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Regarding this month's program, here is the report of Col. Thayer
on the work of the First Nebraska at Fort Donelson:
Numbers 44. Report of Colonel
John M. Thayer, First Nebraska Infantry, commanding Third Brigade.
HDQRS. 3rd Brigadier, 3rd DIV., DEPT. WEST TENNESSEE, Fort Henry,
February 18, 1862.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor herewith to submit a report of the part taken
in the battle of Fort Donelson by the brigade under my command,
composed of the First Nebraska, Lieutenant-Colonel McCord; the Seventy
sixth Ohio, Colonel Woods; the Fifty-eighth Ohio and the Sixty-eighth
Ohio, Colonel Steedman. There were also attached to my brigade seventh
Illinois, Colonel Baldwin, and the Fifty-eighth Illinois, Colonel Lynch.
At 3 o'clock on the afternoon of Friday, the 14th instant, I moved the
brigade forward, under orders from General Wallace, commanding the
Third Division, of which this brigade constitutes a part, from the
small settlement in the valley some 2 miles south of the fortifications
to take up a position on the left of Colonel Cruft's brigade, which had
gone on in the direction of General McClernand's division. After
passing up a mile the line of battle was formed in the road fronting
the valley leading to the western redoubt. No enemy appearing in that
direction, we bivouacked for the night on the side of the road, the
troops lying on the ground with their arms in their hands. At daylight
the next morning the line was again formed. At about 10 o'clock I
received orders from General Wallace in person to move forward with my
command to the support of General McClernand, who had been engaged with
the enemy during the morning. Passing along the central road leading to
the breastworks half a mile I met and passed the column of General
McClernand retreating. Moving my men at double-quick, we were soon
between the forces of General McClernand and the enemy, who was rapidly
approaching.
On arriving at a small opening in the timber I filed into the right,
crossing the ravine and ascending the hill; placed Colonel Lynch's
Fifty-eighth Regiment on the right slope of the hill. The Chicago
battery, Lieutenant Wood, taking position, by direction of the general,
in the road, the Nebraska regiment, Lieutenant-Colonel McCord, was
placed immediately on the right of the battery, on the line of the
Fifty-eighth Illinois. A detached company of the Thirty-second Illinois
(Company A, Captain Davidson) occupied the position next to the battery
on the left. The Fifty-eighth Ohio were in position on the left of this
company. The line of battle was thus formed across the road at right
angles with it. The Seventy sixth Ohio was placed some 50 yards in the
rear of the First Nebraska, and directed to lie upon the ground as a
reserve. The Forty-sixth and Fifty-seventh Illinois were also held in
reserve on the road in the rear, ready and anxious for the fight.
Colonel Steedman's Sixty-eighth Ohio were stationed on a road on the
left, leading to the fort. In this position we had not long to wait for
the enemy, who soon approached, with a battery supported by a large
body of infantry. Lieutenant Wood immediately commenced an effective
fire with his battery, which was instantly returned by the enemy. The
extreme left of the First Nebraska, resting on the battery, under
orders previously given, at once opened a well-directed fire, which
rapidly extended along the line to its right. This regiment continued
an almost incessant discharge of musketry for three-quarters of an
hour, the battery continuing its firing at the same time, when the
enemy were completely repulsed and fled. Nothing but the thick
underbrush prevented a charge with the bayonet. The enemy made an
effort three times to push forward through our lines, but were as often
driven back.
Colonel Cruft's brigade was engaged on my right in the direction of the
river with the enemy's forces, who were endeavoring to outflank his
right. The enemy approaching the center of our lines, where my brigade
was posted, evidently shows that it was his intention to open his way
through and unite with the forces that should outflank Colonel Cruft,
but in both of these attempts he was overcome and forced to retreat. I
have since learned from the enemy that his force in the engagement
which I have described, in addition to his battery, was three regiments
of infantry and a squadron of horse which were repulsed by one regiment
of our infantry, the First Nebraska, and the Chicago battery. The enemy
also admit a large number of killed and wounded in this action. The
Nebraska regiment had but 3 killed and 7 wounded. The enemy poured
volley after volley upon us, but, fortunately, aimed too high to do
much execution. The Nebraska regiment being the only one engaged at
this time, I was with it during the action, and am pleased to be able
to say not omit to speak in high terms of the soldierly bearing and
efficient conduct of Lieutenant-Colonel McCord and Major Livingston
during the engagement.
Colonel Woods and his regiment were also exposed to the full fire of
the enemy, and their position was rendered the more trying, as I had
directed them not to fire until ordered forward for that purpose, if
the emergency should arise, which, however, was not necessary. In the
afternoon Colonel Lynch was sent forward with his regiment to the
assistance of our forces who were engaged on the right, where General
Wallace with a part of his division had encountered the enemy, and who
drove them back within their entrenchments, recovering the ground lost
in the morning. Colonel Davis moved forward and took position on the
road in front. The other regiments of the brigade remained in the
positions occupied by them during the engagement and camped there that
night. The next morning at daylight (Sunday), on receiving on the right
and passed down the road to the base of the hill leading to the
fortifications, where the line was formed in connection with our other
forces, with the intention of storming the works, but before this could
be attempted the enemy surrendered.
Not having received reports from the different regiments under my
command during the battle, I am not able to submit a detailed report of
its casualties.
I must acknowledge the efficient services in the prompt execution of
orders of S. A. Strickland, my acting assistant adjutant-general, my
aide-de-camp, Captain Allen Blacker, and Lieutenant Charles E. Provost.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,your obedient servant,
JOHN M. THAYER,
Colonel 1st Nebr., Commanding 3rd Brigadier, 3rd Div., Dept. West Tenn.
Source: Official Records of the Civil War: Series 1, Vol 7, Part
1 (Ft Henry - Fort Donelson).
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Here is a composite of three
pictures of the area where it is believed that the First Nebraska made
its stand against the Rebels attempting to break out of Fort Donelson:
This is believed to be the
general view the Union forces would have had looking north up the Wynn
Ferry Road (Natcor Drive - see arrow identified area on the map below)
toward the town of Dover and Fort Donelson, to Dover’s west. What
is now Forge Road turns off to the right of the position of the First
Nebraska. The Chicago battery of Lt. Wood would have been in the
road in the composite above, facing the Confederates approaching from
the north, with the camera’s vew the same as the Union force’s
view. The First Nebraska was just to the left of the battery and
extending on to the left (west).
Hope to see you all on the 27th!
