Uncle Daniel's Story Of "Tom" Anderson, and Twenty Great Battles

by John McElroy

“During the night Farlin came up. A battle must then and there be fought. The whole country stood with bated breath awaiting the result, as all understood that the rebels must be driven back on what they claimed as their own ground, or our country was in imminent danger of becoming demoralized should they see the battlefields changed to the North.

“When the morning came, the commands being in readiness, the movement of our forces commenced. It was soon discovered that the main crossing of Antler's Run was held by a strong force of the enemy, which compelled our troops to seek for some other and less dangerous passage. This was found to our right, facing the left of the enemy. His left being refused gave a safer passage over the stream. The plan of battle was to throw Gen. Horn's Corps at the upper crossing, assail the rebel left and, if successful, to cross the left of our forces, under Gen. Broomfield, by assaulting the enemy at the lower crossing, and if he could be driven from there, to cross and assault his right, his center being too strongly posted to risk an attack on it then. (Gen. Anderson had been assigned with his division to Gen. Horn's Corps.) The crossing over on our right was effected without much difficulty, and the enemy pressed back in the heavy woods. The enemy were evidently holding and waiting, as no general engagement ensued. Another corps crossed in the rear of Gen. Horn's and formed ready to assault. Our left had not as yet been able to cross in front of the enemy's right, and in this position we found ourselves,—part of our army on the one side and part on the other of Antler's Run, in front of the enemy; thus the two armies rested that night. Our intention being thus revealed to the enemy, he had only to wait the attack, which they must have concluded would be commenced at an early hour in the morning. The night was most beautiful; the vault of heaven being studded with stars, so that either army was in plain view of the other, at no very great distance separated. During the night another of our corps crossed the Run at the same crossing that Gen. Horn had passed over in the morning, and moved down to the left and in front of the rebel center. Occasionally the movement of this corps would be responded to with a few musket shots and a few shells from a battery posted on the ridge in the rebel center. At an early hour in the morning the Union forces took the initiative and hurled Horn's Corps against the rebels' extreme left. The struggle was a severe one—re-enforcements could not well be sent to the rebel left for fear of the movement being now made against their right. The battle on the left was at full height, and the lines swayed to and fro. Gen. Anderson made a movement around a skirt of woods near a chapel, and charged the enemy's lines, with sword drawn, leading his men in person. The assault was of such an impetuous character as to send dismay into the ranks of the enemy, and they gave way in confusion. Gen. Horn, however, advanced his left and center farther to the front than should have been done without other troops being in position to sustain the movement, and the rebel center, with their left reformed behind the woods, fell upon Horn's left and center with great energy and determination. The two columns now engaged with dauntless courage on both sides. The combatants, equal in mettle, faced each other in open field at very close range; each holding his ground until it appeared as though none would be left alive on either side. Neither line wavered, and it seemed as though the contest would only be determined by a complete demolition of the two forces. Gen. Horn fell, mortally wounded, and the command fell upon Gen. Simmons, who was killed soon after taking command. At this time the killed and wounded of the superior officers were such that it left Gen. Anderson the ranking General of the corps. He at once assumed command, and could everywhere be seen giving his orders and encouraging his men to stand. This they did until the slaughter on both sides became a shocking sight to behold.

“Gen. Hughes and Gen. Baily had fallen on the rebel side. The batteries from our side were playing from a hill on the east side of Antler's Run, pouring a galling enfilading fire into the rebel Une. Thus these lines stood amid death and desolation in their ranks until the men themselves on both sides, in order to stop the cruel slaughter of comrades, with one accord ceased firing, and the officers sat on their horses looking at each other as their forces slowly retired each to his rear. At this time, if Gen. Far-lin had moved forward the day would have been won without further slaughter. Gen. Anderson repeatedly sent word to him that if he would attack the enemy he could be routed, as their left was almost destroyed; but he did not assault at the opportune moment.

“It was then seen that nothing more than skirmishing had been going on between the forces on the Union left and the rebel right. Gen. Broomfield had not succeeded in crossing the run, and was held at bay by a small force, thus enabling the rebel commander, after discovering this hesitancy on our left, to concentrate on his left and center for the purpose of renewing the conflict. His re-enforcements had now arrived from Brown's Ferry, and he was eager to make an assault, being now satisfied that he should take the aggressive. Our batteries had crossed the run, and were supported on elevated ground by sufficient infantry, as we thought, for their safety. The rebel forces moved from their cover behind the woods, and were advancing to the crest of the ridge that ran across the open field from north to south, the best position to occupy for vantage ground. Gen. Anderson seeing this, determined to meet the attack and contest for this ground. Both forces were now in motion, each determined the other should not occupy this ridge. Orders were given to Gen. Broomfleld to cross the run at once and attack the enemy's right. Gen. Mausker was ordered to move on the left of Gen. Horn's Corps, now under Gen. Anderson, and attack at once; Farlin being in reserve, perhaps, because he could not be got anywhere else.

“The artillery was all across the run and ready for action. The cavalry had crossed some miles above and to the north, and were ordered to charge the enemy in the flank as soon as the engagement should be renewed. So on came the troops of both armies, and when in close range, the firing commenced again on our right and the rebel left, it continued all down the line until all were engaged. The firing was terrible and most destructive. Our batteries opened, and on in full charge came our cavalry. The rebel infantry on the left prepared to receive the cavalry, kneeling on one knee with fixed bayonets. What a charge that was, and what a slaughter! On came the cavalry; on, on to the bayonet came horse and man. Clash against bayonet came saber. Many the horse and man went on and over the bayonet in that charge. Part of the cavalry halted and hesitated, some retiring to the rear. Many an infantryman that did the same. Infantry and cavalrymen were piled together in the long slumber of death. At last our cavalry had to retire. While this tragedy was being enacted, the infantry on the right, left and centre were also playing the role of death. Column after column were hurled against each other, only to be repulsed. Our two corps first drove the enemy back and occupied the ridge, and for awhile held this advantage, until the whole rebel army, save a skirmish-line, was withdrawn from the right and center, and concentrated on and against our right. It looked as though the contest was now to be continued only on this part of the line. Farlin was now in line on the left of Mausker. Many of the enemy's troops were thrown in at this point who, not having been engaged, were comparatively fresh. Their column was formed in two lines. On and against our lines in quick succession they were thrown. Another great slaughter then commenced and continued, line facing line in open field. Gaps were made by falling men. The command on both sides could be heard, 'Close up!' Never did men stand more courageously amid slaughter and death. Gen. Anderson rode to the line and along its full length, sword in hand, with a large white plume in his hat, that his men might recognize him. Artillery roared and musketry rattled as if they were the hail and thunder from a hundred clouds. Groans and shrieks were heard. The ground was strewn with the dead and dying. As the lines finally gave way, the spot could be designated by rows of the dead. Our line was now distended and no reserves. The rebels were again re-enforced, Their dash and desperation broke our center, and Farlin fell back. Gen. Mausker now fell, shot through the head. His corps became demoralized and fell back in fragments. Gen. Anderson tried to rally the lines, but could not, and was compelled to fall back to the rear, where the artillery was posted. The situation at this time was most critical. The General in command was desperate. To lose this battle was his disgrace, having more troops than the enemy, as it would also probably in a measure seal the fate of his whole army. He at once gave Broomfield an imperative order to cross the run at the point of the bayonet, and to advance upon and assault the enemy's position, being his extreme right. This was done in good style, the enemy driven at the point of the bayonet from the crossing and from his position on his right. The contest was now changed from the enemy's left to his right. Troops were thrown in on his right quickly, and the battle became desperate on this end of the line.

“Gen. Anderson, discovering this, without orders rallied his men and all others that he could, and made a furious attack again on the enemy's left, driving him from the open field into the woods. He then ordered the artillery to advance to the ridge occupied by our line, and from there poured shot and shell into their ranks. The enemy became demoralized and broke in many parts of his line, ours still advancing and Gen. Anderson moving his artillery to the front as he could get position for it. The enemy on their left commenced a retreat down the Sheepstown road in great disorder. The batteries poured their deadly missiles after them, doing great damage. Gen. Anderson pressed forward, believing that their army could now in a great measure be destroyed before they could get back to a strong defensive position for protection. Many prisoners were now being captured. Gen. Broomfleld was following upon the Brown's Ferry road, when darkness set in. An order was now received from Gen. McGregor to desist from any further pursuit for the present. Gen. Anderson put his troops in position for the night, and ordered up stores and supplies for their comfort and made all necessary arrangements for an early movement in pursuit of the enemy the next morning. After attending to these matters he left Capt. Jackson Lyon and Capt. Bay, both of whom had been by the side of the General during this terrible battle. The General with an Orderly retired to the headquarters of the commanding General, which he found in a small farmhouse some two miles to the east side of Antler's Run. When he arrived he was welcomed very heartily and highly complimented by Gen. McGregor.

“The General said:

“'Anderson, we will not attempt to follow these rebels. Our army is worn out and so terribly damaged and demoralized that it would not do to risk another assault, should the enemy make a stand, inasmuch as they would have an advantageous position, which they certainly will, as they can select where they will fight if we pursue.'

“'Yes,' said Gen. Anderson; 'but, General, could we not press them so close and worry them so as to keep them on the run, and virtually destroy them before they can get back to their own ground? You know that while our army is terribly mangled, the enemy is certainly in no better condition.'

“'That is true,' said Gen. McGregor; 'but I never have, nor will I ever fight my army when in bad condition. But we will not discuss the matter any further now. You will stay and get a bite to eat and take some rest, but before doing that take a glass of wine.'