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I don't think so, at least not officially. The rear guard under the command of Forrest and Gen. E.C. Walthall only lasted a very brief time from the end of the battle of Nashville, rather a day or so later, on the 18th or 19th until the army had crossed the Tennessee River at Bainbridge, Alabama on the 28th of December. This was a rather rapid movement only allowing for camping overnight when they weren't fighting. The weather had been the worst in years at that particular time with much sleet, snow, mud and freezing rain. Any prisioner exchange would have been spur of the moment and exceedingly quick. While there was communication with Gen. Hatch at Columbia, I doubt any exchanges were made. General Wilson wrote that he called off the pursuit (by his 4th US Cav) at Lexington, Alabama because he had lost 1,500 animals in the previous two weeks and his men were exhausted. Imagine what it was like for the Confederates. Gen Wilson had supplies! Forrest had acquired some supplies at Murfreesboro, but it must have been a limited choice. Confederate mules were deserving of the medal of honor for hauling what little equipment and men they had across the hills south of Pulaski.
Larry, I found the section that I mentioned in the OR. Page 1233, series 2, vol 7 has the prosposal that Forrest sent to Gen. Rousseau on the 16 of December. General Rousseau agreeded to the exchange, but the action at Nashville interupted the exchange. He again tried to make an exchange on Jan 6th. (OR Series 2, vol 8, page 31.)
On Feb. 23, Forrest met with General Parkhurst at Rienzl again to arrange an exchange. At this meeting the subject of gerrillas was brought up and the responce that Forrest had was very intresting. (page 325, series 2, vol 8 OR).
__________________ Located near Indianapolis, home of Col. Eli Lilly and the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
"Larry, I found the section that I mentioned in the OR. Page 1233, series 2, vol 7 has the prosposal that Forrest sent to Gen. Rousseau on the 16 of December. General Rousseau agreeded to the exchange, but the action at Nashville interupted the exchange. He again tried to make an exchange on Jan 6th. (OR Series 2, vol 8, page 31.)
On Feb. 23, Forrest met with General Parkhurst at Rienzl again to arrange an exchange. At this meeting the subject of gerrillas was brought up and the responce that Forrest had was very intresting. (page 325, series 2, vol 8 OR)."
Do you happen to know where Rousseau was located on the 16th? That was the first day of the two-day battle at Nashville. Forrest had been sent to tear up the railroad between Nashville and Murfreesboro . His wagons were reported in the vicinity of Triune between Frankliln and La Vergne. On about the 18th Forrest was ordered back to the main army and met them at Columbia on the 18th or 19th. (I'll post some more days activities next week as we get closer to the actual dates). The 17th was a battle day though I don't think Forrest was there. He would not have had much if any time for an exchange. Remember Forrest travelled light. General William Bates, an infantry commander was with Forrest. He might have been a factor in the exchange?
By January 6, the Army of Tennessee was in north Mississippi, as you probably know. I'm not sure exactly where Forrest was located at that time which was a week after he had completed the crossing of the Tennessee River at Bainbridge. I suspect Forrest stayed close by that area perhaps near Corinth or toward his home in Memphis. He had been ordered about that time to defend Mississippi and Alabama as best he could while the army moved eastward. They took a couple of weeks or less rest in Tupelo, Burnsville, Reinzi and that area before moving on to *******n.
By the 23rd, the main Confederate army was gone. Forrest might have had some prisoners of his own, but that probably wasn't likely? Can you tell me/us more about his response?
Last edited by larry_cockerham; 12-14-2005 at 09:54 AM.
Reason: changed my story
According to the OR, both Forrest and Rousseau were at Murfreesborough.
On the 6th of Jan. Forrest sent a message via flag of truce to Maj. Gen Dana in Memphis. The message was carried by Maj. J.P. Strange, CSA and accompied by Lt. Col. Grass of the 61st Ill. Col. Grass was to be exchanged for Col. E.W. Rucker of Forrests' command.
Forrest stated that he would like to complete the original exchange of the 16th as he had about 1600 captives. It does not discolose a location but indicates he was in the field. With Forrest sending these men to General Dana, this would surely indicate that they were very near Memphis on the 6th as you stated.
There was also a mention of another exchange that General Washburn had agreed to with the blessings of General Hood and Gen. Taylor. I could not determine if it had happened or should have happened. This information is all found in the listings of the OR as indicated in my previous post.
__________________ Located near Indianapolis, home of Col. Eli Lilly and the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
Last edited by richard; 12-14-2005 at 11:20 PM.
Reason: adding more
By the 16th of January 1865 Hood was about to be relieved of command. Taylor as you probably know was allied with Forrest in their defense of Alabama and Mississippi and surrendered with Forrest at Citronelle, AL a few weeks/months later.
On December 6, 1864, it being a mild and pleasant winter day, Captain Thomas P. Mitchell accompanied by a fellow soldier came galloping into Shelbyville heading ukp the tree lined Shelbyville, Murfreesboro, and Nashville Turnpike to the Whiteside mansion. Capt. Mitchell, who was only 30 years old had slipped into town behind enemy lines to se his wife, a daughter of the Whiteside family, and 9 month old daughter, Margaret, whom he had never seen. After about an hour's visit with his family, he and his companion mounted their horses and left to rejoin their unit. But in riding on the pike, they were discovered by a band of Home Guards from Wartrace who gave instant chase.
At a fast galloop, Capt. Mitchell and his companion proceeded west along the Fishing Ford Pike. About two miles outside of town they were overtaken by the Guards and, seeing no means of escape, they surrendered. The Home Guards paid no attention to their surrender and continued firing, shooting Capt. Mitchell through the lungs. Falling from his horse, the Guards left him wounded and rode back to Shelbyville where they stopped at the Whiteside house and yelled out, "Hello."
Upon hearing the loud call at the front gate, Mrs. Mitchell ran to the front door only to hear one of the Guards yell out, "You had better send someone out to see about Mitchell. We shot him and left him for dead about two miles from town. You will find him out there in a fence corner."
Becoming alarmed, Mrs. Mitchell ran to inform her family who began collecting bandages, medicines and liniment and immediately proceeded to locate the body. On passing down the pike they hurriedly stopped at Dr. Thomas Lipscomb's house to have him ride out with the family, not knowing if they would find Capt. Mitchell dead or alive.
They found Capt. Mitchell's body where the Guards said they had shot him and he was still alive but mortally wounded. The next day, Capt. Mitchell was carried back to the Whiteside house whre he remained alive for only a few days, dying from his wound on Friday, December 9th.
TAKEN FROM "WITH BLOOD AND FIRE: LIFE BEHIND UNION LINES IN MIDDLE TENNESSEE, 1863-65
Dr. and Mrs. Lipscomb were, at this time, nursing their son, Willie, an 18 year old member of Forresdt's Escort (or bodyguard) who had been mortally wounded at Fouches Springs in Lawrence County a few days before. Their son died and his and Captain Mitchell's graves are within sight of each other in the Willow Mount Cemetery in Shelbyville. The Whiteside house still stands.
It's now December 17, 2005 - 141st anniversary of the battle for Nashville. May we all pause to honor the memory of those souls who sacrificed themselves at this event. My story, because of my interest in two common soldiers, one yank, one reb attempts to focus on the brigades who were with Forrest fighting the rear guard as the removal from Tennessee began. Please throw in corrections and additions as you have them. Thanks. This was a very brutal couple of weeks of Tennessee history.
December 17.--The march was continued toward Columbia--Stewart in front, Cheatham next, and Lee in the rear, with Chalmers' and Buford's cavalry. General Lee's rear harassed considerably by the enemy's cavalry near Spring Hill. Lieutenant-General Lee slightly wounded. The army camped between Franklin and Spring Hill in the order of march. Army headquarters at Spring Hill.
December 18.--Stewart's corps marched in front to-day, camping in line of battle on Duck River. Cheatham camped on Rutherford's Creek, and General Lee between the creek and Franklin. Army headquarters at Mr. Vaught's, Columbia. Forrest, as per his report, was at Columbia this day.
[Insert- from George H. Thomas Jan 20 1865 report: “On the 18th the pursuit of the enemy was continued by General Wilson, who pushed on as far as Rutherford's Creek, three miles from Columbia. Wood's corps crossed to the south side of Harpeth River and closed up with the cavalry. The enemy did not offer to make a stand during the day. On arriving at Rutherford's Creek the stream was found to be impassable on account of high water, and running a perfect torrent.
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