We could have driven them to the Gulf: With the 42nd Illinois at Stones River

"Lively and interesting times."

    Private Thomas J. Maxwell of the 42nd Illinois appeared to be channeling the English penchant for understatement when writing about his regiment's experiences in the Battle of Stones River. The 42nd Illinois, part of Colonel George W. Roberts' brigade, took part in some the most ferocious fighting of the battle and Maxwell understandably took pride in how his regiment conducted itself. 

    "Do not think that we did not do our part," he wrote his uncle in Ohio. "I know that we fought five to one and could that number in front, but when they gave way on both flanks, it is rather more than we profess to be able to stand. The 42nd routed a brigade in the morning and could have driven them into the Gulf if others had done their part. We made three charges through the day and drove them every time."

    Private Maxwell's letter first appeared in the February 6, 1863, edition of the Delaware Gazette published in Delaware, Ohio. He would not survive the year, being killed in action November 25, 1863, during the Battle of Missionary Ridge. 

 

The gravestone of one of Private Maxwell's comrades in Co. C of the 42nd Illinois, Private William E. Emery who was killed in action December 30, 1862 in the preliminary skirmishing leading up to the Battle of Stones River. 

Camp near Stones River, Tennessee

January 19, 1863

Dear uncle,

          I have not received an answer to my last but the mail does not come regularly and as we have had some lively and interesting times; I thought I would give you some account of it and let you know that I am alive yet and ready for another scratch as the boys call it. But I am not at all anxious, however, I am not as ferocious as I was.

          We left Nashville on the 25th ultimo. Rosecrans with the main force marched eastward on the Murfreesboro Pike. We with McCook’s wing marched on the Nolensville Pike which is 15 miles west of this place. We found a regiment a cavalry five miles from our lines; the advance drove them without loss to the hills near the town where they attempted to check us, but were soon routed leaving one gun, horses and riders, two killed and six wounded.

The rain fell in torrents all day. We went on the top of a hill or mountain; it was half a mile to the top and so steep that our skill in climbing was all brought into use. It was very cold. We lay in line with skirmishers in front. We were in motion at 6 o’clock in the morning; marched five miles through cornfields, over fences, etc. A few shells and charges kept the enemy in motion and sent 30 prisoners to the rear. Camped at 3 p.m.

Did not march on Sunday; marched at daybreak Monday to the east on a narrow, crooked, and stony road, crossing over to Murfreesboro. We marched 15 miles, bivouacked in the timber. It rained all night. We marched out early and although we are out of rations, the men were cheerful. We, the 42nd Illinois, were in the advance and when one mile from camp, the advance was fired on. We were soon in line and skirmished all day, driving the enemy 40 rods with the loss of two killed in Co. C with 16 wounded in the regiment, seven of those in Co. C. We had to cross a meadow and were relieved in the evening by the 51st Illinois.

The men of the 42nd Illinois fought the Battle of Stones River equipped with .58 caliber M1841 Mississippi rifles with sword bayonets as depicted above. Original issued as .54 caliber weapons, man of the Mississippi rifles produced prior to 1855 were later rebored to accept the standard .58 caliber U.S. Army ammunition and a lug added to accept a bayonet. 

We lay in line in a cornfield one mile from General Rosecrans. The thunders of cannon roused us; after roasting some beefsteak and sweet potatoes which we had the good fortune to capture, we were soon ready and eager for the fray. Johnson’s division was surprised on the right and completely routed. The 88th Illinois fought well but was driven back by Cheatham’s division.

We were ordered forward to a charge. The enemy were in an open field and we could see them plainly. We fixed bayonets and swept on at a double quick across a cotton field. We ran over the 88th which laid down to let us pass. The Rebels lay down on a slight rise in a stubble field but when we came within about 30 rods of them, they broke and ran like a flock of frightened sheep. Seeing they were making the best time, we sent a shower of bullets after them which halted many.

Surgeon Thomas D. Fitch
42nd Illinois

We kept on half a mile, loading and firing as we ran. The dead and dying strewed the ground such that we had to leap over them. The butternuts pushed up on the left and we had to get out as fast as we got in, but in good order and formed near the batteries. On they came seven columns deep. Now the battle raged and we fought at close quarters sometimes less than ten rods distant. The artillery mowed them down but on they came and we fell back nearly a mile but marked the way with the bodies of the enemy as well as with comrades.

Do not think that we did not do our part. I know that we fought five to one and could that number in front, but when they gave way on both flanks, it is rather more than we profess to be able to stand. The 42nd routed a brigade in the morning and could have driven them into the Gulf if others had done their part. We made three charges through the day and drove them every time. Our brave Colonel George Roberts was killed while rallying to a charge. He has been commanding the brigade nearly a year and had just received a commission as a brigadier.

On the 1st instant the left and center were engaged. We formed a junction with Rosecrans on the 2nd. The fighting was nearly all done with artillery on the left and center. A brigade charged on our right but with repulsed with great slaughter. 89 Rebels came in and gave themselves up. The battle raged from center to left on the 3rd. The Rebels made a desperate charge on the left with their main force in the night but Rosecrans was not asleep. All the artillery was double-shotted with grape and canister. They were mowed down in a shocking manner. The infantry charged on them and took 1,200 prisoners. In the morning, they were put out of sight.

Rosecrans, McCook, and Palmer were in the midst of the fight. I saw them often during the day. Rosecrans was calm but not cool; the sweat just rolled off of him, so I conclude he was not very cool. I have not seen any of the boys. I close, remaining your nephew with love and respect,

T.J. Maxwell

Private Maxwell would be killed in action November 25, 1863, during the Battle of Missionary Ridge, Tennessee.


To learn more about Sheridan’s division at Stones River, please check out the following posts:

Death of a General: The Final Days of General Joshua W. Sill

Shoulder Arms! How Sheridan’s and Davis’s Divisions were Armed at Stones River

Chaos Behind the Lines: A Non-Combatant’s View of Stones River (21st Michigan)

On the March in Earnest and Full of Fight: An Illinois Bugler Marches to Murfreesboro (88th Illinois)

Perfectly Appalled: Arthur McArthur Escapes Death at Stones River (24th Wisconsin)

His True Qualities Were Appreciated by all that knew him: The Death of Lieutenant Christian Nix at Stones River (24th Wisconsin)

Reminders of the 4th Indiana Battery’s Fight Along the Wilkinson Pike

Onward to Chattanooga is the Cry: With Sheridan’s Provost Guard at Stones River (44th Illinois)

Lost from the O.R. Volume II: The 15th Missouri at the Battle of Stones River

Surrounded by a Wall of Fire: With Sheridan’s Division at Stones River (22nd Illinois)

Source:

Letter from Private Thomas J. Maxwell, Co. C, 42nd Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Delaware Gazette (Ohio), February 6, 1863, pg. 1


To learn more about the Stones River campaign, be sure to check out my new book "Hell by the Acre: A Narrative History of the Stones River Campaign" available now from Savas Beatie.

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