Sprig Hill & Franklin

[scone]

In memory of those gallant Americans that fought at Spring Hill & Franklin, Tennessee. May we never forget!.

Heres a quick look at the events of Deas Brigade on the 29th and 30th.

Although the brigade did not participate in the Battle of Spring Hill the arrived just North east of Rippavilla plantation about 10 pm along with the rest of Edward Johnson's Division.. well minus Brantlys brigade that was about a half mile away at the ford at Rutherford Creek.

On the Morning of the 30th S.D. Lee arived with the rest of his corp and they rested a bit while the rest of the Army of Tennessee chased the federals to Franklin.

Lees corp arrived on winstead hill just as the battle was starting.

About an hour after dark, Johnson started his division forward stumbling in the dark across unfamiliar terrain moving toward the federal works. In the left front lay the locust thicket, already littered with bodies from the previous charges. The only light on the pitch black scene came, "The lurid and rapid flashes from the enemy works." and the flaming torches carried by the right and left guides at the head of the Column.

Johnston Division consisting of four Brigades, Sharp's, Deas', Brantly's and Manigault's were to reinforce the left flank of Maj. Gen. William B. Bate's Division.


Deas brigade they suffered 13 killed, 101 wounded, and 5 missing

Brig General Deas.. suffered a minor wound & was tended to at the Harrison House

19th Alabama
Captain James H. Skinner's Co. K Wounded - left thigh

William T.C Derrick, Co K Wounded and Captured (Age 22)
Admitted - US General Hospital Died from the shock of injury & loss of blood from an simple flesh wound penetrating the pelvis Died December 17th 1964
Buried Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Nashville, Tn. (Confederate Circle)

22nd alabama
Lieutenant Colonels E. Herbert Armistead - Mortally Wounded
Died December 7, 1864. Buried Oakwood Cemetery Montgomery, Alabama</I>


Majors Thomas McCarroll Prince, Jr. - Wounded
Tended to at the Home of Gen Lucius Polk "Hamilton Place"

Captain William O' Baldwin Co. G - Killed (Age 19 yrs and 7 days)
Killed after planting the colors of the 22nd on the breast works
Promoted Captain September 14, 1864 ; Buried Oakwood Cemetery Montgomery, Alabama

Christopher Bailey Co. H Wounded
Continued until December 26, 1864
Taken prisoner at Pulaski, Tennessee and imprisoned at Nashville
Transferred to prison at Louisville, Kentucky.
Paroled June 16, 1865,

A member of the 111th OVi in official report states after the federeals retook the town dec 17th. that 7 graves of the 22nd where found where the 111th fought. some of which are were inside the union works.

25th Alabama
Ordinance Sgt. Abraham Steinhardt Captured 12/17/1864 (Wounded)


Adjutants Jonathan Stout (Wounded Left Shoulder)

James M. Capps Co. B captured 12/18/1864 (Wounded ?)
Died 5/27/1865 at Point Lookout, MD Grave #1910
Died of chronic diarrhea

2nd Lt. Paul A. Rutledge Co. C Captured 12/17/1864 (Wounded ?)
H. Lewis Morris Co. D Wounded

John,Bailey Co. E Wounded Age 18
Left leg amputated before admission to hospital.
Additional amputation of upper 1/3 of left thigh.

Marion Handley Co. F Wounded

Charles Edward Watson, Co F, Captured
Imprisoned at Nashville, and transferred to Camp Douglass, Ill.
At the end of the war he was paroled and went back to Alabama.
He died on July 16th, 1882 in Wood County, Texas.

Powell Smith Co. G Wounded in the hip

William W. Lowery, Co. G Wounded in Hand

Daniel G. Martin Co H captured 12/18/1864 (wounded ?)

James W. Turner Co. I captured 12/17/1864 (wounded ?)

William P. Howell Co. I Wounded slightly in the hand James E Beard Co. K Wounded captured 12/17/1864
William Washington Munroe Killed

26th/50th Alabama Infantry

Dr. Fielding P. Sloan Surgeon , Wounded
Wounded in left wrist and right lung Bed ridden until his Death on June 19, 1865. Buried in Rest heaven Cemetery in Franklin.


I had planed on being in Spring hill today and bivouac were Johnson Division did and then go to Franklin and spend the day there. But had to change my plans and will drive down in the morning.

Pray for dry weather as it looks like it may be a wet anniversary..

I will do my best to take a few pictures.

regards,
Steven

3rd grt grandson Daniel M Craft 22nd Alabama / Deas Brigade
Edward Johnson Division.

[samgrant]

Just for fun to get the last word on all topics in the backpack section, I wish I knew more of those details, but I am just exausted when looking at Franklin.

[larry_cockerham]

Speaking of exhausted, that would apply to my 60 year-old gut and dogs after tromping through the place yesterday at the celebration of the battle. Franklin was a great example of just how brutal and unnecessary this war really was. Eighteen thousand men marching across yet another mostly open field so that seven thousand of them could be carried off in a bag or on a wooden sled. Of the few thousand yanks who caused that pile, 2,500 of their number faced the same fate. Gross waste of humanity.

[27thalabama]

I'm a new member on this post so bear with me please! My great grandfather, Miles Franklin Wright, was in the 27th Alabama Infantry, Co. B, Stewart's Corp., Loring's Division. His rank was Ordnance Sargeant. His brother, Robert Green Wright, was also in the 27th and his rank was Major.
My question; is there anyone out there that may have any info on the 27th and their role in the Spring Hill, Franklin, Nashville campaign? Also, I would love to hear from anyone who has info from diaries or letters on Hood's Army of Tennessee while they were in Tuscumbia during the month of November, 1864.

[larry_cockerham]

I've been trying to focus on this period for some time. There's not a lot of information aside from the various general's reports in the OR. I can send you my notes if you will contact me at lcoc@bellsouth.net.

[EricJacobson]

Hi,

I can give you a good bit of info about the 27th Alabama at both Spring Hill and Franklin. At this point I can conclusively tell you where that regiment was at Franklin. Also, I can tell you how many of its members are buried in the McGavock Confederate Cemetery in Franklin. I spent about 10 years writing a non-fiction study of the battles at Spring Hill and Franklin entitled For Cause & For Country. You may took a look at the book by going to www.battleoffranklin.org and feel free to e-mail me at jacobson@swlink.net for further info.

I look forward to perhaps hearing from you.

[william42]

I was scrolling through Mort Kunstler's web site, and came upon this painting. I had never seen it before. Some of you probably already have, but I'll post it up for those who haven't. It's titled "Bringing Cleburne In". Kunstler has captured the solemn, tragic task of recovering Gen. Cleburne's body from the battlefield at Franklin.

[EricJacobson]

I have the Kunstler painting hanging in my den. I got it years ago, a repro of the original which was never released. The Carter House also has a copy. It is an amazing piece and is actually a bit darker than the image appears here. The dead in the foreground are not so obvious, still hidden by the early dawn. When you first see it your eye draws away from Cleburne and the stretcher and then you see the dead. It is amazing.