The National tribune., 1889-07-04
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have TO Say About
Their Old Campaigns
BATTLE OF FRANKLIN.
The Part Taken BY the 4Ith Ho.

The Part Taken By the 44th No.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Some time
Eince i noticed an article in THE TRIBUNE
from COmrade Ed. G. RUSSELL Of the Goth III,
which wish 10 correct in one or two instances
regarding the part taken by the 44th Mo. at
the battle Of franklin. He states that the 44th
was on both sides Of the pike. In this he is
mistaken. Rs the regiment was on the right OF
the pike during the entire battle never chang
ing lis position. The left of the regiment rested
on the pike and was not driven back, rs he
has been informed but remained in position
until nearly midnight, having orders 10 remain
after the battle, while preparations were being
made TO march to Nashville. The main por-
tien OF the battle ended about 10 p. m, and the
march 10 Nashville commenced about two hours
later, the wagon-trains starting some time be-
fore. The only time when the regiment wavered
for q moment was when company from an
Ohio regiment. which held some breastwoTks
about three or four rods in our front. fell back
60 the position the 44th Mo. was occupying, so
that il would not be 81 between two fires" They
were armed with repeating rifles, and remained
with us, fighting calamity. portion of our
regiment which rested on the pike mot exceed
ing 80 mem fell back few PAGES, but at the
command of cur gallant Col. Bradshaw the boys
took their places and fought TO the end.
The b7eastwOrks TO which allude were built
by some companies that had been stationed at
Franklin for some time previous 90 the battle
and were about five feet high and so or go feet
long, as nearly as / can remember now.
Our line of battle, so far as the oath Mo. was
concerned, was few rods in the rear Of these
breastworks
We had but little time after reaching Frank
lin probably an hour 10 prepare for the battle,
and only succeeded in throwing down some
rails aud covering them with earth, making
them about three feet high, just in rear of the
breastwOrks before mentioned.
De sErsv md a not
know. A compalK of Ohio soldiers or por
ton Of one, was stationed in the advanced
breastwoTks and, ms i have stated, were COM
PEELED 10 fall back to the Gath Mos position,
which they did in good order Why they were
placed in this exposed position ! have never
seen explained. Probably this may account
Tor the statement published several times dur
ing the past years that an Ohio regiment
showed the white feather " at the battle of
Franklin.
No one who was there ever blamed them for
falling back and leaving position where more
Of them would have been killed by the guns Of
their friends than by their enemies.
Immediately upon these men falling back TO
orr lines the rebels took possession Of the works
which were so high the opposite side from
Us that many were seen 10 rush up and fire
their guns at as without exposing their heads
and shoulders. Here the battle ragged furionsly.
While our troops fought brsvely aud held their
charge after charge upon Us, regardless OF the
great loss Of life they sustained during each
attempt 10 drive us from our position.
At this point / cannot refrain from men,
tiOning an incident that occurred at the COM
mencement Of the battle. When the rebels
took possession Of the works to which ] have
alluded. they planted their flag on top. which
nj once became target for our regiment Some
Of the boys became much eRraged at the rebel
flag Haunting almost in their faces and many
OF them concentrated their Gre 20 bring il
down. Among the most conspicuous i cannot
help mentioning Corp1 J. y. Plat, Of Co. H.
who bad las dander up and sent messengers
Of lead in that direction until il ceased to wave
Thinking it necessary 90 Tetake these works
an order was given, but could not be executed
With our flag IN one hand and his sword IN the
other, our Colonel, with that portion Of his
regiment Immediately IN the rear of the now
rebel works, made desperate attempt 20 do so,
but il was impossible. Only few Of us re-
turned who made the attempt
The order should never have been given, as
we were between two fires" the same as the
Ohio troops were at the commencement OF the
battle, and there is no doubt some we're killed
By our Own men. The Colonel was left in the
open space between during the remainder Of
TIE battle. seriously wounded but al the time
We supposed he was killed. How he escaped
death, icing tbus exposed during all that time,
AZ almost a miracle.
GOmrzde Russell makes another error in stat
Ing that the 44th BIO. was never under FIRE be-
fore. As a regiment that was partly true, but
u was composed Of many veterans whose terms
Of service had expired and who had re-enlst-
ed IN this regiment. Nearly all OF the remain
der had been fighting bushw hackers in Mis-
sour since the commencement OF the war
while serving as soldiers in the Missouri State
Militia. Here was experienced some Of the
hardest service Of the war
did not commence this article TO e0l0giZe
the 18th No. bat simply TO correct the errors
mentioned. know that COmrade Russell will
thank me for doing 90. Our regiment only
did its duty, az thousands Of others did the
same. Willie many Of US were not mustered
into the United States service at the begin
ming OF the war, yet az the same time We
were performing the duties Of United States
soldiers, arming and clothing ourselves; also
furnishing our OWE horse aud subsistence
many mOHths before any aid could be received
from the Government. IN some instances fof
which the writer can testify, long before Sum
Ger was bred upon. IL was necessary IN many
localities 70 be on the lookout for rebel foes
IL this article meets the eye Of any Of the
comrades Of the 1stn, or anyone else who par
ticipatsd in the contest mentioned / w0uld
thank them 10 give their account OF II. IL /
have made any mistakes
II Col. Bradshaw is still living know he
VIII coTroDOrate my statement regarding this
battle, for be was there and there 70 stay %
a Drawer man never drew q sword Please ex-
euse me foT taking up so much space in your
valuable paper 81 got started and couldn't
gtOp"-JoHE III. WILLIAMS Sergeant Major
4sth No, Portland, Ore.