Reports:
Franklin TN in 2004

LETTER FROM THE FIELD
 
The following letter is from Captain Crofutt of the Consolidated Company 7th and 30th Missouri Vol's, to a friend in St. Joseph MO, and was published in the St. Joseph Weekly Herald.
 

 
As you may know, we had been preparing for quite some time, an expected move to Tennessee, to meet a possible Rebel advance into that state.   It was said that the rebels were going to try to take Nashville, and these rumors seemed to be true, as we had for weeks, seen regiment after regiment move out.   We figured it was only a matter of time before orders would call us forward.   We began preparing in earnest, and spent our time drilling and preparing for future service in the field.   We knew that if such a push was made by the Reb's, that it would be a hot fight, and that the army would need Veterans for such a rigorous campaign.   We were fully expecting to be called upon. We belonged to the 2nd Battalion of the U.S. Frontier (3rd) Brigade, 1st Federal Division.
 
Just as expected, near the end of September, our Division was ordered to Tennessee.   In short order, the level of activity and sense of urgency came to that of an army on a war time level, that hadn't been seen in quite some time.   With our marching orders in hand, we assembled our company, and set forth for the coming freigh.   Our Brigade was to assemble just outside of Columbia, and we arrived there on the evening of Thursday the 29th.   Although dark, and very difficult to see anything of real importance, we were able to after a bit of time locate the U.S. Frontier Brigade and our own 2nd Battalion.   It had appeared that a good majority of the Brigade had arrived and that there was a good appearance of developing numbers.   While we were establishing our Company street, several more companies of the Brigade arrived.   We began to wonder as we listened to the ever lasting ping of tent stakes being hammered into the ground with the sweet smell of burning wood hanging in the air.   Perhaps enough of our boys would arrive to allow the Brigade to field both Battalions.   It had been such a long time since we had seen that, and everyone was eager for the next day to receive news of the Morning Reports.   We bedded down for the evening, and drifted off to sleep with a real sense of excitement.
 

 
We were awakened the next morning to the sound of reveille being blown by the brigade Bugler.   It was a pretty chilly morning, and the boys quickly sought the warmth of the campfires.   With daylight, came the revelation of a heavy fog that had rolled into the area, and little could be seen. Once the fog lifted, we were able to see a beautiful Tennessee landscape.   We were camped on a rolling field that seemed to be fairly flat, but loomed downward into a small valley.   We were at the top next to a pretty heavily wooded tree line. With the lifting of the Fog, the Chill in the air seemed to fade away, and a nice hot day quickly set inn.   It had appeared that summer was making one final Huzzah, and would not allow us to have a pleasant campaign.
 
After a quick breakfast, Roll Call was taken and the Morning Reports were turned into the Battalion Adjutants.   Officers Call revealed that the Brigade was looking well as far as numbers, and that it would appear that both Battalions would be fielded.   This made our hearts soar with anticipation, and a sense of relief, as many had worked so hard over the past year to make this happen.   Colonel Stan Prater, commanding the Brigade, took command, and gave orders for the Brigade to form, as it would be an opportunity for the brigade to get in some much needed drill.   Approx ½ hour later, the Brigade had formed, and we marched to the drill field 2 Battalions strong.
 
It was a grand sight to see, and one that many of us would not soon forget.   Each Battalion was given some time to go through Battalion Drill, and I am pleased to report that the 2nd Battalion performed like Veterans on Parade, much to Major Hoskins delight.   But then the Brigade was reformed, and we went through some basic Brigade maneuvers.   The heat had settled inn, and we were sweating like tigers, but I never heard any of the boys complain, as every one knew that some where out there was an entire rebel army determined to break up the Union.   We knew that it would be up to us, to stop this invasion, and that the very honor of the U.S. Frontier Brigade depended on how we performed that weekend.
 
After a good hour or so, the Brigade marched back to camp, and allowed the boys to rest and prepare for an expected move by the Division that afternoon.   We didn't know exactly what was taking place, but it was said that the rebs were near, and that they were going to try to make an advance upon us.   We were eager to oblige them, and show them that they were not facing young bucks, but rather Veterans of the 1st Federal Division!!!
 
The rest of the morning and early afternoon was spent preparing for the possible battle.   The boys filled Cartridge boxes, and cleaned muskets.   The Brigade Hospital was up and running, and was serving food and Ice cold Lemonade.   For those who don't realize what a good cup of cold Lemonade can do for a soldier in the field on a hot and muggy day, you cant begin to understand.   It was a GOD send I tell you, and an act of kindness that wont soon be forgotten.
 

 
That afternoon, we received orders from Division, to form up and prepare to march out.   The Brigade formed up, and weapon inspections were made.   We waited for what seemed like an quite a while, as the other brigades of the Division filled past us onto the road.   It was just Battalion after Battalion of men, and seemed like the whole Union army was here in Tennessee.   Once we started moving, it was a slow stop and go pace, but not to bad since it was mostly down a slight hill.   The dirt and dust began to stir and hang in the air, as thousands of men marched forward.   After a short period of time, we began to hear the boom of Cannon, and the sound of musketry.   We at once became attentive, and our steps quickly took a new meaning.
 
We couldn't see anything, but knew a fight was in progress, and that our turn would soon be at hand.   Apparently the rebs were indeed making a push, and trying to determine our forces.   Soon after, we came to an open field and filed into line behind our batteries of artillery, who were shelling the enemy in the distance.   The 1st Battalion was on our right. Once in line, I looked around, and still saw no Rebels.   But that quickly changed, as in almost no time we saw in the distance a massive line of men moving steadily closer.   There flags were flying and I was able to count at least 8 of them before things roared to life.
 
They advanced ever closer, and soon became a threat to our artillery positioned in the front.   The Division was ordered forward and we advanced by the right of Companies to the front.   Once through the gun line, we reformed our Brigade line, and advanced into the freigh.   We immediately became engaged, and traded volley after volley with the rebs.
 
The smoke became quite thick, and the roar of musketry was a steady sound that it became difficult to hear Major Hoskins orders.   A few pushes were made by each side, but nothing of major occurrence seemed to result.   After a lot of firing and a few repositioning of the lines, the rebs seemed to have had enough, and began to with draw.   Our Division also began to with draw for some reason, and I can only speculate that the fight was a draw.   But at least we showed them that they were facing Veterans, and that Nashville wouldn't be an easy taking.
 
We marched back to camp quite tired, and ready for a good supper and more of that great Ice Cold Lemonade.   To our surprise, we were still seeing a steady stream of more troops arriving for the campaign.   Our losses in the 1st engagement were slight, and nothing more then a few wounded here and there.
 

 
Saturday morning found reveille being sounded and rousting us out of our bunks well before 1st light.   The fog had returned, and made for an eerie but beautiful morning.   We quickly ate a quick breakfast, and were formed and ready to march by 6:30 a.m.   Didn't know what was going on, but we had heard that the 1st and 2nd Brigades, who were positioned some 2 and ½ miles away was being threatened by a major Rebel attack.  We were needed to reinforce them immediately, and were looking at a long march.   The Frontier Brigade (I had heard 150 Muskets strong), and Great Lakes Brigade, set forth, and we headed across the drill field down into the woods along a small trail.   At the bottom of the trail, the ground flattened out and became another field.   Up and down many hills we went, and eventually to a major road.   The heat had returned, but not as bad as it had been the day before.   However, the boys were easily sweating, and putting a full days worth of marching in.   I am pleased to report that the Frontier Brigade only had 1 man fall out.   We kept marching for what seemed like forever, and with much aches and pains, eventually came upon the AOP and Western Brigades.   These two Brigades had done an impressive job in digging in, and there was a formidable line of well dug trenches.   We were sent down to the far left of the lines, and after some time, was positioned into the trenches.   There was some sporadic artillery firing going on, and we saw some Cavalry skirmishing in the distance, but no reb infantry.
 
Major Hoskins deployed the 17th Missouri Company to our front as skirmishers, and we settled in for a well deserved rest.   Just about the time our bodies had stopped aching, our skirmishers to the front commenced a lively fire.   We were immediately called to arms and saw that a reb skirmish line had advanced and began to engage our boys.   It was a steady skirmish for a while, and we eagerly watched the little fight going on in our front.   But then they emerged.   A massive line of Confederate Infantry, standing shoulder to shoulder, as far as we could see from left to right.   This was indeed a lot more Rebs then we had saw yesterday, and immediately knew that this was a large portion of there forces.
 
Our Skirmishers were recalled, and the boom of artillery began to bark out.   They began to advance, and it seemed that as fast as our gunners could blow holes into there lines, that they seemed to fill them with ease.  We crouched down into our trenches and waited for the orders to engage.   A few long range volleys began to roar out along the line from the other brigades, and soon after, Major Hoskins gave the command.   We began to pour a steady stream of Volleys into there ranks.   Many rebs were seen to fall, but they kept coming at us.   Soon they were so close that we could actually make them out and they began to pour a heavy fire into us.
 
The whole air around us seemed to be ablaze and we were only able to keep firing at them as fast as we could.   Our musket barrels became so hot that we could barely handle them.   It was a fierce fight, and lasted for a good hour. But they never reached our lines, and eventually withdrew, leaving the field to our front littered with there dead and wounded.   The smoke hung thick in the air, and we were covered from head to toe in Tennessee dirt.
 
The rebs had tried to take our position, but quickly learned that trenches gave us an advantage, and they paid dearly with literally hundreds of there men killed or wounded.   I do not know exactly how long the fight lasted, but it seemed like hours to us, and we could not believe the carnage that laid before us.
 
Several of the boys in my company, was killed and wounded, and we didn't have time to lay them to rest, before the order to march was once again given.   Apparently the Rebs were heading for Franklin, and we had to beat them there and stop them to allow our forces to get to Nashville.   We set out on the march again, and marched most of the same route we had come.
 
While on the march back, we passed a huge Tennessee mansion, and I remember looking up and seeing a group of southern Bells watching us from a balcony at the top of the house.   They were cheering us on, and this seemed to give many of the boys an added sense of strength, and some brief entertainment.   As a reenactor, it was like a scene you would see in a movie or novel, and was really one of those little things that stick out in my mind.
 
Soon we were marching on some new ground that we had not marched upon that morning, and the boys were pretty much nearing exhaustion. But we kept moving, and eventually made our way to the Franklin site.   Our Brigade was positioned to the right of the main road, and took a much needed hours rest.  After which, we began working on our trenches and improving them for a suitable defense.
 
To our front was a huge open field, and we knew that the rebels would be fools to try to take such a position.   We seemed to come back to life while working on these works, and the boys took great pride in the progress.   Firing Steps, Bridges, and Head logs were all assembled.   Each man had determined to make there lines of the works the best in the Brigade.
 

 
After several hours, and another rest, we heard firing to our front.   A Battalion of one of the other Brigades, who was positioned as an advance guard became engaged.   We couldn't see what was going on, but could hear them under heavy fire.   It became apparent that the rebs were advancing, and was going to try to take our works.
 
Soon, we saw a stream of running men coming at us.   It was the other federal Battalion, and they were breaking for the rear.   The rebs were right on there tails, and were deploying into line.   We began to yell for our boys to get out of the way, but they were like scared rabbits going everywhere.   Our whole line was yelling for them to get out of the way, but unfortunately, the rebs were able to deploy into line before we could get a shot into them.
 
They began to advance upon us, and our artillery soon belched out the lead of freedom.   Our line was able to pour a good 4 or 5 volleys into there ranks at a bit of distance, but it did little good.   The rebs kept pouring out into the field and deploying, and as fast as we could shoot them down, they kept coming.
 
This time however, they didn't stop like they had that morning.   We were firing a heavy fire into there ranks, and the boys were fighting like Madmen.   But still they kept coming.   Soon they were upon us, and we were locked in deadly hand to hand combat.   They poured into the trenches like running water, and it was a fight to the death.   Somewhere on our left, part of the line gave way, and our troops began to fall back.
 
We had no choice, but to abandon our trenches that we had worked so hard on.   It looked like all was lost, and that we would soon be running as fast as we could to the rear.   But I saw our Brave Colonel forming a new line, and many of the boys began to rally.   A line was formed and began to pour a fire into the rebs who were now in our trenches.   Then Forward we went and charged them.   We poured into our trenches, and once again hand to hand was engaged.
 
The rebs fought hard, but were soon falling back, and we had retaken our works.   But more rebs were brought into the freigh, and the charge and countercharge seemed to occur back and forth for over an hour.   The trenches were full of the dead and wounded, and it was quite difficult to even find a spot to fire out of.
 
But with the on set of evening came the sight of the rebels falling back.   I don't remember how many times the trenches were lost, and then retaken, but it was defiantly several times, and was in my opinion, the best battle of the entire weekend.   After the Afternoon battle, we reassembled the Brigade, and marched back to our camps.   Everyone was near exhaustion, and settled down for the evening for a long and well deserved rest.
 
The Brigade had performed beyond expectations that day.  One of the really neat aspects that I remember, is seeing a huge group of Confederate Prisoners being marched back to our camps under armed guard.   They were carrying stretchers of several of there Generals that had been Killed, and were being escorted by armed guards.   I would later find out, that these prisoners were held all night, and this just really added to a believable impression.
 

 
Sunday was more relaxed, and we awoke to a beautiful Tennessee Morning.   The Rebs had advanced upon us, and we were under siege.   But there was no excitement or urgency, as we knew there lines were so stretched thin, that one attack would break the siege, and send them running.   Everyone started packing up some of the extra gear, and getting it ready for the end of the event.
 
Sometime that morning, I don't seem to recall the exact time, each Battalion was ordered to have a Morning Parade.   The 2nd Battalion was formed, and Major Hoskins wheeled us into a Column of Companies, and we Opened ranks.   He then commenced Company Inspections.   Button that top Button Soldier, or Straighten that Buckle, and so on he would occasionally say.   There wasn't a lot of corrections overall, but a few here and there, and for the most part, the Battalion passed.   We then reformed our line, and the 1st Battalion was brought up, and the Brigade had several pictures taken.   Hopefully, those pictures will be posted on the web site, for all of us to see.
 
After Morning Parade, we pretty much was given free time to rest and prepare for the upcoming Battle.   Everyone seem to take things in stride, and was having a good time, and we all agreed that this was most defiantly a good event.   I was most glad that I came.   The Brigade formed that afternoon for the Battle, and we marched out.
  We headed down the road that ran along side our camps into the Valley, and posted behind some woods.   The Enemy Trenches were on the other side and on top of the Hill. We knew it was going to be some extra work to take these trenches, but were eager to fight.
 
After about 45 Mins of resting in our position, we received orders from Division to Break this damn Siege, and to take the rebel works.   Colonel Prater marched our brigade to the other side of the woods, and formed us in line of Battle. Our Brigade was on the right, and there was one of the other Brigades on the left.   We allowed the artillery to give the rebs a small bombardment, and then commenced forward shoulder to shoulder.
 
We were able to over run the Confederate Pickets with out any major problems, but soon came under an intense fire from the Rebel Lines.   We engaged, but was unable to move them out of there works as had been expected. There were a few advances, but we had to pull back several times, and readvance. 3 times we fell back, and advanced.   On the 3rd time, we surged forward, and poured into there trenches.   Once again, it was hand to Hand combat, and close range fighting. But the rebels were tired from the long weekend, and there causalities from the previous day had taken its toll.   They finally fell back, and we were in control of there works.
 
But the battle wasn't over yet, and our Brigade had to push forward.   Unfortunately, I was unable to go forward, as I had received a musket ball to the leg, and found myself wounded.   I laid for quite sometime in the trenches, listening to the roar of Battle, and don't know the particulars of what occurred after we advanced.   I heard from others later though, that after fighting and pushing the rebs over another hill, that our Brigade came over the hill only to find another 2000 Rebs in line who hadn't even been engaged yet.
 
It was quite a shocker I suppose, and the Brigade had a real fight.   But eventually the fight ended, and the rebs were fleeing south.   We had won the day, and it was time to go home.