The 120th Indiana at Franklin
The 120th was detached from Sherman’s army, Oct. 30, and ordered to Nashville, being in skirmishes at Columbia, and in the battle at Franklin, on Nov. 30, losing 48 in killed and wounded, Maj. Brasher being mortally wounded.
The following 120th Indiana soldiers were killed at Franklin:
- Stephen Bowers, Oakland City, IN; Private who enlisted on 3/8/64.
- Edward Brashear, Columbus, IN; 1st Sgt., who enlisted on 6/7/61.
- Andrew Garber, Bedford, IN; Private who enlisted on 2/20/64.
- John Shaw, Newberry, IN; who enlisted on 10/5/63.
- James Shevien, Crawfordsville, IN; who enlisted on 1/30/64.
The 120th was part of the 23rd Army Corps under Brig General Jacob B. Cox. It was part of the 3rd Brigade - Col. Israel B. Niles. The 120th fought alongside the 112th Illinois and the 63rd and 128th Indiana.
Here is a picture of General Jacob Dolson Cox during the war.
Col. Israel Stiles’ report on the 120th at Franklin
Col. Israel Stiles (63rd IN) wrote this about the 120th in his Official Report on December 5, 1864:
“…the 120th Indiana on the left was subjected to a terrific enfilading fire, both from the enemy’s artillery and infantry. The regiment and its commander, Colonel [Allen] Prather, in my opinion, deserve great praise for the heroic manner with which they held their position, the loss of which might have resulted in a defeat to our army.”
To see the position of the 120th (Stiles) and the entire battlefield please click here to download the PDF map (1.7mb).
Wiley Sword writes the following about the 120th in “Embrace an Angry Wind”:
“Farher east, toward the deep railroad cut, the 120th Indiana Infantry stood plugging the narrow gap between the osage hedge and the railroad . . . . The 120th Indiana stopped this attempt [of Confederates pressing to the right] with repeated volleys of musketry. When the Confederates attempted to use the railroad cut, a section of Battery M, 4th U.S. Artillery, came galloping forward to enfilade the defile. Their blasts of cannister soon halted the enemy, now found crawling “on their hands and knees.” Within minutes the ground on the eastern portion of the battlefield had became a virtual death zone where not even a rabbit could safely pass, wrote one soldier [B.F. 112th Illinois Infantry].”
The flag of the 33rd Mississippi Infantry was captured as Winfield S. Featherston’s brigade (Loring’s Division) assaulted the position of eastern flank defended by the 120th and other regiments.
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“The color-bearer of the Thirty-third was killed some fifteen paces from the works,” reported Brig. Gen. W.S. Featherston, “when Lieutenant H.C. Shaw, of Company K, carried them forward, and when in the act of planting them on the works was killed, his body falling in the trench, the colors falling in the works.”
Isaac C. Clark, 63rd Indiana Infantry [fought alongside the 120th], wrote the following account in his diary:
“We marched all night. Arrived at Franklin, Tenn. in the morning. Here we halted, and built a line of works, and we thought ( as the rebels seemed anxious for a fight, ) that we would try our hand on them at this place, so we made all necessary preparations. We had cannon placed along our line of works, about 50 yards apart, besides a number of well fortified forts, containing several pieces of artillery. At 4 o’clock p.m., the enemy came, they drove in our pickets and made a desperate charge upon our works, but were driven back with a great slaughter, however this did not satisfy them, and they came again and again until they had made as much as 8 or 10 different charges upon our works. They took a portion of our works at one time, but they were immediately retaken by our men; they fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. The battle lasted 7 hours; we retreated at 11 p.m. Co. D., had one man killed, Co. E., one wounded. The enemy loss was reported at 8 or 10 thousand.
Our regt., had helped build a great many lines of works during the war, but this was the first time that they had the privilege of fighting behind works during a general engagement.
We retreated to Nashville, and went into camp at Fort Negley. The enemy followed us but they did not make a charge upon us at Nashville as they did at Franklin, I think that they had got about enough of charging; but they halted some distance from the city and built works. We remained in camp some 15 days, and there was some fighting going on every day during this time.”
Source:
“Reminiscences of an Old 63rd, Ind., Soldier”
By Isaac C. Clark
Covington, Ind., Nov. 27, 1875 http://www.indianainthecivilwar.com/letters/63rd/63diary.htm
Suggested links related to the 120th at Franklin
Regimental History of the 120th Indiana Infantry
One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry INDIANA
(3-YEARS)
One Hundred and Twentieth Infantry. — Cols. Richard F. Barter Allen W. Prather, Reuben C. Kise; Lieut.-Cols., Allen W. Prather, Reuben C. Kise, John M. Barcus, Majs., Reuben C. Kise, Edward B. Brasher, John M. Barcus, Albert Knowles.
This regiment was organized in the winter of 1863 at Columbus, and was mustered in March 1, 1864. It left the state March 20, proceeding to Louisville, Ky., where it was assigned to a brigade with Hovey’s division.
It moved to Nashville and on April 5, for Charlestown, Tenn., being assigned to the 1st brigade, 1st division, 23rd army corps. Moving May 2 in the Atlanta campaign, it was engaged at Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, taking a conspicuous part and joining in the charge which routed the enemy; in the assault of Kennesaw Mountain, and in the battle before Atlanta, July 22.
It was in the siege of Atlanta and in constant skirmishing until its evacuation being engaged at Jonesboro and Lovejoy’s Station. Col. Barter resigning Sept. 15, Lieut.-Col. Prather was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, which moved in the pursuit of Hood in October as far as Summerville.
It was detached from Sherman’s army, Oct. 30, and ordered to Nashville, being in skirmishes at Columbia, and in the battle at Franklin, on Nov. 30, losing 48 in killed and wounded, Maj. Brasher being mortally wounded.
Moving to Nashville, it took position in line of battle and took part in the battle of Dec. 15-16, joining in the pursuit of Hood’s retreating forces, and going into camp at Clifton, Tenn. Embarking Jan. 15, 1865, it moved to Cincinnati, thence to Washington City, from whence it proceeded to New Berne, N.C.
Moving on March 6, with its division towards Kinston, it was in a sharp fight at Wise’s Forks on the 8th and again on the 10th, when a furious assault was repulsed with heavy loss on the enemy. The regiment occupied a position in the center, exposed to the heaviest attack, and lost 7 killed and 48 wounded.
Joining the forces under Gen. Cox at Kinston, it moved to Goldsboro, meeting Sherman’s army which had arrived from Fayetteville. It was in camp at Goldsboro until April 10, when it moved towards Smithfield, proceeding thence to Raleigh, where it was engaged in provost duty with the army encamped about the city.
It then moved to Charlotte, N. C., May 10, remaining there for three months and moving thence to Greensboro. It was ordered to Raleigh, Aug. 21, for garrison duty. Col. Prather resigned Sept. 9, Lieut.-Col. Kise was promoted colonel, and on Dec. 2, was made brigadier-general of volunteers for distinguished services.
The regiment was mustered out Jan. 6 1866. Original strength, 976; gain by recruits, 219; total, 1,195. Loss by death, 151 ; desertion 5 2.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 3, p. 178
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