Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1886-08-06
AND SHELL.
Veterans "reminiscences Of
the War Of the Re.
belIion.
,ocing Anecdotes Of Actual Expe-
ricnce and Colloquial Ac-
QUESTION.
The Battle of Franklin.

The Battle of 'Eranklin.
belonged to Joe Johnston's army.'
THOMAS; 1--WE had ceased to talk OF
,;rtory at Kenesaw. The daily fighting
~ the long retreat before Sherman had
fso,most forgotten. Our lost opportu-
on Peach Tree Creek-lost by the re-
Ii Of Johnston-had ceased to trouble
The loss of Atlanta, and thousands of
Iom,ades who fell in the battles around
town. was still fresh in our memories.
fresher still vas the recollection of the
~ assault on the two redoubts near
coma that were held by a couple of
sand Yankees. We had lost Johnston,
Fhom we had unbounded confidence.
4, whom we did not consider a safe
or, was in command. We feared that
/ Of the belief as to the fighting capac-
+ Northern men held by the slavehold-
before the war fingered in his mind.
@oriyates had promptly discovered that
Gankees were as efficient fighters as we
two days, and Jul superiors if the
L lasted three, four, or five days.
had a saying, which was founded on
1t was: Yankees must be whipped
10 days, or they cannot be beaten at all.
Ec marched north, south, east, west, in
direction Hood saw fit to lead us, and
Imam trailed after us. At Gaylesburg
red of the pleasure of the chase, and
doned us. We camped for a few days.
crossed the Tennessee River q few
S above Florence, and marched rapidly
rd Columbia. Here we had our first
fighting in forcing the passage of Duck
y. We pushed the Federals from the
|, and then made a furious march.
ling as we went. SO as to intercept the re-
Of Schotield's army. We outmarched
B., and slept nea Spring Hill. When
bivouacked W. knew that we had Soho.
in a trap, and that he was ours"
1omas ceased talking. He looked
mily into the fire for an instant, and
said, regretfully:
Yes, we outmarched Schofeld, and then
slept, and while we slept Schofield
thel by-marched within a half q mile
Iur camp fires. 1 have never e more
use rage and profound disgust than was
kessed by the weary, footsore, battle
Confederate soldiers when they dis
kred that their officers had allowed their
to escape. Suddenly we fell into col
and resumed the chase. We pushed
Dtielt closely. He struck the Harpeth
n at Franklin, where the stream makes
sht angle. We were so close to Scho-
that he didn't dare to attempt to cross
river for fear of losing not only his
IS but his army. The Yankees formed
title line across the neck of land formed
be winding river. Their TANKS rested
he water. Their center was on a low
where q couple of batteries stood in
pn. We 9 on the ground early in
morning. The Yankees had just begun
leak earth for an intrenchment. We
4 see their entire line and Judge cor
y of their numbers. We outnumbered
over two to one. The Confederates,
Lgh tired and hungry, were keen to be
to the assault. We one and all pre-
d to fight at once rather than to wait
II hour or two and be fed. After our
Ny experience at Allatoona we dreaded
(ttack earthworks manned by veteran
zee infantry. Now we had Schofeld's
tcooped. They could not retreat. The
was behind them. We knew that if
" oNS az oASo VIC COuAu Nil tuelu,
capture them, or drive them
the river. But we also knew that
God allowed them to throw up an earth
it mattered not how slight, they
amost tenaciously hold that defense.
were desperate men. Their only
ice was to fight, and fight, and still
In the open we could have crushed
in an hour. Once covered We knew
they could not be crushed. and we
pies, who had fought these men for
years, knew they would fight to the
man, almost, once they were warmed
(eir work.
s We stood in column waiting for our
rs, lsaw the corps and division COM
ders crowd around Hood, who had rid
onto the field. I dropped out of the
IS and drew near to the group. They
inspecting the Yankee line. I heard
Purne, approved and fearless fighter.
Hood to order the assault at once. I
ID other general officers advise him not
|aste time, not to allow the Yankees
to cover themselves. Hood refused
der the assault, saying the troops were
and hungry, and needed food and
andhe added, contemptuously: 'In
minutes we can drive the Yankees out
(ny works they cor throw up in two
Rs They cannot hold that line
purne shook his head negatively at this,
Hood vas firm. When / saw Cleburne,
was ever keen for battle, shake his
was discouraged. If Cleburne
as the work, it must be hopeless, I
bsht.
he men were ordered to cook break
and obeyed sullenly. The Yankee
aworks steadily grew as we looked on.
hours passed and they were finished,
me Yankee infantry sank out of sight
mo them. Then came marching and
llefnlarehing o our part. 1t was four
y before our dispositions for the as
. were made. From the position I was
could plainly see the Yankee line. It
aea to be deserted. Now and then the
OF a man would appear above the
e., or an artilleryman would crouch
na a gun and gaze in our direction. We
| formed for the assault. The plan was
punch several columns against the line
endeavor to break it at different points,
- ,Ee real attack would be made on the
nll Where the two batteries stood.
alllllery went into action. Some dis
'r III, artillerymen were formed behind
Anese were to follow us closely, and
we had captured the Yankee guns
were to turn them. and pulverize the
. Yankees. 1t was a good idea, and
muIler'ymen laughed gleefully at the
.ie lhey conjured. 1t was we'll they had
Y laugh first.
u was ready; we arose and dashed for
out of the ground rose the Yankee
h ,s, and, firing once, they ran for their
n"nrk. AS we screamed out the charg-
;n1 the Yankee troops rose up from
p mu ,aelr works and. their rifles fell into
u,aontal line, the Federal artillerists
~ totheir guns we instinctiye1y pulled