O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29] pp. 900-903
DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863.--The Stone's River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign.
No. 274.--Report of Col. William B. Wood, Sixteenth Alabama Infantry, including skirmish at Triune, December 27.
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CAPTAIN: In pursuance of the order to report the movements and operations of this regiment in the battles at Triune and Murfreesborough, on the 27th and 31st ultimo, I beg to submit the following:
On the 26th ultimo we were ordered to the front of Triune, to support General Wharton and repel the advance of the enemy, who was reported to be moving in that direction with a large force. We remained under arms until late in the evening, when we were ordered to return and strike our camps, send the wagons to the rear, and take position on the hill near the Franklin pike.
At 4 o'clock on the 27th we were under arms and moved forward to take position on the hills in front of Triune. We remained in that position, deployed as skirmishers, until 9 o'clock, when we were ordered back to our position in rear of the town. My regiment was deployed as skirmishers just behind the brow of the hill and awaited the approach of the enemy. Captain Darden occupied the hill with his battery. The enemy made an attempt to turn our left flank with cavalry, which was repulsed by the artillery and my skirmishers on the left, the enemy fleeing in confusion. About 1 o'clock a heavy rain commenced and continued for nearly an hour. As soon as it ceased, and we were able to see a few hundred yards to the front, we discovered the enemy advanced nearly up to our lines. We immediately opened fire upon him and held him in check until the artillery was drawn off, when we were ordered to fall back. As we were retreating, I discovered the enemy moving up on our right flank, but we were enabled to gain the turn in the road before they could cut us off. A piece of artillery opened on them from this point and checked their advance. Our line was then formed on the pike and brought off without loss. Our casualties were 2 men slightly wounded.
We reached Murfreesborough Sunday night, and Monday morning were ordered to take position in the line of battle on the right wing near the Lebanon pike. We remained in this position until Tuesday night, when we were ordered across the river and bivouacked for the night on the river bank in an open field.
At daylight on the morning of the 31st, we were in line of battle and moved forward across the field. Before we had advanced 100 yards the enemy opened upon us with shells. Our line was pushed forward across the fields to the woods, where we discovered the enemy in a dense cedar glade, lying down behind the rocks. We commenced firing as soon as the skirmishers fell back, and continued firing for nearly half an hour, neither party yielding any ground. The general gave the order to "charge," and the men, with a yell, made a charge in gallant style, dislodging the enemy from their strong position and killing scores of them as they fled. We continued to push on for more than half a mile, when we came upon another line of the enemy. Again a fierce and stubborn resistance was made. Again the general ordered a charge, which was made with like results, the enemy being driven for more than half a mile until they fell behind a battery planted near a large frame house used as a hospital. Our line was reformed, and, with General Polk's brigade, moved up to charge the battery. As we approached, a few rounds were fired, and the battery was drawn off. We pursued as rapidly as possible, driving the enemy through the woods, across a corn-field, and beyond the Nolensville pike. As we approached the field another battery to our right opened upon us. We charged across this open field more than a quarter of a mile to capture the battery. About the time we reached another house used as a hospital, another battery (planted on the pike) opened a crossfire upon us, and at the same time a heavy infantry three, supporting the battery, opened its fire. Our ammunition here gave out, and we were compelled to fall back to the woods to obtain a supply. It was now about 11 o'clock. Our line was again formed and moved forward across the pike and into the woods, where we again encountered the enemy and opened fire upon him. We continued to move forward and charge them whenever they made a stand, until they were driven nearly 2 miles. The fighting in the afternoon continued for about three hours. Our ammunition being again exhausted, we fell back out of the reach of the enemy's guns and obtained a fresh supply. The fighting now ceased on the left wing, and night soon coming on we bivouacked on the field.
The morning of [January] 1 we moved to our position and remained in it until the afternoon, when we were moved forward to make a reconnaissance of the position of the enemy. Being found in large force and our position very much exposed to the enemy's artillery, we were ordered back to our original position.
We were again in line of battle on the morning of the 2d, and remained so all day without any engagement with the enemy. That night we were ordered to recross the river and occupy our former position on the right wing, which we did, and remained there until 11 o'clock that night, when ordered on the retreat.
I lost in the battle of the 31st ultimo 24 killed, of whom 4 were lieutenants, and 142 wounded, among whom were Lieutenant-Colonel Helvenston, Major [J. H.] McGaughy, and Adjutant lB. A.] Wilson, and 6 lieutenants. A list(*) of the killed and wounded is herewith forwarded.
My regiment encountered the One hundred and first Ohio Regiment, commanded by Colonel [Leander] Stem, at the beginning of the fight. We wounded and captured the colonel and killed the lieutenant-colonel. We next fought the Twenty-fifth [Thirty-eighth] and Twenty-first Illinois, and Eighty-first Indiana, and Fifteenth Wisconsin Regiments, killing and wounding a number of the officers and men.
I feel proud in being able to report that most of my officers and men behaved with signal courage and unflinching bravery during the whole action. There were some instances of peculiar gallantry displayed which came under my notice, and no doubt others equally creditable occurred which I may not have observed. I mention Adjt. B. A. Wilson, who, after Lieutenant-Colonel Helvenston and Major McGaughy were wounded, rendered efficient services in leading the left wing of the regiment in the charges which were made, until he fell, severely wounded. Sergt. Maj. Robert [H.] Cherry, finding Company I without an officer during the action, assumed command, and gallantly led them through the fight. Private Harvey G. Sargent, of Company H, is reported as having behaved very gallantly; he lost an arm, and deserves promotion. Privates William Boyce and James Peeden, of Company (3; Color-Sergt. [William] Drury Bowen, of Company H; Sergt H W Rutland, of Company A; Private Peter White, of Company F, and Private Robert Williams, of Company B, acted with courage and bravery. Private H. D. Smith, of Company A, received a wound in one leg, but continued on the field, fighting, until he was wounded in the other leg. He is a young man deserving consideration.
Among the officers who displayed signal gallantry I noticed Captain [William] Hedges, of Company F; Lieutenant [C.] Davis, of Company B; Lieutenant [G. W. W.] Jones, of Company G; Lieutenant [G.] Pride, of Company A, and Lieutenant [C. F.] Carson of Company C, who remained on the field after he was wounded; Lieutenant [T. J.] Salter, of Company D, who was wounded and left the field, had his wound dressed, returned again to his duties, and remained until compelled by suffering to leave. Lieutenants [D. W.] Alexander and [D. C.] Warren, of Company F, were with their command from the beginning to the end of the battle. Lieutenants [William S.] Humphries and [J. N.] Watson, of Company K, were also with their command throughout the whole engagement. The gallant dead and wounded fully discharged their duties until they fell.
I mention with pleasure the efficient services of Capt. T. A. Kimball, chaplain of the regiment, who took charge of the infirmary corps, and followed close behind the regiment, removing the wounded as soon as they fell, himself dressing many of the wounds.
Surg. F. S. McMahon and Assistant Surgeon [William M.] Mayes were at their posts, discharging their duties faithfully, promptly, and efficiently.
Respectfully submitted.
W. B. WOOD,
Colonel, Commanding Sixteenth Alabama Regiment.
[Capt.] O. S. PALMER,
Assistant Adjutant-General.