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Franklin, Tenn.,
March 31, 1863.
Detachment of Cavalry from the Army of the Cumberland.
Maj.-Gen. Gordon Granger, commanding at Franklin, reported as follows: “Our cavalry moved out on the Lewisburg and Columbia pike today, encountering the rebels some 7 miles out, and, skirmishing for several hours, and, skirmishing for several hours, took 5 prisoners from them.”
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.439
GENERAL ORDERS, No. 68.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
Tullahoma, Tenn., March 31, 1863.
The general commanding announces with pride and gratification to the troops of his command two brilliant and successful affairs, recently achieved by the forces of the cavalry of Major-General Van Dorn.
On the 5th instant, Major-General Van Dorn made a gallant charge upon a large force of the enemy at Thompson’s Station.
He utterly routed them, killing and wounding a large number, capturing 1,221 prisoners, including 73 commissioned officers, and many arms.
On the 25th Brigadier-General Forrest, with the troops of his command, daringly assailed the enemy at Brentwood, who could not withstand the vigor and energy of the attack, and surrendered. The results of his successful expedition were the capture of 750 privates and 35 commissioned officers, with all their arms, accouterments, ammunition, and 16 wagons and teams. The troops here captured constituted the remainder of the brigade so successfully attacked by Major-General Van Dorn on the 5th instant.
The skillful manner in which these generals achieved their success exhibits clearly the judgment and gallantry which animated them, and the discipline and good conduct of the brave troops of their commands. Such signal examples of duty the general commanding takes pleasure in commending. They are worthy of imitation by all commands, and deserve the applause and gratitude of their comrades in arms and their country.
By command of General Bragg:
GEORGE WM. BRENT,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#5
Page 732
David L. McNees was from Lawrence County, PA when he enlisted on 10/12/61, mustering in to Company H., 78th PA Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 7/11/64. He died August 21, 1864.
He wrote the following letter:
29 March 1863
Murfreesboro Tenn., [while the regiment was engaged in provost duty]
a mildly cold morning – everything is in full bloom. There has been no move in this army yet – General Rosecrans reviewed General Negleys Division this week. There is almost daily skirmishing going on handy here, some thinks that the rebels is going to attack us. There is also good deal of talk about the rebels invading Kentucky.
********
In Jan., 1863, the Army of the Cumberland, under Gen. Rosecrans, was divided into three corps, the 14th, 20th and 21st, and the 78th was assigned to the 3rd brigade (Col. Miller), 2nd division (Gen. Negley), 14th corps (Gen. Thomas). It was engaged in provost duty at Murfreesboro until April, and in June shared in Rosecrans, campaign from Murfreesboro to Tullahoma. It then encamped at Decherd until Aug. 15, when it moved with the army in pursuit of Bragg.
Source: The Union Army, vol. 1
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Source: Nate Sanders auction
The March 26th NY Evening Post had the following article covering the action at Brentwood, March 25, 1863.
Serious Losses of the Rebels in Killed and Wounded – One and Fifteen Prisoners Captured.
Philadelphia, March 26 – The Press of this city has a special dispatch of the Brentwood, Tennessee fight, which says that over fifty rebels were buried by our troops; that one hundred were wounded; that we took one and fifteen prisoners; and that are loss was twenty killed and wounded and missing, including four officers.
Official records report:
Numbers 9. Report of Brigadier General Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding First Division, First Cavarly Corps.
HDQRS. FIRST DIVISION, FIRST CAVALRY CORPS, April 1, 1863.
MAJOR:
I respectfully submit the following report of expedition to Brentwood:
On the 24th ultimo I ordered Colonel [J. W.] Starnes, commanding Second Brigade, to proceed with his command in the direction of Brentwood, leaving Franklin on the left and crossing Harpeth River at Half-Acre Mill, 6 miles east of Franklin, and to pass through fields and by-roads thence to Brentwood, ordering him to throw out a squadron on the pike and railroad between Brentwood and Franklin, cutting the telegraph wires, and tearing up the track of the railroad, sending two regiments forward to attack the stockade, and posting the balance of the Third [Fourth] Tennessee Regiment so as to cut off any retreat of the enemy toward Nashville and Triune. He was ordered to bring on the attack at daylight on the 25th, at which time I was to join him with General Armstrong’s brigade, with the Tenth Tennessee Cavalry, temporarily attached to his brigade, which marched on Brentwood via Hillsborough and the Hillsborough pike. I failed to reach Brentwood with General Armstrong’s command at the appointed hour, owing to delay in getting the artillery across Harpeth River. I arrived there, however, at 7 o’clock in the morning, sending one squadron of the Tenth Regiment down the Hillsborough pike to protect my rear, and another to the left and rear of Brentwood to prevent any retreat of the enemy toward Nashville, and give me timely information of any re-enforcements from Nashville. With the other six companies of the Tenth Tennessee and my escort, I moved to the right of the road running from Hillsborough pike to Brentwood, ordering General Armstrong, with this brigade and a section of Freeman’s artillery, to move to the left of that, and attack the Federals at Brentwood.
After disposing of my troops as stated, I moved rapidly on with my escort to the Franklin pike, capturing a courier with a dispatch to the commander of the Federal forces at Franklin, asking for help. I found he enemy had thrown out his skirmishers on the pike and on the surrounding hills. A flag of truce was sent in, demanding an immediate and unconditional surrender. The colonel commanding replied that we must come and take him. By this time the other six companies of the Tenth Tennessee, commanded by Major [William E.] De Moss, had arrived at the pike. He was ordered to dismount his men and attack in front, while messengers were sent to General Armstrong to move up and open upon them with his artillery in the left and rear. Major De Moss promptly attacked them. As soon as this was done, with my escort I moved rapidly to the right of the pike, and, gaining a high position, found the enemy were preparing to make their escape toward Nashville. My escort was ordered to advance to the pike and engage them. By this time the firing in front between the enemy and Major De Moss became general. The enemy had been driven inside of their works, and I ordered my escort to charge them. Just as this order was given, and General Armstrong had taken position on the left, the enemy hoisted a white flag, and surrendered, with all their arms, wagons, baggage, and equipments.
I ordered General Armstrong to send off the prisoners, arms, wagons, &c., as quickly as possible to the Hillsborough pike, and to destroy by fire all the tents, camp equipage, &c., that could not be transported. With the Fourth Mississippi Cavalry, and the Tenth Tennessee and the pieces of artillery, I moved on the stockade at the bridge across Harpeth River, about 2 miles south of Brentwood. After getting position and firing one gun, they surrendered. We captured there 275 prisoners, 11 wagons, 3 ambulances, with all their arms and equipments.
We moved off as soon as possible to the Hillsborough pike, after destroying the railroad bridge and all the tents and supplies which could not be removed.
Before leaving Brentwood to attack the stockade, I ordered Colonel [J. H.] Lewis, of the First [Sixth] Tennessee Cavalry, to dash down the pike with his command toward Nashville. He ran their pickets in at Brown’s Creek, capturing some negroes and a sutler’s wagon within 3 miles of the city. He there turned to the left with his regiment, making a circuit around Nashville from the Franklin to the Charlotte pike.
Before the rear of my command reached the Hillsborough pike, they were attacked by a force of Federal cavalry. They succeeded in getting possession of several of the wagons captured at the stockade, and cut out and stampeded the mules.
As soon as the lines were formed, the enemy were repulsed and driven back to Brentwood; but having no harness or mules for them, several of the wagons were burned, and not knowing what forces might be marching on us, I deemed it expedient to move off with the prisoners as rapidly as possible.
I will here remark that Colonel Starnes reached the stockade at daylight; but, not knowing the force of the enemy, and being without artillery, and ignorant of the whereabouts of my portion of the command, moved over to the Hillsborough pike, where he remained until after the capture was made.
I refer you to official report of killed and wounded on our side, which is very small indeed. The enemy lost about 15 killed and 30 wounded and 800 prisoners. We captured and brought away 3 ambulances and harness, 9 six-horse wagons and harness, 2 two-horse wagons and harness, 60 mules, and 6 horses, which were placed in chargee of Major [N. C.] Jones, assistant quartermaster First Brigade,who was ordered to turn them over to quartermaster at Columbia. Many of the men in the command who were unarmed got guns on the field, and many who had inferior guns, muskets, shot-guns, &c., exchanged them on the field, placing (or, at any rate, so ordered) their old guns in the wagons in lieu of them.
I ordered Colonel [J. H.] Edmondson’s regiment and [E. J.] Sanders’ battalion to take charge of the prisoners and wagons, and proceed direct to Columbia, via Williamsport. With the balance of the division I moved toward Spring Hill, regulating my march so as to keep on the flank of the commands with the prisoners, so as to meet promptly any attempt at recapture by the enemy’s forces at Franklin.
Respectfully submitted.
N. B. FORREST,
Brigadier-General.
HEADQUARTERS WHARTON’S CAVALRY DIVISION,
Unionville, March 24, 1863-2 p.m.
Lieut, Gen. LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding, &c. :
GENERAL: My scouts have all returned. Twelve men, sent between Triune and Murfreesborough, ambuscaded a party of Federals on the dirt road; wounded 2, and put the party to flight. My men returned in safety.
The Eleventh Texas was sent below College Grove, on Harpeth, but could not draw the enemy into battle. They captured 1 cavalryman from Johnson’s First Tennessee Cavalry. I will send him to-morrow.
No change in the enemy’s position. The Second Georgia, under Major [F. M.] Ison, drove them from the forks of the pike yesterday toward Triune. I attack them every day. Steedman is still at Triune. I think he has only two brigades.
Last Wednesday a very large train of wagons, joined by two brigades of infantry, went from Murfreesborough to Nashville.
I hope in the course of a few days to send you a large Yankee mail. Malone stays away unaccountably, and he has a guide of mine with him who would now be worth [his weight] in gold. If you know his whereabouts, please say to him I desire his return.
I would be much obliged for late papers. I have no news from Van Dorn.
Please let me know the extent of Morgan’s disaster.
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON,
Brigadier-General.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#5
Page 725
HEADQUARTERS WHARTON’S CAVALRY,
Unionville, March 23, 1863-3.30 p.m.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK,
Commanding at Shelbyville:
GENERAL: Captain [M. L.] Gordon, of my scout, with 15 men from his company and 6 men from Company B, Texas Rangers (my escort), passed to the rear of the enemy last night.
He visited the houses of George Smith, 4 miles from Murfreesborough, Wilkinson pike, and Mr. Hardin, 1½ miles of Triune, on the same pike.
He learned that Rosecrans’ army was still at Murfreesborough; that he has received no re-enforcement lately; that he has fortified all around the town; fortifications from Mr. James’ to Stone’s River, toward Breckinridge’s line, extending on both sides of the river. They have torn down the Murphy house (General Cheatham’s headquarters), and erected fortifications in its stead. Fortifications on Little’s plantation.
McCook’s corps is near Salem; his headquarters at Tom Turner’s, 2 miles from Salem, toward Murfreesborough. They were under arms all Wednesday night, occasioned by Captain Gordon’s attack upon them that evening. They pretend to expect an attack from General Bragg, who, they say, has received large re-enforcements. Yankee officers say, if we want a fight, we will have to come to them.
No truth in reports about demoralization. Officers say conscript law will be enforced.
Couriers to Triune and Franklin do not travel the Wilkinson pike, but go out several miles on the Nashville road, and then turn off. Captain Gordon was within one-half mile of their main camp on Wilkinson pike. He would have attacked it, but thought his presence ought not to be made known, as he might be called upon to go again, in which, I think, he acted wisely.
I have several scouts out, the result of which I will report promptly. I will be in town to-morrow, to see you, if nothing occurs to prevent.
Twenty-three Federal cavalry who would approach the rear of Shelbyville, within 1½ miles of Triune, would be considered bold and daring scouts.
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON,
Brigadier-General.
P. S.–I send you a report of General Morgan’s fight at Auburn on the 20th, which you have doubtless had the particulars of.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 722-23
MARCH 23, 1863–7.30 p.m.
General POLK,
Shelbyville, Tenn.:
GENERAL: I report everything quiet in our front. Our demonstration in front of the enemy on Harpeth was not productive of any results.
Very respectfully,
P. D. RODDEY,
Colonel.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 722
COLLEGE GROVE,
Sunday Evening, [March 22, 1863]–3 o’clock.
Colonel RODDEY:
SIR: In accordance with instructions received from you this morning, we proceeded down the pike leading from College Hill to College Grove until we discovered the outposts of the enemy. We met with no obstruction between College Hill and the bank of Harpeth River. Dr Webb informed us that a man whom we perceived standing on the pike, about a quarter of a mile on the farther side of the river, was the Yankee picket. We received information from a lady in the Grove that on Friday morning the Yankees ambushed for your command, in the lower part of town. We also heard (and give it as a report to be investigated) that the enemy camped on this side of Harpeth, below Eagleville, last night.
We learned that the force of the enemy who followed you across the river yesterday consisted of 400 cavalry and 300 infantry. They gave our boys credit for good fighting, and were badly scared.
Yours, respectfully,
[ZENAS] MOODY.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 721
UNIONVILLE, March 22, 1863.
Lieut. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK:
GENERAL: Inclosed you will find dispatch from General Van Dorn. I sent 200 men to cross Harpeth below College Grove, and attack to-morrow the enemy between Franklin and Triune. I likewise ordered Roddey to advance a portion of his regiment to College Grove. This was done before I heard from General Van Dorn, and I am glad of it, as it will be a diversion in his favor. I have two scouting parties now in rear of Murfreesborough; will hear from them to-morrow. The enemy followed Roddey to College Grove last evening. Has General Bragg been transferred?
Most respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
JNO. A. WHARTON,
Brigadier-General.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XXIII/2 [S# 35]
Correspondence, Orders, And Returns Relating To Operations In Kentucky, Middle And East Tennessee, North Alabama, And Southwest Virginia, From January 21 To August 10, 1863.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE. ETC.–#4
Page 720
