Middle Tennessee Chronology winter 64-65

[larry_cockerham]

December 26, 1864

On the morning of December 26th, a thick fog enshrouded Sugar Creek, but Wilson's cavalry could be heard fording the shallow waters. Earlier, Forrest's cavalry had been pressed and he sought out Walthall, saying that it would be necessary for the infantry to dispute the Federal advance. (Sanders) Walthall posted Reynolds and Field in a position between the two crossings of the creek; Featherston, Palmer and Morton were posted in a strong position on the south side of the crossing. The dense fog concealed Reynolds and Field, with the exception of a small force, which was purposely exposed. When the enemy struck, the small force was to fall back on the main line, drawing the Federals into another trap. Slowly, the dismounted troopers worked their way forward towards a narrow ravine. Finally able to see through the fog, they realized it was too late. A wall of fire erupted in their faces, sending the Federals reeling. The icy waters of the creek impeded their flight, and Reynolds and Field were able to capture nearly all of the dismounted cavalry's horses. With cavalry on both their flanks, Walthall's infantry pursued the enemy for a half a mile before ending their chase.

In regards to this action at Sugar Creek, a Colonel Luke Finlay relates an interesting story. Finlay tells of how Forrest promised the infantry soldiers if they were to put the Yankees to flight at Sugar Creek, that they might ride any of the horses they captured. When the fight was over, and Forrest withdrew, some of Walthall's infantry could be seen riding "with much glee" towards the Tennessee River. Unfortunately, the guards of the pontoon train at the river forced them to turn them over when they reached there. (Finlay)

[larry_cockerham]

The route of his men at Sugar Creek had been the final straw for Wilson. He'd had enough and the pursuit of Hood's Army was virtually called off on the evening of the 26th. Wilson estimated that he had lost some 5,000 animals in the pursuit since Nashville, stating: "In all my experience I have never seen so much suffering. " (OR 45-1-567). His men were filthy, exhausted and hungry. At Sugar Creek, he ordered an extended halt, writing "I must get out of this region in three or four days, or we shall leave our horses." (OR 45-1-369)

[larry_cockerham]

December 27, 1864

On the morning of the 26th, Hood's engineers had just completed the pontoon bridge, after working through the night. During the day, most of Lee's and Cheatham's men crossed, followed by A. P. Stewart's men on the 27th. After nightfall on the 27th, Forrest's weary troopers clattered across the pontoon bridge. Only Walthall's troops remained to protect the crossing. On the 28th, Walthall issued orders at 3:00 a.m.: "Featherston's Brigade will move promptly (without further orders) at daybreak across the bridge, to be followed by Field and Palmer. General Reynolds will withdraw his command from Shoal Creek in time to reach the main line by daybreak and leave a skirmish line behind for a half-hour. He will follow Palmer. Ector's Brigade will cover the road until the whole command has passed, and then will follow, leaving a line of skirmishers behind until the rear of the brigade has passed on the bridge." (Sanders)

This day Battery G, 1st Ohio, 6th Ohio Battery, 25th Indiana Battery and 1st Kentucky Battery (US) camped at Sugar Creek.

[larry_cockerham]

December 28, 1864

With the crossing of Walthall's command, the disastrous Tennessee Campaign came to a sad end. Hood's Army, a skeleton of its glorious self just thirty-eight days earlier, continued its march towards Tuscumbia and eventually to Tupelo, Mississippi, before they were able to rest. Speaking of the pursuit, Thomas would remark that Hood's army was completely demoralized, adding "The rear guard, however, was undaunted and firm, and did its work bravely to the last!" Thomas would receive his promotion to Major General on December the 25th, which he is said to have cast aside, remarking "I earned that a year ago at Chattanooga." (WS)

Major D. W. Sanders, in a speech to the Southern Historical Society, in 1881, remarked, "Walthall with his incomparable infantry, together with the magnificent cavalry and artillery under Forrest, saved Hood's army from annihilation and enabled them to escape south of the Tennessee River." (Sanders-404) Huddled on the icy riverbanks of the Tennessee, on December 26th, a soldier of the Washington Artillery wondered in amazement at the army's escape from Thomas, writing; "He ought to have captured us all on the river's bank that Christmas Day! True, our rear guard was fighting every day, and Forrest did prodigies of valor, but the wonder is that they were not run over." (Stephenson)

Thus the state, the army’s namesake, was left behind - shrouded in its black veil of mourning, whilst the winter winds once again shifted the tide of war, along with the soil that covered over 8,000 recent graves dug in the bosom of mother earth.

[larry_cockerham]

The war ended for Major-General Edward C. Walthall in North Carolina, as his division joined Joe Johnston at the battle of Bentonville. Walthall was paroled on May 2, 1865, and returned to his beloved Mississippi. After serving as an U. S. Senator for twelve years, Walthall died in Washington on April 22nd. The following day, Members of the House, the Diplomatic Corps, the Justices of the Supreme Court and the President of the United States assembled in the Senate Chambers, where Walthall's body had been placed. After the funeral rites had been administered, a detail was selected to accompany his remains back to Holly Springs, Mississippi, where he is buried today. (Garner)

Describing Walthall as a soldier, General Joe Johnston later declared, that if the war had lasted two years longer, General Walthall would have been chosen commander of all the Confederate armies.

In describing him as a Senator, Senator George F. Hoar of Massachusetts, would say, "If I were to select the one man of all others with whom I have served in the Senate, who seems to be the most perfect example of the quality and character of the American Senator, I think it would be Edward C. Walthall of Mississippi." (Garner)

[larry_cockerham]

The service of James Patterson Cockerham of Wilkes County, North Carolina with the 10th TN US Cavalry was to play out in Tennessee until his muster out in August, 1865.

Private Whitfield Monroe Parker with the 63rd Virginia still had some war left as the AOT continued their quest to survive this brutal affair. If any thoughts of slavery being perserved had ever entered the minds of the soldiers of the 63rd Virginia, which I sincerely doubt, there was no question that the concern at hand after December 1864 was one of survival and a last chance at tackling (too much football) Sherman before he reached Virginia to link with Grant. The Confederacy was on it's last leg, but there was still a little gunpowder left. The AOT meant to use theirs after a rest in northern Mississippi. I'll be honored to post a bit more of this chronology after we pause to honor the birth of one whose memory helped those in the civil war survive and who, I suspect, still helps us today.

Merry Christmas to y'all from Dixie.