October 8, 1862, Nashville Daily Union (Tennessee)
General Anderson’s Camp at Lavergne Broken up and Routed!
Rebel Loss – Thirty Killed and Eighty wounded.
Three Hundred Prisoners Taken!
The Enemy’s Entire Camp: Equipage, Stores, Arms and Ammunition Captured and Brought to this City.
Our arms at this point have been crowned with another brilliant success over the foes of our peace and happiness. The rebel camp, under Gen. Anderson at Lavergne, fifteen miles from this place, of which so much has been said for the last week, and which the secessionists firmly believed would in a few days drive the army from this city, has been utterly scattered and annihilated by our industrious, fearless and resolute officers and soldiers, whose skill and valor are worthy of the loftiest praise.
For days past we could hear of nothing but Lavergne, Lavergne – Lavergne and Anderson and fifty pieces of cannon, and ten thousand rebels, with any number of reinforcements from divers places. It was the current talk of the rebels. General Negley, finally, concluded that this scare-crow had been flourished before us quite long enough, and determined to give it a quietus, similar to that administered to Col. Bennett’s camp near Goodlettsville. Officers and privates alike were eager for the conflict, and never did troops more heartily second the plans of their commander. It was resolved to place Lavergne and its accompaniments among the things that were, and due preparations were made. The following were the orders from Headquarters:
Headquarters U. S. Forces,
Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 6, 1862.
General Palmer:
The troops under your immediate charge, consisting of
1st Regiment Infantry,
2 Sections Artillery,
Col. Stokes’s Cavalry,
Col. Synkoop’s Cavalry,
Should march so as to arrive at Lavergne at 4 o’clock A.M. Dispose the cavalry in two (2) battalions – advance and rear – artillery supported by the infantry. From this disposition you can use your judgments in deploying right and left to surround the enemy, and give play to your artillery, which, if opportunity offers, use with best effect. The enemy’s forces being poorly organized, armed, and drilled, they may easily be startled into a sudden panic, affording an opportunity and stimulating our cavalry (who are also inexperienced) in making a charge.
Guard well against your force being scattered, inviting a stand from the enemy, who may possibly be in greater force than expected.
When your eye covers the ground, occupied by the enemy, seek if possible to check his retreat east and west, expecting to be aided by colonel Miller on the south.
The enemy have camps at Green Hill, Murfreesboro, Nolensville, the troops from which may present themselves on your flanks.
There is a train regular from Murfreesboro; secure it if possible. Should any event prevent your moving to-morrow, inform me by couriers.
Encamp, however, as near to Nashville as possible.
Secure all the live stock and bacon possible, without particular reference to the kind.
In returning, guard carefully against an ambuscade, or a dash on your train.
I refer you to Colonel Miller’s instructions for a perfect understanding of each other’s momements [sic].
Jas. S. Negley,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
– – – –
Headquarters, U. S. Forces,
Nashville, Tenn., Oct. 6, 1861.
Colonel Miller:
Sir: Your command, four (4) regiments of infantry, will march promptly at 9 P.M., to arrive before Lavergne at 4 A.M.
Keep to the left of the railroad, marching with the most perfect secrecy; unfixed bayonets.
Your object is to surprise the enemy, encamped near Lavergne, co-operating with forces under General Palmer, via Murfreesboro road, who should arrive at Lavergne simultaneous with yourself.
Bear in mind that the enemy have camps at Nolensville, Murfreesboro, and Green Hill, troops from which may dash into your lines.
Move cautiously but fearlessly. Strike with determination and judgment.
Upon returning, it will be well to send two regiments so as to strike the Nolensville pike (10 miles south of Nashville,) to cover the safe return of a large forage train out on that road. Bring all the cattle, hogs and sheep to be found.
Jas. S. Negley,
Brigadier-General Commanding.
According to these instructions the whole command started, consisting of the 21st Illinois, Lieut. Col. Miles; first section of the 1st Kentucky Battery, Lieut. Nell; part of the 7th Pennsylvania Cavalry, Capt. May; two sections of Capt. Hotaling’s celebrated Illinois Battery; and Col. Stokes’ 1st Middle Tennessee Cavalry. General Palmer’s force keeping straight out on the Murfreesboro road, while Miller’s command, strictly in conformity to orders, took a different direction. Gen. Palmer arrived at Lavergne about half-past three A.M., having been frequently fired upon by guerrillas and pickets during the whole route between our videttes and Lavergne. Miller shared the same fate, but as he would naturally go slower than a force containing cavalry, he did not arrive in front of the enemy until the battle had began, which commenced at precisely daylight. Before the encounter, General Palmer took prisoners the men on picket duty at Lavergne, and sent them to this city, where they arrived at eight A.M., yesterday.
The enemy, under command of Gen. S. R. Anderson, opened fire upon Gen. Palmer, and attempted to flank him by throwing the 32d Alabama on his right. The enemy, although they had but one gun, opened upon us, but, unfortunately for them, Hotaling’s battery was but a short distance off, and returned the fire from two sections. The second shot from our artillery went directly through the enemy’s powder magazine, which immediately blew up, causing the complete destruction of the whole work and everything within a respectable circumference around it. About this time the Alabama regiment above referred to made hostile demonstrations upon Palmer’s flank, but to the surprise of friend and foe, Colonel Miller’s whole force, consisting of the 18th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Given; 20th Ohio, Lieut.-Col. Nibbling; 78th Pennsylvania, Col. Serwill; 14th Michigan, Col. St. Clair, arrived, via a cornfield, and rattled away, throwing his force completely the front, and on the Murfreesboro road on the right.
The 78th Penn. halted nearly in front of the retreating enemy, and when he attempted to pass the line to our left, Col. Serwill threw his regiment rapidly by the left flank and completely in front of the enemy. During all this time the artillery was playing upon them with telling effect.
The cavalry dashed with great force against the line of the 78th, but was met by a succession of volleys of musketry. The 32d Alabama quickly threw down their arms, and the cavalry elevated a white flag, but the Captain of the battery not seeing it, kept on firing. The cavalry then fled in great confusion into the woods. Meantime the 18th Ohio had arrived nearly at the place where the enemy’s artillery had made its first stand, and, by order of Colonel Miller, was deployed as skirmishers to sweep the woods recently occupied by the Alabama regiment. The men swept the woods clear back by the camp, and took numerous prisoners, among them Colonel Maury, Colonel Miller, learning that Gen. Palmer’s infantry had gone in the same direction, withdrew the 18th Ohio.
The firing in the corn fields in front of the battery had by this time become scattering, irregular, and soon ceased. The 14th Michigan and the 21st Ohio had each taken an active part and secured many prisoners.
After Colonel Miller arrived the fighting lasted thirty minutes.
As all the information which General Negley could possibly obtain must necessarily be by couriers, at an early hour yesterday morning, deeming it expedient to risk no sacrifice of his troops, he sent out reinforcements, consisting of the 22d Illinois, 11th Michigan, 10th Michigan and a Battery, Gen. Negley taking immediate command. The reinforcements proceeded to within a mile of the Insane Asylum, when they were met by Colonel Stokes and his regiment. The easy gait of the horses, the smile of the Colonel, the apparent good nature of his men, and the exhibition of several miniature Confederate flags told the whole story.
The first remark that the duty Colonel made to the General was, “General, we’ve got ’em!”
“Well,” said the General, “what have you got?”
“By George!” ejaculated Col. Stokes, “we’ve got everything – two Colonels, several other commissioned officers, and nearly three hundred men, all their small arms, their guns, and all the flour, bacon, and other necessaries we could carry, after filling our own and all the enemy’s wagons and every species of cart that we could press.” The Colonel told the truth, for the road for miles was filled with soldiers, prisoners of war, and wagons loaded with stores of all kinds.
The rebels had but one gun, which was captured. We also took from the enemy four hundred small arms, a regimental stand of colors, fifty-six loads of flour, several hundred weight of bacon, forty beeves, and a number of horses.
Our loss, as far as can be ascertained, was 4 killed and 7 wounded.
The rebel loss in killed is thirty, and about eighty wounded. Notwithstanding our artillery made sad havoc with the enemy, the above figures are probably reliable, as seems to be confirmed by the rebel prisoners.
As near as we can judge, the number of prisoners taken was over three hundred, most of whom were taken to the Provost Marshal’s office for examination. Their number embraced two colonels, several captains and lieutenants, ordinance officers, and quite a squad of sergeants and corporals. During the examination of the men, several of them avowed that their officers all ran away, and thus their capture was inevitable. One intelligent young man from Alabama stated that he was awakened by his servant, who told him that “the Yankees were coming.” He disbelieved the report, and went to sleep again, but was awakened by the report of cannon and musketry. Hastily joining his company, he was ordered, with the whole regiment, to form in line of battle, but when the attack was made his officers fled, and he, with other new, inexperienced troops, followed them. On starting to leave the field, he was told by some of his officers that a large force of Federals were advancing from Murfreesboro, and said, he, good-naturedly, “Before I really knew where I was, I was marching between the blue coats.” Many of the prisoners state that they were sick of the war, and judging from appearances we think they have reason to be, for a more wretched looking set of prisoners it has never been our lot to witness. No two were dressed alike, and many were ragged and all very dirty.
In addition to this, their fifteen miles’ march did not enhance their looks. No doubt a parole will be acceptable to them. According to the statements made by many of them, they are quite willing to quit fighting and return home.
The rebel force was under command of General Sam. Anderson; but that individual informed his men that reinforcements were necessary, started towards Murfreesboro for them, and has not been heard of since. The cavalry were respectively under John T. Morgan, Biffel, and McKinstry.
The uniform good conduct of the troops on march and under fire was loudly applauded by the officers, and perceptible to all. Nothing was disturbed of a private nature, except pressing teams to carry captured stores. Another fact worthy of mention is, that the jaded and worn-out prisoners were treated with the consideration which characterizes our troops.
The dash of the rebels under Forrest upon Murfreesboro, a few months ago, was a decided success, and we must confess that General Negley’s well planned and well carried out attack upon Lavergne was no less brilliant.
Colonel Stokes’ cavalry displayed signal daring and intrepidity, going into their work with coolness and alacrity of veterans, and the ardor of men whose souls burned with patriotism. They amply fulfilled the high hopes entertained of them. We predict for them a splendid reputation. The gallantry and coolness of Colonel Miller are highly applauded. The opening of his fire upon the splendid rebel cavalry is described as truly brilliant; from one end of his line to the other blazed forth one sheet of fire, the rebels reeled in their saddles, the dead and dying strewed the ground, and the survivors betook themselves to headlong flight. General Palmer who won noble laurels at Island Number 10, acquitted himself as became an officer and soldier. He opened the fight and kept it up heroically. His skill and coolness were eminent everywhere.
The excitement along the road and on the streets was tremendous; the whole population turning out, while squads of from three hundred to five hundred persons, at the entrance of the city, on Cedar street, Church street, High street, and around the Capitol, literally blocked up the way in their intense eagerness to see the troops and their prisoners, who were a most woe-begotten looking set, and lineal descendants of the “Knights of the Sorrowful Figure.” Poor men, little did they seem to know the true character of this deplorable contest. Dupes of wicked and cunning leaders, led astray by mere political blacklegs, we felt most sincerely and profoundly sorry for them. Why should they be torn from home, wife, children, friends and business, because Harris and Breckinridge were no longer the favorites of political fortune? General Negley and our other officers were greeted cordially along the route by the waving of flags, handkerchiefs and other tokens of approval. There were hundreds, yes thousands of the sons and daughters of Tennessee, whose hearts beat high with hope and joy at this triumph of the dear old flag, more precious to their souls than aught besides on earth.
Thus Providence has crowned our arms with another victory over the forces of treason, anarchy and despotism; may it be but the precursor of a long series of triumphs, each one far outshining its predecessor in splendor.