a study of the role of the 58th indiana infantry at the battle of stone's river

8/2/2019 A Study of the Role of the 58th Indiana Infantry at the Battle of Stone's River

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The 58thIndianas Role

at the Battle of

Stones RiverBy Kraig W. McNutt

Leading up to Dec 1862

Gen Buell relieved Oct 30th and succeeded by William S.Rosecrans1. Army now the 14th Corps. Dept of the Cumberland.

Three divisions of:

Right Wing Gen McCookLeft Wing Gen CrittendenCenter Gen Thomas

McCook Crittenden Thomas

58th IN remained in Hascall's Brigade, Wood's Div., Left Wing2.

1The Army of the Ohio, commanded by General Don Carlos Buell, became, October 24,

1862, the Army of the Cumberland, and was placed under the command of Major-General W. S. Rosecrans; it was also organized at the same time as the Fourteenth Corps.

In January, 1863, it was divided into three corps, the Fourteenth, Twentieth, and Twenty-

first; in September, 1863, the Twentieth and Twenty-first Corps were consolidated into

the Fourth Corps. October, 1863, General George H. Thomas took command of the army,

and the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps were added to it. In January, 1864, the Eleventh and

Twelfth Corps were consolidated and known as the Twentieth Corps.

2 Hight, p. 120.


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Several promotions were granted in the Fall 1862.

26th Ohio notes:

The new commander of the Army was General William Starke Rosecrans. The

Ohioan had just come off a brilliant victory in defense of Corinth, Mississippi,

and he was appointed in charge of the Department of the Cumberland. The

Army of the Ohio was renamed the 14th Corps, but soon

became known as the Army of the Cumberland. Initially, he

too was ordered to advance towards eastern Tennessee, butNashville was being directly threatened and under siege by

Confederate forces under General Breckinridge. Thus, the

decision was made to advance towards Nashville, secure it

under Union control, refit and rest the veteran troops and

further train the newer recruits. It was ascertained that

General Bragg's army was also on the move, marching westward from Knoxville

to near Murfreesboro. On November 7, the Army of the Cumberland wasreorganized and the 26th Ohio was assigned to General Crittenden's Left Wing.


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http://www.geocities.com/ovi26th/onehundredfortyyearsago3.html

New commander, Rosecrans, brought a stricter discipline.

General review after Rosecrans arrived;"He rode down the line, followed by his staff, and inspiredconfidence in the soldiers by his fine appearance and evidentdetermination to accomplish something worthy of the great armyunder him."

The Brigade "arrived in this camp" (Nashville: apparently on Wednesday,11/26) and started drilling, foraging, etc.

We camped for about a week atStone river and then moved on to Nashville,arriving there November 26th, and went into camp near the Nashville and

Chattanooga railroad, about three miles from the city (Hight, p. 107).

The location of the camp was not a very pleasant one, and the weatherwas most of the time cold and wet, and consequently there was a gooddeal of sickness in the regiment, principally measles and lung affections,

for which sleeping on the ground could not be very good. Several weresent from time to time into the city, which was now one great hospital."

Hight

100th

Illinois notes:

The men all had some interesting experiences in this camp. Being comparatively young

soldiers, they had not yet learned how to make the best of it, had not yet learned all theshifts and devices by which an old campaigner knows how to alleviate the discomforts

of such a life, even under the most untoward circumstances. The 100th was brigaded

with old troops, and one might naturally suppose that these would stand ready to assist

and instruct their new comrades. Not a bit of it! On the contrary, they seemed to find

great satisfaction in standing by and witnessing the awkwardness and mistakes of the

fresh fish. But the 100th soon learned all the tricks and devices of the camp, and took

their revenge by playing the same role with other new-comers; a curious phase of what

we call human nature, seen also in college life; when the freshman becomes a soph., he

seems to find sweet revenge for the indignities to which he had been subjected, by

playing them off on his early successors.http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3a.html

"Everything was ready and the time to advance against Bragg'sarmy at Murfreesboro had come." Hight


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Dec 1st, Monday

100th Illinois notes:

On the night ofDec. 1st , the camp had a rough experience. It had rained hard all day,

and in the evening there was a terrific thunder-storm, accompanied by very high winds.Imagine how unwelcome such a storm must be in clod weather, with nothing overhead

but cotton cloth, and nothing underneath but the bare

ground! The two assistant surgeons, Harwood and

Woodruff, occupied a tent together. About nine o'clock,

the ditch which had been dug around the tent, for the

purpose of carrying off the water, began to overflow, and

the water came into the tent. As the beds consisted of

nothing but straw with the blanket thrown over, they soon

became uncomfortably moist, and the surgeons had to forsake their downy couch and

excavate a deeper cut to carry off the water - not a very agreeable job in the darkness,

the wind, and the rain. The next tent was occupied by the senior surgeon and his clerk.

They were no better off, if so well, for in addition to the water, the tent pins had got

loosened, and the clerk was out trying to drive them in the darkness, and he could onlysee them when a flash of lightning lit up the scene momentarily, showing also the senior

surgeon standing en dishabille in the tent door, and most emphatically giving directions

to his clerk in a composite language, mainly English and German, with now and then a

word that ought not to be in either language. I think the old adage, "Misery loves

company," was true in this case, and the sub-surgeons drew no little satisfaction from

the glimpses they caught of the chief, revealing the fact that he was in a worse plight

than themselves. But they got punished for so selfish a feeling, for they had no sooner

got settled down again before the chimney fire, where they had drawn the bed, than,

without any warning, down came their ten, an irreparable wreck, in the darkness.

Hastily gathering up books and papers, they had to retreat to the hospital tent, where

they sat up the balance of the night on the boxes, thoroughly disgusted with army life.

In the morning they were again comforted to find that the rest of the officers had hadsimilar experiences. The colonel, for the first time since leaving Louisville, had

undressed, and was enjoying the unwonted luxury of clean sheets once more when his

tent blew down, and he was caught literally sans culotte - whatever that means!

http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3a.html

Dec 4th, Thursday


On the 4th

, the division was reviewed by General Rosecrans3. Life in camp now moved

on with but little to interrupt its monotony. The regiment took its turn occasionally in

going out to guard forage trains. The officers and men discussed over their coffee and

pipes the rumors and speculations that were rife respecting further movements, and

anyone fortunate enough to get news from home, shared it with his comrades. Anything

to read was a godsend. Dime novels and illustrated papers found a ready market, and

were devoured most greedily. The Republican and the Signal were especially welcome.

Not a few, let us hope, read the testaments which their mothers had crowded into their

3 Hight, p. 109.


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carpetbags! And here they remained until after Christmas - the last Christmas many of

them would see!http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3a.html

Dec 22nd 24th, Monday - Wednesday


A few days before Christmas, the orders received left no doubt in the minds of the men

that "Old Rosey" was soon to show his hand. Sickness had reduced the regiment to 600

men fit for duty. On the morning of the 24th, orders came to be ready to move at 7:30

next morning. This necessitates turning out at five, and plenty of hard work to get ready.

But at the set hour the tents have been struck, breakfast cooked and eaten, the

indispensable "coffee" made and drank, the wagons packed, and every thing ready for a

move. Then came orders to issue two days' additional rations, and repack the wagons,

so that two or three should carry all that was indispensable - the balance to be sent to

Nashville to be stored. This was also done, and the boys lay around on the ground,

dozing and grumbling, until 3 p.m., when they were ordered to pitch tents again, and be

ready to move at daylight next morning. And this was Christmas eve! Every soldier's

thoughts go back to the homes they have left behind them, and in many a mind, no

doubt, the question comes up unbidden: "Shall I ever join in the Christmas festivities of

the old home again?" Pictures of Christmas trees in gas-lit parlors and churches,

surrounded by groups of happy children, and dear, dear friends and kindred, pass in

panoramic visions through the mind, in strange and startling contrast to the camp, and

its groups of soldiery, guns, and warlike preparations. A strange contrast, too, in another

respect: There, they are celebrating the advent of the Prince of Peace; here, we are

about to move forward in fierce and bloody encounter, appealing to the God of War.

Very timely, a load came in from Nashville, of thirteen boxes for the regiment, full of

those things which were welcome to the soldier. They were quickly opened and

contents distributed, and many had a taste of Christmas, a reminder that they were not

forgotten, though far away. http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3b.html

Dec 25th, Thursday


Christmas day was passed quietly in the same camps . . .http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3b.html

Dec 26th, Friday

Started on March to Murfreesboro on Dec 26th.


On the evening of the 26th, by nine o'clock, the army was finally under way. The

division in which the 100th was placed took the road toward LaVernge and


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Murfreesboro. The day was rainy and the army moved slowly, being stopped

occasionally by the enemy skirmishing with the advance. The regiment passed through

the deserted camps of other portions of the army, which had preceded them, and five

miles out passed the last picket, and stuck out for LaVernge. Frequent stoppages were

made, to allow the artillery to shell the woods to drive out any rebels that might be

lurking in them to pick off the men. As they progress, they see the marks left by the

artillery upon the trees, barns and fences. In the advance, a man is seen upon the roofof a house, waving a flag to and fro, and far away to the right is another doing the same

thing. These are the signals from one road to another, by which the movements of the

different columns are guided, and which only the proper persons can understand. And

thus they move on through the day, and towards night several wounded men are seen

carried back in ambulances. The men look at them, and the thought comes up in many

minds - such may soon be my fate! The 100th camped for the night in a wood, in the

rain, and without any tents, a mile or two from LaVernge. The night was quiet.

http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3b.html

"We left all our tents, camp equipage and wagons at Nashville."

Hight, p. 109.

"We moved out on the Murfreesboro pike and it was not long untilour advance came upon rebel pickets. A lively skirmish began andcontinued all day. but our forces kept driving the rebels back. A few hours after we started it began to rain and continued thebalance of the day. The hitherto dusty pike was converted into asloppy sea of mud, making our progress somewhat tedious anddisagreeable. By night we had reachedLaVergne, a little villagejust half way between Nashville and Murfreesboro. We bivouacked

in the vicinity for the night, while the rebels still occupied the town.The 58th was thrown forward as an advance line and Companies A, B, D and F were deployed in front of the Regiment asskirmishers, occupying a position in a cedar forest, about ahundred yards from the rebel line. It was a position of danger andresponsibility, and extreme caution and vigilance was necessary.A cold rain fell the greater part of the night, and, as we were notpermitted to have fires, we were very uncomfortable. We expectedthe Rebels to make an attack at daylight (27th) and were wide-awake, in line of battle waiting for them. But morning dawnedand the enemy did not appear." - Hight, p. 110.

Editorial: Brigade advanced toward Murfreesboro in the following order:[first line] 58th IN on right, 26th Ohio on left. 3rd KY was the right and100th Illinois on the left of the second line or reserve line, with the 8thIndiana Battery in the center.

Company A and B as skirmishers.


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As the Union Brigade came into town (LaVergne), at first thinkingthe rebels had fled, a "murderous volley poured from the ranks ofthe waiting rebels." Hight: 110-111

"They were posted behind fences, houses, trees, etc., and were hid

from our view." Hight, 111.

Editorial: The skirmishers laid down to avoid being killed. Theassault continued and so the skirmish line was commanded to fixbayonets and charge, which they did. Five men of the 58th werewounded. It worked. The rebels fled in retreat to Murfreesboro.

Editorial: The Brigade skirmished all the way to Murfreesboro."The country was broken and rocky, and in many places coveredwith a thick growth of cedar. This afforded the rear guard of theretreating rebels many hiding places from which to fire on our

advancing skirmishers." Hight, 111.

Kept raining hard.

Dec 27th, Saturday

Reached Stewart's Creek around 5 pm, six miles fromMurfreesboro (27th). Came in range of rebel batteries. Great storyof how the 3rd KY saved the bridge. Hight, 111. 100th Illinois alsoengaged, taking 25 prisoners.

AofC had been marching for two days straight without a night's rest.


The 100th camped for the night in a wood, in the rain, and without any tents,

a mile or two from LaVernge. The night was quiet. Next morning [27th] the

men were called up at five o'clock, and at daylight are allowed to build fires

and cook breakfast. They remained ready to march at a moment's notice until

nine o'clock. One piece of artillery opened on LaVernge, without any

response, when the brigade moves out in line of battle, the 58th Indiana and

26th Ohio taking the advance, with their skirmishers thrown out so as toprotect both flanks, and, about forty rods behind, the 8th Indiana battery,

supported by the 3d Ky. on the right, and the 100th Ill. on the left. As soon as

the advance came within musket range of the town, they were met by a

furious and unexpected discharge of musketry. The rebels were firing on our

men from their concealment in the houses. The 26th Ohio had some twenty

killed and wounded. But our force soon drove the enemy from the town, and

marched on after them on either side of the pike. The battle of LaVernge is


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set down in the histories as a skirmish, and such it was, but one of

considerable importance - one of the brilliant ones. The 100th moved half a

mile over an open field, under a heavy fire without a waver, and when within

eighty or one hundred yards, charged with a yell on the double-quick, and

drove the enemy out of the town. This, too, was the first time the regiment

had been under fire. When they were being halted to ref-form their lines,

Gen. Haskell complimented them on their gallantry, and said: "We are all one

now, old soldiers and new."For more see:http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3b.html

The march was hard, over rocks, and through dense cedar thickets in line of

battle. About a mile beyond LaVernge, the 100th changed places with the

26th Ohio, companies A and B on the skirmish line, under Major Hammond.

The rebels annoyed our advance with a couple pieces of artillery, but as soon

as our battery opened on them they got out of the way. During their advance

through the cedar thickets, the boys encountered great numbers of rabbits,

and somehow they could not resist the temptation to pop them over, and putthem in their haversacks for future use. While they were advancing, much of

the time on the double thick, and driving the rebel cavalry before them, it was

hard to tell whether they were popping at the rebs or the rabbits, and it didn't

seem to make much difference with the boys. Gen. Haskell scolded them,

telling them they would get caught with their muskets empty when they

wanted to shoot a reb; but he didn't say anything more about keeping them

from running to the rear, the greatest difficulty he had now, was to hold them

back. About noon it began to rain, and continued without abatement until

night. Several shots were fired at the brigade from a bridge which the rebels

held, but the 3d Kentucky soon dislodged them without loss. While halting

here the colonel left the regiment to get orders from Gen. Haskell, where togo into camp for the night. During his absence a squad of twenty or thirty

rebel cavalry came charging down a lane on the left of the regiment, and as

soon as it was discovered that they were rebels, Co. G, which had been sent to

the flank, without waiting for orders, fired a volley into them which brought

them to a stand, and they wheeled round and threw up their hands in token

of surrender. One poor fellow however kept on, and was shot in the

abdomen, fatally. As was afterwards ascertained, his horse was wounded, and

he was unable to hold him, and keeping on past the 3d Kentucky, the horse

was killed without further damage to the rider, but he had already been

mortally wounded. The boys carried him to an old shed, and took every care

of him, greatly regretting that they had not understood his design to

surrender. He lived thirty-six hours. He was a large man of the name of

Cunningham, belonging to the 52d Alabama cavalry.http://www.illinoiscivilwar.org/cw100-3b.html

26thOhio notes:

The regiment remained encamped just southeast of Nashville until December


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28, 1862. During this time, the regiment was involved in minor skirmishing

while scouting and guarding foraging trains. One of these skirmishes took

place on Christmas Day. Returning to camp that night, they were ordered to

head out first light on December 26th and advance, as part of the left wing,

towards Murfreesborough, via the Murfreesborough Pike, and feel out the

enemy. They did not have to go far. Just north of LaVergne, Tennessee, the

26th skirmishers became engaged with the enemy. The 26th was ordered to

charge the town and force the Confederates southward, and away from the

town. The 26th suffered heavy casualties during the charge. They

successfully fulfilled the mission. The next objective was to save the bridge

over the Stewart Creek that the retreating Confederate forces had set on fire.

This objective was also fulfilled with great bravery, under intense fire, and the

26th OVI captured around 60 prisoners. The 26th encamped southeast of

LaVergne on December 27th and remained in camp until December 29th,

when ordered to advance on the left to the Confederate's fortified position on

the banks of Stones River.The 26th OVI was assigned to the extreme leftflank of the Union Army as part of General Hascall's Brigade. The 26th OVI

was posted on the west bank of the Stones River, just north of McFadden'sFord. On December 30th, the 26th OVI was ordered to advance across the

Stones River and prepare to attack the enemy.

http://www.geocities.com/ovi26th/onehundredfortyyearsago3.html

Dec 28th, Sunday

Sharp freeze in the night.

Waited for Center and Right Wings to come up to join the Left

Wing.

Expected a "general engagement" tomorrow.

Dec 29th - Monday morning

Crossed Stewart's Creek.

Reached Stone's River in mid afternoon, two miles fromMurfreesboro.

Rebs checked the progress of Woods Div., in full force.

Evening, getting ready for battle. The 58th IN turned to the left ofthe pike. Harkers brigade skirmishing in front of 58th. Harker gotacross the river.

Bivouacked but were aroused and told to go into Murfreesboro.


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Breckinridge, with a force of 4,500 men, attacked Hascalls men.Harker recrossed, joining the rest.

Dec 30

th

- Tuesday morning

Reb batteries opened up on Hascall. Cannonading all day on theright.

4 pm: 58thposted on picket near Murfrees Ford.

Evening, Hascalls scouts reported a large enemy force movingtoward Hascalls right.

Pioneer Corps went to work in the night, on their right, cutting out

roads through the cedar forest to enable the artillery, ambulances,and ammunition wagons, to get through.


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Night of the 30th and 31st

Rosecrans plan of attack:

McCook (right wing) to open the engagement, assaulting Rebsunder Hardee in his front.

Thomas (center), attack forces under Polk in his front, or assistMcCook.

Crittenden (left wing), was moving against the rebel right underBreckinridge.

It was our business, as part ofthe left wing, to furiouslyassault the rebels in our front and drive them back on the townand thus gain the rear of Braggs army.

Hight says the plan would have worked had not Bragg had analmost identical plan and put his plan into operation first.

26th

Ohio notes:

General Rosecran's attack plan called for Crittenden's left

wing (occupying the left flank of the Army) to advance atfirst light on December 31, and attack Bragg's right

flank. The 26th OVI was to be a major player in leading

this offensive. However, before this attack could

commence, Bragg attacked the Union right flank under

General Alexander McCook at the south end of the

battlefield. The Confederate offensive was very successful,

routing the Union right flank to where the Army of the


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Cumberland was almost folded back upon itself. The

offensive also pushed to the vicinity of the Nashville Pike,

which was the Union army's only escape route and supply

route. The situation was becoming very desperate.General Rosecrans immediately ordered reinforcements

transferred from Crittenden's left wing to protect theNashville Pike at an area by a copse of trees known as the

Round Forest. The 26th OVI was moved southward along

McFadden's Lane and placed in position just east of the

Nashville Pike at the intersection with McFadden's Lane,

on the edge of the Round Forest, taking the right position of

General Hazen's brigade. To maintain this position was

critical, as evidenced by Brigadier General Milo Hascalls's

sobering and chilling statement in his Official

Report:" Seeing the importance of the position, I told mymen it must be held, even if it cost the last man

we had."Hold the position, they did, repulsing 4 distinct charges by

Confederate forces on their position that afternoon. In the

process, they exhausted their 60 rounds of bullets, and

needed repeated replenishing of ammunition. Night came

with the Nashville Pike still securely in Union control. The

Union forces had been severely tested, but the center held,

and the new year arrived with neither army having gained a

decided advantage. An uneasy calm descended over the

battlefield, broken by the pleading cries of the wounded.(Kelly, Van Horne, Cole)


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Dec 31st Wednesday morning

Day started out bright and clear.

Sunrise, firing on Hascalls right.

Van Cleave (Crittenden, US) was crossing Stones River atMurfrees Ford.

8 am of the 31st:


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The 58th was ordered back to join the Division, which was tofollow Van Cleve, Harkers Brigade was in advance of WoodsDivision, and was nearly all across the river when our movementwas arrested by news of disaster on the right. A fierce battle hadbeen raging there for about two hours, and from the sound it wasevidently getting nearer. Could it be that our lines were givingway? This question was soon answered to our mortification andsorrow in the affirmative. Flying couriers brought the news thatthe right of our army was broken and was being driven back.Hight, 114.

Everything indicated that the condition of things was exceedinglycritical. The field in the rear of our line, where all was quiet a shorttime before, was suddenly turned into a scene of wildest confusion.

Shot and shell from the rebel batteries were plowing up the groundall around us, and wagons, teams, ambulances, etc., were flyingabout seeking places of safety. The usual compliment of campfollowers were panic stricken and were making frantic efforts toget out of reach of the enemys shells.

Our orders for crossing the river were countermanded, and wewere turned face about and sent to the support of the right and


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center. Harkers Brigade was the first to get into action. OurBrigade was moved back into the open field and charged frontseveral times. Meanwhile the conflict increased in fury and thevictorious enemy was gradually crowding our troops back. Wecould not see them, for the battle was still hid by the cedar forest.

But we could hear the defiantrebel yell as they charged upon ourretreating columns. The stragglers and wounded were hurryingpast us to the rear. . . .

The men in our ranks were becoming uneasy and demoralized onaccount on the confusion, and because of our changing front somany times. By this time we were almost entirely surrounded andthe rebel shells were coming from every direction.

Our hospital at Collins House was also captured and a number ofthe 58th who were there taken prisoner. Among this number wasDr. Holtzman, Assistant Surgeon, and R.M. Munford, HospitalSteward. Our situation just at this time was serious indeed. Unlesssomething could be done soon to check the rebel hosts our causewas lost, we would either be captured or be made to turn back toNashville in a humiliating retreat.

Although the the 58th had been under fire for two hours or morethere had not been a gun fired by the Regiment up to this time. Butour opportunity was at hand. The sun was about at meridian andvictory and defeat were hanging in the balance when ourRegiment was ordered to take a position inline across the railroadto relieve the 3d Kentucky, that had previously been sent from our

Brigade and had exhausted their supply of ammunition. Amid thedeafening roar of battle, with sixty rounds of cartridges, each, the58th went bravely into the fight. Passing through a skirt of timberwe came to the railroad embankment where the line was halted.This embankment served as an excellent line in breastworks andwe began to think ourselves fortunate in getting a chance at therebels from behind this fortification. But our felicity was of shortduration. The commanding General thought our lines was not inthe right position to do the most effective service and he directedCol. Buell to move across the railroad and take a position betweenthat and the Pike. There had been a lull in the storm for a few

minutes but about the time our Regiment was to execute this orderthe shower of leaden ail was increased. It took nerve to climb thatembankment in the face of this, but the men of the 58th did it. Theyquickly took the position assigned them, the left of the Regimentresting on the railroad, the right extending out at an angle ofabout forty-five degrees, Company A, on the right, was thus placednear a corn crib owned by a man named Jerald. This corn cribwas rather a fatal shelter because the enemy directed their fire


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more generally to that building. Company B, on the left wing, wasslightly protected by a few scattering trees.

The rebels had now advanced to the edge of a thick woods in ourfront, not more than one hundred yards distant across an open

field. They were sheltered behind trees, from which they poured agalling fire of musketry. From Cowans brick house, off to our left,they opened a heavy fire of grape and canister. From the hillsbeyond Stone River Breckinridges batteries poured in adestructive fire. But the 58th held its position amid this murderousfire. The men were lying flat on the ground and were loading andfiring at will. Twice the enemy left the woods in our front andstarted on a charge across the open field, but they could not standagainst the shower of lead that was poured into their ranks. Aftera time there was almost a cessation of firing and we werebeginning to breathe easier. But still we were apprehensive thatthis was the only lull before the storm, and our apprehensionswere well founded. The trying ordeal was yet to come. While wewere watching the movements of the enemy in the woods,immediately in our front, there was a strong force of rebels quietlymoving up through the open field on our flank. Part of WagnersBrigade, which had been in a reserve, was sent on double quick tomeet them and strengthen our left. The move was made none tosoon. When a demoniacal yell that might raise the dead, the rebellines emerged from the woods in our front and advanced upon us.At the same time they were coming in solid phalanx along the pikeon our left. On they came in steady column, notwithstanding themurderous fire from our ranks. We could see their men falling like

leaves, but the broken ranks were filled and they held their groundwith a heroism worthy of a better cause. At last they had to yield,but they retired in good order, leaving their dead on the field.Several of their men, however, were satisfied with their experiencethus far and deserted the ranks at this juncture. When the firingwas hottest they fell upon the ground, and when the rebel force fellback these men skipped across to our lines and surrendered. Oneof these deserters came to our Regiment carrying an old blanket,that had once been white, as a flag of truce. It was probablycowardice more than loyalty to the Union that promoted thesemen to come over to our lines at this time.

The rebels had failed again to move our lines but it was notcertain that they would give it up yet. Indeed there wereindications that they would come again with stronger force. Wewere ready for them. Just at this time General Rosecrans came tothe 58th, mounted and alone, the nearest man to the enemy, onhorseback. Taking position about the center of the Regiment hecalled attention. He said: I want you to let them come up in


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about forty yards of you, then fix bayonets, give them a volley oflead and charge them with a yell. If you will do this you will gainthe battle.

As he ceased to speak the enemy advanced in stronger force than

ever. They seemed to be five columns deep. They marched up ingood order with lines dressed and colors flying. The commands ofthe rebel officers could be distinctly heard. They came up withinseventy-five yards and began firing as they advanced. Our menreserved their fire until the rebels came within fifty yards whenthey opened out. The rebels lay down and thus escaped seriousresults from our volley. In a few moments they were ordered torise and charge that brass battery, referring to the 8th IndianaBattery of our Brigade, which was posted in our rear and to theright. They started on this mission after pouring a volley into ourranks. They did not advance far until they were compelled to halt.At this time they were getting two pieces of artillery in position onour left to rake our line. This movement was quickly discoveredand our men poured a deadly volley into them while our batteriesgave them double charges of grape and canister. The horses at thetwo guns above named were instantly killed, and the guns did notfire a shot. Thus thwarted in every attempt to break our line theenemy retired in great confusion from this charge. This was thehigh tide of that days battle and it was the fortune of the 58th tohold the key point against the repeated charges of the flower ofBraggs army. Bragg telegraphed Jeff Davis at the close of thefight that day that he had been successful in breaking the lines ofRosecrans army at every point except at the Round Forest, the

position held by our Regiment and other Regiments of WoodsDivision. Because of their failure to carry this point Braggs forceswere prevented from achieving a complete victory in that daysbattle.

.. Night closed in on the field of blood and carnage, and a coldand bitter night it was. The field was covered with wounded anddying, many of them lying between the lines. We could hear theirmoans of distress and piteous calls for friends and for help, but wecould not render any assistance. Such experience is horrible andheartrending, but such is war.

.. The 58th was on the front line again that night. We were in theedge of the little belt of timber across the railroad from where wehad done our fighting during the day.

[Next morning was Jan1st.] p: 120


18/20

18

8:00 am, the 31st


19/20

19

9:45 am, the 31st


20/20

20

11:00 am, the 31st

4:00 pm the 31st

a study of the role of the 58th indiana infantry at the battle of stone's river

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