Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-12-20
General Cox at the Battle of FraAk

6eneFaA COX al the batIie OF FFa@lk-
lin, Tennessee.
We are permitted to make the following
extracts from a private letter from soldier
who was a participatOr in the fight at
Franklin, Tennessee and he thus describes
the part taken by General Cox.
ave arrived at Franklin, Wednesday
morning. November Both. The trains
were getting slowly overthe Harpeth
river, by miserable ford, Hheh the news
came that the enemy were following close
IL upon the reay, in force. Both divisions
of the 23d Corps were in position south of
the town and around il on that side, under
command Of General Cox. Two divisions
of the 4th Corps were also ordered to re-
port to him as they came up, which they
did, the remaining division, General
Woods, crossing the river and taking up
position on the North side. General Scho-
field succeeded in getting two temporary
foot bridges for the troops down, and was
himself across the river, when about three
o'clock in the afternoon, Hood advanced to
the attack of our lines with his whole
army, in three lines of battle, coming down
upon Us in magnificent style.
the left, the second In the centre, and
KimbslTs division of the 4th on thSright.
Wsgner's division Of the 4th corps and
two Drigades In advance {not yet having
come in) and Opdyeke's brigade was held
In reserve a r.v .
The enemy soon drove in the two ad-
vance brigades, who were ordered to fall
back before becoming warmly engaged,
and were in fault only in fighting too long,
ss- it nnadA tha- -HAtraat tn tha bFeastworzs
so hurried as TO cause some confusion. The
central point OF attack was the turnpike
which ran out between the two divisions
of the 23d corps. The country was open
or nearly level, afording the finest field
for great battle that have seen.
The retreat of WagneTs two brigsdes
was not understood by some new regi-
ments, which we're on the left of the I'd
division, 2Sd corps, and as they rushed
back from the front, these broke toe. The
enemy were close after them, and came
over the work Immediately. 1t looked
squally fer awhile.
"General Cox ordered Opdycke's brigade
on the charge, while himself and staff, as
also most Of the brigade and regimental
commanders, exerted themselves to rally
the broken regiments. Isaw General Cox
with his hat Of, under most terrific fire,
raIying the stsmpeders; and as Opdycke's
brigade came up, the whole went back
with rush, driving the rebels back again
over the parspet. General Stanley came
upon the field at this juncture, and was al
most Immediately wounded, but remained
until tho close Of the fight. Meanwhile
General Schofsld was in fort on the
north side of the river, where he could see
the whole field, but did not find it neces-
sAry to interfere with General Cox's plans,
and the battle was fought out under his
orders. Colonel 0pdycke's charge saved
the day, for although the rest of the line
stood firm, if the enemy had succeeded in
penetrating there. we would lot have held
the place. Again and sgain they came on,
but were felled every time. 1t was nearly
eleven o'clock before they gave up their
attacks. At almost midnight we were
withdrawn as originally intended, since
the enemy could easily pass around the
position" -l.3 ri.5
The Nashville Daily Times of December
Sd, in speaking of the same battle says;
At the moment of the disorder General
OIaA4Sy SaAHo up dAu Will OeAeIaA lux
and staff used every exertion to rally the
troops. The fight ragged furiously at this
Juncture, and a storm of bullets swept
through theranks. General Stanleys horse
was shot under him, snd he received horse
from General Cox, who dHmounted one of
his aids for that purpose. General Stanley
wss almost Instantly wounded in the neck
but kept his place firmly, until the terrible
crisis was past. General Cox and staff dis
played the greatest energy and valor, wav-
ing their hats, seizing colors, and calling
on the disordered troops to rally.
The noble example Of the officers proved
and the men soon closed up
around their banners and fought heroic
ally. .s15aa7
How well oar troops fought may be in
Eerred from, the fact that twenty-five
battle flags were captured, by Geneal Cox's
division, from the enemy. r
Colonel Opdycke greatly distinguished !
himself h Five hundred prisoners were
aiken by his brigade, and seven battle |
isgs, two of which were taken by his old |
-eg1ment the 126th-