January 8, 1863 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

John Baer continues to heal from the slight shoulder would he suffered in the Stones River battle.

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Murfreesboro has been occupied by the Union center, and this time finds General Rosecrans seeking to bring more troops and artillery to his army.  Despite losing more men, and nearly being routed during the battle, Rosecrans is perceived as the victor at Stones River and received almost universal acclamation.  Bragg, having retreated from the field, has now been designated as the loser, and the people and politicians of the North and South are acting accordingly.

Here is a dispatch from Rosecrans on the 6th:

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HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Murfreesborough, January 6, 1863.

Major-General WRIGHT, Cincinnati:

    I did not write you because I was too busy, and uncertain of the results of the battle.  It is now evident that their loss was excessive.  Their own officers and men estimate their loss at from 13,000 to 15,000.  I now wish to push them to the wall, but the pursuit will be heavy work.  Send me what force you can spare, and take care of the railroad.  I will write you soon.  I congratulate you on the success of the the Carter expedition, and the final expulsion of John H. Morgan.  I wish you would get ready a large lot of saddles and horses, and mount your infantry to pursue him the next time he makes a raid.

W. S. ROSECRANS, 

Major-General.

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 Rosecrans speaks here of a push forward, but by the 8th he has not moved.  Morgan and his cavalry during the Stones River battle had pushed into Kentucky, but was turned back from his objectives and returned to Tennessee.  Nevertheless, his raids will continue throughout the war.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 299-310.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 94.
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 104-125. 

 

NEXT POST:  JANUARY 12TH

 
 

December 27, 1862 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

By the 27th, General Rosecrans has completed his plan for attacking the Confederate army gathering at Murfreesboro.  Crittenden's corps, on the army's left, is to approach the town on the Nashville Pike, which is the main road between the two cities (this pike is parallel to the current US 41 highway).  Wood's Division is designated to capture intact the bridge over Stewart's Creek, just south of Smyrna, TN.  Although roads were very bad elsewhere, Wood's division was able to advance quickly and surprise the Confederate defenders.

Troops from another division are able to capture the bridge while jettisoning the timbers hastily fired by the retreating Confederates.  The left and center wings are meeting resistance and also struggling to move along muddy roads.  Rosecrans holds Crittenden from advancing until the 29th, when they advance to about 2 miles from Murfreesboro.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 218-252.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 91.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 81-84. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-605.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 41-60.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 31ST

 

December 23, 1862 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Little has changed with the Army of the Cumberland as of the 23rd, but dispatches show that General Rosecrans is slowly moving parts of the army into position for an advance.  Detailed planning still remains to be done.  Crittenden is ordered to move north to try to encircle Confederate cavalry thought to be at Bledsoe Creek, near Gallatin.  It seems that nothing came of this.

--------------------------

President Lincoln is struggling to hold his cabinet together - Secretary of State Seward and Secretary of the Treasury Chase have submitted resignations.  Many of the cabinet were Lincoln's rivals for the Republican nomination in 1860, and this and other political differences have led to tensions.  Lincoln does keep all of his cabinet together for now, after refusing to accept the resignations.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 209-218.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 90-91.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-41.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 27TH

 

 

December 19, 1862 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Things remain the same in the Army of the Cumberland.  The main concerns are locating the Confederate cavalry.  Forrest is believed to be in western Tennessee, ready to attack Fort Donelson or other nearby places.  Morgan has been tracked to Hartsville, TN, but his destination is uncertain.

General Rosecrans, despite his indications in the messages to Halleck on the 15th, has still made no plans for a forward movement.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 186-209.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 90.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-41.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 23RD

December 15, 1862 - Monday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

The 15th finds the Army of the Cumberland in the same state, encamped near Nashville and trying to get good information on the location of the Confederate army.  General Rosecrans sends the two messages below to General Halleck in Washington:

Confederate President Jefferson Davis was in the area to review the army.  Morgan has taken time out from cavalry raids to get married, and his wedding is a gathering of the army's commanders.  Not sure about the other details in the first message.

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NASHVILLE, TN,, December 15, 1962 -- 1:10 PM

Major-General HALLECK:

    Reports of last evening fully confirmed.  Jeff. Davis attended John H. Morgan's wedding last night; was serenaded, and made a speech, in which he said Lincoln's proclamation put black and white on an equality.  Urged them to fight to the death, and to hold Middle Tennessee at all hazards, until Grant could be whipped.  Bragg ordered all Kentucky and Tennessee exiles conscripted.  Buckner, Breckenridge, and Hanson protested, and threatened to resign.  Jeff. took the matter in hand.  Things will be ripe soon.

W. S. ROSECRANS, 

Major-General.

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NASHVILLE, TN,, December 15, 1962 -- 1:10 PM

Major-General HALLECK:

   I have relieved General Hamilton from duty.  He is very sick.  His brother-in-law likely to die.  They will leave for New York as soon as practicable.  Authentic information up to this morning of the rebel army.  The center, composed of three divisions, at Murfreesborough, was reviewed by Jeff. Davis Friday week; left wing, under Buckner and Hardee, moved from Shelbyville to Triune and Nolensville; right, under Kirby Smith, at Readyville; Morgan probably crossing the Cumberland, now near Hartsville; object, dash on railroad; rebel troops say the will fight us; Bragg to go to Mississippi; Johnston to stay; bridge at Bridgeport, cross both sides on trestles, about finished; railroad track on front of Murfreesborough torn up, iron removed, and bridge fitted for the passage of troops; Cumberland still very low; rain threatens; will be ready in a few days.

W. S. ROSECRANS, 

Major-General.

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In the second message are the current reports about the location of the opposing army.  Some of the other information is doubtful, and Bragg is most certainly not leaving for Mississippi.  Rosecrans is promising that in a few days he will be ready to move.

-----------------------------

Fredericksburg Campaign

In the east, another devastating battle for the Union occurs at Fredericksburg, VA.  General Burnside attempts a direct assault on entrenched Confederate positions above Fredericksburg and suffers a bloody repulse, with 12,700 killed and wounded - over twice the Confederate loss.  An evacuation of Fredericksburg follows.

This defeat, along with Grant being stalled in Mississippi, means that any Union progress must come from Rosecrans' army.  The urging from Washington for a move forward will only grow.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 163-186.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 90.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-41.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 19TH

 

December 11, 1862 - Thursday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

The success of Morgan's Confederate cavalry at Hartsville, TN (see previous entry) on the 7th has stirred a beehive of activity in the Union command.  There is much concern with finding Morgan and Forrest; Forrest is expected to move back into Kentucky to try to break up the railroad and Morgan has not been located since his attack at Hartsville.  

There is also concern of an attack in western Tennessee on Fort Henry or Donelson by a sizable force.  A skirmish south of Nashville is interpreted as a feint to distract from the main attack on the forts.  This attack never did develop.

General Rosecrans trades a series of letters with General Bragg regarding the treatment of civilians and irregular army personnel (Rosecrans believes some of the Confederate troops disguise themselves as civilians).  Rosecrans also is trying to manage protecting the railroad and moving Union troops into position for his upcoming move to the south.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 135-163.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 90.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-41.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 15TH

 

December 7, 1862 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

On the 4th there is more correspondence from General Halleck demanding a forward move, and another response from General Rosecrans justifying his current actions.  General Thomas on the 7th sends a plan to protect Nashville while moving on Knoxville.  These are the beginnings of the discussion of the next moves of the army.  

Forrest's Confederate cavalry is out and about and causing concern for the Union generals.  Morgan's Confederate cavalry attacked Hartsville, TN on the 7th, capturing 1800 Union defenders and inflicting 2096 Union casualties total.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 109-117.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 89.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-40.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 11TH

December 3, 1862 - Wednesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

The recent quiet time remains in effect as General Rosecrans continues to work on the organization, supply, discipline, and positioning of the army, while sending various expeditions out to try to find the Confederate cavalry.

Rosecrans views all these measures as prerequisites for moving forward; the Government at Washington does not, and will soon be prodding Rosecrans once again to move forward.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 109-117.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 89.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-40.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 7TH

November 29, 1862 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

While General Rosecrans was still working on the various issues he had found with his new army, he was regularly getting reminders that he is expected to move forward.  Here is a sample message from General Halleck:

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WAR DEPARTMENT,

  Washington, November 27, 1862

Major-General ROSECRANS, Nashville, TN:

 I have approved your requisition on the Engineer Department for more carts, drays, &c., but I must warn you against the piling up of impediments. Take a lesson from the enemy.  Move light, and supply yourself as much as possible with provisions, animals, forage,  transportation, &c., in the country you pass through.  If you remain long at Nashville, you will disappoint the wishes of the Government.

H. W. HALLECK, 

General-in-Chief.

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Army of the Cumberland

The previous Army of the Ohio had been renamed the Army of the Cumberland in the same order that elevated General Rosecrans to its command.  In late November, Rosecrans had put into place a reorganization of the army.  This is described by Peter Cozzens:

...Rosecrans concentrated on the reorganization of the army as a whole.  Its three wings were structured so as to approximate corps: the Left and Right Wing each contained three divisions of infantry and nine batteries of artillery; the Center contained four divisions and fourteen batteries,  three of which were unattached as a reserve.  Numbers varied.  The Right Wing mustered 15,832  present in early December, the Left Wing 14,308, and the Center 29,337.  A fifth division under Brigadier General Robert Mitchell, numbering 5,346, was detached for extended garrison duty in Nashville. 

It was no accident that the Center was the largest command in the army, or that it went to Thomas.  In fact, it was the price of his continued service in the department.  Thomas too had been offered command of the army now entrusted to Rosecrans.....

--Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, p. 21

 Thomas was ordered to assume command in the summer as doubts grew about Buell.  He had turned down the command at that time and Buell continued on.  Thomas had at times asked to be reassigned.   To remain, he needed to have more responsibility that the other corps commanders. 

Crittenden was in command of the Left Wing that included the 40th Indiana.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 98-109.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 89.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1I, Fredericksburg to Meridian, pp. 1-81. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-40.
  

 

NEXT POST: DECEMBER 3RD

 

November 25, 1862 - Tuesday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

Rosecrans is still working at getting the troops and supplies for his army set up to his satisfaction.  Pay has also become a concern, as many troops have not been paid for an extended time.  Rosecrans has commanded General Thomas to come as soon as practicable to Nashville.  It is intended that Thomas will have the center corps of the reorganized army and will assist with planning the next movements.

The Confederate army has collected around Murfreesboro, and assuming that Rosecrans has no plans to attack, is about to go into winter quarters, after a reorganization into 3 corps.  

Crittenden does not appear in the dispatches for these days, and his corps is presumed to be as reported earlier, near Stones River.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 84-97.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 89.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 741-810. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-40.
  

 

NEXT POST: NOVEMBER 29TH

 

 

November 21, 1862 - Friday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Crittenden's Corps - Wood's Division - Wagner's Brigade 

During these days, Rosecrans is still trying to get new officers and equipment for his army, and has some success.  He is also adding some divisions to his army, feeling that he needs more and better equipped troops before he can move forward and confront the Confederate armies.  He has new indications that Bragg and Kirby Johnson are bringing most of their troops to Middle Tennessee, in the Murfreesboro and Tullahoma, TN area.  Rosecrans is constantly prodded to move forward before the winter weather prevents it.

Crittenden has moved his corps a little to the west and is in the process of crossing to the west side of Stones River (this area is a reservoir now. just southeast of the Nashville airport).  He is seeking easier crossings so that he does not have to construct a bridge to get his corps across.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XX, Chapter XXXII, Part II, Correspondence,  pp. 64-83.
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 88-89.
  
• Shelby Foote: The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1, Fort Sumter to Perryville, pp. 741-768. 
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol 3. The Tide Shifts, pp, 600-603.
• Peter Cozzens, No Better Place to Die: The Battle of Stones River, pp. 1-26.
  

 

NEXT POST: NOVEMBER 25TH