Rutherford County Actions
Oct-Nov 1862
Confederate Account
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/2 [S# 23]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, MIDDLE AND EAST TENNESSEE, NORTH ALABAMA, AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FROM JUNE 10 TO OCTOBER 31, 1862.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#11
General S. COOPER,
Adjutant and Inspector General, Richmond, Va.:
Brigadier-General Forrest, commanding in East Tennessee, headquarters Murfreesborough, has been calling on me several days for troops. I have sent him all I can spare from guarding this line. Chattanooga has hardly a sufficient guard for the public property. Forrest telegraphs again this morning that he anticipates an attack at Murfreesborough to-morrow, and that he shall be obliged to fall back unless I re-enforce him. I cannot do that unless I am authorized to detail a part of General Breckinridge's command, now here en route to Kentucky He has from 8,000 to 9,000 men, including exchanged prisoners, and «59 R R--VOL XVI, PT II» <ar23_930> about 3,000 convalescents organized into brigades and armed, going to their regiments in Kentucky. Have no late news from General Bragg; do not know his wants, except that he does not need the arms ordered from here to him, but has ordered them sent to Forrest. In view of the condition of things in front of Nashville, the uneasy feeling in East Tennessee under the confiscation act, and the recent disaster at Corinth, I think it very important that I should have some additional force. I might at least be allowed to detain the Tennessee exchanged prisoners. If Bragg is in no danger Breckinridge's troops could render no better service than to drive the enemy from Middle Tennessee and occupy Nashville. What is the western boundary of my department? If it does not embrace Nashville, please so extend my authority (temporarily if it is thought proper) as to give me entire control of the troops I have sent to Middle Tennessee, as it may be necessary at any moment that I should recall them for the defense of Chattanooga or this place. Please answer to-day.
SAM. JONES,
Major-General, Commanding.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/2 [S# 23]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, MIDDLE AND EAST TENNESSEE, NORTH ALABAMA, AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FROM JUNE 10 TO OCTOBER 31, 1862.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#11
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, Tenn., October 10, 1862.
Brigadier-General FORREST, Murfreesborough, Tenn.:
I have no more troops to send. If you cannot maintain your ground fall back to Tullahoma, and farther if necessary. If the enemy's force is as small as represented the cavalry ought to be able so to harass the enemy as to prevent their advancing to Murfreesborough. Have telegraphed to Richmond for the cartel. What is the result of the operations above you so far? Is it true that Lieutenant-Colonel Maury and a large number of his regiment are captured? Keep a sharp watch for Rosecrans in the direction of Decatur. Answer.
SAM. JONES,
Major-General, Commanding.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/2 [S# 23]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, MIDDLE AND EAST TENNESSEE, NORTH ALABAMA, AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FROM JUNE 10 TO OCTOBER 31, 1862.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#11
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, Tenn., October 11, 1862.
Brigadier-General FORREST,
Murfreesborough, Tenn.:
I ordered Dure's battery and one from Montgomery's battalion to report to you. Ascertain from Colonel McKinstry where they are. Will send you two or three officers to aid in organizing troops. Have no arms for cavalry to send you. If your orders from General Bragg are not positive to organize cavalry regiments, do not organize any more until the infantry are organized. The undisciplined cavalry without arms is more than useless. I cannot leave here at present. Additional infantry will be sent to you as soon as possible.
SAM. JONES,
Major-General, Commanding.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/2 [S# 23]
CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, MIDDLE AND EAST TENNESSEE, NORTH ALABAMA, AND SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA FROM JUNE 10 TO OCTOBER 31, 1862.
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.--#12
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF EAST TENNESSEE,
Knoxville, Tenn., October 20, 1862.
Brigadier-General FORREST, Murfreesborough, Tenn.:
Your letter of the 15th just received. Will send additional troops immediately. Cannot say how many, but there will be arms enough in a few days for all the men you can raise. General Breckinridge will be in Murfreesborough soon. Send reliable agent to Columbia to give you the earliest news of the movements of General Rosecrans.
SAM. JONES,
Major-General, Commandin
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/2 [S# 23]
Appendix--CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.
Brigadier-General FORREST,
Murfreesborough, Tenn.:
Send to railroad crossing of the Tennessee River railroad transportation for 2,000 men, without wagons or batteries. Let train report to Colonel Hanson, who will be there to-morrow. I will be with you in two days.
JOHN C. BRECKINRIDGE,
Major-General.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29]
NOVEMBER 5, 1862.--Action at Nashville, Tenn.
No. 4.--Report of Brig. Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, C. S. Army, commanding cavalry.
BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS,
La Vergne, Tenn., November 6, 1862.
GENERAL: Agreeably to orders received, I moved my commands on the night of the 4th instant in the direction of Nashville, distributing them as follows: Col. John T. Morgan's regiment [Fifty-first Alabama], of Partisan Rangers, and Capt. W. C. Bacot's battalion, Forrest's regiment, to the right of the Murfreesborough pike, with instructions to move forward on the Lebanon. Stone's River, and Chicken pikes, and to drive in the Abolitionists' pickets at daylight, which was done agreeably to orders and in gallant style, killing and wounding several, with the loss of 1 man killed and 2 horses wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel [A. A.] Russell, Partisan Rangers, on Murfreesborough pike, followed by Colonels [J. B.] Palmer's and [R. W.] Hanson's brigades, with four batteries of artillery, commanded by Major [R. E.] Graves, after proceeding to Dogtown, 3½ miles from Nashville, encountered the Abolitionists' pickets, at which place he (Colonel Russell) was ordered to dismount his command, press forward, and drive in the pickets. He succeeded in driving them to their first line of fortifications with considerable firing for 1½ miles. I here found them in some force behind a brush and log fortification around a high hill on right of pike. Here they made a stand, but after a short resistance [I] drove them from their position and gained the hill, at which place I planted my rifle battery of four pieces and opened fire on Jones' Hill, 1½ miles distant. At this time the firing was heard from Colonel [John T.] Morgan, at Edgefield. About the same time Colonel [James W.] Starnes opened fire on the Nolensville pike, he having been ordered, with Colonel [G. G.] Dibrell's regiment, Major [D.C.] Douglass' battalion, Captains IS. L.] Freeman's and [Franklin] Roberts' batteries, to the left of Murfreesborough pike, down the Nolensville, Mill Creek, and Franklin pikes. The engagement now became general, Captains Freeman's and Roberts' batteries having opened from Nolensville pike a vigorous fire on Saint Cloud's Hill. The firing was kept up until 10 o'clock, when I withdrew my forces.
Our loss in this action was 3 killed, 10 wounded, and 5 missing. Loss of Abolitionists, 15 killed, 20 prisoners, and supposed 20 wounded, one shell from Nolensville pike killing 5 in fortifications. I then moved Colonels Starnes' and Dibrell's regiments and Captain Freeman's <ar29_7> and Roberts' batteries out on the Franklin pike 5 miles. The Abolitionists were in ambush with four regiments of infantry, twelve pieces of artillery, and a battalion of [William B.] Stokes' cavalry, commanded by Brigadier-General [James S.] Negley. They opened fire upon us from their position. I placed Freeman's and Roberts' batteries (four pieces each)on left of Franklin pike, between the Nolensville and Franklin pike, and returned their fire. After a spirited contest of an hour, they gave way, falling back down the Franklin Pike toward Nashville. At this time I ordered my cavalry to charge, which order was quickly obeyed, their infantry and cavalry retreating down the pike toward Nashville. From this position my guns commanded the pike and played upon the Abolitionists with good effect, killing and wounding some 20 at one fire, which caused them to break and flee in disorder. I followed them up for a mile, when my artillery ammunition gave out and I withdrew my forces.
My loss in this action was 1 killed and 3 wounded. Loss of Abolitionists, 40 killed, 20 prisoners, and reported 60 wounded.
After this engagement I moved back to La Vergne.
Great credit is due Captain Freeman, of Freeman's battery, and Lieutenant [J. H.] Wiggins, commanding Roberts' battery, and their officers and men, for their coolness and discretion during this engagement. My officers and men acted well during the day, obeying with promptness each command.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
N. B. FORREST,
Brigadier-General.
Lieut. Col. J. A. BUCKNER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29]
DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863.--The Stone's River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign.
No. 188.--Reports of General Joseph E. Johnston, C. S. Army, commanding the Western Department, with congratulatory orders.
HEADQUARTERS,
Jackson, via Montgomery, January 11, 1863.
I have just received the following dispatch from Colonel Ewell, Chattanooga:
The following is a summing up of what has been done, by the advice of General Bragg, since 1st of December, obtained unofficially, but directly from him, including Hartsville:
Morgan and Forrest have captured 5,500 prisoners, killed and wounded 2,000, destroyed stores and ammunition in immense quantities. Forrest has also fitted out his entire command in splendid style. Wheeler and Wharton captured 1,000 prisoners at Murfreesborough, and 4,000 more prisoners of war taken at the same place, and not less than 12,000 killed and wounded; total, 10,500 prisoners, and 14,000 killed and wounded; 10,000 small-arms, besides 2,000 distributed to our troops, and 30 pieces of artillery were sent to the rear, and 1,000 wagons, mostly loaded, were secured or destroyed, with a large number of mules and harness secured. The losses on our side were, at the most, 9,000 killed, wounded, and missing, and four pieces of cannon.
J. E. JOHNSTON.
General S. COOPER.
Union Account
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XVI/1 [S# 22]
OCTOBER 7, 1862.--Skirmish near La Vergne, Tenn.
Report of Brig. Gen. James S. Negley, U.S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Nashville, October 9, 1862.
SIR: Maj. Gen. S.R. Anderson, Brigadier-General Forrest, and Governor Harris have been rapidly concentrating a large rebel force at La Vergne, 15 miles east, with the avowed intention of assaulting Nashville. Deeming it a favorable opportunity to check this project
by a sudden blow, a concerted movement was made on the night of the 6th instant by a force of 400 infantry and 400 cavalry and four pieces of artillery, under command of General Palmer, sent via Murfreesborough road. At the same time 1,800 infantry, under Colonel
[John F.] Miller, marched by a circuitous route to the south of La Vergne. The enemy's pickets and vedettes were in considerable force on the roads and skirmished with our advance 10 miles, enabling the main force, consisting of one regiment (the Thirty-second Alabama
Infantry), with one steel rifled cannon and 3,000 cavalry, to assume a position, forming their lines in anticipation of our entire force advancing on the Murfreesborough road, which was part of our object.
The enemy commenced the action by opening fire with three pieces of artillery at a distance of 300 yards. This was soon silenced by a shell from one of our guns exploding their ammunition-chest. At the moment the enemy were directing their movements against
the right flank of General Palmer's force Colonel Miller's infantry arrived, advancing in splendid line of battle, delivering a well-directed fire into the enemy's ranks, which was followed by a skillful deployment of the right and left to cut off their retreat. The Confederates held their ground for thirty minutes and then fled in the wildest disorder, leaving 175 prisoners in our hands, among whom were 2 lieutenants, 2 lieutenant-colonels, and a number of line officers, three pieces of artillery, ordnance and quartermaster stores, a large amount of provisions, camp equipage, personal effects, stand of regimental colors, and three railroad cars, which we destroyed. Their defeat was complete. Their loss in killed and wounded was about 80.
The conduct of our officers and men was highly meritorious, with numerous instances of individual bravery and efficiency.
A report in detail will be forwarded by the first opportunity.
Our loss is 5 killed, 9 wounded, 4 missing.
I have the honor to remain, yours, very truly,
JAS. S. NEGLEY,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Col. J. B. FRY,
A. A. G. and Chief of Staff.
