The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-04-12
PENSION OFFICE NOTES
AT FRANKLIN.
1 Defense q Wagaer,s Division.

EDTTOB NATIONAL TRIBUNE: SO mach has
been written about the battle Of Franklin aud
published IN THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE, that il
seems like an intrusion to ask to be heard on
the same subject AZ this late date. But / would
like to say something in defense Of those
slighHy-spoken-of comrades, WagRer's men,
who came back Peil-Tneil before the rebels five
lines deep. We were compelled TO hold cur
fire until this brigade got IN out Of our way;
and some Of your men did FIRE" writes a COM
rade of the I04th Ohio -" WagaeT's men were
IN cur way whinos another little fellow as
he crouches down behind the works.
The question arises, " VINO were Waener's
men, and what were they doing ou5iu cur way2"
Gen. Wagner a. this time commanded the Sec
ond Division Of the Fourth Corps Col Brad
ley commanded the First Brigade; Col. Lane
the Second Brigade Col. Opedyclle the Third
Brigade Two Of W8gners Brigad6s-Col.
Lanes and Col. Bradley s-were posted 800
yards in advance Of our main line, with in
stEuctiDus to hold the rebels IL check as long
as possible Lanes Brigade was On the right
Of the Columbia pike and Brsdley's Brigade
on the left. Bat before we could get breast
works constructed the rebels made the charge
that We all knew they were preparing Tor.
They came Ave columns deep with q heavy
support, bat were held IA check by Wagaers
men. and until, the danlzs being unprotected,
they were completely outBanked EAey aid
not retreat then until they were ordered to do
so by the commanding officers.
The position was held too long. That was
where the mistake was made. Wagner attempt
ed 10 whip army with al outpost. A retreat
was not ordered until we were mpletely out
f8nksd which made a ncck-and-aeck rush
with the rebel column for the main line. neces-
sary 81 prevent our whole column from being
/ captured; and, if l remember rightly, about
coo we're captured. Some Of them were after
ward blown up on the iA-fated Sultana and
drowned
The troops behind the breastworlzs where wa
I came to the main line were much excited OF
GERS with drawn swords, were gcsticulatiug at US
while others, with reyolvers, were threatening
to shoot Us for retFeat.ng; aad some did actually
fire into Us. Part Of cur men faced about in
front Of the works and poured a we'll directed
fire into the advancing column and partially
/ checked the force Of the charge. lust at this
! juncture the men behind the breastworks near
/ the pike gave way, and fell back to the cotton
/ gin, about 80 yards IN the rear Of the works
/ and a part of Wagnsr's men followed them
| Some comrade writes that the rebels poured
! through this gap by the thousands, when in
! fact not over 500 men entered this break in our
/ lines. lust at this time Wagaers Third Bri
/ gade Col. Opedyeke commanding, came 70 oul
rescue, with some other troops lying 10 the ief
/ OF the pike, aud, together with those who had
! fallen back 10 the cotton gin rushed upon The
exuitant foe, and, with bravery never excel
| Led during the wan, drove the rebels back over
the works Gen. Pat Cieburne, the leader o
! this desperate charge, was killed in this re
| pulse. No charge during the war cqualled thi
one for herceness aud personal bravery eacl
man fighting for himself VITA the bayonet anC
/ dubbed musket.
ii is true that Wagner's men came back will
| a rush, but no men could have come back bet
! ter under like circumstances nor did they iRi
| to halt al the main line and fight % vel
| as any command there. Had il not beer
for the men who occupied the breastwork
| giving way, the rabels would have made n
break in our lines that day It is conceded
that Wagner made mistake ia holding thes
two brigades at tue outpost as long as he did
?. S. MOORE, Sergeant Co. K, 40th Ind, Iade
pendsnee, Kan.