The National tribune., 1899-02-16
On reaching Franklin all three batteries

On reaching Franklin all three batteries
were sent across Duck River. COckerill's
battery had seen less service at Columbia,
and was at once placed in position near Fort
Granger. 1t was about 3 p. m. on Nov. 80
when our battery was ordered to take posi-
ton next to Cockerills. -. - 5F
took the battery up in full gallop, ur-
limbered and loaded. Cockerill, who was
Chief of Artillery, had me to withhold
my fire until the movement of Forests
cavalry farther east should develop As
Fort Granger was on high hill, we had the
most beautiful sight of the bloodiest battle
that has been fought since gunpowder has
been invented-the battle of Franklin.
At midnight we limbered up, but before
we left helped to clean out the stores in the
magazine at Fort Granger as result. Our
boys had all nice, new, red blankets, saddles,
currycombs and brushes, and at 1 80 a. NJ
on Dec. we moved north to Nashville.
At brentwood Hills we moved into posi-
ton to watch the movements of Forrest, but
nothing came of it. We now moved to
Nashville, and on the way picked up many
inEintrymen who had given out, put them
either on horse or ammunition chest, and
brought them in. Several officers were
among the number.
In the battle of Nashville we served in
COuch's Second Division, Twenty third Corns
and on Dec. 15 late in the evening, we took
part in helping to clear hill which Gen
Cooper's troops so calamity charged during
the night. We were put in position on that
hill, and the next morning found US within
800 yards of the enemy's lines on Shye's Hill.
This hill was named after Col Shye of the
20th Tenn, who defended the position and
lost his life by doing SO. We commenced
firing about 8 a. M, and soon drove the
enemy's sharpshooters with their English
Witworth guns from the hill, and our firing
was effective.
By noon it appeared that the line was
broken. Col. McMillen, of McArthur's Di-
vision, Sixteenth Corps, placed his brigade
in front of my guns, and at p. M charged
the Confederate line and started the rout.
Each section of our battery had fired about
800 rounds in that battle. That night we re-
ceived the field thanks from Gen. Thomas
In the battle Of Nashville the Cd Iowa bat
terry, under Capt. Reed, and the Cogswell
Illinois battery, under Lieut.. McLauran,
were OH our lett near the Granny White pike,
and did good service. On our right, on the
Hilsboro pike was Battery ID, LIST Ohio Art,
in action. II the 23d Ind. was in action /
don't remember.
The Confederate artillery, which was all
captured, was under Maj. Beauregard, of the
New Orleans artillery. Lieut.. Aston, of
Georgia battery, claims to have done great
execution in firing in the rear of the attack
ing column, but believe his guns were capt
ured before he executed the firing. The 10th
Mo- was our support on the right, and the
18th and Dist Mo. on the left.
We followed the enemy, and in January
left with the corps for North Carolina 1t is
not our object to draw from tho credit due
the 23d Ind. battery. They were good boys,
and knew how to do their duty The 18th
Ind. battery had for its instructor Capt j. C.
Won Schlen, one Of the best artillery officers
in the United States service; but the East
Tennessee service was too much for him, and
after spell of sickness, during which he was
nursed by the family of Judge Baxter, in
Knoxville, he left for home, and in May,
1864, on account of physical disabilities, was
out. The Captain has been dead
many years, but neither he nor his widow
ever received pension.
InJune, 1866, the battery, under my charge,
lett North Carolina for indianapolis, and On
the Both of that month were hOnorably dis
charged. w. FOUT, First Lieu
enant, 18th Ind. battery; private, Co. /, 7th
md. st, Louis. Mo.