USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 37
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During the stay at Pulaski there was much speculation as to Gen. Ilood's intentions. Bad weather and want of trans- portation and supplies had detained him, but about the 20th it became apparent that he was to push northward into Ten- nessee. The main body of the Twenty-third Corps had reached Pulaski by this time, but the entire force then num- bered but about twenty-five thousand men, while the rebels in their front numbered more than fifty thousand. Gen. Thomas was receiving considerable reinforcements at Nashville, many of them, however, being new recruits, and toward that city he ordered Gen. Schofield, then in command at Pulaski, to retreat if it became necessary in order to avoid a battle.
415
PULASKI EVACUATED,
1804]
CHAPTER XXIV.
The Rebels Advance - Pulaski Evacuated - A Short Sleep -- Refugees on the Road - A Trying Night March -A Sombre Thanksgiving - Columbia Reached - Again Outflanked -Spring Hill -- Close Prox- imity of the Enemy - A Halt on the Ridge - The Battle of Frank. lin - Another Night March - Arrival at Nashville -- Two Nights on the Front Line - The Army Reinforced - Waiting for the Battle.
THE situation of affairs in Tennessee and Georgia was now a most peculiar one. Gen. Sherman had hardly more than fairly started from Atlanta when Gen. Hood left the line of the Tennessee River, and the strange spectacle was presented of two armies that had long confronted each other, and often met in battle, marching in opposite directions, each intent upon invasion. Opposed to Gen. Sherman were a few cav- alrymen and state troops. Gen. Hood was confronted by two Corps of Infantry, a small force of cavalry and a few detached regiments that had been doing garrison duty at various points between Nashville and Decatur.
By November 20 the Rebel infantry had crossed the Ten- nessee River and were pushing rapidly northward, aiming to go by way of Lawrenceburg and interpose themselves between Pulaski and Columbia, in the neighborhood of Lynnville. The Union cavalry was active and vigilant, and reported to Gen. Schofield, then in command at Pulaski, and arrange- ments were speedily made for a retreat. Tuesday, Novem- ber 22, a part of the Twenty-third Corps and the Second Division of the Fourth Corps marched to Lynnville. thus pre- venting the Rebel forces from reaching that point. Gen. Hood then directed his columns toward Columbia, going by way of Mount Pleasant, wherenpon the Union forces at Lynnville resumed their march on the morning of the 23d. The weather, which had been rainy much of the time for a fortnight, turned bitter cold, the ground freezing and ice forming upon the smaller streams.
416
HISTORY OF THE 26TH REGIMIENT, ILL. V. I.
While the campaign had been thus inaugurated, a portion of the Fourth Corps still remained in Pulaski. Wednesday, November 23, the Regiment was busily engaged in strength- ening its already strong intrenchments when orders were received to march in an hour. At noon the column filed out and marched to the pike, where the entire Division remained until nearly dark, the road being thronged with wagons, troops and refugees, hurrying northward. All of the refugees were colored people, most of whom had been quartered on some abandoned plantations not far from Huntsville, the Gov- ernment having encouraged them to remain there and raise a crop. The advance of the Rebel Army had alarmed them, and, gathering up such effects in the way of clothing and bed- ding as they could carry, they sought to escape from a return to slavery, which they imagined would surely follow if they allowed the Confederates to overtake them.
Pulaski was evacuated early in the evening, considerable amounts of clothing and provisions being burned to prevent their falling into the hands of the enemy. A few buildings were destroyed. The teams and artilery, which had come from Chattanooga by way of Dechard and Fayetteville, were loaded to their utmost capacity, but the transportation was inadequate to meet the emergency then arising, and an im- mense bonfire was made necessary. A little before dark the NINETY-SIXTH was on the road and marched back to Lynnville. being delaved by the troops and trains that had preceded. There was more or less firing on the left, not a great distance from the pike. At a late hour the Division halted and went into camp. Hardly had the tired men fallen asleep when the bugle sounded and they were again hurried out upon the pike. It was reported that the Rebels had not halted, but were mak- ing a night march, hoping to reach Columbia before Gen. Schofield could get his troops into position, and all understood that it was a race between the two armies. The Regiment hurried along the road, until the rear of the main column was overtaken, when the march was slower. The poor refugees were overtaken and passed. They were most pitiable objects. having marched for many hours with little to eat and without
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Corp'l P'STER MOWERS JAMES DONAHUE.
Corp'l JARED O. BLODGETT. Second Lient. JOHN W. SWANBROUGH. LOYAL CADWELL.
REUBEN MILLEE SAMUEL F. VO-E
417
COLUMBIA.
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daring to stop for rest. There were hundreds of women and children, the latter crying piteously from hunger and cold. But the soldiers could give them no assistance, and they were compelled to halt beside the road and let the column pass. Fires were kindled in the fence corners, and many of them gave up the march in despair, although others kept on to Nashville. The troops were given to understand that an attack might be expected any moment, and none were allowed to straggle.
The dawn of Thursday, November 24, found the long columns still toiling on, the one in grey hoping to reach Columbia while their opponents were far away, the one in blue resolute in its purpose to head off their wary rivals, if hard and continuons marching could effect so desirable a result. It was the National Thanksgiving Day, and throughout the loyal States the people were returning grateful thanks to the Provi- dence that had smiled upon the Union armies, East and West, and were hopeful that peace and final victory were near. But to the soldiers of the little army under Gen. Schofiehl the day was filled with forebodings, for they were retreating over ground reclaimed more than a year before, and the haste of the movement, the evident anxiety of their commanders, and the occasional sounds of cannon and musketry that came from the flank, where the cavalry was watching the enemy, made them feel apprehensive that all was not going well. At noon the tired troops ahead left the pike and moved into a large field for a brief rest, and the members of the NINETY-SIXTH were discussing the expected Thanksgiving dinner and making up impossible bills-of-fare as they neared the halting place. Considering their questionable surroundings they were cer- tainly a very jolly lot. But as they were about to halt. a staff officer rode up and ordered Major Hicks to march the Regi- ment to a high ridge on the flank, nearly a half mile from the pike, and keep a sharp lookout for Rebels, returning when the column began to move. The order was by no means a wel- come one after being on the move so long, but, knowing that it was their turn for duty, the men cheerfully complied. It was a long, hard climb. Just as the head of the Regiment
27
418
HISTORY OF THE 9TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
was nearing the summit some shots were heard, and a moment later a little squad of cavalry dashed out of the woods, many of them hatless and all greatly excited. Reaching the infant- ry they reported that they had been ambushed and had lost several men, killed or captured by a large body of the enemy near at hand. This information set the men on their metthe and a sharp lookout was maintained. In a few minutes the teams had passed on toward Columbia, and the troops in the valley had finished their hurried dinners. The NINETY-Sixru soon took up the line of march, at the rear of the columnu. The march was kept up till almost night, the firing increasing toward Columbia, on the Mount Pleasant road. At length the village was reached and the race for that day was at an end. The heads of the opposing armies had reached the outskirts of the town almost simultaneously, but the small force then acting as a garrison to the town met and delayed the Rebel advance. thus giving the Union forces time to partially deploy their lines. A portion of the Twenty-third Corps reached the town about noon. There was a sharp contest, resulting in a few casualties on either side ; but Gen. Ilood found himself check- mated, and night shutting down the two armies moved into position and halted. The NINETY-SIXTH was sent to a position in the front line, and at once threw up breastworks, the men working diligently. in reliefs, all night, notwithstanding their fatigue. They had marched abont thirty miles, with many halts and interruptions, but with little rest, and only the neces- sity of the hour inclined them to the hard labor of entrenching.
Columbia was situated on high ground in a deep bend of Duck River, and here Gen. Thomas, who still remained at Nashville, hoped his army would make a final stand and fight a decisive battle with Gen. Hood. He was expecting three Divisions of the Sixteenth Corps, under Gen. A. J. Smith. from the Mississippi, and also other reinforcements, but unex- pected delays occurred. Two or three regiments and a goodly number of recruits came to the department and were hurried forward by rail. But Gen. Hood remembered his experiences at Atlanta and Allatoona, and decided to postpone any charges upon the Yankee breastworks. Instead, while keeping up a .
419
A CRITICAL DAY.
156+]
feint of assaulting the lines at Columbia, he rested his army for a day or two, and then, moving by the right flank, made a bold push for the Union rear, determined to interpose his Army between Gen. Schofield and Franklin. The movement was admirably conceived and well-nigh successful.
Meanwhile the Union forces had been disposed for defen- sive operations. The cavalry was watching the fords of Duck River and attempting to hold the Rebels in check. A part of the Fourth Corps moved slightly to the rear Friday evening, and occupied a shorter and stronger line than the one so hastily formed on Thursday. Saturday brought heavy skirmishing. but no casualties occurred in the Regiment. At dark the troops were ready to move, but after a delay of some hours it was learned that the pontoon bridge had broken, a portion of the troops having crossed. The lines were thinned out so as to occupy the works vacated by that portion of the army which had crossed ; a work of great difficulty, as the night was intensely dark and the rain pouring down in torrents.
Sunday, November 27, was spent in the lines about the little city. but when darkness came, the troops, except a small force which remained until daylight to cover the retreat, silently moved to the rear, waded through the innd to the pontoon bridge, and then halted and fortified. the NINETY- Srvrut marching eastward up the river two or three miles. The men were on the move almost the entire night, and when they halted, near daylight, were called upon to fortify their position. Captain Pollock was sent out with a small force to reconnoitre the front, and meeting a detachment of cavalry falling back before the Rebel advance, had a lively skirmish. During all of Monday the Brigade lay near Duck River, and Monday night moved to Rutherford's Creek, partially fortify- ing another line, where it remained for nearly twenty-four hours, guarding the crossing while troops and trains passed to the rear.
Tuesday, November 29, was a critical day with the army. General Kimball having come up and assumed command of the Division, General Whittaker took command of the Brigade. There was ample evidence that Rebel infantry was
420
HISTORY OF THE 69TH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
marching past the position held by the NINETY-SixTH and other portions of the Division, for the pickets were constantly reporting moving troops in sight, and were frequently fired upon. The wagon trains had been ordered to Franklin under escort of the Second Division of the Fourth Corps, the infantry taking the lead. Their march was begun about eight o'clock A. M. Twelve miles north of Columbia was Spring Hill. a small village, where was stationed a company or two of cavalry. As the infantry approached the village firing was heard, indicating that the Rebels had outmarched them and were fighting for the possession of the village and pike. It proved to be only a cavalry fight, at first, aud when the head of the Second Division reached the scene the enemy retired. A brisk skirmish followed, for the Rebel infantry was close at hand and made a vigorous attempt to gain a position on the highway and cut off the troops that had not yet arrived from Columbia. The Second Division was re- peatedly attacked, and on the right and a little south of the village was forced to retreat for some distance. Most of the artillery was at hand and aided in repelling the charges. For- tunately the Rebels lacked the nerve to take advantage of the situation. and the day closed without serious losses. Most of the teams closed up at a run when the skirmishing began, and were parked at the village. A few went forward and were captured and burned by the cavalry near Thompson's Station. Gen. Hood seems to have realized his opportunity and to have made an earnest effort to take advantage of it. but Gen. Cheatham, in command of his advance, with a corps at hand and another rapidly approaching, delayed, through fear that he was outnumbered, the amount of artillery and the vigor with which General Stanley resisted disconcerting him and rendering him timid. The Union loss was about two hundred ; the Rebel loss fully five hundred.
Meanwhile the NINETY-SixTh, with the other troops of the Brigade, had been comparatively idle at Rutherford's Creek. but just before night took up the line of march. The Regi- ment had the lead and marched left in front. An advance guard was put out, and after a time flankers were sent upon
421
1864]
Ax ANXIOUS NICHT.
the right. marching through the fields parallel with the main column. The utmost silence prevailed, and all commands were given in low tones. There were frequent halts, and more than once men were seen or heard leaving the pike. A light barricade was found at one point. the enemy disappearing in the darkness. Nearing Spring Hill some horsemen were met, and a brief parley ensued. each party being afraid the others were Rebels. Everything was soon explained, how- ever. for some one soon recognized Gen. Whittaker's pecu- liar voie and made known the fact that fears had been entertained that the command had been cut off and pos- sibly dispersed or captured. The march was then continued to Spring Hill, where the NINETY-SINTH was moved into a cornfield on the north side of the pike and directed to build a line of works. All were cautioned to maintain silence, and hardly a cornstalk rustled, so careful were the men. The Rebel camp fires were but a hundred rods distant, and the men could be plainly seen standing or walking around them. Orders were given not to fire a gun unless the enemy should be seen advancing in force directly toward the pike. It was stated as a fact that some members of the Regiment. going for rails, a short distance in front, found the Rebels taking rails from the same fence, and Sergeant Murrie and Corporal Swazey, of Company C, going out to reconnoitre, actually passed between the pickets of the enemy, going nearly to the camp-fires and returning without being fired upon. For hours the flankers of the two armies were within a few yards of each other, but each apparently under orders not to bring on an engagement. It was probably eleven o'clock or after when the Regiment was halted in the cornfield. A light barricade was soon completed, and then the men stood or laid in line, chilled to the marrow, and anxiously awaiting orders to leave the perilous position.
Toward morning, the last wagon having got in line, the Regiment moved to the road and pushed northward, being almost the rear of the army. With the first glimmer of day- light the firing, which had been confined to an occasional shot, increased somewhat, and before sunrise was quite lively.
429
HISTORY OF THE 96FH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
The NINETY-SIXTH marched in the fields much of the way. Apparently there was great confusion, for detached regiment- from several brigades, groups of men who had tired out and left their commands, a few ambulances, a part of a battery, and a group of citizens and railroad men were all crowding for the pike at the same time. By good management on the part of Gen. Stanley, and because of timidity on the part of the Rebels, only a few of the eight hundred wagons in the train were lost, and before daylight Gen. Schofield's advance was crossing the Harpeth River at Franklin. His rear, however. had still about eight miles to march.
That night had been one of extremest peril, and it was a relief to the rear-guard when, at a little after sunrise, it became apparent that the Rebel infantry had not marched during the night, and that its advance was barely abreast with the Union rear guard.
The skirmishing grew lively as the hours wore on, but the danger of attack in flank was over. The Twenty-third Corps had reached Franklin before daylight, and a portion of the Fourth Corps soon followed, forming a line about the village, the flanks resting on the river. The wagons were parked on the north side of the river, Gen. Wood's Division forming as a guard near the ground where the NINETY-SIXTH had encamped for several weeks in the spring of 1863. The crossing of the river was a difficult matter, but enough planks were found to convert the railroad bridge into a wagon bridge, and also to construct a crossing above.
But the troops in rear were still toiling on, with the Rebel rear-gnard closely following. Once at least, a little north of Thompson's Station, they pressed so hard that the NINETY- SixTH forined in line, faced to the rear, and showed so bold a front as to compel them to halt and deploy their lines, thus saving valuable time to the retreating forces. The soldiers of either army shouted in defiant tones and were repeatedly so near as to be readily understood.
Not far from eleven o'clock in the forenoon of Monday. November 30, the Regiment halted beside the pike, two miles south of the village, and prepared a hasty breakfast from
423
FRANKLIN.
1864)
the well nigh empty haversacks. Before all had succeeded in boiling coffee, an order came to move to a high knob some distance west of the road, and prepare to resist the enemy. In a moment the column moved for its position, where a grand panorama spread out before them. Approaching a stone wall at the foot of the ridge were the skirmishers of the enemy, in so close range that a misket ball fired by one of them buried itself in the shoulder of Sergeant Effinger, of Company C, inflicting a painful and dangerous wound. Far- ther ont to right and left the long columns of infantry were rapidly deploying, with squadrons of cavalry on cither flank. and all advancing steadily toward the ridge. Beyond, the covered wagons were going into park in a meadow close beside the road. Ambulances and artillery followed the infantry, and everything indicated that a battle was near at hand. How- ever severely historians may criticise Gen. Hood, no one who witnessed the marshalling of that vast army outside of Frank- lin can fail to give him high praise for the skill and rapidity with which he formed his lines on that eventful day.
The Regiment hastily threw np a light barricade of rails and rocks along the summit of the ridge, the skirmishers responding to the fire of the enemy. As soon as the lines in the rear. just at the outskirts of the town, were well formed, the Regiment was ordered to retire and was speedily marching at a swinging gait along the old familiar pike, past its picket and reserve posts of 1863. and through the village to the right of the line, being probably the last command to pass the breast works on the Columbia pike .*
* Most writers give to Col. Opdyke', Brigade the credit of being the rear guard from Spring Hill to Franklin, and the last troops to reach the village. The editor finds some conflict of testimony among the records at command, but while not claiming for the NINETY-SIXTH that it acted as rear guard the entire distance, is certain that it did a part of the time. It was left in its position in the cornfield east of Spring Hill until all of the wagony were in line, and passed the range of hills east of Thompson's Station after day- light. The battalion of the 40th Ohio, embracing its non-veterans and those whose terms of service had not expired, and also the 45th Ohio, having been on the skirmish line a: Rutherford's Creek, were brought lick by Lieutenant Earis, Brigade Inspector, and were among the last troops to reach Spring Hill, remaining with the NINETY-SIXTH for & time. On the ridge, outside of Franklin, the NINETY-SIXTH had the right of the line facing south, and from there in was certainly the rear guard. There is little doubt that the Key. iment was the last organized command to pass the breastworks near the Carter residence. The brigades of Lane and Conrad were constructing the works from
424
HISTORY OF THE PorH REGIMENT, ILL. V. I.
In leaving the ridge, Albert Paddock, of Company D, who, tired out with the long march, had thrown himself down beside a log and gone to sleep where the Regiment halted to make coffee, was not missed, but slept on until rudely awak- ened by the Rebels to find himself a prisoner of war.
Arrived at the right, after passing through the village , the Regiment found itself crowded out of the front line, and bivou- neked on a little hill near the cemetery close beside the river. and not far from the ford. Here the men rested. most of them cooking, a few sleeping, and others speculating as to what the coming hours would bring.
. For some hours before the Regiment arrived, the troops of the Twenty-third Corps occupied the main line from the river on the left. two-thirds of the distance around the town, crossing the Lewisburg and Columbia pikes. The First Division of the Fourth Corps was at their right, com- pleting the line to the river above, and nearly all on ground favorable for defense.
These troops had lost no time in rendering their position defensible by the construction of breastworks. and the semi- Grele: a mile and a half in length, was speedily so strong as to afford protection from bullets. In the construction of these works, there being but little timber accessible. fences of every description vere utilized and a few barns and abandoned houses were torn down, the boards being used as a barricade to hold the earth in place, while the sills served an admirable purpose as head logs. Near the Columbia pike an old cotton press was torn down and made to do service. A locust grove was partially cut and used as an abatis at the right of the road. and in the vicinity of the Lewisburg pike an osage orange
which they were subsequently driven when the NINETY-Sixtu passed. A brigade. which the editor believes to have been Col. Opdyke's, was bivouacked near the roadside in some vacant lots a short distance in rear of the works. Before it- arrival in Franklin, the lines were formed and the works were will advanced, mo -; of the Division having in ga there several hours. The battle beginnt within a few moment --- from a half hour to an hour-after the Regiment reached the right. Sergeant Eringer deriares it to have been two o'clock when he was wounded. two miles outside of Frank- lin, but letters and diaries gay: "About noon." Sergeant Berg's diaty, written at th. the, says: " We arrived at Pranklie about ? P. M. Sergeant Finger, of Company C. was wounded severely at noon. Our Division covered the retreat of the Army all day."
425
FRANKLIN.
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hedge was lopped and converted into an effectual protection against the charging cohnans.
On the right and in the immediate front of the posi- tion held by the First Division of the Fourth Corps were a few houses, with lawns and gardens enclosed, and farms stretching out beyond. In rear and near the extreme right of the line was a deep ford, through which many citizens made their way as the day wore on. In rear of the extreme left of the line, upon the north bank of the Harpeth, stood Fort Granger, on which the men of the NINEry-SixTH had spent so many days of hard labor in the spring of 1868. It was now well filled with artillery, and commanded the open plain between the Lewisburg and Columbia pikes. Gen. Schofield was in the fort awaiting the movements of the enemy. The rank and file of the Army expected a battle, but the Com- mauder and many of his subordinates apparently thought that there would be a repetition of the taeties pursued at other points, the enemy, after a strong demonstration in front, seeking to gain the rear of the line by fording the river east of town and making a race for Nashville. With this expectation Gen. Wilson's cavalry was sent to the north side of the Harpeth and pushed well to the front, the teams were massed to await the coming of night and the Third Divi- sion of the Fourth Corps was held near Fort Granger, in read- iness to move to supp at the cavalry and protect the train. The troops were ordered to be ready to march at six o'clock.
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