Report No. 136. Reports of Colonel John S. Casement, One hundred and third Ohio Infantry, commanding Second Brigade, of operations November 22-30 and December 15-16, 1864.
HDQRS. SECOND Brigadier, THIRD DIV., 23rd ARMY CORPS,
Nashville, Tenn., December 5, 1864.
SIR: In compliance with orders received from headquarters Third Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, I have the honor to make the following report of the operations of this brigade during the battle of the 30th ultimo:
The brigade went into position at about 9 a.m., east of the Columbia pike, forming the center of the division, facing south, in the following order: Sixty-fifth Indiana, Lieutenant Colonel J. W. Hammond commanding, on the right; Sixty-fifth Illinois, Lieutenant Colonel W. S. Stewart commanding, in the center; One hundred and twenty-fourth Indiana, Colonel John M. Orr commanding, on the left; and the Fifth Tennessee, Major D. G. Bowers commanding, in the reserve; and threw up strong works, with an abatis of Osage orange. The enemy attacked in force at about 4 p.m., engaging the whole line. The firing was kept up with great vigor until dark, during which time the enemy made several distinct charges, but were repulsed each time with terrible slaughter. Soon after dark the firing ceased and a skirmish line was advanced, when a large number of the enemy's killed and wounded were found; among the former was Brigadier-General Adams. During the engagement quite a number of prisoners came over our works and were passed to the rear, but it is impossible to form any correct estimate of the number taken by this brigade.
Our loss in killed and wounded was as follows: Sixty-fifth Indiana, 1 killed, 5 wounded; One hundred and twenty-fourth Indiana, 1 killed, 5 wounded; Sixty-fifth Illinois, 1 wounded; Fifth Tennessee, 1 killed, 5 wounded; total, 3 killed and 16 wounded. Among the wounded was Lieutenant Amos Groenendyke, Company F, One hundred and twenty-fourth Indiana.
Both officers and men did their whole duty; not a man left the works unless ordered to do so, which accounts for the small loss.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. S. CASEMENT,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Captain THEO. COX, Assistant Adjutant-General.
OR V45, Pt. 1, pp. 424/5