Showing posts with label James H Wilson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James H Wilson. Show all posts

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: July 16, 1864

Bright and cool—the canopy assuming a brassy aspect from the drought.

Alack! all the rejoicings are checked, and the public seems to have been hoaxed by the officer who reported that a Washington paper of the 13th inst. contained an account of the surrender of Baltimore to the Confederate States forces. The paper of that date, it appears, contains nothing of the kind, or else the account has been suppressed, to subserve some military purpose. But our people bear the disappointment well, not doubting but success will ultimately come.

There is a rumor that we sank two of the enemy's transports today in James River.

An immense mass of letters, etc.—175 bags—has just come in; the first mail matter that has arrived from beyond the breaks in the Danville Railroad, perpetrated by Wilson's raiders.

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 249-50

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: July 2, 1864

Hot and dry.

A dispatch from Gen. Lee (will be published on Monday) says Gen. Beauregard reports the number of prisoners taken from Wilson's south side raiding party about 1000, besides the killed and wounded, and several hundred negroes recaptured, 13 guns, many small arms, wagons, etc. It is said the killed and wounded amount to 1500, of whom there are not exceeding 300 of the latter, leaving 1200 killed.

Gen. Morgan has got back to Western Virginia with 1800 men, having lost but 200. He did not fight a battle with Gen. Burbridge at all; hence the Federal account of Morgan's defeat was without foundation. Morgan will probably soon be in Maryland and Pennsylvania, attending to the enemy's railroads, bridges, mills, etc. The President said (so reported) to Dr. Garnett, yesterday, he hoped to hear of no more raids, since the last fared so badly.

I drank two cups of coffee this morning, which seem to have had an extraordinary effect upon my strength, activity, and spirits; and indeed the belief that the discontinuance of the use of this beverage, about two years ago, may have caused the diminution of all. I am, and have long been, as poor as a church mouse. But the coffee (having in it sugar and cream) cost about a dollar each cup, and cannot be indulged in hereafter more than once a week. We had also boiled beans to-day, followed by fritters, the cherries from our garden, with sugar-sauce. This the family consider a sumptuous dinner—with no meat!

SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2p. 242-3

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 204. — Report of Bvt. Brig. Gen. John H. Hammond, commanding First Brigade, Seventh Division, of operations December 15-27, 1864.

No. 204.

Report of Bvt. Brig. Gen. John H. Hammond,
commanding First Brigade, Seventh Division, of operations December 15-27, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SEVENTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,        
Camp Near Sugar Creek, Tenn., December 27, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report, that my command left Nashville on the afternoon of December 15, 1864, and encamped near the Granny White pike. On the 16th retired to Hillsborough pike, where the Ninth Indiana was sent to support of the Fourteenth Ohio Battery in an attack on the front and right. About noon moved to the Granny White pike, and crossing it occupied a hill on our extreme right, and well on the left flank of the enemy. In this the Tenth Indiana did some fighting and lost killed and wounded. Our position was maintained with considerable fighting, in which the whole brigade participated, until about 5 p.m., when, under orders from General Knipe, a line was formed and a charge made on our right, not finding any enemy. On the 17th, at daybreak, the brigade moved to the Franklin pike, the Nineteenth Pennsylvania in advance, and engaged the enemy, driving him in confusion, and taking prisoners, to Hollow Tree Gap, six miles from Franklin. Seeing the strength of the position and finding our men falling back in some confusion, I moved with what men I could collect to the left, by a pass leading to the enemy's rear, and sent several messengers to General Knipe, informing him of this and asking him to make a show in front and send me what force he could spare. I reached a strong position in the enemy's rear, but no re-enforcement arriving was compelled to return. Part of the Tenth Indiana Cavalry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Gresham, captured in this movement 2 flags, 2 colonels, 2 lieutenant-colonels, 1 major, a number of line officers, and 110 enlisted men, mostly Louisiana troops. On returning I found that General Knipe had been repulsed in an attack on the gap, losing 22 killed and wounded and 63 captured from the Tenth Indiana and Nineteenth Pennsylvania. The enemy having retreated we followed rapidly, the Ninth Indiana in advance, to near Franklin, and drove the enemy across the river into the town, capturing, it is reported, 2 stand of colors and near 200 prisoners. In this charge we lost three fine officers, among whom was Captain Hobson, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, a man remarkable for the prompt discharge of his duties and his bravery. He is a great loss to the service. The Ninth Indiana was supported by the Tenth Indiana and Fourth Tennessee, but the first regiment deserves the principal credit of the charge and success. General Hatch's command arriving soon after, the Fourth Tennessee was pushed over the river and through the town, gaining a position in the enemy's rear. Being joined by the remainder of the brigade we moved first to the Lewisburg and then to the Franklin pike, and about 4 p.m. engaged the enemy on the right of General Hatch's division. Soon after, under orders from General Wilson, the command moved on the enemy's left, and just after dark attacked in the rear on the pike. At first successful, we inflicted heavy loss and took many prisoners, but in the darkness part of the command mistook the road, and the enemy, abandoning his artillery, brought his infantry up, and we were compelled to retire. In this attack the Tenth Indiana led and was supported by the Ninth Indiana. Both suffered, but are repaid in the knowledge that this attack caused the abandonment of four cannon by the enemy.

On the 18th the command moved through fields to near Spring Hill; on the 19th, to Rutherford's Creek; on the 23d crossed Duck River; 24th marched through fields on the right of General Croxton; 25th, moved on the right, and was ordered to support Colonel Harrison in an attack on Anthony's Hill. The Seventh Ohio Cavalry breaking to the rear, cut my column in two just as the Fourth Tennessee, my regiment in advance, had successfully gone into action, driving the enemy into his works; and the enemy was for a time between my led horses and the remainder of the command. I was obliged to withdraw the Fourth Tennessee to save the horses. When remounted, being joined by part of the Second Tennessee, we attacked the enemy in flank and drove him into his works again, holding the position until ordered away. The remainder of the brigade went into action by order of General Wilson and attacked along with General Hatch's division. The Fourth Tennessee reached the enemy's [works] in time to see him in retreat. The next morning, moving in pursuit at a rapid pace, the Second Tennessee, Lieutenant-Colonel Cook commanding, in advance, we drove the enemy out of his position five miles from Anthony's Hill, and pushed the rear guard back on the main body, posted in a strong position on the south bank of Sugar Creek. A spirited action followed, in which the Second Tennessee, supported by the Fourth, drove the enemy into his works. A charge was made in turn by two columns of infantry, with cavalry in the center, driving us back about 300 yards across the creek, where we rallied and drove them back to their works, holding the position until the afternoon, when the Fourteenth Ohio Battery shelled their rear guard out of log-works commanding the road, and pursuit was continued to this place.

During this campaign I have had continual occasion to admire the bravery of both officers and men, and to lament want of discipline. The brigade is composed of detachments of regiments unacquainted with each other, but has exhibited evidence of material for a fine command. The personal bravery of Captain Smith, Nineteenth Pennsylvania; Lieutenant Claiborn, Tenth Indiana, and Lieutenant Owings, Ninth Indiana, I have had opportunities of noticing, and, although many are no doubt as deserving as they, I can call attention to them from personal observation.

The regiments claim as follows: Ninth Indiana, 4 commissioned officers, 263 enlisted men prisoners, and 2 colors; Tenth Indiana, 15 officers and 185 enlisted men, 2 colors; Second Tennessee, 2 officers and 18 enlisted men; Fourth Tennessee, 30 enlisted men prisoners; Nineteenth Pennsylvania, 242 enlisted men prisoners and 1 color. Captain Huston, division provost-marshal, having received everything captured until December 18, can judge as to the strength of these claims.

For casualties, see the report of Doctor Culbertson, brigade surgeon, already forwarded, on which I prefer to rely, as his report embraces only those disabled; regimental reports show all hurt.

Prisoners captured since December 18, 25, turned over by Captain Huyett, provost-marshal, to Major Young, provost-marshal of the corps.

My acting assistant adjutant-general, Lieutenant Payne, Ninth Indiana, and Lieutenant Branham, Tenth Indiana, and Lieutenant Allen, Nineteenth Pennsylvania, showed great energy and bravery. Payne and Branham have been very bold in action, and Lieutenant Allen captured a color, received from him by General Knipe.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. HAMMOND,        
Brevet Brigadier-General.
Capt. FRANK REEDER,
        Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 606-8

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 201. — Report of Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, commanding First Brigade, of operations December 25, 1864.

No. 201.

Report of Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana Cavalry,
commanding First Brigade, of operations December 25, 1864.

HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., SIXTH DIV., CAVALRY CORPS,                
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,        
Near Sugar Creek, Tenn., December 27, 1864.

CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that on the 25th instant this brigade had the advance in pursuit of the enemy, moving out of camp ten miles north of Pulaski at 5 a.m. The enemy's rear guard was struck about two miles from the camp, when active skirmishing commenced. The Fifth Iowa Cavalry was in advance, drove the enemy from every position, and when near Pulaski charged gallantly through the town, saving the covered bridge across Richland Creek, which the enemy had fired, and which he was attempting to hold with a heavy force until destroyed. I immediately ordered two guns in position and deployed a force along the creek, obliging the enemy to withdraw. Crossing the bridge I followed up the pursuit rapidly, dislodging the enemy from strong positions, until reaching the head of a narrow gorge, some seven miles from Pulaski, where the enemy had taken position on a high hill behind strong barricades. His position was admirably selected, being hidden from view by heavy timber until within a few feet of it. Supposing that the enemy would retire from this position, as he had from others on a flank movement from us, I deployed the Seventh Ohio Cavalry on the right and the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry on the left of the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, all dismounted. These regiments moved upon the enemy most gallantly, when suddenly he opened from a masked battery of three guns and charged over his works, in two lines of infantry with a column of cavalry, down the main road. Before this overpowering force my men were obliged to fall back about half a mile, when we checked the enemy, and, receiving support, drove him back.

I regret to state that Company I, Fourth U.S. Artillery, were obliged to abandon one gun and limber at this time. The battery had been placed in position by General Wilson's order. The stand made by the enemy at this point was to save his train, as we had driven his rear guard sharp upon it. From prisoners I learn that this rear guard consisted of seven brigades of infantry and one division—Jackson's—of cavalry, all under General Forrest. In the hasty evacuation of Pulaski the enemy threw two cannon into the creek, burned a locomotive and train of five cars loaded with arms and ammunition, and it is reported he left near town two locomotives in good order. For six miles below Pulaski the road was strewn with abandoned artillery ammunition, and burning and abandoned wagons. I think he saved some twenty wagons entire.

We captured during the day 1 captain, 2 lieutenants, and some 50 or 60 men, also some 150 wounded at Pulaski.

Our casualties, mostly from the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, consisted of 3 killed, 18 wounded, and 5 missing. In charging the bridge at Pulaski the Fifth Iowa Cavalry lost 3 killed and 3 wounded.

Brevet Major-General Wilson expressed himself much pleased with the operations of the brigade during the day. The officers and men of the brigade behaved admirably; they are men who can be relied upon.

T. J. HARRISON,        
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Capt. E. T. WELLS,
        Assistant Adjutant-General.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 603

Friday, October 22, 2021

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 200. — Report of Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson, U. S. Army, commanding Sixth Division, of operations November 24-December 19, 1864.

No. 200.

Report of Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson, U. S. Army,
commanding Sixth Division, of operations November 24-December 19, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS SIXTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,        
Edgefield, Tenn., December 24, 1864.

MAJOR: In accordance with military usage, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the cavalry under my command during the recent and still pending campaign against the enemy in Middle Tennessee:

It may be proper for me to premise that when I assumed command of this division, on the 24th day of November, near Columbia, I found present only Capron's old brigade of the Cavalry Division, Army of the Ohio, composed of the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Illinois Regiments and Eighth Michigan Cavalry, numbering in the aggregate about 800 mounted men, poorly armed and equipped, and I regret to say considerably demoralized by an unsuccessful campaign of some duration against an enemy superior to them in numbers, mount, and equipment. On this same day the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, Maj. J. Morris Young commanding, about 500 strong, reported to me, and on the day following Brigadier-General Croxton, with his fine brigade of the First Cavalry Division, was also placed under my command. Of the operations of General Croxton's brigade during the short time he was under my command I shall not attempt particularly to speak, though I desire to observe that upon all occasions both General Croxton and the officers and soldiers of his command conducted themselves in a manner becoming the high reputation which both he and they deservedly enjoy.

Early in the afternoon of the 24th, the infantry having arrived at Columbia, my troops were, by order of Brevet Major-General Wilson, withdrawn to the north side of Duck River and encamped directly opposite Columbia. I lay at this place until the evening of the 25th, picketing the river below Columbia as far down as Williamsport, and sending scouts across the river above, in the direction of Lewisburg. On the 25th I removed Croxton's brigade to Caldwel's house, six miles above Columbia, on the road to Raleigh [Rally] Hill. Capron's brigade, to which the Fifth Iowa had been temporarily assigned, was sent to take post on the Lewisburg pike at the crossing of Duck River, with instructions to scout toward Shelbyville and Lewisburg, and to picket the fords as far down as Huey's Mill. Croxton established a strong picket at Huey's Mill, which lay directly south of his camp, and also relieved the pickets from Capron's brigade at the fords below Columbia. In this position I lay until the 27th [28th]. On the morning of that day it became apparent, from the reports of my pickets, that the enemy were making preparations to force the passage of the river at Huey's Mill, at the Lewisburg pike, and at many intermediate fords. At 1 o'clock of this day, under orders from Brevet Major-General Wilson, I moved with Croxton's brigade for Hurt's house, on the Lewisburg pike, at the same time sending orders to Colonel Harrison, whom I then supposed to be in command of my First Brigade (Capron's), to fall back to that point. The head of my column reached the Lewisburg turnpike just after night-fall in time to find the Seventh Ohio Cavalry and detachments of the other regiments of Capron's brigade retiring in the direction of Franklin. Understanding the enemy to be in pursuit I directed Colonel Garrard, Seventh Ohio Cavalry, to send out one company to hold them in check, formed Croxton's brigade across the pike and sent orders to Colonel Capron to halt, reorganize, and form his troops. The enemy, however, did not come on, and later in the evening the Fifth Iowa Cavalry and the greater part of the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, from whom Colonel Capron had been cut off by the enemy, came into camp, having gallantly charged through the superior force of the enemy, which had interposed itself between them and the rest of the command.

On the 28th [29th] we fell back, contesting the ground with the enemy's cavalry, across Harpeth River to the road from Franklin to Triune, where we camped for the night near Matthews' house, picketing the river at Davis', Henderson's, and Hughes' Fords. On the morning of the 29th [30th] the Fifth Iowa Cavalry was detached pursuant to orders of Major-General Schofield, and sent to picket the right of the army; they did not rejoin me until we reached Nashville. Croxton's brigade was posted on the immediate left of the infantry, covering the Lewisburg turnpike. General Hatch's division was interposed between him and my First Brigade, of which on this day Col. Thomas J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, under orders from Brevet Major-General Wilson, assumed command. Late in the afternoon of this day occurred the battle of Franklin. For the gallant part taken by General Croxton's brigade I respectfully refer to his report. Colonel Harrison's brigade held the extreme left and was not engaged. On the 30th [December 1] we retired by the dirt road north to Mayfield's house, near Brentwood, thence across the country to the Nolensville pike, and camped for the night on Mill Creek near the Widow Harris'.

On the morning of the 1st [2d] of December we retired to Nashville, and later in the day crossed the river and encamped in Edgefield. The week of rest allowed us here was assiduously devoted to recuperating and shoeing the horses of the command, pressing new ones from the surrounding country, refitting the command in respect to clothing, camp and garrison equipage, of which they stood in great need, and exchanging the infantry arms, with which the regiments of Capron's old brigade had been encumbered, for carbines. In these labors I was efficiently assisted by Colonel Harrison, commanding First Brigade, and by his regimental commanders. In spite of the proverbial inefficiency of the ordnance department, Colonel Harrison, by untiring efforts, succeeded in procuring sabers sufficient to arm all his regiments; Burnside carbines for the Fourteenth and Sixteenth Illinois Regiments, and revolvers for the Eighth Michigan. In the matter of horses we were not quite so fortunate—the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, which was sent to Hopkinsville, Ky., procured a full remount for themselves; the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, which during our stay in Edgefield was stationed at Hyde's Ferry to watch the river in that direction, procured eighteen horses from the country in their rear; the other regiments perhaps twenty horses altogether. By dismounting the Eighth Michigan and Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry, however, pursuant to orders from Brevet Major-General Wilson, I was able to efficiently mount the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry and Seventh Ohio Cavalry. My mounted troops I placed under command of Colonel Harrison and my dismounted regiments under command of Col. James Biddle, Sixth Indiana Cavalry, who, on the 7th of December, joined me with his regiment dismounted, so that when offensive operations began I moved with one brigade mounted, composed of the Fifth Iowa, Seventh Ohio, and Sixteenth Illinois Regiments, commanded by Colonel Harrison, with an aggregate strength of 1,340, and a dismounted brigade, composed of the Sixth Indiana and Fourteenth Illinois Regiments, commanded by Col. James Biddle, of an aggregate strength of 759. The Eighth Michigan Cavalry, being armed with only pistols and sabers, and the Third Tennessee Cavalry, which reported to me on the 13th of December, for the most part without arms (their arms having been taken away from them by order of Brigadier-General Hammond, upon their return to my division from his brigade, with which they had been serving), I left in camp at Nashville.

On the morning of the 12th of December, in accordance with orders from the brevet major-general commanding corps, we broke camp, classed the river, and moved to the vicinity of Heiferman's house, near the Charlotte pike; there we remained in bivouac during the two following days.

At 4 o'clock on the morning of the 15th of December, in accordance with Special Orders, No. 3, from corps headquarters, I broke camp and moved on the Charlotte pike to the exterior line of fortifications, which I found occupied by McArthur's division of General A. J. Smith's corps. My orders required me to advance upon the enemy at 6 a.m., but as General McArthur's troops did not get in motion until long past this hour, and when their movement began advanced at first on the precise line by which I was directed to move, and as the orders contemplated a simultaneous attack, both by the infantry and cavalry, all along the line, my division covering the right and rear of the movement, I was delayed for several hours beyond the time designated. It was about 11 o'clock, as nearly as I can remember, that I received a message from Major-General Wilson, through a staff officer, notifying me that everything was in readiness for the attack, and directing me to advance. In order to answer the fire of a battery, which the movements of General McArthur's troops had previously developed on the commanding heights beyond Richland Creek, I had previously posted two pieces of Lieutenant Smith's battery in position near Douglass' house in the low ground on this side of the creek. I at first ordered Colonel Biddle to advance with his regiments deployed across the pike, and with a strong skirmish line covering his front to cress the creek, drive in the enemy's skirmishers, and assault the enemy's barricades on the crest of the ridge beyond, Harrison to hold himself in readiness to follow up Biddle's attack with his mounted brigade. But the movements of the dismounted cavalry were so slow, owing, I suppose, partly to their being unused to maneuver as infantry, partly to the difficulty in crossing the creek, and partly to their sabers, which the commanding officer of the Fourteenth Illinois Cavalry had, with a singular shortsightedness, permitted his men to bring with them, that I finally ordered Harrison to pass the dismounted brigade and attack the enemy with all possible energy. My order was executed with commendable celerity. The Fifth Iowa dismounted and engaged the skirmishers sharply in the neighborhood of the pike, finally crossing the creek and driving them from their covert, while the Sixteenth Illinois Cavalry, passing to their left, crossed the creek and charged mounted up the long slope to the ridge upon which the enemy's battery and dismounted men in barricades were posted. The object of this charge was to capture this battery, or, at least, to disperse the supports and shoot down the horses before the guns could be moved, in which case I confidently anticipated the guns would fall into our hands, even though the charge should be repelled by a counter-charge. I never saw a charge more gallantly made or more persistently pressed than this. It failed only by a few moments. Major Beeres, commanding, came upon a stone wall, over which he could not leap his horses. The delay necessary to pull it down sufficed for the enemy to limber up and move the guns, which they incontinently did, the cavalry which had been supporting them also mounting and riding away in haste. A few prisoners, however, fell into our hands. The enemy, retiring by the pike, made a second stand near Cochran's house, from which, however, Harrison hustled them with amusing celerity, and drove him rapidly to Davidson's house. Here, along the ridge beyond a little creek which empties into the Cumberland this side of Davidson's and opposite Bell's Mill, the enemy took up a strong position, his left resting upon the river and his line stretching some distance across the pike; his artillery posted near the house swept the bridge and the pike beyond it, and his dismounted men, strongly posted in barricades, which I suppose he had previously constructed with a view to such an emergency, commanded at close range all the crossings of the creek. Harrison's men, in the energy of his pursuit not observing, or at least not appreciating, the advantages of the enemy's position, attempted to follow the enemy's rear directly into his works, and in this too gallant effort one company of the Seventh Ohio was roughly handled, losing one man seriously wounded, and several captured, including Lieutenant Little, the commanding officer. Our advance being stayed by this repulse, the enemy opened a sharp fire from his battery, doing us, however, no damage. This continued until I brought up Lieutenant Smith with his battery, who, taking position near the pike, soon closed out his rebel adversary. I had now accomplished the limit of the day's work assigned me, but there being still some hour or two of daylight left, I was determined not to give the enemy rest if it could be avoided. Colonel Harrison reported, and my own observation justified his opinion, that the enemy's position was too strong to be carried by my small command, prisoners reporting Chalmers' whole division to be in our front. I had strong hopes, however, that if I could obtain the co-operation of General Croxton's brigade I might capture the enemy's guns, and, if he should make too determined a stand, perhaps a good part of his force. I was encouraged to think by an officer who came to me from General Croxton that the condition of things in his front might permit this, and I accordingly maneuvered my troops so as to attract the attention of the enemy to me, while Croxton, who was now a long distance to my left and rear, should comply with a request which I sent him to close up on my left and swing around so as to envelop the enemy's right and cut him off from the Charlotte pike, which here bears considerably to the south—that is, toward the enemy's right. In this way I hoped we might double him back upon the river, when I felt sure we should make short work of him. In the meantime I sent an officer to notify the commander of one of the gun-boats which lay in the river above my right that by dropping down to near Bell's Mills he might enfilade the rebel line; this information he speedily took advantage of and the tremendous discharges of his heavy guns contributed largely, I doubt not, to the already serious demoralization of the enemy. I was disappointed, however, in my anticipations of General Croxton's aid. I was informed late in the evening that orders from Brevet Major-General Wilson prevented his complying with my request. I learned this when it was too late to make other dispositions in time to follow up my advantage in case my attack should succeed, and accordingly, after throwing my mounted men to my left, I went into bivouac, ordering everything to be in readiness for movement by 4 o'clock on the following morning, and instructing Colonel Harrison, with the first break of day, to execute the movement which I had requested General Croxton to make. I must not neglect to mention that in this day's operations we captured near fifty horses, so rapidly were our lines advanced.

At break of day on the following morning Harrison advanced, as I had instructed him, only to find the enemy's works abandoned. I pushed Harrison forward on the road by which he had retreated, moving with Harrison and the battery myself, and ordering Colonel Biddle to follow with his dismounted brigade and my ammunition train of four wagons, We marched down the Charlotte pike near a mile; there following the enemy's trail we diverged by a dirt road to the left, crossing the Hardin pike at the brick church, nine miles from Nashville. From there, following the valley of the Little Harpeth, I reached the Hillsborough pike about 2 p.m., where, posted on the ridges north of Murray's house, we found the enemy in some force and with artillery, which they opened upon us. The first round from Lieutenant Smith's guns, however, silenced their battery, and at our first advance they retired, after exchanging a few shots with our skirmishers, their main force by the road east toward the Franklin pike, and a few down the Hillsborough pike toward Harpeth River. On reaching the pike I found a brigade of General Knipe's division upon it in my rear, and, having had no communication with the brevet major-general commanding the corps during the day, I halted and dispatched a messenger to notify him of my whereabouts and to request instructions. At nightfall the messenger not having returned, and General Knipe's troops being still in the position in which I found them, I went into bivouac, covering the pike and the cross-road by which the enemy had retreated. In our haste to overtake the enemy, on discovering their evacuation of the position they had taken at Davidson's, we left behind us a battery of six guns abandoned by the enemy. They were afterward discovered, as I am informed, by the forces of the gun-boat flotilla and sent into Nashville. I submit that I am entitled to claim these as the capture of my division.

On the morning of the 17th I moved at 4 o'clock in the morning down the Hillsborough pike, driving the enemy's pickets, whom we found in barricades on the ridges beyond Brown's Creek; forded the Harpeth River, and moved by the dirt road past Moore's and Davis' into Franklin, where I struck the flank of the rebel rear guard of cavalry, who were there posted to prevent the passage of the river by General Knipe's division, which had advanced down the Franklin turnpike. On discovering my approach they immediately withdrew their artillery, and as my skirmishers advanced they retired precipitately down the Columbia pike to the high ridges south of the town. Here there fell into our hands all of the rebel and our own wounded of the late battle of Franklin, besides some 17,000 rations. The Seventh Ohio Cavalry, charging through the town, captured some fifty of the enemy's rear guard, and would have pressed the pursuit farther had I not sent them word to stop. Passing from my right over to the Columbia pike, I found Brigadier-General Knipe with his advance, which had followed my charge through the town. On conferring with him it was agreed that he should continue his advance by the Columbia pike, while I took the Carter's Creek pike to the right of this. Accordingly, I moved down the latter pike, three miles and a half, to Reams' house, and from there sent Harrison with the Fifth Iowa by a cross-road to strike the right of the enemy's rear guard, which I judged from the sound to be heavily engaged with General Knipe. The enemy retired so rapidly, however, that this attempt failed, and, Harrison returning, we bivouacked two regiments and artillery at Reams', the Fifth Iowa three miles farther from the pike. On the following morning, starting at 5 a.m., I moved down the Carter's Creek pike to —— house, and from there by the dirt road east into Spring Hill, coming up here, as at Franklin, just in time to turn the enemy's flank and compel him to retire precipitately before the forces advancing down the main pike. Here, together with the Fifth and Seventh Divisions of the corps, I halted by order of Brevet Major-General Wilson to await rations, and on the day following I returned with my dismounted regiments to this place to remount them.

For the subsequent operations of Colonel Harrison's brigade I most respectfully refer to the report of that officer.

I will forward at an early day a list of casualties, which cannot be furnished at this time for the want of the subreports.

I cannot close my report without expressing my deep regret that the corps commander should have ordered my two best regiments transferred to another divisions, while I received in their place one dismounted regiment, not distinguished for its efficiency.

The campaign, though short, called for great endurance on the part of officers and men; long, tedious marches in cold and constant rains were endured without a murmur, and it is a pleasure, as well as a duty, for me to report that both officers and men did their duty nobly.

To the energy and gallantry of Col. Thomas J. Harrison much of our success is due. No colonel in the army has a more brilliant record, and I hope he may receive his well-earned promotion at an early day. Col. Israel Garrard, Lieutenant-Colonel Baird, and Major Beeres deserve especial mention for their good conduct and able management of their regiments.

To the officers of my staff' my thanks are due. Capt. E. T. Wells, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. T. F. Allen, inspector; Capt. J. J. Kessler, provost-marshal; Lieuts. L. T. Morris and W. R. Lowe, aide-de-camp, and Lieutenant McKee, ordnance officer, were distinguished here, as on many other fields, for their devotion to duty and gallantry in the discharge of the same. Chief Surgeon Train was always on hand, and through his energy and zeal our wounded were well and promptly attended to.

Respectfully submitted.
R. W. JOHNSON,        
Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Commanding Division.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
        Assistant Adjutant-General, Cavalry Corps.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 597-602

Monday, October 18, 2021

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 196. — Report of Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch, U.S. Army, commanding Fifth Division, of operations October 29-December 27, 1864

No. 196.

Report of Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch, U.S. Army,
commanding Fifth Division, of operations October 29-December 27, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS FIFTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,        
Athens, Ala., January 6, 1865.

In compliance with orders from Maj. Gen. O. O. Howard, my command, then known as the First Division, Cavalry Corps, West Tennessee, left Clifton, Tenn., on the morning of the 29th of October to join his command in the field at Rome, Ga. Reached Pulaski on the morning of November 1, 1864, when I was ordered by Major-General Thomas to halt and report to Major-General Stanley, at Pulaski. Reported to Major-General Stanley on the morning of November 2. Was ordered by him to proceed toward Florence, and then take command of all the cavalry in that neighborhood and obtain information of the enemy's movements; to move from Pulaski on the 4th of November. Marched by the way of Lexington, opening communication with Brigadier-General Croxton, and on the 5th of November, 3 p.m., struck the enemy's cavalry thirteen miles from Florence, on the military road. After considerable skirmishing drove the enemy across Shoal Creek to a point nine miles from Florence. On the 6th of November established my lines in front of Florence, making Shoal Creek the line, Brigadier-General Croxton holding the left and fifteen miles of the Tennessee River.

On the 9th of November attacked enemy at all points, driving in his pickets, and in Colonel Coon's front, who commanded the Second Brigade Cavalry, drove the enemy's infantry out of rifle-pits, capturing the heights on the south of Shoal Creek, developing the fact the enemy had one corps on the north side of the river, with one division of cavalry. Until the 13th daily attacking the enemy's pickets, developing the fact that his force was increasing on the north side of the Tennessee River, and that Hood was undoubtedly advancing his entire army to the north side.

On the 13th and 14th, having ascertained undoubtedly Hood would move with his army north, chopped in all the gorges leading to the crossing of Shoal Creek with timber, and otherwise obstructing the roads. Skirmishing daily until the 19th of November, when I learned Forrest was moving up the west side of Shoal Creek. Moved nearly my entire command by the right flank. Colonel Coon, commanding the Second Brigade of Cavalry, met Forrest's command after crossing the creek to the west side, and after a severe fight was obliged that night to recross the creek, the day's fight resulting in the capture of a few prisoners from the enemy and the headquarters trains of Chalmers' and Buford's divisions. This also developed the fact that Hood's entire army was moving north, the heads of his infantry corps making their appearance before Colonel Coon's brigade was withdrawn. On the morning of the 20th of November concentrated my forces on Lexington, and on the 21st marched to Lawrenceburg. At daylight of the 22d the enemy attacked my pickets. We held the town all day, repulsing all charges of the enemy's dismounted cavalry, and from 3 p.m. until dark under a fire of twelve pieces of artillery. The enemy, gradually turning my right flank, fell back that night one mile on the Pulaski road. On the morning of the 23d fell back on the Pulaski pike nine miles, where Croxton's brigade, which had been in reserve the day before, became engaged with the enemy in force and gallantly held them until 8 o'clock that night, and then joined the command on the Campbellsville road.

On the morning of the 24th of November marched five miles to Campbellsville, where we became engaged with Jackson's, Buford's, and Chalmers' divisions of cavalry. After much severe fighting the enemy's infantry making its appearance forced me to move by the left flank toward Lynnville. In the first part of the engagement the First Brigade, composed of the Third Illinois, Twelfth Missouri, and Seventh Illinois Cavalry, whipped Buford's division, turning his left and driving the division two miles in confusion onto infantry supports. In falling back on Lynnville the Ninth Illinois Cavalry was left to hold the gorge in the hills. The regiment was commanded by Captain Harper, of same regiment, who repeatedly repulsed the enemy. The last charge was met—when the regiment was out of ammunition—with the butts of his carbines, and the enemy repulsed, though the company in the center, of twenty-five men, had 14 men killed while fighting in line. This gave me time to throw my command in position at Lynnville, at 4 p.m., where the enemy's attacks were in every instance repulsed, and he ceased to attack at 8 o'clock in the evening, when I moved up, in compliance with orders from Major-General Wilson, to Columbia.

In reorganizing the cavalry command I received the addition of three regiments, and was known as the Fifth Division, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi.

On the 28th the enemy attacked my camp near Columbia, were repulsed, when I was ordered by Major-General Wilson to move to the Lewisburg pike. On the 29th, when falling back toward Franklin, was ordered to relieve Croxton's brigade, then fighting in the rear; was thrown into position at Mount Carmel, where the enemy made two charges and were repulsed with a heavy loss and gave up the attack, when I was ordered by Major-General Wilson to fall back toward Franklin, which was done under considerable light skirmishing in the rear. Crossed Harpeth River that night.

At 3 p.m. on the 30th of November, Jackson's and Buford's divisions appearing in my front, I was ordered by Major-General Wilson to carry the hills in my front and push the enemy back. My command at this time consisted of Colonel Coon's brigade, the Third Illinois Cavalry, and three companies of the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. The hills were very abrupt, and the enemy had possession of all but one, and were then well round on my left flank. The men of my command dismounted, the line moved forward to the foot of the hills, when the order was given to charge, the men going over them in great spirit. Giving the command a moment to breathe, we again charged, when the enemy broke in confusion, and at 7 o'clock in the evening we had driven them over Harpeth River, from two to three miles distant from our first line of battle. On the same day the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, of my command, had a severe skirmish near Spring Hill. They joined the command that night in time to participate in the battle at Franklin.

December 1, marched toward Nashville, Colonel Stewart's brigade having severe fighting in the rear, near Brentwood. On the 2d of December reached Nashville; camped on the north side of the river.

On 12th of December crossed the Cumberland and moved out on the Charlotte pike. On the 15th was ordered by Major-General Wilson to move out to the attack dismounted, with the exception of one regiment in each brigade mounted, my left to rest on the right of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith's corps and to conform to the movements of the infantry. As the line moved forward I discovered a line of rifle-pits and barricades, when the First Brigade, Colonel Stewart, was ordered to charge, which he did gallantly, carrying the rifle-pits and driving the enemy down the Hardin road, when Colonel Spalding, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, was ordered to charge mounted, driving the enemy in confusion, capturing a wagon train and forty-three prisoners. The Second Brigade had then changed its front, wheeling as the infantry swung to the left, while I was obliged to advance Stewart's brigade, with same front I moved out with, to push the enemy back from my right flank; when he had accomplished this, to move his brigade by the left flank, on the right and rear of the Second Brigade, which had continued to move forward, conforming to the wheeling of the infantry to the left, and thus found my Second Brigade on the flank of the first redoubt of four guns. Putting Battery I, First Illinois Light Artillery, attached to my division, in position, I opened with the guns and ordered Colonel Coon, the Second Brigade, to advance, retaining the fire of the men until within 300 yards of the redoubt. Charged the infantry supports, firing; the supports broke, and the redoubt was carried. Lieutenant Budd, of the Second Iowa Cavalry, was the first man in the fort, the second was my adjutant, Lieutenant Colvin, of the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry. On obtaining possession of the redoubt, while my men were forming, turned the captured guns upon the hill commanding it. As soon as the line was formed the Second Brigade moved forward rapidly and gained the foot of the earth-works, where the men were rallied to carry it. The charge was again sounded; the color-bearer of the Second Iowa Cavalry sprang over the parapets, and was killed inside of the works; he was quickly followed by men enough to carry the fort. We captured in the two works 8 guns and about 250 prisoners. In the charge on the first fort two companies of the Eleventh Missouri Infantry, who had been thrown out as skirmishers, fell in with the line of the Second Iowa Cavalry and entered the fort with this regiment. My command then moved forward. The First Brigade, Colonel Stewart, had then come up, and was deployed on the right of the Second Brigade; moved forward on the flank of the enemy, when the enemy was found in force upon another range of high hills. Stewart's brigade being comparatively fresh I ordered it to charge, knowing a portion of the Twenty-third Corps was in its rear and could support the charge. The men went forward finely, carried the hill, and sweeping over it rapidly, captured four pieces of artillery in the valley on the other side. These guns were turned on the enemy with good effect. They were taken by the Eleventh Indiana, Twelfth Missouri, and Third Illinois Cavalry, and were worked upon the retreating columns of the enemy by Major Hubbard, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry. It was dark before the fighting ceased and my command went into camp at this place.

On the morning of the 16th of December moved out on the Hillsborough pike. The Second Brigade of my division was thrown Out to the right, supported by the First Brigade. The Second Brigade was soon engaged in a sharp skirmish, driving the enemy's skirmishers across the Granny White pike. Found the enemy in force on the hills on the left of that pike. At 12 m. was ordered by Major-General Wilson to take these hills. On reaching the hills held by the Second Brigade found the enemy, having repulsed the infantry in their front, had turned his attention to driving my men from the hills on the right of the Granny White pike. The enemy made four charges, all of which were repulsed. During this time I succeeded in drawing a section of artillery to the top of a hill, held by my command, commanding the hill which our infantry were making efforts to carry. After firing some fifty rounds from the guns ordered my line to advance and charge the hill., which was done in the finest manner. The hill was carried, 150 prisoners captured, and 3 battle, flags; Colonel Spalding, with his regiment, the Twelfth Tennessee, being first on the hill. The prisoners were afterward taken away from Colonel Spalding's guards by some infantry command, I think belonging to Colonel McMillen's brigade; of the command, however, I am not able to state with accuracy. I was then ordered by Major-General Wilson to move out rapidly on the Granny White pike. About eight miles from Nashville we struck Chalmers' division. It was then nearly dark. Throwing some dismounted men upon the flanks of the road, Colonel Spalding, of the Twelfth Tennessee, charged the center, capturing the division colors and Brigadier-General Rucker. The enemy were thrown into confusion, and only the darkness saved him from a thorough rout. Camped there that night.

On the morning of the 17th, by Major-General Wilson's orders, moved out to the left to the Franklin pike. Did not become engaged until reaching Franklin. Met the enemy a short distance below town. A series of charges then ensued until dark, with other cavalry of the corps, resulting in the captured of three pieces of artillery. In the charge during the day the Second Iowa Cavalry captured a stand of colors, and had their standard bearer killed, the second one in the last two days. On the 18th at daylight moved through Spring Hill, skirmishing continually, and at 2 p.m. went into camp. On the morning of the 19th marched at daylight. On reaching Rutherford's Creek found the infantry engaged. Moved by the right flank, deployed in front of Curtis' Creek; supposing it to be Rutherford's pushed across the creek, driving the enemy, who crossed upon the railroad bridge, which had been burned and fallen across the creek. Not being able to ford my horses, crossed the men dismounted and pushed the enemy about two miles, when night came on and I withdrew my men to the north side of the creek. On the morning of the 20th, before daylight, threw dismounted men on the road to Columbia and built a bridge to cross the creek, taking over my Parrott guns. The enemy, under the impression that we were close upon him, the night before took up his pontoons and left his rear guard of about 300 men and a battery, threw two of the guns into the river, and attempted to escape with the other two to the east, when the Second Iowa were sent in pursuit, capturing the guns, six ambulances, a few wagons and cattle, and scattering the rear guard of Texas cavalry.

On the morning of the 24th of December marched in rear of the Cavalry Corps toward Pulaski. Was not brought into action until an hour before dark, at Richland Creek, when my division attacked the enemy's right, turning his flank. Night prevented farther pursuit. Went into camp. On the morning of the 25th marched in rear of Hammond's and Harrison's command. About 3 o'clock the enemy charged Hammond's and Harrison's commands, driving them back in confusion. I was ordered by General Wilson to put my division in position, throwing the First Brigade against the enemy on the left. Colonel Stewart checked and drove back the attempt of the enemy to turn our right. Ordered Colonel Coon to move the Second Brigade to the right, and moved forward. At this time the enemy were driving the center, and captured a gun from the Fourth Regular Battery.* At this moment, to check the onset of the enemy, I ordered the Ninth Illinois Cavalry to dismount and charge, as the ground was bad. Too much cannot be said in favor of this regiment. Undismayed by the rapid retreat of the commands going to the rear, Captain ——, commanding the regiment, threw his regiment to one side to let the flying mass pass, and then with a cheer charged the enemy, driving the enemy back, and forcing him to take shelter under his guns and in the barricades thrown up by the enemy. As soon as my right was well up on the enemy's left flank I ordered the whole division to charge. Carried the works by storm, though held by picked men from eight brigades of the enemy's infantry and Forrest's cavalry, Forrest commanding in person. It was then night, and the pursuit ended. On the morning of the 26th marched in the rear of Hammond's division. Were not ordered up for action until 4 in afternoon, when the enemy left his position and retreated rapidly south.

During the fight on the 25th the Third Illinois attacked the enemy on the railroad and saved two locomotives the enemy were about burning, and captured prisoners. On the 27th marched south through Lexington, sending forward a detachment of 500 picked men the previous night, under Colonel Spalding, who harassed the enemy's rear at Bainbridge, obliging him to abandon wagons, ambulances, caissons, and gun carriages, and capturing prisoners.

This ended the pursuit of Hood's army by my division. It has captured 20 guns, 1,000 prisoners, a large number of wagons, ambulances, caissons, and gun carriages, 2 battle-flags (division colors), and 4 battle-flags taken with prisoners by Colonel Spalding on the second day, and afterward taken from his provost guard by an infantry command when on the way off the field.

I would state the men of this command accompanying me from Memphis have been nearly 100 days in the saddle, more than half the time without rations. Both men and officers have been conspicuous for gallantry. No instance of cowardice has been reported by the brigade commanders, and none have come under my notice; all have been brave.

For conspicuous gallantry I can mention my staff especially. Lieut. Hervey A. Colvin, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, my adjutant, with Lieutenant Budd, Second Iowa Cavalry, were the first officers in the first redoubt stormed by the Second Brigade. Lieutenant Colvin severely wounded. Lieutenant Kendall, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, my quartermaster, when storming the second redoubt, received slight wound, had five balls in his horse and eight through his clothes. Captain Davis, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, behaved with great gallantry.

Colonel Coon, commanding the Second Brigade, Colonel Stewart, commanding the First Brigade, Colonel Spalding, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, wounded in charge on Chalmers' division. Captain Harper, Ninth Illinois Cavalry, wounded in attack on the second day. Major Graham, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, wounded storming the second redoubt. Captain Gassling [?], Seventh Illinois Cavalry, wounded storming the second redoubt. Major Horton, Second Iowa Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Lynch, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, Major Forbes, Seventh Illinois Cavalry, Captain Phillips, Sixth Illinois Cavalry, wounded; Major Hubbard and Major Pritchard, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and Major Story, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, wounded in last charge first day. Lieutenant-Colonel Carnahan, Third Illinois Cavalry, Lieutenant Roberts and Lieutenant Avery, of Colonel Coon's staff.

Though the official report of casualties has not reached me yet from the various regiments in resisting Hood's advance to Nashville, my loss, killed and wounded, were about 250. In the two days' battles at Nashville and pursuit, about 400.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
EDWARD HATCH,        
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Per RUSS B. DAVIS,        
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
(In the absence of General Hatch.)
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
        Asst. Adjt. Gen., Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
_______________

* Battery I, Fourth United States.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 575-80


Monday, August 2, 2021

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 5, 1865

 Near Nottaway River, May 5, 1865.

Crossed the Meherrin river (a Copperas creek affair) this morning and pass through Laurenceburg, a 100-year old town, just as large as the top of a very small hill would hold. Such oceans of negroes; never saw half as many before in the same distance in Virginia. Sheridan was through this country ten days ago, but hearing that Johnston had surrendered he turned back. Kautz and Wilson were also raiding last summer, but there are no signs that war is known to the people by experience. We see Lee's and Johnston's men all along the road, taking a look at Sherman's army. All the soldiers and citizens we see seem to submit to the Government, and the war feeling is dead among them, but there is no love for us or ours, and they regard us only as subjugators. That is as warm a sentiment as I ask from them. I believe every family has lost a member by the war. I saw a member of Pickett's Rebel division this evening. He said that when his division surrendered to Grant, they stacked but 45 muskets. It was nearly 10,000 strong on the 24th of March, 1865.

This boy put in one of the 45 muskets. They all give Sheridan's cavalry the credit for doing the best fighting they ever knew “Yanks" to do.

They all speak highly of our 6th (Wright's) corps. The good conduct of our men continues even to the astonishment of the men themselves. I have heard of but one indiscretion, and that was only the carrying off of the table cutlery after dining with a citizen. We are traveling too fast, but our corps commanders are racing to see who will make Petersburg first. Heard of Booth being killed to-day. Also got a Herald of the 24th with Sherman and Johnston's peace propositions. We are very much shocked at Sherman's course. I have not heard an officer or soldier who had read them, sustain our general. It is hard on us and we regret his action as much as any calamity of the war, excepting the Washington horror. There isn't an element of man worship in this army, but we all had such confidence in Sherman, and thought it almost impossible for him to make a mistake. The army is very sore over the affair. We can't bear to have anybody say a word against Sherman, but he did act very strangely in this thing.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 377-8

Major Charles Wright Wills: May 6, 1865

Left bank of Stony Creek, Va., 20 miles from Pittsburg,
May 6, 1865.

About 20 good miles to-day. No sign of war yet. Have not had a very good road to-day. Crossed the Nottaway river this morning. Small affair. During Kautz and Wilson's disastrous raid last summer they threw their last piece of artillery into the Nottaway from the bridge on which we crossed. One of the officers says he noticed bullet marks on trees that indicated a pretty sharp skirmish having taken place where we stopped for dinner. We are fairly on classic ground. I hear that the 17th A. C. lost a number of men yesterday by a bridge falling.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 378

Monday, November 30, 2020

Official Reports of the Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee, November 14, 1864-January 23, 1865: No. 194. — Reports of Bvt. Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson, U.S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, of operations October 24, 1864-February 1, 1865.

No. 194.

Reports of Bvt. Maj. Gen. James H. Wilson, U.S. Army, commanding Cavalry Corps, 
Military Division of the Mississippi, of operations October 24, 1864-February 1, 1865. 

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,     
Near Columbia, Tenn., December 21, 1864. 

GENERAL: In compliance with your request of to-day, I have the honor to submit for the information of the major-general commanding the following summary of the operations of the Cavalry Corps during the recent campaign:

On the retreat of our army from Pulaski the cavalry was concentrated at Columbia, November the 24th, comprising Hatch's division, about 2,000 men, Croxton's brigade, of the First Division, 1,300, and Capron's brigade, of the Sixth Division, of 1,500 men. The corps was immediately stationed on the north side of Duck River, between Columbia and the Lewisburg pike, for the purpose of watching the movements of the enemy. On the 28th of November, about noon, the pickets gave notice of the enemy's advance at various fords and in such force as to leave no doubt of his intention. Major-General Schofield was at once notified and orders issued for the concentration of the cavalry at Hurt's Cross-Roads, on the Lewisburg pike. Capron's brigade, stationed on that road at the crossing of the river, was surrounded and attacked on all sides, but, owing to the good management, bravery, and coolness of Major Young, commanding the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, it was extricated with but slight loss. On the 29th, closely pressed by the rebel cavalry, my command fell back slowly to Mount Carmel, when the rear was assigned to Coon's brigade, of Hatch's division. The enemy attacked boldly, but were handsomely repulsed; as was afterward learned, he turned thence toward Spring Hill, molesting us no more that day. At night, joined by Hammond's brigade, of the Seventh Division, the Cavalry Corps occupied a position on the north bank of Big Harpeth River, connecting with the infantry at Franklin and watching the river as far as Triune. On the morning of the 30th, Hammond's brigade was at Triune, Hatch's division at Matthews' house, and Croxton's brigade on the Lewisburg pike, at Douglass Church; Harrison's brigade (formerly Capron's), of the Sixth Division, was held in reserve. About 2 p.m. the rebel cavalry were reported crossing directly in our front, having pressed Croxton back to within two miles and a half of Franklin. He was ordered to withdraw his force entirely to the north side of the stream, and to attack the enemy in flank; Hatch was directed to attack in front; the orders were promptly executed, and by night the rebels were driven across the river at every point. The conduct of the troops, and particularly of Generals Hatch and Croxton, was most admirable. The force of the enemy consisted of Jackson's and Buford's divisions of cavalry. On the 30th the Cavalry Corps withdrew from its position, by the various country roads between the Franklin and Nolensville pikes, to Thompson's Chapel, near Nashville. When near Brentwood, General Hammond's brigade, in the rear, had a sharp skirmish with the enemy's advance, but succeeded in reaching its position in the line at the chapel without material difficulty.

Early in the morning of December the 1st [2d] the cavalry withdrew from its exposed position on the Nolensville pike and marched through Nashville to camp, at Edgefield, on the north bank of the Cumberland River. During the ensuing ten days every effort was made to put it in an efficient condition for active service. Horses were seized, arms, clothing, and equipments were issued, and the dismounted men organized into brigades. In obedience to orders from the major-general commanding, on the 12th of December, the corps marched to the south side of the river, crossing on the railroad and pontoon bridges, and massed between the Hardin and Charlotte pikes. The effective force was 12,500 men, 9,000 horses, 2,000 of which were scarcely fit for service. At 6 a.m. of the 15th of December, as had been previously ordered by Major-General Thomas, the corps was ready to move, but owing to the foggy weather and the delay of Smith's corps could not advance until about 10 a.m. The Sixth Division, Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson commanding, formed and moved on the Charlotte pike, clearing it of the enemy as far as Davidson's house, driving a battery of artillery and a part of Chalmers' division of cavalry from their position on Richland Creek. It is reported that the navy got possession of a battery which this movement caused the enemy to abandon. Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook having been sent with two brigades of his division against the rebels under Lyon in Kentucky, the balance of the division, Brigadier-General Croxton's brigade, debouched from the fortifications near the Northwestern Railroad, and, forming on the left of the Sixth Division, between the Hardin and Charlotte pikes, advanced, as soon as its front was uncovered by McArthur's division of infantry, and crossing Richland Creek turned the enemy's position in front of Johnson's division, on the Charlotte pike. As soon as the enemy had withdrawn General Croxton moved to the left, crossed the Hardin pike, where, after night-fall, he came in contact again with the rebels, moving in a parallel direction, and, after some sharp skirmishing, drove them off. He encamped that night on the Hillsborough pike, five miles and a half from Nashville. The Fifth Division, Brig. Gen. Edward Hatch commanding, formed on the Hardin pike, its left connecting with the infantry, its right with General Croxton, advanced simultaneously with the infantry, encountered a strong force of the enemy's cavalry—Chalmers' division—well intrenched on both sides of Richland Creek. After a sharp fight the enemy was driven from his works and pushed rapidly beyond Hardin's house, near which place a part of Hatch's command, the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel Spalding commanding, captured the headquarters train of General Chalmers, consisting of fourteen wagons with records, clothing, forage, and safe. In accordance with his instructions General Hatch then crossed the country from Williams' house toward the Hillsborough pike, re-established his connection with the infantry, and advancing his right flank struck the enemy's line on the flank and rear, completely enveloping it, drove it rapidly back upon the fortifications constructed upon the Brentwood Hills for its protection. Hastily forming his Second Brigade, dismounted, Col. D. E. Coon commanding, he pushed boldly forward and carried the enemy's works, capturing in the first redoubt 4 guns and 65 prisoners, and in the second, a closed work, 6 guns and 175 prisoners. The First Brigade, Col. R. R. Stewart, was thrown well round to the left and rear of the enemy, and handsomely supported the movement of the Second Brigade. This operation is one of the handsomest of the war, and although participated in by the infantry of McArthur's division, they yield the credit to the cavalry. As soon as his command could be formed General Hatch was ordered to push forward. His First Brigade and part of the Second on the right of the infantry, crossed the Hillsborough pike, and, in conjunction with a part of the Twenty-third Corps, carried the hills beyond. They claim, also, to have captured the three guns which fell into our hands at that point. Darkness having intervened by this time, he was ordered into camp near the Hillsborough pike, on the extreme right of the infantry. The Seventh Division, Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Knipe commanding, formed on the Hardin pike inside of the works, and, as soon as the general movement had developed itself, moved out in the pike and held itself in readiness to support the infantry or Hatch's division. When the pikes in my front were cleared of the enemy, Knipe's division moved by the rear to the right of Hatch's division, reaching the Hillsborough pike just after the works on it were carried, near the six-mile post, crossed and turned short to the left, and pushed by a country road to the Granny White pike. Hammond's brigade, mounted, was in advance, followed by the dismounted brigade. The latter proceeded no farther than the Hillsborough pike, occupied a strong position on it, and covered the other troops from a movement of the enemy in that direction. General Hammond's pickets were all night on or near the Granny White pike, and early on the morning of the 16th began skirmishing with the enemy. The country was very unfavorable for cavalry operations. General Hammond was ordered to support his pickets by the balance of his brigade. General Hatch was ordered to move also, take position on the right of the infantry, connect with Hammond, and, in conjunction with Hammond's brigade, drive the enemy from the hills and push them as vigorously as possible in flank and rear. This order was given about 9.30 a.m. The movement began at once, and was sustained with great steadiness throughout the balance of the day. Hatch's division and Hammond's brigade, of Knipe's division, soon succeeded in establishing themselves firmly in the enemy's rear, on a line perpendicular to the Granny White pike and extending from the right of the Twenty-third Corps, a few hundred yards from the Hillsborough pike, across the Granny White pike toward the Franklin pike. The enemy was driven steadily back from hill to hill all along the line, but particularly in front of General Hatch's left. The positions occupied were heavily wooded and very difficult of ascent, but Hatch, with great labor, carried his battery into a position enfilading and taking in reverse the enemy's line. Coon's brigade charged a large hill in the enemy's rear as McArthur's division assaulted it in front. About 4.30 p.m. the enemy, pressed in front, flank, and rear, broke in disorder. Croxton's brigade, which had been held in reserve on the Hillsborough pike, as soon as the success of these dispositions had become apparent, was ordered to march rapidly across the country to the Granny White pike and beyond the right flank of Hammond's brigade, but owing to the lateness of the hour and heaviness of the road over which he was compelled to move he secured but few prisoners. Hatch was ordered to mount his division and press rapidly down the Granny White pike for the purpose of striking the enemy again at or beyond Brentwood. He had not proceeded far before he encountered Chalmers' division of cavalry, and, although it was then almost dark, attacked it with the greatest promptitude and vigor, driving it from a strong position behind rail breast-works. Brigadier-General Rucker, commanding a brigade, a number of prisoners, and the division battle-flag were captured. The night was so dark and wet, and the men and horses so jaded, that it was not deemed practicable to push the pursuit farther.

On the 17th, at 5 a.m., General Knipe, with Hammond's brigade, followed by General Croxton's brigade, moved by a county road up Richland Creek to the Franklin Pike, Croxton taking the Wilson pike at Brentwood. Hammond, pushing on in vigorous pursuit, came up with the enemy just beyond Brentwood, drove him back to Hollow Tree Gap, four miles north of Franklin, where he made a stand. General Knipe attacked With the main part of the brigade, while General Hammond, with the balance, turned the position and attacked the rebels in flank. About 250 prisoners and 5 battle-flags were taken, and the enemy driven rapidly beyond the Harpeth River, at Franklin. General Knipe's command captured one gun near the river. He crossed the Harpeth near the railroad bridge. Johnson's division, with Harrison's brigade, having pushed out at 4 a.m. on the Hillsborough road and crossed, came up the south bank of the Harpeth and entered Franklin about the same time. Hatch, having struck the Franklin pike two miles south of Brentwood, pushed to the left and crossed at the ford on the Murfreesborough road. Croxton crossed at his old crossing two miles above the town. The rebels, finding Johnson on their flank, fell back to a strong position on the Columbia pike two miles south of Franklin, leaving his hospitals, about 2,000 wounded, and 10,000 rations in our hands. Hatch moved out between the Lewisburg and Columbia pikes; Knipe on the Columbia pike; and Johnson on the Carter's Creek pike. General Knipe attacked by the front, while Hatch and Johnson moved upon the enemy's flanks, and, although the rebel rear guard was composed of Stevenson's division of infantry [and] Buford's division of cavalry, it was pressed rapidly back, with heavy skirmishing, to a position just north of the West Harpeth River. At this place it had become so dark, and our troops so close upon the enemy, that it was with difficulty our troops could be distinguished from the rebels. Hammond's brigade was deployed on the extreme right, Hatch's division across the pike and through the fields to the left. The Fourth U.S. Cavalry, my escort, Lieutenant Hedges commanding, formed in column of fours on the pike. Generals Hatch and Hammond advanced rapidly and the Fourth Cavalry at the charge. The enemy's line, broken and driven back, fled in great confusion; the flanks of our lines pressed on rapidly. General Hammond's brigade, crossing West Harpeth, struck the enemy on the pike again in flank, while Coon's brigade, on the right of the road, the Fourth Cavalry on the pike, pressed close upon their rear. The enemy abandoned three 12-pounders and the carriage of a fourth. These guns can scarcely be called the capture of any particular division or regiment, though they were actually withdrawn from the field by the Fourth Cavalry, my staff, and General Hatch in person. One of them has been credited to the Fourth Cavalry and the other two to Hatch's division, though the charge of General Hammond, with the Tenth Indiana, upon the enemy's flank, a quarter of a mile beyond, had probably a greater influence in causing their abandonment than the operations of General Hatch's command.

The conduct of the troops in this affair was most admirable, particularly that of the Fourth U.S. Cavalry, the Second Iowa, and Tenth Indiana. Brigadier-General Hammond, Lieutenant-Colonel Gresham, Tenth Indiana, and Lieutenant Hedges, Fourth U.S. Cavalry, were particularly conspicuous. The good management and bravery of General Hatch, the skill, untiring energy with which he commanded his division, are worthy of the highest commendation. Night saved the enemy's rear guard from complete destruction.

The 18th the pursuit was renewed at dawn, in the same order, Johnson on the Carter's Creek pike, Hatch and Knipe on the Columbia pike, and Croxton on the Lewisburg pike. The enemy's rear guard was soon encountered by the advanced skirmishers, but, in spite of the most strenuous efforts on the part of our troops, could not be again brought to a stand, though they had prepared for it at Spring Hill. The pursuit was pushed to within three miles of Rutherford's Creek, but the rain, need of rations and ammunition, compelled a halt for the trains to come forward. 19th, the pursuit was pushed to Rutherford's Creek, but it was found too high to ford—the enemy between that and Duck River; Hatch got two regiments across on the ruins of the railroad bridge, and after some skirmishing night came on, he withdrew to north side. Weather very inclement. 20th, Hammond, Croxton, and Harrison remained in camp drawing supplies; Johnson and Knipe went back with dismounted brigades to refit; Hatch crossed on lower railroad bridge; enemy gone. Hammond, Harrison, and Croxton moved to camp on Rutherford's Creek.

Summary: Captured by Hatch's division--2 redoubts, 17 guns, 2 battle-flags, 2 droves of beef-cattle, 35 wagons (including the headquarters train of Chalmers' division), I brigadier-general, 701 prisoners; Knipe's division---5 battle-flags, 350 prisoners, 1 piece artillery, 2 caissons; Johnson's division---56 prisoners; Croxton's brigade--184 prisoners; Fourth U.S. Cavalry--1 gun, 25 prisoners. In addition to this Johnson's and Knipe's divisions should be credited with the wounded taken in hospitals at Franklin.

In concluding this report permit me to say that, if the operations just described have been of any avail in the recent campaign, it is due entirely to the concentration of the cavalry and its reorganization as a separate corps. I have, therefore, to request that the credit awarded it may be used to secure from the War Department the recognition of its separate existence as a corps, and an official approval of the measures already inaugurated for its efficiency. With an opportunity to complete its organization, a full supply of Spencer carbines for the entire command, and we can take the field next spring with a force of cavalry fully competent to perform any work that may be assigned it.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. H. WILSON,     
Brevet Major-General, Commanding.
[Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
    Chief of Staff, Army of the Cumberland.]
_______________ 

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,    
Gravelly Springs, Ala., February 1, 1865. 

I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, from the date of its organization, October 24, 1864, to the present time:

Having been relieved from the command of the Third Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac, on the 1st day of October, 1864, for the purpose of taking command of the cavalry forces in the armies operating under the command of Major-General Sherman, I proceeded, without delay, to join him in the field. I arrived at Gaylesville, Ala., where the army was resting after its pursuit of General Hood, on the 23d of October. On the 24th of October I was assigned, by order of General Sherman, to duty as chief of cavalry and commanding officer of all the cavalry in the Military Division of the Mississippi. By the same order the mounted forces of the Armies of the Ohio, the Cumberland, and the Tennessee were detached from these armies, constituted one command, and designated the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi. Upon investigation I found that the cavalry serving with the Army of the Ohio consisted of one organized division, Stoneman's, nearly all dismounted, one brigade under Colonel Capron, sent to Louisville, Ky., for remount, the other under Col. Israel Garrard, at Atlanta, Ga. Besides this division there were five or six regiments of good cavalry and one division of one-year mounted infantry serving in Kentucky and East Tennessee. This force being for local defense, however, was not detached, and therefore forms no part of the Cavalry Corps. I found the cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland organized into four divisions, three of which were composed of fine regiments from the northwestern States, well organized, and efficiently commanded by Brigadier-Generals McCook, Garrard, and Kilpatrick, and having done very hard service during the Atlanta campaign. The Fourth Division consisted entirely of Tennessee regiments serving in Tennessee. The cavalry of the Army of the Tennessee had been organized into two divisions, by order of Major-General Howard, commanded, respectively, by Brigadier-General Hatch, U.S. Volunteers, and Colonel Wins-low, Fourth Iowa Cavalry. Both were at that time serving in West Tennessee. The divisions contained from six to ten regiments, organized into three brigades each. In the new organization the four divisions of the Army of the Cumberland were numbered, respectively, First, Second, Third, and Seventh, the two divisions of the Army of the Tennessee were designated, respectively, Fifth and Fourth, and the division of the Army of the Ohio the Sixth Division. The Tennessee troops were divided among the other divisions, so as to intermix them with troops from other States. From the lack of general and staff officers to simplify organization and to counteract a tendency to use the third brigades as reserves, each division was organized into two brigades, except the Sixth, which, for special reasons, was allowed three. The chiefs of cavalry of the different departments were relieved from duty and directed to report to their commanding generals for other assignment. In pursuance of General Sherman's instructions measures were at once taken to collect, reorganize, remount, and bring into the field the largest possible force of cavalry, in order that he might have such a preponderance in that arm as would enable him to throw the enemy on the defensive, while with his infantry he could march to the seacoast unmolested. It was thought that if Hood followed him, instead of crossing the Tennessee River into Tennessee, that in a short time my entire cavalry force could be put upon a footing to harass and annoy him beyond endurance. With this in view General Hatch was ordered to march with the Fifth Division from Clifton, Tenn., by the most direct route, to Rome, Ga.; General Grierson was designated as the commander of the Fourth Division, and directed to assemble as much of it as possible, put it in a thorough condition, and be ready to march, when orders should be sent him, through Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia, and join the army under General Sheridan. It soon, however, became apparent that Hood would march north instead of following General Sherman, and that operations would be forced upon us before the cavalry forces could be organized.

A reconnaissance by General Garrard, with the Second Division, toward Gadsden, on the Coosa River, on the 25th of October, and on the 27th and 28th to the south of the Coosa toward Jacksonville, revealed the fact that the rebel army under Hood had left Gadsden on the 22d of October, marching in the direction of Warrenton, on the Tennessee River. As soon as General Sherman became thoroughly convinced of this he issued orders for the concentration of his army at Atlanta, and hurried his preparations for the campaign. Finding that he could wait no longer all the serviceable horses of McCook's and Garrard's divisions, and Colonel Garrard's brigade, were turned over to the Third Division, and every effort was made to put it upon a thoroughly efficient footing, while the dismounted men of the First and Second Divisions were ordered, by rail, to Louisville, Ky., for remount and re-equipment. Having made these dispositions I was ordered by General Sherman to Nashville for the purpose of completing the cavalry reorganization and assisting in the operations of General Thomas against the rebels under Hood. I arrived at Nashville on the 6th day of November and reported to Major-General Thomas, commanding Department of the Cumberland and the Military Division of the Mississippi.

General Croxton's brigade, of the First Division, having been recently remounted at Louisville, Colonel Capron's (now Harrison's) brigade, of the Sixth Division, and the Fifth Division, while on the march to join General Sherman, were halted by General Thomas and directed to act in conjunction with the infantry forces assembling at Pulaski, under General Stanley, to resist the march of Hood. On the 24th of October Croxton's brigade, about 1,000 strong, was stationed on the Huntsville and Florence road, at Center Star, with outposts and pickets, watching the Tennessee River from the mouth of Elk River to Florence, and a detachment of the Tenth and Twelfth Tennessee, of General Hatch's division, were stationed on Cypress Creek, at Martin's Mills, three miles from Florence, watching Pride's, Garner's, and Cheatham's Ferries, on the Tennessee River. On the 29th of October General Croxton sent a dispatch to General Thomas informing him of General Hood's proximity to the river and of his intention to cross it at Bainbridge that night. About 3 p.m. on the 30th two brigades of Lee's corps landed on the north side about three miles below Bainbridge. General Croxton concentrated his command and attempted to repel them, but was driven back. He retired to the east bank of Shoal Creek and took position near Shoal Creek bridge, where he remained reconnoitering until November 5, when he was forced to retire by the advance of Johnson's division, of Lee's corps. He reported to General Hatch at Lexington on November 6.

On the 4th of November General Hatch, in compliance with the instructions of General Stanley, moved from Pulaski toward Florence, with orders to assume command of all the cavalry in that neighborhood and watch closely the enemy's movements. In executing these orders General Hatch, the next day, opened communication with General Croxton, and, in conjunction with him, drove the enemy's cavalry pickets across Shoal Creek, and established pickets of observation along the line of that creek and the Tennessee from the mouth of Elk River. While engaged in observing the movements of the enemy frequent skirmishes were had with his cavalry. On the 9th of November a general attack was made by the small force under General Hatch. The rebel cavalry was driven back upon the infantry at Florence, a part of the unfinished works at that place captured by Colonel Coon's brigade of the Fifth Division, and the information in regard to Hood's position previously obtained verified. By great activity, watchfulness, and good judgment on the part of General Hatch, every movement of the enemy and indication of his intention were promptly reported to Generals Stanley, Schofield, and Thomas. On the 13th and 14th of November General Hatch, having become convinced that General Hood would march north at an early day, used his command in cutting trees into the roads crossing Shoal Creek, for the purpose of retarding the rebels in their movement. On the morning of November 19 the enemy was reported marching north on the west side of the creek. Colonel Coon's brigade made a forced reconnaissance in that direction, captured the headquarters trains of Buford's and Chalmers' divisions, met the enemy's cavalry in force, and, after a severe engagement, discovering the march of the rebel infantry, was compelled to rejoin the main force, on the east side of the creek. General Hatch concentrated his forces, without delay, at Lexington, and on the 21st retired to Lawrenceburg, where he was attacked early the next morning by the enemy's cavalry. A severe fight ensued, in which the enemy, with twelve pieces of artillery and a large force of cavalry, fighting dismounted, made several efforts to drive the forces of General Hatch from their position, but the latter held on with great tenacity till night and then withdrew one mile toward Pulaski.

On the 23d General Hatch withdrew by that road, turning toward Campbellsville. When within nine miles of Pulaski Croxton's brigade had the rear and were attacked by the rebel cavalry at the junction of the roads leading to the two places just mentioned. It, however, resisted every attack till after dark, holding its position and retreating at leisure by night to the neighborhood of Campbellsville. On the 24th the cavalry again resumed its march, and at the latter place was again attacked by the entire rebel cavalry, supported by infantry. At first the enemy were severely repulsed by the First Brigade, Colonel Wells, Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, commanding, but in turn the enemy drove back Colonel Wells and compelled General Hatch to retire by the road to Lynnville. This road leading through a very hilly country, a small rear guard was sufficient to hold the enemy in check. The Ninth Illinois Cavalry, Captain Harper commanding, was directed to occupy a strong gorge near the turnpike and to delay the rebels as long as possible. He performed the duty assigned him with great gallantry, giving the main body of the command an opportunity to take position at Lynnville. Sharp fighting was continued at that place until after dark, when, in accordance with my order, General Hatch withdrew to Columbia. Colonel Capron's brigade, of the Sixth Division, had been sent by General Schofield toward Waynesborough to observe the movements of the enemy in that direction, while Hatch and Croxton were on Shoal Creek. Upon the advance of the rebel cavalry, Colonel Capron retired, skirmishing with the enemy, directing his march toward Mount Pleasant and Columbia. On the morning of November 25 the entire force, including the infantry, was concentrated at Columbia.

Having made all possible arrangements at Nashville for expediting the reorganization of the cavalry, in pursuance of General Thomas' instructions, I started to the front to take command of the force in the field, and on the 23d of November met General Schofield between Lynnville and Pulaski. The Fifth Division contained at this time but 2,500 men, Croxton's brigade, about 1,000, and Capron's, 800, in all about 4,300 men, to contend with three divisions estimated at not less than 10,000 men, and commanded by General Forrest, hitherto the most successful of rebel cavalry leaders. After the concentration of the forces at Columbia, and while General Schofield was making arrangements to withdraw from that place to the north side of Duck River, the cavalry crossed and was disposed of so as to watch every movement of the enemy, either to the right or left. Hatch's division and Croxton's brigade were stationed about six miles east of Columbia on the road to Shelbyville; Capron's brigade, to which had been added the Fifth Iowa Cavalry, Col. J. M. Young commanding, took position at Rally Hill, on the Lewisburg turnpike; it was further strengthened after taking position by the arrival of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, from Louisville. This brigade and Croxton's were temporarily formed into a division, under the command of Brig. Gen. R. W. Johnson. Three regiments of the First Brigade of Hatch's division, Col. R. R. Stewart, Eleventh Indiana Cavalry, commanding, were ordered to take post to the west of Columbia, for the purpose of watching the fords and crossings of the river between that place and Williamsport. General Hatch sent the Sixth Illinois Cavalry, via Chapel Hill, to Shelbyville, with directions to feel well out from that place toward Lewisburg and Cornersville, if possible, returning by the south side of the river to the crossing of the Lewisburg pike.

At noon of November 27 [28] the pickets of Croxton's and Capron's brigades gave notice of the appearance of the rebel cavalry at the various fords between Columbia and the Lewisburg pike, particularly at Huey's Mill, eight miles above Columbia, in such force as to leave no doubt as to their intentions. The pickets in the vicinity of Huey's Mill were soon driven in and the rebels immediately began crossing. At 2 p.m. I sent a dispatch to Major-General Schofield, notifying him of the enemy's movement, informing him that I should endeavor to concentrate my force at Hurt's Cross-Roads, on the Lewisburg pike, and requesting him to send Stewart's brigade to me by the way of Spring Hill. Col. T. J. Harrison, Eighth Indiana Cavalry, had already been sent by General Johnson to the brigade at the Lewisburg crossing, with orders to hold the enemy as long as possible at the river. By 7 p.m. the entire force was concentrated at Hurt's Cross-Roads. Colonel Harrison, however, had not reached his brigade, but having been posted by Colonel Capron, it held on as long as possible. Colonel Capron himself, with a small portion of his command fell back in disorder toward Franklin. The detachments at the various fords held on bravely until night, when they were collected by Maj. J. Morris Young, Fifth Iowa Cavalry, and withdrew by the pike. The enemy, having crossed lower down, marched by the Murfreesborough road and arrived at Rally Hill before the detachments under Major Young. The latter, finding his retreat cut off, formed his own regiment with sabers drawn, dismounted others to cover the flanks, boldly charged, broke through the rebels, and brought off his command with only trifling loss. By this' time it had become evident that the entire rebel cavalry force, three divisions, had crossed and were directing their march toward the Lewisburg pike, an excellent macadamized road leading to Franklin, and at 8 p.m. I sent a dispatch by courier to General Schofield, informing him of this fact and that no part of Forrest's force up to dark had moved toward the Franklin pike. During the night several prisoners were brought in, from whom I received valuable information. At 1 a.m. [29th] I sent a dispatch to General Schofield informing him that the force which had crossed at Huey's Mill was Forrest's corps of cavalry, consisting of Chalmers', Jackson's, and Buford's divisions, and Biffle's regiment; that the rebel infantry were to have begun crossing two hours before by three pontoon bridges under construction at the same place. Believing this information to be perfectly correct, I therefore suggested that our infantry should reach Spring Hill by 10 a.m. of that day [29th]. I regarded my force too small, with Hammond's and Stewart's brigades absent, to cover the Lewisburg pike and at the same time the dirt roads leading to Spring Hill, and believing that General Schofield, with the infantry, would have plenty of time, marching by the Franklin pike, to reach Franklin or any intermediate point before the enemy, marching by bad dirt roads, made worse by the heavy rains which had recently fallen, I determined to keep my entire force on the Lewisburg pike and hold the enemy as long as possible, hoping by good management to get no farther back that day than to the Ridge Meeting. House. I had previously sent orders for Colonel Stewart to join me on the Lewisburg pike, marching by the way of Spring Hill, and all night, if necessary. Similar orders were sent at the same time to Bvt. Brig. Gen. J. H. Hammond, then momentarily expected with two regiments of the Seventh Division freshly remounted. On the presumption that no general engagement would be risked till our forces were strengthened, and that the enemy's movement had become sufficiently developed, I directed General Hatch to retire slowly by the pike, following Capron's brigade, and General Croxton to cover the rear, fighting the enemy, and to fall back only when compelled to do so by movements upon his flanks. Soon after daylight [29th] the enemy attacked Croxton's pickets, but finding them strongly posted moved off the road and struck well around his flanks, causing him to withdraw. Heavy skirmishing ensued, the enemy pressing forward with the greatest celerity endeavoring to push around and strike our column in flank, as was anticipated.

At Mount Carmel Meeting-House, five miles from Hurt's Cross-Roads, a strong barricade erected by Capron's brigade was occupied by Coon's brigade, of Hatch's division, Croxton's brigade passing through it. The enemy made two determined charges upon it, but were repulsed with severe loss. From this point the enemy ceased to press upon the rear of the column. No news having come from Hammond or Stewart, it was hoped that they had arrived at Spring Hill in time enough to form a junction with the infantry and to resist any movement of the rebels in that direction. I continued to march slowly, and by the middle of the afternoon arrived at Douglass Church, four miles from Franklin. Near this place I found General Hammond, and was joined by a detachment of Stewart's brigade, from whom I learned that the latter and some of our infantry had been skirmishing with the rebel cavalry during the day near Spring Hill. I remained with Hammond's brigade to hold the road near Douglass Church and cover Franklin, while Hatch's division and Johnson's crossed to the north side of the Harpeth, at Hughes' Ford, and went into camp on the road from Franklin to Triune, at Matthews' farm, two miles and a half east of Franklin. After it was dark, a reconnaissance out the Lewisburg pike to the meeting-house revealing no enemy on that road, I withdrew General Hammond's brigade to the north side of the Harpeth, and directed him to march, via Petersburg, to the Nolensville pike at Triune, and from the latter place to watch the movements of the enemy in that direction.

Early on the morning of the 30th, by my direction, Brigadier-General Johnson sent Croxton's brigade to the south side of the river, with orders to take position at Douglass Church, cover Franklin as long as possible, and if compelled to fall back to recross the Harpeth at a ford a mile and a half above the town. General Hammond, having reported by daylight no enemy in the direction of Triune, was ordered to retire by Petersburg to Wilson's Mill, on the Wilson or Brentwood pike. At 10 a.m. the enemy's advance attacked General Croxton's position, but was handsomely repulsed. At 2 p.m. he was again attacked by infantry, but, after repulsing the enemy, the rebel cavalry moved to his left as if to cross at Hughes' Ford. This movement caused him to retire to the north side of the river by McGavock's Ford. He had scarcely reached the north bank when the pickets higher up the river reported the enemy's cavalry crossing at various places. The command was immediately got under arms and dispositions made to attack and drive them back. General Croxton's brigade on the right, General Hatch's division in the center, moved promptly out and engaged the enemy, charging him with a strong line of dismounted skirmishers, while Capron's brigade, under Colonel Harrison, looked well out to the left and rear. The Fifth Iowa Cavalry was sent to the Hillsborough pike. The action had already begun when General Croxton was informed that the rebel infantry were crossing the river between his right and the town of Franklin. Leaving two regiments, the First Tennessee and Second Michigan, to assist in the attack against the rebel cavalry, he proceeded at once with the balance of his brigade to drive back the force reported to be crossing below. He soon discovered, however, that the report was false, and moved promptly against the rebel cavalry. Hatch had already attacked with vigor and begun driving them rapidly back. The men seemed inspired with the greatest courage and determination, and in a very short time had repulsed the enemy at every point. By night the whole force was driven beyond the Harpeth. The accompanying sketch1 will show the importance of this success on the part of the cavalry over Forrest's forces, while the hard-pressed infantry were nobly repelling Hood's furious assaults against the defenses of Franklin.

General Schofield, having withdrawn the infantry to the north bank of the river during the night and determined to continue his march toward Nashville, directed me to remain with the Cavalry Corps in the position it then held till daylight on the morning of December 1, and then to retire, covering the rear and flanks of the infantry. This order was complied with, the enemy having been so severely handled the day previous as to be unable to follow until he found the road clear. Hammond's brigade, followed by Hatch, moved by a country road to the Wilson pike, near Edmonson's house; Croxton marched parallel to the Franklin pike. At Wilson's Mill Hammond was found encamped and left to bring up the rear. Stewart's brigade, of the Fifth Division, having halted to feed, Hammond was delayed longer than was intended and in withdrawing was attacked by the rebel cavalry, but succeeded, with slight loss, in repelling the enemy. From the neighborhood of Brentwood, after the infantry had halted, the whole command marched by various country roads to Thompson's Chapel, on the Nolensville pike, where it took up a strong defensive position for the night. Before daylight the next morning it marched to Nashville, and late in the evening crossed to the north side of the Cumberland River and encamped in Edgefield.

During the ensuing ten days every effort was made to put the corps in an efficient condition. Clothes were drawn for the men; the horses were shod; extra shoes were fitted; and every horse that could be drawn from the corrals of broken-down stock, or reached in Tennessee or Southern Kentucky, was taken. By these means the Cavalry Corps, exclusive of La Grange's and Watkins' brigades, of the First Division, was increased by nearly 9,000 mounted men. Besides this, two brigades of 1,500 men each were organized out of the dismounted men previously assembled at the cavalry depot near Nashville. While in camp the river was carefully watched by the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, from Nashville to the vicinity of Clarksville.

On the 2d of December Brevet Brigadier-General Hammond was ordered with his brigade to Gallatin for the purpose of watching the river as far up as Carthage. Having heard from his scouts that a rebel force had taken post at Lebanon, by the assistance of gun-boats sent for that purpose, on the night of the -- he crossed the river with a strong force, well mounted, and made a reconnaissance to and beyond that place, but found no enemy.

On the 11th of December, in pursuance of instructions from Major-General Thomas, I ordered Brig. Gen. E. M. McCook to take his battery and Watkins' brigade toward Bowling Green, till he met La Grange's brigade, and with the united force go in pursuit of General Lyon, who crossed the Cumberland River below Clarksville on the 9th of December, and was supposed to be marching via Hopkinsville to destroy Green River bridge, on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad. General McCook came up with the rebels on the morning of the 16th at Hopkinsville, and after a sharp fight captured two pieces of artillery and drove them from the place. They retreated rapidly toward Green River, pursued by La Grange's brigade. So closely was Lyon followed by La Grange's brigade that he was compelled to disband his conscripts and leave many of his men. With the balance he pushed on through Madisonville, Ashbysburg, and Elizabethtown, crossing Tradewater, Green River, and the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in his route. La Grange was greatly delayed by the muddy roads, swollen streams, and the destruction of the bridges and boats. The pursuit was relinquished at Hodgensville, Lyon's command having become reduced[to] 400 or 500 men, more bent on escaping from Kentucky than to inflict injury upon the forces sent against him. For a detailed account of the operations of General McCook's command I respectfully refer you to his report submitted herewith.2

On the 9th of November [December] I received orders from Major-General Thomas to move my command to the south side of the Cumberland, to take position between the Hillsborough and Hardin pikes, and to be in readiness to join in the attack against General Hood the next day. But a heavy rain setting in General Thomas delayed his operations. Snow, sleet, and intense cold followed, covering the ground so thickly with ice as to render it impossible to move cavalry not specially shod for such an occasion. In fact, neither infantry nor cavalry could have marched over a country so undulating and broken as that separating our lines from those of the enemy. On the evening of the 11th the weather changed and the ice began to melt. The Cavalry Corps, all detachments having been drawn in in the morning, began crossing, and by night was in the position assigned it, ready to move against the enemy as soon as the condition of the ground would allow it. By the night of the 14th everything seemed favorable; officers and men confident of the result that would follow a well directed attack. In the order of battle made by General Thomas the cavalry was directed to attack upon the right of the infantry, conform to its movements, drive the enemy's forces from the Charlotte and Hardin turnpikes and the banks of the Cumberland at Bell's Landing, turn and envelop the enemy's left flank and, if possible, strike them in the rear. In making arrangements to comply with these instructions 1 conferred the night before the battle with General A. J. Smith, commanding the Detachment of the Army of the Tennessee. His troops having been engaged in holding that part of the defenses from the Hillsborough pike westward to the river, it was necessary for them to assemble in such a way as not to encumber the ground upon which the cavalry was to operate. To accomplish this the general assured me he would march the division on my right to the left by roads to the rear of my command, inside of the intrenchments. The commanding officers of brigades and divisions, having personally examined the ground upon which they were to operate, were assembled at my headquarters and received their instructions verbally. To prevent any misunderstanding they were furnished with written orders to the following effect, on the night of the 14th of November [December]: The Fifth Division, Brigadier-General Hatch commanding, was directed to debouch from the fortifications at or near the Hardin pike, and move with its right flank on or near the pike, its left flank connected with the infantry of Maj. Gen. A. J. Smith to clear its own front, and as soon as Smith should carry the rebel advanced position to swing to the left, envelop and take in reverse the enemy's left flank. Croxton's brigade, of the First Division, was ordered to debouch near the Hardin pike by a dirt road between that and the Charlotte pike, to move with its left flank connecting with Hatch's division and its right following the line of the ridge between the Charlotte and Hardin pikes; after clearing Hardin pike of the enemy and crossing Richland Creek, General Croxton was directed to conform to the movements on his left. The Sixth Division, one brigade mounted, the other having no horses, Brig. Gen. R.W. Johnson commanding, was ordered to move by the Charlotte pike, clear that road of the enemy, keeping connection with Croxton by skirmishers or patrols, and to push as far as Davidson's house, eight miles from the city, so as to cover the movement of the balance of the corps from the enemy's cavalry; General Johnson was specially charged with looking out for the guns at Bell's landing and the force with them. Brig. Gen. Joseph F. Knipe, commanding the Seventh Division, one brigade mounted, the other dismounted, was directed to debouch on the Hardin pike after the movement had begun and hold himself in readiness to move in any direction. Brigade and division commanders were informed that the operations of the Cavalry Corps were designed to clear the enemy from its immediate front, cover the right of the infantry, envelop the enemy's left flank, attack him in the rear, and, if possible, force its way to the Franklin pike at or near Brentwood. The country being plowed fields or heavily timbered hills, very abrupt and difficult, they were directed to leave all wheels except those of the artillery behind.

The whole command was under arms ready to move by 6 a.m. December 15, but owing to a dense fog the attack was delayed. By 8.30 a.m. it had cleared away: but McArthur's division, not having been directed to march, as General Smith had promised, moved across the front of my command, thereby delaying the general advance till about 10 a.m. Had the enemy been specially alert this delay might have been very detrimental to the plan of attack. As soon, however, as the infantry on Hatch's left began moving he advanced, with his left touching the Hardin pike and his right extending toward the Charlotte pike. The position which the infantry held being farther to the right than was originally intended compelled a corresponding change on the part of the cavalry. Simultaneously with the advance of the infantry the cavalry forces moved as directed. Hatch's division was still further delayed after beginning in advance by McArthur's infantry, but finally, having a clear road, advanced rapidly with a strong line of skirmishers. The enemy, Ector's brigade of infantry, were found posted beyond Richland Creek, on commanding ground, well intrenched, but by a gallant charge by Stewart's brigade were driven rapidly beyond Hardin's house, with the loss of some prisoners and intrenching tools. When near the latter place the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, Colonel Spalding commanding, charged the enemy, captured 43 prisoners, the headquarters train of General Chalmers, 14 wagons, containing baggage, papers, and records. Having cleared his front General Hatch marched rapidly by the left flank with his First Brigade to join the Second Brigade, which, wheeling with the infantry, found itself on the flank of a four-gun battery posted in a redoubt covering the enemy's left. Having posted his battery (I, First Illinois Light Artillery) so as to enfilade the enemy, General Hatch pushed forward Colonel Coon's brigade, dismounted, charged the rebel infantry supports, broke them, and captured the redoubt, with its guns. Lieutenant Budd, of the Second Iowa Cavalry, was the first man in the redoubt, closely followed by Lieutenant Colvin, acting assistant adjutant-general of the division. In this attack a portion of the infantry skirmish line gave assistance. The captured guns were turned upon the enemy, occupying a higher hill, strongly intrenched, still farther on. Hastily forming, the Second Brigade pushed boldly forward, the First Brigade following the movement still farther to the right. The enemy's new position was very strong. The left of their line occupied a hill still higher than the one already carried, and with steep sides. On the top of it they had constructed an irregular inclosed work of rails and earth, in which a four-gun field battery was placed. To men less brave and determined than the dismounted horsemen of Hatch's division it would have seemed like madness to attack such a position. I have seen columns of infantry hesitate to attack positions not half so strong, but Coon's brigade, armed with the Spencer carbine and in a strong line of skirmishers, at the command of General Hatch, advanced at the charge. In spite of the steep acclivity and withering fire of artillery and musketry from the rebel parapet, the redoubt was carried, with the battery of 4 guns and 250 prisoners. While the Second Brigade was collecting and forming its scattered ranks General Hatch, with the First Brigade, crossed the Hillsborough pike and again attacked the enemy on another range of hills, drove them from it, and took possession of a battery of four guns in the valley beyond. It was now almost dark; the cavalrymen having been fighting all day on foot, owing to the roughness of the country, were very much fatigued. General Hatch was ordered to bring up his horses, collect his men, and bivouac on the Hillsborough pike. The Twenty-third Corps, Major-General Schofield commanding, had moved to the right of Smith's corps and carried the hills in its front just before dark. General Hatch was directed to connect with Schofield's right and cover it from the enemy. As soon as Hatch had broken through the enemy on the Hardin pike Knipe was directed to move out and pass to Hatch's right, conform to his movements and push in upon the enemy's rear. The First Brigade, Brevet Brigadier-General Hammond commanding, advanced to the Hillsborough pike, striking it near the six-mile post, and three-quarters of a mile farther on turned up a branch of Richland Creek, and reached the Granny White pike just at dark. The dismounted brigade took position on the Hillsborough pike, covering Hatch and Hammond from an advance of the rebel cavalry on that road. Croxton's brigade and Johnson's division, having been delayed, like Hatch, by McArthur's infantry, moved promptly forward at the word and found the enemy posted beyond Richland Creek. The rebel cavalry, with four guns well posted, seemed determined to hold their ground, but strongly attacked by Harrison's brigade, of Johnson's division, in front, while Croxton pressed on their right, they were forced to give way. Croxton, after following for several miles, turned to the left and crossed the Hardin pike, and marched through the country, skirmishing with Chalmers, moving in the same direction, and finally, after dark, bivouacked near the six-mile post, on the Hillsborough pike. Johnson continued his advance along the Charlotte pike, and came up with the rebels, strongly posted, beyond a small creek emptying into the Cumberland near Bell's Landing; after some sharp skirmishing General Johnson made dispositions to attack the rebel right in conjunction with Croxton, hoping thereby to drive them from the road and separate them from the main rebel army. The gun-boats dropped down and opened on their flank, while Lieutenant Smith, with Battery I, Fourth U.S. Artillery, opened upon them in front. General Croxton having, by my order, turned toward the left, General Johnson did not think himself strong enough to risk an attack upon the rebel position. Night coming on he bivouacked in their front, intending to attack before daylight the next morning. This plan was frustrated by the withdrawal of the rebels after night. The first day's operations having resulted in driving back the enemy's entire left wing four miles, with our cavalry on the left flank and rear of the enemy, orders were issued for the continuance of operations the next day.

Early on the morning of the 16th Hammond's pickets on the Granny White pike were attacked and driven in, but ordering him to strengthen them with his entire brigade, if necessary, he in turn drove the enemy back. At the same time I directed General Hatch to move on the enemy's rear, passing to Hammond's left. The country, very hilly and densely covered with timber, was entirely impracticable for mounted men; the whole force was therefore dismounted and pushed forward. Croxton moved to the front, ready to support either Hammond or Hatch, and orders were sent to Johnson to march across the country to the Hillsborough pike. By noon the skirmishers of Hatch and Hammond had formed a continuous line, stretching from the right of Schofield's corps across the Granny White pike. This line was parallel to that of the enemy and facing in the direction of Nashville. The men of the Fifth and Seventh Divisions, urged forward by their gallant officers, steadily pressed the enemy back at every point, skirmishing heavily. Having informed Generals Thomas and Schofield of the position occupied by my command and what it was doing, the infantry was ordered forward on the right, and, as they charged the front of the rebel works, Coon's brigade, of Hatch's division, attacked them in the rear. Pressed in front, flank, and, rear, about 4 p.m. the enemy broke and fled in confusion from the field. Croxton was hurried from the Hillsborough pike toward Brentwood, but could not reach the flying army before dark. Hatch and Knipe were ordered to mount their commands and pursue with all possible rapidity. As on the day before, from the difficult character of the ground and the distance traveled dismounted, considerable time was unavoidably lost before the horses could be led to the men. Hatch was directed to push down the Granny White pike, and, if possible, reach the Franklin pike that night. He had not, however, gone more than a mile when his advance encountered the enemy's cavalry, Chalmers' division, strongly posted across the road behind a barricade of rails. A portion of the command were hastily dismounted and deployed on both sides of the road. While the skirmishers were advancing the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, led by Colonel Spalding, charged the enemy, broke his lines, scattered them in all directions, and captured Brigadier-General Rucker, then in command of the division. Night having closed in the enemy was enabled to make his escape. The pursuit was necessarily discontinued, men and horses being worn out and hungry. The corps bivouacked for the night--Knipe, Croxton, and Hatch on the Granny White pike, and Johnson on the Hillsborough pike near the Harpeth River. Before daylight they were in motion again--Knipe, in the advance, marched through the country to the Franklin pike; Croxton crossed and marched through the fields to its left; Hatch marched by the Granny White pike and a country road to the Franklin pike, and then followed Knipe; while Johnson pushed to the Harpeth River, forded it, and moved rapidly toward Franklin. General Knipe, with Hammond's brigade, came up with the enemy at Hollow Tree Gap, four or five miles north of Franklin. After a sharp fight, in which General Hammond with a part of his command passed around the enemy's right and struck them in flank, the position was handsomely carried. Three colors and 413 prisoners, including 2 colonels and 2 lieutenant-colonels, were captured. The rebel rear guard then fell back rapidly to Franklin, crossed the Harpeth, and prepared to defend its crossing but General Johnson, with Harrison's brigade, having marched at 4 o'clock and crossed the river on the Hillsborough pike, moved rapidly to Franklin, struck them in flank, and compelled them to retreat to a new position, south of the town. Knipe crossed by the ford and entered the town almost simultaneously with Harrison's advance; Hatch and Croxton crossed soon after at the fords above the town. At Franklin the enemy's hospital with about 2,000 wounded fell into our hands; 200 of our own wounded, left there on the retreat to Nashville, were also recovered, together with 17,000 rations. The pursuit was immediately continued, Knipe and Hatch moving in parallel columns along the Columbia pike, Johnson down the Carter's Creek pike, and Croxton on the Lewisburg pike. The flanking columns were directed to push rapidly forward and endeavor to pass round the flanks of the enemy's rear guard, composed almost entirely of infantry, while a strong force of skirmishers across the pike should press it continually and compel it to form line as frequently as possible. By these means I hoped to break up their last organized force and disperse the disorganized and flying mass they were covering. My orders were obeyed with great alacrity, but the enemy, finding his flanks so much endangered, retired as rapidly, but skirmishing heavily with Hatch and Knipe. Late in the evening, apparently exhausted with rapid marching, the rebels took a strong position in open fields about a mile north of the West Harpeth. It was then almost dark from fog and approaching night.

The men of General Hatch's advance, by their rapid movements, had become so intermingled with the sullen and disheartened enemy, he began to doubt that the force in his front were really those of the rebel rear guard. The momentary hesitation caused by this uncertainty gave the rebels an opportunity to put their battery in position and reform their line. I immediately gave orders for Hatch and Knipe to collect their men and charge both flanks of the enemy, and directed my escort, the Fourth U.S. Cavalry, about 200 strong, Lieut. Joseph Hedges commanding, to charge their center, on the pike. These orders had scarcely been given before the enemy opened a rapid fire from their battery, not over 300 yards from us. Hatch's battery promptly replied. Lieutenant Hedges, thinking that I simply wished him to ascertain the character of the force in our front, hastily moved his regiment about and to the side of the road and out of the range of the rebel guns, but, at my orders as promptly resumed his original formation, in  column of fours," in the road, and dashed forward at a gallop with sabers drawn, broke through the enemy's battery; Hatch's division and Hammond's brigade, dismounted, rushed forward at the same moment. The enemy, broken in the center and pressed back on both flanks, fled rapidly from the field, withdrawing his guns at a gallop. Lieutenant Hedges, outstripping his men, was captured three different times, but throwing his hat away and raising the cry "The Yankees are coming, run for your lives," succeeded in getting away. The rout was complete, and although it was then very dark everybody pressed rapidly forward, the Fourth U.S. Cavalry and General Hatch, with a handful of men, in advance on the pike, and the Fifth Division on right and left. General Hammond, with the Tenth Indiana Cavalry, Lieutenant-Colonel Gresham commanding, fording the West Harpeth a few hundred yards to the right, again struck the rebels in the flank. Pressed in all directions the artillerymen left their guns and saved themselves as best they could; the infantry scattered in all directions; darkness alone enabled the entire command to escape. The rebel force was found to be Stevenson's division, of Lee's corps, under command of General Forrest, who had just returned from Murfreesborough.3

Early the next morning the Cavalry Corps, although out of rations, again renewed the pursuit--Croxton and Johnson endeavoring to strike the enemy at Spring Hill; Hatch and Knipe moving as the day before. The enemy, having encamped at Spring Hill, marched rapidly toward Columbia, but could not be again brought to a stand. The densely wooded country, muddy roads, and plowed fields, rendered almost impassable by the constant rain, made it very difficult for troops traveling on the right and left of the pike to get forward fast enough to overtake the enemy marching on the pike. Late in the afternoon the command halted seven miles north of Columbia for rations, having had nothing to eat since the day before and nothing in the country for them to take. Supplies arrived during the night, and early in the morning the pursuit was resumed, notwithstanding a heavy storm of rain and snow then prevailing. General Hatch arrived at Rutherford's Creek at an early hour, followed closely by the Fourth Corps. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, by order of General Thomas, the balance of the Cavalry Corps remained in bivouac. Rutherford's Creek, swollen by the rains and having steep and abrupt banks, could not be forded. The pontoon train was behind, and did not arrive till the next day. The enemy occupied a strong position commanding the site of the old bridge. General Hatch succeeded in crossing a few skirmishers on the ruins of the upper railroad bridge, about a mile from the pike, but, after some skirmishing, withdrew them to the north bank after dark.

The morning of the 20th General Hatch constructed a floating bridge out of the debris of the lower railroad bridge and crossed his entire command, but the enemy had succeeded in getting everything across Duck River the night before. This stream, being also much swollen, could not be crossed until the pontoon bridge was laid. Brigadier-Generals Johnson and Knipe were sent to Nashville to remount their dismounted brigades on the 20th.

On the 24th of December the whole corps, having crossed Duck River, resumed the pursuit, but General Hood had improved his opportunity and reformed his rear guard by selecting all of the well-armed infantry in his command; they were organized into eight brigades, of about 500 men each; the available cavalry that could be controlled were also used; all under command of Lieutenant-General Forrest. The trains and body of the army were hurried toward the Tennessee River, marching to Pulaski, and thence by the dirt roads to Bainbridge. The rear guard had thus a clear road and when pressed could fall back rapidly. The country on the right and left of the pike, very broken and densely timbered, was almost impassable; the pike itself, passing through the gorges of the hills, was advantageous for the enemy; with a few men he could compel the pursuing force to develop a front almost anywhere. In the vicinity of Lynnville, the country being open, the enemy was driven rapidly back, and at Buford Station, near Richland Creek, while Hatch was-pressing them on the pike Croxton struck them in flank and drove them in confusion beyond Richland Creek. In this affair one flag and a number of prisoners were captured and the rebel General Buford wounded through the leg. The rebels retreated that night to the vicinity of Pulaski, but the next day were driven through that place, closely pressed by Harrison's brigade. The bridges across Richland Creek were saved by the celerity and good management with which Colonel Harrison handled his command, so that, without delaying, he continued the pursuit, and by 2 p.m. came up with the enemy strongly intrenched at the head of a heavily wooded and deep ravine, through which ran the road. The country was so difficult and broken that the men of Harrison's brigade were necessarily in weak order, but nothing daunted, they pursued the enemy's skirmishers back to their fortified position. Here they were compelled to halt, and while the troops of Hatch's, Croxton's, and Hammond's commands were marching through the woods to their support, a few hundred of the enemy's infantry, for the first time since the battles about Nashville, sallied from their breast-works and drove back Harrison's attenuated skirmish line and captured one gun of Smith's battery (I, Fourth U.S. Artillery). They were promptly driven back, but had succeeded in getting the captured gun off. Hammond, Croxton, and Hatch moving on the flanks of their position they abandoned it hastily just before night, leaving about fifty prisoners in our hands.

On the 26th the pursuit was continued to the Sugar Creek, the enemy falling back and making but slight resistance. At the latter place they took up a strong position and held it until General Hammond had developed his forces and got ready to attack. Hastily withdrawing, they continued their march throughout the night. It had now become evident that no effort on the part of my command could bring again Forrest to risk another engagement. Having neither rations nor forage, and learning that the main body of the rebels had already reached the south side of the Tennessee, I directed the corps to halt, and the next morning I sent Colonel Spalding, of the Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, with 500 picked men, after the enemy, with directions to continue the pursuit until he had reached the Tennessee River. He reached the river, at Bainbridge, early on the morning of the 28th, the last of the enemy having crossed and taken up the bridge during the night.

The road from Pulaski to Bainbridge was as bad as it could possibly be the country through which it runs almost entirely denuded of forage and army supplies. Both men and horses suffered greatly. Hood having effected his escape, the corps was ordered to Eastport for the purpose of refitting and resting. Before this order was received, however, Hatch, Hammond, and Harrison had marched to Athens, on the road to Huntsville, in pursuance of previous instructions from General Thomas.

The reports of the provost-marshal show that during these operations the cavalry captured from enemy 32 guns, 11 caissons, 12 colors, 3,232 prisoners (including 1 general officer), and compelled them to abandon or destroy over 100 wagons, 8 ambulances, and 1,348 mules.

Detachments of the Sixth and Seventh Divisions accompanied the movements of Major-General Steedman south of the Tennessee, and burned the rebel pontoon and a large supply train; in all, 80 pontoons, 125 wagons.

Our losses were: I gun; 122 officers and men killed, 521 wounded, and 259 missing.

For the details of these operations and acts of special gallantry I respectfully refer to the reports of Generals McCook, Hatch, Hammond, Johnson, and Croxton, which I submit herewith. Reports of other commanders will be sent forward as soon as obtained. The operations of the Third Division, extending from Atlanta to Savannah, are fully detailed in the reports of General Kilpatrick and his subordinate officers, transmitted herewith.4

General Kilpatrick and his gallant command are specially worthy of praise for the admirable manner in which they co-operated with the movements of the infantry in their long and tiresome march, as well as for the confidence and bravery with which they attacked and defeated at various times the superior numbers of the rebel cavalry under General Wheeler.

The officers of my staff have performed their duties most efficiently throughout the entire campaign, but I am particularly indebted to Lieut. Col. A. J. Alexander, assistant adjutant-general, Seventeenth Corps, chief of staff; Maj. E. B. Beaumont, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. E. B. Carling, chief quartermaster; and Capt. J. C. Read, chief commissary. These officers have fully earned the promotion for which they have already been recommended to the War Department.

It is with great pleasure I mention the services of Maj. William P. Chambliss and Capt. John Green, U.S. Army, special inspectors of cavalry. In furnishing remounts, arms, and preparing troops for the field, they have done more than all other persons toward promoting the efficiency of the cavalry service in this military division.

Before closing this report it may not be improper to say that throughout the entire campaign the bravery and steadiness of the cavalry troops, new and old, were most conspicuous. Nothing could have been more admirable than their conduct on the Harpeth, in the two days' battle at Nashville, in the affair on the West Harpeth, or in the pursuit which followed. -I know of no battles in the war where the influence of cavalry was more potent, nor of any pursuit sustained so long and well.

The results of campaign, added to those following the same policy in the Army of the Potomac, clearly demonstrate the wisdom of massing the cavalry of an army, and it is to be hoped will obtain from the War Department a recognition of the corps already organized.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
J. H. WILSON,     
Brevet Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding. 
Brig. Gen. WILLIAM D. WHIPPLE,
    Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff, Hdqrs. Dept. of the Cumberland.
_______________ 

ADDENDA. 
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS No. 1.}
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,         
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,     
Granny White Pike, December 17, 1864. 

The brevet major-general commanding takes great pleasure in communicating to the cavalry the generous commendations and thanks of Major-General Thomas for their success, good conduct, and dashing gallantry displayed throughout the recent engagements near Nashville. Guns, prisoners, and battle-flags are the sure evidences of victory. It is with great pleasure that the brevet major-general commanding states no corps in the army can show more of them than the cavalry.

By order of Brevet Major-General Wilson: 
E. B. BEAUMONT,     
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. 
_______________

SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS No. 16.}
BLUE WATER,     
December 30, 1864.

It gives the brevet major-general great pleasure to transmit the following complimentary notice of the operations of the Cavalry Corps, and to assure the officers and soldiers of his command that he fully indorses the declaration of Major-General Thomas:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Pulaski, Tenn., December 29, 1864.

Maj. Gen. J. H. WILSON,

Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi:

 

GENERAL: The major-general commanding tenders his thanks to yourself, officers and men for the vigor, skill, bravery, and endurance displayed by your corps in this long and toilsome pursuit of the retreating rebel army.

 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WM. D. WHIPPLE,

Brigadier-General and Chief of Staff.



By order of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,     
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General. 
_______________ 

GENERAL ORDERS No. 18.}
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,         
MILITARY DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,     
Gravelly Springs, February 24, 1865. 

The brevet major-general commanding takes great pleasure in commending the gallant and meritorious conduct of the following-named officers and enlisted men of the Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, during the recent campaign: Col. George Spalding, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, for gallantry in charging the enemy's works in front of Nashville on the 15th and 16th of December, 1864; Col. Thomas J. Harrison, commanding brigade, Sixth Division, for gallantry and energetic discharge of his duties; Lieutenant-Colonel Gresham, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, for gallantry in the night fight on the West Harpeth; Capt. Joseph C. Boyer, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, for gallantry in hand-to-hand fight on the night of the 16th of December, 1864, resulting in the capture of his opponent, Brigadier-General Rucker, of the Confederate army; Captain Davis, Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, for behaving with great gallantry; Capt. Norman M. Smith, Nineteenth Pennsylvania, for attention to duty at all times, bravery at Hollow-Tree Gap (December 17), Anthony's Hill (December 25), Sugar Creek (December 26, 1864); Capt. George R. Mitchell, Company K, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, for gallantry in leading a charge against the enemy at Indian Creek, December 22, 1864; Capt. William Mead and Lieut. George S. Snook, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, with eighty men of Companies D and K, of the same regiment, charged through the rebels, 300 strong, killing and wounding many and capturing twenty-five prisoners; First Lieut. Thomas Claiborn, Tenth Indiana Cavalry, for attention to duty at all times and bravery at Hollow-Tree Gap, December 17, 1864; Lieut. Hervey A. Colvin, Twelfth Tennessee Cavalry, and Lieutenant Budd, Second Iowa Cavalry, for gallantry during the charge on first redoubt, stormed by the Second Brigade, Fifth Division, in front of Nashville; First Lieut. Joseph Hedges, Fourth U.S. Cavalry, for gallantry in fight on the Little Harpeth River, December 18 [17], 1864, charging a strong line of rebel infantry with his regiment mounted, charge resulting in the capture of three guns from the enemy; Sergt. George G. Chism, Company A, Ninth Indiana Cavalry, for charging with fifteen men and capturing twenty rebels at Franklin December 17,1864; Sergt. Martin G. Rossmalier, Company H Fourth U.S. Cavalry for bravery during the action at Little Harpeth River; Corpl. Harrison Collins,5 Company A, First Tennessee Cavalry, for capturing a rebel battle-flag from Chalmers' division December 24, 1864; Private Simpson B. Gaston, for gallantry in leading the charge on Reynolds' Hill, December 25, 1864.

The gallantry of the troops of the Cavalry Corps has receives the commendation of the major-general commanding the department. It is regretted that the brevet major-general commanding cannot mention more from the host of meritorious soldiers who were distinguished for their gallantry. The division and brigade commanders having been mentioned in the report of operations, on that account are not mentioned in general orders.

By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,     
Major and Assistant Adjutant-General
_______________ 

Consolidated report of prisoners of war captured and Confederate deserters taken by Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, commanded by Breret Major-General Wilson, during the campaign from November 30, 1864, to December 31, 1864.

 

 

Officers.

Men.

Troops.

Prisoners of War.

Rebel Deserters.

Prisoners of War.

Rebel Deserters.

First Division

7

 

357

3

Second Division

 

 

 

 

Third Division

13

 

229

 

Fourth Division

2

 

43

 

Fifth Division

17

 

1,669

 

Sixth Division

 

 

 

 

Seventh Division.

47

 

848

 

Total

86

 

3,146

3


Disposition of prisoners of war and deserters.

 Prisoners of war, including officers and deserters, transferred--

To Colonel Parkhurst, provost-marshal-general Department of the Cumberland

517

To provost-marshal Army of the Tennessee, Eastport, Miss

36

To Captain Sparks, Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers

10

To General Granger, Huntsville, Ala

95

To Fourth Army Corps, Department of the Cumberland

296

To Captain Dugger, One hundred and twenty-second Illinois Infantry

7

To General Kimball

8

At Franklin, Tenn

12

Remainder transferred to infantry officers during the fighting; no receipts taken for the same.

I certify that the above report is correct.
G. H. KNEELAND, 
Captain and Acting Provost-Marshal. 
_______________ 

Consolidated report of property captured by Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi, commanded Brevet Major-General Wilson, during the campaign from November 30, 1864, to December 31, 1864.

[Column Lables.]

A

Division.

E

6-pounder James rifles.

I

Small-arms.

M

Wagons.

B

Brigade.

F

6-pounder Napoleons.

J

Sabers.

N

Ambulances.

C

Regimental.

G

 

K

Locomotives.

O

Pontoon wagons.

D

12-pounder howitzers.

H

Caissons.

L

Hand cars.

P

Mules.


Troops.

Standards

Artillery.

 

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

First Division

....

....

....

....

....

....

1

1

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

Second Division

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

Third Division

1

....

....

....

....

....

2

3

365

....

1

....

....

....

....

....

Fourth Division

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

Fifth Division a

1

4

....

4

4

7

14

7

2,021

4

2

2

26

8

....

....

Sixth Division

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

Seventh Division b

2

3

1

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

....

158

....

125

1,348

Total

4

7

1

4

4

7

17

11

2,386

4

3

2

184

8

125

1,348


a First Brigade, Fifth Division, claims tho capture of 400 stand of small-arms, left on the field for want of transportation. Two pieces of artillery captured were saved by Lieut. R. B. Avery. The ammunition wagons, horses, and drivers were captured by Capt. H. Lindsey. The brigade does not claim these guns outright. The skirmishers of the Third Illinois Cavalry entered the rebel breastworks on a line with the skirmishers of the Second Brigade, Fifth Division. The brigade forced the enemy to abandon three pieces of artillery, which the rebels threw into Duck River. The Third Illinois Cavalry, of this brigade, captured 2 locomotives, 2 hand-cars, and saved 200 cords of wood (Government) fired by the enemy. The small-arms captured were all left on the field or destroyed. Total capture of field pieces by this brigade, 14.

b First Brigade, Seventh Division, Cavalry Corps : This brigade captured six colors; one of the num. ber was captured by Lieutenant Allen, aide-de-camp to General Hammond, and by him turned over to General Knipe; the remaining fire were transferred to Captain Huston, provost-marshal Seventh Cavalry Division. Forty-eight mules and 8 wagons captured were turned over to Captain Huston, provost-marshal, also Colonel Russell's and Roddey's headquarters wagons, numbering 25, with Roddey's papers; 125 pontoon wagons, with contents, burned; 125 wagons, General Hood's supply train, also burned, with contents. Total capture of mules, 1,348; out of that number 200 were turned over to Gen. eral Granger; broken-down horses were replaced with a number of them, and the remainder killed.

I certify that the above report is correct.
G. H. KNEELAND, 
Captain and Acting Provost-Marshal. 

HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. DIV. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
    PROVOST-MARSHAL'S OFFICE,
        Gravelly Springs, February 6, 1865.
_______________ 

1 See Plate CV, Map 9 of the Atlas.

2 See p. 791.

3 For sketch of the action at West Harpeth, accompanying this report, see Plate CV, Map 6 of the Atlas.

4 See Vol. XLIV.

5 Awarded a Medal of Honor.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 45, Part 1 (Serial No. 93), p. 550-71