HEADQUARTERS,
Franklin, Va., October 4, 1862.
GENERAL: After having rested the night before at New South Quay the enemy steamed up the river in their gunboats yesterday morning and commenced pouring shot and shell upon us at daybreak. They brought with them three boats, two of which were small, carrying two guns each; the other large, carrying four, one a 64 pounder. Soon after the shelling commenced I dispatched Lieut. [John M.] Alexander (commanding Company A, Fifty-second Regiment North Carolina Troops) with orders to commence firing upoon them at Crumpler's Bluff so soon as the last boat should have passed. In obedience to orders he commenced a well-directed and effective fire upon them, and succeeded in silencing their guns for a short while, but they quickened their time and succeeded in reaching a point of the river edged on both sides by an apparently impassable marsh. Here they recommenced their work of throwing shot and shell in every direction and in the mean time moving up by degrees in the direction of Franklin. Pending this condition of things I sent Capts. [John C.] McCain [and Eric] Erson, and Lieut. [James M.] Kincaid, of the Fifty-second Regiment, together with Capt. [James T.] Mitchell, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment, pickets, holding their respective commands, to the neighboring bluffs with instructions to meet the boats on their return. Col. [D.D.] Ferebee with a large portion of his command took position along the road, first, where the old wharf formerly stood, and Capt. [William] Sharp's company, of the same command, was sent to meet and fire upon the boats from any point they could suitable for such work, but they penetrated the marsh, which was very deep, and drove in between 60 and 80 sharpshooters which had been thrown out from the gunboats. Now a general fire commenced on both sides, in which Colonel Ferebee and his command took [part] to a very considerable extent, but the boats found the work too hot for them and were forced to recede, and continued to move back, though continually throwing out an occasional shell. As they passed the bluffs every man who showed hmself on deck or at the port-holes was cut down. As they passed down the river Captain Norfleet with his men pursued them, killing all who could be seen. Here I will state that the pilot was hid from view and sand-bags were placed along the decks of the boats. As I stated before, the shelling commenced at daybreak and the boats remained in the river until 10:30 a.m.
Our loss is 2 wounded, viz, Private Stroup, of the Fifty-second Regiment, and Private Parker, of the Fifty-ninth Regiment.
About 1 p.m. a large force appeared across the river, consisting of four full regiments of infantry, one regiment of cavalry, and six pieces of artillery, with one or two sections of rocket guns. One of Captain Graham's pieces (rifle) was placed at the depot and the other carried to the bridge. For about two hours Captain Graham with his rifle piece at the depot and Lieutenant Britton at the bridge entertained them handsomely. At 3:30 or 4 o'clock they retired, leaving on the field a few overcoats and one horse.
The enemy must have lost a large number on their boats and lost some on the field, but how many I cannot say.
One yawl-boat was left in the river near one of the bluffs. The force brought in the afternoon was intended to co-operate with the gunboats, but came too late.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J.K. MARSHALL,
Colonel, Commanding at Franklin.
Back to Anj -n- Hotdog's Home Page
Back to the gallant 52nd
© 1997 Anj -n- Hotdog
Get your own Free Home Page