MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES H. WILSON, U. S. V. Commanding the Union Cavalry.
The Columbia Pike bisected the works, which at that point were built just in front of the Carter house, a one-story brick dwelling west of the pike, and a large gin-house on the east side. Between the gin-house and the river the works were partly protected in front by a hedge of Osage orange, and on the knoll, near the railroad cut close to the bank, were two batteries belonging to the Fourth Corps. Near the Carter house was a considerable thicket of locust-trees. Except these obstructions, the whole ground in front was entirely unobstructed and fenceless, and, from the works, every part of it was in plain sight. General Cox’s division of three brigades, commanded that day, in order from left to right, by Colonels Stiles and Casement and General Reilly, occupied the ground between the Columbia Pike and the river above the town. The front line consisted of eight regiments, three in the works and one in reserve for each of the brigades of Stiles and Casement, while Reilly’s brigade nearest the pike had but two regiments in the works, and two in a second line, with still another regiment behind that. . . .
General Wood’s division of the Fourth Corps had gone over the river with the trains ; and two brigades of Wagner’s division, which had so valiantly stood their ground at Spring Hill and covered the rear since, were halted on a slope about half a mile to the front. Opdycke had brought his brigade within the works, and held them massed, near the pike, behind the Carter house. Besides the guns on the knoll, near the railroad-cut, there were six pieces in Reilly’s works; four on Strickland’s left; two on Moore’s left, and four on Grose’s left—in all, twenty-six guns in that part of the works, facing south, and twelve more in reserve, on or near the Columbia Pike.
As the bright autumn day, hazy with the golden light of an Indian summer atmosphere, wore away, the troops that had worked so hard looked hopefully forward to a prospect of ending it in peace and rest, preparatory either to a night march to Nashville, or to a reinforcement by Smith’s corps
Colonel Presstman and his assistants laid the pontoons [over Duck River] during the night of the 28th, about three miles above Columbia; orders to move at dawn the following day having been issued to the two corps and the division above mentioned, I rode with my staff to Cheatham’s right, passed over the bridge soon after daybreak, and moved forward at the head of Granbury’s Texas brigade, of Cleburne’s division, with instructions that the remaining corps and divisions follow, and at the same time keep well closed up during the march. . . .
THE UNION SIDE AT FRANKLIN AND NASHVILLE.
BY HENRY STONE, BREVET COLONEL, TJ. S. V.
A member of the staff of General Thomas.
Note.—Schofield retired from Columbia to Spring Hill, on the road to Franklin, where he was almost surrounded by Hood’s army, and was compelled to out his way out on the night of the 29th. By severe marching his troops reached Franklin, on the south bank of the Harpeth, during th#30th, and had barely completed a line of field-works when Hood’s column rushed to the attack.
. . . The head of the column under General Cox reached the outskirts of Franklin about the same hour that the rear-guard was leaving Spring Hill. Here the tired, sleepy, hungry men, who had fought and marched, day and night, for nearly a week, threw up a line of earthworks on a slight eminence which guards the southern approach to the town, even before they made their coffee. Then they gladly dropped anywhere for the much-needed “forty winks.” Slowly the rest of the weary column, regiment after regiment of worn-out men, filed into the works, and continued the line, till a complete bridge-head, from the river-bank above to the river-bank below, encircled the town. By noon of the 30tli all the troops had come up, and the wagons were crossing the river, which was already fordable, notwithstanding the recent rains. The rearguard was still out, having an occasional bout with the enemy.
marched out of that fated city on the 16th. Thus were two opposing armies destined to move in opposite directions, each hoping to achieve glorious results.
I well knew the delay at Tuscumbia would accrue to the advantage of Sherman, as he would thereby be allowed time to repair his railroad, and at least start to the rear all surplus material. I believed, however, that I could still get between Thomas’s forces and Nashville, and rout them; furthermore, effect such manceuvers as to insure to our troops an easy victory. These convictions counterbalanced my regret that Sherman was permitted to traverse Georgia unopposed.
General Beauregard had moved in the direction of Georgia to assemble all available forces to oppose Sherman’s advance.
On the 19th the cavalry was ordered to move forward. The succeeding day Lee’s corps marched to the front about ten miles on the Chisholm road, between the Lawrenceburg and Waynesboro’ roads. On the 20th of November, Stewart’s corps having crossed the Tennessee and bivouacked several miles beyond on the Lawrenceburg road, orders were issued that the entire army move at an early hour the next morning. Lee’s and Stewart’s corps marched upon the Chisholm and the Lawrenceburg roads, and Cheatham’s upon the Waynesboro’ road. Early dawn of the 21st found the army in motion. I hoped by a rapid march to get in rear of Schofield’s forces, then at Pulaski, before they were able to reach Duck River. That night headquarters were established at Rawhide, twelve miles north of Florence on the Waynesboro’ road. The march was resumed on the 22d and continued till the 27th, upon which date the troops, having taken advantage of every available road, reached Columbia, via Mount Pleasant. Forrest operated in our front against the enemy’s cavalry, which he easily drove from one position to another.
The Federals at Pulaski became alarmed, and, by forced marches, reached Columbia, upon Duck River, in time to prevent our troops from cutting them off.
1. THE CARTER HOUSE, FROM THE SIDE TOWARD THE TOWN. 2. THE CARTER HOUSE, FROM THE CONFEDERATE SIDE. 3. FRONT VIEW OF THE CARTER HOUSE.
From photographs taken in 1884.
MAJOR-GENERAL PATRICK R. CLEBURNE, C. S. A.
Killed at Franklin, November 30,1804.
consideration that Thomas would immediately overrun Alabama, if we marched to confront Sherman. I had fixedly determined, unless withheld by Beauregard or the authorities at Richmond, to proceed, as soon as supplies were received, to the execution of the plan submitted at Gadsden.
At this juncture I was advised of the President’s opposition to the campaign into Tennessee previous to a defeat of Sherman in battle. The President was evidently under the impression that the army should have been equal to battle by the time it had reached the Alabama line, and was averse to my going into Tennessee. He was not, as were General Beauregard and myself, acquainted with its true condition. Therefore, a high regard for his views notwithstanding, I continued firm in the belief that the only means to checkmate Sherman, and cooperate with General Lee to save the Confederacy, lay in speedy success in Tennessee and Kentucky, and in my ability finally to attack Grant in rear with my entire force.
Although every possible effort was made to expedite the repairs upon the railroad, the work progressed slowly. Heavy rains in that section also interfered with the completion of the road. On the 13th I established my headquarters in Florence, upon the north branch of the Tennessee, and the following day General Forrest, with his command, reported for duty. On the 15th the remainder of Lee’s corps crossed the river and bivouacked in advance also of Florence. Stewart’s and Cheatham’s corps were instructed to cross. About the time all necessary preparations verged to a completion, and I anticipated to move forward once more, heavy rains again delayed our supplies. Working parties were at once detailed and sent to different points on the railroad; wagons were also despatched to aid in the transportation of supplies. The officer in charge was instructed to require the men to labor unceasingly for the accomplishment of this important object. In the mean time information had reached me that Sherman was advancing south, from Atlanta. He
18