The Capture of Eli Lilly founder of Eli Lilly and Co

[richard]

The fort at Sulphur Trestle was a wood and earth fort located at the south end of the Trestle. It also had two blockhouses, one at the north end of the trestle and one just below the fort on the south end. The south approach to the fort was more of a flat open plain. To the North was a sheer drop off to the creek below and high hills behind the creek to the north. To the west was a sloping area to the valley and high hills about 800 yards west of the fort. Just to the east of the fort not more than 20 yards, was a steep ravine with a high heavily wooded hill on the other side. These hills were higher than the one that the fort was located on. Across the valley to the north and east were also wood hills that were higher than the fort.

The trestle itself was a strong wooden trestle about 70 feet tall and 300 feet long.

[richard]

Ammunition was critical for the 9th as they only had about 30 rounds each after the skirmish the evening before and there was none at the fort for there carbines/

Forrest was preparing for battle also. Before dawn, Forrest ordered Captain John Morton to place his artillery to the west, east, north east and south of the fort. With ranges of between 500 and 800 yards, this would be easy work for artillery. With this work completed, Forrest waited for dawn to arrive.

At first light, Forrest started his attack with the roar of 8 pieces of artillery. General Buford moved his men from the west toward the mounted picket line. At the same time Kelley’s brigade started pushing the skirmishers on the south and south eastern side of the fort back in.

[richard]

Kelly’s men had approached the fort from the south along the rail road. They then dismounted and then made a charge in the direction of the fort. Hot fire from the fort slowed the charge and at least 7 of his men died doing so. One confederate stated that it was a wall of hot iron coming from the fort as every musket and cannon were firing at them.

The charge then turned to the right and Kelly’s sharpshooters took command of the hill east of the fort not more than 50 yards. Seeking cover any place they could, Kelly’s men received very hot fire from the fort as well as cannon fire.

Forrest described the battle as a “concentrated storm of hell.” Col Lathrop was mortally wounded very early in the fight. Frederick Wagner, the Assistant surgeon of the 3rd Tennessee was killed while rushing to Lathrop’s assistance.

[richard]

With Lathrop down and dying, command of the fort devolved to Col. Minnis of the 3rd Tennessee. Soon he was struck by a shell fragment and taken to the forts magazine. The command then devolved to Major Ben Cunningham. Major Lilly assumed command of the fort when Major Cunningham was shot through the shoulder.

Lilly and the 9th were firing in Volleys at the last min in order to conserve ammunition.
By 9 am, Lilly’s men had to whittle down Springfield ammunition to fit in their carbines. Morton’s Artillery made short work of the two 12 lb gun inside the fort. One shell hit gun square on and killed major and 4 gunners. The other gun was hit and dismounted

[larry_cockerham]

Interesting stuff, Richard! Please continue the account. By the way, I visited the Confederate cemetery at Hoover's Gap Sunday afternoon. Spring is about here and all is well.

[richard]

At about 11 am, Lilly could hear gun fire north of the fort. Col George Spalding and parts of three other regiments had returned to Pulaski at about 9 pm the night before and left for Elk River at 3am, arriving at about 8 am. After taking time to feed their horses, Spalding left before 9 am. At about 11 am, Spalding’s men ran into Forrest’s command just north of Sulphur Trestle at Elk Mound, a watering station on the railroad. After skirmishing for about 20 min Spalding learned that the fort had surrendered and started to fall back.

[richard]

As the sound of firing coming from the north became more distant, Lilly knew that help would not be coming. They were on there own.

Shortly a heavy line of Cavalry appeared in the open field to the north. Lilly feared that it meant another attack was eminent. He sent two messengers across the fort to the commander of the colored troops. Both were shot before they could reach the other side. Lilly then went himself and made it. He warned the commander of the approaching cavalry. When he looked out at the confederate troops he discovered that they had stopped.

At noon, the confederates sounded the cease fire. A white flag was displayed over the fort. Lilly took advantage of the truce to survey the condition of the fort and its men. Finding that both artillery pieces were out of action, and the 3rd Tennessee was out of ammunition and his own men had been whittling down Springfield rounds for the past two hours. It was also found that 19 men of his command had been killed. Viewing the facts, it was determined that only one third of the line could be defended.

[richard]

Finding two horses, Lilly and the adjutant of the 3rd Tennessee Cav Union with him, they rode out to meet Major John P. Strange of Forrest’s Escort. Major Strange, an attorney from Memphis before the war, handed Lilly a note from Forrest. It was a demand for “immediate and unconditional surrender” and the threat “In case this demand is not instantly complied with, General Forrest cannot be held responsible for the conduct of his men.”

Lilly took the threat as an insult. He told Major Strange that even though the fort was heavily damaged, the men inside the fort could still “inflect great damage upon those who press an attack.” He then told Strange that he would not surrender his men under “humiliation of a threat”, but would counsel surrender under “honorable terms…”

[richard]

Turning their horses to ride back to the fort, Major Strange called to Lilly to return and meet with General Forrest personally. It would have been interesting to find out what would have happened if Forrest knew that one of Lilly’s batteries had wounded him at Tunnel hill before Chickamauga. When he returned, Forrest and Buford were waiting for him. Lilly then repeated to them both what he had told Major Strange. He also told Forrest that it would be hard to believe that he, Forrest could not control his men and if he did not, then he would be held responsible for their actions.

[richard]

Another note came forward from Forrest. This one stated that all men would be treated as prisoners of war and all officers and solders would be taken to Mississippi and Alabama and held there until General Washburn in Memphis could be contacted for paroled or exchanged. Lilly then asked for an hour to discuss the terms with his men.

On his return, he found Col Minnis had recovered to a degree that he could resume command of the fort. During the surrender conference, all of the officers agreed with Lilly as to the surrender of the fort, all except Minnis. At that time, movements of the Confederate troops were noted and the white flag in the fort was lowered and firing resumed. Quickly the movement stopped and the confederates blew siece fire and the conference continued.

As the offices continued to confer, Minnis was informed of the condition of the fort. He was also informed of the 3rd being out of ammunition and the situation with the 9th also being out and the two artillery pieces being out of commission. Minnis did not want to give up the fight but he had no choice. He rode out to Forrest and accepted the terms of surrender.