Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-12-28


hundred wagons, escorted by the 18th Vir-
ginia, Col. Garland; the 9th South Carolina,
under Lit Col a. T. Secrest; the 10ih Ala
barna, Col. John Fl. Forney; the 1st Ken
lucky, Col Tom. Taylor; the Sumter Fly
ing ARTILLERY, Capt. Cuts; and detachments
from Ransom's and Radford's cavalry. Our
whole force amounted to nearly twenty-five
hundred men. They started off early in the
morning, and before day were some dis
lance On the journey. Soon after leaving
rocket was seen TO shoot of in the direction
Of DrainsTille, which, as was afterwards
sscertained, Was signal from the enemy,
and indicated that our approach was known.
It is about fifteen miles from here TO Drains
vile. When within short distance of the
place, tGo or three regiments Of Yankees
were seen deployed IS skirmishers IN the
skirt of pine thicket, which stretched out
on either side of the road General Stuart
drew up his force and prepared TO make an
attack. On either side Of the woods we're
very thick, and it WAS difficult to make
2 through them, but our force was pushed
forward in the following order: The Eley
enth Virginia, being in the advance, was
deployed on the right Of the road with the
Tenth Alabama, while the Sixth South Car
DINA and the First Kentucky were sent to
the left. On account of the dense thicket
advance down the road in order to gain
position to make the guns effective.
As we approached the Yankees the 18th
Virginia charged them with yell and drove
them back to their line within sight Of
Drainsyil1e. The enemy seemed somewhat
confused, but soon formed sgain in line of
battle. The advanced positions were held
by the 11th and the 9th South Carolina, the
former on the right and the latter on the
left of the road. While waiting TO get sight
of the enemy the 9th South Carolina was
drawn up, and the LIST Kentucky advanced
upon them, and mistaking them for the enc
my, portion of the regiment fred without
orders, killing Eve ofthe South Csrolinisns.
The error WIS soon discovered, and Col.
Taylor advanced cautiously to the left, and
and soon after came in sight of another re-
giment but few yards away. To be sure
there was no mistake. Col. Taylor shouted
to the Colonel, and asked who he was?
''The Colonel of the 9th was the re-
ply.
"Of what 9th ?''
"Don't shoot" said the Yankees eve are
friends, South Carolinians."
''On which side are you?" asked Colonel
Taylor.
s'For the Union" and Immediately after
the Colonel gave the command to fire, and
from the 9th Infantry, regulars, u s. s.
The engagement then became general, and
our four regiments, with Capt. Cults four
guns, were soon actively engaged. The Yam
KEGS had every advantage of position There
were several houses along the Leesburg
turnpike, and back of it hill upon which
their battery was placed. Lower down, and
opposite the 18th, was another battery
placed in position to eaflade the turnpike
should ne enter it. The main battery of six
guns swept the road upon which we were
advancing, and kept up an incessant fire Of
grape, canister and spherical case. The &C
curacy oftheir aim was remarkable, consid-
ering the rspidity with which the guns
were fired. Capt. Cults got three of his
pieces in position, and returned the fire ra-
pidly and successfully.
Meanwhile the enemy advanced several
regiments of infantry, and protected by the
nature of the ground, came within q hun
dred yards of us, and forming in line, fred
for some time, keeping the air full Of min
ME balls, and finally attempted to charge.
Three times the officers gave the order and
tried TO get their men forward, but failed.
They could not be pushed into the thicket.
Soon after this the firing on both sides
ceased, but not before great damage was
done to our force. For over an hour both
i
wounded and dead lay on every side, and
the regiments were beginning to get scat
tered.
To give little more in detail AS our
first advance were marching by the flank to-
ward the Yankee skirmishers, two comps
MES Of the 11th Virgins were thrown out
as skirmishers, and sent forward Captain
Houston's company charged the Yankees
with shout, and drove them in, and soon
after the shout was taken up by others, and
al advanced within sight Of Evansville
Company A, of the 18th, was deployed on
the right, but By some means got lost, and
was separated from the regiment until the
fight was over. 80
When the enemy formed in line Of battle,
Col. Forney drew the 10th Alabama UP al
SO, and prepared to advance upon them
The GOODNESS and daring courage displayed
by Col. Forney was observed by everybody.
BE rode backward and forward in front OF
the line, encouraging his men, and In get
ting all prepared for the coming struggle
The sans can be said Of Col. Garland
Soon after the firing commenced, Col. Fer
ney was shot through the right arm, Lieut.
Col. Martin was killed, and the command o.
the regiment deVolVed on Major Woodward
who commanded on one side of the road, snC
the senior Captain on the other. This re
giment lost more than any other. The Sum
ter artillery was In the road, and had three
guns in position. Only four pieces were gu
) and about sixty men. Captain CUTS anc
his men fought brayely, and suffered SO
yerely. The enemy's batteries played upoI
- 90 .ov,a Tina and kifled NEARLY all hi