NORWAY-L Archives

From: Neil A Hofland< >
Subject: Uncle Rasmus - 115 - 119
Date: Sun, 21 Dec 1997 14:21:36 +0000

Hi All,

(Today's chapter is the offical report filled with the Army by Captain
Porter C. Olson concerning the activities of the 36th Illinois Regiment,
Volunteers around Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Remember, this regiment
contained mostly Norwegian volunteers.)

Headquarters 36th Ill. Vols.,
Jan. 9, 1863

The 36th Illinois regiment, Col. N. Greusel commanding, was called into
line at 4 o'clock on Tuesday morning, December 30th, 1862, and stood
under arms until daylight, to the left of the Wilkinson pike, our right
resting upon it, 5 miles from Murfreesboro. At 9 o'clock a.m. we moved
forward to Murfreesboro. Two companies were deployed as skirmishers to
the right of the road and were soon engaged with the enemy's skirmishers.
When 2 miles from Murfreesboro, the regiment was deployed in a
corn-field to the right of the pike and 2 companies were sent forward as
skirmishers, as ordered by Gen. Sill. The regiment lay in line in this
field until 2 o'clock p.m. at which time the whole line was ordered to
advance. The skirmishers kept up a sharp fire ----- the enemy's line
retreating and ours advancing. We drove the enemy through the timber and
across the cotton field, a low, narrow strip stretching to the right into
the timber. A rebel battery, directly in front of the 36th, opened a
heavy fire upon us. Our skirmishers advanced to the foot of the hill
near the cotton-field and here kept up a well directed fire. We were
ordered to support Capt. Bush's battery, which was brought into position
in the point of timber where our right rested, and opened fire with
terrible effect upon the enemy. We remained as a support until nearly
dark, when Capt. Bush went to the rear, the enemy's battery, or rather
its disabled fregments, having been dragged from the field. In this
day's engagement, the regiment lost 3 killed and 15 wounded; total 18.
We occupied the hill during the night, and our skirmishers were in line
at the edge of the cotton-field.

On the morning of December 31st, soon after daylight, the enemy advanced
in strong force from the timber beyond the cotton-field opposite our
right. They came diagonally across the field and upon reaching the foot
of the hiss made a left half wheel, coming up directly in front of us.
When the enemy had advanced up the hill sufficiently to be in sight, Col.
(N) Greusel ordered the regiment to fire, which was promptly obeyed. We
engaged the enemy at short range, the lines being not over ten rods (55
yards/about 50 meters) apart. After a few rounds, the regiment
supporting us on the right gave way. In this manner we fought for nearly
half an hour, when Gol. Greusel ordered the regiment to charge. The
enemy fled in great confusion across the cotton-field into the woods
opposite our left, leaving many of their dead and wounded upon the field.
We poured a destructive fire upon them as they retreated until they were
beyond range.

The 36th again took position upon the hill and the support for our right
came forward. At this time Gen. Sill was killed and Col. Greusel took
command of the birigade. A fresh brigade of the enemy advanced from the
direction that the first had come and in splendid order. We opend fire
on them with terrific effect. Again the regiment on our right gave way
and we were again left without support. In this condition we fought
until our ammunition was exhausted and the enemy had entirely flanked us
on our right. At this juncture Major (Silas) Miller odered the regiment
to fall back. While retreating Major Miller was wounded and the command
devolved on me. We moved back of the corn-field to the edge of the
timber a hundred rods (550 yards/about 500 meters) to the right of the
Wilkinson pike and 2 miles from Murfreesboro, at 8 o'clock a.m. Here I
met Gen. Sheridan and reported to him that the regiment was out of
ammunition and that I would be ready for action as soon as I could obtain
it. We had suffered severely in resisting the attack of superior
numbers. I had now only 140 men. The regiment fought with great
obstinacy and much is due to Col. N. Greusel for his bravery in
conducting the regiment before being called away. Adjutant Biddulph went
to find the ammunition, but did not succeed. I then informed the
Quartermaster Bouton, that I needed cartridges, but he failed to find any
except size 58, the calibre of most of the arms being 69. I was ordered
by Major General McCook to fall back to the rear of Gen. Crittenden's
corps. I arrived there about 10 o'clock a.m. I here obtained
ammunition, and dispatched the adjutant to report to Col. Greusel the
condition and whereabouts of the regiment. He returned without seeing
the Colonel. Lieut. Watkins soon rode up and volunteered to take a
message to Col. Greusel, or Gen. Sheridan. He also returned without
finding either officer. I now went in search of Gen. Sheridan myself;
found him at 12 o'clock, and reported to him the regiment (what there was
left of it) ready to move to the front. He ordered that I should hold
the regiment in readiness and await his commands.

At 2 o'clock p.m. I received orders from Gen. Sheridan to advance to the
front to the left of the railroad and connect my command temporarily with
Col. Leibold's brigade. We were here subject to a very severe artillery
fire. A 12 pound shell struck in the right of the regiment and killed
Lieut. Soren L. Olson (a brave and faithful officer, commanding company
F) [This was Col. Porter C. Olson's brother. Kneel], Corporal Riggs, and
wounding 3 others. At dark we were moved by Lieut. Denning one quarter
of a mile to the rear, where we remained for the night. At 3 o'clock in
the morning of the first of January, 1863, by order of Gen. Sheridan, we
marched to his headquarters on the Nashville pike, a distance of half a
mile, where at daylight I reported to Col. Greusel. As ordered by him we
took position to the right of Capt. Bush's battery, fronting west. We
built a barricade of logs and stone and remained through the day ready to
receive the enemy, but no attack was made. On the morning of the second,
the regiment was in line at 4 o'clock; stood under arms until daylight.
We remained ready for action through the day until 4 o'clock p.m., when,
by order of Col. Greusel, we moved to the right on the line formerly
occupied by Gen. Davis. During the night considerable skirmishing
occurred on our front. On the morning of the 3rd instant the regiment
stood under arms from 4 o'clock until daylight. At 8 o'clock a.m., by
order of Col. Greusel, we changed position to the right and somwhat to
the rear, letting our right rest upon the Nashvill pike. On the morning
of the 4th we were under arms at 4 o'clock. No fighting occurred on our
part of the line during the day. In the action throughout, the regiment
behaved in the most gallant manner. The officers, with only a single
exception, distinguished themselves for bravery and coolness. The men
with unflinching courage were always ready, and met the enemy with a
determination to conquer. I tender my thanks to Adjutant (George G.)
Biddulph for the gallant and efficient manner in which he assisted me,
and also to the other officers for their gallant action throughout the
strong conflict, which resulted in victory. I append to ths report a
list of casualties.

(Signed)
Porter C. Olson
Captain, Commanding 36th Illinois Vols.

(In the next installment Uncle Rasmus continues to report on the
activities of the 36th regiment.)

Kneel

This thread:

• Uncle Rasmus - 115 - 119 by Neil A Hofland< >