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“On entering [Murfreesboro] . . . what a sight met my eyes! Prisoners entering every street, ambulances bringing in the wounded, every place crowded with the dying, the Federal General [Joshua W.] Sill, lying dead in the courthouse - killed Wednesday (December 31st) - Frank Crosthwait’s (20th TN) lifeless corpse stretched on a counter. . . . The churches were full of wounded, where the doctors were amputating legs and arms.”
- Mrs Bromfield L. Ridley, her husband and sons fought in the battle, whom she found safe later
Citation source: Eyewitnesses at the Battle of Stone’s River, Logsdon, p.84
Columbia Tenn
Dec 28th 1864
Dear Sister,
I received a long letter from you today. I reply not because there is anything of importance transpiring just at present, but because when the most happens is the time I am entirely unable to write. Since I was last at Columbia we have had some stirring times. Hood drove us back to Nashville. We had a very severe battle at Franklin during which our Regiment lost in killed wounded & captured some thing over half its men. After that we were in the big fight at Nashville & our company lost its Commanding Officer, a fine man who was shot through the breast & had an arm broken by a musket ball. But the success atoned for all the loss & more. Hood has halted at Columbia again. The rest of the Army has gone down after Hood. How long we shall remain here idle I know not but presume we shall have plenty to do. Sherman has taken Savannah & Hardee has escaped with his 15,000 men & will probably reinforce Hood which will give him a chance to show us considerable fight. But we shall conquer in the end. The right will triumph in the end. Charleston will be taken next and all important Sea ports. Christmas is over & I thought often of the fine times you were having at home. We had rather hard times living on hard tack & sow belly. It is quite cold to night, I have just had an argument on Slavery with the Captain who is for allowing the slaveholders credit for honesty on account of early education and I am not. I would just as — take a horse or hoe from one of these men as not. But I must stop writing. Having passed safely through the Battle of Franklin I expect good times for a while. Let me know if any thing new happening and you hear from Thomas.
Goodbye.
Your Bro. A.M.Weston
(Asa M. Weston enlisted on 8/11/62 as Sergeant in Company K, 50th Ohio Infantry, 3/4/65 promoted to Sgt Major, 4/22/65 promoted to 2nd Lt, 6/26/65 mustered out at Salisbury, NC)
Asa M. Weston, a member of the 50th Ohio. Weston was a sergeant in Company K.
Franklin, Tenn.,
Dec. 26, 1862.
2nd Cavalry Brigade, Army of the Cumberland.
In the advance on Murfreesboro the brigade, Col. Lewis Zahm commanding, encountered the enemy’s pickets about 2 miles from Franklin and drove them back toward the town, skirmishing all the way.
At Franklin the Confederates made a stand and showed fight. Zahm dismounted six companies as skirmishers and sent a party of mounted men to both the right and left flanks of the enemy, completely routing them and driving them about 2 miles beyond the town, killing and wounding several and capturing 10 prisoners, one of whom was a lieutenant on Gen. Bragg’s escort.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.439
********************************
On December 26 I divided the cavalry into three columns, putting the First Brigade, commanded by Colonel Minty, Fourth Michigan Cavalry, upon the Murfreesborough pike, in advance of General Crittenden’s corps. The Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel Zahm, Third Ohio Cavalry, was ordered to move on Franklin, dislodge the enemy’s cavalry, and move parallel to General McCook’s corps, protecting his right flank. The reserve cavalry, consisting of the new regiments, viz, Anderson Troop, or Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, First Middle Tennessee, Second East Tennessee Cavalry, and four companies of the Third Indiana, I commanded in person, and preceded General McCook’s corps on the Nolensville pike. Col. John Kennett, commanding cavalry division, commanded the cavalry on the Murfreesborough pike. For the operations of this column, and also the movements of Colonel Zahm up to December 31, I would refer you to the inclosed reports of Colonels Kennett, Zahm, and Minty.
O.R.– SERIES I–VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29]
DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863.–The Stone’s River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign.
No. 165.–Reports of Brig. Gen. David S. Stanley, U.S. Army, Chief of Cavalry, including skirmishes near La Vergne, December 27, at Wilkinson’s CrossRoads, December 29, Overall’s Creek, December 31, and Lytle’s Creek, January 5.
HDQRS. CAVALRY, FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 9, 1863.
Jackson understood the irony between war and beauty, both of which he felt ordained by God in their own way.
“But what a cruel thing is war; to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world.” He continued in his letter to Anna, “I pray that, on this day when only peace and goodwill are preached to mankind, better thoughts may fill the hearts of our enemies and turn them to peace.”
- Jackson on December 25th, 1862
Christmas Night of 1862
by William Gordon McCabe
(1841-1920)
by William Gordon McCabe
(1841-1920)
The wintry blast goes wailing by,
The snow is falling overhead;
I hear the lonely sentry’s tread,
And distant watch-fires light the sky.
Dim forms go flitting through the gloom;
The soldiers cluster round the blaze
To talk of other Christmas days,
And softly speak of home and home.
My sabre swinging overhead
Gleams in the watch-fire’s fitful glow,
While fiercely drives the blinding snow,
And memory leads me to the dead.
My thoughts go wandering to and fro,
Vibrating between the Now and Then;
I see the low-browed home again,
The old hall wreathed with mistletoe.
And sweetly from the far-off years
Comes borne the laughter faint and low,
The voices of the Long Ago!
My eyes are wet with tender tears.
I feel again the mother-kiss,
I see again the glad surprise
That lightened up the tranquil eyes
And brimmed them o’er with tears of bliss,
As, rushing from the old hall-door,
She fondly clasped her wayward boy
Her face all radiant with the joy
She felt to see him home once more.
My sabre swinging on the bough
Gleams in the watch-fire’s fitful glow,
While fiercely drives the blinding snow
Aslant upon my saddened brow.
Those cherished faces all are gone!
Asleep within the quiet graves
Where lies the snow in drifting waves,
And I am sitting here alone.
There’s not a comrade here to-night
But knows that loved ones far away
On bended knee this night will pray:
“God bring our darling from the fight.”
But there are none to wish me back,
For me no yearning prayers arise.
The lips are mute and closed the eyes–
My home is in the bivouac.
“…we are not only fighting hosti
le armies, but a hostile people, and must make old and young, rich and poor, feel the hard hand of war, as well as their organized armies. I know that this recent movement of mine through Georgia has had a wonderful effect in this respect. Thousands who had been deceived by their lying newspapers to believe that we were being whipped all the time now realize the truth, and have no appetite for a repetition of the same experience…Many and many a person in Georgia asked me why we did not go to South Carolina; and, when I answered that we were en route for that State, the invariable reply was, “Well, if you will make those people feel the utmost severities of war, we will pardon you for your desolation of Georgia.”
William T. Sherman, in a letter to Major-General H. W. Halleck, Chief-of-Staff, Washington, D.C., December 24, 1864
UNOFFICIAL
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE OHIO,
In the Field, Columbia, December 27, 1864.
Lieut. Gen. U.S. GRANT,
Commanding U. S. Armies, City Point, Va.:
GENERAL: My corps was sent back to Tennessee by General Sherman instead of remaining with him on his march through Georgia, according to his original design, for two reasons, viz: First, because General Thomas was not regarded strong enough after it became evident that Hood designed to invade Tennessee, and, second, in order that I might fill up my corps from the new troops then arriving in Tennessee. These reasons now no longer exist. By uniting my troops to Stanley’s we were able to hold Hood in check at Columbia and Franklin until General Thomas could concentrate at Nashville and also to give Hood his deathblow at Franklin. Subsequent operations have shown how little fight was then left in his army, and have taken that little out of it. He now has not more than 15,000 infantry, about 10,000 of whom only are armed, and they greatly demoralized. With time to reorganize and recruit he could not probably raise his force to more than half the strength he had at Franklin. General Thomas has assigned several new regiments to my command, and I hope soon to make them effective, by distributing them in old brigades. I will have from 15,000 to 18,000 effective men, two-thirds of whom are the veterans of the campaign in East Tennessee and Georgia. A small force, it is true, yet one which would at least be an appreciable addition to your army in Virginia or elsewhere, where decisive work is to be done. It may not be practicable now for me to join General Sherman, but it would not be difficult to transfer my command to Virginia. I am aware that General Thomas contemplates a “spring campaign” into Alabama or Mississippi, with the Tennessee River as a base, and believe he considers my command a necessary part of the operating force.
Without reference to the latter point permit me to express the opinion that such a campaign would not be an economical or advantageous use of so many troops. If aggressive operations are to be continued in the Gulf States, it appears to me it would be much better to take Mobile, and operate from that point, thus striking vital points (if there are any such) of rebel territory by much shorter lines. But it appears to me that Lee’s army is virtually all that is left of the rebellion. If we can concentrate force enough to destroy that we will destroy with it the rebel Government, <ar94_378> and the occupation of the whole South will then be but a matter of a few weeks’ time. Excuse, general, the liberty I have taken in expressing my views thus freely and unsolicited. I have no other motive than a desire for the nation’s good and a personal wish to serve where my little command can do the most. The change I suggest would, of course, deprive me of my department command; but this would be a small loss to me or to the service. The present arrangement is an unsatisfactory one at best. Nominally, I command both a department and an army in the field; but in fact, I do neither.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
Major-General.
—–
O.R.–SERIES I–VOLUME XLV/2 [S# 94]
UNION CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM DECEMBER 1, 1864, TO JANUARY 23, 1865.(*)–#15
Pages 377-78
Bivouac on a Mountain side
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
I see before me now a traveling army halting,
Below a fertile valley spread,
with barns and the orchards of summer,
Behind, the terraced sides of a mountain,
abrupt, in places rising high,
Broken, with rocks, with clinging cedars,
with tall shapes dingily seen,
The numerous camp-fires scatter’d near and far, some away up on the mountain,
The shadowy forms of men and horses,
looming, large-sized, flickering,
And over all the sky — the sky! far, far out of reach, studded, breaking out, the eternal Stars
South Carolina Secedes: “Charleston Mercury Extra” — “The Union Is Dissolved!” “AN ORDINANCE To dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled ‘The Constitution of the United States of America.’” Broadside; Charleston, December 20, 1860. Measures 12 x 24 inches.
Printing begun approximately 15 minutes after secession ordinance passed. As South Carolina was the first state to secede, this broadside is the first Confederate imprint. Rarity, historical importance, and graphic appeal combine to make the Charleston Mercury Extra one of the most sought-after of all American broadsides.
Transcript: “CHARLESTON MERCURY EXTRA: Passed unanimously at 1.15 o’clock, P.M., December 20th, 1860 AN ORDINANCE To dissolve the Union between the State of South Carolina and other States united with her under the compact entitled ‘The Constitution of the United States of America.’ We, the People of the State of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the Ordinance adopted by us in Convention, on the twenty-third day of May, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-eight, whereby the Constitution of the United States of America was ratified, and also, all acts and parts of Acts of the General Assembly of this State, ratifying amendments of the said Constitution are hereby repealed; and that the union now subsisting between South Carolina and other States, under the name of ‘The United States of America,’ is hereby dissolved. THE UNION IS DISSOLVED!” Beginning with the nullification controversy of 1832, South Carolina became the hotbed of states’ rights sentiment.
“If the general government should persist in the measures now threatened, there must be war. It is painful to discover with what unconcern they speak of war, and threaten it. They do not know its horrors. I have seen enough of it to make me look upon it as the sum of all evils.”Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson, letter to a minister, December 19, 1860
South Carolina became the first southern State to secede the next day
Recommended read:
Stonewall Jackson : The Man, the Soldier, the Legend. By James Robertson
Recommended artist - Andy Amato (see web site)
“If the cotton states shall become satisfied that they can do better out of the Union than in it, we insist on letting them go in peace . . . . We hope never to live in a Republic whereof one section is pinned to another by bayonets.”
- Horace Greeley, editorial, December 17, 1860, The New York Tribune
South Carolina became the first southern state to secede three days later.
Letter with ”U.S. Christian Commission” cover and letterhead from Corp. Dwight L. Herrick, Company C, 18th NH Infantry, City Point, VA, to his sister, Angelia Herrick, in Swanzey, NH.
The US Christian Commission seeks to afford a sure and effective medium of communication between the wounded or sick soldier–whether in the Camp of in Field or General Hospitals — and his home friends . .
Note: Dwight had only been in the army just six weeks when he wrote this letter.
Dec 17 [1864]
Source: eBay June 2007
Residence was not listed; 21 years old, when he enlisted on 8/31/1864 as a Private.
On 8/31/1864 he mustered into “C” Co. NH 18th Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 6/10/1865. Promotions: Corpl
Other Information: born in Chesterfield, NH.
The Eighteenth New Hampshire Volunteers was attached to Engineer Brigade, Defences of City Point, Va., Army of the Potomac, October 4 to March 19, 1865.
Danville Prizon #4- VA. 1863
Unidentified POW at Danville Prison No. 4 to his mother.
14 December 1863
letter reads in part:
I am still a prisoner but through the blessings of God well and hearty. I am going to ask one more favor of you at home and I hope you will lay all your work aside and attend to it and I will try to pay you someday. Send me a cheese, 5 lbs. of salt 5 of sugar, 1 of spice, some hard soap. 50 cts worth of licorice. 50 cts worth of paper and some envelopes and any other articles you can think of that a prisoner may need. Try and have it sent as soon as you can get the articles together. Now don’t look at expense. I want all I have sent for if it costs me 25 dollars. We are doing pretty well since we came to D-? I am giving the Scriptures a thorough reading in my prison life.
Source: eBay, June 2007
I have just heard of the terrific fire which was at last accounts desolating Charleston. This is indeed a terrible blow to us, the course of the fire has been through the heart of the city. I presume we owe the disaster to Yankee sympathizers in our midst. I cannot but wish that I may one day see Washington and Philadelphia retributively laid in ashes. The extent of the fire is yet unknown to us and I hope that it has been exaggerated. We hear that the Charleston Hotel, the Mills House, The Circular Church Cathedral, St. Andrews & the Institute Halls are among the buildings destroyed.
Camp Camden Dec. 14 (ca. 1861)
The early war letters of Charles Furman
http://batsonsm.tripod.com/letters/letters9.html
Franklin, Tenn.,
Dec. 12, 1862.
Detachment, Cavalry Division, 9th Army Corps, Army of the Cumberland.
During the reconnaissance of Brig.-Gen. D. S. Stanley from Nashville he approached the town of Franklin about daylight. The bank of the river was lined and the houses and buildings were filled with Confederates, but under the determined attack of the 4th Mich. and the 7th Pa. they soon fled.
All the machinery in the flour mill was destroyed. The Union loss was 1 man mortally wounded. The enemy lost 4 killed and 9 wounded. Stanley’s men took 11 prisoners.
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.439
****************************
From this time (late 62) to the end of the year the Fourth [Michigan Cavalry] was constantly on duty, taking the advance of the Union forces from Nashville, upon Triune, Franklin, Lavergne and other points leading out from Nashville, and making reconnoissances and scouts in every direction, meeting the enemy almost daily and invariably was victor when not overwhelmed by superior numbers.
Camp Anderson
Jefferson County, Kentucky
December 12th, 1861
Dear Wife,
I take my pen in hand to write you a few lines. I am not very well and have not been well since I left home. I have enlisted and been sworn in. I have the promise of an office of some kind as soon as the regiment is organized. We have not been mustered into the United States service yet but we expect to be today or tomorrow and as soon as we are mustered in we will get our horses and uniforms. The boys from our neighborhood are all well but they are dissatisfied about not getting their uniforms sooner. Tell father to do the best he can with my corn. I have not rec’d any money yet but will get some in a few days and I will either bring or send you some. I want to come home if I can as soon as we get some money. You must do the best you can and take care of the children and if any of you get sick let me know it immediately. If I do not come home before next Thursday write and let me know how you are all getting along. This is a big day with us as one Captain is to be married today and two other officers are to fight a duel today. There is five artillery companies camped in sight of us having about forty cannon. They are firing with their cannon every day. When you write direct your letter to Camp Anderson Jefferson County Ky care of I. O. Donnell. So nothing more at present but remaining your affectionate husband until death.
A. A. Harrison
P. S. Tell Martha, Jo is well
*********
Absolom A. Harrison
Company D, 4th Regiment, Kentucky Calvary Volunteers (Union)
A. A. Harrison sent the following letters to his wife Susan Allstun Harrison. Susan’s grandmother was Nancy Lincoln Brumfield, Thomas Lincoln’s sister and President Abraham Lincoln’s aunt.
These letters were transcribed by A. A.’s great-grandson Ronald A. Harrison who introduces the letters with the following background:
“A. A. Harrison and his brother Jo (Joel) apparently got caught up in a recruiting drive and enlisted in the Fourth Kentucky Calvary, U.S.A., without even going home to tell their wives, Susan and Martha. The first letter appears to be letting Susan know what has become of her husband. The two brothers served honorably for roughly a year. At the end of that time A. A. was medically discharged. At roughly the same time Jo died in a military hospital in Nashville. Only recently has anyone in the family known Jo’s fate.”
Letters found on this web page January 2008.
Munfordville, KY
december 9 [1863],
letter reads in part:
dear mother
it is prety lonesome. I have got back to the company agen and feel prety well. I have been having a run of the fever but I think that I shall bee able to do dutys agen in a few days. we are expecting an atact by the guriles to night but if they atact us they will have a good time of it for we are prepared for them they attacted a lot of sitisans last night and murdered some of them and robed the rest and we expect them here to night but I do not think that they will find many cowards here the boys are all in good spirits and the most of them feel prety well. the lieutenant says that we will be mustered out the first of january and enlisted over again. is those that are a mind to enlist over agan and get three hundred and 5 dollars bounty. when they muster me out of this I do not think they will ever muster me into any thing els. I have got anough of hevy artilery they lied to us so before that I would not believe them now if they new it was so but I do not think that we shall bee mustered out of this untill our three years is up unless the war closes before that
**********************************
Turner mustered into Company M on 9 September 1863. He died of disease on 28 February 1864 at Camp Nelson, Kentucky. The 2nd Ohio Heavy Artillery’s companies were scattered across several states throughout the war. Company M saw garrison duty at Fort Willich in Munfordsville, Kentucky until 10 January 1864, and at Fort Taylor, Camp Nelson, until May 1864.
Source: Nate Sanders auction
1851
A chime of eleven bells was contributed to the Confederate military cause. They were replaced in 1976 by a group of church women who raised the money to install them in the steeple.
1861
A great fire swept from the Cooper to the Ashley River. Many members of the congregation were forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in other parts of the state.
1860-65
St. Philip’s steeple was targeted for shelling by the invading Union Army. One shell exploded in the churchyard during a Sunday service. The service was completed, but worship was moved to St. Paul’s Church on Coming Street.
More on the history of the church
Dusk at St. Philip’s
Churchyard cemetery across from main building
CAIRO [IL] CITY WEEKLY NEWS, December 5, 1861, p. 1, c. 1
(For the Cairo City Gazette.)
Army Nurses
Band of kind, unselfish women,
Who dar’st to brave the cannon’s peal,
To wound, is stern man’s sterner duty,
‘Tis thine to watch, to soothe and heal.
Shrink not tho’ some may scorn the calling,
Of benefactress of thy race;
Thy God hath formed thee for a helper,
That post of hon’r is thy place.
Thou’st left thy home, and dear home comforts
To witness carnage, blood and death
Thou’lt hear loved names in feeble whisper
Sobbed out with many a dying breath.
But there’s a might in human kindness,
A power reactive to uphold;
That takes thy strength to aid the feeble,
But gives thee back an hundred fold.
Like rays of light thy deeds of goodness,
Out-shining ever from one source;
And ever crossing cast no shadow,
Upon each other’s radiant course.
Strength equal to thy day’ll be given,
And when sweet peace regains control,
Thy deeds will shine like tints of heaven,
Around a dark and bloody scroll.
FROM NASHVILLE
———————
The Position of the Opposing Armies.
———————
NO FIGHTING SINCE WEDNESDAY
———————
Hood Demonstrating Toward Murfreesboro
———————
Further Details of the Battle of Franklin
———————
THE REBEL GENERAL CLEBURNE KILLED
———————
The Rebel Loss Fully Six Thousand — Our Loss One Thousand
———————
GEN. THOMAS MASTER OF THE SITUATION
———————
Nashville, Friday, Dec. 2
I have received full accounts of the late battle at Franklin, and its antecedents, which was one of the the most brilliant in its general results of the war. For three days sharp skirmishing was kept up during the retirement of our army from Duck River to Franklin, during which time a multiplicity of exploits and successes resulted to the Federal arms.
Gen. Cox conducted the rear guard, and on the 29th ultimately achieved a splendid victory over the rebels at Spring Hill, while General Wilson’s cavalry gained a series of important successes over Forrest’s advance, under Roddy, on the pike between Turner’s and Spring Hill.
During the afternoon of the 30th ultimately the rebel army was sorely pressed under Hood, who had Cheatam’s and Stewart’s corps, and a portion of Dick Taylor’s command, numbering in all over 22,009 men. Owing to Cox’s gallant check at Spring Hill, and portion of the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps were enabled to gain Franklin early in the day, where they threw up a line of breastworks, extending from one end to the other of the curve in the river, behind which our entire infantry command took position.
At precise four o’clock (afternoon) the entire rebel force made a charge, and succeeded in making a temporary break in our centre, commanded by Wagner. With characteristic impetuosity the soldiers composing Cheatham’s Corps dashed into the breastworks, and cooperating with the attacking party on their left, attempted to envelop and destroy our right. In the nick of time the troops of Wagner were rallied, and throwing their whole force on the rebel column, drove back the storming party in great disorder, capturing several hundred prisoner. Four hours after the rebels charged on these lines, but were repulsed as often with great slaughter.
The rebels numbered at least two to our one, as nearly half of the Fourth and Twenty-third Corps were in reserve. The rebels loss in killed is three times ours, while their wounded is at least six times as large as ours. The wounded of our men are mostly in the head, arms and body.
The artillery fire of the enemy was great precision, but their ammunition consisted chiefly of shot and shell, while for two hours immense quantities of more murderous missles were hurled with fearful fury into the rebel lines. All the attempt of the rebels to gain a permanent advantage were frustrated, and at dark the Federal position was uncharged, while the rebels retired, under cover of the woods, south of the Columbia pike.
The rebel loss, as before stated, is fully 6,000, including over 1,000 prisoners, an unsual number of whom were officers. Our loss reached a total of about 1,000.
An artillery duel was kept up till nearly midnight, when our troops commenced crossing Harpeth River, bringing all our trains and paraphernalia over in safety before daylight.
The army then retired to within four miles of this city, at which point our frontline confronts the enemy. The falling back of the army is in accordance with the programme, and the battle at Franklin, although of the most brilliant kind, was an impromptu affair, and brought about owing to the necessity of checking the rebel advance to secure a safe crossing of the river by our troops.
—————–
LATER
Nashville, Friday, Dec. 2
Additional reports received increase the magnitude of the late victory at Franklin. Thirty stands of colors were captured by our forces. The Forty-ninth Indiana captured five, the Eighty-eighth Illinois three, Reilly’s old brigade eight, and the Twenty-third Corps captured four.
Gen. Stanley, commanding the Fourth Corps, had a very narrow escape, having had a horse killed under him, and was shot in the right shoulder, the ball travelling the back and going out of the left shoulder. He is in the city, and though suffering considerably, is still attending to duty.
It is confirmed that Gen. Cleburne, of Tennessee, is killed.
Gen. Kimball, commanding the Second Division of General Stanley’s Corps, in the heat of the battle passed a rebel Major-General, who told him he was mortally wounded. His men succeeded in carrying off his body.
It is believed that Hood’s main army is threatening Murfreesboro. Forrest’s rebel cavalry is demonstrating on our front and right flank.
Commander Fitch is here with a fleet of boats and Iron-clads. Sufficient forces have arrived to insure not only the safety of Nashville, but another Union victory, is case of a battle, under any circumstances.
The military men all unite in the opinion that Gen. Stanley and Schofield conducted the retirement from Pulaski in the face of the enemy with admirable skill, and crowning all with a magnificent Union victory at Franklin.
“Our Southern ideals of patriotism provided us with the concepts of chivalry. I tried to excel in these virtues, but others provided a truer interpretation of gallant conduct. A devoted champion of the South was one who possessed a heart intrepid, a spirit invincible, a patriotism too lofty to admit a selfish thought and a conscience that scorned to do a mean act. His legacy would be to leave a shining example of heroism and patriotism to those who survive.”
- Jeb Stuart, December 3, 1862, in a letter to R.H. Chilton
Todd Carter March 24, 1840 - December 2, 1864
Todd Carter was returning home to his native Tennessee and native Williamson County with the Army of Tennessee in the fall of 1864, with his fellow soldiers in the 20th Tennessee Infantry (C.S.A.).
He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Franklin (30 November 1864) on the very land his father owned. He was carried from the field and died on December 2, 1864.
Image credit: The Williamson County Historical Society
Todd Carter - Home at Last
“I am almost home! Come with me, boys!
They could hear Tod shout above the noise
Of the cannons’ boom , and shreiking shells,
The exploding bombs, and Rebel yells!
The Battle rages until near midnight;
The women prayed. By dawn’s faint light
They found him lying among the dead;
He was wounded in the charge he led.
He was carried through the garden gate,
While they sobbed in words, compassionate,
“Our sad hearts ached as the long years passed,
Now our brother has come home at last!”
Written by a descendant of Todd Carter, Dr. Roslie Carter.
TENNESSEE.
______
A Severe Battle at Franklin, Tenn.
________
HOOD DEFEATED BY THOMAS.
________
The Rebels Desperately Assault Our Works.
________
They are Repulsed with Fearful Carnage.
__________
Six Thousand Rebels Killed and Wounded.
_________
TWELVE HUNDRED PRISONERS CAPTURED
____________
Our Loss Less Than One Thousand.
____________
MAGNIFICENT BEHAVIOR OF OUR TROOPS
__________
Full and Graphic Account from Our Special Correspondent.
__________
OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT.
__________
Washington, Thursday, Dec.1.
The following official dispatch concerning the report of the victory in Tennessee, has been received at headquarters:
FRANKLIN, Tenn., Wednesday, Nov.30.
Major-Gen. Thomas:
The enemy made a heavy and persistent attack with two corps, commencing at 4 P.M., and lasting till after dark. He was repulsed at all points with heavy loss — probably of five or six thousand men. Our loss is probably not more than one-fourth of that number. We have captured about one thousand prisoners, including one Brigadier-General.
(Signed,) JOHN SCHOFIELD
Major-General.
__________
OUR SPECIAL ACCOUNT.
__________
Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.
FOUR MILES SOUTH OF NASHVILLE.
Thursday, Dec.1.
Gen. SCHOFIELD yesterday fought one of the prettiest fights of the war, resulting most disastrously to the rebels, with little loss to ourselves. After three days’ skirmishing, the rebels crowded our first line of works yesterday afternoon, and at 4 P.M. made a most desperate attack on our right and centre, forcing our lines to our breastworks, which were thrown up from river to river in an open field on the Cumberland Pike, which ran through the centre of the field.
At least half the rebel force engaged endeavored to pierce our centre, and come down vicuously on WAGNER’S Division, which, after desperate fighting, fell back, and MANY’S rebel division, of FRANK CHEATAM’S corps, got inside our works and captured two guns. Our centre was not broken, however, and, better still, Gen. WAGNER successfully rallied our troops, wgho charged on the enemy, recaptured the two guns, and drove the division over the breastworks, capturing one entire brigade and its commander.
At 4:30 o’clock the battle was waged with unabating vigor, the enemy having made during a half hour several attempts to break our centre.
The Federal position was a magnificent one, and the result of these four days’ work were magnificently grand.
All thi s while the rebels had appeared in front of our right. The plan was to pierce our centre and crush our right wing before dark. A portion of our infantry were engaged three-quarters of an hour firing on the rebel columns who stood their ground like madmen. During the every charge made on our right and centre, volleys of grape and cannister were hurled into their lines, and only darkness prevented their sacrifice being more awful. It is said that no canister shot was used by the rebels during the day, but fired shot and shell.
After the first break of WAGNER’S division and its recovery, our line never budged a step. All was quiet after 10 P.M. It was not only one of the prettiest but cleanest battles of the war. The excessive slaughter of the enemy was owing to our wholesale use of cannister and grape, and our selection of ground. The battle was fought in an open field, with no trees or undergrowth, or other interruption. The enemy’s loss in killed and wounded approximates 7,000, and we have over 1,200 prisoners, and one general officer and several field officers. The Colonel of the Fifteenth Mississippi, a Northern man, of Illinois, was wounded and taken prisoner. Four-fifths of his regiment were killed, wounded or captured. Our loss does not reach a thousand, hors du cambat. Gen. Bradley, of Illinois, while gallantly leading his troops, was severly wounded in the shoulder. Our loss in field officers is very small. Our troops behaved handsomely. SCHOFIELD commanded on the field, STANLEY on the right, and Cox on the left. Gen. Stanley was wounded slightly in the neck, but remained on the field and is all right to-day.
I have told you all along the programme of Gen. Thomas would electrify you, and this is but the epilogue of the battle to come off.
After our dead, wounded and prisoners were cared for, our army fell back to this point, and are in line of battle while I write. Up to this time, 3 P.M., the enemy has not made his appearance. The Third Corps of Veterans are in readiness, and a battle is expected before daylight to-morrow. All Government work is suspended, and all are under arms, from Gen. DONALDSON down to the unscientific laborers.
The falling back of our troops was accomplished at 8 o’clock this morning, and bridges burned across Harpeth River to retard the transportation of rebel supplies. The calvary was handled prettilt by Gen. WILSON, between Spring Hill and Triune.
A.J. SMITH’s corps is in line of battle, and the situation is particularly grand. Forts Negley, Morton, Cairo and Houston are alive, and the infantry movement perfectly satisfacoty. Something must immediately transpire, as Gen. THOMAS is ready to strike no matter how the rebels move.
BENJ. C. TRUMAN
Wed. Nov. 30: Left Smithland at daylight up the Cumberland River for Nashville, Tennessee. Landed a few minutes at Eddyville, Castle Rock, Canton and Tobacco Point and reached Dover, or FT. Donelson, about 8 1/2 oclock and tied up for the night. The sun has shined about all day for the first for a long time. The river is in a nice boating stage now. We got along today without any troubles or difficulties. Thurs. Dec. 01: I went ashore and went up to the fort this morning. Flood’s Battery and part of the 83rd Illinois Infantry is here yet. We waited for other boats and left Ft. Donelson at 10 1/2 oclock. Run very slow. Passed quite a number of boats today returning from Nashville. We reached Clarksville, Montgomery county, about 8 oclock, landed a few minutes and run all night. Cloudy again.
Fri. Dec. 02: Drizzling rain this morning. Run all night and reached Nashville at 10 oclock and commenced unloading immediately. We got off by 2 oclock and started out to the front and took positions about 4 oclock in the front line of battle on the Nashville Pike about 2 1/2 miles southwest of the statehouse. Our men are throwing up rifle pits in earnest tonight.
Sat. Dec. 03: Rained last night. I went on the top of a high hill nearby where I had a nice view of the city and the troops line of battle and the surrounding country. Saw Maj. Gen. Thomas and Schofield and Brigadier Gen. McArthur and Webster skirmishing all day and about 4 oclock this evening cannonading opened on the left wing but did not last long. A squad of citizens were brought out and throwed us up breastworks. A pleasant day, saw Tom Man. Look some for night attack.
Sun. Dec. 04: The gunboats were heard firing below last night and firing has commenced on the left this morning and kept up all day. Our men are still strengthening their works. The Rebs have throwed up fortifications in front of the 4th Corps. Their works extend to within 1/4 of a mile of ours on the left. The 3rd Indiana Battery throwed several shells into the Rebs line up to 9 oclock tonight, and heavy picket firing was kept up all night. Four prisoners were brought in this morning.
Mon. Dec. 05: Cannonading opened again this morning to our left and was kept up at intervals all day and skirmishing was kept up all along the lines most of the day. A detachment of the 4th Tennessee Cavalry made a charge on the Rebs pickets this evening but found them too strong for them and returned again with two or three wounded after killing six Rebs. Cannonading ceased this evening. On guard today. My time is out today.
Tues. Dec. 06: Cannonading and skirmishing again today. In the evening the 2nd Illinois and 2nd Iowa Batteries opened fire on the right at a Rebel column that was seen moving to the right, and throwed several shells among them. It rained a little last night, has been a pleasant day. The gunboats are firing below here this evening. I went over on the right this evening.
Wed. Dec. 07: Rained a little last night and is warm and cloudy this morning. There has been some skirmishing today but not as much as usual. Our guns were firing all along the lines again today. Our guns throwed several shells into the Rebel lines this evening. It has turned quite cold this evening. Rained a little this evening. Mike Wilkins, David Beeson, Enock Whitted and Jerry Ferman came over this evening.
Thurs. Dec. 08: It was quite cold last night and still continues cold all day. Cannonading again today. We fired a few rounds in the morning. Captain Brown has returned. I took a walk round to the left along our lines this evening. I went about 2 miles. A charge was made on our picket line near the left center, the 31st Indiana was sent out and drove them back into their holes. We unharnessed this evening.
Fri. Dec. 09: Very cold disagreeable this morning. A cold sleeting snow is falling this morning. Ceased snowing about noon and I went down to the city and went into the U.S. Christian Commission and wrote a letter. Quite a crowd of soldiers in the city today. Cannonading and skirmishing has about ceased now as it is rather too cold and disagreeable to fight today.
Sat. Dec. 10: Quiet still this morning. I and R. C. Turner went to the city this morning. Visited the State House which is a splendid building, and after we run round over town till evening, we went back to the camp. There has been a little cannonading today. It is quite slippery getting round now. Everything is very high here in this market, but there is a large amount of business done here.
Sun. Dec. 11: Very cold here in camp. I went down to the city and went to the Baptist Church in the morning. I then took a walk out to the forts in the south part of the city. I went back through town, and Haines and I went to the St. Cloud Commercial and the City Hotel and remained till nearly night and then returned to camp. There has been no skirmishing along the line today.
Mon. Dec. 12: Cold and disagreeable all day. There was some cannonading today on the left. Most of the cavalry has crossed over to this side of the river this evening, and the indications are that a move will be made soon. I went down where the cavalry camped tonight and saw the 12th Mo. Cavalry, also the 11th Indiana and saw Burt Chapman and Capt. Woodard and Col. Mull.
Tues. Dec. 13: Still cold and disagreeable this morning and no move is being made yet for the enemy. I am on guard today and have been writing some letters. It moderated considerable this evening. The snow and sleet has all gone and it is misting rain a little. Skirmishing or picket firing is going on quite brisk up to 11 oclock tonight.
Wed. Dec. 14: Misty and foggy this morning. There was a brisk firing kept up all night on the picket line. It is warm and cloudy and very muddy today. I wrote some letters again today. The cavalry is still in camp near here. There has been no cannonading here today I believe. There is a valley of from 2 to 3 miles width in front of our lines extending all around our lines between us and the enemy.
Thurs. Dec. 15: Still warm and foggy. Left camp at 7 1/2 oclock, formed our lines in the valley in front of our works and begun to advance at 11 oclock. The ball opened pretty heavy about 12 oclock and was kept up till after dark. Our battery and the 2nd Illinois shelled one of their work for 3 or 4 hours, but the infantry charged and took it. 8 guns were captured and turned on the Rebs, also a lot of prisoners. Rained a little today. There was 33 pieces of artillery and 1500 prisoners captured today. We camped tonight where the Rebs camped last night.
Fri. Dec. 16: We were in readiness for action at an early hour and advanced 3/4 of a mile and the ball soon opened. We run our battery right up on the Rebel skirmish line and opened and fired all day from the position. We run out of ammunition for the Napoleons about 3 oclock. The infantry advanced under a galling fire and scaled their walls and took possession of their works. We moved forward about 1 mile and camped for the night.
Sat. Dec. 17: Rained hard last night and continued all day. We captured 22 pieces of artillery and (??) prisoners today, also 3 generals. I went over the battle ground this morning of guns, ammunition, dead horses, wagons stuck in the mud and leaned against trees. It showed there had been a great panic. We hauled off 4 guns and some caisson and left about 4 oclock on the Granny White Pike and then back to the Franklin Pike and into camp about 3 oclock.
Sun. Dec. 18: Left camp at 7 1/2 oclock. Very muddy and disagreeable. Marched along pretty well to within about 2 miles of the town of Franklin and halted about 4 hours. Met several hundred prisoners and 3 pieces of Rebel artillery. Moved up near town a while before night to camp, but got orders to cross the Harpeth River. Crossed over on pontoon, passed through town about a mile and went into camp at 7 1/2 oclock. Marched 8 miles.
Mon. Dec. 19: Rained very hard last night. We have orders to march again today. Heard heavy cannonading this morning in the direction of Columbia. It rained hard all day, a cold disagreeable rain and very muddy. We have a solid pike to travel on today or we could not get on at all. Passed through Spring Hill about a mile and went into camp at 7 oclock. Marched 12 miles, about 10 miles to Columbia.
Tues. Dec. 20: We have a tolerable good camp and there is some talk that we will remain here till morning and then go back. It is still cloudy but it is more pleasant today. We received orders to go to the front yet tonight. We harnessed and went to the ammunition train and filled up our chests about 2 oclock and left about dark and went a few miles, but it rained and was so very disagreeable we went into camp. It is the most disagreeable I ever saw since the war.
Wed. Dec. 21: I never went to bed last night, rained till nearly day and then commenced snowing and continued all day. We can’t cross a creek near here till a pontoon is laid down. The 23rd Army Corps is passing this evening. I am on guard today. This has been one of the most disagreeable times I ever saw in or out of the service. All the little creeks are booming full.
Thurs. Dec. 22: It froze last night and is cold and still snowing this morning. We received orders to move out this morning but the order was countermanded till evening. The 23rd Corps and train is still passing yet. We left camp about 2 oclock and moved toward the front and crossed and went out about 1 1/2 miles and went into camp. The 4th Corps is in camp along here. The road was full of trains and wagons all the way out. Cleared off this evening.
Fri. Dec. 23: Very cold last night and is clear and cold today. The 4th Army Corps commenced moving out last night. The cavalry is crossing Duck River this evening. The 23rd Corps is camped all along the road from Spring Hill to Columbia. There is breastworks thrown up all along here. Gen Girard is commanding our division, and the 2nd, now. It is about 2 miles to Colunbia.
Sat. Dec. 24: Left camp about 3 1/2 oclock and went to the river and found the pontoon out of repair and the 4th Corps train to cross. We had to wait till about 1 oclock before we commenced to cross. The pieces of Rebel artillery was snaked out of the river before we crossed. We got over by 2 oclock and passed through Columbia which has been a very good town. We went out about 8 miles and went into camp about dark. We heard cannonading today.
Sun. Dec. 25: Rained a little this morning and turned off pretty fair day till about 4 oclock and then commenced to rain a little again. The 4th Corps train has been passing all day and our train has come up, also the remainder of our artillery. About 25 Rebel prisoners passed here today on their way to Nashville. The boys are foraging in earnest today. Christmas.
Mon. Dec. 26: Cloudy damp morning, left camp at 12 oclock. The 1st and 3rd Divisions march in front today. The pike is pretty muddy in places. Signs of fighting and skirmishing all along the road. Lt. Caffee started back this morning. We passed through Linwood, small town, partly burnt, marched 10 miles today and went into camp about dark about 1 mile beyond Linwood.
Tues. Dec. 27: Raining a little this morning. We left camp about 11 3/4 oclock. The roads are pretty muddy. Cannoneers all have to walk in this department of the army. Crossed Big Creek and run down it for some ways and turned out and went into camp about 8 oclock. There has been considerable skirmishing along here. A lot of Rebel prisoners passed here this evening on their way to Nashville.
Wed. Dec. 28: Received orders to remain in camp today. The boys are all out foraging near by. I remained in camp till evening and then I and Wilson McCallmont rode over to Pulaski, county seat of Girard county. The town is very much torn up now, but has been a very good town before the war. There are plenty good springs and small streams in this part of the country. 23rd Corps gone down Buck River.
Thurs. Dec. 29: Left camp at 8 1/4 oclock. The roads are frozen so as to bear up this morning. Passed through Pulaski and turned west on the Florence road. Crossed Richlands creek near junction with Weekly’s creek. Marched in a west direction, crossed several small streams, had bad hilly roads most of the way. We went into camp at sundown in about 8 miles of Lawrenceburg and 10 miles of Pulaski. Marched 14 miles. On guard.
Fri. Dec. 30: Left camp at 7 1/4 oclock. On the Lawrenceburg road, had pretty good roads to Lawrenceburg, which we passed about 11 oclock and had very bad roads this evening. Commenced raining before noon and rained a little all this evening. We went into camp about 2 oclock on the Clifton road in about 4 miles west of Lawrenceburg, County seat of Lawrence county. We marched about 12 miles today.
Sat. Dec. 31: Rained very hard and then snowed last night. Clear and cold this morning. Left camp about 11 oclock, had very bad roads all day, not hilly, but very deep, stiff mud. Country thinly settled. We marched in a northwest direction today and went into camp about 4 oclock in about 10 miles of Waynesburg, county seat of Wayne county. Marched 8 miles today.
Notes:
Original web site source
The original diary was given to the Indiana Historical Society, located at 140 North Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204, phone (317) 232-1879. The society’s resource center is in the Indiana State Library building.
Richard T. Johnson 207 North Howard St. P. O. Box 73 Oxford, IN 47971
Photograph shows ruins in area adjacent to the Mills House in Charleston, South Carolina.
The Mill’s House, with adjacent ruins, stereo, George Barnard, also published by Anthony as stereo #3078, March 15-20, 1865.
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Harper’s Weekly account of the December 1861 great Charleston Fire
THE BURNING OF CHARLESTON.
IT matters little, in effect, whether the burning of the city of Charleston was the fruit of accident or of negro incendiarism. The rebels are sure to ascribe the disaster to the latter cause. Secret terrors are the price of despotism : in slave countries, every noise, every cry, every unusual movement of a slave, carries apprehension to the heart of his master. At the time of the John Brown affair, Governor Wise told us that Virginia matrons living miles and miles away were beside themselves with terror. We know that so terrible was the alarm created by that trumpery attempt, that down on the Gulf shore negroes whose behavior had attracted attention were imprisoned, whipped, and even shot by scores. In the language of Southern members of Congress who talked secession in those days, life was not worth having, if accompanied by the agonies which such events implanted in every Southern breast.
It is by the light of these memories that we must read the tale of the burning of Charleston. The burning of 600 houses, including every public building in the city, and property valued at $7,000,000, is an astounding event. Whatever the politicians and the papers may say, the Southern people from Norfolk to Galveston are sure to conclude that the negroes did the dread deed, and each man and woman is now quaking in terror lest his or her house should be the next to go. Nor is this opinion likely to be confined to the whites. The slaves, too, will hear of the fire, and will hear simultaneously—for we know that news does spread among the slaves, hard as their masters try to keep them in ignorance—that between eight and ten thousand slaves, till lately the overworked laborers on Carolina cotton plantations, are now free men, getting eight and ten dollars a month. It will not exceed the negro’s power of combination to connect the two events together. When he does, beware the result.
We are gradually spreading the net which is to encircle the rebellion. The occupation of Ship Island, Mississippi, by the advance-guard of General Butler’s expedition, under General Phelps, is of course the first step toward a movement upon Mobile and New Orleans. The terrors which have compelled General Lee to imprison men at Savannah and Charleston to prevent their flying to the mountains, will now be transferred to the Gulf cities, and if we hear of more fires no one must be surprised. The assassin’s dagger and the incendiary torch are the natural weapons of the slave. We should not use them, but we did not make the present situation.
In a few days, probably before the next number of this journal is printed, a fresh blow at the rebellion will be struck by General Burnside at the head of some fifteen thousand men, and very possibly General Halleck may have commenced operations on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. The burning of Charleston will prove a more potent ally to these generals than an additional fleet or army. It may have been, as we said, a mere accident, assisted by a high wind. But wherever our troops advance, fathers and mothers will bethink themselves with a shudder that within a month after the landing of our forces on the soil of South Carolina the chief city of that State was mysteriously burned, and thousands of people rendered houseless on a December night. The offspring of these thoughts will be surrender.
