Major Henry Leaming’s Stone’s River Letter to his Wife

 

 

 

 

 

 

“The Soldier of Indiana In The War For The Union Vol. 2″; Author Catharine Merrill; Published Merrill and Company 1889.

Pages 159 – 162

Written from the Battlefield:

“Our entire right wing gave way, a great part of it in much confusion. The stragglers came rushing back toward our position (we were just to the left of the pike) in a perfect panic. For a time all seemed lost. Our men fell back across a large open field between the pike and the woods in which they had been posted, the Rebels pursuing and yelling with all their might. After our men had got well across the field, a battery of eighteen guns, posted on the hill to the left of the pike, was turned on the Rebels as they advanced in four lines, and grape and canister were showered among them until they could stand it no longer. Our brigade had been withdrawn from the position first held, in order to support the right wing in it’s retreat, and as we were in an open field, I had a fine view of the effect of the fire of our batteries. The loss to the enemy here was awful. As sometimes from four to six guns would fire at one time, at not more than two hundred yards, full into the face of the advancing lines, whole companies were swept down as grain to a reaper. They soon broke and ran back to the shelter of the woods, whither they were followed by our merciless shells. In the meantime we had been shelled by some batteries of theirs planted in front of the position we held at first. Grape, canister and fragments of shell fell around us like hail. The regiment was getting disoriented. Blake received an order to report to General Wood as under arrest. He started off, and Neff was, of course, in command. Just at this time an order came for us to march across to relieve the Fifty-Eighth, of Hascall’s brigade. This regiment was sharply engaged with a force in front, but was manfully standing its ground. The Fortieth marched over the railroad, into an open field, and lay down on a hill-side just in rear of  the Fifty-Eighth. We were exposed to the full fire of the force engaging the Fifty-Eighth, and being above it, were in much more danger, as it is a fact beyond all doubt that perhaps nine-tenths of all the shots in battle pass to high, and that there is much more danger to men one hundred yards to the rear than to those in front. There was also a battery in full view of us taking the Fortieth as its target. But the boys lay like heroes under this most fearful trial that troops can be put to, that is, exposure to fire without a chance return it. We lay there for a half hour, when Royse came to me and told me that Neff was wounded soon after we arrived at this place, and that I was in command. The Fifty-Eighth by this time had expended its ammunition, I called the Fortieth to attention and moved forward to relieve it. As the fine fellows sprang to their feet, I saw three lying in their place, never more to respond till the last trump shall call to attention the universe. A large number of wounded had been removed. We started, as I have said, to relieve the Fifty-Eighth. When we were near enough, I called out to them that we would take their places, and in five seconds they had retired, and we were ready for the Rebels. The party that had fought the Fifty-Eighth soon retired. I ordered to cease firing, and rode out in front of the regiment to see what was coming next. I was not long in finding out. A large brigade of Breckenridge’s corps was formed about a half mile in front of us, and in a few moments came across the open field directly upon us. The order was given that no one should fire, and our boys lay flat and motionless. As their line advanced the fire from three of their batteries was directed on us; and the limbs from the trees overhead cut off by their shells, wounded and bruised quite a number of our boys. I rode over to the right of the regiment to see what support we had there. I could see nothing at all to our flank on the right, nothing to our rear. On our left was the One Hundredth Illinois behind the embankment, at nearly a right angle to our position. This was well enough, but I was uneasy about our right, especially as the weight of the advancing brigade was moving toward the right of our line. But nothing could be done just then by me to remedy the matter so, I merely sent a notice of the advance to Rosecrans, and left him to prepare as he thought best. As soon as the enemy was within one hundred and fifty yards, the One Hundredth Illinois Commenced firing. I had intended to let them come close up to us, then fire, and charge bayonets. But they halted as soon as the Illinois regiment commenced on them, and I was compelled to give the order “Commence firing.” The boys did so with a will. I stood watching them and the effect of their firing on the enemy. I cannot express to you how proud and happy I was when I saw their coolness, and the determination in every face. I encouraged them in every way I could, and as, unable to stand our fire, the Rebels began to run, I shouted to the boys to give it to them. They yelled out a shout of triumph, and it seemed to me, shot as if it were not necessary to load, and they could indeed “fire at will.” They disappeared into the woods on our right, and we had nothing but the fire of their batteries to stand. This continued for several hours, indeed till dark, but happily all the shell and shot passed to our rear, although not more than a few rods. At dark the battle was nearly over, and ceased soon after.

Just as we had driven our visitors off, I rode out to see the effect of our fire. The ground was literally covered  with their dead and wounded. A prisoner we we took said that the Louisiana regiment he had belonged to was almost exterminated; that one captain came out without a man left, and another had only ten.

Now I know you would like me to say something about myself. Well, my little lady, folks say I did my duty. Thats enough, is it not? But I cannot give too much praise to Royse. He behaved like a hero. All, officers and men, did their duty nobly, and I am glad to have so brave a set of fellows under my command. I must not forget to say that in all probability the Fortieth was the only regiment which had been engaged that rested on the night of the great battle on the same ground that it occupied the night before.”

Stones River After Action Report

“Offical Records”

No. 110

Report of Major Henry Leaming, 40th Indiana Infantry, including skirmish at LaVergne, December 17

HEADQUARTERS FORTIETH INDIANA VOLUNTEERS

Near Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 9, 1863

SIR: On the 26th ultimo the 40th Indiana Volunteers, commanded by Colonel John W. Blake, marched from Nashville, in the direction of Murfreesborough, and camped near the village of LaVergne, the pickets from this regiment covering the right of the brigade, and one-half of the regiment having been thrown forward for this purpose, the entire picket line of the brigade being made the charge of Lieutenant Colonel Elias Neff, of this regiment.

The night passed quietly, but early on the morning of the 27th firing commenced between our outposts and those of the enemy who occupied the village, which was kept up briskly for some time, and terminated with a few rounds of artillery firing on either side. The regiment had 1 man wounded in this skirmish.

At about midday we again took the road, and without further casualty marched to Stewart’s Creek and encamped, remaining till the morning of the 29th, when we crossed the creek and moved forward amid occasional skirmishing till arriving about 2 1/2 miles from Murfreesborough, where we halted, our right resting on the turnpike at the toll-gate, and the left resting on the railroad.

We remained at this point till the morning of the 31st without casualty, having picketed the front on the nights of the 29th and 30th.

On the 31st firing was heard off to our right from both artillery and small-arms, indicating an important movement in that direction; but the regiment made no change of position, keeping the men ready for instant action.

About 9 a.m. the troops to our right were discovered to be falling back, and we were ordered to retire and move to a position from which we could advance to their support. The enemy were soon repulsed, however, and we were then ordered to take position in rear of Cox’s battery, and on a line with that the regiment occupied in the morning, our right resting on the railroad, the left extending nearly at right angles from it. In this position we were exposed to the fire from the enemy’s guns, and lost some men, wounded.

We remained here but a short time, when we were ordered to retire the regiment slowly, which order was about being executed when General Palmer, mistaking the 40th for the 9th Indiana, ordered it to remain. Some time was comsumed in explaining the mistake, which kept the regiment to the rear of the line of the retiring brigade. The movement on the part of the 40th Indiana was being executed with much confusion and greatly to the dissatisfaction of the company officers, as well as to Lieutenant Colonel Neff and myself, the confusion arising from the intoxication of Colonel Blake, who was discovered to be utterly unfit to command. These facts were reported to Colonel Wagner, who promptly put Colonel Blake in arrest, and ordered Lieutenant Colonel Neff to assume command.

Shortly thereafter an order came from Colonel Wagner directing that the regiment advance at once and engage the enemy; but after this order was found to be impracticable, as there were at that moment two lines immediately in front of us. Lieutenant Colonel Neff, however, directed the adjutant to say to the officer commanding the front line that the 40th was ready to relieve him; but it was ascertained that the enemy’s guns engaging this line were silenced, and that our assistance was not required. In a few minutes another order came from Colonel Wagner, directing the regiment to the support of General Hascall’s brigade, which was now engaging the enemy and occupying the ground which we had been resting on in the morning.

The regiment was reported to General Hascall, and was by him ordered to take a position, with the right resting at the old house near the toll-gate, and the left extending across the railroad, which struck the line about the colors, and lie down. This ground being elevated several feet above that occupied by the front line, placed the regiment in a position much exposed to the fire of the enemy, which was at this time very heavy, both artillery and musketry. Many of our men were wounded here, 1 mortally, and 3 were killed outright.

It was while lying here that I was advised that Lieutenant Colonel Neff was severely wounded in the arm, and had quit the field in consequence thereof. After having laid about three-fourths of an hour on this spot, we were ordered to relieve the 58th Indiana, which occupied the advance line in our front. I called up the regiment and advanced at once, notifying the officer commanding the 58th of my purpose. The 58th was withdrawn and the 40th took their place.

For some minutes after getting into a position we were only annoyed by artillery fire, but soon we observed a brigade of the enemy moving toward us in order, with the evident intention of attacking us. On nearing the ruins of the burned brick building in our front, one regiment was detached from the brigade and bore down upon us. I allowed them to gain a point within easy range of musketry fire, and directed the regiment to open upon them, which they did with great briskness, and with such effect as to repulse the enemy handsomely.

When I found the enemy had been effectually driven back, I ordered  my command to cease firing, and immediately set about replenishing the cartridge-boxes with ammunition, and quietly awaited any further advance on the part of the enemy, which, however, was not made. Nightfall found the regiment occupying the same ground upon which we had bivouacked since arriving, on the 29th.

The regiment remained in position, with a picket thrown forward, till 4 a.m. of the 1st instant, when we were ordered to retire, which we did quietly, and took position a few rods to the left of the railroad, and about half a mile to the rear of one abandoned. Nothing of any moment occured to the regiment on the 1st. We kept the front well covered with skirmishers, and kept in readiness for any attack.

On the 2nd, early in the day, we were subjected to a vigorous artillery fire from the enemy, which, however, had no serious result. On the evening of the 2nd, at nearly sundown, the enemy attacked the troops on the left of our position, and the regiment threw forward an additional skirmishing company to support our line, which, being in the open field, was much exposed, and had been subjected throughout the day to a vicious fire from the outposts of the enemy, who were concealed by the timber in front, which resulted in wounding Captain DeWitt C. Wallace (Company C) and two of his men. The enemy were repulsed on the left, and the regiment was directed to move to that part of the field.

Crossing the river we moved forward to the advance line, and taking position remained till the evening of the 3rd, when we were relieved and retired to the skirt of woods on the bank of the river, where we bivouacked till 4 a.m. of the 4th, when we were withdrawn to the rear, recrossing the river and taking position on the turnpike 1 mile in advance of the general hospital. Shortly after arriving here we learned that the enemy had evacuated.

Our loss during the engagement was 4 killed and 68 wounded. Among the latter were Lieutenant Colonel Elias Neff, Captains DeWitt C. Wallace and Orpheus C. Harvey (Company B), First Lieutenant (Adjutant) Willard Griswold, and First Lieutenant William L. Coleman (Company D) and Second Lieutenant Henry A. Hazelrigg (Company K).

In conclusion, I must state that the conduct of the regiment under the most trying circumstances was worthy of all praise. The coolness and quiet determination of officers and men were admireable, and not less so the cheerfulness of sprit with which the hardships and exposure to cold and rain were borne. The regiment did it’s duty faithfuly. I know no higher praise that can be given it.

HENRY LEAMING,

Major, Commanding Regiment

Captain H.C. TINNEY,

Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Twenty-first Brigade.

From th supplement to the OR:

December 31, 1862 loss-4 killed, 68 wounded

Company B-2 Killed, 14 wounded

Regiment under command of Colonel John W. Blake, then Lieutenant Colonel Elias Neff, then Major Henry Leaming

Reported casualties: 4 killed, 68 wounded, 13 missing, total 85

Tabulated Casualties: Killed 6, Died of wounds 8, Died while POW/on parole 0, Wounded 66, Missing 0, Captured 0, TOTAL 80.

Field and Staff:

Colonel John W. Blake, wounded in left arm when being taken to rear under arrest for drunkenness, captured and paroled

Lieutenant Colonel Elias Neff, severely wounded in arm

Adjutant William Griswold, severely wounded in thigh

COMPANY A

Killed: Private John Montgomery, Private George Porter, Corporal William Shellington;slightly wounded in hip near leg, died of wounds and disease April 25, 1863, Private William Morris;severely wounded in right foot and leg, died of wounds January 18, 1863, Private Joseph Patton, severely wounded in leg and died of wounds January 27, 1863.

Wounded: First Sergeant John A. Baer; slightly wounded in shoulder, Corporal William R. Hutton; slightly wounded in side, Corporal Sylvester Leaming; severely wounded in leg, Private Samuel Cambe; severely wounded in forearm near elbow, Private Scott Elliott; slightly wounded in shoulder, Private S. Fremm; wounded in left thigh, Private Nelson K. Howard; slightly wounded in arm, Private William Huelton; wounded in right arm, Private Peter Illianfritz; slightly wounded in “belly”, Private James F. Julian; slightly wounded in side, Private William H. Manary; slightly wounded in leg, Private Walter Morris; wounded in foot, Private James Patten; wounded in right hand, Private Aaron Shaw; wounded, Private Jacob Sheets; wounded in head near ear and shoulder, Private Reuben B. Wilson; wounded in right leg.

COMPANY B

Killed: Private Robert Aitcheson, Private Jacob Walling, Private Cassius M. Cook; slightly wounded in leg, died of wounds in 1863, Private Milton Miller; wounded in foot, foot shot off, leg amputated, died of wounds December 31, 1862, Private Sanford Staley (Statley); severely wounded in hip and died of wounds in 1863.

Wounded: Captain Orpheus C. Harvey; slightly wounded in head (or right arm)’ Sergeant Jeremiah Brower; slightly wounded in back, Sergeant Grimes L. Murphy; slightly wounded in arm, Corporal Henry S. Philabaum; slightly wounded in shoulder near left arm, Private Thomas Helvey; wounded in right arm, Private Hiram Julian; wounded, Private William McConaha; wounded in hand and breast, Private Charles E. Morrett; wounded in head and shoulder, Private David Ramsey; slightly wounded in brest, Private William Van Schoyck; slightly wounded in back.

COMPANY C

Wounded: Captain DeWitt C. Wallace; severely wounded in right arm January 2, 1863, Corporal Josiah Davis; slightly wounded in hand, Private Peter T. Beaty; slightly wounded in thigh, Private Ambrose Bell; wounded in shoulder, Private John Groves; wounded in arm, Private John C. Monfort; slightly wounded in side, Private James E. Sinnett, slightly wounded in neck, Private Adam Whitmore; wounded in face.

Company D

Killed: Private George W. Harvey

Wounded: First Lieutenant William L. Coleman; severely wounded in head, Private George D. Davis; severely wounded in head (parietal bone), Private John L. Lewis; slightly wounded in neck; Private James Meek; slightly wounded in arm.

COMPANY E

Killed: Private Peter Writsman; wounded in back, died of wounds January 23, 1863.

Wounded: First Sergeant Richard Kolb; severely wounded in right arm near hand, Corporal Thomas D. Henderson; severely wounded in thigh, Private P. Hartman; wounded in left foot, Private A.M. Hilt; wounded in arm, Private Silas N. Jackson; severely wounded in head, Private Andrew McNett; wounded in head and foot, Private Salathiel K. Wise; wounded in right foot.

COMPANY F

Killed: Private Reuben M. Caldwell

Wounded: Private Marcus A. Brockway; slightly wounded in arm, Private Francis M. Dinsmore; slightly wounded in head, Private William H. Dooley; slightly wounded in left hip, Private James Moldoon; slightly wounded in thigh.

COMPANY G

Killed: Private Elijah C. Moore; severly wounded in right forearm, died of wounds in 1863.

Wounded: Sergeant William W. Curnett; slightly wounded in arm, Private Luke Conner; slightly wounded in hip, Private Oliver James; slightly wounded in leg, Private William Lonberger; slightly wounded in left hip, Private Joseph N. Patterson; severely wounded in thigh, Private Horace C. Seeley; severely wounded in right forearm, Private William Silvers; slightly wounded in hip.

COMPANY H

Wounded: Private John Brily; wounded in foot.

COMPANY I

Wounded: First Sergeant Eugene A. Ruth; wounded in hip, Private David Benson; wounded in right thigh, Private James A. Hicks; wounded in left knee, Private Daniel H. Richardson; wounded in hip.

COMPANY K

Wounded: Second Lieutenant Henry L. Hazelrigg; severely wounded in right leg, Corporal Henry W. Chambers; slightly wounded in left arm near hand, Private Horatio Veatch; severely wounded in right hand.

Pvt. Henry Merdith Alward

Grave of Pvt. Henry Merdith Alward, 40th Indiana

Henry M. Alward was the son of Henry Arista and Eva Maria (DeCamp) Alward. Henry M. was born August 9, 1844 at Elkhart County, Indiana. The family moved to Fountain County, Indiana in the 1850’s and by 1860 the family had moved to Montgomery County, living in the town of Waveland. His father’s occupation was a plasterer and he also farmed. Henry M. was listed in the 1860 Montgomery County census as a farmer.

Henry was not old enough to enlist in 1861, he was just 17 years old. His older brother, Ira Joseph Alward had just enlisted on September 1st at Indianapolis in Company A, 54th Indiana Infantry. Henry traveled 50 miles to Lafayette, Indiana during September of 1862. He enlisted as a private in the 40th Indiana Regiment, Captain Dewitt W. Wallace of Company C was the recruiting officer. Henry Sr. vouched that his son was 18 years of age. Henry signed his enlistment papers on September 17, 1862, and received a $25.00 bounty. He is described in his enlistment papers as being 5 feet 6 inches tall, Complexion; Light, Eyes; Hazel, and Hair; Brown.

On December 6, 1862, Henry M. had caught up with his Company H, then in camp around the city of Nashville. The Army of the Cumberland was soon on the march to Murfreesboro, Gen. Rosecrans  wanted to push Gen. Bragg’s Army of Tennessee out of middle Tennessee. After being in the regiment only 25 days, he was engaged in the battle of Stones River on December 31st, 1862; January 1st and 2nd, 1863. On December 31, the regiment was pounded by heavy artillery fire along the railroad as it waited for it’s place on the front line; it’s losses during the battle were 4 Killed, 68 Wounded and 13 Missing. Henry had stood the test and survived the battle unscathed. After the Union victory at Stones River, the Army of the Cumberland settled into winter quarters around Murfreesboro. In April of 1863, Henry suddenly became ill while in camp at Murfreesboro. Confined to the Regimental Hospital, Henry Merdith Alward died on April, 23, 1863, of what doctors called remittent fever.

Pvt. Henry Merdith Alward is buried in the Stones River National Cemetery. History was not kind to Henry, his headstone reads “H.M. Alwood”, instead of Alward. Unfortunately, the NPS will not replace the marker of my Great Great Grand Uncle. Sadly he will always be seen as “H.M. Alwood” to the visitor’s that walk through the cemetery.

By Scott Busenbark