Louisville Journal, 8/6/62
Captain J. B. Forman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky Regiment, Colonel Pope, is in the city, and will remain until Tuesday next. Any letters or small packages for the regiment left with Mr. W. J. Anderson, Main street, previous to his departure, will be conveyed to the regiment by Captain Forman.
Journal October 11, 1862
Battle Field, Camp Champlin Creek
October 9, 1862
You will please publish the following facts about our 15th regiment Kentucky volunteers:
We went into action about 12 o'clock M, yesterday with about 500 men strong, and, after several terrible shellings from the rebel artillery, we moved up in line of battle, and fought three regiments of infantry two and a half hours. Their artillery played on us with terrible effect. We repulsed their infantry, which was immediately relieved by fresh troops, and we were forced to retire. Our regiment rallied three times, and retired in order from place to place until night ended the terrible slaughter. We relieved the 3d Ohio regiment. Their gallant conduct, had we no other motive, would have caused us to emulate their example.
The following is a list of casualties as near as can be ascertained:
KILLED -- Lt. Col. Jouett, Maj., Campbell, and Lt. McGrath, company
A.
Col. Pope, slightly wounded.
Lt. Gray, company B, horse killed under him.
Lt. McClure, company C, severely wounded.
Lt. Wood, company E, " "
Lt. Lanahan, company G, slightly "
Lt. Garrety, company G, " "
Lt. Dickerson, company H, " "
Among the enlisted men were the following:
Company A, killed 7 men
A, wounded 15
B, killed 5
B, wounded 5
C, killed 12
C, wounded 11
D, killed 8
D, wounded 17
E, killed 4
E, wounded 16
F, killed 6
F, wounded 7
G, killed 7
G, wounded 15
H, killed 8
H, wounded 16
I, killed 5
I, wounded 10
K, killed 4
K, wounded 14
The gallant conduct of this regiment and the whole seventeen brigade is testified to by all our superior officers.
Col. Wm. H. Lytle was taken prisoner. He was wounded.
The colors were shot down, the Color Sergeant being severely wounded,
and were gallantly rescued and borne from the field by Captain Forman.
He has them now in his possession. The old tattered flag was afterwards
presented to Captain Forman
by Colonel Pope, in whose hands it will remain. The flag was
presented to the regiment by the ladies of Louisville.
JOS. R. SNIDER, Captain Co. B,
Commanding 15th Ky. Vols.
SAME DAY --
CASUALTIES IN THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY INFANTRY -- Col. Pope's regiment
suffered terribly in the battle of Perryville, on Wednesday. We learn
by letter from a member of Company B., Capt. Forman, formerly commanded
by Capt. McClure, that all but twelve of the company were either killed
or wounded. At the time the letter was written the Fifteenth was
under orders to advance. Ezekiel Forman, a member of the company,
was severely, though not fatally wounded.
Journal
THE FLAG OF THE FIFTEENTH -- The flag of the Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry,
late Colonel Pope's regiment, was received in this city yesterday, having
been sent home by Col. Forman, to whom it was presented on the battlefield
near Perryville by the late Colonel Pope. The flag and staff bear
evidence of the heat of the battle of Chaplin Hills, as the flag itself
is riddled by balls, and the flag-staff was perforated three or four times
by the enemy's bullets. It will be remembered that the regimental
color-bearer was wounded in that memorable fight, and that the flag in
question was borne off the field by the gallant Capt. Forman, who is now
Colonel of the regiment. The flag was a present from the loyal ladies
of Louisville, and will be presented to Governor Robinson, by whom it will
be transferred to the State.
Journal 11/26/62
THE FLAG PRESENTATION TO THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY INFANTRY -- The elegent
flag prepared by the loyal ladies of the city for the Fifteenth Kentucky
infantry was presented to the regiment last evening through Colonel Forman.
Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the attractions elsewhere,
and the short notice given, a large and very respectable party of loyal
ladies and gentlemen assembled in the Circuit Court room at the Court House
at eight o'clock to witness the interesting exercises. The flag,
which was of the finest silken fabric, embroidered with gold and appropriately
inscribed, was presented by Edwin S. Craig, Esq., who alluded in eloquent
terms to the eminent services that had been rendered by the regiment to
the cause of the Union. The beautiful emblem was received by Col.
Forman, the youthful guardian of the 'orphan regiment,' who replied in
modest terms to the flattering eulogy passed upon the corps which he represented.
Col. Forman will leave the city this morning to rejoin his regiment, and
will bear with him to his gallant comrades this beautiful offering of the
loyal ladies of Louisville.
Democrat 11/26/62
FLAG PRESENTATION -- We were fortunate in being present on the occasion
of the presentation of the magnificent silk flag, which through the liberal
donations of the loyal citizens, and the untiring zeal and energy of Miss
M. L. Richardson and Miss Lizzie M. Daniel, was gotten up as a present
to the brave and gallant Fifteenth Kentucky regiment, who fought so well
and won imperishable honors in the battle of Chaplin Hills, the late Colonel
Curran Pope commanding, by whose lamented death the charge of the "Orphan Regiment" was bestowed on Col. James B. Forman.
The presentation took place in the Circuit Court room. A large number
of ladies and gentlemen were present. Mr. Edward Craign presented
the flag in behalf of the fair
donors in a most eloquent an happy manner. Col. Forman responded
in a brief and elegant address. The flag bore the inscription: "Fifteenth
Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, Chaplin Hills, October 8, 1862." The
occasion, though solemn in the scene, was beautiful and sublime in the
meaning. Long may the gallant Fifteenth, with the brave young Forman,
live to fight in its defense, and may they ever remember, in peace or on
the battlefield, from whose generous hearts and willing hands it came.
Journal 1/12/63
The remains of the late Colonel J. B. Forman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky
Infantry, and Captain A. B. Ferguson, both of whom lost their lives in
the recent battles near Murfreesboro, were interred yesterday; the former
from the resident of his brother-in-law, Mr. W. J. Anderson, and the latter
from his Walnut Street M. E. Church. In both instances the usual military
escorts were in attendance and large concourses of mourning friends followed
the remains of the gallant dead to their final rest.
Journal 1/15/63
THE LATE COL. FORMAN -- Among those noble spirits who sealed their patriotism
with their life's blood upon the battle-field at Murfreesboro, none will
be more sincerely lamented than the youthful Col. James B. Forman, of the
Fifteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. At the outbreak of this unhappy
war Colonel Forman, though but a youth, having just attained his twentieth
year at the time of his death, formed a very decided opinion in regard
to the causes and probable results of the secession movement. When
Kentucky took her position in favor of sustaining the Government, he entered
the army as a second lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers,
then about being raised by the late Colonel Curran Pope. From this
position he was shortly promoted to a first lieutenancy, and afterwards,
by the death of Captain McClure, he assumed, by regular promotion, the
command of his company. In this capacity he won the love of his men
by his generous conduct on all occasions, and challenged the admiration
of the entire regiment; by his display of military knowledge and great
personal bravery. At the battle of Chaplin Hills he gained great
applause, his deeds of noble daring being the theme of praise
among all those who witnessed the desperate fighting of the then untried
but now war-worn and glory-covered regiment to which he was attached.
The regimental flag was on that occasion rescued by Capt. Forman after
it had been shot down time and time again, and was by him borne aloft in
proud defiance of the storm of shot and shell that was being mercilessly
poured upon that devoted (it almost seemed doomed) regiment by the enemy.
That flag, all riddled as it is, will be duly presented to the State of
Kentucky as a worthy memento of the bravery of her sons. After the
death of Col. Pope, and his assistant field officer, Capt. Forman was commissioned
Colonel of the regiment, in acknowledgement of his eminent services and
superior abilities. With high hopes and such ardor as only a man
of noble impulses and conscious rectitude can feel, he entered upon the
discharge of his duties, fully sensible of the responsibilities of his
position and anxious to discharge them in such a manner as would best promote
the interest of the cause he had so heartily espoused. He has done
all that could be done -- he has sacrificed his life upon his country's
altar -- he has fought his last fight, and now sleeps "the sleep that knows
no waking," but his name and memory will be cherished, for "The brave Die
never. Being deathless they but change Their country's arms of more their
"country's heart."
Democrat 1/16/63
A WREATH TWINED IN MEMORY OF COLONEL J. B. FORMAN, OF THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY.
By Minnie Myrtle
"The good die first, while they whose hearts are dry as summer's dust burn to the socket."
WORDSWORTH.
Colonel Forman! the field that covers with its warm flowery mantle so many of earth's best and noblest hearts never garnered in its bosom one warmer, truer or braver than thine. The battle ceased. One by one, with hushed footsteps and throbbing hearts, his comrades departed, and left him, as it were, alone amid the solemn sanctuaries of death. Twilight soon spread here starry veil over stream and plain, and the last sunshine of expiring day poured a flood of glory thwart the scene, like the assuring smile of a departing Christian. All men appeared to feel and acknowledge the mournful influence of the time and place. The bright and gentle sisterhood of stars seemed to look down upon him in that calm and lonely hour, from their blue and illimitable depths, like the kind spirit eyes of the loved and lost, trembling with tears over the loss of so many noble souls. So good, so brave, I cannot realize that you are no more. Everything around seems inbued with the spiritual presence of the departed, now reposing locked in the everlasting dream of death. The very air seems instict with the low reathings, and every sound appears rather to enhance than disturb the melancholy influence of the scene, the rustling leaf, struggling awhile in mid air, then floating gently down upon the damp earth to die at last, a symbol of human destiny, the fitful breeze sighing regretfully over the loveliness it was commissioned to destroy so soon. The gentlest zephyr that whispers among the leaves seems to murmur in memory's ear like the pleasant voices of friends long gone before, and every rustle amid the tall, cool grass will seem the light tramping of beloved feet that are now treading the dark valley of the shadow of death. Twilight insensibly deepens into night, and the sun has receded far along its azure track, and the majestic moon has reared her broad shield slowly from out her fleecy cloud couch in the East, and the swirling roof of Heaven is sparkling with stars. In my imaginnation I stand upon that bloody ground where so many of our brothers have offered up their lives. One by one I call up th images of friends whom I shall meet no more, save by the green pastures and the still waters of the harvest home. I remember the parting with some who now sleep the sleep that knows no waking -- the quivering lip, the sad smile, the last farewell. The damp dews of the dark valley have gathered upon the pallid brow of the one that "would not be forgotten"
When hope no longer o'er the heart
A single joy shall breathe,
And Envy, with her ventured art,
No fatal blow shall give.
When seraphs, from their heavenly sphere,
No more shall bless their lot,
And angels shed unhappy tears,
Then thou shall be forgot.
Journal 2/63
THE LATE COLONEL FORMAN
To the Editors of the Louisville Journal:
January 26, 1863
GENTLEMEN: If you do not deem it too unworthy, will you publish one more humble tribute to the memory of Kentucky's youngest Colonel, James B. Forman, from one who knew him?
He showed, from early youth, remarkable promise. Always seeking the society of, and appearing equal to, those much older than himself, no one ever imagined, until told, how young he was. From the age of sixteen, indeed, he seemed -- in conversation, in business capacity, in intellect, and in strength and decision of mind -- a man, and won "golden opinions" of his ability from his superiors in age and experience. His principles were firm and unwavering. He understood perfectly his own disposition and capabilities, and thus anything he undertook was successfully performed. His influence over those for whom he cared was unbounded, and his insight into the characters and motives of those he met was so keen and true that it was marvellous. He detected the fallacies in the "doctrine of secession" from the first, and what is more noticeable, he never for an instant succumbed to the insidious and -- to so many young Kentuckians -- irresistible appeal to their love for the South. It is well known that sectional attachment is especially characteristic of the young; they are never cosmopolitan in feeling; one section, one place is home, and is better than all others to them. This is one reason why the cry of "The South" has attracted some of them more than that of "The Union." Many said, "We think the so-called right of secession radically wrong, but we are Southerners -- we love the South, whatever her faults, better than the North, and, if war comes, we will be on her side, right or wrong."
But young Forman's words were (in substance): "I love and sympathize with the South as much as you, but I am a true Southerner. If the South does wrong, I say, try to win her back with kindness. But -- that failing -- I am ready to go with sword in hand, though still with love in heart, to force her to submit to rightful authority." I shall never forget once hearing him read to a party of young friends Daniel Webster's immortal speech on the “American Union." As he read that closing sentence of matchless eloquence commencing:
"When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in
heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and disordered fragments
of a once glorious Union," his voice trembled with emotion; and as he finished
with the soul-inspiring "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable,"
it was full of triumphant enthusiasm. His hearers were
many of them Southern sympathizers, but not a word was spoken -- all
were impressed. When Kentucky, having tried in vain to mediate, declared
herself unconditionally and unalterably for the Union, and called her sons
"to arms" to enforce the laws, and drive the invaders from her soil, he
obeyed the call. Giving up home, friends, and all the comforts to
which he was accustomed, he went to serve his country, actuated by the
purest and highest patriotism. An article has already been published
in your columns, narrating his successful career in the army. He
gained quickly the love and respect of his comrades in arms; and was rapidly
promoted until he attained, shortly before the battle before Murfreesboro,
in which he fell, the high position of Colonel of the 15th Kentucky, as
a reward for distinguished ability and personal bravery. His name
will be always associated with the battle of Chaplin Hills, in which he
played so noble a part. How were the hearts of his friends thrilled
with pleasure and exultation as they heard the story of his daring courage
in the rescue of the flag of the regiment on that memorable day!
And now that in this, his second battle, he has lost his life, let us not
"mourn as those without hope," but, while sincerely lamenting his early
death, remember that he himself was willing to lay down his life even for
his country's welfare. "Life is noble only when it is held cheap
by the side of honor and of duty."
Louisville Journal 2/ /63
NEW YEAR'S EVE ON THE FIELD OF BATTLE
CAPT. ALFRED PIRTLE RECALLS WHAT HAPPENED AT STONE RIVER DECEMBER 31, 1862
DEATH OF COL. FORMAN
YOUNG LOUISVILLE SOLDIER HAD WON HIGH RANK BY CONSPICUOUS VALOR
At the holiday season there are mingled with my memories of childhood Christmas times, reminiscences of Christmas week of 1862. At that time I was ordnance officer of the First Division of the Center, Army of the Cumberland, Federal Army, Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau, commanding. Gen. Rousseau had been a citizen of Louisville for many years when the Civil War broke out, and he had early in the summer of 1861, gone over to Indiana, and on the banks of the Ohio, some two miles below Jeffersonville, raised more than a regiment of infantry and a battery of artillery for the Union Army. His career had been extraordinary, and in the fall of 1862, he had risen to the rank of major general, and his command was the strongest division in that part of the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas, commander of the Center, in Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans' army. The army had been marching and at the same time fighting, since the morning of December 26, with the Confederates under Gen. Bragg, and on the coming night of December 30, both armies went into bivouac, not far from Murfreesboro, Tenn., on the banks of Stone's River -- the battle is now known as Murfreesboro, and Stone River -- it is likely the latter has been used the more. I had under my charge, thirty-seven six-mule army wagons, fully loaded with ammunition for small arms, and for cannon -- remember all this was for muzzle loading pieces. You shall not be detained with a general account of the battle, but I shall try to give you some impressions of the battle as I saw it or had a part in it. The whole army had been aroused before it was good daylight on Wednesday, December 31. Very soon thereafter, the sounds of firing were borne to our ears, from the westward, which was on the Federal right. Our division had been moving southward on the turnpike that led into Murfreesboro from Nashville. As I had been given orders to keep my train up within a short distance of the last troops of our division, I was not far from them, when they moved into a dense grove of cedar trees, on the West side of the road, and disappeared into what is now the lustric "Cedars." I guided my train, until it had moved up to the summit of a slight hill, from which I had a clear view of the cleared ground in every direction. It gave upon all sides an uninterrupted sight of the lay of the land. This view I had taken of surroundings was of great value in the events that came soon. The sounds of battle on the right grew louder and more marked, the small-arms firing increasing every moment. For half a mile there was a cotton field to the right, which had been picked clean, leaving only the dead plants. Across this a few men straggled leisurely towards the way we had come, now our rear; an ambulance came into view; a squad of soldiers followed it rapidly. I saw more unhurt men every moment; it looked badly for us, as the crowd grew larger quickly. A color bearer with the colors thrown carelessly over his shoulders took his way to the rear, and the space before me became so full of men, so disorganized, I feared it would become another Bull Run. In no time there were hundreds of fugitives crowded along the ambulances and cannon, intent on reaching the turnpike from the cedars and to take the route for Nashville.
ROUSSEAU'S ORDERS
Out of the cedars came a battery at a walk, which I recognized as the First Michigan Battery, Lieut. George W. Van Pelt. At this moment General Rousseau, accompanied by only one orderly and no staff officer, advanced from the cedars at a gallop, and towards him I spurred my horse, then turned towards my wagons and said: "General, shall I post the battery where my wagons are? It is the best position on the field." "Do it instantly. Tell Van Pelt I will get him infantry support." I rushed my horse to Van Pelt, who was as cool as if on parade, and delivered the order to him. He looked at the spot and nodded his understanding, while I rode to my wagons, which I moved down the rear slope of the little hill where they would be out of his way, and somewhat protected by the ground, parked them as closely as possible, ordering the drivers to lie flat on the ground and keep as cool as they could -- it was noticeable how promptly they obeyed.
In the few moments this consumed, the field in every direction had become covered with troops much disorganized and visibly demoralized. Van Pelt had opened fire to his front, drawing some infantry shots in reply. Another of our batteries had been posted to his right, which also fired a few shots to the front.
I now became so much interested in the situation that, having had a look at my wagons, I left them and took a place on the crest of the hill to the left of the Michigan battery, to see what was coming. The other battery was Battery H, Fifth United States Artillery, Lieut. Frank L. Guenther, of the regulars, a small brigade in our division, which was supporting these two batteries on the right and left, together with the Second Ohio Infantry on the right of the regulars and some troops of Van Cleve's division on the left of the regulars. I never knew what troops they were, but General Rousseau was proud to refer to the instant support they gave at his request.
There was no one that I have ever met who was at this point, or at that time, who realized what tremendous success General Bragg had had up to that moment, about 9:30, since his men attacked our extreme right, more than two hours before. Knowing the country, or provided with good guides, the Confederates had taken positions during the night of the 30th that gave them great advantages when they surprised our extreme right, which they disorganized at the very beginning, and which condition spread largely to other commands as the battle continued and Bragg kept up the onset on the line of the Federals, which he continued to crumble up. There were commands that gave him fierce resistance, which detained him now and then, and which gave the troops who held him great reputation among their fellows, but the victorious rush of the enemy had not, until the planting of the First Michigan Battery, been staged for any considerable length of time. And on this small nucleus General Rosecrans began to form a new line of battle, a most dangerous and difficult feat to accomplish, with men so largely demoralized and half whipped, though Crittenden's Corps, known as the left, had not been attacked and was hardly disorganized at all.
AWAITING THE ENEMY
Then came on of those strange lulls that happen in battle. This seemed to mean some new move was to come on the part of the Confederates. But Rosecrans' men were being put into line of battle as fast as they could be handled. I was standing near a gun rather to the . . . Lying scattered on the surface of the cotton patch were some dead men and some wounded ones, all in gray, and the latter moved now and then, though not much; the cedars lay farther away, giving no signs of life, but all eyes were directed there, for those shaded depths held the enemy, and unless the came out we would have to go in there in pursuit.
As I looked an officer on foot, sword in hand, sprang into view with
a shout; instantly the edge of the timber was alive with men, with a mass
of arms, legs, heads, guns, waving swords, gray uniforms, brown uniforms,
shirt sleeves and the enemy were coming, yelling, leaping, running.
For a few jumps not a shot, and then a man or two stopped long enough to
throw up his piece to fire at us, keep yelling, and run forward to make
up the ground he had lost. What order had been given I had not heard,
when the twelve cannons were filed as one, covering them with an impenetrable
cloud of smoke, into which the batteries fired
as fast as men could load.
HOW BATTERY WAS HANDLED
At this point in my narrative I will digress in order to put on record the tactics of handling the guns of these two batteries, which are much more laborious and slower than those now used and pertaining to the breechloaders.
Seven men constituted a gun crew. "Aim the gun" is the order.
Then No. 1 stands at the right of the muzzle outside the wheel.
No. 2 stands at the left outside the wheel.
No. 3 on the right and in line with the breech.
No. 4 on the left and in line with the breech.
No. 5 stands on the left and half way between the gun and the limber
(the limber is the
chest on the front axle that carried the ammunition).
No. 6 stands at the limber.
No. 7 stands behind the limber.
Then to "load," No. 3 jumps to the breech and placed his left thumb, protected by a leather pad, over the vent (or touch-hole) and presses down so as to close the vent so that air will not enter. No. 1 jumps inside the line of the wheel and after seeing that No. 3 is in his place, thrusts the sponge end of the implement into the water in the sponge bucket and then puts the sponge or swab down the bore of the piece, and thus. No. 2 receives the load from No. 5 and thrusts it into the muzzle, when No. 1 and No. 2, each having a hand on the rammer, run the charge to the breech. No. 4 then jumps to the breech and, inserting a steel pricker, pricks the cartridge (which is made of some woolen material) through the vent, and, drawing out the prick, inserts a friction-primer, to which he attaches a stout cord (called a lanyard), held in his right hand. The gun is now ready to fire, and when the corporal, who has aimed the gun, signals with his hand that all is ready, the lieutenant, as soon as the captain gives the order, repeats it, and the piece is discharged.
All this labor is performed under the eyes and observation of the officers and naturally consumes time. When the charge began, the orders were understood to be load and fire just as fast as possible.
EFFECTS OF THE FIRE
At the order they "ceased firing," and, as the curtain of smoke rolled up, not a moving object beneath it came in sight, but the dreadful effects of the rapid cannonade were visible. The number of the dead and wounded had been fearfully increased, and cries and groans reached our ears. On our side men had been wounded, some horses killed, others crippled, but no serious loss inflicted. At my feet one of the Michigan gunners lay wounded, but refused to leave the field, insisting he could stand it yet a while. I had over my shoulder a canteen well filled with cold coffee, which he took, and it helped him a great deal . . .
Back to the front I went, to take in the scene, for I felt sure the enemy would again charge, because a great victory seemed just within their grasp, after the hours of unavailing effort on our part to stem the tide of their good luck, and this was the first stubborn and successful resistance -- the position and the batteries must be captured, Rosecrans driven from the turnpike and that road to Nashville open to the Confederates and the Yankees perhaps routed.
The two batteries were commanded by Major Cyrus O. Loomis, of the Michigan artillery. I heard him say to Van Pelt that the enemy was going to make another charge and "you give them double shotted cannister as hot as hell will let you!"
He went then to the regular battery where Lieutenant Guenther and his Second Lieutenant, Israel Ludlow, were preparing for the coming charge, and gave them the same war-like orders. The interval this time was used by our men in getting the guns depressed so as to rake the ground from the turnpike to the cedars; in filling swab buckets, taking harness off of dead horses, replacing damaged implements by sound ones, while care was given to the few wounded men. The enemy were reconnoitering our position carefully, keeping as much out of sight as possible -- no large bodies of men being exposed at all, and the silence was deep and ominous.
From the moment the troops had been halted after passing the front line of the two batteries, the line of battle had been extended northward along the side of the turnpike, keeping in line with the front as I have mentioned. The morale of the army was rapidly being restored, just as soon as the men had reached the rear of the First Michigan Battery looking towards the dark cedars, where the enemy were, because of the fact that none of them were in sight on the old cotton fields over which they had driven our men and none of our forces were beyond the front formed by these two batteries and their supports.
A small space lay before us; then the turnpike, then a small patch of a cotton field about three hundred yards wide.
As we faced this cotton patch we were looking west, and near the edge of, that is toward the North, was a clumb of small trees, tall weeds and deep grass . . .
BATTERIES' GREAT WORK
While concealed in the cedars the enemy had formed for the third charge, in several lines of battle, long enough to overlap the front of the two batteries; how many lines there were, were soon hidden in the smoke. They came with a rush and completely extended, at which instant our batteries opened on them with a deafening roar, an incessant fire, unceasingly throwing twenty or twenty-four pounds of bullets at each report across the small space between the coming charge and the guns. I found myself at this moment between the two batteries in company with Major Loomis and Major Carpenter, commander of the battalion of the Nineteenth United States infantry and by seniority commanding the regular brigade. Like me, they were fascinated by the rash bravery of our foes, who seemed determined to have those guns, cost what it might. I never saw cannon served as those guns where then. Before the recoil was expended the gunners grasped the spokes and threw the pieces into position like lightning, the sponge was run in, turned and withdrawn, the load sent home and the piece fired. Such a roar was deafening and our little group communicated by signs . . . When I first told my friends at home about this moment of thrilling interest, someone asked me if I was afraid, knowing that I had never been under fire before. To this I said, "I do not remember that I was afraid, or conscious of the danger, but I was so filled with the sense of the great excitement and importance of repulsing the enemy that I wished that they had but a single neck, that I might cut it off with one stroke of my saber."
And the enemy! They were running across the field, firing and shouting. We could not hear them, but we got a sight now and then of their waving arms and weapons, while every moment a bullet hissed near us, or we could see some man in the batteries fall, or perhaps a horse rear, plunge and drop. We kept our gaze fastened on the charge coming, coming, coming on like the breakers of the sea, always nearer at each succeeding wave. But men were not yet born who could longer face that storm of iron sweeping death and destruction to all in its path. They broke, they fled, some taking refuge in the small clump of trees I have mentioned. Our fire ceased. And cheers of victory rose from the manly throats of our brave cannoneers which was taken up on the right and left as soon as it was seen that the charge had been repulsed, followed by a general handshaking, that was changed into a frenzy of cheers at the rush of the Second Ohio Infantry into the bunch of bushes that has been spoken of, returning with a captured flag and a body of prisoners.
Turning my back on this scene I extracted my wagons from their crowded position taken so hurriedly, and as officers were demanding ammunition, I issued it to all comers, knowing that the situation demanded no sticking on formalities. As each wagon had painted on it, plainly, the caliber of the cartridges contained in it, the distribution was rapid and correct. I was interrupted in issuing ammunition by a battery of the enemy getting the range of the wagon tops, and the first thing I knew shot began to fly around us, and one of them struck the wagon I was issuing from. I lost no time, but sprange to the ground and spread myself out about as thick as a sheet of paper, expecting that the load would explode, but it didn't, and thereupon I took the hint and moved my train to a safe place in the rear.
After this my duties kept me in the rear with my train, so that I saw but little of the fighting, yet for two or three days the Confederate cavalry kept us moving from place to place to keep in touch with the troops sent to protect us. In the four days of the battle I issued 100,000 rounds of small-arm cartridges and twenty wagonloads of fixed artillery ammunition. The recorded reports of the Confederates show that there were engaged in attack on the batteries the Sixth Tennessee Infantry, Col. Savage, which lost 207 men out of 402; the Eighth Tennessee Infantry, Col. Moore (who died of his wounds), which lost 306 men out of 425, and the Thirtieth Arkansas Infantry, which lost during the day ninety-five men out of 266, making a striking demonstration of the bravery and devotion of American soldiery.
COLONEL FORMAN SLAIN
You will remember that I have previously spoken of the stout and determined resistance put up by the Federals during the long, straggling contest that had lasted from almost the first attack of Bragg at daybreak. In one of those affrays, just before the coming of Van Pelt's battery from the cedars, the Fifteenth Kentucky Federal Infantry had a severe engagement and lost heavily, having the terrible experience of losing their colonel, James B. Forman, and being compelled to leave his body in the hands of the enemy. This remarkable young man was a citizen of Louisville, where he was born and reared. At the outbreak of the civil war, though not yet in his majority, he espoused the Union cause, and in September 1861, at nineteen years of age, enlisted as a private in the Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry, then recruiting on the turnpike to Shelbyville at the fair grounds, which were on the grounds now lying between the German Orphan Asylum and the Water Company's property on the North side of the turnpike. He soon became a second lieutenant, and in that rank followed the fortunes of the regiment in the campaigns of 1862 to Alabama and back to Louisville, and thence in the campaign that ended at the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862. Here the fatalities had reached to so dreadful a pitch that all the field officers had been killed or borne, disabled by wounds, from the field, so that the captains and lieutenant seemed to have lost their presence of mind, when Lieut. Forman mounted a fence and by his example and voice rallied the regiment and thus saved what might have been a defeat.
His conduct was so admirable and had such splendid results that he became the idol of the men, and when the time came to fill the vacancy caused by the death, soon after the battle, of Col. Curran Pope, as the result of wounds received at Perryville, the Governor of Kentucky commissioned James B. Forman colonel of the Fifteenth Kentucky infantry November 8, 1862, when he was only about twenty-one years of age. He was mounted in the battle of December 31 on a splendid black charger, which made him a prominent mark for the enemy, as he was gallantly trying at the head of his men to stem the flow of battle towards the rear. I have heard it said he was not under fire in the cedars more than ten minutes. Such was the vigilance and resistance of the enemy that no armed party of men could gain entrance to the cedars during the daylight of December 31, yet his men formed a small squad after the night had fallen, who, with great caution and silence, made their way into the intense darkness of the forest, and after some efforts found his body and slowly brought it into our lines with much labor.
I shall never forget how martial he looked, all accoutered as was his wont, he lay like a marble statute in the bottom of an army wagon, in which the beams of a lone candle strove to dispel the shadows.
Rosecrans, according to the official reports, had 43,400 men. Bragg, by the same resources, is said to have had 37,712 men.
The first lost in killed and wounded 8,788, or 20.22 per cent; the second
10,266, or 29.47 per cent.
I must thank Mark Jaeger at Purdue University who sent me the copies of the Louisville Journal from which much of the information was extracted. The photo of Colonel Forman came from the United States Military History Institute at Carlisle Army Barracks, Carlisle, Pa. - Stephen Forman