The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-03-17
Interesting Details Of the Capture of
Col. Coburn and his Men-List Of
Killed, Wounded, 60.
From tho Indianapolis Journal. OH.

AiNh sao AANA"hhpVAla SV"Ahtaa wa
The following letter recei we'd yesterday
by Governor Morton from Colonel John
MOCres, of Bloomington, gives some de-
tails of the desperate fight made by Col
COburn's brigade against overwhelming
numbers, near Franklin, Tennessee, on
the 9th instant: ..-......,
% FRANKLIN, Tenn, March 13, '83.
Gov. MORTON: / think il but Justice
TO Col. Coburn and the brave mon OF his
command in the late unfortunate affair at
Thompson's Station, eight miles south Of
Franklin, Tennessee, 70 publish the fol-
lowing statement of facts, obtained on
the spot. Wednesday, the 4th of March,
the baigade under the command of Col.
Coburn had several skirmishes with the
rebels under the command of Van Dorm.
Thursday morning, Col. Coburn being
satisfied that the enemy had been largely
reinforced through the night, sent an
Orderly to Gen.Gilbert askiug.re-infOree-
ments. s-b,r 90 .r r.
To this request General Gilbert said
"Colonel Coburn must bo scared" and
wrote the following order "Your force
| is sufficient; move forward" Colonel
Coburn, rather than disObey the order of
his superior officer, advanced 70 meet an
enemy said TO be ten times greater than
the force which he had under his COM
mand, which consisted Of the SD and
and S5th Indiana, 10th Michigan and 22d
Wisconsin infantry regiments, and the
f24th Ohio infantry in reserve, Also the
18th Ohio battery, 9th Pennsylyania, I'd
Michigan, and part of the 4th Tennessee
cavalry regiments. % Io.gN
This force moved up the Columbia road.
The 95th and 33d, with one section OF the
battery occupied hill on the right Of the
road, near Thompson's station, on the
franklin railroad, while the 10th Michi-
gan and 22d Wisconsin, with the other
section Of the battery, occupied the hill
on tho left. OH. a,,a
The rebels at first opened brisk IRE
from two batteries in front Of the position
occupied by our troops. After an hours
cannonading, Col Coburn brought up the
33d and 85th, aud ordered charge upon
the station, where the rebels were con-
cealed, in and around the houses. They
succeeded in driving them from the sta
tion. He then ordered them to tak0 tho
battery in front. The men moved on in
good order. 10 the right OF this battery
was a stone wall fence, where the rebels
were posted in large numbers; from be-
hind this fence they poured In CALLING
and destructive fire, causing our men 70
fall back, but they reformed al the crest
Of the hill, and resisted successfully the
charge Of two brigades.
ii, Colonel Coburn then brought ever the
10th Michigan, and twice again did
these three regiments drive back the en-
emy in greatly superior force. Another
force OF the enemy now came around the
left flank, and drote the 22d Wisconsin
from the hill; the battery having beer
Withdrawn for want Of AMMUNITION
Colonel OOburn then Attempted 10 with.
draw his forces, but the enemy closing il
upon the right, as well as left, and am.
munition having given out with his in,
fantry, he was forced TO surrender.
The artillery without any loss, Lieut..
} Col. BloodgoOd and $50 men, the entir,
; cavalry force, and somo slrAgglers, al
made good their escape. The Surgeon
Of the 33d and DR.. Hobbs Of the Both In
diana, succeeded through much danger n
! getting of 80 Of the wounded
J On she 9th a corps Of Surgeons, escor
and Gag OF truce were sent out 10 look
after the dead and wounded. The fal
was received Al the outpoat 81 noon, KEEP
waiting until dark, aud then ordered BY
| Van Dorm to retire, with the Information
. that the dead were buried, the Wounde,
cared for, and they needed no medicA
], aid
Col. Coburn aud the other field officer
b are unhur'i and but few Of the line OH
e GERS wounded.
Our loss was 100 killed, 800 wounded
and about 200 prisoners.
The rebels admit loss Of $50 kille
1 aud 40 wounded