ROSS’ REPORT OF BRIGADE’S LAST CAMPAIGN
Ross’ Report—Repulse a Reconnoitering Party—Effective
Fighting Strength—Advance Guard—The Battle at
Campbellsville—Results—Thompson’s Station—Harpeth
River—Murfreesboro—Lynville—Pulaski—Sugar Creek—Losses During
Campaign—Captures—Acknowledgments.
HEADQUARTERS ROSS’ BRIGADE, J. C. D.
CORINTH, MISS., Jan. 12, 1865.
CAPTAIN:
I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed
by my brigade in the late campaign into Middle Tennessee.
First, however, and by way of introduction, it is proper to premise
that we bore a full share in the arduous duties required of the cavalry
in the Georgia campaign, and were particularly active during the
operations of the army upon the enemy’s line of communication.
October 24, in compliance with orders from division commander, I
withdrew from my position near Cave Springs, Ga., crossed the Coosa
River at Gadsden the day following, and by rapid marches arrived in
front of Decatur, Ala., on the evening of the 29th. Was here halted to
observe the movements of the enemy while the army rested at Tuscumbia.
On the morning of November 8 a strong reconnoitering party, consisting
of three regiments of infantry and one of cavalry, coming out from
Decatur on the Courtland road, was promptly met, and after a sharp
skirmish driven back with some loss. The next day, being relieved by a
portion of General Roddy’s command, we retired down the valley to Town
Creek and rested until the 18th, when we were ordered across the river
at Florence, and moving at once to the front of the army, took position
with the other cavalry commands on Shoal Creek.
November 21, all things being ready for the advance, we were ordered
forward, following in the rear of Armstrong’s Brigade. The effective
fighting strength of my command at this time was as follows: Third
Regiment Texas Cavalry, 218; Sixth Regiment Texas Cavalry, 218; Ninth
Regiment Texas Cavalry, 110; Twenty-seventh Regiment Texas Cavalry,
140; making a total of 686. With this small force we joined the
advance into Tennessee, strong in heart and resolved to make up in
zeal and courage what was wanting in numbers. The day after crossing
Shoal Creek, General Armstrong, having still the advance, came up
with Federal cavalry at Lawrenceburg. The fighting was chiefly with
artillery, Captain Young’s battery being freely used, and to good
effect. About sunset the enemy withdrew in the direction of Pulaski.
Early the next morning I was ordered to take the advance and move out
on the Pulaski road. About twelve miles from Lawrenceburg we came upon
the Federal pickets and drove them in. The Third Texas now dismounted
and with two squadrons from the Twenty-seventh Texas moved forward
and attacked the enemy, forcing him from his successive positions
and following him up so vigorously as to compel the precipitate
abandonment of his camps and all his forage. The next day, having still
the advance, when within five miles of Pulaski, we changed direction
to the left, following the route taken by the enemy in his retreat the
evening before, and arriving about noon in sight of the little village,
Campbellsville, I found a large force of cavalry, which proved to be
Hatch’s division, drawn up to resist us. Lieutenant-Colonel Boggess was
ordered promptly to dismount his regiment, the Third Texas, and move
it to the front. Young’s battery was hurried up from the rear, placed
in position and, supported by the Sixth Texas (Colonel Jack Wharton,
commanding), commenced shelling the enemy’s lines. In the meanwhile
the Ninth Texas and the Legion were drawn up in column, in the field
to the right of the wood, to be used as circumstances might require.
These dispositions completed, I watched with interest the effect of the
shelling from our battery, and very soon discovered from the movements
of the enemy, an intention to withdraw, whereupon, believing this
to be the proper movement, I ordered everything forward. The Ninth
Texas and Legion, led by their respective commanders, Colonel Jones
and Lieutenant-Colonel Whitfield, rushed forward at a gallop, and
passing through the village, fell upon the enemy’s moving squadrons
with such irresistible force as to scatter them in every direction,
pursuing and capturing numbers of prisoners, horses, equipment, small
arms, accouterments, and four (4) stands of colors. The enemy made
no effort to regain the field from which he had been driven, but
while endeavoring to withdraw his broken and discomfited squadrons
was attacked vigorously in flank by a portion of General Armstrong’s
brigade, and his rout made complete. The last of his forces, in full
flight, disappeared in the direction of Lynville about sunset, and
we saw no more of them south of Duck River. Our loss in the fight at
Campbellsville was only five (5) men wounded, while our captures (I
found upon investigation) summed up to be eighty-four (84) prisoners,
and all their horses, equipments, and small arms, four (4) stands of
colors and sixty-five (65) beef cattle. Without further opposition
we arrived the next day in front of Columbia, and took the position
assigned us on the Chapel Hill pike.
November 26, we remained in front of the enemy’s works, skirmishing
freely and keeping up a lively demonstration. On the morning of
the 27th, being relieved by the infantry, we were ordered over to
Shelbyville pike, and camped the following night on Fountain Creek.
Crossing Duck River the next morning, at the mill, nine miles above
Columbia, we were directed thence to the right (on the Shelbyville
road), and when near the Lewisburg and Franklin pike, again encountered
the Federal cavalry. A spirited engagement ensued, begun by the Third
Texas, which being detached to attack a train of wagons moving in the
direction of Franklin, succeeded in reaching the pike, but was there
met by a superior force of Yankees and driven back. Seeing this, I had
Colonel Hawkins to hurry his regiment (the Legion) to the assistance
of the Third, and ordered a charge, which was made in gallant style,
and resulted in forcing the Yankees from the field in confusion,
and with the loss of several prisoners and the colors of the Seventh
Ohio Cavalry. In the meanwhile Colonel Wharton, with the Sixth Texas,
charged into the pike to the right of where the Third and Legion were
engaged, capturing an entire company of the Seventh Ohio Cavalry, three
(3) stands of colors, several wagons loaded with ordnances, and a
considerable number of horses, with their equipments. The Ninth Texas
(Colonel Jones), having been detached early in the evening to guard
the road leading to our right, with the exception of a slight skirmish
with the enemy’s pickets, in which several prisoners were taken, was
not otherwise engaged during the evening. It was now after night and
very dark. The enemy had disappeared from our front in direction of
Franklin, but before establishing camps it was thought prudent to
ascertain if any force had been cut off and yet remained between us and
the river. Colonel Hawkins was therefore ordered up the pike with his
regiment to reconnoiter, and had proceeded but a short distance before
he was met by a brigade of Federal cavalry. An exciting fight ensued,
lasting about half an hour, when the enemy, having much the larger
force, succeeded in passing by us, receiving as he did so a severe fire
into his flanks. This ceased the operations for the day, and we were
allowed to bivouac, well pleased with the prospect of rest, after so
much fatiguing exercise.
At Hunts cross roads the next day, when the other commands of cavalry
took the left and moved upon Spring Hill, my brigade was advanced
upon the road to Franklin. Afterwards, in obedience to orders of the
division commander, we turned towards Thompson’s Station, being now in
rear of the Federal army, which still held its position on Rutherford’s
Creek. The Yankee cavalry, completely whipped, had disappeared in the
direction of Franklin, and did not again show itself that day. When
near Thompson’s Station I discovered a few wagons moving on the pike,
and sent Colonel Jones, with the Ninth and Legion, to intercept and
capture them. At the same time the Sixth and Third Texas were drawn
up in line, and a squadron from the latter dispatched to destroy the
depot. Colonel Jones was partially successful, capturing and destroying
one wagon and securing the team. He then charged a train of cars which
came up from the direction of Franklin, when the engineer becoming
frightened, cut the engine loose and ran off southward. The train, thus
freed, began to retrograde, and in spite of the obstructions thrown in
its way and the efforts of the men to stop it, rolled back under the
guns of a blockhouse and was saved. The guard, however, and all the
men on the train were forced to jump off, and became our prisoners.
I now had the railroad bridge destroyed, in consequence of which the
engine that escaped from us, and another, became the prizes of our
army the next day. In the meantime the enemy at the depot, observing
the approach of the squadron from the Third Texas, set fire to all of
his valuables, including a train of cars loaded with ordnance, and
evacuated the place. Having accomplished all that could be effected in
the station, we withdrew late in the evening, dropping back to the left
of Spring Hill and halted until I could communicate with the division
commander. About midnight I received the order directing me to again
“Strike the pike” and attack the enemy’s train, then in full retreat
to Franklin; moved out at once to obey the order, guided by an officer
of General Forrest’s staff who knew the country. When within half a
mile of the pike I dismounted three (3) of my regiments, leaving the
Ninth Texas mounted to guard their horses, and cautiously advancing
on foot, got within one hundred yards of the enemy’s train without
being discovered. The Legion (Colonel Hawkins commanding) having the
advance, fronted into line, fired a well-directed volley, killing
several Yankees and mules, and rushed forward with a yell, producing
among the teamsters and wagon guards a perfect stampede. The Yankees
lost thirty-nine (39) wagons, some of which were destroyed, and others
abandoned for the want of the teams, which we brought off. Remaining in
possession of the pike for half an hour, we withdrew upon the approach
of several bodies of infantry, which coming up in opposite directions,
by mistake got to shooting into each other, and fired several volleys
before finding out their error. Having remounted our horses, we
remained on the hill overlooking the pike until daylight, and saw the
Yankee army in full retreat. While this was passing a regiment of
cavalry appearing in the open field in our front was charged by the
Sixth Texas, completely routed and driven to his infantry column. Soon
after this we again pushed forward, keeping parallel with the pike,
upon which our infantry was moving, crossed Harpeth River in the
evening, about three miles above Franklin, only a small force of the
enemy appearing to dispute the passage. Half a mile from the river we
came upon a regiment of Yankee cavalry drawn up in line. This the Ninth
Texas at once charged and routed, but was met by a larger force, and in
turn compelled to give back, the enemy following in close pursuit. The
Third Texas now rushed forward, checked the advancing squadrons of the
Yankees, and then hurled them back, broken and disorganized, capturing
several prisoners and driving the others back upon their heavier lines.
The gallant bearing of the men and officers of the Third and Ninth
Texas on this occasion is deserving of special commendation, and it
affords me much gratification to record to the honor of these noble
regiments that charges made by them at Harpeth River have never been,
and cannot be, surpassed by cavalry of any nation. By the charge of the
Third Texas we gained possession of an eminence overlooking the enemy’s
position and held it until late in the evening, when discovering an
intention on the part of the Yankee commander to advance his entire
force, and being without any support, I withdrew to the south side
of the river again. Very soon the enemy advanced his whole line, but
finding we had recrossed the river again, retreated, and during the
night withdrew from our front. The next day we moved forward, arrived
in front of Nashville December 3, and took position on the Nolensville
pike three miles from the city. Just in our front was a line of works,
and wishing to ascertain what force occupied them, I had two squadrons
of the Sixth Texas to dismount, deploy as skirmishers, and advance.
We found the works held only by the enemy’s skirmishers, who withdrew
upon our approach. After this, being relieved by our infantry, we
returned to the rear with orders to cook up rations. On the morning
of December 5 the brigade was ordered to Lavergne; found there a
small force of infantry, which took refuge inside the fort, and after
slight resistance surrendered upon demand of the division commander.
Moving thence to Murfreesboro, where within a few miles of the city
the enemy’s pickets were encountered, and after a stubborn resistance
driven back by the Sixth and Third Texas, dismounted. A few days after
this Major-General Forrest invested Murfreesboro with his cavalry and
one (1) division of infantry. The duty assigned my brigade being to
guard all the approaches to the city, from the Salem to the Woodbury
pike inclusive, was very severe for so small a force, and almost every
day there was heavy skirmishing on some portion of our line.
December 15, a train of cars from Stevenson, heavily laden with
supplies for the garrison at Murfreesboro, was attacked about seven
miles south of the city, and although guarded by a regiment of
infantry, two hundred strong, was captured and burned. The train was
loaded with sugar, coffee, hard bread, and bacon, and carried full
two hundred thousand rations. The men guarding it fought desperately
for about an hour, having a strong position in a cut of the railroad,
but were finally routed by a most gallant charge of the Sixth Texas,
supported by the Third Texas, and 150 of them captured. The others
escaped to blockhouses near by. The next day, in consequence of the
reverses to our arms at Nashville, we were withdrawn from the front
of Murfreesboro, ordered across to Triana, and thence to Columbia,
crossing Duck River in the evening of the 18th.
December 24, while being in the rear of our army, the enemy charged my
rear-guard at Lynville, with a heavy force, and threatened to break
over all opposition, when the Sixth Texas hastily forming, met and
hurled them back, administering a most wholesome check to their ardor.
At the moment this occurred our columns were all in motion, and it
was of the utmost importance to break the charge of the enemy on our
rear. Too much credit, therefore, cannot be given the Sixth Texas, for
gallant bearing on this occasion. Had it failed to check the enemy,
my brigade, and probably the entire division, taken at disadvantage,
might have suffered severely. At Richland Creek, when the cavalry took
position later in the day, I was assigned a position on the right of
the railroad, and in front of the creek. Soon afterwards, however,
the enemy moving as if to cross above the bridge, I was withdrawn to
the south side of the creek and took position on the hill near the
railroad, skirmishing with the enemy in my front, holding him in check
until our forces had all crossed the creek. We were then ordered to
withdraw, and passing through Pulaski, again crossed Richland Creek
and camped near Mr. Carter’s for the night. The next day my brigade,
alternating with General Armstrong in bringing up the rear, had
frequent skirmishes with the enemy’s advance. Nine miles from Pulaski,
when the infantry halted and formed, I was ordered on the right. Soon
after this the enemy made a strong effort to turn our right flank, but
failed, and was driven back. About the same time the infantry charged
and captured his artillery, administering such an effectual check that
he did not again show himself that day.
This done, we retired leisurely, and after night bivouacked on Sugar
Creek. Early the following morning the Yankees, still not satisfied,
made their appearance, and our infantry again made dispositions to
receive them. Reynolds’ and Ector’s brigades took position, and
immediately in their rear I had the Legion and Ninth Texas drawn up in
column of fours to charge, if an opportunity should occur. The fog was
very dense and the enemy therefore approached very cautiously. When
near enough to be seen, the infantry fired a volley and charged. At the
same time the Legion and Ninth Texas were ordered forward, and passing
through our infantry, crossed the creek in the face of a terrible
fire, overthrew all opposition on the further side, and pursued the
thoroughly routed foe near a mile, capturing twelve (12) prisoners and
as many horses, besides killing numbers of others. The force opposed
to us here was completely whipped,—proved from the statements of the
prisoners to be Hammond’s brigade of cavalry. After this the Yankees
did not again show themselves, and without further interruption we
recrossed the Tennessee River at Bainbridge on the evening of the 27th
of December. Our entire loss during the campaign sums up as follows:
═══════════════════╤════════════╤════════════╤════════════╤═══════════
│ KILLED │ WOUNDED │ CAPTURED │
COMMAND ├────────┬───┼────────┬───┼────────┬───┤ AGGREGATE
│OFFICERS│EN.│OFFICERS│EN.│OFFICERS│EN.│
│ │MEN│ │MEN│ │MEN│
───────────────────┼────────┼───┼────────┼───┼────────┼───┼───────────
Third Texas Cavalry│ │ 2│ 3 │ 22│ 1 │ 2│ 30
Sixth Texas Cavalry│ │ 6│ 3 │ 19│ │ 1│ 29
Ninth Texas Cavalry│ │ 4│ │ 17│ │ 1│ 22
Texas Texas Legion │ │ │ │ 6│ │ │ 6
───────────────────┼────────┼───┼────────┼───┼────────┼───┼───────────
Total │ │ 12│ 6 │ 64│ 1 │ 4│ 87
───────────────────┴────────┴───┴────────┴───┴────────┴───┴───────────
We captured on the trip and brought off five hundred and fifty (550)
prisoners, as shown by the records of my provost-marshal, nine (9)
stands of colors, several hundred horses and their equipments, and
overcoats and blankets sufficient to supply my command. We destroyed,
besides, two trains of cars, loaded, one with ordnance, and the other
with commissary stores; forty or fifty wagons and mules; and much
other valuable property belonging to the Federal army. My brigade
returned from Tennessee with horses very much jaded, but otherwise in
no worse condition than when it started, its morale not in the least
affected nor impaired by the evident demoralization which prevailed to
a considerable extent throughout the larger portion of the army.
Before closing my report I desire to record an acknowledgment of
grateful obligations to the gallant officers and brave men whom I have
the honor to command. Entering upon the campaign poorly clad and illy
prepared for undergoing its hardships, these worthy votaries of freedom
nevertheless bore themselves bravely, and I did not hear a murmur,
nor witness the least reluctance in the discharge of duty, however
unpleasant. All did well, and to this I attribute in a great measure
the unparalleled success which attended all our efforts during the
campaign.
To Colonel D. W. Jones, Colonel E. R. Hawkins, Colonel Jack Wharton,
Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Boggess, who commanded their respective
regiments; and Lieutenant-Colonel P. F. Ross and Major S. B. Wilson,
Sixth Texas; Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. Whitfield and Major B. H.
Nosworthy, of Legion; Major A. B. Stone, Third Texas; and Major H. C.
Dial, Ninth Texas; also Captains Gurly, Plummer, Killough and Preston;
Lieutenants Alexander and Sykes; members of my staff: I feel especially
indebted for earnest, zealous, and efficient co-operation. These
officers upon many trying occasions acquitted themselves with honor,
and it affords me pleasure to be able to commend to the favorable
notice of the Brigadier-General commanding.
I have the honor to be, Captain, very resp’t,
Your obedient Servant,
Official: L. S. ROSS,
A. A. G. “59” _Brig. Gen’l., J. C._