USA > Illinois > History of the Ninety-sixth Regiment, Illinois volunteer Infantry, Vol. I > Part 39
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Thursday, December 8, the Regiment was called in line and prepared to move to the front, the enemy having driven in the pickets on the left. but the skirmish pits were speedily retaken without any assistance from this command. Once or twice afterward there were 'alarms, which kept the men in line for a time. Colonel Smith, Captain Hastings, Captain Taylor, and other wounded officers, visited the camp repeat- edly, and were warmly greeted. Captain Burnett was so for- tunate as to secure leave of absence and went home for his first visit. Captain Blowney was taken seriously ill, and went to hospital, where, after a partial recovery. he also obtained a leave of absenec. The three left companies, -- B, G and K .- were commanded by Sergeants Wait, Swanbrough and Luke.
During the two weeks in which he confronted Nashville,
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Gen. Hood was sparing of artillery ammunition. This was, no doubt, partially due to the fact that he had to bring it so, far, and that his transportation was limited, for although he had repaired the railroad from Pulaski to Franklin, he had but two locomotives and a very few cars at his command, most of these having been captured at Spring Hill.
The country became exceedingly anxious over matters in Tennessee, even before the retreat from Franklin ; and now. although the railroad was kept open from Louisville and boat were arriving frequently, coming up the Cumberland, the publie generally seemed to regard Nashville as in a state of siege, and to anticipate that Gen. Hood would flank the forces out, and compel Gen. Thomas to make a race with limes for the Ohio river. Gen. Grant shared in this anxiety, and telegraphed for a forward movement on the sixth ; and as his orders were not obeyed, intimated that he should direct Gen. Schofield to take command. Subsequently he ordered Gen. Logan to proceed to Nashville and take charge of affairs in the Department. and that officer had proceeded as far as Louisville, when word come that an advance had been made. While Gen. Logan was on the road, Gen. Grant even left the Army of the Potomac, then confronting Petersburg, and had reached Washington, with the avowed purpose of going to Nashville and taking charge in person, when a telegram an- nounced the exceedingly satisfactory result of the first day's battle.
But Gen. Thomas had been neither idle nor indifferent, and felt that his knowledge of affairs in the Department jus tified his delay. Many of the recruits were still unarmed. A large number of horses were arriving daily, and were greatly needed by his cavalry, almost one-half of whom were still dismounted. The newly arrived horses had to be shod. and saddles and bridles had to be taken from the depot to the camps. Preparations were so far completed that an advance was promised on the 9th, but a heavy rain storm, turning int > sleet. left the roads and fields so icy that neither men for horses could keep their feet. The cold continued for several days, but on the 14th, the weather having moderated and the
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ice disappeared, orders were issued to move the following morning.
Up to this time Gen. A. J. Smith's command had occu- pied the right of the line, with the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps and Steedman's Division successively on its left. either flank resting on the Cumberland River. The Rebel line was somewhat shorter, but its flanks were guarded by cavalry and heavy earthworks, well supplied with artillery, and com- manded the country to the river.
Thursday, December 15, reveille sounded at four o'clock, and before daylight the Union forces were moving out upon the right. The plan of the battle was a grand left wheel, the right of the line to be so extended as to overlap the onemy's left, and take it in flank and rear. The Twenty- third Corps early left its place in the line and was moved to the right, detachments from Gen. Steedman's command tak- ing its place. Under cover of a dense fog the cavalry moved out upon the Harding and Hillsboro pikes, and as Gen. Smith advanced. extended the swinging column. The Fourth Corps moved out simultaneously and was soon engaged. The First Division had the centre of the Corps and was in double line, -- the first deployed and the second in column. It hap- pened that for the day the NINETY-SIXTH had the second line.
The plan of the battle was admirably carried out. Gen. Steedman made a strong demonstration on the left, deceiving the enemy into the belief that the main attack was to be made at that point. and causing him to weaken his left and centre. The fog served as an admirable shield, and when it began to lift, Gen. Hood was surprised to find great masses of soldiers in blue lapping his left and breaking across his front with rapid musketry and tumultuous shouts. The cav- alry still bore to the right. and soon made way for the Twenty-third Corps. Meanwhile the First Division, marching forward between the Hillsboro and the Granny White pikes. pressed the enemy back to his main line, and shortly after was shouting and charging with the troops on the right. The NINETY-SIXTH followed on. sometimes under heavy fire from both musketry and artillery, but without an opportunity to
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take position in the front line or to return the fire. There were protracted halts, the men hugging the ground to avoid the ever-present danger. Occasionally a fine opportunity was offered for those curiously inclined to watch the maneuvering of the long lines of battle from the elevations gained, the country being comparatively open.
The fog being dispelled, all could see that the Federal were achieving a grand success. the heavy breastwork -. although guarded by formidable abatis, not being pront against the vigorous assaults of the resolute and confident soldiers. In front of the First Division a fortified hill, with artillery, was taken, and a long column of prisoners filed to the rear. The same scene was witnessed at other points, and by night the enemy had been forced to leave its original line and defend a new position, its right upon Overton's Ilill, its left extending to some elevations known as the Harpeth Hills, but with heavy skirmish lines still in their front. The Hillsboro and Granny White pikes were both clear, and when nig !.: closed upon the scene, and the brilliant successes of the day wore telegraphed over the country, " the Federals were noisy and exultant in their extended camps, while the Con- federates, sullen and dispirited, were contracting their lines and building new earthworks.
All night the pickets could hear the sounds of preparation in their front. The skirmishers were bold, and kept up a vig- orous response whenever they were pressed. Trees were being felled, and the orders shouted to the moving troops, a- they massed for their last grand stand, could be plainly heard. While their defeat had been so marked the day before a- to make the outcome of a second day's battle almost certain to be a victory for the Union forces. yet Gen. Hood seems to have conceived the idea that upon the shorter and stronge! line he had now chosen he could resist all direct assaults.
* President Lincoln telegraphed Gea. Thomas next morning : " Please acor ;: i . 'yourself, officers and men, the Nation's thanks for your work of yesterday, You must .. a magnificent beginning. A grand consummation is within your easy reach. Do not ist it slip."
Geu. Grant telegraphed at midnight : "Your dispatch of this evening jos! received. I congratulate you and the army under your command for to-doy's operati " .. and feel a conviction that to-morrow will add more fruits to your victory."
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punish the Federals, as his forces had been punished at Franklin, and then, by a night movement to the left, gain the rear of the Union lines, as he had sought to do at Atlanta and Peach Tree Creek.
The Federals made only meagre preparations for defense. confident that the enemy would not attack. It was a sight to be remembered as the troops lay down to sleep that night, scattered about and covering every level spot. Each kept on his clothing and accoutrements, ready at the order to fall in for work of any kind. None doubted that there would be a renewal of the battle on the morrow, or that the Regiment, having been with the reserves the day before, would lead in the advance next morning ; but none seemed unhappy, or to delay the hour of retiring to indulge in gloomy forebodings.
Friday, December 16. Long before daylight the troops were ready for action, and the grand left-wheel of the main army was resumed. The Brigade to which the NINETY-SIXTH was attached, maneuvered for a time, and when an advance was ordered was the left battalion of the Brigade, and in the front line. At its left, separated by a space of several rods. was the Third Brigade, Col. Grose commanding. But little time was lost in preparation, and then the line swept forward, past form-buildings and through fields and openings. for a mile or more. the Division gradually swinging to the right, until the left of Grose's Brigade rested upon the Franklin pike. The enemy's batteries had begun playing long ere this, and their skirmish fire was growing uncomfortable, when the lines halted near the verge of some timber, and lay down directly in front of a battery, which fired rapidly over them. Across the open field in front could be seen a fringe of willows, marking the course of a creek, along which the Rebel skir- mishers had taken refuge as the Union lines advanced, and beyond it their main works were visible. Soon word came to cross this open field and drive the skirmishers still farther back. Leaving the cover of the timber. the long line of blue pushed steadily but rapidly across a gently sloping ploughed field and meadow, the NINETY-SixTa having no shelter and no support upon its left. How wickedly the bullets came
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hunming across the field ! Occasionally a man raised his musket and fired, as a peculiarly tempting offer presented itself, but most of them went forward with their Entields at a right shoulder shift ; at first silently, and then with a rousing cheer. There was no hesitation anywhere, although the skirmishers on the left were soon firing almost lengthwise of the line and at short range. John Washburn, of Company B, was shot through the body, being among the first hit, and with a single exclamation staggered forward a few steps and fell dead. before one half the distance across the field had been traversed. Poor fellow ! With a presentiment of what was to come he had handed his watch and pocketbook to Nile Wynkoop, of the same Company, that very morning. and requested him to forward it to his wife when the batth. was over. His comrades langhed at his fears, but could not dissuade him from his purpose. Bravely he went forward and met a soldier's death. His brother, Volney Washburn. who had joined the command as a recruit but a few days before, went back with a comrade and bore the body from the field, giving it such burial as he could.
Sergeant Swanbrough, coannanding Company G, turned to give some word of enconragement to his men, when a bul- let disabled his left hand, giving him a wound that proved painful and compelled him to go almost immediately to the rear. Sergeant Miller at once ran bravely to the front and assumed command, the line moving forward without a break. A little further on, Corporal Hamilton, of Company C. who had been terribly wounded through the face at Chickamauga, was struck squarely in the forehead by a bullet, and fell dead without a groan. The bullet passed entirely through his head and entered the shoulder of Sergeant Vandervoort, of Com- pany HI, who chanced to be a step in his rear, inflicting a severe wound. Others were also wounded and compelled to go to the rear. As the creek was neared, the opposing line gave way, running back to another depression, and thence to some fences and buildings, where they secreted themselves and kept up a most annoying fire.
This charge was made about nine o'clock. The men were
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ordered to halt at the creek, the bank affording some pro- tection, although the position was uncomfortable, owing to the mud and water. A few rods in front of the stream, and on slightly higher ground, was a rail fence, separating the meadow from a cornfield in which the stalks were still stand- ing, and to this fence the line soon made its way and began to fortify. Grose's Brigade moved up and took position. . about on a line with the NINETY-SINTH. Here the troops lay for several hours. a light breastwork being soon constructed. Looking across the cornfield, the Rebel breastworks could be plainly seen, the flags planted upon thein being so numerous as to indicate a heavy line. A continuous but not a rapid fire was maintained. Soon there was a wild cheer, and a heavy musketry fire, a little beyond the Franklin pike, off to the left, where, as it proved, a brigade of colored troops, who had driven the onemy from the Nolensville pike, were assaulting the Rebel intreuchments at Overton's Hill. This assault, which was participated in by the Second Division of the Fourth Corps, failed, but was renewed and repeated sev- eral times, always without success. In these charges, Lieu- tenant Woodruff; formerly First Sergeant of Company I. but who had been commissioned in a colored regiment, bravely met his death, and Captain Collier, formerly First Sergeant of Company D, but who had been commissioned in the same brigade with Woodruff, was wounded.
Meanwhile the troops on the right had driven the enemy from several strong positions, not only gaining valuable ground. bat making numerons captures of prisoners and artillery.
The position of the NINETY-SixTH was not only under a severe fire from the front, but became most uncomfortable because of the tiring of a battery in its rear, the artillerists cutting almost every fuse so short as to cause the shells to explode long before reaching the Rebel lines. Oneof these shells exploded near the right of the Regiment and wounded Sergeant Sullivan, of Company F, so severely as to cause his death three weeks later. To add to the discomfort. a cold
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rain set in, making the ground upon which the men were Iving extremely muddy.
The right having driven the enemy back upon his main line, orders were given to press at all points, and command. ing positions in front of each corps, were selected to be assaulted. Major Hicks passed along the line. telling the men that they were expected to break the line in their frout should a charge farther to the right, and then about to be made, prove successful. Instantly the men prepared for action. There soon came to their ears the rattle of musketry and all were on their feet. Some of the bolder ones jumped upon the breastworks to watch the result of the charge. An instant later. and without waiting for the order, all jumped the works, and with a loud and continuous cheer, began charging forward. For a hundred rods the route lay through a muddy cornfield ; beyond was a deep creek, a farm house, with its yard and gardens, some outbuildings, a clump of cedars. a high rail fence .- partially thrown down at the right. but a formidable obstruction on the left ;- then a raise of ground, with a network of abatis ; then a ditch, deep and wide in many places ; then a strong line of works, filled with armed men. Just at the left. upon a commanding eminence, stood a four-gun battery, which had been throwing shot and shell at intervals all day long.
At a brisk run the line pressed on, entirely outstripping every other regiment in the Brigade. The merciless bullets cut through the cornfield. each one striking many of the stalks, and giving the impression of a hailstorm of lead. Men fell out wounded here and there along the way. At the cedars a tempest of grape swept above them, mowing off the evergreen verdure, and dropping it in showers upon the gal- lant men below. The house and outbuildings were swarming with Rebel skirmishers when the charge began, some of whom kept up a fire as the line advanced, while others ran out and sought to escape to the main line. A few were shot. but a majority surrendered. A squad of the new men, whose softer muscles and heavier knapsacks had prevented them fromt keeping up with the main line, came upon these prisoners.
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and when the latter began waving their hats and handker- Fiefs, some of these men, not understanding that it was in token of surrender, but supposing that the Rebels were mak- ing fun of them because they were recruits, actually resented the supposed insult by firing upon them, but with such indif ferent aim that only two or three were hit. At the fence the rails were splintered by the fire from the main line. " Boys, their guns are empty !" shouted an officer as the volley passed. Everyone seemed to catch the idea suggested, and to resolve to reach the works before they had time to reload. The abatis offered little resistance, and in a moment the fore- most men were upon the works and shonting to the occupants of the long line to surrender. With rare exceptions the enemy threw down their guns and ran to the rear.
Sergeant John Vincent, of Company A, who. from the time of Color-Sergeant Swanbrough's promotion to First Sergeant, the previous August, had carried the stars and stripes, bravely mounted the works and ran along the parapet. only halting when the battery was reached, and then but for an instant, when he jumped over the heads of the Rebels in the works and joined his comrades, who had crossed the line farther to the right, swinging the flag to indicate to the troops in rear that the Rebel line had been broken. The flag was hit by bullets several times. but the gallant color-bearer escaped. The battery fired when the men were swarming almost up to the guns, and the commander was shot as he turned to strike one of his men because he would not again load his piece. Corporal Henry II. Cutler, of Company C. who was one of the foremost in the charge, after crossing the works, was mortally wounded, dying within a few hours. Corporal John McCusker, of Company B, was badly wounded near the battery and while shouting to his comrades to come on. William Kimball. of Company K. and Francis S. Bailey, of Company F. both recruits, were also mortally wounded. Lieutenant William Dawson, of Company F, who for some breach of discipline had been placed under arrest a few days before, went into action carrying a club. He was one of the most conspicuous for his bravery, and the sword
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he had so gallantly won was returned to him at the close of the battle. William J. Fuller, of Company B, who had served in a battery for a time, stopped at the captured gun- and called to some of his comrades to assist him in tuming them upon the enemy, but most of the men were too eager in the pursuit to halt, and after one or two gun-stocks had been broken in the vain attempt to turn the heavy wheels about in the mid. the effort was abandoned. Most of the artillery horses, which had been standing in a depression at the rear of the battery, were disabled or captured, but a few were mounted by their postillions and ridden to the rear. It would be impossible to say who was first across the works. A dozon men mounted them almost simultaneously. most of them leaping over the heads of the foe and then rushing directly toward the battery. The guns proved to be four twelve- pound Napoleons, and all were hot and the smoke was still issning from their muzzles when the men laid their hands upon them.
Notwithstanding the great fatigue incident to the long run and the climbing of numerous obstacles, -- the men all carry- ing their knapsacks and considerable extra ammunition. -- the Regiment pressed on, capturing scores of the enemy. The Rebels shook their hats and handkerchiefs from behind .every log and tree, and were promptly invited to step out and run to the rear.
The Union battery in the rear seemed. not to under- stand that the charge had proved successful, although the flag was displayed where they should have seen it, and continued to play upon the hill. fortunately without injuring any of the Regiment. A few of the NINETY-SIXTH ran toward the Franklin pike, directly in rear of the Rebel works, gathering in many prisoners, among them numerous officer, all of whom were directed to report at the battery. But little for- mality was observed, but a portion of the prisoners were grouped together and sent under guard to the rear. It is probable that the prisoners taken by the NINETY-SIXTH nu !- bered nearly eight hundred. Lieutenant Pepoon secured a receipt for the captured battery, which he still retains among
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his highly prized army relies. Two other batteries were cap- tured by other regiments of the Brigade.
It happened that the formation of the Rebel works was such as to bring the Nivery-Sixru nearer than other por- tions of the Brigade, and as they were the first to start in the charge they crossed the breastworks first, secured many more prisoners, and suffered heavier loss than the troops on their right. Col. Grose's Brigade came forward after the line was broken, but not with the impetuosity that had characterized the movements of Gen. Whittaker's command, and lost a grand opportunity to make large captores, for a brigade or more of Rebels were massed close beside the pike, for the purpose, it was said. of making a counter-charge upon the Union lines. These troops immediately retreated in consid- erable confusion, and had the brigade on the left moved for- ward simultaneously with the NINETY-SixTH, most of the Con- federates on the Franklin pike would have been captured. As it was, the NINETY-SINTHE spread out along their flauks, annoy- ing them with a constant and telling fire, and dropping many of them as they ran back along the road. The lines opposite Overton's Hill, soon charged forward, capturing some artillery and prisoners.
Captain Rowan and Adjutant Blodgett pushed on to the right with a few men, pursuing a brigade and a battery nearly two miles, and when near the Brentwood hills captured a number of prisoners. Discovering a drove of beef cattle that the Rebels were attempting to drive off they succeeded in stampeding them toward the Union lines. Farther to the right the enemy was completely routed, and an attempt was made to push the Union cavalry forward to the pike near Brentwood so as to completely cut off their retreat. In this movement many guns, prisoners and colors were taken, num- erous wagons and teams were captured, and the enemy was sent fleeing through the woods, toward Franklin, in wild dismay.
But the short December day was drawing to a close, and darkness came too soon to complete the flanking movement. When there could be no farther advance in safety the exult-
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ant Federal army halted for the night, the NINETY-SINTH being about one mile from Brentwood. It was a chilly, rainy, winter evening, and there were many vacant places in the ranks, but so complete had been the victory to the Union arms and so thorough the overthrow of the vast host that had exultantly pressed them back from the Tennessee river so short a time previously that the camps rang with shout and song, all rejoicing most heartily, and none more heartily than the recruits, who had all day vied with the old veterans in valor and zeal, and moved gallantly in the final charge.
At no other time did it happen in the four years of war that an army was so completely routed as at the battle of Nashville. Their line of retreat was lined with everything that could be thrown away, indicating precipitate haste and utter discouragement. One major-general, three brigadiers. two hundred and eighty officers of lower rank, more than four thousand enlisted men, fifty-three pieces of artillery, and twenty-five battle flags were captured during the two days. The Federal losses were stated at about three thousand. Few battles of the war were fought upon such open ground. or where the maneuvering of either army was so open to the observation of the other.
The losses in the NINETY-SIXTH were much less in number than might be supposed from the work accomplished, but were more than were sustained by a majority of the regiments engaged. The swiftness of the final charge, the fact that the last volley of the enemy in the breastworks was from higher ground than that on which the advancing line was moving, and consequently passed mainly over their heads, and the rush that followed so quickly that the line was upon them before they could reload. were the factors that conspired to make the aggregate loss so light. The following were
THE CASUALTIES.
Company A. WOUNDED .- Eugene Langdon, thigh.
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