Forum Host- Joined
- Nov 27, 2018
- Location
- Chattanooga, Tennessee
Much was happening in Tennessee in early December of 1864. General Thomas was consolidating his forces within the defenses of Nashville, and trying to gather in enough cavalry to fight Forrest. The Federals had moved back up from the Franklin fight on November 30, and many regiments were shielding the eastern portion from Gallatin to Murfreesboro and on into Nashville, while Stoneman was in Knoxville.
The only communication to Chattanooga was through Knoxville due to Hood's move up into Tennessee, now following up to a half mile of Nashville. The railroads that were still operating in the eastern sector were helping to funnel up some of the regimental commands into Murfreesboro. I came across this report dated December 4, 1864 from Buck Lodge, Tenn. sent by Adam Buck to Lieutenant Brown in Gallatin. Buck was in command of an outpost near the railroad running through that area.
"Sir: I have the honor to report to you that yesterday at 4 p. m. it was reported to me by a citizen that about twenty guerillas had crossed the railroad between Buck Lodge and South Tunnel, and that perhaps the railroad was damaged. I sent immediately a patrol toward South Tunnel, and found that at a point one mile south of Buck Lodge, and a half mile north of the bridge picket, four rails had been removed from the track and the telegraph cut. I ordered my men to repair the track, and the same time stopped the passenger train which was just coming down. The telegraph was repaired by the engineer. You will allow me to say that the act was done in full sight of the bridge picket, and that it could not have been done if the workmen on the railroad had made application for a guard instead of working without. I was with my company at skirmish drill at the same time, not more than a half a mile from that place, and heard the hammering, but as I knew the workmen were there I had no suspicion." [Series 1, Volume 45, Part 2, page 50].
Lubliner.
The only communication to Chattanooga was through Knoxville due to Hood's move up into Tennessee, now following up to a half mile of Nashville. The railroads that were still operating in the eastern sector were helping to funnel up some of the regimental commands into Murfreesboro. I came across this report dated December 4, 1864 from Buck Lodge, Tenn. sent by Adam Buck to Lieutenant Brown in Gallatin. Buck was in command of an outpost near the railroad running through that area.
"Sir: I have the honor to report to you that yesterday at 4 p. m. it was reported to me by a citizen that about twenty guerillas had crossed the railroad between Buck Lodge and South Tunnel, and that perhaps the railroad was damaged. I sent immediately a patrol toward South Tunnel, and found that at a point one mile south of Buck Lodge, and a half mile north of the bridge picket, four rails had been removed from the track and the telegraph cut. I ordered my men to repair the track, and the same time stopped the passenger train which was just coming down. The telegraph was repaired by the engineer. You will allow me to say that the act was done in full sight of the bridge picket, and that it could not have been done if the workmen on the railroad had made application for a guard instead of working without. I was with my company at skirmish drill at the same time, not more than a half a mile from that place, and heard the hammering, but as I knew the workmen were there I had no suspicion." [Series 1, Volume 45, Part 2, page 50].
Lubliner.
Bringing the