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THE
WAR OF THE REBELLION:
A COMPILATION OP THE
OFFICIAL RECORDS
UNION AND CONFEDERATE ARMIES.
rUHLlSHKD UNDKK THK DIRECTION OF
The Hon. DANIEL S. LAMONT, Secretary of War,
BY
MAJ. GEORGE B. DAVIS, U. S. A.,
MH. LESLIE J. PERRY,
MR. JOSEPH W. KIRKLEV,
J^oard of Publicali&n,
SERIES I VOLUME XLV IN TWO PARTS.
PART II-CORRESPONOENCE, ETC.
GOVEKNMENT PRINTING OFFICE.
1894.
In compliance with current copyright law,
U.C. Library Bindery produced this replacement volume on
paper that meets the ANSI Standard Z39. 48-1984 to replace
the irreparably deteriorated original.
1990
FAJRT II.-VOL. XLV.
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO
OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA.
TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEOR
GIA, FROM DECEMBER 1, 1804, TO JANUARY 23, 1SG5.*
LTM ION CORRESFONDHN Cl!:, TCTC.
NASHVILLE, December 1, iSG-i 6? a. m.
(Received 12 m.)
Lieuteuant-General GRANT.
City Point:
1 sent your dispatch of 11.30 a. in. yesterday! to Major-General Stone-
man, at Knoxville; lie telegraphs in reply that he cannot learn from
any source that Breckinridge lias more than 3,000 or 4,000 men. He
also reports that a woman who hag come through the enemy s lines
says that she was told by one of Breckinridge s officers that Lee was
evacuating Richmond, and that his advance was at Dublin Station
or New River. I have no further news from General Schofield, but
feel sure everything goes well.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
NASHVILLE, TE^N., December 1. l^(i-l 0.30 p. m.
Maj. Gen. II. AY. HALLECK.
Washington-) D. C. :
After General Schoiield s fight of yesterday, feeling convinced that
the enemy very far outnumbered him, both in infantry and cavalry, I
determined to retire to the fortifications around Nashville, until Gen
eral Wilson ran get his cavalry equipped. He has now but about one-
fourth the number of the enemy, and consequently is no match for
him. I have two iron-dads here, with several gun-boats, and Com
mander Fitch assures me that Hood can neither cross the Cumberland
nor blockade it. I therefore think it best to wait here until Wilson
can equip all his cavalry. If Hood attacks me here, he will be more
seriously damaged than he was yesterday j if he remains until Wilson
gets equipped, 1 can whip him and will move against him at once.
1 have Murfreesborough strongly held, and therefore feel easy in regard
to its safety. Chattanooga, Bridgeport, Stevenson, and Elk River
bridge also have strong garrisons.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General^ U. S. Volunteers. Commanding.
*For Correspondence, etc., from November M, 1864, to November 30. 1864, see Part
J, p. 870, ct. seq.
ts.ee Tart I, p. 1H30.
(3)
4 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
MOUND CITY, December 1, 1864 1 p. m.
Major-General THOMAS:
Your dispatch of yesterday received.* I have ordered the iron
clads to return to the Cumberland River and convoy your transports
up and down that river. I send also a similar order, by dispatch-boat,
to Paducah. On Sunday I will have another iron-clad ready, and will
send it to Smithland to operate on either river, and expect to go there
myself.
S. P. LEE,
Rear- Admiral.
NASHVILLE, December 1, 1804 9.20 p. m.
Admiral S. P. LEE,
Mound City :
Your communication by Commander Fitch and telegram of 1 p. m.
this date are received, and I am much indebted to you for having
changed the destination of the iron-clads. Commander Fitch thinks
if the iron-clads you expect at Smithland were stationed at Clarksville
the river could then be made perfectly safe. Will you please order it
to Clarksville.
GKO. H. THOMAS,
Major-General, U. #. Volunteers, Commanding.
NASHVILLE, TENN., December J, lSf!J 7 p. m.
Major ECKERT:
Attack at Franklin last night was a severe battle, the enemy acting
with all his forces, and suffering heavily in killed, wounded, and pris
oners; of the latter, 1,000 have been brought in, and the former is
estimated at not less than 3,000, while our entire list of casualties will
not reach 1,000. After caring for our part, we fell back, leaving Frank
lin at 3 a. in., and now confront Hood from the for till cations of Nash
ville. General Steedman has arrived with part of his troops. Our
cavalry, under Wilson, gave Forrest a good fight on the Hillsborough
road, and came in all right. Kebel infantry appeared on our front at
4.30 p. in. Things look like work here to-morrow. No telegraphs out.
of Nashville, except toward the north.
J. C. VAN DUZEJR.
DUNCAN S HOUSE, Franklin Pike, [December 7, ISfi-i] 7 p. m.
Major-General THOMAS:
An officer who, came in at 5 p. in. reports that a column of rebel cav
alry followed him in to within two miles of this place; a small squad
of Hatch s men, going out after dark, were fired on a mile from this
and came back. The pack train with ammunition for Croxton has just
arrived here; I informed the officer in charge of it of the facts, and
ordered him to report to you to ascertain how he could communicate
with his command. The enemy undoubtedly reached Jirentwood before
Wilson, and have thrown him off toward Nolensville. I have taken
* See Part I, p. 11G7.
CHAP. LVII.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 5
the precaution of strengthening the pickets by two regiments on this
pike. About half a mile in front of my pickets is a squad of six
soldiers guarding some provisions; they might be hauled in to-night
without risk.
D. S. STANLEY,
Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
Nashville, Tenn., December 1, 1864.
Brig. Gen. J. McARTHUR,
Commanding First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps:
GENERAL: I am directed by the major-general commanding to say
that you will have your effective force in readiness to move at ten min
utes notice.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
J. HOUGH,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Near Franklin, Tenn., December [1], 1864 2 a. m.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
MAJOR: Stewart s brigade is just in from Nolensville, and Hammond
writes from Triune (now at Wilson s Mill, on Brentwood road) no enemy
in that quarter. Very clear that the rebel cavalry has not passed in
this quarter; you had better look for it west. No enemy of any kind
on this flank north of the Harpeth.
Very respectfully,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,
Brentwood, December 1, 1864.
Maj or- General WILSON,
Commanding Cavalry :
GENERAL : I am directed by the major-general commanding to inform
you that he will not make a stand here, but will push on to Nashville
at once, and desires you to conform to the movement. If the enemy
press heavily he wishes you to act stubbornly on the defensive.
Respectfully,
WM. M. VTHEEKY,
Major and Aide-dc-Camp.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS,
Brentwood ^ December 1, 1864 9 a. m.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant- General:
The general commanding directs me to inform you that there is no
appearance of the enemy in our rear.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN N. ANDREWS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
6 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
In Front of Brentwood, December 1, 1864 12 m.
Major- General SCHOFIELD :
Since my last the enemy has begun skirmishing with my rear near
Wilson s Mill. Your order is received; I shall obey it as follows:
Hatch moves byroad north of Brentwood to Thompson s Chapel; John
son by road south of Brentwood to Wins ted pike and Thompson s
Chapel; Hammond to same place, moving on Johnson s right; all
having ont strong rear guards.
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
A prisoner from the rebel infantry, just brought in, says the rebels
crossed Harpeth early this morning and are marching on.
J. H. W.
HDQRS. CAV. CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Five Miles from Nashville, on Nolensrille Pike,
December 1, 18643.20 p. m.
Maj. Gen. G. H. THOMAS,
Commanding Department of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: I occupy a most excellent position. Colonel Wharton
will explain fully my views. If you can protect my right flank by
infantry we can beat Forrest s whole force. We need rations, medical
officers, and all the mounted and dismounted men belonging to the regi
ments now with me. Send out Hatch s and Croxton s men first. No
enemy in my front yet. I will picket well out and well around to the
eastward.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- Gen era I.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Near Brentwood, December 1, 1804.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant- General, Army of the Ohio :
MAJOR : I am directed by General Wilson to inform you that the
cavalry sent out on the Franklin pike discovered a column of infantry
advancing up toward Nashville.
Very respectfully,
JOHN N. ANDKEW r S,
Captain and Acting Assistant Ad jut ant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Brentwood, December 1, 1864.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
The general commanding directs that you send the Fourth U. S.
Cavalry out on the Noleusville pike, to join us at Thompson s Chapel.
CHAP.LVII.J CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 7
Instruct them to drive all cavalrymen back out of town to the corps.
Send out ammunition Sharps, Burnside, and Spencer immediately:
have it consigned to division ordnance officer.
Very respectfully,
JOHN N. ANDREWS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Five Aliles south of Nashville, December 1, 1864.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant- General :
See General Thomas and make arrangements to send four batteries
to me in the morning. I would like McCook s battery and the two
regular batteries, if they can be got ready. My position is splendid.
No enemy yet in front. Had pretty sharp skirmish at Brentwood all
night. I have directed all the roads from the Franklin pike to the
Lebanon to be picketed. Show this to General Thomas.
Eespectfully,
J. H. WILSON,
Brevet Major- General.
KUQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
December 1, 1864.
Maj. E. B. BEAUMONT,
Assistan t Adjutant- Genera I :
The general commanding directs that you send to him immediately
a morning report of Camp Webster, and order all the officers at our
headquarters to report to him.
Very respectfully,
JOHN N. ANDKEWS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Nashville, December 1. 1864.
[Brevet Major-General WILSON:]
GENERAL: I send the morning report* called for, and have ordered
the officers out. It is impossible to let Carl ing go, as his presence is of
the utmost importance here to take charge of the large number of
wagons now here. All the men in Camp Webster have been armed
and equipped, and are in position stretching from the river to the Mur-
freesborough pike. General Watkins is in command, by direction of Gen
eral Thomas. We have two batteries, Eighteenth Indiana and First
Illinois Artillery, eight guns in all. Watkins brigade is expected to
night. I have ordered the Fourth, what there is mounted, to march,
escort the ammunition train, and take out stragglers. You did not
specify IIOAV many rounds of ammunition you wanted, and I had to
* Not found.
8 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
guess 100,000 Sharps, 100,000 Burnside, and 60,000 Spencer; if you
need more it can be sent. The Fifth Iowa will march out to report
to you to-night, and 300 men of the Thirteenth Indiana. I have ordered
Major Carland, Ninth Indiana, to take command of all the detach
ments that came in as guard to the train, to collect all stragglers, and
send them to you as rapidly as possible. We have no mounted men
except the detachment that General Thomas ordered to be mounted for
courier duty. These are now on picket and patrolling the Lebanon,
Murfreesborough, and other pikes. Our cavalry line stretches from in
front of Camp Webster obliquely toward the city, and is expected to fall
back across the bridge on the Lebanon pike to the rising ground just
this side the creek and join General Miller s line. All the dismounted
men we could get hold of have been armed with infantry musket, and
the force you see on paper has been organized into companies of fifties
and battalions of 300 and 400 men. I have been, of course, unable to
communicate with you, for General Thomas could not tell where you
would be.
I am, general, &c.,
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General .
CIRCULAR.] HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE Miss.,
Brent-wood, December 1, 1864 11.30 a. m.
The command will march in the following order:
1. Fifth Division by the road north of Brentwood to Thompson s
Chapel, forming behind the little stream at that place and on the
right of the pike, facing south.
2. The Sixth Division and Crox ton s brigade by the road in front of
Brentwood to same place, forming across the pike.
3. General Hammond s brigade by road parallel with Winsted pike to
Thompson s Chapel, forming on left of the pike, facing south.
All division commanders will keep out strong rear guards and watch
the movements of the enemy, reporting promptly all information gained.
By command of Brevet Major-Geueral Wilson:
JOHN N. ANDREWS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Five Miles from Nashville, December 1, 186d 7.30 p. m.
The Cavalry Corps will retire in the morning at 6 o clock in the follow
ing order : Fifth Division by the right Hank of brigade parallel with the
pike; Sixth Division by the right flank on the pike, Croxton s bri
gade covering the rear; Seventh Division (Hammond s brigade) by the
left flank parallel with the pike. The pickets will be withdrawn in time
to begin the movement with their commands, and will be deployed as skir
mishers to cover the movement.
By command of Brevet Major-Geueral Wilson :
JOHN N. ANDREWS,
Captain and Acting Assistant Adjutant- General.
CHAP.LVH.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC. UNION. 9
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS,
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Memphis, Tenn., December 1, 1864.
Bvt. Maj. Geu. J. H. WILSON,
Gomdg. Cavalry Corps, Military Division of the Mississippi :
GENERAL: Yours of November 20, by Lieutenant Noyes, has just
reached me by mail at this place.* Since Captain Woodward reached
me with your orders I have twice written you, neither of which letters
you appear to have received. I shall send this by special messenger,
that you maybe more certain of receiving it. That your orders and
those of Major-General Thomas concerning the cavalry have not been
carried out is certainly no fault of mine. Half the command were in
Missouri or Arkansas, where they could not be reached, and were acting
under the orders of officers far above me in authority. The other half
were at Memphis, and could not be taken away from there, because
Major-General Washburn would not permit it, neither would he now,
until General Dana arrives. He is expected on Saturday next. The
cavalry which first arrived at Saint Louis, and which were ordered to
Memphis by General Ivosecransupon Captain Woodward s suggestion,
were a detachment of 400 men consisting of from one to ten men from
every company in seven different regiments. These men had been
absent from their commands seventy -five days, without clothing, &c.,
and had not been paid for six months; neither could they receive pay
until the descriptive rolls of each one were furnished to the officer
commanding them. Moreover, they all belonged to regiments which
General Washburn and Lieutenant Xoyes have arranged to leave here.
When Captain Woodward arrived in Saint Louis after leaving you he
found that with the exception of this mixed detachment all the rest of
Winslow s command had proceeded back through Missouri and Arkan
sas, and he even received intelligence from officers returning from that
command that they had already been detached from General Curtis
command and sent overland to Memphis. He told General liosecrans
that it was your wish to have the command concentrated at some con
venient point as quickly as possible and sent to jSTashville. General
Kosecrans stated that it was adverse to his orders to do so, but
agreed with Captain Woodward that as at that time it was more
than probable that the majority of Colonel Winslow s command would
come out at Memphis, it would be best for that detachment to be sent
to their companies in Memphis to relit. In doing this Captain Wood
ward also acted in obedience to my directions, as Memphis would cer
tainly have been the best point to have concentrated had Winslow s
command come there, as was expected at that time. Besides, could I
have concentrated Winslow s and the Vicksburg cavalry at Memphis
immediately upon the receipt of your order, as was undoubtedly your
intention, I would have had force sufficient to have marched overland
via Fort Henry to Xashville, which would have been the most expedi
tious route. But, as you will see, 1 was powerless, my command being
scattered from Kansas to Middle Tennessee by orders from superior
authority. I certainly understood your instructions, and every move
which I have made was with the intention of carrying them out with
the least possible delay. In answer to your inquiry as to why I was
absent from Saint Louis or Memphis, I have the honor to state that it
was by virtue of extract 7, Special Orders, No. 183, from headquarters
District of West Tennessee, by which order I was sent to Missouri and
* Sec Part I, p. 954.
10 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVn.
Illinois on military business connected with my command. While in
Saint Louis I applied to Washington for an entire remount for \Vin-
slow s command, which I obtained, and had the horses (2,000 in num
ber) shod in readiness for them. My leaving here, in the first place, was
for the purpose of getting together all the troops I possibly could, in
pursuance of instructions from Major-General Howard and yourself, in
order that I might be able to make the expedition first indicated by
you and which was afterward abandoned.
Hoping this explanation of the cause of delay may prove satisfac
tory,
I am, sir. very respectfully, your obedient servant,
B. IT. GKIERSON,
Brigadier- Genera I.
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH IOWA CAVALRY,
Nashville, December 1, ISGi .-7 p. m. .
Captain ANDREWS,
Acting Assistant Adjutant- General:
I have the honor to report that, by direction of Major-Geueral Scho-
field, I covered the west flank ofithe army into Nashville by way of the
Granny White pike, and find myself separated from the general com
manding. By direction of Major Beaumont, I am drawing ammunition,
horseshoes, &c., and expect to start my command to rejoin you by 8
p. in. Having completed the duty assigned me by Major-Geueral Scho-
field, I trust upon your relieving me without having first to report to him
to be relieved, as he is upon another road, and I might lose much time
thereby. The duty assigned my regiment by General Schofield last
evening I. believe was performed satisfactorily, having patrolled as far
down as the Hillsborough pike and retired from the front the last of
all the troops.
I am, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
J. MORRIS YOUXG,
Major , Commanding Regiment.
HEADQUARTERS THIRTEENTH INDIANA CAVALRY,
La Vergne, December 1, 1864.
Major BEAUMONT,
Assistant Adjutant- Genera I, Cavalry Corps:
SIR: I have the honor to report having just returned from a scout to
Nolens ville; met no enemy in force j gave unsuccessful chase to small
squads. The command of Colonel Stewart passed through there last
evening in the direction of Triune. I gathered up several stragglers of
the Eleventh Indiana Cavalry. They state they have been severely
dealt with and routed on the Wilson pike about eight miles from
Nolensville. Nolensville pike is now clear; the indications are, how
ever, that it will be heavily scouted by the enemy to-morrow. The
force engaging Stewart used artillery. Major Harinum, of the Eleventh
Indiana Cavalry, in charge of two companies of the routed men, passed
one of my scouting parties and went in the direction of Nashville. I
was three miles distant. He sent me verbal information relative to it,
but did not wait to see me; whether he reached Nashville or not lean-
CHAP. LVH.] CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.^-UNION. 11
not state. My rations expire to-morrow night. If you have no addi
tional orders for me, please order my regimental commissary subsist
ence and regimental quartermaster to forward rations and forage per
railroad.
1 am, sir. your obedient servant,
G. M. L. JOHNSON,
Colonel Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry.
P. S. One squadron of Ninth Indiana Cavalry, General Hammond s
brigade, has just arrived at this point. They report to me that they
were cut off from their command at Wilson s pike to-day. They intend
going to Nashville in the morning. If any orders for me, send per
bearer.
G. M. L. JOHNSON,
Colonel Thirteenth Indiana Cavalry.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Xashville, Tcnn., December 1, 186-1.
Col. G. G. MINER,
Commanding Camp Webster :
COLONEL: The batteries will not move out in the morning to report
to General Wilson; the order is countermanded. Let the battery
commanders be ready to report to General Wilson to-morrow morning
very early. He will be on the Lebanon pike between the city and your
headquarters.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
HDQRS. CAVALRY CORPS, MIL. Div. OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
XashuiUc, Tenn., December 1, 1S64.
Maj. P. GARLAND,
Ninth Indiana Cavalry :
You will take command of the detachments acting as escort to the
cavalry trains coming from the front; collect all the stragglers from the
cavalry, and as soon as a considerable party is collected take measures
to send them back to their commands. Communicate with these head
quarters to know where such stragglers are to be sent. Send parties
out on the Franklin pike and the different roads upon which the strag
glers might be expected.
By command of Brevet Major-General Wilson:
E. B. BEAUMONT,
Major and Assistant Adjutant- General.
MURFREESBOROUGH, December 1, 1864.
Major-General THOMAS :
I am sending out a small construction train, and also telegraph
repairers, to see what detains General Steedman, and to aid in repair
ing the road, if it may be broken. I have two trains here, and if the
12 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
track in the road cannot well be repaired, will use these trains to bring
Stcedman s troops on up from the gap. General Milroy stayed at Wart-
race last night: his troops three miles beyond. All right here.
LOVELL H. KOUSSEAU,
Major- General.
MURFREESBOROUGH, December 1, 1864 2.15 p. m.
Major-General THOMAS :
I shall be ready to send back block-house garrisons as far as Duck
River so soon as General Steedman s troops shall all pass here. Shall I
not do this? They have all been brought off. If I do not hear from
you when General Steedman passes, I shall send the garrisons back, as
I fear delay may result in the loss of the bridges. Hope you will
.approve ; I can recall if you direct it.
L. H. ROUSSEAU,
Major- General.
NASHVILLE, December 1, 1864.
Major-General ROUSSEAU,
Murfreesborough :
Your dispatch of 2.15 p. m. is received. Send back the garrisons to
reoccupy the block-houses up to and including Duck River bridge, as
you have arranged for.
GEO. H. THOMAS,
Major- General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.
MURFREESBOROUGH, December 1, 186-1 2.45 p. in.
Major-General THOMAS:
Train and garrison ready to start to occupy the block-houses to and
including Duck Kiver bridge. Shall I send them? I suppose General
Steedman s coming might prompt a change in your orders as to these
garrisons.
LOVELL II. ROUSSEAU,
Major-General.
NASHVILLE, [December 1,] 1864.
Major-General ROUSSEAU,
Murfreesborough :
Yours received. Send back the block-house garrisons as far as Duck
River when General Steedman s troops have passed.