From the Heart of the Battle of Franklin

[Watchdog]

Greetings,

8th Generation Franklin, TN resident here! From as long as I can remember I have been interested in the battle that consumed my hometown. Since my wife and I bought our home a 1/2 mile from the Carter House several years ago, my interest has taken on a deeper meaning. Stumbled into this site last week when the Union Soldier remains were found on Columbia Ave. Wonderful forum you have here and I look forward to exploring further.

Also, my ggggrand-father, James Monroe Dedman served in the 20th Alabama. Col., 1863. POW at Vicksburg, paroled at Selma, AL 05/08/1865.

[cash]

Greetings,

8th Generation Franklin, TN resident here! From as long as I can remember I have been interested in the battle that consumed my hometown. Since my wife and I bought our home a 1/2 mile from the Carter House several years ago, my interest has taken on a deeper meaning. Stumbled into this site last week when the Union Soldier remains were found on Columbia Ave. Wonderful forum you have here and I look forward to exploring further.

Also, my ggggrand-father, James Monroe Dedman served in the 20th Alabama. Col., 1863. POW at Vicksburg, paroled at Selma, AL 05/08/1865.

Welcome to the group, Watchdog. Set yerself down a spell. There's a jug around here somewhere.

Regards,
Cash

[Vareb]

Welcome and a big howdy. ole, I am told, furnishes the beer.

[M E Wolf]

Dear WatchDog;

Welcome to Civil War Talk!

I look forward to your future postings here and in many of the forums here.

I must warn you though; there will be times the software will net a naughty word or more. It will appear in your post as a ***** . Moderators have no control over it but; if you see a word you know is innocent; just go back to your original post, hit the edit button and insert a few well placed hyphens if you will. The word f-u-r-t-h-er seems to get caught in the net for naughty words and, I am sure General C-u-m-m-ings does also.

Another thing we're finding; is that some names are shared by other states, same with roads. So, if you will - when you are talking about Arlington, please denote which one-- Arlington, Virginia, Arlington, Texas, etc. Columbia Pike, is another common road term; so it would help to know where this road is--Virginia or elsewhere. That way, we're able to follow your topic/words/comments and observations.

Please know there are no quotas but, certainly want to hear from you. Post when you feel comfortable in doing so and at your own speed.

References are wonderful if you have them. It is great to go to the same book, page and read as another poster has; to read all of what that page has to offer. I like official records myself. So, I post all the information I can as to share.

Personal opinions and comments are welcomed also. So, don't feel this forum requires only references as to post comments about.

Please do check out the archives, as many an article/postings are available to read.

Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf

[M E Wolf]

What I have found on Dedman thus far:

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXIV/1 [S# 36]
MAY 1, 1863.--Battle of Port Gibson, or Thompson's Hill, Miss.
No. 33.--Report of Col. Isham W. Garrott, Twentieth Alabama Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, Stevenson's Division.
CAMP NEAR WARRENTON, May --, 1863.
SIR: By order of Brigadier-General Barton, commanding Stevenson's division, nine companies each of the Twentieth, Twenty-third, Thirtieth, and Thirty-first Regiments Alabama Volunteers left camp, near Warrenton, about 7 p.m. on the evening of April 29; crossed the Big Black at Hankinson's Ferry that night, and continued the march next day in the direction of Grand Gulf. When we arrived within 4 miles of the latter place, we were directed to move toward Port Gibson; crossed Bayou Pierre on the suspension bridge between Port Gibson and Grand Gulf, and halted a little beyond, where the men, who had been without food all day, obtained raw rations and immediately proceeded to cook them. Before the cooking was done, however, the order to march was given, and the troops proceeded down the bayou to a point 5 or 6 miles in front of Port Gibson, where we were formed in line of battle on the night of the 30th, the brigade having marched 40 miles in twenty-seven hours.
[excerpt]
The battle was commenced on the right a little before 7 o'clock in the morning, the enemy first attacking the center of our brigade with artillery and small-arms. The attack was coolly and promptly met by the section of Captain Johnston's battery above mentioned and the Thirtieth Alabama Regiment. The contest here soon became warm and bloody. The battery was in range of the enemy's sharpshooters, and in a short time a number of the officers, men, and horses had been killed or wounded.
A little before 8 o'clock our brave and gallant commander, General Tracy, fell near the front line, pierced through the breast, and instantly died without uttering a word. The command of the brigade then devolved upon the undersigned, and the fight was continued by our troops with unabated ardor. I knew nothing of the plan of battle except what I had casually learned that morning from General Tracy, the substance of which is hereinbefore stated. The enemy was in our front, and I knew of no order to retire. A messenger was immediately sent to the commanding general for instructions, who, on account of the distance to be traveled, did not return until about 11 o'clock, when he brought the order that our position was to be held at all hazards.
In the mean time the fire of the enemy had become much heavier, and the Thirty-first Alabama and the left wing of the Twentieth had become engaged. Skirmishing had also been for some time kept up with the detached companies on the right. Two other pieces of Captain Johnston's battery had arrived on the field, and had been ordered to relieve the two which had been placed in position in the morning. Two of the four pieces had by this time been disabled. Lieutenant [Philip] Peters and several men had been killed and others had been wounded, and a considerable number of the horses were disabled. Captain Johnston had exhibited distinguished gallantry, and his command had bravely stood by their guns ; but by 10 o'clock the enemy's fire of artillery and sharpshooters had become so deadly that it seemed impossible for them to remain longer on the field without being sacrificed, and I ordered them to retire, which they did with the only two pieces capable of being carried from the field. The enemy had massed heavy forces in front of our center and of the left wing of the Twentieth Regiment, and they had for some time been receiving a deadly fire. The enemy had even attempted more than once to charge this position in heavy force, but as soon as they emerged from their cover they were repulsed by a deliberate and well-aimed fire.
[excerpt]
Finding that the enemy were advancing in the direction of the skirt of woods to our right and front, Captain [J. McKee] Gould and Lieutenant [J. W.] Parish, of the Twentieth Alabama Regiment, with their companies, had been sent forward to prevent their obtaining possession of this wood, and well and bravely did Captain Gould and the said companies discharge this duty. Learning after 12 o'clock that these two companies were severely pressed, Captain [R. H.] Pratt, of the Twentieth Alabama, with his company, was sent to their support, and they promptly and cheerfully advanced to the assistance of their comrades. The enemy's fire on the center not being at all diminished, it became necessary to order one company from the right, which was not so heavily engaged, to sustain it, and Captain [B. D.] Massingale, with his company, was ordered on this duty, and advanced in good order under the enemy's fire, and took the position previously occupied by Captain Pratt's company. The four companies on the right, under the immediate command of Captain [J. N.] Dedman, after the death of General Tracy, had resisted all attempts of the enemy to flank us on the right, and after the withdrawal of Captain Massingale's company still maintained their ground, but a little after 3 o'clock large bodies of the enemy could be distinctly seen advancing on our slender forces on the right, our center being still heavily pressed.
[end of excerpt]
=========================================
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXX/2 [S# 51]
AUGUST 16-SEPTEMBER 22, 1863.--The Chickamauga Campaign.
No. 298.--Report of Maj. Gen. John C. Breckinridge, C. S. Army, commanding division.
HDQRS. BRECKINRIDGE'S DIVISION, HILL'S CORPS,
October--, 1863.
COLONEL: I have the honor to report the operations of my division in the battle of Chickamauga on September 19 and 20 last.
It was composed of the Second, Fourth, Sixth, and Ninth Kentucky, and Forty-first Alabama Regiments, with Cobb's battery; under the command of Brig. Gen. B. H. Helm; the Thirteenth, Twentieth, Sixteenth, Twenty-fifth, and Nineteenth Louisiana, Thirty-second Alabama, and Austin's battalion of sharpshooters, with Slocomb's battery (Fifth[Company] Washington Artillery), under the command of Brig. Gen. Daniel W. Adams; the First, Third, and Fourth Florida, Forty-seventh Georgia, and Sixtieth North Carolina Regiments, with Mebane's battery, under the command of Brig. Gen. M. A. Stovall.
My effective strength was, of enlisted men, 3,395; total, 3,769.
[excerpt]
This was one of the bloodiest encounters of the day. Here General Helm, ever ready for action, and endeared to his command by his many virtues, received a mortal wound while in the heroic discharge of his duty. Colonel Hewitt, of the Second Kentucky, was killed, acting gallantly at the head of his regiment. Captain Madeira, Captain Rodgers, and Captain Dedman, of the Second; Captain Daniel, of the Ninth Kentucky, and many other officers and men, met their death before the enemy's works, while Colonel Nuckols, of the Fourth Kentucky; Colonel Caldwell, of the Ninth, and many more officers and men were wounded.
=======================================
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXII/3 [S# 59]
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA FROM MARCH 1, 1864, TO APRIL 30, 1864.--#12
STEVENSON'S DIVISION.(++)
Maj Gen. CARTER L. STEVENSON.
Pettus' Brigade.
Brig. Gen. EDMUND W. PETTUS.
20th Alabama, Col. J. M. Dedman.
23d Alabama, Lieut. Col. J. B. Bibb.
30th Alabama, Col. Charles M. Shelley.
31st Alabama, Col. D. R. Hundley.
46th Alabama, Capt. George E. Brewer.


continued

[M E Wolf]

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVIII/3 [S# 74]
May 1-September 8, 1864.--THE ATLANTA (GEORGIA) CAMPAIGN
No. 599.--Organization of the Confederate Forces.
APRIL 30, 1864.
ARMY OF TENNESSEE.
General JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON.
HARDEE'S CORPS.
Lieut. Gen. WILLIAM J. HARDEE.
CHEATHAM'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. BENJAMIN F. CHEATHAM.
CLEBURNE'S DIVISlON.
Maj. Gen. PATRICK R. CLEBURNE.
WALKER'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. WILLIAM H. T. WALKER.
BATE'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. WILLIAM B. BATE.
HOOD'S CORPS.
Lieut. Gen. JOHN B. HOOD.
HINDMAN'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. THOMAS C. HINDMAN.
STEVENSON'S DIVISION.(*)
Maj. Gen. CARTER L. STEVENSON.
Pettus' Brigade.
Brig. Gen, EDMUND W. PETTUS.
20th Alabama, Col. James M. Dedman.
23d Alabama, Lieut. Col. Joseph B, Bibb.
80th Alabama, Col. Charles M. Shelley.
31 Alabama, Col. Daniel R. Hundley.
46th Alabama, Capt. George E. Brewer.
STEWART'S DIVISION.
Maj. Gen. ALEXANDER P. STEWART.
CAVALRY CORPS.(*)
Maj. Gen. JOSEPH WHEELER.
===========================================
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIX/2 [S# 78]
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA (THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN EXCEPTED), FROM MAY 1, 1864, TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1864.--#13
Pettus' Brigade.
Brig. Gen. EDMUND W. PETTUS.
20th Alabama, Col. James M. Dedman.
23d Alabama, Lieut. Col. Joseph B. Bibb.
30th Alabama, Lieut. Col. James R. Elliott.
31st Alabama, Maj. George W. Mattison.
46th Alabama, Capt. James W. Powell.
========================================
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM NOVEMBER 14 TO NOVEMBER 30, 1864.--#1
Pettus' Brigade.
Brig. Gen. EDMUND W. PETTUS.
20th Alabama, Col. James M. Dedman.
23d Alabama, Lieut. Col. Joseph B. Bibb.
30th Alabama, Lieut. Col. James K. Elliott.
31st Alabama, Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Arrington.
46th Alabama, Capt. George E. Brewer.
==================================
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]
NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.--Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.
No. 233.--Organization of the Army of Tennessee, commanded by General John B. Hood, C. S. Army, December 10, 1864.(*)
Pettus' Brigade.
Brig. Gen. EDMUND W. PETTUS.
20th Alabama, Col. James M. Dedman.
23d Alabama, Lieut. Col. Joseph B. Bibb.
30th Alabama, Lieut. Col. James K. Elliott.
31st Alabama, Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Arrington.
46th Alabama, Capt. George E. Brewer.
==========================================

continued

[M E Wolf]

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]
NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.--Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.
No. 239.--Report of Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson, C. S. Army, commanding division, of operations September 29-December 17, 1864.

HEADQUARTERS STEVENSON'S DIVISION,
In the Field, January 20, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division during the recent campaign in Tennessee:
The march from Palmetto to the front of Columbia was without incident worthy of mention, except perhaps the demonstration upon Resaca, Ga., in which my command acted with spirit in the skirmishing which resulted in driving the enemy within their works. My loss was numerically insignificant at this point, but among the killed was numbered the gallant soldier and genial gentleman, Col. F. K. Beck, Twenty-third Alabama Regiment. By his fall my division lost a chivalrous soldier and his native State one of her worthiest sons.
[excerpt]
On the night of that day General Hood, with Cheatham's and Stewart's corps and Johnson's division, of Lee's corps, crossed Duck River some miles above Columbia and pushed for the enemy's rear, leaving General Lee with Clayton's and my divisions to occupy the enemy in front until he should have reached his position, then to force a crossing of the river and attack the enemy as he attempted to extricate himself. The greater part of the next day was spent in preparations for this movement. The bank of the river was quite steep on the side held by the enemy. A pontoon boat in charge of Captain Ramsey, engineer, was taken down the river, under a galling fire, launched, and could then, under the cover of our artillery and skirmish fire, be used without much exposure in ferrying our troops. This was done with practicable rapidity, the troops as they crossed forming under the cover of the steep bank to which I have alluded. About an hour before sunset I had succeeded in crossing three regiments of Pettus' brigade, Brigadier-General Pettus in command. The Twentieth Alabama Regiment (Col. J. M. Dedman), of his brigade, had previously been sent up the bank of the river to obtain a flanking fire upon the enemy, and the Thirtieth Alabama (Lieut. Col. J. K. Elliott) was retained on the Columbia side to cover the ford in case of my failure. Everything being made ready I directed General Pettus to advance, and his command dashed forward at the word, driving the [enemy] before them by a charge which elicited the warmest admiration of all who witnessed it. Their loss was slight; that of the enemy so considerable that to explain the affair the commander of the enemy saw fit to attribute to an entire division an attack made by three of its regiments. Having driven the enemy within their main line General Pettus halted, selected a position to prevent the enemy from interrupting the laying of the pontoons, and was subsequently re-enforced by the rest of his brigade and by Holtzclaw's brigade, of Clayton's division. The pontoon bridge was then laid with all practicable expedition.
During this night General Pettus reported that the enemy was retiring and he following with his skirmishers. This was as anticipated, and orders had already been given by General Lee to have everything in readiness to move, coupled with the statement that General Hood had advised him that he was between the enemy and Nashville, near Spring Hill. At daybreak I put my division in motion in rear of Clayton's. Upon arriving at Spring Hill we were informed that from some cause, which has not been explained, the enemy had been suffered to pass unattacked along the road commanded by the troops which the commanding general took with him. We were then ordered to push on to Franklin. My division was halted about dark in three miles of that place, and took no part in the battle. During the night this division was put in position preparatory to an assault which it was announced was to be made by the entire army at daybreak. The enemy, however, evacuated the town before the hour for the assault. We then advanced to within a few miles of Nashville and threw up a line of works, my position being on the right and left of the Franklin pike. Several new lines were built, but my position with regard to this pike remained unchanged.
Until the opening of the battles around Nashville nothing of interest transpired in my command, except the part taken by my skirmishers, commanded by Lieut. Col. J. B. Bibb, Twenty-third Alabama, in a demonstration made by Lee's corps. The enemy's skirmishers were driven by a greatly inferior force from all of their intrenched positions. My skirmishers were handsomely handled, and did their work with a dash and gallantry which deserve praise. Just before this demonstration Palmer's brigade (consolidated from Brown's and Reynolds' old brigades) was detached and ordered to report to Maj. Gen. N. B. Forrest, in front of Murfreesborough. It remained so detached from this division until it reached Bear Creek, on this side of Barton Station.
On the 15th of December the battle in front of Nashville opened. Except some unimportant skirmishing, my division took no part in that day's fight, although its position was frequently shifted and the line greatly attenuated to fill vacancies in the works, caused by the withdrawal of the troops.
[excerpt]
Abstract from return of Stevenson's division, Lee's corps, Brig. Gen. Edmund W. Pettus, C. S. Army, commanding, for January 19, 1865.

Command. Effective total. Total present. Aggregate present.

General headquarters .... .... 5
Pettus' brigade (Dedman):
Headquarters .... .... 3
20th Alabama 241 305 334
23d Alabama 155 202 220
30th Alabama 186 256 275
31st Alabama 132 180 200
46th Alabama 116 174 190
*******'s brigade (Henderson):
Headquarters .... .... 2
34th Georgia 171 219 238
36th and 56th Georgia 171 232 253
39th Georgia 134 177 197
Palmer's brigade (Palmer):
Headquarters .... .... 4
58th North Carolina 263 310 334
60th North Carolina and 63d Virginia 275 340 379
3d, 18th, 23d, 26th, 32d, and 45th Tennessee 306 471 571
54th Virginia 181 212 235
Total 2,331 3,078 3,440
================================================== ===
O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/2 [S# 94]
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN KENTUCKY, SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA, AND NORTH GEORGIA, FROM DECEMBER 1, 1864, TO JANUARY 23, 1865.--#8
Organization of troops of Stevenson's division, Lee's corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. Edmund W. Pettus, C. S. Army, for January 20, 1865.
Pettus' Brigade.
Col. JAMES M. DEDMAN.
20th Alabama, Lieut. Col. John W. Davis.
23d Alabama, Maj. James T. Hester.
30th Alabama, Lieut. Col. James K. Elliott.
31st Alabama, Lieut. Col. Thomas M. Arrington.
46th Alabama, Capt. George E. Brewer.
===============================================

continued

[Watchdog]

M E Wolf, thanks for all the great info you have provided. I did know JM Dedman was part of Pettus' brigade but have not not had much luck finding specifics.

[Watchdog]

"The Twentieth Alabama Regiment (Col. J. M. Dedman), of his brigade, had previously been sent up the bank of the river to obtain a flanking fire upon the enemy, and the Thirtieth Alabama (Lieut. Col. J. K. Elliott) was retained on the Columbia side to cover the ford in case of my failure."

Thanks so much for finding this!

[M E Wolf]

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLVII/3 [S# 100]
CONFEDERATE CORRESPONDENCE, ORDERS, AND RETURNS RELATING TO OPERATIONS IN NORTH CAROLINA, SOUTH CAROLINA, SOUTHERN GEORGIA, AND EAST FLORIDA, FROM MARCH 24, 1865, TO JUNE 30, 1865.--#1
IN THE FIELD, March 26, 1865.
Report of the actual commanders of the different divisions and brigades in the Army of Tennessee, in accordance with orders from army headquarters of this date:
heatham's Corps.
Cleburne's division, Brig. Gen. James A. Smith--Granbury's brigade, Maj. William A. Ryan. Govan's brigade, Col. Peter Snyder. Lowry's brigade, Lieut. Col. John F. Smith. Smith's brigade, Capt. J. R. Bonner.
Bate's division, Maj. Gen. William B. Bate--Finley's brigade, Lieut. Col. Elisha Washburn. Tyler's brigade, Capt. H. Rice.
Brown's division, Brig. Gen. Roswell S. Ripley--Gist's brigade, Col. Hume R. Feild. Consolidated Tennessee brigades, Col. Charles S. Hurt.

Leds Corps--Maj. Gen. Daniel H. Hill.
Hill's division, Col. John G. Coltart--Deas' brigade, Col. Harry T. Toulmin. Manigault's brigade, Lieut. Col. J. C. Carter.
Stevenson's division, Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson--Pettus' brigade, Col. James M. Dedman. C-u-m-m-i-n-g's brigade, Col. Robert J. Henderson. Palmer's brigade, Brig. Gen. Joseph B. Palmer.
Clayton's division, Maj. Gen Henry D. Clayton--Stovall's brigade, Maj. William C. Lester. Jackson's brigade, Lieut. Col. Osceola Kyle. Baker's brigade, Brig. Gen. Alpheus Baker.

Stewart's Corps--Maj. Gen. Edward C. Walthall.
Loring's division, Col. James Jackson--Scott's brigade, Capt. J. A. Dixon. Adams' brigade, Lieut. Col. Robert J.. Lawrence. Feather-stone's brigade, Maj. Martin A. Oatis.
Walthall's division, Brig. Gen. George D. Johnston--Reynolds' brigade, Col. Henry G. Bunn. Quarles' brigade, Capt. Joe Love.
ALEX. P. STEWART,
Lieutenant-General, Commanding.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Confederate Military History, Vol. 7
ALABAMA--CHAPTER IV.
THE TWENTIETH ALABAMA INFANTRY.
This regiment was organized in Montgomery, September 16, 1861. Its first service was at Mobile. It was in the campaign in Kentucky, under Gen. Kirby Smith; then was sent to Mississippi; fought with great gallantry and sustained severe loss at Port Gibson, May 1, 1863, and Champion's Hill, or Baker's Creek, May 16th; was distinguished for bravery in the siege of Vicksburg, and surrendered with that fortress. After being exchanged the regiment joined Bragg and fought with great gallantry at Missionary Ridge, and, during the campaign of 1864, took part in nearly all the battles from Dalton to Atlanta. It suffered severely at Rocky Face, May 5-9, 1864; Kenesaw, June 27th, and Jonesboro, August 31st and September 1st; but with unabated courage fought at Nashville, December 15 and 16, 1864; at Kinston, N. C., March 4, 1865, and at Bentonville, March 19th to 21st.

Its field officers were Cols. Isham W. Garrott, who was promoted brigadier-general and killed at Vicksburg, June 17, 1863; Robert T. Jones, who was transferred to the Twelfth Alabama and killed at the battle of Seven Pines; Edmund W. Pettus, who was promoted brigadier-general and afterward became United States senator; Charles D. Anderson and James M. Dedman. Its lieutenant-colonels were Mitchell T. Porter, and John W. Davis, who was wounded at Rocky Face and at Marietta. Its majors were Alfred S. Pickering, killed at Port Gibson, and John G. Harris. Capt. Jack Ayres, a gallant officer of the regiment, was killed at Jonesboro.


EXTRACTS FROM OFFICIAL WAR RECORDS.
Vol. VI--(772) Aggregate present, 836, December 2, 1861, district of Alabama, Gen. J. M. Withers commanding. (819) Army of Mobile, General Withers; department of Alabama and Florida, General Bragg; Mobile, February 1, 1862. (894) Bragg dispatches war department that regiment is on way to Knoxville, February 18, 1862.
Vol. XVI, Part 2--(715) In Barton's brigade, department of East Tennessee, Gen. Kirby Smith commanding, June, 1862, Col. Isham W. Garrott commanding regiment. (719) In Reynolds' brigade, department of East Tennessee, July 3d. (984) In Tracy's brigade, Second
division, troops under Gen. Kirby Smith, October, 1862.
Vol. XVII, Part 2--(825) General Tracy gives regiment 630 strong, January 3, 1863.
No. 36--(678-682) Col. I. W. Garrott's report of the battle of Port Gibson, Miss., May 1, 1863, speaks of the fearless and chivalrous Lieut.-Col. E. W. Pettus; also of Capt. J. McKee Gould and Lieut. J. W. Parish, Capts. R. H. Pratt, B. D. Massingale and J. N. Dedman; Maj. A. S. Pickering fell mortally wounded while nobly discharging his duty; Sergt. Earle here fell while fearlessly carrying the colors. Loss, 18 killed, 112 wounded. Sergt. Powers highly commended; also Colonel Smith.

No. 37--(95) Mentioned in Gen. Carter L. Stevenson's report of the battle of Champion's Hill, Miss., May 16, 1863. (101-103) Mentioned in Gen. Stephen D. Lee's report of same. (326) In S. D. Lee's brigade, army of Vicksburg, Lieut.-Gen. John C. Pemberton commanding, Col. E. P. Pettus commanding regiment, siege of Vicksburg, May 18 to July 4, 1863. (329) Col. Isham W. Garrott killed, June 17, 1863. (345) General Stevenson in his report of siege speaks most highly of Lieutenant-Colonel Pettus and Colonel Garrott. (350-352) Mentioned by Gen. S. D. Lee: "The officers who attracted my attention were Col. Isham W. Garrott, of Twentieth Alabama, the pure patriot and gallant soldier who was killed on June 17th while in the fearless discharge of his duties, respected and loved by all who knew him; a more attentive and vigilant officer was not in our service. Col. E. W. Pettus, Twentieth Alabama, won the admiration of every one by his daring on May 22d, and by his uniform good conduct during the remainder of the siege." (353) Mentioned in Capt. A. C. Roberts' report of siege. (357, 358) In report of Col. T. N. Waul, of assault May 22d, says: "Lieutenant-Colonel Pettus, thoroughly acquainted with the locality and its approaches, came, musket in hand, and most gallantly offered to guide and lead the party into the fort. Three of Colonel Shelley's regiment also volunteered; with promptness and alacrity they moved to the assault, retook the fort, drove the enemy through the breach they entered, tore down the stand of colors still floating overthe parapet, and sent it to the colonel commanding the legion, who immediately transmitted it with a note to General Lee."
No. 38--(612, 703) In Tracy's brigade, Stevenson's division, department of Mississippi and Eastern Louisiana; Gen. John C. Pemberton commanding. (1059) In Lee's brigade, Stevenson s division, army of Vicksburg, Demopolis, Ala., August 29th.
No. 55--(662) In Pettus' brigade, Stevenson's division, army of Tennessee, General Bragg commanding, November 20, 1863; Capt. John W. Davis commanding regiment. (724) Return of casualties: 9 killed, 39 wounded, Missionary Ridge. (725) General Cheatham in special orders thanks the officers and men of his command. He says: "It was Pettus' brigade (of his division) which first checked an enemy, flushed with victory on Lookout mountain, and held him at bay until ordered to retire." (731-732) Mentioned in Gen. E. W. Pettus' report of the battle of Missionary Ridge: "The Twentieth Alabama behaved gallantly."
No. 56--(804, 823, 884) In Pettus' brigade, Stevenson's division, army of Tennessee, December, 1863. Total present, 526; Lieut.-Col. M. T. Porter commanding regiment.
No. 59--(869) Assignment as above, April 30, 1864; Col. J. M. Dedman commanding regiment.
No. 74--(641, 649, 656, 663, 672) Assignment as above, April to August, 1864. Capt. I. W. Davidson commanding regiment, July, 1864..
No. 78--(853) Assignment as above, September 20, 1864. No. 93--(665, 1224) Assignment as above, to December, 1864. (694) Gen. C. L. Stevenson's report of campaign in Tennessee, September 29 to December 17, 1864. Regiment highly commended.
No. 94--(799, 801) Aggregate present, 334, January 19, 1865. Pettus' brigade, Lieut.-Col. John W. Davis commanding regiment.
No. 98--(1065) Assignment as above. Forces commanded by Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, April 9, 1865; Lieut.-Col. James K. Elliott commanding.
No. 100--(733) Assignment as above, March 31, 1865, Lieut.-Col. John W. Davis commanding.

continued

[M E Wolf]

Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. III. Richmond, Virginia, April, 1877. No. 4.
Report Of Major General Carter H. Stevenson Of The Tennessee Campaign.
(We print the following report from General Stevenson's own MS. Its value is increased by the fact that this account of the operations of the division of this accomplished soldier on that memorable campaign has never before been published in any form, so far as we know.)
Headquarters Stevenson's Division,
In the field",, January 20th, 1865.
Major, -- I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my division during the recent campaign in Tennessee:
The march from Palmetto to the front of Columbia was without incident worthy of mention, except, perhaps, the demonstration upon Resaca, Georgia, in which my command acted with spirit in the skirmishing which resulted in driving the enemy within their works. My loss was numerically insignificant at this point, but amongst the killed was numbered the gallant soldier and genial gentleman, Colonel F.K. Beck, Twenty third Alabama regiment. By his fall my division lost a chivalrous soldier and his native State one of her worthiest sons.
Upon our arrival in front of Columbia, my position in line was assigned from the right of the Mount Pleasant pike, the front of the division in line of battle. The investment was characterized by nothing of interest, as far as my division was concerned. A desultory skirmish fire was kept up most of the time. My losses here were few.
On the night of the 27th November, my scouts reported that there were indications that the enemy were evacuating Columbia. I immediately increased the number of scouts, and about an hour before day sent forward the Eighteenth and Third Tennessee regiments (consolidated), under the command of Lieutenant Colonel W.R. Butler. He found the reports of the scouts to be correct, and occupied the town without opposition. I then moved forward my division, except C-u-m-m-ing's brigade (commanded on the campaign by Colonel E.P. Watkins, Fifty sixth Georgia), which, by General Lee's order, was sent down the river to press those of the enemy who had taken that route, and endeavor to save the railroad bridge, which, however, had been fired before their arrival. In the fort at Columbia we secured a large amount of howitzer and small arm ammunition and two siege howitzers. Colonel Butler had immediately upon gaining possession of the town sent a force to the ford of Duck river. The enemy's skirmishers were found to be in large force on the opposite bank and the enemy in position behind works about three quarters of a mile from the river. He immediately moved down his command, and skirmished with them briskly. The Sixtieth North Carolina, coming up soon after, was sent further up the bank of the river to a point from which they obtained a flanking fire upon the enemy. This drove them back from the immediate bank of the river.
Orders were soon after received to discontinue the skirmishing. On the night of that day, General Hood, with Cheatham's and Steuart's corps and Johnson's division of Lee's corps, crossed Duck river some miles above Columbia, and pushed for the enemy's rear, leaving General Lee, with Clayton's and my division to occupy the enemy in front until he should have reached his position, then to force a crossing of the river and attack the enemy as he attempted to extricate himself. The greater part of the next day was spent in preparations for this movement. The bank of the river was quite steep on the side held by the enemy. A pontoon boat, in charge of Captain Ramsay, engineer, was taken down the river under a galling fire, launched, and could there, under the cover of our artillery and skirmish fire, be used without much exposure in ferrying our troops. This was done with all practicable rapidity, the troops as they crossed forming under the cover of the steep bank to which I have alluded. About an hour before sunset I had succeeded in crossing three (3) regiments of Pettus' brigade, Brigadier General Pettus in command. The Twentieth Alabama regiment (Colonel I.M. Dedman) of his brigade had previously been sent up the bank of the river to obtain a flanking fire upon the enemy, and the Thirtieth Alabama (Lieutenant Colonel F. R. Elliott) was retained on the Columbia side to cover the ford in case of any failure. Everything being made ready, I directed General Pettus to advance, and his command dashed forward at the word, driving the enemy before them by a charge which elicited the warmest admiration of all who witnessed it. Their loss was slight; that of the enemy so considerable that to explain the affair, the commander of the enemy saw fit to attribute to an entire division an attack made by three (3) of its regiments. Having driven the enemy within their main line, General Pettus halted, selected a position to prevent the enemy from interrupting the laying of the pontoons, and was subsequently reinforced by the rest of his brigade and by Holtzclaw's brigade of Clayton's division. The pontoon bridge was then laid with all practicable expedition. During the night General Pettus reported that the enemy was retiring, and he following with his skirmishers. This was as anticipated, and orders had already been given by General Lee to have everything in readiness to move, coupled with the statement that General Hood had advised him that he was between the enemy and Nashville, near Spring Hill. At daybreak I put my division in motion, in rear of Clayton's. Upon arriving at Spring Hill, we were informed that from some cause, which has not been explained, the enemy had been suffered to pass unattacked along the road commanded by the troops which the Commanding General took with him. We were then ordered to push on to Franklin. My division was halted about dusk in three miles of that place, and took no part in the battle. During the night the division was put in position, preparatory to an assault, which it was announced was to be made by the entire army at daybreak. The enemy, however, evacuated the town before the hour for the assault. We then advanced to within a few miles of Nashville, and threw up a line of works -- my position being on the right and left of the Franklin pike. Several new lines were built, but my position with regard to the pike remained unchanged.
Until the opening of the battles around Nashville, nothing of interest transpired in my command, except the part taken by my skirmishers, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel J.B. Bibb, Twenty third Alabama, in a demonstration made by Lee's corps. The enemy's skirmishers were driven by a greatly inferior force from all of their entrenched positions. My skirmishers were handsomely handled, and did their work with a dash and gallantry which deserve praise. Just before this demonstration, Palmer's brigade (consolidated from Brown's and Reynold's old brigades), was detached and ordered to report to Major General N.B. Forrest in front of Murfreesboro'. It remained so detached from the division until it reached Bear creak, on this side of Barton's station. On the 15th of December the battle in front of Nashville opened. Except some unimportant skirmishing, my division took no part in that day's fight; although its position was frequently shifted, and the line greatly attenuated, to fill vacancies in the works caused by the withdrawal of the troops. On the next day the enemy advanced early in heavy force in front of the new line, which we had constructed late the previous night, my division extending its entire length, part of it in two and part in one thin rank, from a short distance to the left of the Franklin pike. The skirmishers of the right of Lee's corps, Clayton's and mine maintained their positions so well, though in small force, that in their subsequent accounts, the enemy have seen fit to magnify the affair with them into a desperate assault by two corps upon our first line, which was finally successful, but attended with heavy loss. Soon afterward their forces advanced to the assault, principally upon a part of General Clayton's line and upon Pettus' brigade of my division -- exposing, in their assault upon Pettus, their flank to a fire from C-u-m-m-i-n-g-'s brigade. Their success the previous day had emboldened them, and they rushed forward with great spirit, only to be driven back with dreadful slaughter. Finding at last that they could make no impression upon our lines, they relinquished their attempts, and contented themselves with keeping up an incessant fire of small arms at long range, and an artillery fire which I have never seen surpassed for heaviness, continuance and accuracy. This state of things continued until evening -- doing, however, but little damage, my men keeping closely in the trenches, and perfectly cool and confident.
Towards evening General Lee sent me information "that things were going badly on the left," and that "it might be necessary to retire under cover of the approaching night." I at once hurried off orders for the artillery horses -- which had been removed some distance to the rear to protect them from the fire of the enemy's artillery, under which they could not have lived half an hour -- to be brought up. (It is proper to observe that about the middle of the day mist and rain arose, which entirely prevented my seeing anything that was going on beyond my own line.) The messengers had hardly gone for the horses before the break which, commencing some distance beyond the left of Lee's corps, extended to my line. Seeing it, the men on my left commenced leaving the works; but, at the call of their officers, returned at once, and held the line until the enemy were in fifty steps of them on their flank and pouring a fire into them from the flank and rear. When the true situation of affairs became apparent, and it was evident that the whole army, with the exception of my division and Clayton's, had been broken and scattered, the order for their withdrawal was given -- an effort being made to deploy skirmishers from my left brigade, at right angles to the works, to cover in some measure the movement. Amidst the indescribable confusion of other troops, and with the enemy pouring in their fire upon their flank and from the front (having rushed towards the break and then forward, when they perceived that the troops on my left had broken), it was impossible to withdraw the command in order, and it became considerably broken and confused. Many of them were unable to get out of the trenches in time and were captured. All this happened in as short a time as it has taken to describe it. The artillery horses of Rowan's battery on the left of my line could not be brought up in time, and one of the guns of Cuput's battery was lost by being driven at full speed against a tree and the carriage broken. The different brigade and regimental commanders had sent off their horses, there being no protection for them near the breastworks, and being thus unable to move about more rapidly than the men, were prevented from reforming their commands as quickly as could have been desired and extricating them from the throng of panic stricken stragglers from other commands who crowded the road. This was done at last, and the line of march taken up for Franklin. On the way I received orders from General Lee to leave Pettus' brigade at Hollow Tree Gap, to assist in bringing up the rear, and to proceed with C-u-m-m-i-n-g's brigade and bivouac near the battle field at Franklin, leaving guards upon the road to stop the stragglers of the army. The next morning, by General Lee's order, I returned with C-u-m-m-i-n-g's brigade to Franklin, and was there joined by General Pettus with his brigade, which had that morning before reaching Franklin captured a stand of colors. Soon after crossing the Harpeth, Lieutenant General Lee was wounded. When about three miles from Franklin, General Lee moved off with the rest of the corps, and directed me to take command of the cavalry, commanded by Brigadier General Chalmers, which, with my division, was to constitute the rear guard.
]]]]The enemy did not press us heavily until we arrived near Johnson's house, five or six miles north of Spring Hill. Here I formed my line, having about seven hundred (700) infantry, with the cavalry on my flanks. The enemy advanced rapidly upon me, attacking me in front. I found it impossible to control the cavalry, and, with the exception of a small force on the left, for a short time, to get them into action. I may as well state that at this point, as soon as the enemy engaged us heavily, the cavalry retired in disorder, leaving my small command to their fate. The enemy, perceiving the shortness of my line, at once threw a force around my left flank, and opened fire upon it and its rear. This was a critical moment, and I felt great anxiety as to its effect upon my men, who, few in numbers, had just had the shameful example of the cavalry added to the terrible trial of the day before. I at once ordered Colonel Watkins to prepare to retire fighting by the flank, and General Pettus to move in line of battle to the rear, with a regiment thrown at right angles to his flank, thus forming three (3) sides of a square. Watkins drove the enemy in his front in confusion, moved at the order which was given on the instant of success by the flank, and charged those on his flank and drove them also.

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[M E Wolf]

I halted again in about half a mile, formed a line upon each side of the pike, Pettus on the right, Watkins on the left, each with a regiment formed on his flank perpendicularly to his line to the rear, and having made these dispositions moved again to the rear. The enemy soon enveloped us in front, flanks and rear, but my gallant men, under all their charges, never faltered, never suffered their formation to be broken for an instant, and thus we moved driving our way through them, fighting constantly until within a short distance of Spring Hill, where we found that Major General Clayton, hearing of our situation, had turned and moved back to our assistance. Here I halted for a time, and Holtzclaw's brigade of Clayton's division was formed upon Watkins' left flank in the manner which I have described. While here the enemy made several attacks, and opened upon us with artillery, but were readily repulsed. This was some time after dark. We finally moved off, and after marching about a mile further, finding that the enemy had evidently become disheartened and abandoned his attacks, I placed the whole command again upon the pike and marched in the ordinary manner until I reached the bivouac of the remainder of the corps.
desire here to record my acknowledgments to the officers and men of Holtzclaw's brigade, commanded on the occasion by Colonel Jones, for the timely aid which they so gallantly afforded. Lieutenant General Lee was pleased to acknowledge, in grateful and complimentary terms, the services of my division upon this occasion, and I make no vain boast when I, too, thank them for their conduct, and declare that never did a command in so perilous a position extricate itself by the force of more admirable coolness, determination and unflinching gallantry.
On that night I was directed by Lieutenant General Lee to assume command of his corps during his disability.
I am greatly indebted to my staff: Major John J. Reeve, Assistant Adjutant General; Surgeon H.M. Crupton, Medical Director; Major J.E. McEleath, Assistant Quartermaster; Major J.H.F. Mayo, C.S.; Major H.M. Mathews, Ordnance Officer; Captain G.D. Wise, Assistant Inspector General; Captain Charles Vidor, Assistant Quartermaster; Lieutenant H.T. Botts, Aid de Camp; Lieutenant G.A. Hayard, Aid de Camp; also Captain W.H. Sikes, Forty fifth Tennessee regiment, and Lieutenant W.E. McElwee, Twenty sixth Tennessee regiment, temporarily on duty at my headquarters, for their most efficient and valuable services, and for their untiring efforts to assist me during this arduous and trying campaign.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
C. L. Stevenson,
Major General.
Major J. W. Ratchford,
Assistant Adjutant General, Lee's Corps

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[M E Wolf]

Southern Historical Society Papers
Vol. VII. Richmond, Virginia, April, 1879. No. 4
Battle of Chickamauga -- Report of General J.C. Breckenridge.
Headquarters Breckenridge's Division,
D.H. Hill's Corps, October, l863.
Lieutenant Colonel Archer Anderson, A.A. General, Hill's Corps:
Colonel -- I have the honor to report the operations of my division in the battle of Chickamauga on the 19th and 20th of September last.
It was composed of the Second, Fourth, Sixth and Ninth Kentucky and Fourth Alabama regiments, with Cobb's battery, under the command of Brigadier General B.H. Helm; the Thirteenth, Twentieth, Sixteenth, Twenty fifth and Nineteenth Louisiana, Thirty second Alabama and Austin's battalion sharp shooters, with Slocomb's battery (Fifth Washington artillery), under the command of Brigadier General Daniel Adams; the First, Third and Fourth Florida, Forty seventh Georgia and Sixtieth North Carolina regiments, with Mebane's battery, under the command of Brigadier General M.A. Stovall.
My effective strength was of enlisted men three thousand three <shv7_162>hundred and ninety five; total, three thousand seven hundred and sixty nine.
At daylight of the 18th my command moved from Catlett's gap and that neighborhood in the Pigeon mountain, and the same afternoon took position on the east bank of the Chickamauga near Glass' mill, and composed the extreme left of the infantry of the army. I immediately threw the Second Kentucky across the ford to skirmish with the enemy and reveal his position -- the Sixth Kentucky being placed in close supporting distance at the mill. Adams' brigade was sent by order of Lieutenant General D.H. Hill to a ford a mile and a half above, where the enemy, as the cavalry reported, threatened to cross. It was so late when these dispositions were made that nothing satisfactory was developed that night.
On the morning of the 19th, Slocomb, with four guns, Cobb. with two, and the remainder of Helm's brigade were moved across Glassy ford to ascertain the position of the enemy, while the two rifled pieces of Slocomb's battery, under Lieutenant Vaught, took position on a bluff upon the east side of the stream. An artillery engagement ensued, much to our advantage, until the enemy, who occupied the better position, brought forward a number of heavy guns and showed the greater might of metal. While the engagement was progressing I received an order from Lieutenant General Hill to withdraw my command if it could be done without too great peril, and take position about three miles south of Lee and Gordon's mill, on the road leading from Chattanooga to Lafayette's and so as to cover the approach to that road from Glass' mill and the ford above, leaving a regiment and section of artillery to observe those crossings.
The movement was made in good order -- Colonel Dilworth, with the First and Third (consolidated) Florida and a section of Cobb's battery being left in observation. Our casualties, which fell upon Slocomb, Cobb and Helm, were twenty two killed and wounded. The loss of the enemy in killed alone, as shown by an examination of the ground after the 20th, was nearly equal to the sum of our casualties. Although the enemy was in considerable strength at the fords above referred to, the result showed that it was a covering force to columns passing down the valley to unite with the centre and left of his army.
Soon after taking up the new position I was ordered to relieve Brigadier General Patton Anderson's division, which was facing the enemy opposite Lee and Gordon's mill. The troops marched rapidly, yet it was late in the afternoon before this movement was completed. The division was hardly in position when I received an order from the General commanding the army to move to the right, cross the Chickamauga at a point ****her down, and occupy a position to be indicated. The division crossed at Alexander's bridge, and arriving between 10 and 11 o'clock at night at a field about a mile and half in the rear of the right of our line of battle, bivouacked there by order of Lieutenant General Polk. Remaining some time at Lieutenant General Polk's campfire, I left there two hours before daylight (the 20th) to place my command in position. During the night General Polk informed me that I was to prolong the line of battle upon the right of Major General Cleburne. Conducted by Major ---, of his staff, and Lieutenant Reid, Aid de Camp to General Hill, my division reached Cleburne's right a little after daybreak. Upon the readjustment of his line, I formed on his right, and became the extreme right of the general line of battle. Helm was on the left of my line, Stovall in the centre and Adams on the right -- the last extending across a country road leading from Reid's bridge and striking the Chattanooga road at a place called Glenn's farm. The country was
wooded, with small openings, and the ground unknown to me. Our skirmishers, a few hundred yards in advance, confronted those of the enemy. Our line was supposed to be parallel with the Chattanooga road.
Soon after sunrise I received a note from Lieutenant General Polk directing me to advance, and about the same time Major General Cleburne, who happened to be with me, received one of the same tenor. Lieutenant General Hill having arrived, the notes were placed in his hands. By his order the movement was delayed for the troops to get their rations, and on other accounts.
Dilworth, who had been relieved by a cavalry force late the preceding evening and who had marched all night, now arrived and took his place in line At 9:00 A.M., by order of Lieutenant General Hill, I moved my division forward in search of the enemy. At a distance of seven hundred yards we came upon him in force, and the battle was opened by Helm's brigade with great fury.
The Second and Ninth Kentucky, with three companies of the Forty first Alabama regiment, encountered the left of a line of breastworks before reaching the Chattanooga road, and though assailing them with great courage, were compelled to pause. From some cause the line of my left had not advanced simultaneously with my division, and in consequence from the form of the enemy's works these brave troops were at first, in addition to the fire in front, subjected to a severe enfilading fire from the left. The rest of Helm's brigade, in whose front there were no works, after a short but sharp engagement, routed a line of the enemy, pursued it across the Chattanooga road, and captured a section of artillery posted in the centre of the road. This portion of the brigade was now brought under a heavy front and enfilading fire, and being separated from its left and without support, I ordered Colonel Joseph H. Lewis, of the Sixth Kentucky, who succeeded to the command upon the fall of General Helm, to withdraw the troops some two hundred yards to the rear, reunite the brigade, and change his front slightly to meet the new order of things, by throwing forward his right and retiring his left. The movement was made without panic or confusion.
This was one of the bloodiest encounters of the day. Here General Helm, ever ready for action and endeared to his command by his many virtues, received a mortal wound while in the heroic discharge of his duty. Colonel Hewitt, of the Second Kentucky, was killed, acting gallantly at the head of his regiment. Captains Madered, Rogers and Dedman, of the Second; Captain Daniel, of the Ninth Kentucky, and many other officers and men, met their deaths before the enemy's works, while Colonel Nuckols, of the Fourth Kentucky; Colonel Caldwell, of the Ninth, and many more officers and men, were wounded.

In the meantime, Adams and Stovall advanced steadily, driving back two lines of skirmishers. Stovall halted at the Chattanooga road. Adams, after dispersing a regiment and capturing a battery, crossed at Glenn's farm and halted a short distance beyond in an open field.
[end of excerpt]
Endorsement of Report.
In speaking of the final attack, on the afternoon of the 20th, General Breckinridge employs a phrase in a different sense from its ordinary meaning. He says: " I received permission from Lieutenant General Hill to make another charge." The facts in the case are simply these: About 3 1/2 P.M., or it may be a little later, I ordered another Major General, not of my corps, but who had been sent to report to me, to make the attack, telling him that Breckinridge's men, after their repulse, were scarcely in a condition to make another charge. He replied: "My division was sent by General Polk as a support to General Breckinridge, and under my orders I can do nothing more than support him." I then returned to General Breckinridge, told him of this conversation, and asked him if his troops were ready to renew the attack. He answered, "Yes, I think they are." I then added: "Well, then, move promptly and strike hard." The division responded to the order with a cheer, moved off in most beautiful style and made a most glorious charge.
D.H. Hill,
Lieutenant General.

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[M E Wolf]

Southern Historical Society Papers.
Vol. XV. Richmond, Va., January-December. 1887.
Paroles of the A.N.V.--Mac Rae's Brigade.
Forty-seventh North Carolina Regiment.
Field and Staff.
Serg't-Maj. P. A. Page,
Ord. Serg't Geo. S. Hines,
Com'y Serg't R. F. Temple.
[excerpt]
Co. H.
Serg't W. C. Stronach,
Corp'l Chas. Dedman,
J. H. Booth,
H. Jinks,
S. Williams,
George Lynn,
Gaston Ford,
C. F. Dedman,
Corp'l H. T. Rollins,
John J. Mooring,
Private P. Sears,
Sam'l T. Elliott.
Co. I.—Private W. R. King.
==============================
Medical/Surgical History--Part III, Volume II
Chapter X.--Wounds And Injuries Of The Lower Extremities.
Section V.--Wounds And Operations In The Leg.
Fatal Intermediary Amputations in the Upper Third of the Leg.
50 Dedman, J. H., Pt., A, 56th Virginia, age 30. July 2, 5, '63. Left. Surg. ---- Harrison, C. S. A. Paroled Sept. 25, 1863.

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Lot of misspellings happen due to Civil War Official reports are hand written, to which the writing style, blurrs, ink glops may make it look something totally else.

Just some thoughts.

Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf

[M E Wolf]

CARTER HOUSE

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]
NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.--Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.
No. 97.--Reports of Brig. Gen. Jacob D. Cox, U.S. Army, commanding Twenty-third Army Corps, of operations November 30, 1864.
HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,
Nashville, Tenn., December 2, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following preliminary report of the battle of Franklin, fought on the 30th ultimo:
My division reached Franklin an hour before daybreak on the morning of the 30th of November, having marched from Columbia during the night and being in advance of the army from Thompson's Station. At daybreak I received orders from Major-General Schofield, commanding the army, to take command of both divisions of the Twenty-third Corps and put them in position covering the town and the passage of the army trains, &c., to the north bank of the Harpeth River. The Third Division was put in on the left of the Franklin pike, reaching from that road across the Lewisburg pike to the river, Reilly's brigade on the right: Casement's in the center, and Henderson's (Col. I. N. Stiles temporarily commanding) on the left. The Second Division occupied the ground from the Franklin pike toward the right, reaching to the Carter's Creek pike, Strickland's brigade on the left and Moore's on the right. About noon General Kimball, commanding First Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me, by order of the commanding general, and was put in on the right of the Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, covering the ground to the river on the right, having two brigades in line and one in reserve. At I o'clock General Wagner, commanding Second Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me, his division being then the rear guard of the army, two brigades (Bradley's and Lane's) being deployed across the Columbia pike on which the enemy were advancing, and one (Opdycke's) being in reserve in the town of Franklin. General Wagner informed me that he was already under orders to keep out the two brigades till the enemy should make an advance in line in force, when he was to retire skirmishing, and become a reserve for the line established by me.
The artillery of my division, under Captain Cockerill, Battery D, First Ohio Light Artillery, was in the fort on the north bank of the Harpeth, and Captain Bridges was ordered by the commanding general to report to me with three batteries of the Fourth Corps. These were stationed as follows: One section light 12's commanding the Lewisburg pike, one section light 12's and a battery of 3-inch ordnance guns on the left of the Columbia pike, and one battery light 12's on the right of the Columbia pike. One other battery light 12's was subsequently sent to the Carter's Creek pike and worked on that part of the line. At about 2 o'clock the enemy were seen advancing, deployed in three lines, which, as they passed the range of hills before the town and came into full view in the open ground, were plainly seen to extend from the river on their right nearly or quite to the Carter's Creek pike on their left. The fact was reported to the general commanding, as well as the dispositions of our own troops as they then were, and his orders received in reference to holding the position. At 3 o'clock the enemy engaged the two brigades of Wagner's division, which, in accordance with orders, fell leisurely back within our lines, and the action became general along the entire front. The left of Strickland's brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps, was somewhat confused, some new troops there not understanding the movement of Wagner's division, and one or two regiments partially retiring with them. The enemy were at this time pressing vigorously in masses, and some of their troops reached and passed the parapet at that point. Opdycke's brigade, Second Division, Fourth Corps, was immediately ordered up and came gallantly on the charge, driving the enemy back and restoring the line. Major-General Stanley, who had been ill during the forenoon, came up with Opdycke's brigade and assumed command of the troops of the Fourth Corps. At every other point of the line the enemy were repulsed, though they renewed the charge again and again. They stubbornly persisted in assaulting after dark, and at intervals the firing was very hot till 10 o'clock in the evening. At midnight the command was quietly withdrawn to the north bank of the Harpeth without opposition.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
J. D. COX,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Ohio.
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[M E Wolf]

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS,
Clifton, Tenn., January 10, 1865.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of the Twenty-third Army Corps in the battle between the U.S. forces, under Major-General Schofield, and the rebel army, under General Hood, at Franklin, Tenn., on the 30th day of November, 1864:
My own division (Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps) reached Franklin about an hour before daybreak on the morning of the 30th, having marched from Columbia, twenty-two miles, during the night. The division was halted and massed on the ground upon which the battle was fought, and the men were allowed to cook their breakfast whilst the trains which were following filed past into the town. General Schofield, being with the head of the column, after an examination of the means of crossing the army to the north side of the Harpeth River, informed me that the means were so inadequate as to demand his immediate personal attention, and ordered that I assume command of the corps and put it in position to cover the crossing of the remainder of the army to the north bank of the river. The whole command was moving in from Columbia and Spring Hill by the turnpike leading from those places to Franklin, and the enemy was known to be following with his infantry by the same route, his cavalry being chiefly upon the turnpike leading from Lewisburg to Franklin. A reconnaissance of the position as soon as it was light showed that the ground immediately south of the village was almost level and without any cover from woods or orchards for a distance of nearly a mile from the outskirts of the village, and even for a considerably longer distance on the Columbia pike.
A brick dwelling, belonging to a Mr. Carter, the southernmost one of town, stands on the west side of the turnpike upon a slight knoll over which the road runs as it leaves the village. This knoll has an elevation of about ten feet above the lower ground around it, and even less above that directly south, the slope then being so slight as to be scarcely perceptible to one approaching from that direction. The crest of this elevation is about 200 yards in length from right to left, and is divided nearly equally by the Columbia pike. Two other turnpikes diverge from the village going southward, the Lewisburg pike on the left (east) and the Carter's Creek pike on the right (west). A curved line intersecting these two last-mentioned roads at the edge of the village crossed each of them upon slight elevations of ground, similar to that at Carter's house on the Columbia pike. This being the only line apparently tenable near the outskirts of the town, and sufficiently short to be occupied in reasonable strength by the two divisions of the corps (the Second being weakened by the absence of the strongest brigade), and it being also substantially the line indicated by the major-general commanding upon our approach to the town, I ordered the troops into position upon it, and directed that they throw up breastworks immediately. To completely understand the nature of the field it is, however, necessary to notice that the railroad also passes out of the town toward the southeast, and a little to the left of the Lewisburg pike, and that the Harpeth River, running northwestwardly, is nearly parallel to the railroad and quite near to it for some distance, whilst on our right it opens a considerable space between it and the Carter's Creek pike. Upon the north bank of the Harpeth and near the left of our line, as indicated, is a fort, erected some two years since (Fort Granger), which commands a stretch of the river to the left, and also a cut of the railroad, through which troops might advance under cover toward the left of our line. Reilly's brigade (First), of my own division, was placed with its right resting upon the Columbia pike, its front line consisting of the One hundredth Ohio and One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers, its second line of the Twelfth and Sixteenth Kentucky and the Eighth Tennessee Volunteers. Its left extended somewhat beyond a cotton gin, which stood in a slight angle of the line about 100 yards from the Columbia turnpike. The Second Brigade (Col. J. S. Casement, One hundred and third Ohio, commanding) extended the line from Reilly's left to the Lewisburg pike, the Sixty-fifth Indiana, Sixty-fifth Illinois, and One hundred and twenty-fourth Indiana Volunteers forming his first line, and the Fifth Tennessee Volunteers in the second line. The Third Brigade (Col. I. N. Stiles, Sixty-third Indiana, temporarily commanding) continued the line from Casement's left to the Harpeth River, the One hundred and twenty-eighth Indiana, Sixty-third Indiana, and One hundred and twentieth Indiana Volunteers in the first line, and One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers in the second line.
Upon the right of the pike I directed Brigadier-General Ruger, commanding Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, to put his division upon the line indicated, reaching as far to the right as he could firmly hold the line. He accordingly placed Strickland's brigade (Third) upon his left, being immediately on the right of the Columbia pike, the Fiftieth Ohio and Seventy-second Illinois Volunteers in the first line, and the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio and Forty-fourth Missouri Volunteers in the second line. Moore's brigade (Second) was placed on the right of Strickland's, and in order to cover the Carter's Creek pike was deployed in one line in the following order: Eightieth Indiana, Twenty-third Michigan, One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana, and One hundred and eleventh Ohio Volunteers, numbering from right to left, as in the cases of all the other brigades mentioned above. Moore's line being still weak on account of its extent, General Ruger ordered fifty men of the One hundred and eighty-third Ohio (Strickland's second line) to report to him, and they were placed by Colonel Moore between the One hundred and twenty-ninth Indiana and Twenty-third Michigan. By noon a tolerably good line of breastworks had been erected along the front described, and in a portion of the line a slight abatis had been constructed. A small locust grove and some fruit trees in front of Ruger's division had been used for this purpose, and some Osage orange hedges about a small inclosure in front of Stiles' brigade on the left had also been made good use of. One line of this hedge parallel to Stiles' left front wan slightly thinned out and left standing and in the end proved most useful. The remainder of the hedge was used along the front of the Third Division, but there was not sufficient material near at hand to make the line continuous, nor was there time to stake it down, so that it amounted simply to a slight obstruction of small branches and twigs that could offer no serious obstacle to an advancing enemy, except as the t***** nature of the Osage orange made it an unexpectedly troublesome thing to handle or remove under fire. The artillery of the corps had been moved to the north side of the river early in the morning, under the direction of Lieutenant-Colonel Schofield, chief of artillery, and a portion of it placed in the fort.

As the troops of the Fourth Corps came in, later in the forenoon, four(*) batteries from that corps were ordered to report to me, and I assigned them positions as follows: First Kentucky Light Artillery, four guns, on the left of the Columbia pike, in the line of the One hundredth Ohio Infantry; Sixth Ohio Light Artillery, four guns, on the right of the Columbia pike, just west of Carter's house; and Battery B, Pennsylvania Volunteers, at the Carter's Creek pike. Although not strictly in the order of occurrence, it will tend to greater clearness to add that about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, when an attack by the enemy in force had become more immediate, other batteries of the Fourth Corps were placed in position by Lieutenant-Colonel Schofield and Captain Bridges, chiefs of artillery of the Twenty-third and Fourth Corps, respectively, viz: Battery M, Fourth U.S. Artillery, and Battery G, First Ohio Light Artillery, were thus placed near the left of Stiles' brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps; Battery A, First Ohio Light Artillery, was placed in reserve near the Columbia pike; and Bridges' Battery Illinois Light Artillery, was placed near the center of Strickland's brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Corps. About noon, some appearance of the enemy's cavalry being reported on the Carter's Creek pike, I called the attention of the commanding general to the fact that Ruger's division could not reach any secure point at which to rest on the right, and shortly after Brigadier-General Kimball, commanding First Division, Fourth Corps, reported to me by order, and I directed him to go into position on General Ruger's right, filling the space between the Carter's Creek pike and the river.

At 2 o'clock I received orders to withdraw the command to the north bank of the river at 6 o'clock, in case there should be no attack by the enemy. At this time nearly the whole of the trains and Wood's (Third) division, of the Fourth Corps, had crossed the Harpeth. Shortly after, Brigadier-General Wagner, commanding Second Division, Fourth Corps, presented in person his orders to report to me and act under my orders. He informed me that one brigade (Opdycke's) of his division was already within the lines, and that the other two, with a section of artillery, had been acting as rear guard for the army and were then some two miles at the rear, where the Columbia pike passes through a high range of hills before reaching the plateau on which the village stands; that his orders then were to hold the enemy back until they developed a heavy force manifestly superior to his own, and then slowly retire within my lines. I directed Opdycke's brigade to be placed on the right of the Columbia pike, about 200 yards in rear of our center, as a general reserve; that the orders under which General Wagner was then acting as to the two brigades serving as rear guard should be carried out, and that when the troops were withdrawn within the lines they should be placed in position near Opdycke's brigade and held in reserve awaiting further orders, and in readiness to support any part of the line. At 3 o'clock the two brigades of Wagner's division in front had fallen back to a position about half a mile in front of the lines and reported the enemy developing in force in their front, whilst they opened upon the rebels with the section of artillery which was with them. The order was then reiterated to General Wagner to withdraw the brigades whenever the enemy appeared to be advancing in decidedly superior force, without allowing his troops to become seriously engaged. General Wagner was at that time in person upon the Columbia pike near the Carter house, where my headquarters had been during the day.

A slight depression beyond the lines held by Wagner's advanced brigades prevented the enemy from being seen from our lines till about 4 o'clock, when the officers on the skirmish line reported him advancing in several lines and in very great force. Almost simultaneously with this report the two brigades of Wagner's division in front opened a brisk musketry fire, and part of them were seen making a barricade of rails, &c., apparently with a view of endeavoring to make a stand there, though the section of artillery retired leisurely within our lines. Before an order could reach them they were so hotly engaged that they could not be withdrawn in order. The enemy wasted no time in firing, but charged them, and being enveloped on the flanks, the two brigades, after a short and brave, though useless, struggle, broke to the rear in confusion. The momentary check at the center brought the right wing of the enemy ****her forward, and they came on at a double-quick with trailed arms, some pieces of artillery advancing and firing between brigade intervals. As soon as they were seen the batteries on our left opened upon them, as well as the guns in Fort Granger, and as they advanced into rifle range of our infantry, Stiles' and Casement's brigades opened fire also. The rebel lines could now be plainly seen, as well as the general disposition and apparent purpose of their movement. Their heaviest masses were advancing on the line of the Columbia pike, reaching quite to the river on our left, the two points of assault at that time being apparently our center and our extreme left, he latter being the point nearest to our bridges, which were necessarily much nearer that flank (one of them being the railroad bridge), and that being the line of movement by which they would most rapidly have cut us off from crossing the river had our lines been broken. The extreme left was the portion of our main line first warmly engaged. The enemy endeavored to pass up the railroad cut above mentioned, but were enfiladed not only by the guns in Fort Granger but by Battery M, Fourth U.S. Artillery, and driven from that shelter. Their lines on either side, however, advanced steadily. On reaching the Osage orange hedge in front of Stiles' left, they first endeavored to force their way through it and pull it aside. The tough and t***** nature of the shrub foiled them in this, and they attempted to file around the hedge by the flank, and under a terrible, withering fire from Stiles' and Casement's brigades and the batteries on that flank. They soon abandoned this effort, and most of those remaining unhurt lay down behind the bridge [hedge], and after keeping up a desultory fire or a time straggled to the rear, singly and in small squads.
[excerpt]
continued

[M E Wolf]

The attack extended toward our right to the Carter's Creek pike. The enemy, being apparently satisfied of the impracticability of advancing again upon our left for the reason before stated, pressed ****her to our right, and especially after they had seemed to have gained some advantage in the center, their efforts there and upon their own left were redoubled. Colonel Moore's brigade held its ground firmly, and although it was in imminent danger at the moment when the center wavered, repulsed a determined assault, and preserved its line intact throughout the battle. The condition of the atmosphere was such that the smoke settled upon the field without drifting off, and after the first half hour's fighting it became almost impossible to discern any object along the line at a few yards' distance. This state of things appeared to have deceived Colonel Strickland in regard to his line, as he reported the first line completely reoccupied along his entire front after the repulse of the enemy's first assault, whilst in fact a portion of it at his left was not filled by our troops, and Colonel Opdycke, not being personally acquainted with the lines, was not aware for some time that he had not reached the first line in Colonel Strickland's front, when the outbuildings of Carter's house prevented the line from being distinctly seen from the turnpike even if the smoke had not formed so dark a covering.
[excerpt]
The casualties of the corps during the engagement are reported to me as follows:

O Officers.
M Men. A Aggregate

--Killed-- -Wounded- Missing. ---Total.----
Command. O M O M O M O M A
Second Division:
Moore's brigade 3 18 8 81 .... 12 11 111 122
Strickland's brigade 6 67 19 159 2 278 27 504 531
Total 9 85 27 240 2 290 38 615 653
hird Division:
Reilly's brigade 6 27 7 123 1 69 14 219 233
Casement's brigade .... 3 1 15 .... .... 1 18 19
Stiles’ brigade 3 9 5 46 1 20 9 75 84
Staff 1 .... .... .... .... .... 1 .... 1
Total 10 39 13 184 2 89 25 312 337

Total in corps 19 124 40 424 4 379 63 927 990
[excerpt]
Among the trophies of the battle are twenty-two battle-flags captured from the enemy, of which eighteen were taken by Reilly's brigade, of the Third Division.
The transmission of this report has been delayed by reason of waiting for reports of subordinate commanders, and the whole are now submitted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. D. COX,
Brigadier-General, Commanding.
Maj. J. A. CAMPBELL,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Army of the Ohio.
================================================== =
No further hits.

I'll check back to see if this is what you were seeking and/or if there is anything more I can do to help track down 'home history.'

Respectfully submitted,
M. E. Wolf

[Watchdog]

"Wolf" thanks so much for all the information! Amazing! Thanks again!

[larry_cockerham]

Watchdog, I'm wondering how long you've been in Franklin and if we've ever crossed paths? I've made the 'march' from Winstead Hill to the Carter House many times and never cease to be consumed with thoughts of what these men must have experienced that day. From the location of the soldier recently located (Union) I rather doubt he was killed in the battle, though Jacobson's theory that he fell during the skirmish on the pursuit from Nashville, is reasonable to me. The towns folk in Franklin would have been capable and courteous enough to have provided 'proper' burial. Welcome to our midst. I'm in the Nashville phone book and am available for chat should you ever see the need. I occasionally roam Winstead Hill as well.

[AirCobra]

In Notable Men of Alabama, Personal and Genealogical With Portraits (Joel C. DuBose, Southern Historical Association, 1904) in the biography of James Edwin Dedman (James' younger son) at pages 166-167 there is the following:

"Col. James Monroe Dedman lived at Selma, Ala., and was a man of wide acquaintanceship in the State. His title of colonel was earned in the Civil War, through which he served with great distinction with the Twentieth Alabama. He was especially commended for bravery at the battle of Chickamauga by President Jefferson Davis and just before Lee's surrender was advanced to a brigadier generalship. "

The regimental flag of the Twentieth Alabama can be viewed on the Internet in the Alabama Archives. The flag was concealed by the bearer and given to Dedman after the surrender at Durham Station. The Dedman family loaned the flag to the Alabama Archives around 1905 and years later made the loan a donation.

[Union_Buff]

Hello there Watchdog and welcome to the forum.

[tellinghistory]

Nice to meet ya Watchdog. We live in the same community here in Franklin.