LETTER #1 - The Battle of Stone's River

 

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XX/1 [S# 29]

DECEMBER 26, 1862-JANUARY 5, 1863.--The Stone's River or Murfreesborough, Tenn., Campaign.

 

No. 55.--Report of Capt. Porter C. Olson, Thirty-sixth Illinois Infantry.

HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-SIXTH ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS,

January 9, 1863.

 

The Thirty-sixth Illinois Regiment, Col. N. Greusel commanding, was called into

line at 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning, December 30, 1862, and stood under arms

until daylight, to the left of the Wilkinson pike, our right resting upon it,

and 5 miles from Murfreesborough. At 9 a.m. we moved forward to Murfreesborough;

two companies were deployed as skirmishers to the right of the road, and were

soon engaged with the enemy's skirmishers. When 2 miles from Murfreesborough the

regiment was deployed in the cornfield to the right of the pike, and two

companies were deployed forward as skirmishers, as ordered by General Sill. The

regiment lay in line in this field until 2 p.m., at which time the whole line

was ordered to advance. The skirmishers kept up a sharp fight, the enemy's line

retreating and ours advancing. We drove the enemy through the timber and across

the cotton-field, a low, narrow strip stretching to the right into the timber. A

rebel battery, directly in front of the Thirty-sixth, directed a heavy fire on

us. Our skirmishers advanced to the foot of' the hill, near the cotton-field,

and here kept up a well-directed fire. We were ordered to support Captain Bush's

battery, which was brought into position in the point of timber where our right

rested, and opened fire with terrible effect upon the enemy. We remained as a

support until nearly dark, when Captain Bush went to the rear, the enemy's

battery, or, rather, its disabled fragments, having been dragged from the field.

In this day's engagement the regiment lost 3 killed and 15 wounded; total, 18.

We occupied the hill during the night, and our skirmishers were in line at the

edge of the cotton-field.

On the morning of December 31, soon after daylight, the enemy advanced in strong

force from the timber from beyond the cotton-field opposite our right. They came

diagonally across the field. Upon reaching the foot of the hill, they made a

left half-wheel and came up directly in front of us. When the enemy had advanced

up the hill sufficiently to be in sight, Colonel Greusel ordered the regiment to

fire, which was promptly obeyed. We engaged the enemy at short range, the lines

being not over 10 rods apart. After a few rounds, the regiment supporting us on

our right gave way. In this manner we fought for nearly half an hour, when

Colonel Greusel ordered the regiment to charge. The enemy fled in great

confusion across the cotton-field into the woods opposite our left, leaving many

of their dead and wounded upon the field. We poured a destructive fire upon them

as they retreated until they were beyond range.

The Thirty-sixth again took position upon the hill, and the support of our right

came forward. At this time General Sill was killed, and Colonel Greusel took

command of the brigade. A fresh brigade of the enemy advanced from the direction

that the first had come, and in splendid order. We opened fire on them with

terrific effect. Again the regiment on our right gave way, and we were again

left without support. In this condition we fought until our ammunition was

exhausted, and until the enemy had entirely flanked us on our right. At this

juncture Major Miller ordered the regiment to fall back. While retreating, Major

Miller was wounded, and the command devolved upon me. We moved back of the

corn-field to the edge of' the timber, a hundred rods to the right of the

Wilkinson pike and 2 miles from Murfreesborough, at 8 a.m. Here I met General

Sheridan, and reported to him that the regiment was out of ammunition, and that

I would be ready for action as soon as I could obtain it. We had suffered

severely in resisting the attack of superior numbers. I had now only 140 men.

The regiment fought with great obstinacy, and much is due to Col. N. Greusel for

his bravery in conducting the regiment before being called away.

Adjutant Biddulph went to find the ammunition wagon, but did not succeed. I then

informed Quartermaster Bouton that I needed cartridges, but he failed to find

any except size .58, the caliber of most of the arms being .69. I was now

ordered by Major-General McCook to fall back to the rear of General Crittenden's

corps. I arrived there about 10 a.m. I here obtained ammunition, and dispatched

the adjutant to report to Colonel Greusel the condition and whereabouts of the

regiment. He returned without seeing the colonel. Lieutenant Watkins soon rode

up, and volunteered to take a message to Colonel Greusel or General Sheridan. He

also returned without finding either officer. I now went in search of General

Sheridan myself; found him at 12 o'clock; reported to him the regiment (what

there was left of it) ready to move to the front. He ordered that I should hold

the regiment in readiness and await his orders.

At 2 p.m. I received orders from General Sheridan to advance to the front, on

the left of the railroad, and connect my command temporarily with Colonel

Laiboldt's brigade. We were here subject to a very heavy artillery fire. A

12-pounder shell struck in the right of the regiment and killed Lieut. Soren L.

Olson (a brave and faithful officer, commanding Company F) and Corporal Riggs,

and wounded 3 others. At dark we were moved by Lieutenant Denning one-quarter of

a mile to the rear, where we remained for the night.

At 3 a.m. January 1, 1863, by order of General Sheridan, we marched back to his

headquarters, on the Nashville pike, a distance of half a mile, where, at

daylight, I reported to Colonel Greusel. As ordered by him, we took position to

the right of Captain Bush's battery, fronting west. We built a barricade of logs

and stone, and remained through the day ready to receive the enemy, but no

attack was made.

On the morning of the 2d, the regiment was in line at 4 o'clock; stood under

arms until daylight. We remained ready for action during the day until 4 p.m.,

when, by order of Colonel Greusel, we moved to the right, on the line formerly

occupied by General Davis. During the night considerable skirmishing occurred on

our front.

On the morning of the 3d instant, the regiment stood under arms from 4 o'clock

until daylight. At 8 a.m., by order of Colonel Greusel, we changed position to

the right, and somewhat to the rear, letting our right rest upon the Nashville

pike.

On the morning of the 4th, we were under arms at 4 o'clock; no fighting occurred

on our part of the line during the day.

In the action throughout, the regiment behaved in the most gallant manner. The

officers, with only a single exception, distinguished themselves for bravery and

coolness; the men, with unflinching courage, were always ready, and met the

enemy with a determination to conquer. I tender my thanks to Adjutant Biddulph

for the gallant and efficient manner in which he assisted me, and also to the

other officers for their gallant action throughout the stormy conflict, which

resulted in victory.

I append to this report a list of casualties.

PORTER C. OLSON,

Captain, Commanding Thirty-sixth Illinois Volunteers.

Lieut. J. B. WATKINS,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.

 

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