The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-06-19
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns.
The 11th Missouri al Nashville.

To the Editor NATIONAL TRIBUNE:
/ have often been requested by the comrades
of nav old regiment to furnish for publication
the following report Of the part taken by the
18th Missouri infantry in the battle of Nash
vile. December 10 and JIG. 1864 As viii be
seen, il was written four days after the battle
and contains all the principal facts and Incl
dents of those two days of terrible fighting as
far as they were known or came under the OBJ
servatiOn of the writer. Doubtless, hundreds
of our old comrades viii be glad to read the
report and be reminded again Of the scenes OF
those terrible days. ". II. FINCH,
LOCIsBURG, KAN. Adj, 18th Mo.
HEADQUARTERs llTH Mo. VET IYF.,
Is TIDE FIELD, Dec 81 1864.
Lieut. TBos p GRERE.
SIR i have the honor 10 make the following
report of the part taken by the llth Missouri IN
lantry in the late battles near Nashville, Tenn.
On the morning OF December IS the regiment,
with the brigade to which il belonged, left camp
about O'Clock a. H. and made reconnaissance TO
the right and front OF their camp but had not al
vanced bat short distance until our sSirmlshers
were engaged in lively skirnlish with rebel sSlr-
mishers posted on or near the Sharlot3e PIKE.
Prom here the regiment passed 10 the left and took
position about three~ioGrths OF mile IN front OF
their former camp. Forming ia line Of battle, we
advanced in support Of Captain Reeds ID Iowa
battery until received orders 10 charge the lt
rebel fort. This charge made in fine style
and good order. under a heavy fire from the rebel
artillery and line o. infantry posted behind breast
works. Company 4 Of the llth Missouri, CONF
Inanded by Captain Notes.-The. being in line OF
administers were the first enter the rebel fort
The regiment advanced after the first fort was
taken without halt until the second OF series OF
rebel forts was entered. Here, well as in the
FIRST fort a large number OF prisoners, with the
artillery &c., Were captured. Captain Erwin COM
nanding company ID of this regiment, with one
company Of the sth Wisconsin, were in line OF
skirnsheTs, and when our line charged the FIRST
rebel fort were thrown farther TO the left, and, as
the enemy retrealed down the Hardin pike, Cap
tain Erwin succeeded in interoepting large BODY,
dxrftli 1nScf %
enemy. including one general officer ana a large
number Of field and staff officers
After the second rebel fort was taken the lines
were reformed. crossing the Hardin pike. Moving
forward. we soon encountered the enemy IN heavy
force posted on the brow Of a hill, under General
Cheatafn, who had been sent nom Their right 10
the support OF their now broken center. No sooner
was their position discovered than charge was
ordered, which resulted IN some bard lighting but
the enemy were shortly routed and driven IN the
widest confusion fO- distance OF about one mile
With this charge ended the bloody work OF the
18th. Many prisoners fell into our hands ana q
large number Of dead and wounded lei on the
field.
As night came on our lines were reformed on
the brow Of hill and during the night temporary
earthworks were thrown up The enemy III our
front were likewise busy, we could distinctly
hear The sound OF working parties as Il engaged IN
on The morning Of the Iefh no demonstration
being made by the enemy, the brigade 10 which
the llth Missouri belongs, under command OF
Colonel Hubbard, received orders to advance,
which they did, IN single line. Crossing an open
field. discovered the enemy IN position Den1nl
formidable eartbworks with infantry and artillery
After advancing about one hundred rods under a
brisk FIRE from the rebel sharpshooters ana Skin
Inishers the regiment within range OF the enc
lys fire from their Notifications, and was ordered
20 hal; and remain ia line awaiting further orders.
Afer remaining IN this position a short time, we
were ordered TO move 10 the right and form IN rear
OF the 9Th Minnesota. In making this change we
lost several men killed and wounded, being ex-
posed TO a calling fire from the entire rebel front
Il was here that our gallant Colonel Eli Bowyer
received 2 severe wound and compelled to
leave the field We remained ia this position until
about o clock D. IN. when we received orders 10
charge the rebel works. No sooner was the order
given than the regiment sprang forward al a
<iOuhle-uuck with fixed bayonetS under the most
CALLING Ere OF Inusketry canister and shell that II
j. possible TO conceive. IL almost seemed that
nothing could face that leaden storm and live. yet
on dashed that veteran band across an open field
regardless OF the deatb-dealing missiles hurried into
their lines by their Infatuated and desperate
foe. The line OF earfhworzs Is now reached ana
now we have opportunity Of returning the fire
OF discounted ard rctreatlng enemy.
Those Of the rebels who were not killed or
wounded either surrendered IN the lDtrenchments
or fed in confusion to the woods Ia the for
safety. The charge now became doubly exciting.
Panic-sifsczen rebels might be seen flying IN
every direction, some Of them attempting 70 keep
up "a semblance Of opposition by scattering ire
on our advancing column in tins way the hight
and chase was kept mp for about a mile and half,
when night SET in and we were obliged 20 halt and
form oUr lines for the night The results Of this
charge are truly gratifying while our Losses Were
necessarily very heavy, owing 10 the long distance
passed over in the open field under the heaviest
znusketry fire have ever witnessed.
In the charge our coioTs were three times shot
down and the flagstaff shot into many pieces.
One coi0r-bearer was killed and two Others
wounded The total loss in the regiment in the
tEro dave fighting l. four men killed and off,
Gers and seyeniy-fhree men wounded. The regi-
captured Two rebel flags, two pieces OF artli-
leTy and large number OF Irlsoners- During the
light every officer and behaved with com
meDdable eOoiness and bravery. No especial
mention can be made of individual acts Of bravery
every officer and man behaved N the mos;
BfaiseWOrgily manner.
4 ann. very respectfully. your obedient servant,
W. ii. Finch.
Adj't, 1Ith No.