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Gibes an Account of the Battle of Franklyn, Tenn., and Furfisted in the Macon Bescon, April 29th, 1603. In camp near Springhill, Tenn., April 1, 158. Dear Pa— . Thinking you will doubtless hear of the terrible little battle, which Cosby's brigade was waged on yesterday, and knowi ng that you will be exceedingly uneasy until you can hear deu rely of casualtties in our Regim ent, I have concluded to em ce this the earliest opportu ny of giving you what informa on I have been able to collect in roengagement and its ro le To dissipate your uneasiness, I t will first state no one was seri ously injured in either of the Noxubee companies. About 10 o’clock, on yesterday morning our brigade being in ad vance, and supplied with two days rations, and 40 rounds of ammunition, began its march in the direction of Franklin, for the purpose of of making a recon naisance in force, to determine whether or not the enemy were really evacuating their works on Harpeth river, as had been re ported by our independent scouts, as well as by citizens. As usual, our Regiment was placed in front and assigned the duty of driving in the Federal pickets, and other forces on outpost duty. With in two and one-half miles to Franklin, we discovered a small force of Federal cav alry strongly posted on Winston hills. We advanced on them a gallop, and they fled predi tately, almost witout firing a gun and without being fired on at all. We pursued them closely to with one-half mile of town. Here they walled, supported by two army companies of infantry, and check ed our further advance in that direction. At this point one man was killed in Taylor's company and one a featy wounded in Craven’s. Col. Pinson, sees the strength of their position, and not being able to learn their exact numbers, concealed as they were behind the brow of a hill, immediately dispatched a course to state the facts to the General and to demand reinforcements. Orders then came for the Regi ment to move to the right, and if ossible to turn the enemy’s flank and thus dislodge him. We had gone about one-fourth mile east of the Pike, when we were again formed into line, to receive the charge of a party of Federal cav alry. As soon, as we began to move towards them, they wisely “turned tail” and moved off at a rapid pace in the opposite direc tion. At this time General Van Dorn, attended by his own and General Jackson’s escort appear ed on the field. Our regiment was here divided, the majority moving off somewhat further to the east, under Major Wheeler, were dismounted and placed in position in a skirt of woods, ’ where they were for a time hasty engaged, though escaped with out loss, as each man was pro tected by a tree or stump; the re mainder, consisting of parts of companies A D, L and G (about 15 from each Co.) led by Col linson in person advanced in charge across an open field, 410 yards in width, for the purpose of routing the enemy, supposed to be only in very small force on the opposite edge of the field. The Federals concealed by a slight elevation of ground awaited until we were within 75 or 100 yards of them, when they arose about 500 strong) and poured a galling fire into our ranks, doing dreadful execution, in regard to horses. We halted and calmly stood the fire without being able to return it, (as our guns had previously been discharged until ordered to retire, which was done slowly and in order, for about 100 yards, when we were again halted and formed into line, pre pared for another charge upon the enemy. The order at length was given, another deten charge was made, necessarily re sulting as the first. Pinson dis patched to Van Dorn, that it was impossible, outnumbered as he was, to dislodge the enemy, and received a reply (I know this to be literally true, as Late carried the dispatches), to hold his posi t ation as long as possible, and he would be reinforced. In order to maintain his position Pinson again charged, and of course with like results. As my horse was get ting quite feeble and lame from loss of blood by a wound received in the first charge, in her right fore let I received orders from Jeff, commanding Company to fall back to the rear, as they be gan the third charge which order s executed with alacrity. 1 was immediately joined by Latt and others with wounded horses. The loss in our company was in these three charges, Bill Jackson wounded in the chin, 4 horses killed, and 3 wounded, other 3 companies suffered about as ours. Soon Col. Starke’s Regiment, un der command of Major Jones, came up in gallant style to the support of Pinson, forming on his left. Ballentine formed on the left of the Pike. A charge was immediately ordered and the Federals were routed and driven into town. Major Jones and Col. Ballentine followed them through the streets, doing dreadful exe cution. The Federals succeeded in crossing Harpeth R., under cover of their artillery, by which our cavalry were driven from the town, after having collected a considerable amount of Yankee plunder. Had not many of the Federal infantry taken refuse in the court house and other brick buildings and kept up such a con tinuous fire therefrom, many prisoners would doubtless have been brougt off. Our forces re mained in the vicinity of Prank lin, keeping the enemy on the op posite side of Harpeth, until late in the day, when they withdrew to their camps. I will geneas here the losses of our company and Regiment, [ill Jackson wounded slightly in the chin, Montsau’s. Holberg’s Fagan’s and d.ladson's beg killed Latt’s and mine were so seriously wounded, that they have since been condemned. T. Brook's horse was slightly sounded. Jeff, and Sam Day escaped un ft, they acted with great gal lantry and coolness. Billy Foote commanded that portion of our company under Maj. Wheeler, and likewise acted nobly. Co. A fast 1 man killed, 2 wounded by a grape-shot and suffered “‘in horse Hesh ” as ours. Co. E lost 1 man killed, Co. C. lost 1 man killed, 4 wounded. Companys D and 1 each in those charges lost 4 men wounded in, and not quite so many hang ours, K, and W. Co. F had J.d. Hunter slightly wounded in the foot As have written this hastily, 1 have not given as clear and con cise an account of the operations of the day, as I could have wished; but you will generously overlook, all faults. _ It will not be amiss to state that Starke’s Regiment lost 11 killed 42 wounded. Ballentine ‘Jost none, On the same day for rest’s Division had a skirmish on the Louisburg Pike, resulting in the capture of only 11 prisoners, and the loss of 1 man killed on our side, and 26 captured by the Federals. Forrest lost all of his artillery, but charged and re captured it again. Please write us often as convent I acknowledge my gratitude to God for the preserving care over us all, and would request a con tinuance of your prayers and those of all Christians in our be half. Much love to all. Affectionately your son, JOHN.
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Macon Beacon
Macon, Mississippi, US
Fri, Jun 22, 1917
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