No Orders for the Battle of December 16
The report of General Steedman, dated January 27, 1865, says: “December 16, at 6 A. M., in obedience to the orders of Major-General Thomas, my command moved on the enemy’s works.” It is not stated whether these orders were oral or written. No copy of them appears in the records, nor any mention of a personal interview with General Thomas or any of his staff. (Steedman was the man who published a falsehood about an alleged telegram from me to Grant about Thomas. See page 296.)
General T. J. Wood’s report, dated January 5, 1865, after describing the operations of the morning of December 16, says: “After the dispositions above recounted had been made, the commanding general joined me near our most advanced position on the Franklin pike, examined the positions of the troops, approved the same, and ordered that the enemy should be vigorously pressed and unceasingly harassed by our fire. He further directed that I should be constantly on the alert for any opening for a more decisive effort, but for the time to bide events. The general plan of the battle for the preceding day—namely, to outflank and turn his left—was still to be acted on. Before leaving me, the commanding general desired me to confer with Major-General Steedman, whose command had moved out that morning from Nashville by the Nolensville pike, and arrange a military connection between his right and my left.” This appears from General Wood’s report to have occurred a short time before noon, and seems to have been the first information given to any of the corps commanders of the general plan of operations for December 16. General Wood’s report does not suggest that even he, who had visited the commanding general the night before, had been given any information about any such general plan; and that statement of Wood’s, “the general plan of the battle for the preceding day— namely, to outflank and turn his left—was still to be acted on,” was written many days after the battle, and then did not say that General Thomas had at any time so ordered.
In the report of General A. J. Smith, dated January 10, 1865, occurs the following: “About 3 P. M. (December 10) General McArthur sent word that he could carry the hill on his right by assault. Major-General Thomas being present the matter was referred to him, and I was requested to delay the movement until he could hear from General Schofield, to whom he had sent.... General McArthur, not receiving any reply, and fearing that if the attack should be longer delayed the enemy would use the night to strengthen his works, directed the first brigade (Colonel W. L. McMillen, 95th Ohio Infantry, commanding) to storm the hill on which was the left of the enemy’s line,” etc. This statement, which appears to be nowhere dissented from, seems to show that very nearly the hour of the day—not very long after 3 P. M.—when was initiated by General McArthur the general attack which resulted in the brilliant and final success of the day; that this initial movement was not made in pursuance of any orders or directions from General Thomas, but, on the contrary, during a period in which General Thomas had requested General Smith to “delay the movement.”
General Wilson’s report, dated December 21, says: “About 4:30 P. M. the enemy, pressed in front, flank, and rear, broke in disorder. Croxton’s brigade, which had been held in reserve on the Hillsboro’ pike, as soon as the success of these dispositions had become apparent was ordered to march rapidly across the country to the Granny White pike, and beyond the right flank of Hammond’s brigade; but owing to the lateness of the hour and heaviness of the road over which he was compelled to move, he secured but few prisoners.” This report also seems to be silent in respect to any order from General Thomas.
There was another good reason why the cavalry secured but few prisoners at that time: There were very few left to secure behind that part of the line, the infantry having captured nearly all of them.