The Boy Colonel of The Fifteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, U.S.

This is a story of a remarkable young man from Louisville, Kentucky. James was born December 13, 1842 to the parents of Thomas Seabrooke Forman and Mary Brown Forman. His roots firmly placed in Mason County as it seems at the time of the War Between the States, three-fourths of the county were Formans or related to the Formans by marriage.
His grandfather, Ezekiel Forman, had been a farmer and the family had been on the land for a long time. Patriotism was an important part of his upbringing, for there were three Continental Army Generals in the family; General David Forman had his own regiment during the American Revolution, from Monmouth New Jersey, General Thomas Marsh Forman and General Jonathan Forman. Some also seeing service in the War of 1812 and the Whiskey Rebellion.
At the beginning of the War Between the States, many of the Kentucky young men were going with the South. Young James considered himself a Southerner, but had strong convictions that the Union must be preserved. He knew the South did not have the resources to sustain a war.
"I love and sympathize with the South as much as you, but I am a true Southerner. If the South does wrong, I say, try to win her backwith kindness. But -- that failing -- I am ready to go with sword in hand, though still with love in heart, to force her to submit to rightful authority." James B. Forman.
His life-long friend, William McDowell said, “I shall never forget once hearing him read to a party of young friends Daniel Webster's immortal speech on the "American Union." As he read that closing sentence of matchless eloquence commencing: "When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and disordered fragements of a once glorious Union," his voice trembled with emotion; and as he finished with the soul-inspiring "Liberty and Union, now and forever, one and inseparable," it was full of triumphant enthusiasm. His
hearers were many of them Southern sympathizers, but not a word was spoken -- all
were impressed.”
When Kentucky entered the war on the side of the Union, James B. Forman immediately enlisted in the regiment being formed by Col. Curan Pope. James set out with his friend William McDowell to recruit the company. William McDowell was elected Captain and James B. Forman Second Lieutenant. He was quickly promoted to First Lieutenant.
The young Lt. was admired, and loved by his men, and respected by his superiors. His military knowledge and keen leadership abilities made him seem older than his 19 years. He was promoted to Captain when Captain McClure was killed, and took command of Company C and the Regimental Color Guard.
The 15th Kentucky Regiment went into battle at Perryville with 500 men and were up against two and a half regiments of Braxton Bragg’s Rebels. The 15th suffered extremely high casualties, with 63 men killed, 11 of them, officers, and 136 wounded, which is a 40% casualty rate.
The 15th was being routed when the ninth color bearor was killed. The staff of the colors had been shot in two and the flag riddled with bullet holes. Captain Forman picked up the tattered colors. With the staff shot in two he had to climb the rail fence so he could hold the colors up for the men to see. He then began to shout for the men to rally and stop their retreat. He hollered encouragement for them to continue the fight. The youthful Captain totally disregarded his own safety and maintained his confidence and espoused of courage urging the men to hold their ground.
According to eyewitness accounts, approximately 15 rebs came out of the woods to capture the flag. They were out of amunition as was Captain Forman. Hand to hand fighting began to commence as the youthful Captain was losing his grip to overwhelming numbers, the men of the 15th rallied to their Captain and to their flag. The day was saved, the retreat was halted and the 15th held their ground. Company C had suffered the heaviest casualties of the battle, having 12 killed and 11 wounded. The battle lasted from noon until dark, on October 8, 1862.
The next morning the Confederates were gone, they had pulled out during the night. Captain J. R. Snyder took command of the Regiment. The regiment moved on to Nashville, Tennesse to rest and recoup.
On November 8, 1862, Governor J.N. Robinson of Kentucky, promoted Captain James B. Forman to Colonel of the Regiment and presented him with the flag he so bravely fought to save and used to rally the Regiment. Colonel James Brown Forman was on 19 years old and now a full colonel in command of an Infantry Regiment. Colonel J.B. Forman sent the flag back to Louisville with instructions to return it to Gov. Robinson for him to put it in the State Archives as he felt that it belonged to the people of Kentucky.
The 15th Kentucky Infantry was now in dire need of replenishing. While the Regiment rested in Tennesse, Color Forman returned to Louisville to recruit more men.
While in Louisville, on November 26, 1862 another flag was presented to the 15th from the loyal ladies. Here is the news article as it appeared in the Louisville Journal 11/26/1862:
THE FLAG PRESENTATION TO THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY INFANTRY
The elegent flag prepared by the loyal ladies of the city for the Fifteenth Kentucky infantry was presented to the regiment last evening through Colonel Forman. Notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, the attractions elsewhere, and the short notice given, a large and very respectable party of loyal ladies and gentlemen assembled in the Circuit Court room at the Court House at eight o’clock to witness the interesting exercises. The flag, which was of the finest silken fabric, embroidered with gold and appropriately inscribed, was presented by Edwin S. Craig, Esq., who alluded in eloquent terms to the eminent services that had been rendered by the regiment to the cause of the Union. The beautiful emblem was received by Col. Forman, the youthful guardian of the ‘orphan regiment,’ who replied in modest terms to the flattering eulogy passed upon the corps which he represented. Col. Forman will leave the city this morning to rejoin his regiment, and will bear with him to his gallant comrades this beautiful offering of the loyal ladies of Louisville.
This appeared in the Louisville Democrat 11/26/1862:
FLAG PRESENTATION- We were fortunate in being present on the occasion of the presentation of the magnificient silk flag, which through the liberal donations of the loyal citizens, and the untiring zeal and energy of Miss M.L. Richardson and Miss Lizzie M. Daniel, was gotten up as a present to the brave and gallant Fifteenth Kentucky regiment, who fought so well and won imperishable honors in the battle of Chaplin Hills, the late Colonel Curan Pope commanding, by whose lamented death the charge of the “Orphan Regiment” was bestowed on Col. James B. Forman. The presentation took place in the Circuit Court room. A large number of ladies and gentlemen were present. Mr. Edward Craig presented the flag in behalf of the fair donors in a most eloquent an happy manner. Col. Forman responded in a brief and elegant address. The flag bore the inscription “Fifteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, Chaplin Hills, October 8, 1862.” The occasion, though solemn in the scene, was beautiful and sublime in the meaning. Long may the gallant Fifteenth, with the brave young Forman, live to fight in its defense, and may they ever remember, in peace or on the battlefield, from whose generous hearts and willing hands it came.
Colonel Forman returned the next day with new recruits and supplies and a beautiful new flag for the regiment which was bivouaced in Nashville, Tenn. The regiment re-officered where needed and was once more ready for the fray.
The regiment was now in the Fourteenth Army Corps, commanded by General George H. Thomas; First Division, commanded by General Lovell H. Rousseau; Third Brigade, by General John S. Beatty. The Brigade compromising in addition to the Fifteenth Kentucky, the Third and Tenth Ohio, Forty-second and Eighty-eighth Indiana regiments, always ready to march or fight at the bidding of the commander.
On the 26th of December the regiment left Nashville, and traveled via the Franklin and Granny White pikes, concentrating on the hills near Nashville, with the enemy close in front; but General Bragg drew off his army to Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
“Well will Sunday afternoon, December 28, 1862 be remembered. The regiment was ordered out of its line on the hill-side, and commenced one of the hardest and darkest marches that can be imagined, toward Murfreesboro. All night, through Cedar thickness, roads almost impassible, only kept in the right direction by “beacon fires,” which were kept burning the entire night, we wended our way, hungry, foot-sore, wet, and wary, not knowing where we were going, but trusting implicitly that “Old Rosy” and “Pap” Thomas would lead us only to such places as they desired us to occupy, as we had entire confidences in those worthy and able commanders. In the morning we reached the Nashville and Murfreesboro turnpike, near Stewart’s Creek, and were again in our position in the center of the Army of the Cumberland, with Bragg’s army again confronting us.”
On the 29th and 30th the 15th Ky. moved forward until it almost reached the banks of Stone River. General Negley’s Division had skirmished for position on the right during the afternoon of the 30th and when night came on the 15th bivouaced and many spent the night in joking pleasantry, reveille on the 31st sounding to scores who had not slept. Rousseau’s division was the reserve division of the Fourteenth Corps. Marching along the road they passed General Rosecrans and staff, who seeing the flag-staff broken, banner torn and draped in mourning, called them his “orphan regiment,” a name which, before the sun of that day set, was doubly applicable.
Colonel Forman met with his officers and Major McDowell, who was serving as Chief of Staff to General Rousseau. Major McDowell writes, “Col. J. B. Forman was my friend from early boyhood. We were engaged together in raising Co. ‘C’ 15th Ky., I as captain and he as lieutenant, and were always fast friends. He had a very stylish black horse which I admired, and tried to buy from him. As I was riding with him and the field officers of the 15th to place the men in linve of battle at Stone River, he remarked: ‘Will, you have always wanted this horse; now it is my desire that after this battle you should have him. I will be killed in the fight, and I call on you gentlemen (addressing his field of officers) to see that he gets him.’ Major McDowell rallied him and said, “Jimmie, if you are going to be killed, let me have him now and take my horse,” but he answered, “I am in earnest; I know what I am talking about and I want you to remember: I will be killed, you will be wounded, and the horse will also be wounded, and I, want Major Allen to see that the horse is cared for and given to you.” All occurred as he said. He was killed and fell from his horse, the horse was wounded three times in the left hind leg, and major McDowell was wounded in the left arm. While home convalesing form his wound, Major McDowell was met in Louisville by Mr. William Anderson, Col. Forman’s brother-in-law, who informed that the horse was in a livery stable at his disposal. Major Allen having conveyed the request. Major McDowell writes that he kept the horse until his death.
The battle for the 15th began about 9:00AM. Colonel James B. Forman was riding up and down the line in front of the Regiment encouraging the men forward. The 15th was very much in the same position that they were in at Perryville, facing heavy odds and on orders to hold at all cost.
Major McDowell wrote: “About nine o’clock A.M. we came up close to the front and could see orderlies riding hurriedly hither and thither. A group of officers, composed of General Rousseau with his brigade and regimental commanders was formed in front of the Fifteenth, to whom orders and instructions were given, when, all returning to their commands, we were faced to the right and moved hurriedly to the cedar forest to stem the current of an almost irrestible storm in the cedar glades, where General McCooks (Twentieth) Corps had been violently attacked and were sorely pressed.
Passing in rear of General Sill’s division, our brigade got into the same kind of position as that held at Perryville; that is, one on the extreme right wing of the army, with the Fifteenth Kentucky on the right of the brigade. Here, with instructions to hold the enemy until the artillery could be gotten out of the thickett, we again met the enemy and stopped for a while his triumphant charges. We held the road until the last gun and caisson had passed safely, but for a terrible cost to the Fifteenth Kentucky, for in a short half hour we lost our brave and gallant young Colonel (shot from his horse), in the flower of his youth, being only a little past his twenty-first (actually 20th) birthday, and eighty others killed and seriously wounded on that fatal field of Stone River.”
No doubt, the brave young Colonel Forman presented an immensley beckoning target as he rode up and down the front of the regiment cheerfully shouting encouragement to the men to “move on forward, advance, take it to ‘em” with total lack of fear while he remained between the thickett of the woods which protected the Confederates, and his regiment on line in the charge. It was only ten minutes into the battle when the “Boy Colonel” was shot from his big black charger. How decimating this must have been for the whole regiment to witness in such an early part of the battle. Their beloved young colonel’s life taken with such brutal force of musketry as many Confederates concentrated their fire on the gallant and dashing young officer on the big black charger who dared to parade his gallantry so in their face.
The 15th held on long enough for the artillery to withdraw to safety, but the Confederates had taken the body of Colonel James B. Forman behind their lines. Under the veil of darkness a handful of men from the 15th crept behind the Confederate lines to find the body of their beloved fallen colonel. They were successful and found his body laid in a wagon in full accoutrement. They stealthily brought him back and took him home to Louisville.
The Louisville Journal 1/12/1863-
The remains of the late Colonel J.B. Forman, of the Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry, and Captain A.B. Ferguson, both of whom lost their lives in the recent battles near Murfreesboro, were interred yesterday; the former from the resident of his brother-in-law, Mr. W. J. Anderson, and the latter from his Walnut Street M.E. Church. In both instances the usual military escorts were in attendance and large concourses of mourning friends followed the remains of the gallant dead to their final rest.
The Louisville Journal 1/15/1863-
THE LATE COL. FORMAN-Among those noble spirits who sealed their patriotism with their life’s blood upon the battle-field at Murfreesboro, none will be more sincerely lamented than the youthful Col. James B. Forman, of the Fifteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. At the outbreak of this unhappy war Colonel Forman, though but a youth, having just attained his twentieth year at the time of his death, formed a very decided opinion in regard to the causes and probable results of the seccession movement. When Kentucky took her position in favor of sustaining the Government, he entered the army as a second lieutenant in the Fifteenth Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, then about being raised by the late Colonel Curan Pope. From this position he was shortly promoted to a first lieutenancy, and afterwards, by the death of Captain McClure, he assumed, by regular promotion, the command of his company. In this capacity he won the love of his men by his generous conduct on all occasions, and challenged the admiration of the entire regiment; by his display of military knowledge and great personal bravery. At the battle of Chaplin Hills he gained great applause, his deeds of noble daring being the theme of praise among all those who witnessed the desperate fighting of the then untried but now war-worn and glory-covered regiment to which he was attached. The regimental flag was on that occasion rescued by Capt. Forman after it had been shot down time and time again, and was by him borne aloft in proud defiance of the storm of shot and shell that was being mercilessly poured upon that devoted (it almost seemed doomed) regiment by the enemy. That flag, all riddled as it is, will be duly presented to the State of Kentucky as a worthy memento of the bravery of her sons. After the death of Col. Pope, and his assistant field officer, Capt. Forman was commissioned Colonel of the regiment, in acknowledgement of his eminent services and superior abilities. Wih high hopes and such ardor as only a man of noble impulses and conscious rectitude can feel, he entered upon the discharge of his duties, fully sensible of the responsibilities of his position and anxious to discharge them in such a manner as ould best promote the interest of the cause he had so heartily espoused. He has done all that could be done--he has sacrificed his life upon his country’s altar--he has fought his last fight, and now sleeps “the sleep that knows no waking,” but his name and memory will be cherished, for “The brave Die never. Being deathless they but change Their Country’s arms of more their “country’s heart.”

The Louisville Democrat 1/16/63

A WREATH TWINED IN MEMORY OF COLONEL J. B. FORMAN, OF THE FIFTEENTH KENTUCKY.

By Minnie Myrtle

"The good die first, while they whose hearts are dry as summer's dust burn to the
socket."
WORDSWORTH.

Colonel Forman! the field that covers with its warm flowery mantle so many of
earth's best and noblest hearts never garnered in its bosom one warmer, truer or
braver than thine.
The battle ceased. One by one, with hushed footseps and throbbing hearts, his
comrades departed, and left him, as it were, alone amid the solemn sanctuaries of
death.
Twilight soon spread her starry veil over stream and plain, and the last
sunshine of expiring day poured a flood of glory thwart the scene, like the
assuring smile of a departing Christian. All men appeared to feel and
acknowledge the mournful influence of the time and place. The bright and gentle
sisterhood of stars seemed to look down upon him in that calm and lonely hour,
from their blue and illimitable depths, like the kind spirit eyes of the loved
and lost, trembling with tears over the loss of so many noble souls. So good, so
brave, I cannot realize that you are no more. Everything around seems inbued
with the spiritual presence of the departed, now reposing locked in the
everlasting dream of death. The very air seems instict with the low reathings,
and every sound appears rather to enhance than disturb the melancoly influence of
the scene, the rustling leaf, struggling awhile in mid air, then floating gently
down upon the damp earth to die at last, a symbol of human destiny, the fitful
breeze sighing regretfully over the loveliness it was commissioned to destroy so
soon. The gentlest zephyr that whispers among the leaves seems to murmur in
memory's ear like the pleasant voices of friends long gone before, and every
rustle amid the tall, cool grass will seem the light tramping of beloved feet
that are now treading the dark valley of the shadow of death. Twilight
insensibly deepens into night, and the sun has receded far along its azure track,
and the majestic moon has reared her broad shield slowly from out her fleecy
cloud couch in the east, and the swirling roof of Heaven is sparkling with
stars. In my imagination I stand upon that bloody ground where so many of our
brothers have offered up their lives. One by one I call up the images of friends
whom I shall meet no more, save by the green pastures and the still waters of the
harvest home. I remember the parting with some who now sleep the sleep that
knows no waking -- the quivering lip, the sad smile, the last farewell.
The damp dews of the dark valley have gathered upon the pallid brow of the one
that "would not be forgotten"
When hope no longer o'er the heart
A single joy shall breathe,
And Envy, with her ventured art,
No fatal blow shall give.
When seraphs, from their heavenly sphere,
No more shall bless their lot,
And angels shed unhappy tears,
Then thou shall be forgot.

Journal 2/63

THE LATE COLONEL FORMAN
To the Editors of the Louisville Journal
January 26, 1863
GENTLEMEN If you do not deem it too unworthy, will you publish one more humble tribute to the memory of Kentucky's youngest Colonel, James B. Forman, from one who knew him?
He showed, from early youth, remarkable promise. Always seeking the society of,
and appearing equal to, those much older than himself, no one ever imagined,
until told, how young he was. From the age of sixteen, indeed, he seemed -- in
conversation, in business capacity, in intellect, and in strength and decision of
mind -- a man, and won "golder opinions" of his ability from his superiors in age
and experience. His principles were firm and unwavering. He understood
perfectly his own disposition and capabilities, and thus anything he undertook
was successfully performed. His influence over those for whom he cared was
unbounded, and his insight into the characters and motives of those he met was so
keen and true that it was marvellous.
He detected the fallacies in the "doctrine of secession" from the first, and
what is more noticeable, he never for an instant succumbed to the insidious and
-- to so many young Kentuckians -- irresistible appeal to their love for the
South. It is well known that sectional attachment is especially characteristic
of the young; they are never cosmopolitan in feelinng; one section, one place is
home, and is better than all others to them. This is one reason why the cry of
"The South" has attracted some of them more than that of "The Union." Many said, "We think the so-called right of secession radically wrong, but we are
Southerners -- we love the South, whatever her faults, better than the North,
and, if war comes, we will be on her side, right or wrong." But young Forman's
words were (in substance) "I love and sympathize with the South as much as you,
but I am a true Southerner. If the South does wrong, I say, try to win her back
with kindness. But -- that failing -- I am ready to go with sword in hand,
though still with love in heart, to force her to submit to rightful authority."
I shall never forget once hearing him read to a party of young friends Daniel
Webster's immortal speech on the "American Union." As he read that closing
sentence of matchless eloquence commencing "When my eyes shall be turned to
behold for the last time the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the
broken and disordered fragements of a once glorious Union," his voice trembled
with emotion; and as he finished with the soul-inspiring "Liberty and Union, now
and forever, one and inseparable," it was full of triumphant enthusiasm. His
hearers were many of them Southern sympathizers, but not a word was spoken -- all
were impressed.
When Kentucky, having tried in vain to mediate, declared herself unconditionally
and unalterably for the Union, and called her sons "to arms" to enforce the laws,
and drive the invaders from her soil, he obeyed the call. Giving up home,
friends, and all the comforts to which he was accustomed, he went to serve his
country, actuated by the purest and highest patriotism.
An article has already been published in your columns, narrating his successful
career in the army. He gained quickly the love and respect of his comrades in
arms; and was rapidly promoted until he attained, shortly before the battle
before Murfreesboro, in which he fell, the high position of Colonel of the 15th
Kentucky, as a reward for distinguished ability and personal bravery. His name
will be always associated with the battle of Chaplin Hills, in which he played so
noble a part. How were the hearts of his friends thrilled with pleasure and
exultation as they heard the story of his daring courage in the rescue of the
flag of the regiment on that memorable day!
And now that in this, his second battle, he has lost his life, let us not "mourn
as those without hope," but, while sincerely lamenting his early death, remember
that he himself was willing to lay down his life even for his country's welfare.
"Life is noble only when it is held cheap by the side of honor and of duty."

CAPT. ALFRED PIRTLE RECALLS WHAT HAPPENED AT STONE RIVER DECEMBER 31, 1862

DEATH OF COL. FORMAN

YOUNG LOUISVILLE SOLDIER HAD WON HIGH RANK BY CONSPICUOUS VALOR

At the holiday season there are mingled with my memories of childhood Christmas
times, reminiscences of Christmas week of 1862.
At that time I was ordnance officer of the First Division of the Center, Army of
the Cumberland, Federal Army, Gen. Lovell H. Rousseau, commanding. Gen. Rousseau had been a citizen of Louisville for many years when the Civil War broke out, and he had early in the summer of 1861, gone over to Indiana, and on the banks of the Ohio, some two miles below Jeffersonville, raised more than a regiment of
infantry and a battery of artillery for the Union Army. His career had been
extraordinary, and in the fall of 1862, he had risen to the rank of major
general, and his command was the strongest division in that part of the Army of
the Cumberland, comanded by Maj.-Gen. George H. Thomas, commander of the Center, in Maj.-Gen. Rosecrans' army.
The army had been marching and at the same time fighting, since the morning of
December 26, with the Confederates under Gen. Bragg, and on the coming night of
December 30, both armies went into bivouac, not far from Murfreesboro, Tenn., on
the banks of Stone's river -- the battle is now known as Murfreesboro, and Stone
river -- it is likely the latter has been used the more.
I had under my charge, thirty-seven six-mule army wagons, fully loaded with
ammunition for small arms, and for cannon -- remember all this was for muzzle
loading pieces.
You shall not be detained with a general account of the battle, but I shall try
to give you some impressions of the battle as I saw it or had a part in it.
The whole army had been aroused before it was good daylight on Wednesday,
December 31. Very soon thereafter, the sounds of firing were borne to our ears,
from the westward, which was on the Federal right. Our division had been moving
southward on the turnpike that led into Murfreesboro from Nashville. As I had
been given orders to keep my train up within a short distance of the last troops
of our division, I was not far from them, when they moved into a dense grove of
cedar trees, on the west side of the road, and disappeared into what is now the
lustric "Cedars."
I guided my train, until it had moved up to the summit of a slight hill, from
which I had a clear view of the cleared ground in every direction. It gave upon
all sides an uninterrupted sight of the lay of the land. This view I had taken
of surroundings was of great value in the events that came soon.
The sounds of battle on the right grew louder and more marked, the small-arms
firing increasing every moment. For half a mile there was a cotton field to the
right, which had been picked clean, leaving only the dead plants. Across this a
few men stragled leisurely towards the way we had come, now our rear; an
ambulance came into view; a squad of soldiers followed it rapidly. I saw more
unhurt men every moemnt; it looked badly for us, as the crowd grew larger
quickly. A color bearer with the colors thrown carelessly over his shoulders
took his way to the rear, and the space before me became so full of men, so
disorganized, I feared it would become another Bull Run.
In no time there were hundreds of fugitives crowded along the ambulances and
cannon, intent on reaching the turnpike from the cedars and to take the route for
Nashville.
ROUSSEAU'S ORDERS
Out of the cedars came a battery at a walk, which I recognized as the First
Michigan Battery, Lieut. George W. Van Pelt. At this moment General Rousseau,
accompanied by only one orderly and no staff officer, advanced from the cedars at
a gallop, and towards him I spurred my horse, then turned towards my wagons and
said "General, shall I post the battery where my wagons are? It is the best
position on the field."
"Do it instantly. Tell Van Pelt I will get him infantry support." I rushed my
horse to Van Pelt, who was as cool as if on parade, and delivered the order to
him. He looked at the spot and nodded his understanding, while I rode to my
wagons, which I moved down the rear slope of the little hill where they would be
out of his way, and somewhat protected by the ground, parked them as closely as
possible, ordering the drivers to lie flat on the ground and keep as cool as they
could -- it was noticeable how promptly they obeyed.
In the few moments this consumed, the field in every direction had become
covered with troops much disorganized and visibly demoralized. Van Pelt had
opeend fire to his front, drawing some infantry shots in reply. Another of our
batteries had been posted to his right, which also fired a few shots to the
front.
I now became so much interested in the situation that, having had a look at my
wagons, I left them and took a place on the crest of the hill to the left of the
Micigan battery, to see what was coming. The other battery was Battery H, Fifth
United States Artillery, Lieut. Frank L. Guenther, of the regulars, a small
brigade in our division, which was supporting these two batteries on the right
and left, together with the Second Ohio Infantry on the right of the regulars and
some troops of Van Cleve's division on the left of the regulars. I never knew
what troops they were, but General Rousseau was proud to refer to the instant
support they gave at his request.
There was no one that I have ever met who was at this point, or at that time,
who realized what tremendous success General Bragg had had up to that moment,
about 930, since his men attacked our extreme right, more than two hours
before. Knowing the country, or provided with good guides, the Confederates had
taken positions during the night of the 30th that gave them great advantages when
they surprised our extreme right, which they disorganized at the very beginning,
and which condition spread largely to other commands as the battle continued and
Bragg kept up the onset on the line of the Federals, which he continued to
crumble up. There were commands that gave him fierce resistance, which detained
him now and then, and which gave the troops who held him great reputation among
their fellows, but the victorious rush of the enemy had not, until the planting
of the First Michigan Battery, been staged for any considerable length of time.
And on this small nucleus General Rosecrans began to form a new line of battle, a
most dangerous and diffuclt feat to accomplish, with men so largely demoralized
and half whipped, though Crittenden's Corps, known as the left, had not been
attacked and was hardly disorganized at all.
AWAITING THE ENEMY
Then came on of those strange lulls that happen in battle. This seemed to mean
some new move was to come on the part of the Confederates. But Rosecrans' men
were being put into line of battle as fast as they could be handled. I was
standing near a gun rather to the . . . Lying scattered on the surface of the
cotton patch were some dead men and some wounded ones, all in gray, and the
latter moved now and then, though not much; the cedars lay farther away, giving
no signs of life, but all eyes were directed there, for those shaded depths held
the enemy, and unless they came out we would have to go in there in pursuit.
As I looked an officer on foot, sword in hand, sprang into view with a shout;
instantly the edge of the timber was alive with men, with a mass of arms, legs,
heads, guns, waving swords, gray uniforms, brown uniforms, shirt sleeves and the
enemy were coming, yelling, leaping, running. For a few jumps not a shot, and
then a man or two stopped long enough to throw up his piece to fire at us, keep
yelling, and run forward to make up the ground he had lost. What order had been
given I had not heard, when the twelve cannons were filed as one, covering them
with an impenetrable cloud of smoke, into which the batteries fired as fast as
men could load.
HOW BATTERY WAS HANDLED
At this point in my narrative I will digress in order to put on record the
tactics of handling the guns of these two batteries, which are much more
laborious and slower than those now used and pertaining to the breechloaders.
Seven men constituted a gun crew. "Aim the gun" is the order.
Then No. 1 stands at the right of the muzzle outside the wheel.
No. 2 stands at the left outside the wheel.
No. 3 on the right and in line with the breech.
No. 4 on the left and in line with the breech.
No. 5 stands on the left and half way between the gun and the limber (the limber
is the chest on the front axle that carried the ammunition).
No. 6 stands at the limber.
No. 7 stands behind the limber.
Then to "load," No. 3 jumps to the breech and placed his left thumb, protected
by a leather pad, over the vent (or touch-hole) and presses down so as to close
the vent so that air will not enter. No. 1 jumps inside the line of the wheel
and after seeing that No. 3 is in his place, thrusts the sponge end of the
implement into the water in the sponge bucket and then puts the sponge or swab
down the bore of the piece, and thus. No. 2 receives the load from No. 5 and
thrusts it into the muzzle, when No. 1 and No. 2, each having a hand on the
rammer, run the charge to the breech. No. 4 then jumps to the breech and,
inserting a steel pricker, pricks the cartridge (which is made of some woolen
material) tthrough the vent, and, drawing out the prick, inserts a
friction-primer, to which he attaches a stout cord (called a lanyard), held in
his right hand. The gun is now ready to fire, and when the corporal, who has
aimed the gun, signals with his hand that all is ready, the lieutenant, as soon
as the captain gives the order, repeats it, and the piece is discharged.
All this labor is performed under the eyes and observation of the officers and
naturally consumes time. When the charge began, the orders were understood to be
load and fire just as fast as possible.
EFFECTS OF THE FIRE
At the order they "ceased firing," and, as the curtain of smoke rolled up, not a
moving object beneath it came in sight, but the dreadful effects of the rapid
cannonade were visible. The number of the dead and wounded had been fearfully
increased, and cries and groans reached our ears. On our side men had been
wounded, some horses killed, others crippled, but no serious loss inflicted. At
my feet one of the Michigan gunners lay wounded, but refused to leave the field,
insisting he could stand it yet a while. I had over my shoulder a canteen well
filled with cold coffee, which he took, and it helped him a great deal . . .
Back to the front I went, to take in the scene, for I felt sure the enemy would
again charge, because a great victory seemed just within their grasp, after the
hours of unavailing effort on our part to stem the tide of their good luck, and
this was the first stubborn and successful resistance -- the position and the
batteries must be captured, Rosecrans driven from the turnpike and that road to
Nashville open to the Confederates and the Yankees perhaps routed.
The two batteries were commanded by Major Cyrus O. Loomis, of the Michigan
artillery. I heard him say to Van Pelt that the enemy was going to make another
charge and "you give them double shotted cannister as hot as hell will let you!"
He went then to the regular battery where Lieutenant Guenther and his Second
Lieutenant, Israel Ludlow, were preparing for the coming charge, and gave them
the same war-like orders. The interval this time was used by our men in getting
the guns depressed so as to rake the ground from the turnpike to the cedars; in
filling swab buckets, taking harness off of dead horses, replacing damaged
implements by sound ones, while care was given to the few wounded men. The enemy were reconnoitering our position carefully, keeping as much out of sight as
possible -- no large bodies of men being exposed at all, and the silence was deep
and ominous.
From the moment the troops had been halted after passing the front line of the
two batteries, the line of battle had been extended northward along the side of
the turnpike, keeping in line with the front as I have mentioned. The morale of
the army was rapidly being restored, just as soon as the men had reached the rear
of the First Michigan Battery looking towards the dark cedars, where the enemy
were, because of the fact that none of them were in sight on the old cotton
fields over which they had driven our men and none of our forces were beyond the
front formed by these two batteries and their supports.
A small space lay before us; then the turnpike, then a small patch of a cotton
field about three hundred yards wide.
As we faced this cotton patch we were looking west, and near the edge of, that
is toward the north, was a clumb of small trees, tall weeds and deep grass . . .
BATTERIES' GREAT WORK
While concealed in the cedars the enemy had formed for the third charge, in
several lines of battle, long enough to overlap the front of the two batteries;
how many lines there were, were soon hidden in the smoke. They came with a rush
and completely extended, at which instant our batteries opened on them with a
deafening roar, an incessant fire, unceasingly throwing twenty or twenty-four
pounds of bullets at each report across the small space between the coming charge
and the guns. I found myself at this moment between the two batteries in company
with Major Loomis and Major Carpenter, commander of the battalion of the
Nineteenth United States infantry and by seniority commanding the regular
brigade. Like me, they were fascinated by the rash bravey of our foes, who
seemed determined to have those guns, cost what it might. I never saw cannon
served as those guns where then. Before the recoil was expended the gunners
grasped the spokes and threw the pieces into position like lightning, the sponge
was run in, turned and withdrawn, the load sent home and the piece fired. Such a
roar was deafening and our little group communicated by signs . . .
When I first told my friends at home about this moment of thrilling interest,
some one asked me if I was afraid, knowing that I had never been under fire
before. To this I said, "I do not remember that I was afraid, or conscious of
the danger, but I was so filled with the sense of the great excitement and
importance of repulsing the enemy that I wished that they had but a single neck,
that I might cut it off with one stroke of my saber."
And the enemy! They were running across the field, firing and shouting. We
could not hear them, but we got a sight now and then of their waving arms and
weapons, while every moment a bullet hissed near us, or we could see some man in
the batteries fall, or perhaps a horse rear, plunge and drop. We kept our gaze
fastened on the charge coming, coming, coming on like the breakers of the sea,
always nearer at each succeeding wave.
But men were not yet born who could longer face that storm of iron sweeping
death and destruction to all in its path. They broke, they fled, some taking
refuge in the small clump of trees I have mentioned. Our fire ceased. And
cheers of victory rose from the manly throats of our brave cannoneers which was
taken up on the right and left as soon as it was seen that the charge had been
repulsed, followed by a general hand-shaking, that was changed into a frenzy of
cheers at the rush of the Second Ohio Infantry into the bunch of bushes that has
been spoken of, returning with a captured flag and a body of prisoners.
Turning my back on this scene I extracted my wagons from their crowded position
taken so hurriedly, and as officers were demanding ammunition, I issued it to all
comers, knowing that the siutation demanded no sticking on formalities. As each
wagon had painted on it, plainly, the caliber of the cartridges contained in it,
the distribution was rapid and correct. I was interrupted in issuing ammunition
by a battery of the enemy getting the range of the wagon tops, and the first
thing I knew shot began to fly around us, and one of them struck the wagon I was
issuing from. I lost no time, but sprange to the ground and spread myself out
about as thick as a sheet of paper, expecting that the load would explode, but it
didn't, and thereupon I took the hint and moved my train to a safe place in the
rear.
After this my duties kept me in the rear with my train, so that I saw but little
of the fighting, yet for two or three days the Confederate cavalry kept us moving
from place to place to keep in touch with the troops sent to protect us. In the
four days of the battle I issued 100,000 rounds of small-arm cartridges and
twenty wagonloads of fixed artillery ammunition. The recorded reports of the
Confederates show that there were engaged in attack on the batteries the Sixth
Tennessee Infantry, Col. Savage, which lost 207 men out of 402; the Eighth
Tennessee Infantry, Col. Moore (who died of his wounds), which lost 306 men out
of 425, and the Thirtieth Arkansas Infantry, which lost during the day
ninety-five men out of 266, making a striking demonstration of the bravey and
devotion of American soldiery.
COLONEL FORMAN SLAIN
You will remember that I have previously spoken of the stout and determined
resistance put up by the Federals during the long, straggling contest that had
lasted from almost the first attack of Bragg at daybreak. In one of those
afrays, just before the coming of Van Pelt's battery from the cedars, the
Fifteenth Kentucky Federal Infantry had a severe engagement and lost heavily,
having the terrible experience of losing their colonel, James B. Forman, and being
compelled to leave his body in the hands of the enemy. This remakrable young man
was a citizen of Louisville, where he was born and reared. At the outbreak of
the civil war, though not yet in his majority, he espoused the Union cause, and
in September 1861, at nineteen years of age, enlisted as a private in the
Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry, then recruiting on the turnpike to Shelbyville at
the fair grounds, which were on the grounds now lying between the German Orphan
Asylum and the Water Company's property on the north side of the turnpike. He
soon became a second lieutenant, and in that rank followed the fortunes of the
regiment in the campaigns of 1862 to Alabama and back to Louisville, and thence
in the campaign that ended at the battle of Perryville, Ky., October 8, 1862.
Here the fatalities had reached to so dreadful a pitch that all the field
officers had been killed or borne, disabled by wounds, from the field, so that
the captains and lieutenant seemed to have lost their presence of mind, when
Lieut. Forman mounted a fence and by his example and voice rallied the regiment
and thus saved what might have been a defeat.
His conduct was so admirable and had such splendid results that he became the
idol of the men, and when the time came to fill the vacancy caused by the death,
soon after the battle, of Col. Curran Pope, as the result of wounds received at
Perryville, the Governor of Kentucky commissioned James B. Forman colonel of the
Fifteenth Kentucky infantry November 8, 1862, when he was only about twenty-one
years of age. He was mounted in the battle of December 31 on a splendid black
charger, which made him a prominent mark for the enemy, as he was gallantly
trying at the head of his men to stem the flow of battle towards the rear. I
have heard it said he was not under fire in the cedars more than ten minutes.
Such was the vigilance and resistance of the enemy that no armed party of men
could gain entrance to the cedars during the daylight of December 31, yet his men
formed a small squad after the night had fallen, who, with great caution and
silence, made their way into the intense darkness of the forest, and after some
efforts found his body and slowly brought it into our lines with much labor.
I shall never forget how martial he looked, all accoutered as was his wont, he
lay like a marble statute in the bottom of an army wagon, in which the beams of a
lone candle strove to dispel the shadows.
After action report of General L.H. Rousseau
NASHVILLE, TENN., January 11, 1863.
SIR I have the honor to report the part taken by my command, the Third Division of the army, in the battle of Murfreesborough, begun on the 31st ultimo and ended on the 3d instant.
Early on the morning of the 30th ultimo, in obedience to the order of General Thomas, my division moved forward toward Murfreesborough from Stewartsborough, on the Nashville and Murfreesborough turnpike, about 9 miles from the latter place. On the march forward, several dispatches from General Rosecrans reached me, asking exactly where my command was and the hour and minute of the day. In consequence, we moved rapidly forward, halting but once, and that for only five minutes. About 10.30 a.m. we reached a point 3 miles from Murfrees-borough, where Generals Rosecrans and Thomas were, on the Nashville and Murfreesborough turnpike, and remained during the day and bivouacked at night.
At about 9 a.m. on the 31st, the report of artillery and heavy firing of small-arms on our right announced that the battle had begun, by an attack on the right wing, commanded by Major-General McCook. It was not long before the direction from which the firing came indicated that General McCook's command had given way and was yielding ground to the enemy. His forces seemed to swing around toward our right and rear. At this time General Thomas ordered me to advance my division quickly to the front, to the assistance of General McCook.
On reaching the right of General Negley's line of battle, General Thomas there directed me to let my left rest on his right, and deploy my division off toward the right as far as I could, so as to resist the pressure on General McCook. We consulted and agreed as to where the line should be formed. This was in a dense cedar brake, through which my troops marched in double-quick time, to get into position before the enemy reached us. He was then but a few hundred yards to the front, sweeping up in immense numbers, driving everything before him. This ground was new and unknown to us all. The woods were almost impassable to infantry, and artillery was perfectly useless, but the line was promptly formed; the Seventeenth Brigade, Col. John Beatty commanding, on the left; the brigade of regulars, Lieut. Col. O. L. Shepherd commanding, on the right; the Ninth Brigade, Col. B. F. Scribner commanding, was placed perhaps 100 yards in rear and opposite the center of the front line, so as to support either or both of the brigades in front, as occasion might require. My recollection is that, perhaps, the Second Ohio and Thirty-third Ohio Regiments filled a gap between General Negley's right and the Seventeenth Brigade, occasioned by the effort to extend our lines far enough to the right to afford the desired aid to General McCook.
The Twenty-eighth Brigade, Col. John C. Starkweather commanding, and Stone's battery of First Kentucky Artillery were at Jefferson Crossing, on Stone's River, about 8 miles below.
Our lines were hardly formed before a dropping fire of the enemy announced his approach. General McCook's troops, in a good deal of confusion, retired through our lines and around our right under a most terrific fire. The enemy, in pursuit, furiously assailed our front, and, greatly outflanking us, passed around to our right and rear. By General Thomas' direction, I had already ordered the artillery (Loomis' and Guenther's batteries) to the open field in the rear. Seeing that my command was outflanked on the right, I sent orders to the brigade commanders to retire at once also to this field, and, riding back myself, 1 posted the batteries on a ridge in the open ground, parallel with our line of battle, and as my men emerged from the woods they were ordered to take position on the right and left, and in support of these batteries, which was promptly done. We had, perhaps, 400 or 500 yards of open ground in our front. While the batteries were unlimbering, seeing General Van Cleve close by, I rode up and asked him if he would move his command to the right and aid in checking up the enemy, by forming on my right, and thus giving us a more extended line in that direction in the new position taken. In the promptest manner possible his command was put in motion, and in double-quick time reached the desired point in good season. As the enemy emerged from the woods in great force, shouting and cheering, the batteries of Guenther and Loomis, double-shotted with canister, opened upon them. They moved straight ahead for a while, but were finally driven back with immense loss.
In a little while they rallied again, and, as it seemed, with fresh troops, and assailed our position, and were again, after a fierce struggle, driven back. Four deliberate and fiercely sustained assaults were made upon our position and repulsed.
During the last assault I was informed that our troops were advancing on the right, and saw troops, not of my division, led by General Rosecrans, moving in that direction. I informed General Thomas of the fact, and asked leave to advance my lines. He directed me to do so. We made a charge upon the enemy and drove him into the woods, my staff and orderlies capturing some 17 prisoners, including a captain and lieu tenant, who were within 130 yards of the batteries. This ended the fighting of that day, the enemy in immense force hovering in the woods during the night, while we slept upon our arms on the field of battle. We occupied this position during the three following days and nights of the fight. Under General Thomas' direction, I had it intrenched by rifle-pits, and believe the enemy could not have taken it at all.
During the day the Twenty-eighth Brigade, Colonel Starkweather, was attacked by General Wheeler's cavalry in force, and some of the wagons of his train were burned before they reached him, having started that morning from Stewartsborough to join him. The enemy were finally repulsed and driven off with loss. Starkweather's loss was small, as will be seen by his report of the action. In this affair the whole brigade behaved handsomely. The burden of the fight fell upon the Twenty-first Wisconsin, Lieutenant-Colonel Hobart commanding. This regiment, led by its efficient commander, behaved like veterans.
From the evening of the 31st until the ensuing Saturday night no general battle occurred in front of my division, though firing of artillery and small-arms was kept up during the day, and much of the time, of small-arms, during the night. The rain on the night of the 31st, which continued, at intervals, until the Saturday night following, rendered the ground occupied by my command exceedingly sloppy and muddy, and during much of the time my men had neither shelter, food, nor fire. I procured corn, which they parched and ate, and some of them ate horsesteaks, cut and broiled, from horses upon the battle-field. Day and night, in the cold, wet, and mud, my men suffered severely, but during the whole time I did not hear one single man murmur at hardships, but all were cheerful and ever ready to stand by their arms and fight. Such endurance I never saw before. In this severe trial of their patience and their strength they were much encouraged by the constant presence and solicitous anxiety of General Thomas for their welfare.
On the evening of Saturday, 3d instant, I asked permission of General Thomas to drive the enemy from the wood on our left front, to which he gave his consent. Just before night I directed the batteries of Guenther and Loomis to shell the woods with six rounds per gun, fired as rapidly as possible. This was very handsomely done, and ended just, at dusk, when the Third Ohio Regiment, Lieut. Col. O. A. Lawson, and the Eighty-eighth Indiana, Col. George Humphrey, both under command of the brigade commander, Col. John Beatty, moved promptly up the woods. When near the woods they received a heavy fire from the enemy, but returned it vigorously, and gallantly pressed forward. On reaching the woods a fresh body of the enemy, attracted by the fire, moved up on their left to support them. On that body of the enemy Loomis' battery opened with shell. The fusilade was very rapid, and continued for, perhaps, three-quarters of an hour, when Beatty's command drove the enemy at the point of the bayonet and held the woods. It turned out that the enemy was posted behind a stone breastwork in the woods, and, when ousted, about 30 men were taken prisoners behind the works. This ended the battle of Murfreesborough.
On the morning of the 31st, six companies of the Second Kentucky Cavalry, Maj. Thomas P. Nicholas commanding, were ordered down to watch and defend the fords on Stone's River, to our left and rear. The cavalry of the enemy several times, in force, attempted to cross these fords, but Nicholas very gallantly repulsed them, with loss, and they did not cross the river. I should have mentioned that on Friday evening, late, I was directed by General Thomas to place a regiment in the woods on our left front as an outpost, and with a view to hold these woods, as they were near our lines, and the enemy could greatly annoy us if allowed to hold them. Our skirmishers were then just leaving the woods. I ordered the Forty-second Indiana, Lieutenant-Colonel Shanklin commanding, to take that position, which he did but early next morning the enemy, in large force, attacked Colonel Shanklin, first furiously shelling the woods, and drove the regiment back to our lines, taking Shanklin prisoner. It was this woods that was retaken on Saturday night, as before described.
The troops of my division behaved admirably. I could not wish them to behave more gallantly. The Ninth and Seventeenth Brigades, under the lead of their gallant commanders, Scribner and Beatty, were, as well as the Twenty-eighth Brigade, Colonel Starkweather, veterans. They were with me at Chaplin Hills, and could not act badly. The Twenty-eighth Brigade held a position in our front after the first day's fighting, and did it bravely, doing all that was required of them, like true soldiers. The brigade of United States infantry, Lieut. Col. O. L. Shepherd commanding, was on the extreme right. On that body of brave men the shock of battle fell heaviest, and its loss was most severe. Over one third of the command fell, killed or wounded; but it stood up to the work and bravely breasted the storm, and, though Major King, commanding the Fifteenth, and Major Slemmer (" Old Pickens "), commanding the Sixteenth, fell, severely wounded, and Major Carpenter, commanding the Nineteenth, fell dead in the last charge, together with many other brave officers and men, the brigade did not falter for a moment. These three battalions were a part of my old (Fourth) brigade at the battle of Shiloh.
The Eighteenth Infantry, Majors Townsend and Caldwell commanding were new troops to me, but I am now proud to say we know each other.
If I could, I would promote every officer and several noncommissioned officers and privates of this brigade of regulars, for gallantry and good service in this terrific battle. 1 make no distinction between these troops and my brave volunteer regiments, for, in my judgment, there never were better troops than those regiments, in the world. But the troops of the line are soldiers by profession, and, with a view to the future, I feel it my duty to say what I have of them. The brigade was admirably and gallantly handled by Lieutenant-Colonel Shepherd.
I lost some of the best and bravest officers I had. Lieutenant-Colonel Keel, commanding the Second Ohio, was killed. After he fell his regiment was efficiently handled by Maj. Anson G. McCook, who ought to be made colonel of that regiment, for gallantry on the field.
Colonel Forman, my brave boy colonel, of the Fifteenth Kentucky, also fell; Major Carpenter, of the Nineteenth Infantry, fell in the last charge. His loss is irreparable. Many other gallant officers were lost, whose names will appear in the list of casualties.
Of the batteries of Guenther and Loomis I cannot say too much. Loomis was chief of artillery for the Third Division, and I am much indebted to him. His battery was commanded by Lieutenant Van Pelt. Guenther is but a lieutenant. Both of these men deserve to be promoted, and ought to be at once. Without them we could not have held our position in the center.
I fell in with many gallant regiments and officers on the field not of my command. I wish I could name all of them here. While falling back to the line in the open field, I saw Col. Charles Anderson gallantly and coolly rallying his men. Colonel Grider, of Kentucky, and his regiment efficiently aided in repulsing the enemy. The Eighteenth Ohio, I think it was, though I do not know any of its officers, faced about and charged the enemy in my presence, and I went along with it. The Eleventh Michigan and its gallant little colonel (I do not know his name certainly, but believe it is Stoddart) [Stoughton] behaved well, and the Sixth Ohio Infantry, Col. Nick Anderson, joined my command on the right of the regular brigade, and stood manfully up to the work. I fell in with the Louisville Legion in retreat, Lieutenant-Colonel Berry commanding.
This regiment, though retreating before an overwhelming force, was dragging by hand a section of artillery which it had been ordered to support. A part of General McCook's wing of the army (it had fallen back with the rest, but through the woods and fields with great difficulty) bravely brought off the cannon it could no longer defend on the field. When I met it, it faced about and formed line of battle, with cheers and shouts.
To Lieutenants McDowell, my assistant adjutant-general, Armstrong, Second Kentucky Cavalry, and Millard, Nineteenth U.S. Infantry, inspector-general; Captain Taylor, Fifteenth Kentucky Infantry, and Lieut. Alf. Pirtle, ordnance officer, my regular aides, and to Capt. John D. Wickliffe, and Lieut. W. G. Jenkins, both of the Second Kentucky Cavalry, aides for that battle, I am much indebted for services on the field.
The wounded were kindly and tenderly cared for by the Third Division medical director, Surgeon Muscroft, and the other surgeons of the command. Captain Paul, my division commissary, rendered valuable services during the whole time of the battle. The musicians of the division carried the wounded from the field, faithfully and fearlessly.
Lieutenant McDowell was wounded. My orderlies, Damas Emerie, and the rest, went through the whole fight, behaving well; Emerie was wounded. Lieutenant Carpenter, of the First Ohio Infantry, one of my aides, was so badly injured by the fall of his horse that I would not permit hint to go on the field. Lieutenant Hartman, of the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania Infantry, a member of my staff, was ill with fever and unable to leave his bed.
It should be mentioned that the Eighty-eighth Indiana, Colonel Humphrey commanding, being placed at one of the fords on Stone's River, where our forces were temporarily driven back, very opportunely rallied the stragglers and promptly crossed the river and drove the enemy back. In this he was aided by the stragglers, who rallied and fought well. The colonel was wounded by a bayonet thrust in the hand in the attack of Saturday night on the enemy in the wood in our front.
I inclose herewith the reports of brigade commanders, which will show the list of casualties.
I have the honor to be, &c.,
LOVELL H. ROUSSEAU,
Major-General.
Maj. GEORGE E. FLYNT,
Chief of Staff (Center), Fourteenth Army Corps,
Department of the Cumberland.

After action report of Colonel Beatty

HEADQUARTERS SECOND BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION,
Murfreesborough, Tenn., January 9, 1863.
SIR In the recent engagement before Murfreesborough the casualties in my brigade were as follows(*)
Colonel Forman, Fifteenth Kentucky, was killed in the cedar woods on the morning of the 31st ultimo. He was a brave man and an excellent officer. Captain Bayne, of same regiment, fell at the same time, while urging his men forward.
Lieutenant Colonel Shanklin, Forty-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry, was surrounded by a superior force on the morning of January 3, and taken by the enemy. Col. George Humphrey, Eighty-eighth Indiana, was wounded on the night of January 3, in expelling the enemy from the woods in our front. He behaved gallantly throughout the fight. Capt. L. S. Bell, Third Ohio Infantry, wounded at the same time, conducted himself with great courage.
Lieutenant Colonels Lawson, Third Ohio, and Briant, Eighty-eighth Indiana; Capt. J. H. Bryant, Forty-second Indiana; Lieutenants Du-Barry and Wildman, Eighty-eighth Indiana; J. B. McRoberts, Third Ohio; Horrall and Orr, Forty-second Indiana; Mr. James K. Patterson, Evansville, and Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen. James S. Wilson, deserve especial praise. Capt. C. O Loomis and Lieutenants Van Pelt and Hale, of the First Michigan Battery, rendered most important service throughout the entire battle. No men could have conducted themselves with more courage and ability. There are other officers and men who should be mentioned favorably, but the reports of regimental commanders have failed to reach me, and it is impossible, therefore, to give them the credit they deserve.
My brigade had three separate encounters with the enemy on the first day. On the second and third days it was in front a portion of the time skirmishing.
On the night of January 3, two regiments, led by myself, drove the enemy from their breastworks in the edge of the woods in our front.
I trust the conduct of the brigade throughout may be satisfactory.
I am, captain, very respectfully,
JOHN BEATTY,
Colonel, Commanding Second Brigade.
Capt. M. C. TAYLOR,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Division

It is my belief that all the documentation that I have quoted and provided clearly indicate the bravery, gallantry demonstrated by Colonel James Brown Forman in the face of the enemy displaying all the qualities we Americans hold in the highest esteem. His actions at Perryville aka Chaplin Hills, in rescuing the regimental colors and lofting them to be seen by his retreating regiment by climbing a rail fence amidst shell and shot and encouraging his men to stop and hold their ground, and engaging in hand to hand combat with the flag in his grasp forcing his men to rally and standfast, thereby saving the day and reputation for the regiment. His actions clearly inspired his men to stop their retreat and hold.
Having read other citations for which the Medal of Honor has been bestowed for action during the Civil War, for far much less action, I think and urge all to this cause and bestow the Congressional Medal of Honor to Colonel James Brown Forman, 15th Kentucky Regiment of Volunteer Infantry.
Sources:
Louisville Journal November 26, 1862
Louisville Journal January 12, 1863
Louisville Journal January 15, 1863
Louisville Journal February 1863
Louisville Democrat November 26, 1862
Louisville Democrat January 16, 1863
Captain Alfred Pirtle Recalls What Happened at Stone River December 31, 1862
printed in the Louisville Journal January 26, 1863
“History of the 15th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry” by Willaim P. McDowell Adjutant
After Action Report of General L.H. Rousseau January 11, 1863 in Nashville, Tenn to
Major General George E. Flynt, Chief of Staff, Fourteenth Army Corps, Dept. of the Cumberland
After Action Report of Colonel John Beatty, Headquarters Second Brigade, First Division, Murfreesboro, Tenn. January 9, 1863
Photo: The United States Military History Institute Carlyle Army Barracks, Carlyle, Pa.

Respectfully submitted
Stephen D. Forman
2308 Ave H Apt. 803
Grand Prairie, Texas 75050
254-231-9964