Good morning all! Posting in here to keep info consolidated, if any comes along. Searching for info on the 12th KY US. Documents, images, relics. Anything anybody may have in their collection, or see online that I may have missed. Very grateful!
Mill Springs, KY after action report:
No. 11.
Report of Col. William A. Hoskins, Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.
HDQRS. TWELFTH REGT. KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS,
Waitsborough, January 26, 1862.
CAPT.: In obedience to the order of Brig. Gen. G. H.
Thomas, of this date, I respectfully submit the following report of the
humble part performed by the Twelfth Regt. of Kentucky
Volunteers, under my command, in the engagement of Logan's fields on
the 19th instant, as also on the subsequent day, in the storming the
fortifications at Beech Grove:
On the night of the 17th my regiment joined the forces under command
of Brig. Gen. G. H. Thomas at Lee's fields, and bivouacked in
a lot on the Columbia and Somerset road, opposite the encampment of
the Ninth Ohio, my men having waded Fishing Creek on their march
from Somerset. Here we remained through the day and night of the
18th, exposed to the excessive rains without shelter, we having been
ordered to move without our camp equipage.
On the morning of the 19th, at about 6 o'clock, we were alarmed by the
report of musketry, when my regiment was immediately formed, and
notwithstanding it was much reduced in numbers from forced marches
and necessary exposure in the performance of picket duty with
insufficient clothing (never having drawn their overcoats until a few
weeks since), yet no sooner had they received the news of the approach
of the enemy than they seemed to grasp their guns with a firmer hold,
evincing a determination to discharge their duty as soldiers and Kentuckians.
After awaiting orders a short time, becoming impatient and fearing we
had been overlooked in the excitement of the moment, and seeing the
Ninth Ohio moving out by the Columbia and Somerset road, I
determined to move on to the point of conflict by a more direct line
through the fields and woods, and so soon as the Ninth Ohio had passed
my regiment was moved out on double-quick, reaching Logan's house
in advance of the Ninth Ohio. (Logan's house was on a direct line from
our encampment to the right wing of our forces then engaged with the
enemy.) At that point we were ordered to report to Brig.-Gen.
Carter. By Gen. Carter we were ordered to form on the left of the
First Tennessee, which was done in the first field beyond the forks of
the Columbia and Mill Springs road, and drawn up in line of battle
within 75 or 100 yards of and parallel to a dense skirt of timber. Our
first line formed was also in the rear of and perpendicular to the line of
fire by our artillery. We were next ordered to move by the left flank
until both the Twelfth Kentucky and First Tennessee were under cover
of the timber, when we were halted. In that position my men
imprudently huzzaed, from which the enemy got our position, and
opened fire upon us with their artillery, one shot passing directly over
us, another striking the ground and exploding 20 feet to the left of my
regiment.
The inquiry was then made of Gen. Carter why we could not proceed
to the point of conflict. To that he replied, that "We might fire upon our
friends." Capt. Ham's company of riflemen were then deployed as
skirmishers to our left, and the positions of both regiments changed, by
advancing some 50 paces in the direction of the enemy. In a short time
we were informed by Gen. Carter that a body of rebel infantry 2,000
strong were advancing in the direction of us, and ordered us to cross the
ravine to meet them, the bluffs of which on either side were very
abrupt, standing at an angle of 45 degrees, rendered more difficult of
descent and ascent from the recent rains. In consequence of the
abruptness of the bluffs I had to abandon my horse. After crossing the
ravine and moving on a short distance I lost sight of the First
Tennessee, and on our reaching the battle ground we found the Second
Minnesota and Ninth Ohio engaged with the enemy. We moved up on
the right wing of the enemy and opened fire upon them, when they
retreated beyond the hill, first returning our fire, which passed
harmlessly over our heads. We immediately charged the hill, on the
summit of which we captured Sergeant-Maj. Ewing, and sent him into
camp. We also discovered a party of rebels retreating down a ridge to
our left, whom we pursued, and captured 5 of the number and sent back
to camp. I saw no regiment in advance of us when we gained the ridge.
Here we were joined by a detachment of cavalry under command of
Maj. John A. Brents, who had been dismounted during the
engagement. After passing the rebel hospital we were ordered to form
on the left of the Ninth Ohio, which position we held during the day. On
the morning of the 20th we were ordered to form on the right of the
Thirty-fifth, as a reserve to the Third Brigade, which was ordered to
storm the fortifications.
I regret that in this action the soldiers of the Twelfth Kentucky did not
have an opportunity of displaying more fully their chivalry, being
satisfied that in any position in which duty may call them they will
deport themselves as soldiers worthy the renown of their furthers.
In consequence of severe indisposition both Lieut.-Col. Howard
and Maj. Worsham were unable to move with the regiment.
Consequently their places were filled by Capt.'s Ham and Rousseau,
who rendered me valuable assistance in restraining the impetuosity of my men.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. A. HOSKINS,
Col., Cmdg. Twelfth Regt. Kentucky Volunteers.
Capt. G. E. FLYNT,
Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
PAGE 98-7 OPERATIONS IN KY., TENN., N. ALA., AND S. W. VA. [CHAP. XVII.
[Series I. Vol. 7. Serial No. 7.]
*************************************************************************************
Report of Lieut. Col. Laurence H Rousseau, Twelfth Kentucky
Infantry, of operations August 12--September 8.
HDQRS. TWELFTH KENTUCKY INFANTRY VET. VOLS.,
September 10, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report the following, in compliance with
orders from brigade headquarters:
Starting from the 11th day of August, the date of our transfer
from the Third Brigade to the First, on the next (12th) our right
moved with the division up to the left of the enemy's lines on
a reconnaissance, returning on the evening of the same day. On
the 16th we marched again, throwing up very heavy works in the
evening, which we afterward strengthened. Leaving them, we advanced
about a mile, skirmishing on the way, camping and throwing
up works in the evening. Here we had 1 man killed and another
mortally wounded. We remained at this place until the 28th, when
we moved about two miles farther to the right, camping at night on
the plantation of a Mr. Holbrook. From here we moved to the Montgomery
railroad. Our next march was toward the Macon and
Atlanta Railroad, which we reached on the 31st. From here we soon
moved up toward Jonesborough, camping on Jack Johnson's plantation.
On our way, leaving Jonesborough to our right, we advanced
to within a short distance of Lovejoy's, where, after remaining for
a short time, we fell back along our former line of march to Decatur,
at which place we arrived on the morning of the 8th of September.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. H. ROUSSEAU,
Lieut.-Col., Comdg. Twelfth Kentucky Infantry.
Lieut. J. W. McCLYMONDS,
A. A. A. G., 1st Brig., 3d Div., 23d Army Corps.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 708-73 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L.
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 73.]
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