The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-11-08
FIGHTING THEM OVER.
What0Hr Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
THE BATTLE OF FRANKLIN
A Most stubBornly-Contestcd Action.

agree who know anything about it that the
fighting on both sides was simply desperate,
and was upon our side most emphaticaly " a
soldiers battle" 1t was won by the stubborn
endurance OF the men with guns in their hands
old seasoned soldiers-vho knew that with
an impossible river at their backs, over which
there was no escape save by the single pOntoon
bridge which was only to be reached by narrow
road, steep upon both sides; that with an eHe-
my in their front of fully twice their number,
there remained but one hope for salvation, and
that involved a fight TO the death.
When Gen. Schofeld, with orders to detain
as far rs possible the advance of Hood, had re-
manned al Columbia. on the north side of Duck
River until Hood had crossed the greater part
Of his army over that stream several miles
above and was threatening our line of retreat
looming over a road which struck the Nash
willie pike at Spring Hilll, he discovered that he
was in fair way to have bis pathway to Nash
vile blocked by all of Hoods army, except the
small force on the south side OF Duck River,
which had kept him amused al day by threats
OF crossing there, and so detained him While
Hood was crossing above.
Already the enemy's cavalry were at Spring
Hill, and Gen. O. ID. Wagners Division, of the
Fourth Corps, was sent to that point to drive
them away and 10 cover the roads at their
junction. This was done by rapid march and
. little fighting; but later in the day an attack
was made upon the right Of this division by
infantry, and q sharp little battle was fought
The attack was not sustained, Tor some reason,
AID the division was held mainly TO its first
position. But it was very evident that fresh
Infantry was rapidly coming Up IN the front,
and soon the woods were sWaTming with rebel
troops. Schofeld was still at Columbia with his
army and its trains. One division IL miles to
the north Of him confronted the rapidly -cOncen-
trating army Of Hood. But, happily for US No
vember days are short, and thus night came and
an aff 1aa1 Ia nd
Second Division stood expectant. 4 hurried con-
sultation among Schofeld's Generals debated the
question as 10 the ACCESSIBILITY Of cutting down
the artillery wheels and burning the trains and
endeay0ring TO escape with the men alone.
Still continued the inexplicablc inertness of
the enemy, biYOuacked not a Thousand yards
from the pike over which SchOfield must pass
Al about 10 o'clock, as near rs can now recall,
The head OF the rapidly moving column reach
ed Spring Hill. Along the pike to the rear of the
Second Division all night long was this force
passing, as the absolute quiet Of the enemy had
given courage TO make the attempt even TO
save the artillery and trains. BY daylight all
had gone by, and the Second Division followed,
bringing up the rear.
In the Eall Of the following year, in CONVEX
sation with an officer Of the rebel army, who
said be had been Oh the staff Of Gen. Hood in
this campaign, asked him why we were not
attacked at Spring Hill. he said that Hood
nelghborhood several years before, and that on
has arrival at Spring Hill he had gone to see
her, and could not be found that night; that
Gen. Pat Cleburne ragged and stOrmed, sending
messengers IN every direction, but falling TO
find the Commanding General, the one great
opportunity was thus lost; and that the terri
bic fighting at Franklin the next day was in
great measure, due to Hoods chagrin at his
own folly. I know nothing as to the truth of
this statement other than as given, but certain
ly IL Is passing strange that the enemy who so
recklessly charged intrenched troops at Frank
Ian a few hours afterward, should have allowed
marching column much inferior IN numbers
covered By one small division only, to pass
across their front not even saluted by picket
shot
The advance of Schofeld reached Franklin
carly il the morning, the TeaT-guard about 2
O'Clock p. N. IntTenchments had been thrown
up By the advance the left resting on the Har-
peth River above franklin and the right be-
low the town, also on the river. The Harpeth
has worn 2 channel in the past ages through
the limestone rock, leaving almost peTpendicu-
Lar banks. There were no bridges, save the
poDt0ons. over which our army might retreat
IN case Of disaster and there was an enemy in
our front Of al least twice our numbers At
about o'clock p. N. an order came 70 the d.
vision which had acted as rear guard, and
which had been resting for an hour pe-haps
toward the main line. Two brigades. however,
were drawn up IN line at a distance Of nearly
quarter OF Iaile in advance in the open field
while the other brigade was withdrawn. as a
reserve, INSIDE Of the intrenchments. From
this advanced posi- ton the enemy could be seen
coming through a gap IA the hills about two
miles south where the pike crossed the ridge.
As fast as they came through they deployed
right and left and formed IN four lines, well
closed up, with two lines on either flank Of the
central column. Our two brigades began to
cover their front with the scant material at
hand, and, having no intreuching tools dug
with their bay0uets aud threw the earth up into
little ridge with their tin cups 1t was
mere mole-hill, scarcely marking the line of
battle
The regiment Of the writer was on the left of
the brigade, which was drawn up on the right
OF the pike and extending TO IT: then came two
pieces OF artillery on the pike, and the other
brigade Of the division extended to the left.
While the enemy were deploying Gen. George
ID. Wagner at that time commanding this
lSecoBdJ Division, Fourth Corps, rode out TO the
advance position and sat Oh his horse looking
steadily 70 the front 1 pointed out TO him the
movements Of the enemy, and asked him what
VIC were expected to do if attacked. He said
p" on they won't attack" ! did not agree
with him, so repeated my inquiry. oven,
then" was his answer, fight them until -
freezes over!" and he rode away.
The only inference to be drawn BY a soldier
was that We were to be sacrificed in the hone
Of Withdrawing the main body over the river
which, Of course, was ali right if necessary
while we held the enemy back as long as pos
sible. The rebels advanced in magnificent
array over the nearly open country in our
front, and as soon as within range we opened
fire. To this they paid no attention, coming
on rapidly and steadily. The two guns on the
pike limbered up and went to the rear after
firing few Shots and the two small brigades
stretched out in q thin line were left to meet
the onslaught Of Hoods whole army The
right Of the enemy moved more rapidly than
the left so that the brigade upon our left was
struck minute or two before they reached US
and the men on the left began rapidly to move
70 the rear; shots were coming down our line
and in our front the solid lines Of attack were
scarcely 100 feet away. II seemed then to the
writer that II Hades was not sufficiently con-
gealed by that time il ought TO be- so the order
was given TO fall back This was promptlyy
obeyed by the veterans Of the regiment. lint
having received some 800 recruits drafted.
men, substitutes, etc. only few days before,
good many OF these seemed 70 have conceived
an intense attachment to Mother Earth. and SO
chung 70 her fOndly. In trying 10 start these
men 10 the rear the writer was somewhat de-
layed aud received several pressing invitations
10 surrender, which were not couched in such
language as is used IN polite society," But I did
not tarry TO rebuke the discourtesv. and stood
49, g