Nashville, TN after battle report:
No. 52.
Report of Maj. John S. McGraw, Fifty-seventh Indiana Infantry, of
operations December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. FIFTY-SEVENTH REGT. INDIANA VOLUNTEERS,
Huntsville, January 12, 1865.
SIR: In compliance with instructions I have the honor to submit the
following report of the par taken by this regiment in the engagements of the
15th and 16th ultimo at Nashville, Tenn.:
On the 14th ultimo this regiment was occupying a position in the
fortifications defending Nashville, to the immediate right of the Hillsborough
pike, Lieut.-Col. Blanch commanding. On the evening of that orders
were received at these headquarters from Col. J. Q. Lane to be, with the
command, in readiness to move before daylight of the 15th ultimo. In
accordance everything was prepared, and at near daylight the brigade began
a movement to the right of the position which it had been occupying. After
going about half a mile in this direction the lines the brigade were formed
in front of the fortifications, this regiment being assigned a position on the
left of the front line of the brigade. The enemy occupied a position well
fortified to our front about one mile. Our line was advanced, conforming to
the movements of troops to our right, until we rested within about 500 yards
of the enemy's main line of works, occupying in doing do the day until
nearly 4 p. m. During this advance the enemy was somewhat active with his
artillery. At not far from 4 p. m. an assault was ordered on the enemy's
position, to which we at once advanced. When the assault was fairly
commenced the enemy to our abandoned their works, firing before and as
they did so to a very limited extent, which fact accounts for the exceedingly
small loss sustained. After possessing the enemy's position our lines were
reformed and the advance was continued to a point on the Granny White
pike, where we rested for the night. On the following morning, the 16th,
pursuit was continued and the enemy was found to have assumed a position
to the rear of the one occupied by him on the 15th, one mile, or near that
distance. At about 100 a. m. an advance was ordered and began, when the
enemy opened from his line of works a heavy fire on us. When this fire was
opened the men of the advancing line began the double-quick and cheer, and
the result was an assault on the enemy's position, which proved a failure, as
the left of this division was not connected with other troops. As I was not in
command of the regiment at the time I cannot say whether an order to make
the assault was received or not. During this movement Lieut.-Col.
Blanch was wounded so severely that he was compelled
to leave the field, and I at once assumed command of the regiment. After
occupying a position within easy musket-range of the enemy's main line until
nearly 4 p. m., an assault to our right being successful, I was ordered to
push my regiment forward. The order was at once carried out and the enemy
was driven in confusion from their works. Pursuit was continued beyond the
Franklin pike and to the vicinity of the Brentwood Pass, where we rested for
the night.
Some prisoners were captured by this command, to what number I cannot
say, as they were in all cases sent to the rear of our line unguarded. The loss
of the regiment during the two days' engagement is 1 killed and 15
wounded.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN S. McGRAW,
Maj., Cmdg. regiment.
[Capt. L. L. COX,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.]
Source: Official Records
PAGE 262-93 KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. LVII.
[Series I. Vol. 45. Part I, Reports, Correspondence, Etc. Serial No. 93.] |