Battle Of Nashville And the grand Retreat

[larry_cockerham]

January 10, 1865 Cheatham's corps ordered to move from Corinth to Tupelo.

When Hood's army arrived in Tupelo on Jan. 10, 1865, there were fewer than 15,000 infantry. On the 15th, Hood was relieved of command and replaced by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston.” [Not exactly true, it was Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor] on Jan 22. Johnston returned Feb 22, 1865. P.G.T. Beauregard retained command in Hood’s absence. Taylor was to remain with Forrest in defense of Alabama and Mississippi.

January 11, 1865 No orders of importance.
January 12, 1865 Cheatham's corps arrived at Tupelo. All stores reported moved away from Corinth to Tupelo.

[larry_cockerham]

As the Army of Tennessee reached the more or less safe confines of Tupelo, Mississippi, the retreat from Tennessee was over. After a few days rest, a new "offensive" began. The move was on to strike Sherman at the earliest opportunity. At this point, I'll continue posting, but will move to the "This day in 1865 with the Army of Tennessee" thread. Many of these days have additional notes from the first round. Please add corrections or additonal facts or comments. Thanks.

[larry_cockerham]

Today I visited both battle sites and it was a rather humbling experience. The graveyard at Chestnut Grove just north of Anthony's hill has been well restored by the gentlemen of the SCV led by Mr. Tim Morrison. A job well done. I'm still wondering about the path of the AOT from Anthony's Hill to Sugar Creek. There are two choices as I see it: Puncheon Road from Minor Hill or Peach Road further west. At the moment I'm leaning toward peach. The crossing sites at Sugar Creek are awesome. The battlefield at Sugar Creek remains virtually undisturbed.

[richard]

Larry, don't hold back now, let's see the photos that you have taken!

[larry_cockerham]

I took some photos (digital) at the Sugar Creek site. I'm not sure if I can get them reduced small enough to get this system to accept them. I may need a coach here? I will of course be glad to ship some stuff to anyone who can get my e-mail address and contact me. You can find me on gencircles or at the cockerham forum on genforum or send me a private message here. Jerold Newton, Richard Young and Richard Jenkins have all helped mightly with this venture so I will copy them for sure. Takes a while.

[larry_cockerham]

Richard Jenkins is a patient man who keeps pounding facts into my feeble brain. I now understand that the battle at Sugar Creek actually occurred in the fields north of the west fork of Sugar Creek. Unfortunately I was too dumb and the water a bit wet for me to venture across (private, posted property as well) on my recent visit. Richard who is quite familiar with the area says there is remaining evidence of the battle visible for those nimble enough to cross the creek. Maybe next summer.

[larry_cockerham]

I recently received some excellent information concerning the arrangement of forces, both Confederate and Union at Sugar Creek with mapping created by an individual, still quite alive and active, who is very familiar with the site and the battle. Before reproducing or using his work, I need to get his permission. I'm working on that. He produced a drawing that shows for the first time I've ever seen it, the two regiments in which my two ancestors (USA and CSA) were located at the time on the same battlefield, trying to kill each other or at least contribute to their mutual demise!
One was an ineffective 19-year old infantryman with a four-month old severe leg wound (Palmer) and the other a 30-year old farrier with a Union cavalry unit (Hatch). Obviously these two were the last resort for hand to hand, but they were there!

[12th Texas Infantry]

I'm just beginning to do the research but I have learned that My GGG Grandfather may have fought with the 1st Alabama Infantry. Which had remnants which fought in the with Hood's AOT in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. His date of death is given as December 15, 1964, which is the first day of the Battle of Nashville. Does anyone know where confederate soldiers who died that day may have been buried. I assume near Nashville. Any advise anyone could give me to help me find his grave or to find records of his service would be much appreciated.

[EricJacobson]

Larry,

This may seem insignificant, but the Army of Tennessee had 16,531 infantry effectives and 2,151 artillery effectives on Jan. 20, 1865. See OR 45, pt. 1, p. 664. The 15,000 number is often used, but is actually lower than what the official returns showed. Forrest also had about 3,000 cavalry still present.

Just as a point of reference, Hood had 28,364 infantry and artillery effectives in early Nov. 1864. See OR 45, pt. 1, p. 678.

[larry_cockerham]

Thanks Eric, I'll certainly slip that fact into my chronology notes. I look forward to seeing you at the Sam Davis Camp!