The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-12-30
Our Army Correspondence.
MINNESOTA REGImENTs IN ,ruup
BATTLE AT NAsHvILLE.

HRADQ'Rs IN THK FIKLD. 8 MILKs FROM
NASHVILLE, Dec. II, 1864. {
10 the Editor Of the Pioneer:
General A. J. Smiths Army, called tho Dc
tachment Army of Tennessee, occupied til,
right, and drove the rebels four miles on tn,
right on the 18th, capturing twelve pieces o
artillery and 900 prisoners. On the 10th thu
fight commenced at A. h,-the 23d Corps OF
the right, A. j. Smiths in the centre, and the
4th Corps on the left. The fight was very
heavy all day,-the enemy holding q range d
mountains heavily entrenched, where 1t was
almost impossible to dislodge them. An at
tempt was made during the day, both on the
right and left, to charge these works, which
failed; also on the right an attempt was made
! to flank them without success. At T. N.
Gen. A. J. Smith ordered his troops TO charge
| the centre and hills and one of the most glo-
riOus charges up the mountains that the world
has ever heard of was made capturing 81
pieces Of artillery, three generals,-Johnson,
jackson and Smith, and 1000 prisoners. The
9Th, 18th, 9th and 10th Minnesota Regiments
| were In the charge and done gallantly,-all
four regiments losing heavily. Colonel L. +.
Hubbard, who commanded the I'd brigade of
the LIST division, had three horses shot under
him and was knocked off his horse by ball
striking him in the neck. He sprang to his feet
and gallantly led his boys over the enemy's
works and captured q division OF rebels, four
pieces of artillery and Gen. jackson. The
Colonel is all right and still on duty. Colonel
Jcnnison, of the 10th, is dangerously wound
ed. Col. McMullen. who commanded the LIST
brigade 1st division, on the right, charged a
hill 1000 feet up, capturing seven pieces of ar
tillery and !, 900 prisoners, and Gen. Smith.
Col. Nm. R. Marshall, in command of the
Sd brigade, LIST division, made gallant charge
capturing large number of prisoners.
The LIST division was commanded by Brig.
Gen. Macarthur, who led bis division CALAMITY
to the charge. The I'd division, commanded
by Brig. Gen. Garrard, also charged the breast
works, capturing Major General, ~ pieces of
artillery and l, 900 prisoners.
Gen. A. j. Smiths troops, Familiarity called
Smiths Guerillas in the field, made the grand
est charge on record. Hood is nowhere All
Hail to the brave Minnesota troops who are
with Gen. Smith. Yours, r. H.
CAMP TENTH MINNESOTA INrANrRy(
December II, 1864.
hasten to lay before the people OF Mime
sofa = short history of the part taken by this
regiment In the last two days battle before
Nashville. On the morning of the 18th inst.
the 1st Brigade In which the 10th was ordered
to the front, in less than one hour was en-
gagged with the rebel skirmish and picket line.
Soon line of the rebel works was developed
ade, but after our guns were brought to bear
they silenced the rebel guns in less than an
hour. Our regiment now advanced under a
severe fire and cut the rebel line in twain, sep
arating the extreme left from the main force
and capturing Gen. Chalmers headquarters,
teams, papers and some hundreds of prisoners
were taken. Our regiment was soon ordered
toward the rebel right and were holly engaged
all day. In the evening the 10th made two
separate charges on the rebel works and took
some forty or fifty men and three pieces of
artillery caissons, &c.
The loss in three days work of the LIST reei-
ment was slght-there being,,only two severe
ly wounded.
The days work O: the 18th was finished
about or 6 p. H., and after rest and some SUD-
per, had to get some rig on for the hard work
of the coming day.
About A, NJ. of the 10th inst the battle
opened by brisk cannonading, and during the
whole forenoon lines were being formed In
protection of the artillery. At about 9 O'Clock
the infantry commenced and for the number
engaged, old officers say it was one of the hard
est fights of the war. Our brigade was in the
very front, and was holly pressed during the
| whole afternoon. 1t confronted the very
| choicest position of the rebels; they having
good line Of works on the very top of steep
hill in our 'front.' with six pieces of ordnance in
! position. Gradually the regiment was ad-
vanced 70 the front of this hill, and by o'clock
p. N. had got within one hundred wards
| of the rebel guns, and after resting for
a few minutes the bugle sounded the CHI
and in less time than it takes to tell it. our
| regimental foated over the rebel parapet It
is almost needless to tell of the bravery of the
| charge. The list Of killed and wounded below
speaks more praise and more gallantry than
could write 10 volume. The regiment is &C.
knowledged on all hands to be the heroes of
! the battles of the 10th, and Minnesota NAV
well be proud of her sons. Of the officers of
| the regiment not half enough could be said
! of their brave actions. Lieut. Colonel Jenni-
| son was the first man on the rebel works when
| the charge was made, and with revolver in
each hand did fearful execution among the
| rebels. The men are wild with enthusiasm
| whenever his or Major Cooks name is men,
| toned. have not time to mention any of the
many brave deeds done, but will try to do 80
on q future occasion. Generals Thomas and
Smith witnessed the charge made by the regi-
ment, and said that it was the fiercest, the
quickest and the most decisive they had seen
in many day.
I give you list of the casualties as far az
known. It is as complete as is possible to
make it at the present moment:
Casualties.
! FIELD AND STAFF.
Wousded-Lieut. Colonel 8. p. Jeunison.
head, severely.
Major M. Cook, breast, slightly.
Sergeant Major Charles Esilla, severe.
COMPANY A.
This company was ammunition guard, Loss
not known, except. Morris. slightly wounded.
| COMPANY r