Middle Tennessee Chronology winter 64-65

[larry_cockerham]

THE BATTLE FOR FRANKLIN

November 30.--The march was resumed on the Columbia and Franklin pike, Lee coming up from Columbia with the remainder of his command and the artillery. Cheatham's and Stewart's corps went into position around the enemy's works at Franklin about 4.30 p.m., engaging the enemy almost immediately, Stewart on the right and Cheatham on the left. General Hood's headquarters were on the pike, about three-fourths of a mile in rear of the line of battle. The battle closed about 12 o'clock at night. Skirmishing was going on, however, till 3 a.m., when the enemy abandoned his position, and retired upon the Franklin and Nashville pike. Cheatham's and Stewart's corps and Johnson's division, of Lee's corps, were all engaged, Clayton's and Stevenson's divisions, of Lee's corps, and the artillery not having been brought into action.
This is from the Official Report of Gen. Stephen D. Lee:

“My corps, including Johnson's division, followed immediately after Cheatham's toward Franklin. I arrived near Franklin about 4 p.m. The commanding general was just about attacking the enemy with Stewart's and Cheatham's corps, and he directed me to place Johnson's division, and afterward Clayton's, in position to support the attack. Johnson moved in rear of Cheatham's corps; and finding that the battle was stubborn General Hood instructed me to go forward in person to communicate with General Cheatham, and if necessary to put Johnson's division in the fight. I met General Cheatham about dark, and was informed by him that assistance was needed at once. Johnson was at once moved forward to the attack, but owing to the darkness and want of information as to the locality his attack was not felt by the enemy till about one hour after dark.

This division moved against the enemy's breastworks under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, gallantly driving the enemy from portions of his line. The brigades of Sharp and Brantly (Mississippians) and of Deas (Alabamians) particularly distinguished themselves. Their dead were mostly in the trenches and on the works of the enemy, where they nobly fell in a desperate hand-to-hand conflict. Sharp captured three stand of colors. (one thought to be the colors of the 107th Illinois Inf ) Brantly was exposed to a severe enfilade fire. These noble brigades never faltered in this terrible night struggle.”

[larry_cockerham]

The following accounts are taken from original documents referenced in Jeffrey C. Weaver’s 63rd Virginia Infantry published by H.E. Howard and sons, Lexington, Virginia 1991 (partly edited by Larry Cockerham, one of Jeff’s cousins)

Quoting Jeff:

“The 63rd and Palmer’s Brigade were not involved in the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864. To their good fortune, Hood had them detached for other duty, guarding the ordinance train. Hood’s recklessness caused about 7,000 southern men to be slaughtered. Lieutenant Colonel James M. Ray of the 60th North Carolina wrote that after the encounter at Columbia, the Confederates delayed instead of pursuing the retreating Federals, giving them time to regroup and entrench at Franklin. The Confederates intended to push the Yankees into the Big Harpeth River. Hood’s troops advanced across open plains to their slaughter. Six Southern generals were killed and six others wounded at Franklin. Thirteen regimental commanders were killed and 32 wounded. Franklin [was] counted by some as a Confederate victory , but almost 7,000 of the 18,000 to 20,000 Confederates engaged were killed or severely wounded. The Federals were forced to retire to Nashville, but at the terrible Confederate cost of one-third of Hood’s total force. Federal losses at Franklin were 189 killed, 1033 wounded and 1104 captured, for a total loss of 2326.

Calvin Livesay of Grayson County, Virginia wrote that the 63rd and its Brigade were detailed to guard the wagon train while the battle of Franklin raged. He wrote in 1913: “I knew there was severe fighting going on, for I had never heard such cannonading.” Livesay was on the battlefield the following day and saw the vast numbers of dead and “was able to step from one to the other without touching the ground.” “This was one of Hood’s rash moves, not caring how many men he sacrificed. He was a born general, but inhumanly heartless when it came to the battlefield.” according to Livesay.

[Insert – from General George H. Thomas Jan 20 1865 report: “General Schofield's position was excellently chosen, with both flanks resting upon the river, and the men firmly held their ground against an overwhelming enemy, who was repulsed in every assault along the whole line. Our loss, as given by General Schofield in his report transmitted herewith (and to which I respectfully refer), is, 189 killed, 1,033 wounded, and 1,104 missing, making an aggregate of 2,326. We captured and sent to Nashville 702 prisoners, including 1 general officer, and 33 stand of colors. Maj. Gen. D. S. Stanley, commanding Fourth Corps, was severely wounded at Franklin whilst engaged in rallying a portion of his command which had been temporarily overpowered by an overwhelming attack of the enemy. At the time of the battle the enemy's loss was known to be severe, and was estimated at 5,000. The exact figures were only obtained, however, on the reoccupation of Franklin by our forces, after the battles of December 15 and 16, at Brentwood Hills, near Nashville, and are given as follows: Buried upon the field, 1,750; disabled and placed in hospital at Franklin, 3,800, which, with the 702 prisoners already reported, makes an aggregate loss to Hood's army of 6,252, among whom were 6 general officers killed, 6 wounded, and 1 captured. The important results of the signal victory cannot be too highly appreciated, for it not only seriously checked the enemy's advance, and gave General Schofield time to remove his troops and all his property to Nashville, but it also caused deep depression among the men of Hood's army, making them doubly cautious in their subsequent movements.”]

[Palmer's Brigade missed the disastrous battle at Franklin, Tennessee on November 30, 1864. To their good fortune, Hood had them detached for other duty, guarding the ordnance train. Hood's carelessness resulted in about 7,000 rebel dead. Lieutenant Colonel James M. Ray of the 60th North Carolina wrote that after the encounter at Columbia, Tennessee, the Confederates delayed instead of pursuing the retreating Federals, giving them time to regroup and entrench at Franklin. The Confederates intended to push the Yankees into the Big Harpeth River according to Edward Pollard. Hood's men advanced across open plains to slaughter and carnage. Twelve Southern generals were killed or wounded, 13 regimental commanders were killed and 32 wounded.] Jeff Weaver writing about the 60th NC.

[larry_cockerham]

November 30th, 1864 (UNION)

Wilson's cavalry still held the Lewisburg turnpike while Schofield's army slipped past Hood at Spring Hill, and that evening the division reached Franklin where Wilson's cavalry was placed on the left of the Union line with Croxton's brigade on the right. The First Tennessee and Second Michigan were thrown well out to the front to watch the movements of the enemy. Towards noon, the advance of Forrest's cavalry moved up and made an attack on Croxton's two advanced regiments. The revolving rifles of the Second Michigan and the breech-loading carbines of the First Tennessee were too hot for Forrest and he made not further attempts to force the line. After this, Croxton ordered his two advanced regiments to fall back in the woods in line extended across the Lewisburg turnpike with the left resting on the Harpeth River. Croxton's brigade was attacked by both infantry and cavalry, and after a brave resistance was forced to retire to the north side of the river. Croxton had scarcely reached the north bank when his pickets higher up the river reported the enemy's cavalry was crossing at different places. Wilson immediately hurled Croxton's brigade and Hatch's division upon him, realizing the great importance of keeping him on the south side, and after some severe fighting, he was driven across the river with heavy loss. During this time, Hood was making his attack on Schofield's works in front of Franklin.

My great great grandfather James Patterson Cockerham, farrier with Company B of Hatch’s US cavalry was very likely on duty with the horses near Matthew’s Farm east of downtown Franklin on the north bank of the Harpeth River. He and his comrades saw the flash of cannon fire from nearby Fort Grainger and heard the horrible screams of the battle just a half mile or so to their right. Certainly there would have been apprehension of another all out advance by Forrest’s Confederate Cavalry. Forrest was on terrain he had traveled many times before. Such was not the case for Edward Hatch of Iowa and formerly Maine. James Cockerham was about 500 miles from the Appalachian foothills of his native Wilkes County, North Carolina. Wondering when he would see his young family again probably helped divert his mind from the battle. Lots of horses to attend to kept him quite busy doing his best to support the effort. A mile away over on Breezy Hill young Whitfield Parker with the 63rd Virginia was guarding the spare ammunition hoping that the results of the battle would be far better than that indicated by the sounds he was hearing. His young body was still mighty sore from his recovering wounds in his legs and buttocks. Although his condition made moving about a considerable chore, his fate was far better than the boys at the front of the line. He would live to return to Virginia and continue a long life. His comrades, thousands of them, would never have that chance. Sergeant Thomas Hamilton Janes of the 41st Tennessee Infantry of Otho Strahl’s Brigade was probably over in the tented medical area already working on the wounded. He had been trained as a nurse during his stay in Mississippi recovering from wounds at the battle of Raymond. Though his task was most unpleasant, he was doing his best to relieve suffering when possible and extend the lives of his comrades returning from the chaos in the valley below. His general was to fall in the midst of the struggle for control of Franklin. A monument to his valor remains at Winstead Hill. Thomas survived to return to Alabama after continuing the long journey of the Army of Tennessee to North Carolina. Thomas was to make Shy’s Hill in Nashville his next stop after Franklin while Whitfield was about to meet and serve briefly under the command of the “Wizard of the Saddle”, an experience I’m sure he never forgot. James would follow these two as far as Alabama, then return with the exhausted cavalry to recoup in Middle Tennessee while the Confederates rested briefly in northern Mississippi.

[larry_cockerham]

December 1. 1864 (UNION)
The First Tennessee moved from its position with the remainder of Wilson's cavalry and covered the retreat of Schofield to Nashville.

December 1, 1864 (CONFEDERATE)
The army moved out from Franklin during the morning on the Franklin and Nashville pike, Lee in front, Stewart next, and Cheatham in the rear, all camping on the pike, a few miles from Franklin. Army headquarters for the night just across Harpeth River from Franklin. Forrest as per his report, moved to Brentwood this day. Forrest had been on the east flank in the battle of Franklin and had been spared the worst of the fighting. Across the Harpeth River to the north was part of the command of Edward Hatch of Maine. These two men were often in close proximity in this war from early 1864 until Hatch accepted the surrender of Forrest in southwestern Alabama in 1865. A sharp skirmish occurred at Owen’s Crossroads just south of Brentwood.

The 63rd Virginia, having arrived late, due to Palmer's brigade dealing with prisioners captured earlier in the week, survived the battle of Frankllin in reasonably good condition. The day of December 1st was spent helping remove bodies and assist with burials as much as possible. Franklin was in a bloodbath. The Harpeth River must have run near red for a few hours. A couple of casualties were suffered by the 63rd from sniper fire while carrying litters. No fighting this day, but they were to return to the brunt of the battle a few days later in Murfreesboro and several times during the retreat from Columbia south. Whit Parker, still suffering from his wounds, must have watched this activity with total awe. It was perhaps the bloodiest conflict of the entire war, surpassing even Gettysburg in brutality. As far as is known, Whit left no written record of his travels aside from a pension application years afterward. An interview would greatly help with this story, but alas no chance of that.

[larry_cockerham]

December 2. 1864 (CONFEDERATE)

The army again in motion on Franklin and Nashville pike, marching in the same order as on yesterday. Late in the evening we took position in front of Nashville, Lee's corps in the center, with its center resting upon the Franklin pike, Stewart's forming on his left and Cheatham's on his right, Forrest's cavalry protecting either flank, our line extending, as near as possible, from the Cumberland, above the city, to the Cumberland, below the city, curving forward from General Lee's center. (See confidential circular of December 2, 1864.) Army headquarters at Mr. Overton's residence, five and a half miles from Nashville, and near the Franklin and Nashville pike. [Today the Overton residence, Traveller's Rest, once the home of judge John Overton who founded Memphis and who was Andrew Jackson's law partner, is a museum and is open to the public. Located near the railroad just south of Harding Place down either Franklin Road or Trousdale Drive, it's well worth a quick visit. In 1865 it was one of few structures available for Hood. The neighborhood was sparse, much unlike today.]

Forrest, as per his report moved to Mill Creek and attacked the railroad along with Buford’s 1,000 effectives at Blockhouse No. 1 “cruciform in figure, it’s walls were built of unseasoned oak timber, at least three feet thick, upon which field artillery made little impression” as upon the roof of the structure also, which being covered with earth was moreover not easily combustible”. After being battered severely by Morton’s guns, they surrendered on Dec 3.

Hatch’s command (4th US Cav) reached Nashville on the 2nd where they remained at the Edgefield Depot until the 12th.

December 2, 1864 (UNION)

Wilson’s Cavalry were moved into Nashville and were placed in rifle-pits on the left of Thomas's line between the Murfreesboro turnpike and the Cumberland River.

[larry_cockerham]

December 3. 1864 (CONFEDERATE)

The army occupied the same position as yesterday, with slight alterations. Army headquarters remained at Mr. Overton's. As per his report, Forrest captured Stockade #2 on the Nashville-Chattanooga railroad.

December 3, 1864 (UNION)

Wilson's cavalry was relieved by Steedman's troops and ordered to the north side of the river to continue the line on the left and to watch Thomas's long line of communication with Louisville, and stayed in this area until the 11th. During this time, all broken-down horses were turned in and the government corrals and the adjacent country searched for horses. Wilson almost doubled the strength of his cavalry. The horses were shod and extra shoes fitted ready for an emergency, clothing was issued to the men, and the old ones and their inhabitants consigned to the flames.

Farrier James Patterson Cockerham was a busy man during the month of December 1864. He must have shod hundreds of horses during that period.

[larry_cockerham]

December 4.-- Confederate

The army occupies the same position around Nashville. The skirmish line was advanced on some portions of the line.

The cavalry, under Chalmers, captured two transports seven miles below Nashville, on Cumberland River, and some 300 mules. Col. D.C. Kelly with his mobile artillery was able to disrupt shipping on the Cumberland with his positions west of Nashville. Brookmeade Park at Kelly's Point Battlefield, 6710 Charlotte Pike was the scene of much of this activity.

Forrest captured Stockades #2 on Mill Creek and #3 and moved toward Murfreesboro. Blockhouse #4 at Smyrna Station also surrendered this day.

[larry_cockerham]

December 5.--

Army headquarters at Mr. Overton's house. Our line remains pretty much the same. The enemy, in heavy line of battle, drove in General Cheatham's skirmishers across the Nashville and Murfreesborough railroad this morning, but retired without attacking our line.

Sears' brigade, of French's division, and Brown's brigade, of Stevenson's division, with a battery each, were sent to the vicinity of Murfreesborough to report to General Forrest. General Bate, with the force under his command, was also directed to report to General Forrest.

Circular issued to-day to corps commanders for information of the army announcing the capture of blockhouse #4 "the block-house and fort at La Vergne, with commissary stores, 100 prisoners, 2 pieces of artillery, 100 small-arms and ammunition, 20 wagons, and some teams by General Forrest, and that General Bate had burned three block-houses."

General Hood made a proposition to officer commanding U.S. forces at Nashville for an exchange of the prisoners in his hands for an equal number of Confederate prisoners.

[larry_cockerham]

December 6, 1864

General Thomas, commanding U.S. forces, Nashville, in reply to General Hood's proposition for an exchange of prisoners, states "that such an arrangement is impracticable, all Confederate prisoners having been sent North, and consequently placed beyond his control."

General Hood asks by telegraph of both Generals Beauregard, commanding department, and Maury, commanding Department of Alabama, Mississippi, and East Louisiana, to have the Memphis and Charleston Railroad repaired to Decatur, Ala., to which point he hopes to have the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad running in a day or two. [Wishful thinking on the part of our least favorite general]

On this day Sears and Palmer’s Brigades joined Forrest preparatory to battle.

It was today that Whitfield Monroe Parker and Nathan Bedford Forrest joined forces. A Virginia lad with very uncooperative legs was to spend two weeks in the near presence of a battle hardened major general whose efforts were ultimately to save the lives of many of the men of the Army of Tennessee. One of the great stories of human struggle against the enemy and Nature’s elements was about to unfold as the men of the AOT struggled for survival after the battle at Nashville on November 16 and 17. Whit was part of the re-guard and would have contributed whatever his limited mobility would allow. To Forrest, he probably owed his life. Thousands of others could say the same.

More from Hood:

(See telegrams and letter book, office assistant adjutant-general.) Our lines around Nashville about the same, perhaps with slight alteration by corps commanders, under revision of General Hood. Slight demonstration on our (Cheatham's) right by the enemy. General Forrest's command invests Murfreesborough. The enemy reported very strongly fortified there, and with 6,000 or 8,000 troops in his forts. It is not yet determined whether an assault will be made by our forces.

[samgrant]

Originally Posted by larry_cocker ham

Folks, it's about to be civil war time here in Middle Tennessee. I continue to work on my "book" and still collect data from time to time. If there is no objection, I'd like to post some of the Chronology of the happenings concerning the Army of Tennessee and General Thomas' opposition to their winter tour in 1864. Any corrections or additions will be greatly appreciated. I hope this is of interest. If not, let me know and we'll put a lid on it. Thanks for your indulgence!

Larry, this is an excellent serialization of the forlorn hope campaign of Hood's tattered AoT. It is worthy of a book, and I hope you can put it together in a narrative form. I would think that it could be a great compliment to other published accounts. Keep it up, can't wait for the next episode!

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