The Dallas Journal, Volume 41, 1995 Page: 95
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midnight I received the ordr directing me to again 'strike the pike' and attack the
enemy's train, then in full retreat to Franklin. I moved out at once to obey the order,
guided by an officer of General Forrest's staff who knew the country. When within
half a mile of the pike I dismounted three of my regiments, leaving the 9th Texas
mounted to guard their horses, and, cautiously advancing on foot, got within one
. .. . .: . .. . ....,. . ..
the 6th Texas, hastily forming
met and hurled them back..
hundred yards of the enemy's train without being discovered. The Legion (Colonel
Hawkins commanding), having the advance, fronted into line, fired a well-directed
volley, killing several Yankees and mules, and rushed forward with a yell, producing
among the teamsters and wagon guards a perfect stampede. The Yankees lost thirty-
nine wagons, some of which were destroyed and others abandoned for the want of the
teams, which we brought off. Remaining in possession of the pike for half an hour, we
withdrew upon the approach of several bodies of infantry, which, coming up in
opposite directions, by mistake got to shooting into each other and fired several
volleys before finding out their error. Having remounted our horses, we remained n
the hill overlooking the pike until daylight and saw the Yankee army in full retreat.
While this was passing, a regiment of cavalry appearing in the open field in our front
was charged by the 6th Texas, completely routed, and driven to his infantry column.
Soon after this we again pushed forward, keeping parallel with the pike, upon which
our infantry was moving, and crossed Harpeth River in the evening about three miles
aboe Franklin, only a small force of the enemy apearing to dispute the passage. Half a
mile from the river we came upon a regiment of Yankee cavalry drawn up in line.
This the 9th Texas at once charged and routed, but was met by a larger force and in
turn compelled to give back, the enemy following in close pursuit. The 3d Texas now
rushed forward, checked the advancing squadrons of the Yankees, and then hurled
them back, broken and discouraged, capturing several prisoners and driving the
others back upon their heavier lines. The gallant bearing of the mean and officers of
the 3d and 9th Texas on this occasion is deserving of special commendation, and it
affords me much gratification to record to the honor of these noble regiments that
charges made by them at Harpeth River have never been and cannot be surpassed by
cavalry of any nation. By the charge of the 3d Texas we gained possession of an
eminence overlooking the enemy's position and held it until late in the evening, when,
discovering an intention on the part of the Yankee commander to advance his entire
force, and being without any support, I withdrew to the south side of the river again.
Very soon the enemy advanced his whole line, but, finding we had recrossed the river
again, retreated and during the night withdrew from our front. The next day we
moved forward, arrived in front of Nashvile December 3, and took position on the
Nolensville Pike three miles from the city. Just in our front was a line of works, and,
wishing to ascertain what force occupied them, I had two squadrons of the 6th Texas
to dismount, deploy as skirmishers, and advance. We found the works held by ony the1995
DGS Journal
95
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Dallas Genealogical Society. The Dallas Journal, Volume 41, 1995, periodical, December 1995; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth186854/m1/101/: accessed April 23, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Dallas Genealogical Society.