Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-17
THE FEDERAL DISASTER IN TEN
NESSEE.
Account By an officer of the 22d Wis.
consin- But II Men saved out OF q
Whole Brigade.

Account By an officer of the 22d Wis
consin- But II Men saved out of q
Whole Brigade.
| From the Milwaukee Wisconsin, March 12.l
We are permitted to publish the following
letter from Lieut.-Col. Bloodgood, of the 22d
Wisconsin, written the night Of the fight near
franklin. It will be seen be cut his way out
with portion of the right wing OF the regi
ment:
CAMP AT FRANKLIN, TENN, March 5.
MY DEAR BRoTHKR;-Lopg before you receive
this you will probably hear of our disastrous
battle. So far as learned this evening, the Ma
ior and myself of this regiment are the only
field officers escaped from the field of battle,
neither of us receiving even q scratch. We
left the day before yesterday on reconnois-
sance. There were five regiments of infantry,
ak pieces of artillery and regiment OF caval-
~. After proceeding but few mles the frat
day we met q email body of the rebels and drove
them. They had but one piece of artillery
During the day we gained information that there
were larger forces back to support them. Col.
Coburn, commanding the brigade, notified Gen.
Gilbert of the fact, be having command of the
forces at franklin. The answer in reply was
to move on. Il seems than Gen. Rosecrans was
to send force from Murfreesboro to meet us at
a certain point some twelve miles from Frank
lin. We had not gone farther than about four
miles from this place, where we first met the
enemy. making our camp q little beyond where
we had the skirmish.
During several conversations with our off.
GERS that evening, and also with Col. Coburn
the day before, remarked that It looked az if
the rebels we're leading us on into trap, for
small bodies would stop and give us a little
akirmish, and then retreat Tnis morning we
struck tents early, and moved on to the front,
the enemy gradually retreating. Our cavalry
were deployed to the right and leftas skirmish.
era, dismounted; their horses were led in the
rear; en- advance guard Of cavalry on the pike,
with two pieces of artillery; then our regiment;
three pieces OF artillery In the rear of US; and
then followed the rest of the infantry. About
noon was riding some distance In advance OF
our regiment, Just In the rear Of the cavalry,
when shot from the enemy's battery struck In
the pike among the cavalry, causing quite
scattering, but believe doing no damage. 1
Immediately returned to my regiment. Three
pieces of artillery were Immediately planted
upon hill to the left Of the pike, and opened
upon the enemy, Our regiment and the 18Th
Michigan moved up in line of battle on the
slope to support them. Two pieces we're placed
upon the right, the Slst and 33d Indiana to sup.
port them.
Our batteries then opened upon the enemy.
We were answered by treble our number; the
hills on three sides OF ua seemed to be alive
with them. We were protected n front from
their batteries, but they had good range on us
from the flank. The shell and round shot came
thick around US; our woregiments had TO keep
moving to get out OF range, and how we escaped
being cut to pieces at that time is wonderful.
Several balls passed just over my head, aud
others struck the ground only short distance
from me. Not expecting to meet 30 large q
force Of the enemy, our battery had not sufi-
cient ammunition, and soon gave out, as the
day before we had used six hundred rounds to
o cannon. Then the enemy advanced upon us,
hemming us In half circle. They had five
regiments to our one. Our men fought we'll;
no men could fight better. Our whole brigade
was driven down 10 hollow, the enemy clos
Ing In around us. II is most wonderful that
escaped 80, for the balls peltsd about me like
hail. My horse plunged and reared, and fairly
groaned with fear. Ia the confusion we could
get no orders; each regiment had to look out
for themselves. was at the right Of our reg.
iment; the Colonel was in the center. was
notified by several mounted officers that large
body of the enemy was moving around the
hill to cut us off completely. sent word
down the line to the Colonel to move
the regiment in that direction by the flank, and,
as he LETT mt with the management of the
right Of the regiment, gave the order, as there.
was no time to hesitate About $50 on the
right moved according to my direction. l sup
posed the whole regiment was moving, but,
when crossed the pike, found they had not
done so. The next moment the rebels came
over the hill by thousands and drove them back,
completely surrounding them. Our cavalry and
artillery were just ahead of me. The enemy
followed us six miles, trying to cut us of.
Oat of the whole brigade we saved but ITS
men. The artillery and cavalry came In, but
they die not belong to our brigade. brought
~ nine officers returned. Col. Coburn, COM