 9 pieces of artillery and 7 stand of colors, and the casualties in his brigade number 315. * * *
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, Nov. 12, 1864. Col. WILLIAM E. MARSHALL,
Comdff. Seventh Minn. Regt. Minn. Vols.,
MY DEAR COLONEL: Yours of the 14th ultimo was duly received, and would have been answered long since had I not expected to see you in St. Paul. Be pleased to convey to the regiment my high appreciation of their gallantry in bat tle and their patience amid their weary marches and numerous privations. I heartily sympathize with your many sick and am terribly mortified that our brave men of the Second, Fifth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth regiments did not ob-
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 607
tain an opportunity to vote. Assure them that I made every possible effort to reach them, both in Arkansas and Missouri, and that I will labor faithfully for such an amendment to the law during the next session as will reach every soldier belonging to the state in the future.
Very respectfully, your friend,
STEPHEN MILLER.
NASHVILLE, TENN., Oct. 23, 1864 9:30 p. m. Major General HALLECK,
Chief of Staff:
The * * * Eleventh Minnesota, one year s troops, * * * have arrived here. * * * GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major General.
Major General THOMAS, WASHINGTON, Oct. 24, 1864 2:30 p. m.
Nashville, Tenn.:
The following forces, besides those mentioned in your telegram, have been or dered to Nashville, viz. : Three companies of Minnesota Heavy Artillery. * * *
H. W. HALLECK, Major General and Chief of Staff.
NASHVILLE, Oct. 30, 1864 4 p. m. Maj. Gen. JAMES B. STEEDMAN,
Chattanooga :
Company C, First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, has started for Chattanooga to day. This will make the fourth company of heavy artillery for the post of Chat tanooga. Direct Colonel Carlton to have them posted in the most prominent forts and redoubts composing the fortifications of Chattanooga, and set them at work at once to erect their winter quarters and to perfecting themselves in the drill. GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
HDQRS. Co. E, FIRST MINNESOTA HEAVY ARTILLERY,
NEAR FORT CREIGHTON, CHATTANOOGA, Feb. 28, 1865. His Excellency, STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota,
DEA.R SIR: I have the honor to report that Company E arrived at this post on the morning of the 28th, and we have been temporarily camped near Fort Creighton, about a mile and a half from Chattanooga, with the promise of oc cupying the fort in about two weeks. We had no accidents by the way, except a little brush with guerrillas on the Louisville & Nashville railroad. We had a volley of about twelve shots fired into us, without effect. The fire was promptly
608 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
returned by our guard, only ten of the company being armed. We were fully armed at Nashville with Springfield rifled muskets. "We have on duty 133 men; lost by desertion, 2; left sick at Fort Snelling, 2; left sick at Chicago, 2; left sick at Nashville, 1; detailed at Fort Snelling, 1; absent without leave, 1; total, 142 men.
The company have no quarters but shelter tents, and it is very difficult to ob tain wood and other necessities. We are on half rations of meat, but the men are very cheerful and contented, and we hope, in a few days, to improve their condition. We have the advantage of good water and high ground, and as soon as the weather settles we will be very comfortable. The very best feeling exists between men and officers, and we hope that Company E will not be an exception to the well-earned reputation of Minnesota soldiers. Lieutenants Cushway and Tyler have not yet reported for duty.
I remain, sir, yours, very respectfully,
HARVEY OFFICER, Captain, Commanding Company E.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, March 10, 1865. Brig. Gen. THOMAS M. VINCENT,
Act. Asst. Adjt. Gen., U. 8. A., Washington, D. C.,
SIR: The First Minnesota Heavy Artillery has been mustered in and dis patched to Chattanooga, Tenn., 1,752 strong. I was informed by the order direct ing the organization of this regiment, that staff officers could not be allowed unless upon special order of the President. Owing to the large number of men pertaining to the regiment and to provide for two of the many gallant men among those to be found in the ranks of our Minnesota organizations, I hereby respect fully apply for special permission to appoint one adjutant and one assistant quartermaster for said regiment with the rank of first lieutenant. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER, Governor of Minnesota.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL S OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, March 18, 1865. His Excellency, GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA,
St. Paul, Minn.,
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant asking authority to appoint an adjutant and quartermaster for the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery. In reply, I am directed to invite your attention to General Orders, No. 110, of 1863, from this office (copy herewith), which does not allow extra first lieutenants for adjutant and quartermaster of the artillery regi ments. There should be two first lieutenants detailed from companies to act in the above capacity.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THOMAS M. VINCENT, Assistant Adjutant General.
BATTLE OF NASHVILLE. 609
EXECUTIYE DEPARTMENT,
ST. PAUL, June 23, 1865.. COMMANDING OFFICER FIRST MINNESOTA HEAVY ARTILLERY,
Chattanooga, Tenn.,
DEAR SIR: I am almost daily in receipt of letters from the enlisted men of your command, asking that I will try to secure a muster-out of the regiment. Will you please have the entire command notified that I have been laboring to that end for more than six weeks, and that now the Eebellion is crushed, I fully appreciate the importance of securing the return of every Minnesota soldier to his home. It is but justice to them and it is necessary to the prosperity of the state. I have made especial representations on behalf of your regiment as fol lows* First, asking the paymaster general to pay the regiment promptly.. Second, asking the War Department to muster the entire regiment out of service- Third, requesting Colonel Wood, assistant surgeon general, to discharge all the sick of the regiment, and if that cannot be done, to transfer them immediately to the United States general hospital at Prairie du Chien.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor Minnesota-
[TELEGRAM.]
NASHVILLE, TENN., Sept. 29, 1865. GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA:
Transportation was furnished yesterday the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery, numbering forty-four officers and nine hundred and eighty-one (981) men, to rendezvous at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. A. MACKAY,
Colonel and Asst. Quartermaster.
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS.-Jan. 20-March23, 1865. Reports of Lieut. Col. J. W. Bishop, Second Minnesota, Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND MINNESOTA VOL. INFANTRY,
GOLDSBORO, ]$". C., March 28, 1865. Capt. S. FORTNER,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brigade, Third Div., Fourteenth Army Corps, CAPTAIN: In obedience to instructions just received from brigade head quarters. I have the honor to forward the following report of the part taken by my regiment in the recent campaign commencing at Savannah, Ga., on the 20th day of January, 1865, and terminating at this place 011 the 23d day of March, 1865.
On the evening of the 19th of January the regiment was relieved from guard duty in the city of Savannah and on the morning of the 20th rejoined the brigade
39
610 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
and marched with it eight miles to Cherokee Hill, on the Augusta road, where it remained in camp until the morning of January 25th, when it marched for Sis ters Ferry, on the Savannah river, passing through Springfield, Ga., and arriving on the 28th; distance marched, thirty-two miles. February 5th, crossed the Sa vannah river and marched up the left bank of the river for Barn well Court-House, passing through Eobertsville and Brighton, and crossing the Salkehatchie river, and arriving on the afternoon of the 10th; distance marched, sixty miles. At Barnwell Court-House the regiment was detailed as provost guard and placed in charge of the town during the passage of the corps. February llth, at noon, the regiment "was relieved and rejoining the brigade marched with it for the A. & C. E. E. near Aiken, arriving and assisting in the destruction of eight miles of the railroad track on the 12th; distance marched, thirty miles. February 13th, marched to Davis 7 Mill, on the South Edisto river, where it awaited the passage of the corps and trains; distance marched, ten miles. February 14th, marched at 11 A. M., crossing the river, and during the night arrived at and crossed the North Edisto river; distance marched, eighteen miles. February 15th, marched for Lexington Court-House, crossing Congaree creek at Clark s Mills, on the same day, and arriving at noon on the 16th; distance marched, twenty- four miles. Marched the same day for Columbia and encamped six miles west of that place at Hart s Ferry, Saluda river; distance marched, six miles. Feb ruary 17th, marched at noon northwards, crossing the Saluda river and arriv ing at Freshley s Ferry, on the Broad river, on the 18th; distance marched, six teen miles. February 19th, crossed Broad river and marched up the left bank to Allston Junction, where the regiment assisted in destroying the railroad track, then turning northward and crossing Little river near Monticello, arriving at Winnsboro at noon on the 21st; distance marched, thirty miles. February 22d ? marched northward along the railroad to Yo-ungville, where the regiment again assisted in the destruction of railroad track, then turning eastward arrived at the Catawba or Wateree river, crossing near Eocky Mount on the 23d; distance marched, thirty-four miles. Here the regiment, with a portion of the corps, was detained for several days by a heavy and protracted rainstorm. The pontoon bridge was partially swept away by the freshet in the river and the roads and even the fields were rendered nearly impassable for troops or trains. February 27th, at sunset, the division commenced the crossing which consumed the entire night, and the utmost efforts of the troops in making roads and assisting the trains were required during the night and the whole of the next day to get the trains safely into park two miles from the bridge. February 29th, the march was resumed, though the roads were yet almost impassable and the weather bad, and on the 5th of March we arrived at the Great Pedee river crossing near Sneeds- boro, on the line between North and South Carolina; distance marched, seventy- two miles. March 7th, crossed the Great Pedee at noon and marched for Fayette- ville, N. C., passing to the right of Eockingham, crossing Lumber river and several smaller streams, and with other regiments of the brigade occupied that town at noon on the llth, driving out the enemy s rearguard; distance marched, seventy miles. During the passage of the army my regiment, with others of the brigade, was on guard duty in the town. March 15th, marched towards Golds- boro, our division being in charge of the trains of tfce entire corps. The roads and the weather were very bad and our -progress slow, until on the evening of
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS. 611
the 19th we reached and crossed the Great Cohera creek. Cannonading was heard in front during the day; distance marched, thirty-two miles. March 20th, the trains were consigned to the care of the Third Brigade and my regiment, with others of the First and Second brigades, marched on the Goldsboro road to the front, about six miles, arriving at 8 A. M. We were here until 1 P. M., then moved into position confronting the enemy s lines [battle of Bentonville] with the apparent intention of attacking them. Here we were exposed at intervals during the afternoon to artillery fire from the enemy s batteries from which two casualties occurred in my regiment. At sunset we were moved back about one mile and encamped. March 21st, the [day] was spent in making and repairing roads, and on the 22d the march was resumed for Goldsboro, at which place we arrived on the 23d; distance marched, 38 miles. During the campaign the regi ment has drawn from the trains one-third rations of hard bread, coffee and sugar; all other supplies have been foraged in the country along the line of march. A summary of the casualty list, hereto appended, gives: Died of disease, 1; wounded in action, 2; missing and supposed to have been captured while forag ing, 5. Total, 8.
The total distance marched, not including foraging and work on roads or destruction of railroads, is 480 miles. The number of horses and mules captured or foraged in the country and turned over to the Quartermaster s Department is thirty. The aggregate present of my regiment, when it marched from Savannah, on the 20th of January, was 526.
The decrease during the campaign of 63 days was: Sent to general field hos pital, 11; missing, supposed to have been captured, 5; total decrease, being about 3 per cent, 16. Aggregate present on arrival at Goldsboro, March 23d, 510. When I remember that about one-half of my men are recruits of but a few months service, and that the campaign has been one of the severest on record, the very small percentage of loss in men missing and sent to the hospital during the march is more than satisfactory to me. I am equally grateful to the recruits (who have well outgrown that name) for their patient and determined endurance of pri vations and hardships to which they were unaccustomed, and to the veterans who have so uniformly given a soldierly example to those less experienced. I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. W. BISHOP, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Second Minn. Vol. Infy.
List of Casualties in the Second Minnesota Infantry.
COMPANY B Died of Disease : Corp. Owen Lewis, Feb. 25, 1865.
Wounded in Action : Private William S. Lyman, March 20th.
COMPANY C Missing, Supposed to be Captured: Privates Isaac A. Peterson, March 2d; Syl- Vanus Stone, March 3d; Mars Oleson, March 23d.
COMPANY F Missing, Supposed to be Captured: Privates Ferdinand Birck, Thos. H. Garret- son, Feb. 12th.
COMPANY G Wounded in Action: Sergt. Christian Sanders, March 20th.
J. W. BISHOP, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Second Minn. Vol. Infantry.
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:47:39 GMT -5
612 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
HDQRS. SECOND MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
FAYETTEVILLE, N. C., March 14, 1865. His Excellency, S. MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota,
SIR: I have the honor to report that the Second Minnesota Begiment arrived here at noon on the llth instant. Our brigade had the advance of the army and was the first to enter the town, driving out the enemy s rearguard. The regiment, with others of our division (Baird s), is on provost duty in the city, and will probably remain here until the entire army shall have passed maybe for two or three days yet. Two or three small steamers have arrived from Wilmington since we occupied the place, but no mail or supplies have come as yet. As we have had none for about forty days the probability of moving on without any is by no means a pleasant one, though we have been " boarding round" in the Confed eracy so long that we have quite ceased to regard the matter of mails or pay or supplies as one of necessity. No casualties in action have occurred in the regi ment since we left Savannah on the 20th of January. One man, O. Loomis of Company C, is reported to have died of disease in the field hospital and several men are missing and supposed to have been captured while foraging. The aver age health of the regiment was never better. An order received yesterday to send to Wilmington all men unfit for a sixty days extension of the campaign, took but four from us, leaving 508 present. The campaign, in the particulars of bad roads and weather and hard marching, has been more severe than the one against Savannah; in the matter of supplies the difference has not been material.
In the Minnesota papers received by us just before we left Savannah, mention was made of some immigration essays or pamphlets to be published for circulation among those seeking homesteads in the West. I am reminded of this by the fact that several hundred families of respectable and worthy people, now refugees from Confederate conscription, are here, soliciting and receiving transportation to Wilmington, with a view of seeking a refuge in the Northwestern States. I am of the opinion that as a class they are as desirable in every respect as are the immigrants from Europe, and I venture to suggest that some of the pamphlets referred to be sent to the commanders of, or to other persons in, the Minnesota regiments in the South, for distribution among such families as I have mentioned.
The Fourth Minnesota Eegiment passed my camp an hour ago on its way over the river, but being absent on duty at the time, I did not see it, which I much regret, as we have not met since we commenced the campaign. Have heard nothing as yet from Major Uline, but hope to meet him when we next emerge from the Confederacy.
I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. BISHOP, Lieut. Col., Commanding Second Minn. Vol. Infantry.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, Lieut. Col. J. W. BISHOP, ST. PAUL, Dec. 27, 1864.
With Army of Major General Sherman, near Savannah, Ga., COLONEL: Yours of the 16th just received and I forward your application to the department by mail with the following indorsement:
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS. 613
EXECUTIVE DEPAKTMENT,
ST. PAUL, Dec. 27, 1864.
Eighty-six drafted men assigned to the Second Minnesota Volunteers were forwarded to Nash ville the 2d instant in charge of Lieut. C. Keyser, Ninth Regiment Minnesota Volunteers, and I respectfully recommend that the further number of 115 men be assigned to said Second Minnesota Volunteers as early as practicable. In view of his long and faithful services I also respectfully recommend (his superior officers concurring) that a special order be issued directing the proper officers to muster in Lieut. Col. J. W. Bishop of said Second Minnesota Volunteers as colonel of his regiment. The commission has long since been issued from this department.
Yery respectfully yours,
S. MILLER, Governor Minnesota.
HEADQUARTERS THIRP DIVISION, FOURTEENTH CORPS,
SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 6, 1865. His Excellency, S. MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota,
SIR: In consequence of a letter addressed by you to Major General Thomas, commanding the Army of the Cumberland, in which you promise to fill up the Second Eegiment Minnesota Volunteers from the supplementary draft to be made in your state in November past and ask that an officer may be sent to receive the men, I have detailed Major Uline for that duty with orders to report to you at St. Paul.
I trust that the condition of affairs may be such as to enable you to carry out the design which you expressed in your letter and that Major Uline may soon re turn with the number of men required to fill up his ranks.
This regiment has been under my command for more than a year and has won for itself and for the soldiers of your state a high reputation. It is one of the very best regiments in any of our armies, and I am sure that your men now en tering the service cannot do more for the honor of their state, or serve with greater profit to themselves, than by becoming attached to it.
The three officers holding your commissions for the highest positions in the regiment are all men of remarkable merit, yet they are still serving in subordi nate grades for want of the number of men required to muster them. They are Lieutenant Colonel Bishop, Major Uline and Captain Moulton, and all of them have earned their promotion many times since they have been under my com mand.
I am 3 sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant,
A. BAIRD, Brig. Gen., Comdg. Div.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD Div., FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Lieut. Col. C. S. ULINE, June 13, 1865.
Commanding Second Regiment Minnesota Volunteers,
COLONEL: I have the honor to inform you that I have this day received from the honorable Secretary of War a letter of appointment as brigadier general of volunteers by brevet. (Commission dated April 9, 1865.)
614 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
As I have never had permanently any other command than that of the regi ment of which I have been for nearly four years a member, I desire to say through you that I attribute this complimentary promotion entirely to the gallant and soldierly conduct of the officers and men of that regiment, and that I tender to them my sincere thanks for the honor they have won for themselves and for me. I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. W. BISHOP, Col. Second Minn. Vol., Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. V.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 12, 1865. Adjutant General U. S. A.,
SIR: I have the honor to apply for the promotion by brevet of the following named officers who have served with distinction in the campaign against Atlanta and Savannah: * * *
Lieut. Col. J. W. Bishop, Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. These officers have not only commanded their troops with uniform gallantry, but by their constant devotion to duty and attention to all the details and neces sities of their commands, have brought them to a state of efficiency which entitles them to some recognition of their services.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, etc.,
JEFF. C. DAVIS, Brevet Major General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS LEFT WING, ARMY OF GEORGIA,
SAVANNAH, GA., Jan. 12, 1865. Eespectfully forwarded, approved.
H. W. SLOCUM, Major General, Commanding.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
, WASHINGTON, D. C. , May 29, 1865.
Brig. Gen. L. THOMAS,
Adjt. Gen. U. S. Army, Washington, D. C.,
I have the honor to report that on the 12th of January last I recommended Lieutenant Colonel Bishop, of the Second Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, to the department for promotion to the grade of brigadier general by brevet. Since that time this officer has been commissioned by the Governor of this state colonel of his regiment, and as such mustered. I desire respectfully to again ask the attention of the department to the merits and claims of Colonel Bishop and to renew the recommendation.
I am, very respectfully,
JEFF. C. DAVIS, Brevet Major General, Commanding.
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS. 615
[Indorsement.]
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF GEORGIA,
NEAR WASHINGTON, D. C., May 30, 1865. Respectfully forwarded to the adjutant general of the army, approved.
H. W. SLOCUM, Major General, Commanding.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD Div., FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
LOUISVILLE, KY., July 8, 1865. Brev. Col. A. C. McCLURG,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff , Fourteenth Army Corps,
COLONEL: Lieut. Col. C. S. TJline, commanding Second Kegiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry, reports that regiment ready, and to be mustered for discharge to-morrow the 9th.
I have therefore the honor to request that I may be ordered to assume com mand of and to report it to chief mustering officer at Fort Snelling, Minn., for discharge and final payment.
In making this application, permit me to say that as the time draws near when we are to leave the comrades we have so long served with, there are few, if any, who do not find that the joy and pride that we feel in the knowledge that our redeemed country no longer needs our service in the field, is mingled with a sadness that always attends the breaking up of long wonted associations.
Identified with the fortunes of the Fourteenth Corps from its organization, and in it the only representative of the state that sent us to the field, it has been equally our care and our pride as a regiment, that Minnesota should never blush for the Fourteenth Corps and that the Fourteenth Corps should never droop its laurels with shame at the name of Minnesota.
With the most grateful remembrance of the soldierly courtesy with which we have been uniformly treated by our comrades in arms from other states of the same, our own country, I desire especially to acknowledge the kindly interest in the regiment which has been so often manifested by the generals commanding the division and the corps.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. W. BISHOP, Col. Second Minn. Vols. and Brvt. Brig. Gen., Commanding Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
LOUISVILLE, KY., July 9, 1865.
GENERAL : I have the honor to inclose to you a copy of the order relieving your regiment from the corps and directing you to report it at Fort Snelling.
Until the time of separation came, none knew how strong were the attach ments formed during the months and years of association in hardships and dan gers as soldiers. His relations to the officers and men of the Second Minnesota have always been a matter of pride and satisfaction to the corps commander, and
C16 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
from no regiment in the corps will he part with a deeper regret. He thanks one and all of the members of the organization for the constancy and devotion which have always marked their attention to the duties and requirements of soldiers in camp and on the march as well as on the field of action.
He congratulates you that your labors, hardships and dangers are over, and that with a country restored to peace and prosperity partly through your ex ertions and sacrifices, you return once more to your homes.
None have a better record for discipline and drill and all the minutiae of sol dierly conduct as well as uniform gallantry on every field of action in which they have been engaged than the Second Minnesota, and your state owes you thanks for the uniformly faithful manner in which you have performed your share of the task allotted to the soldiers of the Union.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, etc.,
A. C. McCLURG,
Brvt. Col., A. A. G. and Chief of Staff . Brvt. Brig. Gen. J. W. BISHOP, Comdg. Second Minn. Volx.
EXTRACT (SPECIAL ORDERS, No. 5).
HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
LOUISVILLE, KY., July 9, 1865.
II. The Second Minnesota Veteran Volunteer Infantry having been mustered on muster-out rolls, in accordance with existing orders, Brvt. Brig. Gen. J. W. Bishop, colonel of the regiment, is hereby at his own request relieved from com mand of the First Brigade, Third Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and will proceed forthwith with his regiment to Fort Snelling, Minn., and there report it in accordance with provisions of General Orders, No. 94 (C. S. ), A. G. O. , to the chief mustering officer of the State of Minnesota (or his assistant at that point) for final discharge.
By command of Brvt. Maj. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis.
A. C. McCLURG,
Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff. Brvt. Brig. Gen. J. W. BISHOP,
Comdg. First Brig., Third IHv., Fourteenth Army Corps.
SKIRMISH NEAR HOOKERTOWN, N. C. 617
SKIRMISH NEAR HOOKERTOWN, N. C.- March 31, 1865.
.Report of Maj. G. A. Camp, Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry, Commanding Eegi- ment, of a Skirmish near Hookertown, N. C., March 31, 1865.
HDQRS. EIGHTH MINN. VOL. INFANTRY, THIRD BRIG., FIRST DIY., TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,
WHEAT SWAMP, N. C., April 1, 1865. Lieut. GEORGE W. BUTTERFIELD,
Acting Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., Twenty -third Army Corps, SIR: I have the honor to report that in obedience to orders from Brigadier General Euger I marched at 3 p. M. from this place yesterday in the direction of Hookertown, on the Contentnia creek. Upon arrival on the direct road from Snow Hill to Kinston, seven miles from this place, I found a cavalry picket of thirty -five men under the command of Captain H. A. Hubbard, Company L, Twelfth New York Cavalry, which had that day been withdrawn from Hooker- town. Captain Hubbard volunteered to scout the road in advance of my com mand, and I proceeded, without anything occurring worthy of notice, to within one-half of a mile of Hookertown, where I found the enemy s pickets. Captain Hubbard immediately charged them, driving them through the town, and scat tering them in every direction, capturing two commissioned officers and two en listed men. The enemy 7 s force engaged consisted of two companies of Whitford s cavalry and numbered about eighty men. Captain Hubbard charged and routed them with thirty men, and the charge was creditable to Captain Hubbard and the men of his command. I found the bridge at Hookertown intact and learned from Captain Hubbard and others that Edwards bridge had been partially destroyed, also that the bridge between Hookertown and Snow Hill had been burnt. I then returned three miles to the Snow Hill and Kinston road, arriving at 8:30 p. M., where I camped for the night. This morning I moved at 7 A. M. to Snow Hill, where I found the bridge in good condition, but no enemy in the vicinity. I learned that five of the enemy s scouts were in that place yesterday. Captain Hubbard withdrew his pickets from the Snow Hill and Kinston road, and I met them about three miles from this place on my return. There are no cavalry pickets east of the direct road from this place to Snow Hill. I returned to camp at 3 o clock P. M. to-day, having marched twenty-four miles without seeing any stragglers from our army, and from the best information I could get there has been none in the vicinity traveled by my command for the last three days. All of which is respectfully submitted.
G. A. CAMP, Major, Eighth Minn. Vol. Infy., Comdg. Regt.
WASHINGTON, D. C., May 11, 1865. ADJUTANT GENERAL, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.,
SIR: As numerous IT. S. volunteer organizations are about to be discharged I respectfully ask that as many of the Minnesota volunteers as can be spared be
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618 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
promptly sent to Fort Snelling and discharged. The great scarcity of labor, the approaching harvest, the exposure of our lengthy frontier to savage marauders, and the peculiar demand for men in the new and growing state, are my reasons for this application.
It is represented in the New York Tribune of yesterday, that an order was read on the 8th instant, to the troops stationed at Fairfax, announcing that the names of all one-year men are to be reported within ten days to be returned to their state capitals and mustered out of service. If this order be general, it will relieve many men from all our organizations, including nearly all of the First Battalion Minnesota Infantry, all of the Eleventh Infantry now at Gallatin, Tenn., and the First Minnesota Heavy Artillery at Chattanooga, Tenn. In this connection I respectfully call the attention of the department to the peculiar position of the Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth regiments Minnesota Volunteer In fantry. These five regiments were enlisted in August and September, 1862, and promptly marched against the Sioux Indians in Minnesota. But owing to the hurry with which they were pushed out to the frontier, and the absence of the mustering officer, many of the companies were not formally mustered in by the commissary of musters until they had performed duty for two or three months. The dates, etc., are given from memory, but having commanded one of the regi ments in person, I know them to be substantially correct. The inclosed com munication 1 from Maj. G. A. Camp of the Eighth Regiment presents the facts more in detail and represents that Major Lester, commissary of the musters for the Twenty-third Army Corps, decided that these men cannot be discharged until three years from the date from their actual muster, notwithstanding that the muster rolls show that they were received and accepted into the service of the United States for three years from their respective dates of enrollment.
In order to secure substantial justice to all concerned, and for the purpose of quieting the apprehensions of the enlisted men, I respectfully request an order from the department directing that the five regiments above named be disbanded at the expiration of three years from the date of the commissions of the respec tive colonels originally appointed for said organizations, unless sooner discharged by order of the Secretary of War.
Hoping for an early and favorable response at St. Paul, Minn., I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
STEPHEN MILLER, Governor of Minnesota.
[TELEGRAM.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA, July 5, 1865.
St. Paul, Minn.:
Referring to your letter of the 23d ultimo, the Eighth (8) Regiment % has been ordered mustered out, and the Sixth, Seventh, Ninth and Tenth regiments are also under orders for muster-out. The Eleventh already mustered out. Please see circulars sent you relative to what troops are to be discharged. Orders ap plying to one state are the same to another and the work is going on as rapidly as the public interest will permit. T. M. VINCENT,
!Not found. Assistant Adjutant General.
ACTION NEAR HATCHER S RUN. 619
[TELEGRAM.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, July 11 , 1865. GOVERNOR OF MINNESOTA,
St. Paul, Minn.: Eighth Eegiinent left North Carolina this date for home.
T. M. VINCENT, Assistant Adjutant General.
ACTION NEAR HATCHER S RUN.- Feb. 5, 1865.
Report of Capt. Charles F. Hausdorf, Commanding First Minnesota Battalion Infantry*
HDQRS. FIRST BATTALION MINN. YET. VOLS.,
Feb. 12, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to forward the following report of operations of my command in the late action near Hatcher s Run, Virginia. On the morning of the 5th, in obedience to instrnctions, I deployed my command as flankers and acted as such until 12 o clock of that day, when I received orders to deploy my command as skirmishers and to take position on the left of the brigade with left resting on Hatcher s Run, and connecting with right of the Fifth Corps, and in compliance with orders received from General Smyth, I advanced, keeping con nection with the Fifth Corps when they advanced against the enemy, skirmishing and driving the enemy before me. The Fifth Corps being repulsed and driven back my left was exposed and I was obliged to fall back to my former position on the left of the brigade, and finding the enemy there I drove them back and held the position until the morning of the 6th, when I again advanced about half a mile, holding that position until the morning of the llth, when I was relieved and placed in our present position.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
CHARLES F. HAUSDORF, 1
Captain, Comdg. Battalion. Capt. WILL GILDER,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brig., Second Div., Second Army Corps.
1 By error, this officer s name was originally entered and appears on the rolls as Frank Houston.
620 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. March -April, 1865. Report of Brig. Gen. J. McArtlmr, Commanding First Division, Sixteenth Corps.
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
NEAR BLAKELY, ALA., April 12, 1865. Lieut. Col. J. HOUGH,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Sixteenth Army Corps,
COLONEL : I have the honor to report the duty performed by my command during the campaign against Mobile, Ala., resulting in the capture of Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. The division embarked on board transports, part going by sea and part by way of Lake Pontchartrain; the whole command arriving at Fort Gaines, Dauphin Island, Ala., on the 7th ultimo. On the 19th again em barked on steamers and proceeded to the head of navigation of Fish river, where they debarked and intrenched their camp. On the morning of the 25th again moved forward in advance of the army, skirmishing and driving the enemy easily. Intrenched again for the night. Moved again next day and encamped within three miles from Spanish Fort. On the morning of the 27th advanced on the fort, skirmishing with the enemy and driving them into their works; taking a position about 400 yards from the fort, and constructed the first parallel of works, behind which the men encamped during the continuance of the siege. The Sec ond Iowa Battery was put in position in a strong work constructed for it 400 yards from what was called the Bed Fort; the Third Indiana Battery of Rodman guns in a work about 1,000 yards distant, and to the left of the Second Iowa. The brigades were in line according to their number from right to left, each commenc ing a sap towards the enemy s works, which were again united by a second par allel, from which a harrassing fire was kept up on the enemy s works. The sap was again continued and pushed to within seventy-five yards of the fort, when an attack by the right brigade of General Carr s division on the night of the 8th. April, followed up by the other troops, resulted in the capture of the fort with its contents; the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry of my command being the first to enter and take possession of Fort Alexis, turning the same over to the troops of Thirteenth Army Corps on their arrival, in whose front it was situated, and to whom it properly belonged.
On the morning of the 9th, in obedience to orders, the division moved to Blakely, with instructions to support the Second Division in its attack on Fort Blakely the same day; but fortunately were not required, with the exception of the Third Indiana Battery, Captain Ginn commanding, which took part with the Second Division, who performed the work in a gallant style.
About 2, 035 yards of sap were dug, and about 3, 975 yards of parallels, besides two additional works for heavy guns. About 340, 000 rounds of musketry ammuni tion were expended, and about 200 rounds of 12-pounder shell, thrown from a bat tery of wooden mortars constructed by the pioneer corps, and which rendered excel lent service in covering the working parties. The number of guns and prisoners, with the exception of forty-nine prisoners of war and one commissioned officer, were taken by the Third Division, who were the first to enter, and who are entitled to the credit of the same, with the exception of Fort Alexis with its guns, eleven in
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 621
number, which were turned over by the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, as before mentioned, to the Thirteenth Army Corps. The skirmishers of the Second Bri gade, under command of Captain French of the Fifth Minnesota Infantry, also captured one light 12-pounder gun with a few prisoners near the steamboat land ing, who were left in the fort with the others captured. The Third Brigade, Col. W. E. Marshall commanding, was detailed a portion of the time to supply the place of General Veatch s division. For account of these operations while on such duty, I respectfully refer you to the report of Colonel Marshall accompany ing this. Please find, also, report of the list of casualties of the division, to gether with a map of a portion of the works occupied by the division during the siege, prepared by Capt. D. W. "Wellman, Ninth Minnesota Infantry, on duty as engineer of the division, to whom my thanks are especially due for efficient and skillful services rendered; and would earnestly recommend him for promotion or transfer to the Engineer Corps of the regular army. My thanks are also due to the other officers of my staff for earnest and untiring assistance during these operations. The wounded were promptly taken off the field and attended to under the careful supervision of Dr. M. W. Fish of the Eleventh Missouri, senior sur geon, afterwards by Dr. Hunt, surgeon of volunteers, and medical director of division, to whom my thanks are due. The total casualties during these opera tions were, killed, 16; wounded, 152. The troops behaved with their usual spirit and gallantry, officers and men vieing with each other in the energetic dis charge of their duty. This is attributable in an especial manner to the conduct and skillful management of the brigade commanders, Colonels Hubbard and Marshall. The neglect on the part of the government to give them their well- merited promotion is felt keenly by the command. Accompanying this please find especial recommendations by brigade commanders approved by me. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. McARTHUR, Brigadier General, Commanding.
Report of Brevet Brig. Gen. L. F. Hubbard, Commanding Second Brigade.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST Div., SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
NEAR BLAKELY, ALA., April 12, 1865. Capt. W. H. F. BAND ALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division,
CAPTAIN: The following report of the part taken by the Second Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, in the operations that have recently cul minated in the capture of Spanish Fortand its dependencies, is respectfully sub mitted:
On the 20th day of March the command broke camp on Dauphin island and moved by transports up Fish river; disembarked at Danley s Mills on the- 21st and encamped in the immediate vicinity. On the following day a new posi tion was taken and intrenchments constructed, covering the front of the brigade^.
622 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
which were occupied as a line of defense until the 25th. On the 23d and 24th our pickets were attacked by the enemy, but each time the latter was repulsed, with the occurrence of but a single casualty in this command.
At 8 o clock A. M. on the 25th my brigade, holding the advance of the corps, moved out on the Deer Park road. A small force of the enemy was soon encountered, with which skirmishing at once commenced. With four companies of the Ninth Minnesota deployed as skirmishers, and the balance of the regiment as support, the enemy was steadily pushed back and the road made clear for the column to pass. Until ordered to halt and encamp for the night the skirmishers made no pause in their advance. During the following day s march the brigade being in the rear, encountered no enemy.
On the 27th, during the progress of the investment of " Spanish Fort," the Second Brigade held a position in the centre of and advanced in line of battle with the First Division. A line of skirmishers deployed along my front, met those of the enemy within perhaps a mile of the rebel defenses, and engaged them actively ; the latter slowly giving way, but contesting the ground quite stubbornly. The line of battle advanced by degrees, until a position was secured within about 500 yards of the fort, the enemy, the while, delivering from his works a spirited fire of musketry and artillery. During the following night a line of investment was established, and the command employed intrenching the positon. The Second Brigade held a front of four regiments, running from right to left in the follow ing order, viz. : Eighth Wisconsin, Forty-seventh Illinois, Fifth Minnesota and Ninth Minnesota; the Eleventh Missouri being held in reserve. My skirmishers were advanced during the night and posted as pickets, within 300 yards of the enemy s works. The 28th and 29th were spent in strengthening our defensive line, and constructing bomb-proofs for the protection of the men. On the night of the 29th I commenced to run a sap in the direction of the fort, and on the 31st had reached a position; and constructed a parallel within 200 yards of the main works of the enemy. This parallel was at once manned with sharpshooters, a detail of two hundred and fifty (250) picked men, the best shots in the brigade, being made for that purpose, and placed under command of Capt. A. P. French, Fifth Minnesota Infantry, which detail was retained permanently on duty during the siege. These sharpshooters rendered very effective service throughout the siege, greatly annoying the enemy s artillerists, in some instances compelling them to abandon the use of their guns and fill the embrasures with earth. Cap tain French is entitled to much credit for the efficient management of his com mand.
Work upon the approaches to the fort was actively prosecuted until the night of the 8th of April. On that date my sharpshooters had been advanced to a second parallel about seventy-five yards further to the front, and my sappers had reached a point and partially constructed a parallel within sixty yards of the enemy s works, by actual measurement. My second parallel had been converted into an emplacement, in which I had located a regiment, the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, as a support to the sharpshooters.
At about 2 o clock A. M. of the 9th instant, developments upon the right of our lines created the suspicion that the enemy was evacuating his works. Capt. J. G. McGrew, aide-de-camp on my staff, who at the time was superintending the operations of the sappers, directed Captain French to move forward his command
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 623
as skirmishers, and ascertain what enemy, if any, was in his front. The order was promptly executed, the enemy s pickets posted outside the fort captured without opposition and the works found to be abandoned. Captain McGrew immediately moved the Forty-seventh Illinois, Major Bonham commanding, into the fort, and crossing the ravine to the left, occupied Fort Alexis, placing guards upon the guns, magazines and other property left by the enemy. In this work were ten (10) pieces of artillery, one (1) mortar, and much ammunition. In the mean time Captain French had moved his skirmishers through Spanish Fort to the bank of the river at the point where the enemy was crossing, capturing many prisoners, and one piece of artillery abandoned near the bridge.
About half an hour after the occupation of Fort Alexis by the Forty-seventh Illinois, the troops of General Benton s division, Thirteenth Corps, moved in, and Captain McGrew formally surrendered possession to Major Boydston of General Benton s staff.
At 9 A. M. on the 9th instant, the command moved out on the Blakely road, and encamped at night near its present location.
During the siege of Spanish Fort the brigade excavated seven thousand (7,000) cubic yards of earth and expended one hundred and sixty-nine thousand (169,000) rounds of musket ammunition.
The labors of the siege were very arduous. The men were worked by large details, night and day, upon fortifications and approaches, yet they bore their trials patiently, and cheerfully responded to every call of whatever character. Colonels Marsh, Gere and Britton, and Majors Green and Bonham, commanding their respective regiments, were untiring in their efforts to facilitate the operations of the siege. Capt. J. G. McGrew, aide-de-camp, rendered very valuable service while performing the dangerous duty of superintending the construction of the approaches to the enemy s works. Captains Clelland and Kendall and Lieutenant Kelly of the staff are also entitled to much credit for their activity and energy during the recent operations.
The total casualties suffered by the brigade within the time embraced in the above report is ninety-nine (99), as follows:
ELEVENTH MISSOURI VETERAN INFANTRY Killed: Commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 5.
Wounded: Commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 27; aggregate, 33.
EIGHTH WISCONSIN VETERAN INFANTRY Killed: Enlisted men, 2.
Wounded: Enlisted men, 17; aggregate, 19.
FIFTH MINNESOTA 1 VETERAN INFANTRY Wounded: Enlisted men, 16; aggregate, 16.
NINTH MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Killed: Enlisted men, 2.
Wounded: Commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 13; aggregate, 16.
FORTY-SEVENTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY Enlisted men, 1.
Wounded: Commissioned officers, 3; enlisted men, 11; aggregate, 15.
Total Killed: Commissioned officers, 1; enlisted men, 10. Wounded: Commissioned officers, 4; enlisted men, 84; aggregate, 99.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. F. HUBBARD,
Brevet Brigadier General, Volunteers.
1 No report of the Fifth Minnesota nor of the Ninth Minnesota in the siege of Spanish Fort can be found.
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624 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
Eeporis of Col. William E. Marshall, Commanding Third Brigade.
HEADQUARTERS THIRD BRIGADE,
FIRST DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, CAMP, NEAR BLAKELY, ALA., April 12, 1865.
CAPTAIN : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this brigade in the operation against Mobile: On the 20th of March the bri gade debarked from transports at Danley s Mills, Fish river. On the 25th broke camp and marched with the division toward Spanish Fort. During this day s march a small party of the enemy on our left flank fired a volley into the head of the brigade, only one shot taking effect. (I received a severe flesh wound on the left side of the back of my neck, the ball passing out near the spine. It has not taken me off duty.)
On the 27th, approaching Spanish Fort, the brigade was formed in line of bat tle, with skirmishers in advance, and moving on the left of the Second Brigade, advanced to within about 1,200 yards of the enemy s works. Our skirmishers advanced to within 300 yards of the fort. The right of the Thirteenth Corps lapping my left, I was ordered to break regiments from my left and place them behind my right. This was done till I only had one regiment in front line. The brigade intrenched its position, made details for the work in front of the Third Indiana Battery, and began to sap toward enemy s works, starting near left of General Hubbard s main line of works.
On the 30th of March I was ordered to report the brigade to General Granger, commanding Thirteenth Corps. I did so and took the part of the line of the Thirteenth Corps vacated by General Yeatch s division, near the left of the en tire line of investment (Colonel Bertram s brigade of Second Division, Thirteenth Corps, was on my left, Colonel Bertram s left resting on the bay). I found this part of the line of trenches and approaches just begun. I completed the main line of trenches and breastworks, furnished large fatigue details to construct works for batteries, and on the night of the 3d of April opened a new parallel 120 paces in advance of the former one and almost up to the rifle-pits in front of the high fort of the enemy. On the 4th of April I received orders to report back to the commanding general of our division, and took position on the left of General Hubbard. I immediately opened a trench from General Hubbard s most advanced parallel, to the left, connecting with the trenches of the Thirteenth Army Corps, and dug saps leading from our main line out to the advanced trenches. On the 8th I had extended a sap toward the enemy s works, so near that stones could be thrown from our trenches to their rifle-pits. On the night of the 8th the enemy evacuated their works. My skirmishers or pickets advanced over parapet of fort with those of General Hubbard s brigade. On the 9th instant we marched toward Blakely, going into camp in line on left of General Hubbard s brigade. That evening the capture of Blakely ended the siege. From the 27th of March to 8th of April inclusive we were under the enemy s fire. Officers and men throughout the siege behaved gallantly. My acknowledgments are due to the regimental commanders, Lieutenant Colonel Heath, Twenty-third Missouri Volunteers; Lieutenant Colonel Keeler, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers; Lieutenant Colonel Bradley, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, and Major Knee, Twelfth Iowa Veteran Volunteers, for ready and energetic execution of all orders; also, to the
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 625
members of my staff, Lieut. Henry Hoover, acting assistant adjutant general; Captain Clark, provost marshal and acting engineer officer; Lieut. L. W. Collins, Seventh Minnesota picket officer, and Lieut. W. M. "Wetherell, aide-de-camp. It will not be invidious to specially mention Lieut. Col. William H. Heath, Thirty- third Missouri Volunteers, who has long since earned promotion. He has served since the beginning of the war and been in all the most important battles of the west, from Donelson and Shiloh down to the capture of Mobile. (He has held a commission as colonel of his regiment since 1863, but the regiment being below the minimum, he has not been mustered in.) He has had brigade commands and is a most capable and deserving officer. I respectfully recommend his promotion. I would al.so recommend the promotion of Lieut. Henry Hoover, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant general. He is an officer of long ser vice, of excellent capacity and great gallantry. I beg likewise respectfully to recommend for promotion Lieut. Lorin W. Collins, Seventh Minnesota Volun teers, aide-de-camp on my staff. He has long discharged the arduous and re sponsible duties of picket officer for the brigade, is an officer of unusual intelli gence, activity and gallantry.
List of casualties accompany this report. The total casualties in the brigade during the siege were, killed, enlisted men, 2; wounded, officers, 2; enlisted, men, 19. Eespectfully submitted, "W. E. MARSHALL,
Colonel, Seventh Minn. Infantry Volunteers, Commanding the Brigade. Capt. W. H. F. BAND ALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen.j First Div., Sixteenth Army Corps.
HDQRS. THIRD BRIG., FIRST Div., SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
CAMP, NEAR BLAKELY, ALA., April 12, 1865. Capt. W. H. F. EANDALL,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Div., Sixteenth Army Corps,
CAPTAIN: In submitting a report of the operations of this brigade in the late^ siege of the defenses of Mobile, I beg leave to recommend the promotion of the following officers for gallant and meritorious conduct, viz. : Lieut. Col. William H. Heath, commanding Thirty-third Missouri Volunteers, First Lieut. Henry Hoover, Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteers, acting assistant adjutant general of the brigade, and First Lieut. Lorin W. Collins, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, aide- de-camp. Lieutenant Colonel Heath has long since earned promotion. He has> served since the beginning of the war and been in many of the most important battles of the west, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, the Eed Eiver campaign, Pleasant Hill, Yellow Bayou, Tupelo, Nashville, etc. (He has held a commission as colo nel of his regiment since December, 1863, but the regiment being below the mini mum, could not be mustered in.) He has had brigade commands, and is a most capable and deserving officer. Lieutenant Hoover is an officer of long and faithful service, excellent capacity and great gallantry. Lieutenant Collins has performed the arduous and responsible duties of picket officer for the brigade for nearly a year and is an officer of unusual intelligence, activity and gallantry. I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. E. MARSHALL, Colonel, Seventh Minnesota Volunteers, Commanding the Brigade.
626 OFFICIAL EEPOETS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
Report of Lieut. Col. 8. P. Jennison, Tenth Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS TENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY, NEAR FORT BLAKELY, ALA., April 12, 1865.
Lieut. THOMAS LORINGS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Brigade, First Div., Sixteenth Army Corps,
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the oper ations of my regiment before Spanish Fort, Ala. My command left Fish river, March 25, 1865, with the rest of the brigade. On the morning of the 27th, having passed somewhat beyond, or to the north of Spanish Fort on the road to Blakely, I was ordered to form in line of battle upon the left of the Ninety-third Indiana Infantry, facing the west, to cover my front with a strong skirmish line, and con form to the movements of the regiment on my right. We were then advanced about half a mile, when it was found that by the convergence of our lines of advance, we were lapping the brigade on our right. We were moved to the left, and then forward until I came to the position occupied by Beed s Second Iowa Battery. I halted in rear of this battery and reported the fact to the colonel commanding brigade, who directed me to remain. Later in the day, when it became apparent that the enemy would not accept battle outside of his works, I was directed to move forward and intrench myself on the right of the Second Brigade. I went to I disagreeigned position about 4 p. M., procured axes and spades, and commenced to throw up works in plain view of the enemy, and within 500 yards of their northeast bastion. Part of my front was claimed to plant the Second Iowa Battery. I therefore placed four companies in the front line, and intrenched the other companies in rear of the battery. This position we occupied as our camp for twelve days, within which my command threw up a breastwork, which; resisted the penetrative power of an 8-inch Columbiad at point- blank range, covered themselves against splinters of the enemy s shell 5 assisted to drive forward a sap within seventy -five yards of the enemy s work; built a second parallel, and nearly completed a third; constructed substantial works for sixteen siege guns and for lighter pieces; felled the heavy pine timber to give range to artillery upon about forty acres, and expended 23,000 rounds of car tridge in skirmishing. I was present in the advance parallel, with six companies of my regiment, the night of the evacuation of the fort by the enemy, and ob served the advance of a brigade of the Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, which was made at midnight, on the 8th instant. Although that advance met no resistance whatever, and I might, from my advanced position, have preceded all the troops into the fort, I thought best not to experiment without orders, and accordingly remained until directed by the colonel commanding to advance into the fort. Of the duty peculiar to a siege, I think no equal number of my men ever did more, or better, or more willingly, than the regiment I have the honor to command.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
S. P. JENNISON, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Tenth Minnesota Infantry Vols.
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 627
"Report of Lieut. Col. George Bradley, Seventh Minnesota Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH BEGIMENT, MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
IN THE FIELD, April 12, 1865.
LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by ray regiment in the operations at Spanish Fort. On the morning of the 27th marched; the k regiment was formed in order of battle on the left of the bri gade, which was on the extreme left of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and advanced towards the works of the enemy. Company C, Captain Thomas, was advanced and ordered to deploy as skirmishers in front of the regiment. During the after noon this company was relieved by Company K, Captain Carter, in consequence of having expended their ammunition. The skirmishing during this day was heavy, and our skirmishers drove the enemy back a considerable distance, and established our advance line about 200 yards from the enemy s main line of works. The ground over which the skirmishers advanced was very much broken and covered with fallen trees, rendering the advance quite difficult. Our casual ties this day were as follows: First Lieut. H. F. Folsom, Company C, struck in the fleshy part of the thigh by a fragment of a shell, making a severe bruise, but not sufficient to put him off duty; Private Andrew Agren, Company C, wounded in right leg, suffered amputation above knee-joint; Corporal John Dillen, con tused wound in thigh, slight, has since returned to duty; Sergeant Omar H. Case, Company E, flesh wound in left shoulder, slight; Private Charles Fadden, Com pany I, shot through the body, injuring the spine, since died. On the evening of the 27th the regiment went into camp in the rear of the Thirty-fifth Iowa, the brigade there being in column of regiments. From, this time to the 30th we occupied this camp, furnishing heavy picket detail and fatigue parties to push forward lines of intrenchments, erect forts, and do the various work incidental to siege operations.
On the 30th of March we moved with our brigade to the left, occupying a space left vacant by the removal of General Veatch s division of the Thirteenth Corps. We remained here until the 4th of April, working incessantly night and day. On the night of the 3d our pickets, in connection with those of the other regiments in the brigade, under the direction of Major Burt of my regiment, advanced the front line of our works from 150 to 200 yards. On the 4th of April we returned to our first place in the line and reoccupied it. On the 6th we commenced intrench ments in an advanced position with a view to its occupation. The work, however, could be prosecuted only in the night, the ground being open and within short rifle range from the fort, and the works were scarcely completed when the enemy evacuated and our forces took possession of Spanish Fort and the works adjacent, which occurred on the night of the 8th instant.
On the 9th we moved with our command towards Blakely, going into camp about two miles from the works of the enemy, which were captured that day by a portion of our army. Throughout the entire siege the conduct of officers and men was all that could be desired. They were always ready and willing to brave any exposure or undergo any fatigue which promised to advance the objects of the campaign. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
GEO. BRADLEY,
Lieut. H. HOOVER, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., Third Brig., First Div., Sixteenth Army Corps.
628 OFFICIAL EEPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
HEADQUARTERS SEVENTH MINNESOTA INFANTRY,
IN THE FIELD, April 9, 1865. Hon. STEPHEN MILLER,
Governor of Minnesota,
DEAR SIR: Last night we took possession of Spanish Fort, after a siege of thirteen days. We took about 700 prisoners and 30 to 40 guns. I have not had an opportunity to learn the casualties in the Minnesota regiments, but they are not very great. In my regiment we had one killed, Charles Fadden, Company I, shot on the 27th and died a few days later; one man missing, Eobert Seely, Company F, and four wounded, one of them badly, loss of right leg, the others slightly. The health of the regiment is good, and all are in the best spirits.
We are lying near Blakely to-night, and the rumor prevails in camp that that place has surrendered to Steele. The enemy evidently are hopeless, and every thing now indicates a glorious termination of the war against the rebellious states.
Very respectfully yours,
GEORGE BRADLEY.
Report of Brig. Gen. James J. Gilbert, Commanding Second Brigade, Second Division*
HDQRS. SECOND BRIGADE, SECOND Div., SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
FORT BLAKELY, ALA., April 10, 1865. Maj. J. B. SAMPLE,
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps:
I have the honor to make the following report of the part taken by my com mand in the siege, charge and capture of Fort Blakely, Ala. My brigade consisted of the Sixth Minnesota Infantry, Lieut. Col. H. P. Grant command ing; Tenth Kansas Veteran Infantry, Lieut. Col. Charles S. Hills commanding; Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry, Maj. G. W. Howard commanding; Thirty- second Iowa Infantry, Col. G. A. Eberhart commanding; and One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois Infantry, Col. E. M. Moore commanding. Aggregate effective force, 1,995. On the afternoon of April 3d, my command moved into position in front of the rebel works, holding the centre of General Garrard s division, which was upon the left of General Steele s command. I immediately threw out a strong skirmish line, which advanced in gallant style under brisk fire 200 yards, driving in the rebel skirmishers, and then threw up a strong line of intrenchments, with a loss of three men wounded. This line was held until the evening of the 6th, when my skirmish line was again advanced 300 yards. Continued skirmishing occurred, with brisk artillery fire from the enemy. On the evening of the 7th, the enemy made a sortie upon the advance line, but were handsomely repulsed without loss to us. My whole number of casualties up to the afternoon of April 9th was 7 enlisted men, 2 mortally wounded, since dea d, and 5 wounded. At 3 P. M. of April 9th, in obedience to orders from Gen eral Garrard, I moved my command to the reserve intrenched lines, prepara tory to charging the enemy s works. The Tenth Kansas and Company B, Twenty- seventh Iowa, occupied the picket line as skirmishers. The Twenty-seventh Iowa, One Hundred and Seventeenth Illinois, and Companies D, H, and K, of the Thirty-
CAMPAIGN OF MOBILE. 629
second Iowa, in order from right to left, formed the advance line, the Sixth Min nesota and the other seven companies of the Thirty-second Iowa formed the reserve. At 5:30 p. M. a rapid and severe artillery fire commenced, which was soon followed up by a general advance and charge. My main line of battle was 1,100 yards distant from the rebel fortifications, the intervening ground was covered with timber felled in every possible direction, torpedoes planted in front of the works, wire stretched from stump to stump, a double line of abatis, and in rear of all a very strong line of fortifications. At the command to advance, the line raised a shout, pressed rapidly forward, reached and carried the enemy s works and pursued the disconcerted enemy to the river bank, capturing nine pieces of artillery and 573 prisoners, and in fact every rebel in our front, although the enemy s gunboats lay in the Tensas river, only a few rods in advance. * * * I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JAMES J. GILBERT, Brigadier General, Commanding.
Report of Lieut. Col. H. P. Grant, Sixth Minnesota Infantry.
HDQRS. SIXTH MINNESOTA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY,
IN FIELD, ALABAMA, April 10, 1865. Lieut. W. G. DORMAN,
Acting Asst. Adjt. Gen., Second Brig., Second Div., Sixteenth Army Corps, LIEUTENANT: I have the honor to report that my regiment, in accordance with orders received April 9, 1865, broke camp at 4:30 P. M. and with one day s rations and no transportation took up the line of march for the position assigned to us in the assaulting column in front of the fortifications at Blakely, Ala., viz.: the left centre Second Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Army Corps. Our lines were advanced to within 1,700 yards of the enemy s works when I was or dered to remain with the reserve of the assaulting column. We remained in this position until after the charge was made, having received no orders to advance. A detachment of 250 officers and men were ordered to guard the prisoners cap tured by the brigade. I have the honor to report also, no casualties in the action. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. P. GRANT, Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding.
[TELEGRAM.]
WASHINGTON, April 7, 1865. Governor MILLER:
General Sheridan attacked and routed Lee s army yesterday, capturing Gen erals Ewell, Kershaw, Button, Corse, and many other general officers, several thousand prisoners and a large number of cannon, and expects to force Lee to surrender all that is left of his army. Details will be given speedily as possible, but the telegraph is working badly.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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Post by mdenney on Sept 2, 2007 15:49:57 GMT -5
630 OFFICIAL REPORTS AND CORRESPONDENCE.
[TELEGRAM.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 9, 1865 10 p. m. To Governor MILLER:
This department has just received the official report of the surrender, this day, of General Lee and his army, to General Grant, on the terms proposed by Gen eral Grant. The details will be given as speedily as possible.
E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War.
ST. PAUL, April 11, 1865. To Hon. E. M. STANTON,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. :
Tour war telegrams gratefully received. Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory.
STEPHEN MILLER, Governor of Minnesota.
INDEX,
INDEX.
PAGE
Abbeville, Miss., engagement at ...... . , 497
Abercrombie, Fort, siege of 187, 253
Acker, William H., resignation accepted 3
Act of the Legislature of Minnesota authorizing this volume. (See Introduction.) Adams, Charles Powell
Mentioned 372
Eeport of operations near Fort Abercrombie 544
Agencies, Indian
Lower Sioux, mentioned 167
Upper Sioux at Yellow Medicine 175
Alabama, operations in Southern 620-629
Allen s Farm, First Eegiment at 106
Allatoona, Ga., battle of. 561-567
Ames, Albert A.
Mentioned S20
Reports casualties Seventh Regiment, battle of Nashville 597
Anderson, Joseph, report of Birch Coolie 212, 213
Andrews, Christopher C. Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 341
West, J. R 443, 444
Mentioned 448
Opposes the surrender of the Third Regiment 119
Reports of
Instances of gallantry, Murfreesborough and Wood Lake 247-2^9
Vicksburg 343-346
Arkansas 379-383
Fitzhugh s Woods, or Augusta 432-435
Expedition up White River 439, 440
Camden Expedition 442-447
Scouts from Devall s Bluff. 570
Antietam, Md., battle of, Sept. 17, 1862 125-129
Arkansas, campaign of 379-383
Army Headquarters Correspondence with
Pope, John 258, 284
Sibley, Henry H 292
Artillery. (See organizations by number, " First Battery, " "Second Battery," etc.}
Atlanta, Ga., campaign of 508-521
634 INDEX.
PAGE
Augusta, Ark 432
Engagement near 432
Austin, Horace, mentioned 311
Averill, John T., mentioned 241, 297, 303
B.
Baird, Absalom, recommendation for promotion of officers of Second Regiment 514
Baker, E. D., mentioned 55, 56, 57, 58
Baker, Edward L., report of scout from Fort Heiman, Ky 337-340
Baker, James H.
Correspondence with
Wolcott, C. P 194
Mentioned 303
Eeports of
Big Mound 321
Stony Lake 322
Ball s Bluff, First Regiment in battle of. 48-63
Banks, Nathaniel P., mentioned 51, 58
Bannatyne, A. G. B., correspondence with Hatch, E. A. C 546
Barnett, James, report of battle of Stone s River 328
Barrett, Theodore H., mentioned 253
Barrick, Jesse, mentioned 337
Batesville, Ark., Third Regiment at 574
Battalion, First, of Infantry. (See "First" Battalion.)
Battery, presented to First Regiment 62-65
Baxter, Luther L., mentioned 141
Baxter, De Witt C., report of Mine Run 409-411
Baxter, William R., mentioned 303, 467
Beatty, John R., mentioned 393
Beaver, F. J. H., mentioned 315
Becht, John C. Reports of
Red River Campaign 423-426
LakeChicot 428
Casualties at Nashville 583, 584
Belknap, William W., report of Atlanta (First Battery) 522
Big Mound, battle of 299, 311, 313, 316, 321
Bingham, R. H., mentioned 588
Birch Coolie, battle of 212-223
Bishop, John F.
Mentioned 180
Report of Indian battle of Redwood 166-171
Bishop, Judson W.
Correspondence with
Miller, Stephen 514
Mentioned 14, 387, 406,513
Promotion recommended 613, 614
Reports of
Mission Ridge 400-404
Atlanta Campaign 508-512
Campaign of the Carolinas 609-612
Blakely, Ala., operations before 628, 629
Bowler, James M., mentioned 246
Boydton Road, First Battalion in battle of 567-569
INDEX. 635
Brackett, Alfred B. PAGE
Mentioned 528
Report of operations against the Sioux Indians 535
Braden, "W. W., mentioned 313
Bradley, George
Mentioned 303
Reports of
Nashville 595, 596
Mobile 627, 628
Brice s Cross-Roads, or Guntown, battle of. . 464-481
Bristoe Station, battle of 398-400
Brown, Joseph R. ? mentioned, 304
Buchanan, James, mentioned 248
Buell, Don Carlos
Correspondence with
O. M. Mitchell 112
Reports of
Mill Springs 88, 89
Murfreesborough 122, 123
Buford, Napoleon B. Reports of
Corinth 147
Operations from Helena, Ark 502
Bull Run
First Regiment in battle of. 21-29
Casualties 23, 24
Reports of
Gorman, Willis A 21-24
Franklin, William B , r 25, 26
Heintzelman, Samuel P 27
Burger, Emil A., report of Fort Abercrombie 253
Butler, Levi, report of sanitary condition of Sixth Regiment 492, 493
C.
Cairo, 111., Third Regiment detained at 340
Cameron, Simon, correspondence with Ramsey, Alexander 2, 6, 10, 12, 15, 16, 19, 42
Camp, George A.
Mentioned 528
Reports of
Indian Expedition , 543
Skirmish near Hookertown, N. C 617
Camp Release 254
Canby, Edward R. S., correspondence with Swift, Henry A 327
Carlin, William P., report of Stone s River .*. 328
Carolinas, campaign of 609-616
Cavalry
Organization of. 48
First Company in action at Lockridge s Mills 97
(See "First Mounted Rangers" and "Second Regiment of Cavalry."}
Champlin, Ezra T., report of Wood Lake 244-247
Champion Hills, Fourth Regiment at 346-359
Chancellorsville, battle of 334-336
Charlestown, W. Va., reconnaissance to 157
Chattanooga, battle of. 400
636 INDEX.
PAGE Chickamauga, battle of. ........................................................................................... 383-398
Chicot Lake, engagement at .................................................................................... 428
Chippewa Indians, trouble with ............................................................................... 195
Chute, Richard, letter from, to Alex. Ramsey ............................................................ 286
Cilley, Clinton A., mentioned .................................................................................. 393
Clayton, W. Z.
Mentioned ...................................................................................................... 92, 93
Reports of
Vicksburg ................................................................................................ 370
Atlanta ............................. , ....................................................................... 519, 520
Clergymen having pastoral charge exempt from draft ................................................... 223
Clothing for troops ....................................................................................... 12, 16, 17, 32-38
Cold Harbor, First Battalion Infantry at ................................................................... 459, 460
Colvill, William
Mentioned ...................................................................................................... 372
Reports of Chancellorsville ................................................................................ 334
Coates, Henry C., reports of Gettysburg ..................................................................... 372-375
Collins, Loren W., mentioned ................................................................................. 625
Cook, G. F., report of Pittsburgh Landing, or Shiloh ................................................... 94-96
Cook, Michael, mentioned ................................................................. .................... 598
Corinth
Battle of. ........................................................................................................ 143-151
Siege of ......................................................................................................... 99
Corse, John M., report of Allatoona ...................................................................... .... 564, 565
Corning, Edward, mentioned ................................................................................... 303
Couse, E. H., mentioned ......................................................................................... 588
Cox, E. St. Julien, mentioned ................................................................................. 206
Crittenden, Thomas T., report of affair of July 13, 1862, at Murfreesborough ................... 117
Crooks, William
Correspondence with
Miller, Stephen .......................................................................................... 504
Sibley, Henry H ........................................................................................ 269
Mentioned ....................................................................................................... 259, 303
Reports of
Big Mound ................................................................................................ 313
Stony Lake ............................................................................................... 314
Cross, William F., mentioned .................................................................................. 545
Crow, Little, death of ............................................................................................ 306
Dalton, Ga., demonstration on ............... , ................................................................. 421-423
Dana, Napoleon J. T., reports of Ball s Bluff ..................................... . ........................ 48-50
Davis, Jefferson C.
Correspondence with
Bishop, Judson W ...................................................................................... 615, 616
Reports of
Stone s River ...................................................................................... ...... 330
Chickamauga ............................................................................................. 396
Demonstration on Dalton ............................................................................. 421
Davis, John B., mentioned ............................................. ............................ 387
Davy, Peter B., mentioned ..................................................................................... 300
Dead Buffalo Lake, battle of. ....................................................................... 300, 311, 314, 318
Deserters, apprehension of..... 366
INDEX. 637
PAGE
Detail of infantry to artillery, objections against 140
Devall s Bluff, scouts from 570
d**e, William H., correspondence with Ramsey, Alexander 8
Donahower, Jeremiah C., letter from Chickamauga 388
Donnelly, Ignatius Correspondence with
Fremont, John C 48
Gorman, Willis A 9, 11, 17, 18
Meigs, Montgomery C 17, 18
Ramsey, Alexander 8, 12, 46
Van Cleve, Horatio P 46
War Department 19
Proclamation by 3
Doubleday, Abner, report of Antietam 132
Dowling, Edward, mentioned 596
Downie, Mark W., report of Bristoe Station 398
Draft ordered 201
Dreher, Otto, mentioned 570, 571
Dumeld, Henry M., mentioned 117
Duffield, William W., mentioned 116
Dwelle, Gad Merrill, mentioned 315
E.
Egan, James J., account of Birch Coolie 219-223
Edgerton, Alonzo J. Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 209
Mentioned 298, 313
Edson, James C., reports of Allatoona 563, 564
Edwards Ferry, mentioned 48
Eighth Regiment
Indian Expedition, 1884, against Sioux Indians 541-543
Overall s Creek 575
Murfreesborough 576-580
Campaign of the Carolinas 617
Eleventh Regiment, arrival at Nashville 607
Enlistment, appeal from War Department to encourage 80
Etheridge, F. B., correspondence with Miller, Stephen 507
Ezra Church, First Battery at 518
Execution of Sioux Indians , 292
Expeditions
Against Sioux Indians 282, 297
On White River 439
From La Grange, Tenn., to Oxford, Miss 497-501
F.
Fair Oaks, battle of. , 100-106
Farmington, Miss., battle of. 99
Farrell, Wilson B., mentioned 374
Farwell, James C. Reports of
Campaign of Richmond 460-463
Boydton Road 567-569
638 INDEX.
Fifth Regiment (Veteran) of Infantry PAGE
In battle of Farmington 99
luka 138
Corinth 146, 147
Eedwood 166-171
Fort Ridgley 171-186
Jackson, Miss 360
Assault on Vicksburg 361
Richmond, La 363
Red River Campaign 423-428
LakeChicot 428-431
Oxford (Miss.) Raid 497, 498
Nashville 580-585
Spanish Fort 621-623
First Battalion Infantry
Campaign of Richmond 460-462
BoydtonRoad 567-569
Hatcher s Run... 619
First Battery of Light Artillery
Goes to Missouri 68
Pittsburgh Landing 91-96
Corinth 151
Vicksburg 367-1171
Atlanta 517-522
First Company of Cavalry
Organization of 48
Ordered to St. Louis 66
At Fort Donelson 333
(See Brackctt s Battalion.) First Company of Sharpshooters
Antietam 131, 132
Rapidan to Petersburg 459, 460
Petersburg 569
First Regiment, Heavy Artillery, at Chattanooga 607, 608
First Regiment of Infantry
Mustered into the service 4
Bull Run 21-29
Report in regard to its clothing 32-38
Ball s Bluff 48
Presented with a battery 62-65
Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines 100, 101
Seven Days Battles 106
Antietam 125-129
Reconnaissance to Charlestown, W. Va 157
Fredericksburg 158-162
Chancellorsville 334-336
Gettysburg 372-379
Bristoe Station 393-400
Mine Run 409-412
First Regiment of Mounted Rangers, expedition against the Sioux Indians 311
Fitzhugh s Woods, or Augusta, Third Regiment 432-437
Flandrau, Charles E.
Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 165, 202, 211, 229, 284
Sibley, Henry H 197
Mentioned 196
Address to defenders of southern frontier 266
INDEX. 639
Flandrau, Chas. E. PAGE
Reports of Battle of New Ulm 203-208
Forrest, Nathan B. Reports of
First battle of Murfreesborough 120-122
Guntown, or Tishomingo Creek 476-479
Fredericksburg, battle of 158-162
Fort Abercrombie, siege of, 187, 253
FortBlakely, assault of 628, 629
Fort Donelson, First Company Cavalry in action near 333
FortHeiman, Ky., Third Regiment in scouts from 336-340
Fort Ridgley, siege of 171-186
Foster, Everett W.
Report of Fitzhugh s Woods 436, 437
Mentioned 571
Fourth Regiment (Veteran) of Infantry
In battle of luka 134-139
Corinth 143-145
Champion Hills, Jackson and Vicksburg 346-359
Chattanooga 407
Allatoona 561-567
Franklin, William B., report of Bull Run 25, 26
Freeman, Ambrose, mentioned 253, 303
French, A. P., mentioned 582
G.
Galbraith, Thomas J. Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 164
Sheehan, T. J 164
Thompson, Clark W , 163
George, James
Mentioned 393, 509
Reports of Chickamauga 383-388
George, S. A., mentioned 260
Gere, Thomas P., mentioned 173, 174
Gere, William B.
Mentioned 623
Report of Nashville 580-588
Gettysburg, First Regiment in battle of 372-379
Gilbert, James J. 3 report of Fort Blakely... 628-629
Gilfillan, James, mentioned 316
Gleason, Newell, report of Atlanta 512
Glendale, First Regiment in battle of. 109
Goodell, E. A., mentioned 312
Goodrich, Aaron, correspondence with Ramsey, Alexander 62
Gorman, James H., mentioned 171, 182
Gorman, Willis A.
Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 4, 5, 6, 28, 29, 30, 59
Mentioned .. 129
Reports of
Bull Run, July 21, 1861 21-24
Ball s Bluff. 50-52
Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines 101-104
Antietam .. 127-129
640 INDEX.
Grant, Hiram. P. PAGE Correspondence with
Miller, Stephen 505
Reports of
Birch Coolie 215-219*
FortBlakely, Ala 629
Grant, Ulysses S.
Mentioned 91, 96
Visit paid to 344
Greeley, Horace, letter from, to Governor Ramsey 13
Greeley, Moses R., reports casualties in battle of Wood Lake 243
Greene, Charles H., mentioned 248*
Griggs, Chauncey W. Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 340
Opposes surrender of Third Regiment 119
Resignation of. 346
Guntown, Miss., battle of. 464-481
H.
Haines Bluff, Miss., Third Regiment at 343
Hall, William, report of Atlanta 522
Halleck, Henry W., correspondence with Pope, John 258
Hamilton, Charles S., report of Corinth 15ft
Hanthingy, Winfield S. Correspondence with
Miller, Stephen 412, 413, 419, 420
Report of Gettysburg 379
Harrow, William, report of Gettysburg 378
Hatcher s Run, action near 619
Hatch, E. A. C.
Mentioned 523
Report of action near St. Joseph 545
Hausdorf, Charles F., report of Hatcher s Run 619
Hatch s Battalion of Cavalry, mentioned 544
Heath, Francis E., report of Bristoe Station 399
Heffelfinger, Christopher B., mentioned 373
Heg, Hans C., report of reconnaissance from Murfreesborough 333
Heintzelman, Samuel P., report of Bull Run 27
Helena, Ark.
Operations from , 501
Sixth Regiment 505-507
Hendricks, Mark, mentioned 242
Hewett, John M., Battery Kentucky Light Artillery, mentioned 118, 122
Hickenlooper, Andrew, report of Corinth 151
Hilton, Roscoe, mentioned 582
Hobart, Chauncey, reports condition of Third Regiment 115
Hoit, James B., opposes the surrender of the Third Regiment , 119
Hotchkiss, W T illiam A.
Mentioned 328-330,422
Reports of Chickamauga 394-396
Howard, Oliver O., reports of Antietam 129
Hubbard, Lucius F. Correspondence with
Malmros, Oscar 366
INDEX. 641
Hubbard, Lucius F. PACK
Mentioned 99, 604, 606,621
Promotion recommended 594
Eeports of
luka 138
Corinth 146, 147
Fifth Regiment in Indian War 173-193
Battles in Campaign of Vicksburg 359-364, 365
Richmond, La 363
Red River Campaign 426-428
LakeChicot 428-431
Oxford Raid 497
Nashville 589-594
Mobile 621-623
Hurter, Henry S. Reports of
Vicksburg 367-369
Atlanta 517-519
I.
Indians
Report by Captain Western of their depredations 40, 41
Hostilities by the Sioux 162-323, 522-560
Ireland, John, mentioned 141
Irvine, William N., mentioned 373
luka, battle of. 134-139
J.
Jackson, Miss.
Fourth Regiment 346-359
Fifth Regiment 360
Jacobus, Holder, mentioned 404
Jennison, Samuel P. Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander 42, 89
War Department 19
Mentioned 303, 598
Reports of
Guntown 488-490
Tupelo 488-490
Spanish Fort, or Mobile 626
Johnson, Andrew, telegram from 113
Johnston, Joseph E., mentioned , 344, 345
Jones, John
Mentioned 303, 537, 543
Report of Fort Ridgley 172
Jones, John R., correspondence with Ramsey, Alexander 252
Jonesboro, Ga., mentioned 511
Joslin, George C., report of Gettysburg 377
K.
Kammerling, Gustave, report of Mission Ridge 407
Kerr, Aaron H., mentioned , 467
Kiefer, Andrew R., mentioned 18
Killdeer Mountain, mentioned , 527
41
642 INDEX.
PAGE Kimball, Nathan, correspondence with Steele, Frederick ............................................. 438
King, Josias R., reports casualties of First Regiment at Antietam .................................. 126
Kinston, N. C., Eighth Regiment at .......................................................................... 617
Koethe, William C. F., mentioned ............................ . .............................................. 519, 520
Lake Chicot, Fifth Regiment at ................................................................................ 428-431
Lee, William R., report of reconnaissance to Charlestown, W. Va ................................. 157
Le Gro, Ebenezer, report of luka ............................................................................. 134
Leesbnrg, action near ............................................................................................. 53, 54
Lester, Henry C.
Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander .................................................................................... Ill, 114
Mentioned ..................................................................................................... 67
Reports of
Expedition to Pikeville ............................................................................... Ill
Condition of Third Regiment ..................................................................... 114
Battle of Murfreesborough .......................................................................... 116, 117
Light, Oliver P., report as chaplain of Seventh Regiment ............................................. 495
Lincoln, Abraham
Correspondence with
Ramsey, Alexander ..................................................................................... 110, 201
Pope, John ................................................................................................ 289
Sibley, Henry H ........................................................................................ 272
Little Crow
Mentioned ..................................................................... ., .......................... 183, 184, 246
Death of. ........................................................................................................ 306
Little Rock, Ark., Third Regiment at ....................................................................... 379
Lockridge Mills, Tenn., cavalry in action at ............................................................... 97, 98
Logan s Cross-Roads, Ky. (See Mitt Springs.}
Lowe, William W., mentioned ................................................................................. 98
Lower Sioux Agency, where located ......................................................................... 167
M.
McCook, Robert L., reports of Mill Springs .................................................. , ............ 82-84
Malmros, Oscar, correspondence with Flandrau, Charles E ............................... 210, 224, 231, 290
Malvern Hill, First Regiment in battle of. .................... ............................................. 109
Markham, William, mentioned ................................................................................ 466, 588
Marsh, John S., killed by Sioux Indians at Redwood .......................... ....................... 169
Marsh, Josiah F.
Mentioned ...................................................................................................... 623
Reports of
Guntown ....................................................................................... 464-468,480,497
Tupelo ............................................................................................... 485, 486, 497
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