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goon rapidly bridged, the troops crossed, and pushed out in the direction of Decatur. The enemy attempted to check the crossing of the troops with artillery, which he posted within

immediately re-formed to renew the assault, which would have been promptly made; but a division of General Wood's troops, as I was informed, on the right of the Franklin pike, taking advantage of the withdrawal by the ene-half a mile of where we were crossing the my of a portion of his troops in their front, to reinforce Overtons Hill, made a charge, which caused the entire line of the enemy to give way, and retreat rapidly and in disorder. My troops, in conjunction with General Wood's, immediately pursued rapidly, taking a number of prisoners. The pursuit was continued until after dark, when our exhausted troops bivouacked for the night near Brentwood.

December 17.

My command, in obedience to orders, continued the pursuit, covering and protecting the left of our line, moving from Brentwood, on the Wilson pike, to a point four miles south of Brentwood, and crossing from that point by a south-west road to Franklin, where it bivouacked for the night, not being able to cross the Harpeth river, which was much swollen by the heavy rain of the night and day previous, and the bridges destroyed by the enemy.

December 18.

My command moved across the river and proceeded about three miles beyond Franklin, on the road to Spring Hill, when, in obedience to orders, I returned with my troops to Franklin and marched to Murfreesboro, to proceed by rail to Decatur, moving General Cruft's troops from Nashville by the Murfreesboro pike. The whole command was concentrated at Murfreesboro, on the evening of the twentieth.

lageon, but my advance, having crossed before this artillery opened, was rapidly pushed out, and drove it off. At three o'clock P. M. the whole of my infantry had crossed, and at seven o'clock P. M. was in possession of Decatur.

December 28.

My artillery and cavalry was crossed, the command rationed, and moved out three miles on the road to Courtland. The cavalry, the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, Colonel Palmer, and detachments of the Second Tennessee, Tenth, mand of Lieutenant-Colonel Prosser, amounting Twelfth, and Thirteenth Indiana, under comin the aggregate to about six hundred and fifty effective men (Colonel Wm. L. Palmer, of from Decatur at 8 P. M., and pushed rapidly the Fifteenth Pennsylvania, commanding), moved forward, encountering the enemy six miles from the river, on the Courtland road, and at once attacked and routed him, capturing his artillery, a section of six-pounder brass guns.

December 20.

My command moved at daylight, the cavalry in advance, and went into camp at five o'clock, within four miles of Courtland. The infantry met no opposition. The cavalry skirmished most of the day in advance of the infantry, driving the enemy rapidly towards Courtland. At Pond Spring, three miles north-east of Courtland, he made a stand, but was immediately charged and routed by my cavalry. The report of Colonel Palmer, commanding the cavalry, herewith forwarded, gives a full account of this affair.

Docember 30

My infantry moved to Courtland and went into camp on the south side of the town, on Big Nance Creek, the cavalry pushing on as far as Leighton, thirteen miles west of Courtland.

At Murfreesboro I received despatches from Colonel A. J. McKay, Chief Quartermaster of the Department, informing me that the transportation necessary to move my command by rail to Decatur, was on the way from Chattanooga, and transports conveying supplies would meet me at such point as I might designate. These orders and dispositions of Colonel McKay were all perfect, but the severe cold weather, the injuries to the road, and the criminal negligence, incompetency, and indifference of a portion of At five o'lock P. M. I received a despatch the railroad employés, occasioned serious de- from Colonel Palmer, written at Leighton, asklays. ing my permission to pursue, capture, and deOn the morning of the twenty-second De- stroy Hood's pontoon train. I immediately gave cember, my command moved from Murfrees-him permission to exercise his own judgment boro, reaching the mouth of Limestone River on in the matter. He decided to pursue, and in the evening of the twenty-sixth, where I found the most splendid manner not only accomplished Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, with his com- all he proposed-the destruction of the pontoon mand, with four gunboats, one armed transport train-but pursued, captured, and destroyed a (the Stone River), and five transports, with ra- supply train of one hundred and ten wagons. tions and forage, forwarded from Chattanooga for my command.

December 27.

Having constructed the trestles, and secured the plank necessary to bridge a lagoon on the south side of the Tennessee River the night previous, I moved a portion of my command with the transports, convoyed by the gunboats down the river to a point three miles above Decatur, where a landing was effected, the la

Colonel Palmer's command, in this enterprising and daring expedition, captured and destroyed upwards of three hundred wagons, nearly one thousand stand of arms, a large number of mules and oxen, and captured and turned over two pieces of artillery, two hundred prisoners, including thirteen commissioned officers, and one hundred and seventy serviceable mules.

To support the movement of Colonel Palmer, I advanced two brigades of infantry, under com

mand of Colonel Thompson, to Town Creek, seven miles west of Courtland, and one brigade, under command of Colonel Salm, to Leighton. General Cruft's division, with the artillery, remained at Courtland.

January 3.

Having learned that Colonel Palmer had been successful, and receiving an order from MajorGeneral Thomas to return with my command to Chattanooga, I moved with my infantry and artillery for Decatur, reaching that place in the evening of the fifth of January.

January 4. At one o'clock A. M. I moved, with the artillery and sick of the command, on board the transports for Chattanooga, leaving Brigadier-General Cruft to return with the infantry by rail. General Cruft was delayed several days in his return

by an order from Major-General Thomas, directing him to pursue the rebel General Lyon. This portion of the campaign, owing to the heavy rains swelling all the streams out of their banks and rendering the roads almost wholly impassable, was very arduous, but was skillfully and satisfactorily conducted by General Cruft, resulting in the capture of a part of Lyon's men, and driving all that escaped out of the country, utterly demoralized. The report of General Cruft, herewith forwarded, gives a detailed history of his operations in pursuit of General Lyon.

January 13. General Cruft returned to Chattanooga with his command.

The following table will show the casualties of my command during the entire campaign:

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The larger portion of these losses, amounting | ten thousand of whom took part in the camin the aggregate to fully twenty-five per cent. paign, in battles before Nashville, and in guardof the men under my command who were taken ing the railroad defences south of the Tennessee into action, it will be observed, fell upon the River. colored troops. The severe loss of this part of my troops was in the brilliant charge on the enemy's works on Overton Hill on Friday afternoon. I was unable to discover that color made any difference in the fighting of my troops. All, white and black, nobly did their duty as soldiers, and evinced cheerfulness and resolution, such as I have never seen excelled in any campaign of the war, in which I have borne a part.

In closing the brief report of the operations of my command during the campaign, I feel that justice compels me to mention several officers, who distinguished themselves by their energy, courage, and unremitting efforts to secure

success.

Brigadier-General Charles Cruft performed herculean labor in organizing, arming, and equiping the detachments of recruits, drafted men, and furloughed soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee to the number of fourteen thousand,

Six thousand of these men were commanded by the General ́in person, in the field, from the commencement until the close of the compaign. The General deserves the thanks of the country for the able and efficient manner, in which he has performed this duty.

Brigadier-General John F. Miller, commanding Post of Nashville, displayed energy, efficiency, and promptness in placing his troops in position, to hold a portion of the exterior line protecting the city of Nashville.

I am much indebted to Brigadier-General Donelson, Chief Quartermaster of the Department, for his efficient and energetic efforts to fit out my command on its arrival at Nashville, and for the assistance he rendered with the armed men of his department in protecting the city of Nashville, pending the engagement.

My thanks are due Colonel A. J. McKay, Chief Quartermaster Army of the Cumberland,

for his promptness in furnishing transportation to convey my command from Murfreesboro to Decatur, and forwarding supplies for my troops by transports, to the mouth of Limestone River.

Colonel Felix Prince Salm, Sixty-eighth New York veteran volunteers, commanded a provisional brigade of my troops, and exhibited high qualities as a soldier. I respectfully recommend him for promotion.

Colonel T. J. Morgan, Fourteenth United States colored troops, behaved gallantly. I respectfully recommend him for promotion.

Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. Grosvenor, Eighteenth Ohio volunteers, behaved nobly in leading a charge on the rebel works, on the Raine's place.

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Major Moe, Assistant Adjutant-General, District of the Etowah:

The following report of the recent campaign is respectfully submitted:

I had been ordered by Major-General Thomas The following officers of my staff accompanied to organize the troops belonging to Major-Genme on the campaign, and discharged all the eral Sherman's field command within this departduties that devolved upon them in a most satis-ment, and report them to Major-General Steedfactory manner:

Colonel C. S. Cotter, First Ohio light artillery; Chief of Artillery, Major S. B. Moe; Assistant Adjutant-General, Captain A. Mills, Eighteenth United States infantry; Inspector, Captain M. Davis, Fourteenth Ohio volunteers; Aide-deCamp, Captain W. B. Steedman, Fourteenth Ohio volunteers; Aide-de-Camp, Lieutenant J. G. McAdams, Sixth Kentucky cavalry, A. C. S. Colonel H. B. Banning, One Hundred and Twentyfirst Ohio volunteers, served me ably as a provost marshal.

Captain A. R. Keller, Assistant Quartermaster, reported to me, and rendered me efficient service as quartermaster for my command.

I am deeply indebted to Major S. B. Moe, my Assistant Adjutant-General, for his efficient and gallant services on the field, as well as for the valuable aid which his large experience as a railroad man enabled him to render me in pushing through the trains conveying my troops from Chattanooga to Nashville, and from Mur

freesboro to Decatur

Captain Osborn, Twentieth Indiana battery, and Captain Ayleshire, Eighteenth Ohio battery, deserve praise for the effective and gallant manner in which they handled their respective batteries.

man, commanding District of the Etowah.

On the twenty-ninth day of November, 1864, while on the above duty at Chattanooga, Tennessee, an order was received from Major-General Steedman to move that day by rail, all available force. A portion of the garrison at Tunnel Hill was withdrawn, and, with the Eighteenth Ohio volunteers from this post, was added to my command.

November 30, 1864.

Reached Cowan Station at eight o'clock A. M.; disembarked the command and bivouacked.

December 1.

Shipped the command by rail during the night and left Cowan about daylight. Reached Nashville at five P. M., and went into camp in the eastern suburbs of the city.

December 2.

Moved to the hills near Raine's house and built

a strong line of fortifications and a redoubt for
the Twentieth Indiana battery (Captain Osborn
command this day.
commanding), which was upon service with my

December 3.

In compliance with orders from Major-Gen. eral Steedman, I abandoned the works built the I am pleased to mention Mr. Stevens, Super- day previous and fell back to a line indicated, intendent of the N. and C. Railroad; Mr. Tall- nearer the city. In the new position, the right madge, Master of Transportation at Chattanooga; rested at Judge Trimble's house, and the line and Mr. Bryant, Assistant Superintendent N. extending northward across the Murfreesboro and C. Railroad, as most honorable exceptions, pike, the left resting near Major Lewis' house. among the railroad men who have been cen- A substantial line of earthworks, with a prosured by me for neglect of duty. These gentle-tecting line of palisades and an abatis of brush men did everything in their power to aid me in getting over the railroad with my command. I respectfully commend them for their efforts.

I respectfully recommend Colonel William L. Palmer, Fifteenth Pennsylvania cavalry, for promotion, for distinguished, gallant and successful services in pursuing, capturing and destroying the pontoon and supply train of the enemy.

I fully concur in all General Cruft has said in his report, in commendation of the officers of his command.

in front, was speedily constructed. During the day, the Eighteenth Ohio battery (Captain Ayleshire, commanding) was assigned to me for duty. A strong redoubt was built for the artillery at a point where the line crossed the Murfreesboro turnpike. My command occupied this line until the general assault upon the enemy. The position was materially strengthened from day to day by the construction and raising of a dam across Browne's Creek, at the bridge below, on the Lebanon turnpike. The creek ran nearly

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My command was increased on and after the sixth instant by the assignment of recruits arriving from the rear, amounting in the aggregate to two thousand three hundred and twentySeven enlisted men, which were properly armed and distributed to their respective battalions and brigades.

The Sixty-eighth Indiana volunteers (Lieutenant-Colonel Espy, commanding) was also added. These reinforcements brought the effective strength of the division up to five thousand two hundred and forty-nine.

This day orders were received, directing a reconnoissance in force upon the enemy, occupying our old line of works, near Raine's house. Colonel J. G. Mitchell, commanding the brigade of detachments from the Fourteenth army corps, was assigned to that duty. He moved his brigade on the Murfreesboro turnpike, for about one-half mile, then made a detour to the right, where he formed his lines behind a small ridge, and sent his skirmishers to the front, drove in the skirmishers of the enemy, advanced upon his works, and thoroughly reconnoitered his

position. The casualties of Colonel Mitchell's command were trifling, having none killed and but three or four slightly wounded.

December 12.

six o'clock A. M., on the following morning. The command was put in shape to move at

December 13.

In obedience to orders, another reconnoissance was made on the enemy's line near Raine's G. Malloy, commanding brigade of detachments house. This duty was assigned to Colonel A. of Fifteenth and, Seventeenth army corps.

Colonel Malloy, with twelve hundred men of his command, advanced upon the enemy's line at the point indicated. Some sharp skirmishing ensued, but the objects of the reconnoissance were attained. Colonel Malloy's casualties were as follows: killed, one; wounded, six; missing, one; making a total of eight (8) enlisted men.

December 14.

The effective force of the division was five thousand three hundred and fifty-nine. as shown by the following:

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Orders were again received to be ready to march at six o'clock A. M., of the next day. Arms were issued to the portion of troops that were unarmed, and command was put in readiness to comply with the order. In the evening orders were received from Major-General Steedman to detail one of the brigades to report for duty to Colonel Morgan, commanding colored brigade, on my left. Lieutenant-Colonel C. H. Grosvenor (who had succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel Banning in command of the brigade) was ordered to report to Colonel Morgan. This order detached Colonel Grosvenor's brigade from my immediate control during the operations before Nashville, and it did not again rejoin its command until it reached Murfreesboro, marching by way of Franklin, Tennessee.

December 15.

According to directions from the Major-General commanding, the division moved at four o'clock A. M., and abandoning its line of defences, relieved a portion of the troops of the Fourth ing) and Twenty-third corps, (Major-General army corps (Brigadier-General Wood, command Schofield, commanding), and held their exterior line of works-picketing also the front-from the Ackland place to a point north of Fort Negley, and commanding the approaches to the city by the Granny White, Franklin, Nolensville and Murfreesboro turnpikes. Details were furnished to support the batteries of artillery in the line, and to garrison Fort Mirton and redoubt Casino. The brigade of Lieutenant-Colonel Grosvenor (temporarily reporting to Colonel Morgan) was engaged during the day in the assault on the enemy's works near Raine's house, and was the only portion of the division in the fight. It suffered considerably in killed and wounded, and behaved creditably. The Twenty-fourth Indiana battery (Captain Stume), in position on the right of the line, near the Ackland place, was ordered by me, near nightfall, to fire upon a retreating line of rebels which came in sight, passing parallel to my right from left of the Fourth corps. The fire was opened with good effect (though at long range), and the rebel line was dispersed in great confusion.

Captain Stume and his officers and artillerists deserve great credit for the precision with

which they worked their guns, and the good results that followed.

December 16.

The command remained in position as of yesterday. The brigade commanded by LieutenantColonel Grosvenor was engaged on the left during the day, and contributed its share in the work achieved by Major-General Steedman in that quarter. The assault made upon the enemy's lines and works in the afternoon of this day was under the immediate sight and direction of MajorGeneral Steedman, and the brigade will, without doubt, receive due credit from him. All accounts that reach me speak well of the conduct of the troops in this action. During the afternoon Colonel Mitchell's brigade was moved rapidly out from the works and occupied the hills beyond Raine's house, in compliance with orders, hill beyond. The brigade held this position firmly and in shape to repel any attack on the part of the enemy's cavalry to turn the left of this command at Nashville. the general line, and protected all approaches from the east, during the residue of the time

pushing a strong line of skirmishers to Ridler's

Monday, December 19. Received orders to march to Murfreesboro

moved the command at six and a half A. M., leaving behind those sick and unable to march, in all say five hundred. Reached Lawrence fifteen miles, and encamped at nightfall.

Tuesday, December 20. Marched to Murfreesboro, and encamped.

Wednesday, December 21. Shipped the command on cars, without rations, and started on the morning of twenty-second for Stevenson. Remained on cars four days.

Sunday, December 25. Reached Limestone Creek, eight miles beyond Huntsville, and bivouacked."

Monday, December 26. Marched to bayou near mouth of Limestone Creek, say ten (10) miles, and bivouacked. Sent back by train those sick and unable to march, say four hundred men.

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