The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-19
LAWTON in CIVIL WAR
ONCE DRILLED HIS REGIMENT
WHILE AWAITING BATTLE.
1t Was mt Franklin, Tenn, and His
Men Were Raw Recruits-At Proper :.
Time He Went to Shooting.
Washington Letter in New York Sun.

unteer officer of volunteers, of course,
there could have been no very important
events to record. except perhaps such as
name appears in the official records of the
rebellion only after he rose to a captaincy
and as such as acting assistant inspec-
tor general, or commanded a regiment, in
1864. 1t appears from the printed records
that Captain Lawton handled his regiment
with signal ability throughout the opera
tons to repel the Tennessee invasion of
General Hood in the fall Of 1864. His regi-
ment was the Thirtieth Indiana Infan-
try, and belonged TO the Third Brigade,
First Division. Fourth Army Corps. This
division alone captured some twelve hun
dred prisoners and thirteen pieces of artil-
lery at the battle of Nashville. General
Nathan Kimball. the division commander.
speaking in his official report Of the splen-
Old behavior of the troops, writes these
specific words Of praise:
ITO the bravery, energy and skill OF their
officers and men this division is greatly
indebted for it's success in charging the
enemy's works. Pennsylvania, Ohio, lndi-
ana, Illinois and Kentucky may well be
proud of such sons, their representatives
III the Nations army. The honor of those
States and the welfare of the Nation will
ever be safe in their hands when led by
such noble chiefs as Bennett, Suman,
Smith, Rose, Moore, Yeoman. Evans. Nor
ton Wood. Mcdonald, Tassn, Northup,
Humphrey, Hicks, Taylor, Mathey, Jami-
son, Pollard, Cunningham and Lawton.
These names are mentioned in the order
of their official seniority, and disclose that
at that date Lawton was the junior Of
ficer of all the twenty regimental COM
manders in the division. He was then three
months under twenty-one years of age.
Captain Lawtons brigade commander,
General William Grose, had this to say in
his official report of the same battle at
Nashville:
'"The regimental commanders, Col. Ben
nett, Colonel Rose, Col. Suman, Lieut.. Col.
Morton, Major Taylor. Capt. Lawton and
men, have my grateful thanks for their
willing obedience to orders, their brave
and efficient execution of every duty upon
the battlefield and during the campaign.
LAWTON'S REGIMENT.
Owing to the able management Of the bril-
gade and division commanders in this great
battle the losses of the troops were COM
paratively light, considering the important
military results obtained. The brigade to
which Lawton's regiment belonged cap
tured on the two days Of battle seven of
the thirteen guns secured by the entire
division, and GAL, more than half of the
prisoners. The Thirtieth Indiana was very
much reduced in strength about this period
and Captain Lawton carried into action in
the seven companies composing 1t probably
not to exceed $50 men, and perhaps not
even that number.
But no better or more clear exhibition of
Lawtons military character and GOODNESS
in crisis can be found than in his own
concise and soldierly report of the opera
tions of the Thirtieth Indiana in the battle
of Franklin, two weeks before that of
Nashville. 1t will be remembered that Gen.
eral Schofield's little army was in desper-
ate straits while retreating from the Ten
nessee upon Nashville before Hoods SUI
perior forces pursuing rapidly. By a hard
nights march Schofield's two corps arrived
at Franklin ahead of Hood, but so close
were the Confederates that he was COM
PEELED to face about and fight a defensive
battle to cover the withdrawal of his trains
and artillery across the Harpeth river.
After being put in position to meet the
enemy 1T appears that Lawton, whose regi-
ment was made up of new recruits, uncon-
cernedly set about drilling them while
waiting for the battle to be joined upon the
arrival of the Confederates. Under such
extra ordinary circumstances this may be
safely assumed to have been the only &C.
currence of the kind during the whole war.
AS Lawton's report is short, and wildly
brings out some Of the events of the battle.
besides giving us an insight to his personal
characteristics in the field, 1T is inserted in
full:
HEADQUARTERS Thirtieth Indiana Volun.
teers. Nashville. Tenn, Dec. 5, 1864.
Lieut.. F. Bingham, A. A. A. e., Third
Brigade:
"Sir: In compliance with instructions.
have the honor to report the part taken by
my regiment in the action at Franklin
Tenn. on the Goth Of November. 1854 After
a very irregular march all night. L arrived
with the brigade (Third) at Franklin al
about s a. m. of the 30th inst; was formed
in irregular order and with arms stacked
remained long enough to prepare break
fast. About IL a. m. We were moved &c
the right, near the western portion of the
city, and were formed by General Grose
commanding brigade, in line of battle. MY
position was in the front line, joined on the
right by the Seventy-fifth Illinois and or
the left by the Eighty-fourth Indiana
Skirmishing had already begun on the LEFT
of the line and was now commencing In
our front. A line of works was now being
rapidly constructed, and by p. m. was
completed.
my regiment being composed mostly
of new levies and drafted men and entirely
ignorant of the use of arms, / deemed II
necessary to have all spare time given tt
drill; consequently, when the works were
finished, 1 was forming for that purpose
when the pickets in my front commenced
formed behind my works were being driv.
en- in by a charge of the enemy. They fel
back Immediately in my front and com
PEELED me to hold my fire for the purpose
of saving my own men. The enemy re-
ceived an oblique and very destructive
fire from the Ninth Indiana on the righ
of the line, which checked him until the
pickets got under cover of the works. wher
1 Immediately opened upon him. The tive
fires soon became too hot and he was com
PEELED to fall back which he did in con
siderable disorder. Pickets were agar
sent out in my front and kept up a slow
fire, but were not again driven In. Heavy
fighting, however, was done my left
but my command had no part. and nothing
further occurred until II o'clock that nigh
when our line was withdrawn and 1 moved
with the brigade across the river withou
further molestation.
The losses sustained by my regimen
were as follows: Private John Gilman
killed; Privates Stephen Van Camp. Julius
and Tollman Morris, Company c, wounded
| The men above named. except the last
were all new soldiers and were not We
assigned to companies.
THE conduct of both officers and mer
was good without exception. and they hav,
my warmest thanks for the promptnes
| with which they did their part. Very re
| spectfully. III. w. LAYTON,
Captain Comd'g Thirtieth Ind. Vols"
Although then under twenty-five, this re
port and the very evident grasp he had o
| the requirements of the situation In fac,
of so advancing enemy show that Lawtol
was already a man of mature judgmen
and calm eouipoise Further search of IN,