Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 10.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[482] brigade about the same time Withers' division attacked Davis, and Cheatham's division attacked Sheridan. Cheatham's and Withers' divisions compose Polk's corps.

I was in the rear of the centre of my line when this attack commenced; therefore I did not see all of the columns that attacked and turned my right; but it may be safely estimated that the rebel force outnumbered ours three to one.

After leaving my line of battle, the ground in the rear was, first, open fields; second, woods — then a dense cedar-thicket; and over such ground it was almost impossible for troops to retire in good order, particularly when assailed by superior numbers.

My ammunition train, under charge of my efficient ordnance officer, Captain Gates P. Thurston, First Ohio, was at an early hour ordered to take a position in the rear of the centre of my line. It was then attacked by the cavalry, which was handsomely repulsed by a detachment of cavalry under the direction of Captain H. Pease, of General Davis' staff, and Captain G. P. Thurston, ordnance officer.

The train was conducted safely to the Nashville pike by Captain Thurston, cutting a road through the cedar-wood for the passage of the train.

To Brigadiers R. W. Johnson, Philip H. Sheridan, and Jeff. C. Davis, I return my thanks, for their gallant conduct upon the day of the battle, and for their prompt support and conscientious attention to duty during their service in the right wing. I commend them to my superiors and my country.

To Brigadier-General D. S. Stanley my thanks are particularly due. He commanded my advance from Nolensville, and directed the cavalry on my right flank. A report of the valuable services of our cavalry will be furnished by General Stanley. I commend him to my superiors and my country.

For the particular instances of good conduct of individuals, I refer you to the reports of division commanders.

I cannot refrain from again calling the attention of my superiors to the conspicuous gallantry and untiring zeal of Colonel W. H. Gibson, of the Forty-ninth Ohio volunteers. He succeeded to the. command of Willich's brigade, and was ever prompt to dash upon the enemy with his gallant brigade when opportunity permitted. I have repeatedly recommended him for promotion. He has again won additional claims to his reward.

Colonel Harker, commanding a brigade of Wood's division, performed gallant service under my supervision, as also did Colonel Fyffe, of the Fifty-ninth Ohio. They are commended to my superiors.

To my staff--Lieutenant-Colonel E. Bassett Langdon, Inspector-General; Major R. H. Nodine, Engineer Officer; Major J. A. Campbell, Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain Gates P. Thurston, Ordnance Officer; Captain B. D. Williams, Aid-de-Camp; Captain J. F. Boyd, Assistant Quartermaster; Captain O. F. Blake, Provost Marshal; Major Caleb Bates, Volunteer Aid-de-Camp; Captain Horace N. Fisher, Volunteer Aid-de-Camp and Topographical Engineer--my thanks are due for their conspicuous gallantry and intelligence on the field.

My escort, under command of Lieutenant Huckston, Second Kentucky Cavalry, and my orderlies behaved gallantly. When my horse was shot, Orderly Cook, of the Second Indiana cavalry, replaced him with his own.

The officers of the Signal corps were ever ready to perform any service in their line, or as Aids.

The report of Surgeon C. McDermot, the Medical Director of the right wing, is also submitted. Surgeon McDermot's gallantry on the field, and his great care of the wounded, is worthy of great praise. My entire medical corps behaved nobly, except Assistant Surgeon W. S. Fish, of the Third Indiana cavalry, who fled to Nashville. He is recommended for dismissal.

The casualties of my wing are five hundred and forty killed, and two thousand two hundred and thirty-four wounded.

The nation is again called upon to mourn the loss of gallant spirits who fell upon the sanguinary field.

First of these, Brigadier-General J. W. Sill, commanding First brigade, Third division. He was noble, conscientious in the discharge of every duty, brave to a fault. He had no ambition save to serve his country. He died a Christian soldier, and in the act of repulsing the enemy.

Such names as Roberts, Shaeffer, Harrison, Stem, Williams, Reed, Houssam, Drake, Wooster, and McKee, all field officers, and many other commissioned officers, of the right wing, who fell vindicating their flag, will never be forgotten by a grateful country.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

Major: I have the honor to submit to the Major-General commanding the Department of the Cumberland, the following report of the operations of that part of my command which was engaged in the battle of Stone River, in front of Murfreesboro. It is proper to state here, that two brigades of Fry's division, and Reynolds' entire division, were detained near Gallatin and along the Louisville and Nashville railroad, to watch the movements of the rebel leader, Morgan, who had been, for a long time, on the watch for an opportunity to destroy the railroad.

Rousseau's, Negley's, and Mitchell's divisions,