The battle of Fishing Creek-first engagement of the28th regiment

BATTLE OF FISHING CREEK, KY

This was the first battle for many of the soldiers who came from the Flynns Lick, Tennessee area of Jackson County.Our direct ancestor, John HL Brown, served as a First Lieutenant, Company "E", 28th Regt., Tennessee Volunteers. He enlisted at Camp Zollicoffer, near Livingston, Tennessee, August 7, 1861. He served in Captain Uriah Thomas Brown's Company,"E", Col. John P.Murray's, Regt.. Capt. Uriah Thomas Brown is also our direct ancestor through the Lynn lineage as well as the Brown lineage.

Some of the men serving the Confederacy from Jackson County, Tennessee are as follows: 28th Tennessee Infantry, Co. "E", Uriah Thomas Brown-Capt.,John H.L.Brown-1st.Lt.,Ben Fox-1st.Lt.,Bill Wheeler, Campbell Davis, Joshua Haile,Jr., Lafayette Haile, D. Haile, L.H.Haile,Sr.,James A. Haile, J.M.C.Carter, Guss Lock, Henison Young, Jim Dudney, Bart Fox, Uriah Fox, John L.B.Fox, Jubilee Fox, Ben Birdwell, Joe Ab Birdwell, John Jones, Tom Crook, Dent Parkerson, Alfred C. Pippin, James Pippin, Willis Pippin, Russ Brevington, Dan Johnson, Bob Johnson, John D. Pippin, James Howard Brown, James Rash, Elison Rash, Tom Young, Lou Brooks, Pete Hix, Clay Hix, Bill Jones, Jeff Jones, Jim West, Roe Johnson, Jim Johnson, Rodney Burks, Joe Cunningham, Preston Cunningham, Littelton Hall, Edmond Shepard Kirby, John Mathaney, Thomas Billingsley, Walter S. Billingsley, William H. Billingsley,

Company "G" 28th Regiment
Bill Elrod, Jim Elrod, John Elrod, Rich Young, Nick Hollaman, Matt Ford, Rich Young, Marshall Smith, Joe Dillard, John Blair, Bud Clark, Alex Ray, Lum Clark, Sam Hunter, Uriah Gillihan, Clem Gillihan, Maron Young, Sam Young, L.H. Horn, Bill Furgerson, Rafe Rogers, Sam Booker, Bailey Apple, Bob Apple, George Apple, Henry Apple, James Beller, 3rd Lt. W.W. Vaden, 2nd. Lt. Ray Carter, 1st. Lt. A.E. Hogan, Capt. W.C. Trousdale, of Granville, Tn.

Those serving with the 4th Tennessee Cavalry were, Capt. Bob Gailbreath, 1st Lt. Albert Brooks, 2nd Lt. Amon Haile, 2nd Lt. Bill Cox, Russell Spurlock, Riley Spurlock, John Darwin, William Darwin, George Flatt, John R.Brown, W.A."Bill" Ragland, Cowine Brown, Wade Brown, George Kirby, Cullom Ragland, John Apple, Bill Flatt, John M.Flatt, Jim Bullington, Thomas C.Brown, John L.Brown, Lige Allen, Wes Allen, Berry Allen, Thomas Young, Joe Whitfield, Ben Burnett, Tom Burnett, Tom Hoover, Tom Burgess, Sol Anderson, John Hager, Matthew Gipson, Jack Gipson, Joe Gipson, Buck Gipson, John Jackson.

For the official report of the battle of fishing creek, see the notes under-------John H.L. Brown----------Report follows
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following is a report filed by Brig.General William H.Carroll,
commanding the Second Brigade, to Major General G. B. Crittenden.
Hdgrs. Second Brigade-Division, C.S. Army,
Gainesborough, Tennessee, Sept.1, 1862
GENERAL: I embrace the first leisure moment, after receiving
reports from the different officers of this brigade, to lay before
you an account of the operations of my command in the engagement
with the enemy near Fishing Creek, Ky., on the morning of January
19th.
In accordance with your orders of January 17th, which reached me at
midnight of that date, I moved the 17th Regt., then under command
of Lt. John P. Murray, from their encampment at Mill Springs, to
the north side of the Cumberland river, and halted them at Beech
Grove, taking quarters with the 20th and the 25th Tennessee
Regiments, commanded by the Colonels Battle and Stanton, which were
encamped at that place, at 8:00 p.m.
On the evening of the 18th instant I received orders from you to
move my command at 12:00 that night, by the Fishing Creek road in
the direction of Webb's (Logans) Cross roads, a point 10 miles
distant in a Northerly direction from the position we then
occupied. At the hour designated I put my command in motion and
took up the line of march for the point above mentioned. The
Brigade commanded by Brig.General F.K. Zollicoffer, preceded me
about thirty minutes, taking the same direction and marching about
1 mile in advance of my front. My command consisting of the 17th,
28th, 29th, Tennessee, and 16th Alabama Regiments of Infantry,
Lt.Col. Branner's battalions of cavalry, and two pieces of
McClung's battery, moved in the following order: The 17th,
Tennessee, commanded by Lt.Col. Miller, marched in front, the 28th
Tennessee, commanded by Col.J.P. Murray, following at the distance
of thirty paces behind the 17th; the 29th Tennessee, commanded by
Col. S. Powell, marched above the same distance in the rear of Col.
Murray; the artillery and one company of Branners cavalry brought
up the rear, and the remaining cavalry marched on either flank,
with orders to scout the woods on the right and left of Fishing
Creek road along which we were marching. The 16th Alabama Regt.,
under the command of Col. Wood marched about 600 paces in the rear
of the remainder of my command, with orders to hold his command as
a reserve corps, and be governed in this after movements as
emergencies might require.
The night was dark and gloomy, and a cold rain was falling,
rendering the march extremely difficult and unpleasant.this
together with the almost impassable conditions of the roads,
rendered so by recent heavy rains, so much retarded our progress,
that at daylight, we had not advanced 10 miles from camp Beech
Grove, thus consuming nearly six hours in marching this short
distance.
Just at dawn on the 19th, and while the troops were toiling
slowly,along through the mud and water, sometimes more than a foot
in depth, I heard the report of several guns, fired in quick
succession, and apparently about a half mile in advance of me. This
firing I supposed to be from the pickets of the enemy, who had
discovered the advance of General Zollicoffer's brigade. In a few
minutes I heard a heavy volley of musketry proceeding from the
direction of the former reports, and extending some distance to my
right and left and in a line running parallel with the front of my
command. The rapid and continuous fire in front convinced me that
General Zollicoffer had encountered the enemy in strong force and
a determined and sanguinary conflict had commenced.
I immediately moved my command forward at the double-quick to the
brow of a hill, and deployed my columns in line of battle, making
the summit of the hill a partial protection for my men. While
forming and preparing for the engagement, the regiment of Col.
Murray, constituted the right of my line of battle, and was
extended the full line on the east side of Fishing Creek road,
while the 17th Tennessee Regiment, commanded by Lt.Col. Miller,
composed my left, and extended in a similar manner on the west side
of the road. Colonel Powell's 29th regiment, was drawn up in the
rear of the 28th, designed to act as a support or a reserve as
circumstances may require. Col. Wood 16th Alabama was posted about
100 paces in the rear of the 29th, and on the east side of the
road. Branner's cavalry was directed to take post in the rear and
supporting distance of my left flank,while McClungs artillery was
stationed in the rear of my center.
This disposition of my forces was partly induced by surrounding
circumstances. The morning was exceedingly cloudy, and rendered
still darker by the volumes of smoke arising from the firing in
front, so that the eye could distinguish objects clearly only at a
short distance. I could, therefore, only judge of the probable
force and position of the enemy by the flash and report of their
guns. Judging as correctly as I could by these indications, I was
induced to think that the most vigorous attack was being made in
front and east of my right wing.
In order to determine the proper manner and most available point to
bring my force into action, I left my command stationary, and with
my staff rode forward until I came into view of the enemy, on the
declivity of the opposite hill, engaged in a fierce conflict with
a portion of General Zollicoffer's brigade. I then approached you,
reported for orders, and returned to my command. Soon after your
aide, Col. Thornton, rode up and ordered me to advance my regiment
to sustain the gallant 15th Mississippi, in a charge which he was
on the way to order.
I accordingly ordered Col. Murray's regt. to move forward to the
foot of the hill and take shelter behind a rail fence and some
surrounding timber. In a few minutes the gallant Mississippians
charged and were driving the enemy rapidly before them. While thus
engaged a regiment of cavalry began a flanking movement against
their left. I then ordered Col. Murray to advance his regiment
against this flanking force. This order was received by a shout by
the entire regiment, who, led by their colonel dashed into the
thickest of the fight. About this time a strong re-enforcement of
the enemy arrived on our left, evidently intending to attack and
turn our left flank. In order to thwart this design, I ordered Col.
Cummings regiment, of General Zollicoffers Brigade, which was near
at hand, and for the moment dis-engaged, to move by the left flank
in the direction of the approaching enemy, thus extending our line
nearly to the full extent of their right. Mis-understanding the
order, the regiment fell into some confusion, which was however
quickly overcome by the promptness and activity of the commanding
officer, Lt.Col. Walker. It then moved in good order to the place
assigned it and did good service as long as it remained under my
observation. I then ordered up the 17th Tennessee, Lt.Col. Miller,
and formed it behind a fence, within 80 to 100 yards of the enemy.
This position they held for nearly one hour against an overwhelming
force, meanwhile pouring a destructive fire against the advancing
column, spreading terror through the ranks of the enemy.
I cannot speak too highly of the striking influence over this
regiment, of the through and rigid discipline to which it had been
reduced by it's efficient commander, Col.T.W.Newman, who I regret
was prevented from being present at the engagement by some in
disposition.
Perceiving that the enemy was being re-enforced in this quarter by
several fresh regiments, and that they were pushing on with a most
determined courage, I directed my aide, W.H.Carroll, to return and
order up the regiments of Colonels Wood and Powell, that up till
this time had been held in reserve.
Col. Wood brought his men forward with the steadiness of veterans,
and formed them into battle array, with the coolness and precision
of a holiday parade. Advancing toward the enemy, we keep up a
constant and most destructive fire, until we were forced to quit
the field and fall back before superior numbers. Returning a short
distance, we rallied and continued the contest, but we were again
assailed by an unequal force and slowly driven back, stubbornly
resisting every inch of the ground over which the enemy was
advancing. The action had now become general, all along my entire
line-the federals fighting with unusual vigor and courage. Re-
enforcements for the enemy continued to pour in on us from every
direction, the ground was soon covered with the dead and wounded,
and the discharge of small arms and the roar of the cannon was
incessant. When ever we could succeed in driving back one regiment,
another would supply it's place and meet us with a more determined
resistance. Their artillery having been brought into play, swept
the entire field, throwing shell, grape, and canister into our
midst.
In the meantime the 28th tennessee, Col.J.P. Murry, being assailed
by almost twice its numbers, after making a brief resistance, broke
and fled in confusion from the field. The 29th Tennessee, Col.
Powell, was also attacked in a similar manner, and the Colonel
himself being seriously wounded, his men fell back in considerable
disorder, and could not be induced to face the enemy again, though
ever effort was made to rally them back by their own officers and
members of my staff. Two regiments of Gen. Zollicofers command had
already been forced to retire from the field. Their retreat through
my ranks contributed very much to throw my columns into disorder.
The regiments of Colonel Wood and Lt. Col. Miller continued to hold
the enemy at bay, slowly retiring from the field now lost to us.
Perceiving the fortunes of the day were against us, and that we
could not longer maintain the unequal contest, I reluctantly
permitted my entire command to retreat in the direction of our
works at Mill Springs. I was not able to bring my Cavalry or
Artillery into action, in consequence of the rugged and uneven
nature of the ground over which the battle was fought. While
retiring from the field, the enemy had little disposition to pursue
us, having evidently suffered, in all probability, a loss greater
than ours.
Late in the afternoon my command reached our encampment at Beech
Grove and took possession of the fortifications formerly erected at
that place. I succeed in bringing as many of my wounded as limited
transportation would permit.
At about five o'clock in the evening the enemy having approached
within a about a mile of our works, planted their batteries of
heavy guns on commanding eminences and commenced a vigorous
cannonade, which would have soon driven us out of our
fortifications had not the setting in of night, prevented further
prosecution of the attack.
Our position being wholly untenable, it was determined in council
of officers, called by yourself, to abandon it and return to the
other side of the Cumberland. Having but one small boat to
transport the entire command across, it was found impossible to
carry any of our equipage with us. It was destroyed, therefore, in
order that it might not fall into the hands of the enemy. I was
also compelled to abandon two pieces of McClungs battery and nearly
all of my Cavalry horses. Some of the later succeeded in swimming
the river, but many were drowned in the attempt. By daylight in the
morning my entire command had reached the south side of the
Cumberland.
Being entirely without commissary supplies, and there being none,
or very little, in the surrounding country, my men became more
apprehensive of destruction by famine, than at the hands of the
enemy. Under the influence of this panic, created by a fear of
starvation, many deserted the army and fled through the mountains
into East Tennessee. Among these I regret to say were some of the
officers, but mostly, however, of an inferior grade. Most of my
officers exerted ever effort to preserve their commands intact and
maintain the strictest order of discipline in the retreat.
The casualties in my command during the engagement were as follows:
Killed........................................28
Wounded.......................................46
Missing.......................................29
Total..........................................103
It will be seen that my entire loss in killed, wounded, and missing
amounts in the aggregate to 103.
The repulse of the regiments of my command that gave way in
confusion during the battle is attributed (besides the superior
numbers with which they were contending), in a great measure, to
the inefficient and worthless character of their arms, being old
flintlock muskets and country rifles, nearly half of which wouldn't
fire at all.
During the engagement I saw numbers of the men walking deliberately
away from the field of action for no other reason than that their
guns were wholly useless. Another reason why some of the troops
under my command did not exhibit a more soldierly bearing is found
in the fact that they only had a day or two before being assigned
to me, and were deficient in drill and discipline, having previous
to that time had little opportunity of becoming proficient in these
particulars.
I cannot close this report without expressing the high appreciation
by both myself and my officers, for the personal courage and skill
evinced by yourself and staff during the entire engagement; and
however much I regret the un-fortunate disaster that befell us, I
feel conscious that it resulted from no want of gallantry and
military tact on the part of the commanding General.
For more minute details I respectfully refer you to the
accompanying reports of the commanding officers of my brigade.
I am, general, very respectively,
W.H. Carroll, Brig. General-CSA