No Better Place to Die- The Battle of Stones River

by Peter Cozzens

  Thirty-sixth Indiana Infantry (AC), 139, 140, 156, 180, 191, 195

  Thirty-third Ohio Infantry (AC), 137

  Triune, Tennessee: Confederate troops in, 40, 47, 50, 57; Union advance against, 45, 46, 50, 52, 54, 57

  Tullahoma, Tennessee, 29, 30, 202, 208, 210, 218

  Tupelo, Mississippi: Confederate forces in, 2, 37

  Twelfth Tennessee Infantry (AT), 115

  Twentieth Louisiana Infantry (AT), 162, 187

  Twentieth Tennessee Infantry (AT), 166, 187, 192

  Twenty-fifth Illinois Infantry (AC), 111, 112, 113–14, 115

  Twenty-fifth Louisiana Infantry (AT), 193

  Twenty-fifth Tennessee Infantry (AT), 92, 94, 124

  Twenty-first Illinois Infantry (AC), 71, 98, 99, 203

  Twenty-first Kentucky Infantry (AC), 186

  Twenty-first Michigan Infantry (AC), 111, 117, 119, 125

  Twenty-first Ohio Infantry (AC), 143, 193, 197

  Twenty-first Wisconsin Infantry (AC), 172

  Twenty-fourth Mississippi Infantry (AT), 124, 127, 143

  Twenty-fourth Ohio Infantry (AC), 139, 141, 156, 180, 189, 195

  Twenty-fourth Wisconsin Infantry (AC), 79, 111, 112, 118, 119, 122

  Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry (AC), 82, 86, 95

  Twenty-ninth Mississippi Infantry (AT), 126–27, 134

  Twenty-ninth North Carolina Infantry (AT), 135, 136, 140, 141

  Twenty-second Illinois Infantry (AC), 70, 117, 119, 124, 133

  Twenty-second Indiana Infantry (AC), 79, 91, 92–94

  Twenty-seventh Illinois Infantry (AC), 119, 123, 133, 134, 148

  Twenty-seventh Mississippi Infantry (AT), 127, 143

  Twenty-seventh Tennessee Infantry (AT), 119, 120

  Twenty-sixth Alabama Infantry (AT), 111–12

  Twenty-sixth Ohio Infantry (AC), 156, 157, 165

  Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Artillery (AC): Battery B, 192

  Twenty-third Kentucky Infantry (AC), 139, 141, 165, 180, 189, 195

  Twenty-third Tennessee Infantry (AT), 92, 97

  Vicksburg, Mississippi: Confederate defense of, 36, 37; Union offensive against, 27, 35, 45, 205

  Warren Light Artillery (AT), 148

  Washington Artillery, Fifth Battery (AT), 72, 166, 194–95

  Waters's Alabama Battery (AT), 125, 195

  Wayne's Hill: ford of Stones River northwest of, 66, 76–77, 180, 196; strategic position of, 60, 67, 72, 166

  West Virginia, Department of: Rosecrans's command of, 16

  White's (Tennessee) Battery (AT), 104

  Widow Burrows (or Burris) farm and house, 105, 106, 141, 146, 148, 149, 150

  Widow Smith house, 71, 86, 98, 113

  Wilkinson Crossroads, 68

  Wilkinson Turnpike, 67, 71, 79, 95, 96, 102–3, 104, 105, 107, 115, 117, 119, 121, 122, 123, 124, 133, 139, 141; bridge on, 69

  Wilson Pike, 45, 50, 51, 52

  Wright's Tennessee Battery (AT), 187, 195

  Yell Rifles, 90

  INDEX OF PERSONAL NAMES

  Adams, Brig. Gen. Daniel W., 47, 61, 162, 164

  Adams, Pvt. Jacob, 197

  Alexander, Col. John, 99

  Anderson, Col. Charles, 97

  Anderson, Col. Nicholas, 139–40

  Anderson, Brig. Gen. J. Patton, 34–35, 38, 61, 124, 131, 141–42, 196

  Anderson, Lt. Col. John, 154, 157

  Andrews, Col. Julius A., 144–45

  Autry, LTC James, 127

  Baldwin, Lt. A. T., 80

  Baldwin, Col. Philemon P., 94–95, 97

  Barnes, James, 71–72

  Beatty, Col. John: celebrates Christmas, 44; contempt for Crittenden and McCook, 24; on drinking of superiors after battle, 204; esteem for Thomas, 23; fights alone in cedars, 137–39; mentioned, 175, 198; praises Rosecrans, 15; quarrels with Rosecrans, 17–18

  Beatty, Col. Samuel: actions 31 December, 128, 130, 145–46, 148; actions 2 January, 175, 180, 188; mentioned, 17

  Beatty, Capt. Taylor, 112

  Beauregard, Gen. Pierre G. T., 2

  Berry, John, 97–98

  Bickham, William D., 18, 23, 54, 76, 116, 206

  Blake, Col. William, 169

  Blakemore, George, 150

  Bradley, Capt. Cullen, 181, 192

  Bradley, Col. Luther P., 148–49

  Bragg, Gen. Braxton: actions 2 January, 177, 179; actions after Stones River campaign, 216–18; actions as theatre commander, 35–38; actions during Union advance, 55, 59–60, 69, 72; appearance and character of, 3–4; calls to Breckinridge for reinforcements, 159–61; concentrates army at Murfreesboro, 29–30, 55–56; confident of victory, 174; and councils of war, 73–76, 197; court-martials McCown, 213–14; criticized in press, 208–9; as disciplinarian, 4; and invasion of Kentucky, 1–3, 5–8; issues circular letter, 209; and Jefferson Davis, 8, 11, 29, 210; loses confidence of army, 202; mentioned, 12, 28, 47, 123, 150, 171, 194; occupies Middle Tennessee, 7–8; quarrels with Breckinridge, 215–16; quarrels with Cheatham, 212–13; quarrels with subordinates before Stones River, 1, 3, 10–11, 32–33, 35, 41–42; rebukes Cheatham, 109; rejects Cheatham-Withers letter, 199; reorganizes army, 31; and retreat from Murfreesboro, 200–202; scatters forces, 40

  Bramblett, Capt. W. P., 178

  Brantly, Col. W. F., 125

  Breckinridge, Maj. Gen. John C.: actions before battle, 61, 72; actions 2 January, 177–79, 182–83, 186, 196; attacks Round Forest, 164; biographical, 32; mentioned, 29, 47, 207; occupies Murfreesboro, 7; quarrels with Bragg after Stones River, 215–16; quarrels with Bragg before Stones River, 32–33, 41–42; refuses to send reinforcements, 159–61; responds to circular letter, 210

  Brent, Col. George, 29, 40, 43, 177, 196, 202

  Brown, Pvt. A. H., 113

  Buckner, Lt. Col. John, 178–79, 192

  Buckner, Maj. Gen. Simon B., 34, 216–18

  Buell, Maj. Gen. Don Carlos, 2, 5, 6–8, 12–14, 21–22, 24

  Burke, Col. Joe, 107

  Burks, Col. J. C., 86

  Burnside, Maj. Gen. Ambrose, 27–28

  Bush, Capt. Asahel K., 117, 119, 124

  Bush, Squire H., 201

  Butler, Pvt. Jay, 99

  Carlin, Colonel William P., 49, 98, 102–3, 121, 191

  Carpenter, Maj. S. D., 156

  Carpenter, Capt. Stephen, 111

  Carter, Col. John, 155

  Chalmers, Brig. Gen. James R., 5, 61, 153

  Chase, Salmon P., 22

  Cheatham, Maj. Gen. Benjamin F.: advises retreat, 199; attacks Sheridan, 117; biographical, 31; censured by Polk, 213; drinking problems of, 109, 133, 213; mentioned, 29, 59, 76, 201, 218; quarrels with McCown, 72–73

  Chipley, Capt. Stephen, 186

  Clare, Maj. William, 214

  Clay, H. B., 183

  Cleburne, Maj. Gen. Patrick R.: actions 31 December, 90–91, 123, 141, 148; biographical, 34; explanation of failure of attack on Nashville Pike, 150; mentioned, 47, 56, 73, 201; responds to circular letter, 210

  Cobb, Capt. Robert, 67

  Cockerill, Capt. D. T., 162

  Cole, James, 87

  Collier, Maj. Daniel, 156

  Collins, Maj. Joseph, 95

  Cooper, Gen. Samuel, 36, 215

  Cope, Sgt. Alexis, 88–89

  Coward, Joe, 134

  Cox, Col. John, 104, 162

  Crittenden, Maj. Gen. Thomas L.: actions 31 December, 128–30; actions 2 January, 180, 191–92; actions during Union advance, 58, 64–66; biographical, 24; at council of war, 173; drinking after battle, 204; incompetence of, 24; mentioned, 46, 52, 55, 70; regard for Rosecrans, 16

  Crofton, Capt. Robert, 136

  Cruft, Brig. Gen. Charles, 51, 154–55, 193

  Curtis, Maj. Gen. Samuel, 27

  Darden, Capt. Putnam, 92

  Davis, Jefferson (President of Confederate States): and Bragg, 8, 11, 29; actions after Stones River, 210–11, 217–18; appoints Johnston theatre commander, 37; concern for Western theatre, 35; and Hardee, 33; and invasion of Kentuc
ky, 1, 6; and Kirby-Smith, 10–11; orders Lee reinforced, 27; and Polk, 8, 10; visits army, 38

  Davis, Brig. Gen. Jefferson C.: actions during Union advance, 48–50, 57, 68, 71; attacked by Cleburne, 91; mentioned, 197; reacts to defeat, 121

  Day, Sgt. Lewis, 71, 79

  Dennison, William, 16

  Dick, Lt. Col. George, 148

  Dodge, Col. Joseph B., 85–86, 95

  Donelson, Brig. Gen. Daniel S., 69, 154

  Doolittle, Dr. Charles, 103

  Dornblaser, Thomas, 203

  Douglas, Maj. W. F., 150

  Dysart, Capt. Alexander, 89

  Ector, Brig. Gen. M. D., 73, 85, 87, 90, 144–45

  Edgarton, Capt. Warren, 82, 85

  Edsall, Capt. C. P., 80

  Erb, William, 169, 185, 197

  Erdelmeyer, Col. Frank, 87, 89

  Estep, Lt. George, 162, 181, 191

  Field, Col. H. R., 120

  Fisher, Capt. Horace, 52, 62

  Fitch, Michael H., 175

  Forrest, Brig. Gen. Nathan B., 7, 55

  Freeman, Sgt. Henry, 129

  Freemantle, Sir Arthur, J. L., 3

  Fulmer, Capt. Jesse, 136

  Furay, M. S., 206

  Fyffe, Col. James P., 130, 146, 148, 175

  Gammage, Washington L., 73

  Garesche, Col. Julius P., 25–26, 62, 166

  Gibson, Joseph, 143

  Gibson, Col. Randall, 181, 187

  Gibson, Col. William, 83, 87, 104

  Gilbert, Maj. Gen. Charles, 6

  Gillaspie, Pvt. Ira, 142

  Gooding, Col. Michael, 79

  Gorgas, John, 85

  Govan, Col. D. C., 150

  Grainger, Gervis, 41, 188, 193–94, 201

  Grant, Maj. Gen. U. S., 16, 25–28

  Graves, Maj. Rice, 178–79, 195

  Green, Johnny, 43, 162, 201

  Greusel, Col. Nicholas, 112–13, 115, 119, 122, 134

  Grider, Col. Benjamin, 175, 185, 188–89, 195

  Grose, Col. William, 139, 155, 157, 180

  Halleck, Maj. Gen. Henry, 21–22, 27–28, 45

  Hannaford, Cpl. Ebenezer, 47, 58, 62, 65, 139–40, 167–68, 170, 204

  Hanson, Brig. Gen. Roger, 61, 183, 186

  Hardee, Lt. Gen. William J.: actions 31 December, 90–91, 123, 134; actions 2 January, 178; actions during Union advance, 56, 72–73; advises retreat, 200; biographical, 33; complains about lack of reinforcements, 150; at council of war, 197; criticizes Stones River line, 60; despairs of victory, 175; dismisses Cheatham-Withers letter, 200; mentioned, 34, 36, 47, 52, 54, 55, 212, 216; opposition to Bragg after Kentucky, 1; at Perryville, 6–7; physical appearance of, 33–34; responds to circular letter, 209

  Harker, Col. Charles, 66–67, 130, 146, 148

  Harper, Col. R. W., 104

  Harrington, Col. F. A., 133–34

  Harris, Isham, 211

  Harrison, Col. Thomas, 56

  Hascall, Brig. Gen. Milo S., 130–31, 156–59, 165

  Hattaway, Herman, 27

  Haynie, James, 142

  Hazen, Col. William B.: actions 2 January, 195; biographical, 151; describes Round Forest, 152; holds the Round Forest, 154, 159, 165–66; mentioned, 58

  Heg, Col. Hans C., 15, 44, 99–100, 102, 191

  Hescock, Capt. Henry, 124

  Hill, Lt. Gen. D. H., 216–18

  Hobart, Col. Harrison C., 198

  Holmes, Lt. Gen. Theophilus, 37

  Hooks, Sgt. M. C., 120

  Hotchkiss, Capt. Charles, 88–89

  Houghtalling, Capt. Charles, 124, 133

  Hubbard, Maj. Elisha, 112

  Hunt, Col. Robert, 67

  Hunter, Alfred, 197

  Hurd, Lt. Col. Orin, 86

  Jackson, Pvt. John, 47

  James, Lt. R. F., 120

  Johnson, Andrew, 13–14

  Johnson, Brig. Gen. Bushrod R., 23, 92, 102, 123, 141, 149

  Johnson, Brig. Gen. Richard W., 50, 57, 68, 79, 85, 103

  Johnston, Pvt. John, 213

  Johnston, Cpl. Joseph, 194

  Johnston, Gen. Joseph E., 10, 37, 210–11

  Johnston, William Preston, 179

  Jones, Archer, 27

  Jones, Lt. Col. Fielder, 80, 87

  Jones, Lt. S. M., 102

  Kennett, Col. John, 46, 106

  Kinley, Maj. Isaac, 140

  Kirby, Maj. Isaac, 102

  Kirby Smith, Lt. Gen. Edmund, 2–6, 10–11, 36, 38

  Kirk, Brig. Gen. Edmund N., 80, 82, 85–86, 104

  Knefler, Col. Frederick, 145

  Lathrop, Dr. David, 62

  Lavender, Lt. Col. F. M., 187

  Lavender, Capt. John, 86

  Lee, Gen. Robert E., 27–28

  Lewis, Pvt. Asa, 41–42, 161

  Lewis, Col. Joseph H., 194

  Liddell, Brig. Gen. St. John R.: attacks Baldwin, 94–95; biographical, 96; brigade routed, 149; on Cheatham's drinking, 213; mentioned, 141, 149, 175; opposes retreat, 200–201; and Union surgeons, 103, 149

  Liddell, Willie, 103

  Lincoln, Abraham, 14, 206–7

  Locke, Col. M. F., 85

  Longstreet, Lt. Gen. James, 216–18

  Loomis, Col. J. Q., 47, 109, 112

  Lovell, Gen. Mansfield, 36

  McClain, Col. Richard, 185

  McClellan, Maj. Gen. George B., 16

  McCook, Maj. Gen. Alexander McD.: actions 31 December, 82, 116–17; actions during Union advance, 48, 54–57, 62, 67–68, 70–71; biographical, 23–24; contempt of army for, 24; at council of war, 173–74; failure of at Stones River, 134; and faulty troop dispositions, 77–79; mentioned, 7, 19, 45, 204

  McCown, Maj. Gen. John P: actions 31 December, 85, 87–88, 94, 104, 134–35, 144; and Bragg, 35; court-martialed, 213–14; mentioned, 2, 10, 38, 55–56, 69, 201; quarrel with Cheatham, 72–73

  McGregor, Pvt., 126

  McMurray, William, 187

  McNair, Brig. Gen. Evander, 73, 85–86, 94, 96

  McReynolds, Maj. J. T., 123

  Magee, John, 43, 170

  Manderson, Maj. Charles, 44, 145–46, 188–89

  Maney, Brig. Gen. George, 47, 69, 117–21, 133

  Manigault, Col. A. M., 61, 114–15, 117–19, 124, 133

  Marks, Dr. Solon, 79, 101–2, 170

  Marshall, Brig. Gen. Humphrey, 36

  Matthews, William, 100

  Maxwell, Sgt. James, 43, 170

  Mebane, Lt. John, 195

  Mendenhall, Capt. John, 191–92

  Miller, Col. John, 142–43, 193, 195

  Miller, Maj. Silas, 113, 116

  Miller, Col. William, 187

  Millikin, Col. Minor, 105–6

  Minty, Col. Robert, 46, 51

  Mitchell, Lt. John, 113

  Mitchell, Brig. Gen. Robert B., 21

  Mix, Capt. James, 58–59

  Moore, Col. W. L., 157

  Morgan, Brig. Gen. John H., 19, 43, 55

  Morton, Capt. James St. Clair, 25, 146, 191

  Morton, Oliver P., 13–14, 205

  Murray, Lt. Col. John, 150

  Nash, William, 203

  Negley, Brig. Gen. James S., 47, 50, 52, 57, 141, 203

  Nevins, Allan, 205

  Newlin, Sgt. William, 171

  Niebling, Col. James, 143

  Nourse, Pvt. James, 171, 194

  Otis, Capt. Elmer, 107

  Owen, Ira, 170–71

  Paine, Capt. Hendrick, 92

  Palmer, Col. Joseph B., 164–65, 186, 189

  Palmer, Brig. Gen. John M.: actions 31 December, 151–52, 154; actions 2 January, 180, 193; actions during Union advance, 51–52, 64–66; biographical, 65–66

  Parkhurst, Col. John, 131

  Parsons, Capt. Charles, 139, 162

  Pegram, Brig. Gen. John, 47, 59, 64, 160, 177, 196

  Pemberton, Lt. Gen. John C., 35

  Pickett, Maj. W. D., 56, 178, 194

  Pillow, Brig. Gen. Gideon J., 182, 186–87, 196, 214

  Pinney, Capt. Oscar, 92, 94

/>   Pirtle, Lt. Alfred, 136, 140

  Polk, Lt. Gen. Leonidas: actions during Kentucky campaign, 5–7; actions 31 December, 162, 164; actions 2 January 178, 180–81; censures Cheatham, 213; and Davis, 8, 10; endorses Cheatham-Withers letter, 199; feelings of army toward, 8–10; mentioned, 36, 43, 47, 126, 182, 200; military record of, 10; opposition to Bragg after Kentucky, 1; proposes turning movement, 76; quarrels with Bragg after Stones River, 211–12; religious sentiments of, 44

  Polk, Brig. Gen. Lucius, 90, 98, 102, 124, 134, 141, 148

  Post, Col. P. Sidney, 49, 91–92, 102

  Preston, Brig. Gen. William: actions 31 December, 164, 165–66; actions 2 January, 181–82, 189, 194; on carnage of battle, 171; disdain for Bragg, 208, 212; mentioned, 179, 218

  Price, Col. Samuel W., 175, 180

  Price, Maj. Gen. Sterling, 36–37

  Pugh, Maj. John, 105

  Quintard, Rev. Charles, 213

  Rains, Brig. Gen. James E., 89–90, 135, 139, 141

  Ready, Mattie, 43

  Reid, Whitelaw, 15

  Rennard, John, 89, 168–69

  Robert, Charles, 43

  Roberts, Col. George W., 117–19, 133

  Robertson, Capt. Felix, 177, 182–83, 194, 215

  Robuck, J. E., 126–27, 134

  Rosecrans, Maj. Gen. William S.: actions 31 December, 106–8, 128–31, 146, 148–49, 158–59, 166; actions 2 January, 191, 197; actions during Union advance, 52–56, 61–63, 65–68, 70; appointed army commander, 14–15; calls council of war, 172–74; character of, 16–18; early life and service, 15–16; esteem for Thomas, 23; mentioned, 30, 180, 216; plan of advance, 44–46; plan of battle, 76–77; praised by Lincoln, 206; refuses to advance, 26, 28; religious sentiments of, 18; reorganizes army, 18–21, 24–25

  Rousseau, Maj. Gen. Lovell H.: actions 31 December 131, 135–38, 145; actions during Union advance, 57–58, 71; biographical, 135; mentioned, 50, 52, 204

  Russell, John, 203

  Savage, Col. John, 158

  Savage, Lt. Col. L. N., 158

  Scales, Lt. Col. J. J., 125–26

  Schaefer, Col. Frederick, 119, 134

  Scott, Dr. John, 186

  Scott, Col. Joseph, 193

  Scribner, Col. Benjamin F., 137

  Sedgewick, Col. Thomas, 152

  Shanks, William, 17, 23

  Shannon, Lt. H, 96

  Shephard, Lt. Col. Oliver H., 155–56

  Sheridan, Brig. Gen. Philip H.: actions 31 December, 111, 117–19, 121–23, 129, 133, 158; actions during Union advance, 50, 57, 68, 70–71; fears attack, 79–80

  Sill, Brig. Gen. Joshua W., 6, 79–80, 111–13

  Simmons, Sgt. Louis, 189

  Simonson, Capt. Peter, 95