No Orders for the Battle of December 16
It must be observed as a very notable fact that the official records, replete with orders and instructions issued every day, and almost every hour, contain no record whatever of any written order or instructions from General Thomas, given after the close of operations on December 15, for the operations which actually took place the next day. The only indications in the records, so far as I have been able to discover, that any orders were given by General Thomas, either orally or in writing, on the night of December 15, are the following “orders of the day” for the Fourth Army Corps, issued by General Wood after a personal interview with General Thomas that night; the order in writing from General Thomas to General Wilson, December 15; and the despatch from General Wilson to myself, dated December 16, 10:10 A. M. They are as follows:
“Headquarters Fourth Army Corps,
“Near Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864, 11:20 P. M.
“Orders of the day for the Fourth Army Corps for to-morrow, December
16, 1864:
“If the enemy is in their front at daylight to-morrow morning, division commanders will advance at that time, attack, and carry whatever may be before them. If the enemy retreats to-night, we will follow them. General Elliott, commanding Second Division, will cross to the east of the Franklin pike, then move southward parallel to it. He will deploy two regiments, connect with skirmishers, and the rest of his division will move by flank. General Kimball will follow, then General Beatty. The batteries attached to each division to-day will accompany them to-morrow. Ten ambulances and five ammunition-wagons will follow each division.
“By the order of Brigadier-General Wood:
“J. S. Fullerton,
“Lieutenant-Colonel and Assistant Adjutant-General.”
“Headquarters, Department of the Cumberland,
“Nashville, Tenn., December 15, 1864.
“Major-General J. H. Wilson, Commanding Cavalry Corps, Military
Division of the Mississippi.
“General: I am directed by the major general commanding to say to you that you will remain in your present position until it is satisfactorily known whether the enemy will fight or retreat. In case he retreats, you will move your command on the Hillsborough pike across the Harpeth, and then take the most direct road or roads to the Franklin pike, and endeavor to capture or destroy the enemy’s trains in their rear.
“I have the honor to be, General, very respectfully your obedient servant,
“Robt. H. Ramsey, Assistant Adjutant-General.”
Both of these orders indicate a not unnatural state of doubt as to whether the enemy would “fight or retreat.” The former directs what is to be done by the Fourth Corps in either case, while the latter directs what shall be done in case the enemy retreats, but says nothing about what shall be done if he does not retreat.
“Hdqrs. Cavalry Corps, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi,
“In the Field, December 16, 1864, 10:10 A. M.
“Major-General Schofield, Commanding Twenty-third Army Corps.
“General: The regiment sent to the Granny White pike reports it strongly picketed toward us, with troops moving to our left. This is probably Chalmers’ division. I have heard nothing from Johnson this morning; but, from what General Croxton reports, there is no doubt that Chalmers crossed the Hardin pike, moving toward Brentwood. The country on the left of the Hillsboro’ pike, toward the enemy’s left, is too difficult for cavalry operations. It seems to me if I was on the other flank of the army I might do more to annoy the enemy, unless it is intended that I shall push out as directed last night.
“Very respectfully,
“J. H. Wilson, Brevet Major-General.”
“(Indorsement.)
“Respectfully forwarded to Major-General Thomas.
“J. M. Schofield, Major-General.”