Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1911-09-14
The Rebels Were Already Pouring
Over Our Works at the Pike.


is beautiful, warm, sunshiny day, but
was little wet yesterday. But ]
must return to the affair at Franklin
and the part our brigade took in the
engagement. AS you already know,
our brigade was held in reserve, across
the pike. Soon the stragglers came
streaming down the pike, mostly re,
cruits. The pioneers were thrown
across the pike with fixed bayonets to
drive them back, a difficult task, ia
deed. Our battalion was moved tc
the left Of the pike, and we were or.
dered to lie down, as the bullets were
flying thick at this time There was
another reserve regiment still in front
Of us, the One Hundred and Forty.
fourth Ohio, | have heard. | guess
they were recruits. We had hardly
lain down when down came our men
in perfect panic, some minus hats,
guns and sense. Artillery horses and
caissons were flying about in the wild.
est disorder. All seemed lost, when
General Stanley rode up and ordered
US to stop the panic-stricken men
pouring down the hills. No sooner
did we rise up to advance than the
green regiment in front of us broke
and ran like flock of sheep. To
stop them was impossible, and no
time was to be lost
Up the slope to the works we
rushed, with a terrific yell, through a
CALLING musketry and artillery fire
None too soon did we reach the sum
nit. The rebels were already pour
ing over our works at the pike. Some
were several rods inside our works,
but were instantly dispatched, and the
tide of battle was turned.
After awhile the fire slackened a
little, as the rebels had ceased com
ing up to the assault with fresh
troops, but the bitches were still filed
with men who were unable to stir, as
we kept poking our guns over the
works and shooting straight down at
them After awhile the rebels be-
came tired of lying on the other side
of the works and being slaughtered,
and as they could not retreat, they
by hundreds, and were sent to the
rear without any guard. Darkness
came on, and many Of them hid away
about the town and were lost to US.
About 1000 were sent through to
Nashville under guard.
On the right Hood still made per-
sistent attempts to carry our lines
after dark, and finally succeeded in
occupying a small portion, but by a
heavy crossfre from our troops was
prevented from taking advantage of
It, Soon after dark we began to grad
ually withdraw from our line to be
gin the retreat to Nashville.
The men were terribly exhausted,
especially the recruits; numbers of
them were lying down on the pike
asleep.
We reached Nashville about 10 a. N.
of December 1, having marched from
Duck river, 20 miles by the pike, be-
sides marching and countermarching
and fought two battles, without any
rest, and with scarcely time to eat,
from before the battle of Franklin IN
til we reached Nashville On Deem
Der 2. while we were lying In mass
in front of Nashville, Generals Thorn
as, Wood and Wagner rode into our
brigade The boys soon congregated
around "Old Sandy" and General
Wood told him 1t was the brigade that
saved the army and day at Franklin,
when Thomas proposed three cheers
for the First brigade, which the bri-
gade returned by three cheers each
for Thomas, Wood and Wagner.