U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
about Josiah M. McClain

Name: Josiah M. McClain Side: Confederate Regiment State/Origin: Alabama Regiment Name: 33 Alabama Infantry Regiment Name Expanded: 33rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry Company: K Rank In: Private Rank In Expanded: Private Rank Out: Private Rank Out Expanded: Private Alternate Name: Josiah M./McLane Film Number: M374 roll 29

U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865
about Josiah M. McLane

Name: Josiah M. McLane Side: Confederate Regiment State/Origin: Alabama Regiment Name: 33 Alabama Infantry Regiment Name Expanded: 33rd Regiment, Alabama Infantry Company: K Rank In: Private Rank In Expanded: Private Rank Out: Private Rank Out Expanded: Private Film Number: M374 roll 30

 

Franklin, Tenn.
NOV. 30TH, 1864

Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864. 4th and 23rd Army Corps.
After Gen. Hood, commanding the Confederate forces at Atlanta
was compelled to evacuate that city he started northward with
the main body of his army, in the hope that by cutting Gen.
Sherman's line of communications he could draw that officer
after him and thus transfer the war to Tennessee. Sherman did
follow until everything was in readiness for the march to the
sea, when he suddenly changed front and started for Savannah,
Having previously divided his army and Sent Maj.-Gen. George
H. Thomas to Nashville with a sufficient force to take care of
Hood. During the first half of November Hood confined himself
to operations around Florence, Ala., where he was joined by
about 10,000 Cavalry Under Forrest, Giving him a compact army
of from 50,000 to 60,000 men of all Arms. Thomas had a
movable army of 22,000 infantry and 4,300 cavalry, in addition
to which he had the garrisons at Chattanooga Nashville,
Murfreesboro, and some other points. On Oct. 29, Gen. A. J
Smith was ordered to report to Thomas at Nashville with three
divisions of the 16th corps, then operating in Missouri, and
Thomas hoped for the arrival of these troops in time to give
Hood battle south of the Duck river. To delay the Confederate
advance he sent Hatch's cavalry to obstruct the roads crossing
Shoal creek and send rafts down the Tennessee River to break
Hood's pontoon bridges. He also ordered Gen. Schofield, with
about 20,000 men, to Pulaski to hold Hood in check until Smith
could join the army at Nashville. On Nov. 20, Gen. Beauregard
telegraphed Hood from West Point, Miss., to "push an active
offensive immediately." Pursuant to this order Hood placed
his army in motion, defeated the Union troops at Pulaski,
Lawrenceburg and in some minor engagements, and on the 29th
forced Schofield to evacuate the line of Duck river and fall
back to Franklin, which Place the Head of the column reached
about daylight on the morning of the 30th. Franklin is located
on the south side and in a big bend of the Harpeth River.
Thomas had ordered Schofield to fall back behind the river,
but when the latter arrived at Franklin he found no wagon
bridge across the river and the fords in such bad condition
that it would be impossible to get his train across before
Hood's forces would be upon him. The railroad bridge was
quickly floored for the passage of the trains and a foot
bridge constructed, which also proved available for wagons.
Three turnpikes-the Lewisburg, Columbia and Carter's
Creek-entered the town from the south, and as fast as the
troops came up they were placed in position to cover These
Roads. Cox's division of the 23rd corps formed on the left,
extending from the river above the town across the Lewisburg
Road Ruger's division of the same corps joined Cox on the
right, extending the line to the Carter's creek pike and
Kimball's division of the 4th corps was formed facing West,
completing the line from the Carter's creek pike to the river
below the town. Opdyke's brigade of Wagner's division (23rd
corps) was placed in reserve West of the Columbia Road, and
the other two brigades (Lane's and Conrad's) occupied a
barricade across that road about 800 yards in advance of the
main line. On the north side of the river, opposite the upper
end of the town, stood Fort Granger, which had been erected
about a year before. Part of the artillery of the 23rd corps
was placed here, so as to command the railroad and the
Lewisburg pike on the other side of the River. Wood's
division of the 4th corps was stationed on the north bank of
the river as a reserve and a guard for the trains after they
had crossed. At 1 p.m. heavy columns of Confederate infantry
were reported advancing on the Columbia Road. Croxton, with
his cavalry brigade, held back the enemy's infantry until 2
o'clock, when he learned that Forrest was crossing the river
above, and fell back to the north side, where he joined Gen.
Wilson's Cavalry on Wood's Left, to operate against Forrest.

By 3 p.m. the trains were all on the north side of the
Harpeth and Schofield Gave Orders for the army to Cross at 6
o'clock, unless attacked sooner by the enemy. About 3:30
Hood's main line of battle advanced against Conrad and Lane in
the outer barricade. Wagner had been directed to check the
enemy without bringing on a general engagement, but he had in
turn ordered Lane and Conrad to hold their positions just as
Long as possible. As soon as the Confederate advance came
within range the two brigades opened fire. The enemy in front
was checked for a moment, then sweeping round on either flank
drove Wagner's men back to the main line in disorder. In the
Race for the parapets they were so closely pursued by the
yelling Confederates that it was impossible for those in the
trenches to fire on the enemy for fear of killing some of
their own comrades. Lane's men succeeded in gaining the
trenches without disturbing the lines behind the works, but
Conrad's brigade came over the parapet to the right of the
Columbia Road with such impetuosity that the troops at that
point were carried back by the fugitives, leaving about 300
yards without any protection whatever. Toward this gap Hood's
heavy lines now commenced to converge and for a brief time it
looked as though Schofield's army was doomed to annihilation.
But Col. White, commending Reilly's second line, and Col.
Opdycke, whose brigade it will be remembered was stationed in
reserve, were equal to the emergency. Without waiting for
orders they hurled their commands into the breach and not only
checked but repulsed the mad rush of the enemy. Opdycke's men
recaptured 8 pieces of artillery that had fallen into the
hands of the enemy, and with the guns took 400 prisoners and
10 battle flags. Behind Opdycke and White Wagner's
disorganized brigades were formed, Strickland's brigade
rallying with them, and the Confederates were driven back at
all points. While rallying the Men Gen. Stanley was severely
wounded in the neck and compelled to leave the field. This
attack in the center was made by Cleburne's and Brown's
divisions of Cheatham's Corps. Cleburne was killed within a
few yards of the Federal works as he followed Conrad's Men on
their retreat.

Although the first attack in the center was the most
determined and the fighting there resulted in heavy losses to
both sides, the battle was not all there. Cox's Line on the
left was heavily assaulted by Loring and Walthall's divisions.
Cox's Men were partly screened by a hedge of Osage Orange,
behind which they waited until the enemy was within easy
range, and then opened a fire that fairly mowed down the
advancing lines. The brunt of the attack fell on Casement's
brigade, but his men were well seasoned veterans who had
learned to "fire low." They held their ground against
superior numbers and repulsed every attack. It was here that
Confederate Gens. Adams, Scott and Quarles were killed, the
first named mounting the parapet, where his horse was killed
and he fell mortally wounded inside the works. The carnage
among the Confederate officers was so great at this point that
Walthall Says in his report: "So heavy were the losses in his
(Quarles') Command that when the battle ended its highest
officer in rank was a captain." The batteries of the 4th
corps, stationed on an eminence near the railroad rendered
effective service in driving Back Loring and Walthall by
enfilading their lines with a murderous fire of canister. To
the West of the Columbia Pike Brown's division gained and held
the outside of the Federal parapet, but the troops inside
threw up a barricade within 25 yards of their old works, and
across this narrow space the battle raged fiercely until a
late hour, the men firing at the flash of each other's guns
after darkness fell. In this division Gens. Strahl and Gist
were killed, Gordon was captured and Manigault wounded and
left on the field. Still further to the West Ruger's Right
and Kimball's left were assaulted by Bate's division but the
attack was neither so fierce nor so persistent as in the
center or on the Federal left. Firing continued at various
places along the lines until nearly midnight, Hood's object
being to prevent, or at least to embarrass the withdrawal of
the Union troops from the field.

While this infantry battle was going on the south side of
the river the cavalry was not Idle. Forrest had crossed the
Harpeth above Franklin and made a desperate effort to get at
Schofield's trains. Hatch Croxton and Wilson United their
forces to resist the movement, and the result was Forrest was
driven back across the river. During the Night Schofield Drew
Off his forces and retired to Brentwood in obedience to orders
from Thomas. The Union losses in the battle of Franklin were
189 killed, 1,033 wounded and 1,104 missing. In his history
of the Army of the Cumberland Van Borne Says: "Gen. Hood
buried 1,750 men on the field. He had 3,800 so disabled as to
be placed in hospitals, and lost 702 captured-an aggregate of
6,252, exclusive of those slightly wounded."

Source: The Union Army, vol. 5

Franklin, Tenn. NOV. 30TH, 1864 Franklin, Tenn., Nov. 30, 1864. 4th and 23rd Army Corps. After Gen. Hood, commanding the Confederate forces at Atlanta was compelled to evacuate that city he started northward with the main body of his army, in the hope that by cutting Gen. Sherman's line of communications he could draw that officer after him and thus transfer the war to Tennessee. Sherman did follow until everything was in readiness for the march to the sea, when he suddenly changed front and started for Savannah, Having previously divided his army and Sent Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas to Nashville with a sufficient force to take care of Hood. During the first half of November Hood confined himself to operations around Florence, Ala., where he was joined by about 10,000 Cavalry Under Forrest, Giving him a compact army of from 50,000 to 60,000 men of all Arms. Thomas had a movable army of 22,000 infantry and 4,300 cavalry, in addition to which he had the garrisons at Chattanooga Nashville, Murfreesboro, and some other points. On Oct. 29, Gen. A. J Smith was ordered to report to Thomas at Nashville with three divisions of the 16th corps, then operating in Missouri, and Thomas hoped for the arrival of these troops in time to give Hood battle south of the Duck river. To delay the Confederate advance he sent Hatch's cavalry to obstruct the roads crossing Shoal creek and send rafts down the Tennessee River to break Hood's pontoon bridges. He also ordered Gen. Schofield, with about 20,000 men, to Pulaski to hold Hood in check until Smith could join the army at Nashville. On Nov. 20, Gen. Beauregard telegraphed Hood from West Point, Miss., to "push an active offensive immediately." Pursuant to this order Hood placed his army in motion, defeated the Union troops at Pulaski, Lawrenceburg and in some minor engagements, and on the 29th forced Schofield to evacuate the line of Duck river and fall back to Franklin, which Place the Head of the column reached about daylight on the morning of the 30th. Franklin is located on the south side and in a big bend of the Harpeth River. Thomas had ordered Schofield to fall back behind the river, but when the latter arrived at Franklin he found no wagon bridge across the river and the fords in such bad condition that it would be impossible to get his train across before Hood's forces would be upon him. The railroad bridge was quickly floored for the passage of the trains and a foot bridge constructed, which also proved available for wagons. Three turnpikes-the Lewisburg, Columbia and Carter's Creek-entered the town from the south, and as fast as the troops came up they were placed in position to cover These Roads. Cox's division of the 23rd corps formed on the left, extending from the river above the town across the Lewisburg Road Ruger's division of the same corps joined Cox on the right, extending the line to the Carter's creek pike and Kimball's division of the 4th corps was formed facing West, completing the line from the Carter's creek pike to the river below the town. Opdyke's brigade of Wagner's division (23rd corps) was placed in reserve West of the Columbia Road, and the other two brigades (Lane's and Conrad's) occupied a barricade across that road about 800 yards in advance of the main line. On the north side of the river, opposite the upper end of the town, stood Fort Granger, which had been erected about a year before. Part of the artillery of the 23rd corps was placed here, so as to command the railroad and the Lewisburg pike on the other side of the River. Wood's division of the 4th corps was stationed on the north bank of the river as a reserve and a guard for the trains after they had crossed. At 1 p.m. heavy columns of Confederate infantry were reported advancing on the Columbia Road. Croxton, with his cavalry brigade, held back the enemy's infantry until 2 o'clock, when he learned that Forrest was crossing the river above, and fell back to the north side, where he joined Gen. Wilson's Cavalry on Wood's Left, to operate against Forrest. By 3 p.m. the trains were all on the north side of the Harpeth and Schofield Gave Orders for the army to Cross at 6 o'clock, unless attacked sooner by the enemy. About 3:30 Hood's main line of battle advanced against Conrad and Lane in the outer barricade. Wagner had been directed to check the enemy without bringing on a general engagement, but he had in turn ordered Lane and Conrad to hold their positions just as Long as possible. As soon as the Confederate advance came within range the two brigades opened fire. The enemy in front was checked for a moment, then sweeping round on either flank drove Wagner's men back to the main line in disorder. In the Race for the parapets they were so closely pursued by the yelling Confederates that it was impossible for those in the trenches to fire on the enemy for fear of killing some of their own comrades. Lane's men succeeded in gaining the trenches without disturbing the lines behind the works, but Conrad's brigade came over the parapet to the right of the Columbia Road with such impetuosity that the troops at that point were carried back by the fugitives, leaving about 300 yards without any protection whatever. Toward this gap Hood's heavy lines now commenced to converge and for a brief time it looked as though Schofield's army was doomed to annihilation. But Col. White, commending Reilly's second line, and Col. Opdycke, whose brigade it will be remembered was stationed in reserve, were equal to the emergency. Without waiting for orders they hurled their commands into the breach and not only checked but repulsed the mad rush of the enemy. Opdycke's men recaptured 8 pieces of artillery that had fallen into the hands of the enemy, and with the guns took 400 prisoners and 10 battle flags. Behind Opdycke and White Wagner's disorganized brigades were formed, Strickland's brigade rallying with them, and the Confederates were driven back at all points. While rallying the Men Gen. Stanley was severely wounded in the neck and compelled to leave the field. This attack in the center was made by Cleburne's and Brown's divisions of Cheatham's Corps. Cleburne was killed within a few yards of the Federal works as he followed Conrad's Men on their retreat. Although the first attack in the center was the most determined and the fighting there resulted in heavy losses to both sides, the battle was not all there. Cox's Line on the left was heavily assaulted by Loring and Walthall's divisions. Cox's Men were partly screened by a hedge of Osage Orange, behind which they waited until the enemy was within easy range, and then opened a fire that fairly mowed down the advancing lines. The brunt of the attack fell on Casement's brigade, but his men were well seasoned veterans who had learned to "fire low." They held their ground against superior numbers and repulsed every attack. It was here that Confederate Gens. Adams, Scott and Quarles were killed, the first named mounting the parapet, where his horse was killed and he fell mortally wounded inside the works. The carnage among the Confederate officers was so great at this point that Walthall Says in his report: "So heavy were the losses in his (Quarles') Command that when the battle ended its highest officer in rank was a captain." The batteries of the 4th corps, stationed on an eminence near the railroad rendered effective service in driving Back Loring and Walthall by enfilading their lines with a murderous fire of canister. To the West of the Columbia Pike Brown's division gained and held the outside of the Federal parapet, but the troops inside threw up a barricade within 25 yards of their old works, and across this narrow space the battle raged fiercely until a late hour, the men firing at the flash of each other's guns after darkness fell. In this division Gens. Strahl and Gist were killed, Gordon was captured and Manigault wounded and left on the field. Still further to the West Ruger's Right and Kimball's left were assaulted by Bate's division but the attack was neither so fierce nor so persistent as in the center or on the Federal left. Firing continued at various places along the lines until nearly midnight, Hood's object being to prevent, or at least to embarrass the withdrawal of the Union troops from the field. While this infantry battle was going on the south side of the river the cavalry was not Idle. Forrest had crossed the Harpeth above Franklin and made a desperate effort to get at Schofield's trains. Hatch Croxton and Wilson United their forces to resist the movement, and the result was Forrest was driven back across the river. During the Night Schofield Drew Off his forces and retired to Brentwood in obedience to orders from Thomas. The Union losses in the battle of Franklin were 189 killed, 1,033 wounded and 1,104 missing. In his history of the Army of the Cumberland Van Borne Says: "Gen. Hood buried 1,750 men on the field. He had 3,800 so disabled as to be placed in hospitals, and lost 702 captured-an aggregate of 6,252, exclusive of those slightly wounded." Source: The Union Army, vol. 5

Franklin, Tenn., Dec. 17, 1864. Cavalry, Army of the Cumberland. As the cavalry was in pursuit of Hood's army after the battle of Nashville, the enemy's rear-guard was encountered at Franklin. Hatch's division made several charges, capturing 3 pieces of artillery, and Johnson's Struck the enemy on the flank, driving him back into the town, where the military hospital was captured, containing about 1,800 Confederates and 200 Union men who were wounded in the battle of Franklin on Nov. 30. Johnson also captured about 17,000 rations. Three Miles South of Town Coon's brigade charged the retreating enemy, the 2nd IA. becoming engaged in a hand-to-hand fight, which resulted in the capture of several prisoners and battle flags. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.443

Franklin, VA., Oct. 31, 1862. U. S. Troops commanded by Maj.-Gen. John J. Peck. Gen. Peck reported Under Date of Nov. 2: "On Friday Night, Oct. 31, we surprised the enemy at Franklin about 4 a. m., and shelled him with 75 projectiles before he opened." This is the only mention of the affair. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.443

Franklin, VA., Dec. 2, 1862. Expedition Under Col. Spear. On the morning of the 1st information was brought by contrabands to Maj.-Gen. John J. Peck that the Confederates were throwing up works near the railroad about 4 Miles from Franklin. Peck ordered Col. S. P. Spear, of the 11th Pa. cavalry, to take part of his regiment, parts of the 39th Pa., 39th Ill., 62nd Ohio, 6th Mass., 103d Pa., and 130th N. Y.; two sections of Davis' Mass. Light Battery and a section of Howard's Battery of the 4th U. S. artillery-3,100 men in all- and move out to put a stop to the work if the information brought by the negroes proved to be correct. While Spear's men were breakfasting near the Blackwater river on the morning of the 2nd his pickets were driven in and immediately after a charge was made by about 500 Confederates with one section of a battery. The men of the 11th were soon in their saddles and not only checked the charge but threw the enemy into confusion, following and driving him over the floating bridge at Franklin, which was withdrawn as soon as the retreating party reached the other side of the river. Spear captured the famous Petersburg Rocket battery, 14 horses, 7 saddles, 42 rifles, 70 rockets and 20 prisoners. The Confederates lost in killed and wounded about 20 men, while the Union loss was comparatively nothing. The enemy succeeded in tearing up some 8 or 10 Miles of railroad, which made pursuit difficult. After shelling the town of Franklin for awhile, Spear retired to Fort Monroe. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.443

Franklin Creek, Miss., Dec. 21-22, 1864. U. S. Troops Under Col. Henry Bertram. On the night of the 21st Col. Bertram, commanding the Union Forces, Sent Col. Abraham Bassford with a detachment of cavalry around the Head of Franklin Creek to strike the Mobile road in the enemy's rear. A superior force of the enemy was met and Bassford was obliged to fall back. Next Morning Bertram moved out and cooperated with Bassford, and together they attacked the Confederates, who were taken by surprise and fled in confusion. The Union casualties were 8 wounded and 5 missing; the Confederate loss aggregated 20 killed and wounded, and 9 were taken prisoners. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.443

FRANKLIN'S CROSSING, VA. June 5TH, 1863 Franklin's Crossing VA., June 5, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps. About noon the detachment left camp about 5 Miles from the Rappahannock river for the purpose of crossing and reconnoitering the enemy's position. On arriving at Franklin's crossing near the mouth of Deep run a Confederate force of considerable strength was was found in the rifle pits on the opposite bank. The Federal artillery was placed in position and opened on them, but with no effect except to keep reinforcements from the enemy. A galling musketry fire was kept up on the engineers attempting to bridge the stream, so an attack was ordered. The 5th Vt. and the 26th N.J. rushed down the bank, into the pontoons and rowed across. A line of battle was formed, the two regiments charged up the bank and took the rifle pits, the enemy fleeing in confusion. The Union casualties were 7 men wounded. About 50 Confederates were taken prisoners. Source: The Union Army, vol. 5

Frederick City, MD., Sept. 12, 1862. Detachment of Right Wing of the Army of the Potomac. On the afternoon of the 12th this detachment, acting as the advance of the army, moved on Frederick City, arriving at Monocacy bridge about 4 o'clock. A small force of the enemy put up a slight resistance, but the bridge was carried with little loss. The Federals then pressed forward and charged the rear-guard of the enemy as it was retired. A counter-charge of the enemy drove back the first line of the assailants in some confusion, capturing 10 Union men after which they retired slowly from the city. Besides the 10 captured the Union loss was 2 killed; the Confederate casualties were not reported. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.444

Fredericksburg, MO., July 17, 1864. Detachment of Ford's Brigade. Capt. Thomas Moses, with 47 men, came upon about 300 Confederates Under A Col. Thornton, not far from Fredericksburg. After A Severe Fight Moses and his men were driven to the brush, where they exhausted their ammunition and then scattered. The Union loss was 6 killed, 4 wounded and 2 missing; that of the enemy was 16 killed and 21 wounded. Source: The Union Army, Vol. 5, p.444

FREDERICKSBURG, VA. Dec. 13TH, 1862 Fredericksburg, VA., Dec. 13, 1862. Army of the Potomac After the battle of Antietam, on Sept. 17, both the Union and Confederate armies remained inactive for nearly Two Months. Lee retired to Bunker Hill and Winchester, VA., where he undertook the work of recruiting and reorganizing his shattered Army. McClellan was engaged during this time in guarding the line of the Potomac, to prevent another attempt on the part of the Confederates to move northward, and in reorganizing and equipping his forces. On Nov. 7, he was relieved of the command of the Army of the Potomac and Maj.- Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside appointed to succeed him. One of, the first acts of the New Commander was to organize the army into three grand divisions. The Right grand division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. Edwin V. Sumner, consisted of the 2nd and 9th corps, the former commanded by Maj.-Gen. Darius N. Couch and the latter by Brig.-Gen. Orlando B. Willcox, and the cavalry division of two brigades, under the command of Brig.- Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. The Center grand division was commanded by Maj.-Gen. Joseph Hooker and was made up of the 3rd and 5th corps and the cavalry division of Brig.-Gen. W. W. Averell. The 3rd corps was commanded by Brig.-Gen. George Stoneman and the 5th by Brig.-Gen. Daniel Butterfield. The Left grand division, commanded by Maj.-Gen. William B. Franklin, consisted of the 1st corps, commanded by Maj.-Gen. John F. Reynolds, the 6th Corps, Maj.-Gen. William F. Smith, and the cavalry division commanded by Brig.-Gen. George D. Bayard. With the army were about 70 field batteries, the entire army numbering, according to Burnside's report for Dec. 10, 116,683 men. Lee's army now numbered about 78,500 men and was divided into two corps. The 1st, commanded by Lieut.-Gen. James Longstreet was composed of the divisions of McLaws, Anderson, Pickett, Hood and Ransom, and the 2nd corps, under the command of Lieut.-Gen. Thomas J. Jackson, consisted of the divisions of D. H. and A. P. Hill, Ewell, and Jackson's Old division, now commanded by Gen. W. B. Taliaferro. Burnside's Plan was to establish a base of supplies on the Potomac, at or near Acquia creek, and then move against Richmond by the way of Fredericksburg. In telegraphing the president's acceptance of this Plan Gen. Halleck added: "He thinks it will succeed if you move rapidly; otherwise not." This telegram was received by Burnside at his headquarters at Warrenton, VA., A little while before noon on Nov. 14. The war department promised to send a sufficient Number of pontoons to Fredericksburg to enable the army to Cross the Rappahannock, and early on the 15th, the army was put in motion for Falmouth, opposite Fredericksburg, Sumner's Command forming the advance. Sumner reached Falmouth on the I7th, and the rest of the army two days later. At that time there was only a small Confederate force at Fredericksburg, and the intention was that Sumner should Cross the river and take possession of the heights back of the town before Lee could reinforce the garrison. But the promised pontoons had not arrived, the river could not be Forded by a large army, and the railroad and turnpike bridges had been destroyed by the enemy. There was nothing to do but Wait. Hooker and Sumner Both wanted to Cross the river at some point above or below the town, but Burnside deemed it inexpedient to hazard such a movement, until the entire army was ready. The pontoons did not arrive until the 25th, and several days more elapsed before they could be placed in position. Any one familiar with the military character of Lee Can readily imagine that he was not idle during this period. The Day that Sumner reached Falmouth the Federal plan was made apparent to the Confederate commander, who immediately ordered McLaws' and Ransom's divisions to Fredericksburg. On the 19th the rest of Longstreet's corps was ordered up and on the 26th, Jackson, whose command was then in the vicinity of Orange Court House, was directed to join Longstreet. The river for some distance above and below the town was guarded by Cavalry, D. H. Hill was sent to Port Royal, A Few Miles Further down, to prevent the Federal gunboats from landing supplies there, and by the time that Burnside was ready to Cross Lee's Whole Force was intrenched on the heights in the rear of Fredericksburg, his lines extending from about a mile and a half above the town to the Richmond railroad below. In his report Burnside Says: "By this time (Nov. 25) the enemy had concentrated a large force on the opposite side of the river, so that it became necessary to make arrangements to Cross in the face of a vigilant and formidable foe. These arrangements were not completed until about Dec. 10.' Fredericksburg lies on the right bank of the Rappahannock in a bend, the general course of the river at this point being southeast. The heights on the Fredericksburg side approach near the river at Beck's island, a short distance above Falmouth, and extend in a semicircular form to the Massaponax river, about 6 Miles Below the town. On the opposite bank are the Stafford Heights, Running almost parallel with the stream, and at no great distance from it. About a mile below Fredericksburg a little creek called Deep run flows into the Rappahannock from the southwest, the widest part of the valley being along this Stream. Burnside had laid his plans to Cross the Rappahannock at A Place called Skinker's neck, some 12 Miles Below the town, but Lee became aware of his intentions and concentrated a strong force in that neighborhood, thus forcing the Union general to change his designs, almost at the beginning of the campaign. His reasons for this change are besttold in the language of his official report: "I discovered that the enemy had thrown a large portion of his force down the river and elsewhere, thus weakening his defenses in front, and I thought I also discovered that did not anticipate the crossing of our whole force at Fredericksburg; and I hoped, by rapidly throwing the whole command over at that Place to separate, by a vigorous attack, the forces of the enemy on the river below from the forces behind and on the crests in the rear of the town, in which case we should fight him with great advantages in our favor." To carry out this plan it was determined to throw two pontoon bridges across the river near the Lacy House, at the upper end of the town, one a short distance below the railroad bridge, and one or two about a mile further down. On the night of Dec. 10, the pontoons were taken to the designated places, and 147 pieces of artillery ranged Along Stafford Heights to cover the crossing. About 4 a.m. on the 11th, work was commenced on the bridges near the town and everything proceeded well until dawn, when the pontoniers were driven from their work by a brisk fire from a body of Confederate sharpshooters sheltered by a line of rifle-pits and concealed in the houses along the river bank. About 6 o'clock work was resumed, but again the men were forced to retire before the fire of the sharpshooters. As early as Nov. 21, Gen. Sumner had notified the mayor of Fredericksburg that the town would be shelled if the Confederates were permitted to occupy it for military purposes, and after the second repulse of the pontoniers the artillery was directed to open fire on the town. Several batteries accordingly began shelling the houses that sheltered the riflemen, and at the same time the 7th Mich. and 19th Mass. were sent over in pontoons. Under cover of the artillery they charged up the bank and chased the sharpshooters from their hiding places. The bridges were then finished without further interruption and before Dark Sumner's Grand division and part of Hooker's had crossed. Franklin Met with no opposition at the lower bridges and that evening the greater part of his grand division was on the south side of the Rappahannock. On the 12th, all the army was crossed over, with the exception of Stoneman's and Butterfield's corps, which were held in a position to reinforce any part of the line that might require assistance and to keep open the line of retreat in case it became necessary to retire. From official reports and published accounts it would seem that no definite plan of battle had been decided on until after the troops were over the River. Burnside Says: "By the night of the 12th, the troops were all in position, and I visited the different commands with a view to determining as to future movements." Near the south end of the ridge, on which the enemy was intrenched, a road led from the Old Richmond Stage Road and crossed the railroad at A Place Known as Hamilton's crossing. From Fredericksburg the plank road ran in a southwesterly direction to Orange Court House. Near the foot of the heights the Telegraph road left the plank road and crossed the ridge farther south. The Confederates had opened a road in the rear of the crest, running from the Telegraph road to Hamilton's crossing, and further north the canal ran along the foot of the ridge. The plan finally adopted was for Franklin on the left to march down the Richmond Road and seize the heights near Hamilton's crossing; Sumner was to move out on the plank road to the intersection of the Telegraph road, there divide his forces "with a view to seizing the heights in the rear of the Town;" Hooker was ordered to Place Butterfield's corps and Whipple's division of Stoneman's in position to Cross at the three upper bridges to support Sumner, and the remaining divisions of Stoneman's corps at the lower bridge to Cross over and support Franklin. At daylight on Saturday Morning, Dec. 13, a dense fog hung in the valley, completely concealing the movements of the two armies from each other. Toward 10 o'clock this fog lifted and Franklin Began his advance Smith's corps formed the right, with Brooks' division on the Right, Howe's on the left and Newton's in reserve. Gibbon's division of Reynolds' Corps touched Howe's Left, Meade's was formed at almost right angles to the main line of battle and facing to the left. Confronting this part of the Union line were the divisions of Ewell, (now commanded by Brig.-Gen. Jubal A. Early) D. H. and A. P. Hill and Taliaferro, occupying the wooded slopes of the Hill, and Hood's division stretched across the Deep Run Valley West of the railroad. D. H. Hill's division overlapped the Union left, and as soon as Meade Began to move against the Confederate lines he was met by an artillery fire in front and on the left flank, compelling him to fall back. Doubleday's division was thrown against the batteries on the flank and gained some ground, but the artillery was well supported and could not be dislodged. Three batteries were then ordered to Doubleday's support and after a terrific fire of nearly an hour the Confederate guns were silenced. Meade then opened a fierce artillery fire on the Woods in his front, and as this met with no response he pushed his line forward. It happened that his advance struck a piece of boggy ground, which the enemy had deemed impassable, and had caused a gap to be left in the line. Into this opening the Union column now forced its way, sweeping back the enemy on the right and left, and gaining the military road in the rear of the crest. Here part of the second Confederate line was thrown into confusion, but part of Gregg's brigade of A. P. Hill's division withstood the shock and held the Federals in check until Early could come up with reinforcements. When Meade made his rush he expected to be supported by Gibbon, but the latter was delayed and Meade Found himself almost surrounded by a force outnumbering his own two to one. Hood hurried part of his command to that part of the field, checking Gibbon as he came up. Pursuant to Burnside's Order Franklin had held the greater part of his grand division "in position for a rapid advance down the Richmond Road," so that the main body of his forces was too far away to render assistance to those engaged. Finding themselves unsupported Meade's Men Broke and fled in disorder, leaving A Large Number of dead and wounded on the field and several hundred prisoners in the hands of the enemy. Stoneman's corps had crossed the river, however, and Birney's division was drawn up in the rear of Meade. The Confederates, so intent upon the death or capture of the retreating Unionists, failed to perceive this line and dashed up to within 50 yards of Birney's guns. Four batteries opened with heavy charges of canister, fairly sweeping the pursuers from their feet and causing their decimated ranks to beat a rapid and disorderly retreat to the Woods. This ended the operations on the left. In the meantime a fiercer conflict was being waged on the Union right, between Sumner and Longstreet. Shortly after 8 a.m. Willcox's corps was ordered to the left to connect with Franklin's line, and to Couch was committed the work of carrying the Confederate position at Marye's Hill, located between the plank and Telegraph roads and so called from the Name of the owner, who lived on the summit. Some idea of the strength of the enemy's position Here May be gained from the following extract from Confederate Gen. Kershaw's report: "Marye's Hill, covered with our batteries, falls off abruptly toward Fredericksburg to A Stone Wall, which forms a terrace on the side of the Hill and the outer margin of the Telegraph road, which winds along the foot of the Hill. The road is about 25 feet wide, and is faced by A Stone Wall about 4 feet high on the city side. The road having been cut out of the side of the Hill, this last wall in many places is not visible above the surface of the ground. * * * I found, on my arrival, that Cobb's brigade, Col. McMillan commanding, occupied our entire front, and my troops could only get into position by doubling on them. This was accordingly done, and the formation along most of the line during the engagement was consequently four deep." Against this strongly fortified line, "four deep" the Union troops were compelled to march nearly a mile across open ground, every foot of which, except a narrow strip along the canal or Mill Race, could be swept by the Confederate batteries on Marye's Hill and the ridges to the right and left. To make matters worse the canal could be crossed only at two bridges, on one of which the floor had been torn up, so that the men were compelled to Cross in single file on the stringers. In the face of these obstacles the attack on the Hill was commenced about noon, French's division forming the advance in columns by brigades, covered by a strong line of skirmishers, and closely supported by Hancock. After crossing the canal the lines were formed under shelter of the bank, on the strip of ground referred to, and steadily moved forward until Kimball's brigade came within short musket range of the wall, the enemy having been driven to cover by the skirmishers. Hancock pushed forward Zook's brigade, which joined Kimball's in the assault on the wall, but both were driven back with severe losses, Kimball Being wounded while leading the Charge. Hancock then sent in Meagher's and Caldwell's brigades, but with no better success. In the forks of the road, about 15O yards from the wall, was a cluster of houses, which formed a rallying point for the Union troops. About 1 p.m. Couch ordered French and Hancock to carry the works by storm. Then, in company with Gen. Howard, he climbed the tower of the court-house, from which he could obtain a clear view of the field. Seeing that the works could not be carried by direct assault, he ordered Howard to move his division to the right of the Telegraph road in an effort to turn the enemy's flank. Before the order could be carried out French and Hancock called for reinforcements. Howard was recalled and sent to their assistance. Willcox also Sent Sturgis' division to the left of Hancock and about 2 p.m. Butterfield's whole corps came on the field. Shortly after this Hooker was ordered to "put in everything," Couch at the same time being directed to "hold on until he comes in." By this time the ammunition of several regiments of the 2nd corps was exhausted, the men relying wholly upon the bayonet. About 4 o'clock word came that the Confederates were retreating from the Marye House on the top of the Hill, and Humphrey's division was ordered in. Twice in quick succession he charged against that impregnable Stone Wall, but each time was repulsed. Getty's division of the 9th corps was next ordered to endeavor to break the enemy's line on the left, near the unfinished railroad, but was met by a heavy fire. Hazard's and Frank's batteries were ordered to his support, and while they succeeded in checking the fire they were unable, even by a vigorous shelling, to break the line. In fact, of all the assaults made during the Day None approached as near to the Confederate lines as did Kimball and Zook in the first charge. Thus the battle was waged, first at one point and then another until dark, when the men were withdrawn and that night the main part of the army bivouacked in the streets of Fredericksburg. On Sunday Morning, the 14th, the men began digging trenches along the edge of the town in anticipation of anassault, but with the exception of some desultory firing at various points along the line there were no hostile demonstrations. On Monday Jackson and Franklin agreed upon a formal truce for the removal of the wounded and the burial of the dead. Late that afternoon Burnside issued orders for the whole army to recross the Rappahannock. Under cover of darkness, in the midst of a cold rain storm, the defeated and dispirited army crossed the river and the pontoons were withdrawn. The first battle of Burnside's Campaign had been fought and lost. The Union losses at Fredericksburg were 1,284 killed, 9'600 wounded, and 1,769 missing. The Confederate losses were reported as being 608 killed, 4,116 wounded and 653 missing. Many of the Federal dead were stripped of their clothing by the enemy, the naked bodies being left exposed to the cold wintry winds and rain. A woman who lived in one of the houses near the Stone Wall said afterward: "The morning after the battle the field was blue; but the morning after the Federals withdrew the field was White." Source: The Union Army, vol. 5

FREDERICKTOWN, MO Oct. 21ST, 1861 Fredericktown, MO., Oct. 21, 1861. U.S. Troops Under Col. J. B. Plummer. On Oct. 17, Col. Plummer Left Cape Girardeau with about 1,500 men to attack Confederate Gen. Thompson at Farmington. Soon after starting he learned that the enemy was at Fredericktown instead of Farmington and changed his line of march so as to reach the Former Place from the south in order to cut off the Confederate retreat. Plummer arrived in Fredericktown about noon of the 21st, only to find that Col. Carlin with 3,000 men from Pilot Knob had occupied the town since 8 a.m. The enemy had retired on the Greenville Road the evening before. Taking part of Carlin's Command, Plummer started in pursuit. His force now consisted of the 17th, 20th, 21st, and 23rd Ill. and 11th Mo. infantry, a detachment of the 1st Ind. Cavalry, Two companies of Ill. cavalry and one section each of Taylor's and Schofield's batteries. About a mile out of the village the enemy was found drawn up in line of battle in a strong position, but after a fight of about 3 hours the Confederates began to retreat. The Indiana Cavalry was ordered to charge and did so only to fall into an ambuscade, where a few of their men and officers were killed or wounded. The remainder of the Federal force pursued the enemy 10 Miles. The Union losses were 6 killed and 60 wounded. There is a large discrepancy in the different reports as to the Confederate losses; the Confederate reports give them as 20 killed, 27 wounded and 15 taken prisoners, While Plummer Says that his men before leaving the scene of action buried 158 of the enemy's dead. Source: The Union Army, vol. 5