Naval Battle Timeline December 1 – 17, 1864
Dec 1, 1864 Hood moves toward Nashville from Franklin. Where: Moves in by Nashville and Franklin Pike Chalmers Calvary ordered to move west and guard the Harding and Hillsboro pikes.
Thomas Jordan and J.P. Pryor, The Champaigns of Lieut. Gen N.B. Forrest and of Forrest’s Calvary (New York: n.p., 1868; repr., n.p., Morningside Bookshop, 1973), p. 629
Dec 2, 1864 Hood issues order for alignment of his forces. Where: Travelers Rest Confederate line will extend in a semicircle arch from as near as possible from one end of the Cumberland river to the other, above and below Nashville. Artillery will be placed in all favorable positions.1 Confederate force is 23,000.2
1. OR, Series I, Vol.45, Part 2, pp. 640-41
2. The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah, Wiley Sword p.316
Dec 2, 1864 CSA blockade on the Cumberland River Davidson’s Landing @ Bell’s Bend. US Navy hears that Forrest has erected a battery of 2 riffled Parrots1 on the Cumberland River near Bell’s Mill, Tennessee heads down river. The following day Col. Kelly captures the transport steamers Prima Donna and Prairie State with 56 prisoners and 156 horses and mules2.
1. The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah, Wiley Sword p 284
2. NOR IV, p. 139
Dec 3, 1864 9:30 PM US Navy leaves Hydes Ferry for Bell’s Bend Hydes Ferry / Nashville1. 10th District Mississippi Squadron leaves late in the evening for Bell’s Bend in the following order: Ironclad USS Carondelet, USS Fairplay, Paddelweller USS Moose (LCDR Le Roy Fitch Commanding), Paddelweller USS Reindeer, Paddelweller USS Silver Lake2
1. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 643
2. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 641
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM USS Carondelet Battle Report Bell’s Bend USS Ironclad Carondelet opens fire, on the lower battery and encampment. Confederates open a volley of musketry into the boats along the entire line, as well as four guns on the upper battery. Carondelet make at least two passes up and down the battery’s.
Rounds Fired: 26
Note: Upper Battery could be Walton’s: 2 -12# Howitzers, 2-12# Parrots, Location: .5 east of Davidson’s Landing
1. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 641-42
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM USS Fairplay Battle Report Bell’s Bend Acting Master Geo. J. Groves states that they were fired on by musketry, and 4 guns from a commanding position on the left (south) side of the bank. Fairplay was hit by 2 – twelve pounders that passed through the ship before exploding.
Rounds fired: 37
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 644
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM USS Moose Battle Report Bell’s Bend After the Carondelet opens fire and the smoke obscures the two boats in front of the Moose. LCDR Fitch decides to reverse course back up river with the Reindeer and Silver Lake which are following him. He states that due to the lack of visibility he was afraid of running into the Fairplay or Carondelet in his front. The USS Moose is hit twice by rounds that do not explode in the ship (one next to the magazine). The Carondelet and Fairplay continue downstream alone.
Rounds fired: 59
1. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 641-42
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM USS Reindeer Battle Report Bell’s Bend Acting Master H.A. Glassford states that the Carondelet fired on a camp in the hollow across from Bell’s Landing about 12:45 am. Says that the enemy fired with 9 guns, and musketry from hills above and below their artillery. Says that visibility was very poor, consequently they where unable to get many rounds off. Almost ran into the Moose broadside. Say’s the battle lasted 1 hour 20 minutes.
Rounds Fired: 19
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 643
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM USS Silver Lake Bell’s Bend Rounds Fired: 6
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 643
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM Captured Steamers – USS Carondelet Version Bell’s Bend Prairie State and Prima Donna were found tied on the south side of the river opposite Bell’s Mill. Confederate battery at that location exchanged fire for about 20 minutes, then fell back from the river after running out of ammunition1. Carondelet fired occasional shells till 2:30 am. With the Fairplay, they towed steamers to the other side of the river for repairs.2
1. The Death of an Army, Paul Stockdale p.32
2. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 643
Dec 4, 1864 1:00 AM Captured Steamers – Fairplay Version Hillsboro Landing / Present Day: Commodore Marina Acting Master Geo. J. Groves states that after the Bell’s Bend engagement they then rounded the bend and 2 miles below, at Hillsboro Landing, they discovered the steamers Prairie State and Prima Donna tied up on the south side of the river. Rebels were unloading the boats. Say they killed and wounded many enemy. Towed the two steamers to the other side of the river for repairs.
Rounds fired: 37
Note: 2 miles past Bell’s Bend, is about a half mile past the present Commodore Marina (River Road)
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 644
Dec 4, 1864 5:00 AM Steamer Magnet Cumberland River @ Cub Creek. USS Carondelet and USS Fairplay go four miles downstream and discover the Steamer Magnet tied up to the bank, which was disabled by the rebel battery. Got her started and headed back up the river about 6:00 am. Passing back by Bell’s Bend they found no enemy.
Note: This would be the White’s Bend area where Cub Creek empties into the Cumberland. NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 644
Dec 4, 1864 Navy Intelligence? Bell’s Bend Engagement 1 LCDR Fitch is described as gathering valuable intelligence as to the strength and composition of the enemy forces (presumably from the steamer prisoners that were retrieved by the Navy). This is described as being crucial to General Thomas in the following battle of Nashville.
NOR IV-139
Dec 4, 1864 LCDR Fitch’s Report to Gen Thomas Bell’s Bend Engagement 1 LCDR Fitch tells Thomas that he has cleaned out the Bell’s Bend battery’s, driven their (Hood’s) left flank from the river. He believes Forrest commands them and that General Abraham Bufords brigade engaged them the evening before.
This is an element of Forrest command, but Forrest and Buford are actually in Murfressboro at the time.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 648
Dec 5, 1864 Additional Confederate Guns sent to Bell’s Bend Bell’s Bend 2 more riffled guns sent to Bell’s Bend
The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah, Wiley Sword p.284
Dec 6, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 2 Bell’s Bend LCDR Fitch starts down the Cumberland on the Ironclad USS Neosho with some light boats and a number of transports. Convoy under command of Acting Volunteer Lt. H.A. Glassford
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 649
Dec 6, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 2 Bell’s Bend. The Ironclad Neosho enters the Bell’s Bend is said to have been opened up on by 14 pieces of artillery and very heavy musketry fire. Could not hit the enemy due to the natural shape of the river and the protection afforded by the spur of the hills. Engaged battery’s for 2.5 hours. Seeing that it would be impossible to get the transports by safely, the convoy returned to Nashville.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, p. 649
Dec 6, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 3 Bell’s Bend. Returned latter that day with the Ironclad Carondelet. They think that they disabled 2 confederate guns. Say the guns are rifled steel 20 pounders, and one heavier. Neosho struck over one hundred times with no significant damage. Medal of Honor recipient was John Dizenback of the Neosho for saving the colors (Flag). After nightfall ships returned to Hydes Ferry.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, pp. 649-651
Dec 8, 1864 Confederate forces cross the Cumberland River. USS Neosho reporting from Robinson’s Island Lcdr Fitch reports that rebels have crossed the river below Harpeth at a landing marked “Williams” on their map and called “Hinton’s” on the lower point of the Harpeth River.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, pp. 656-657
Dec 8, 1864 Rear Admiral S.P. Lee to Hon. Gideon Wells, Sec. of the Navy Bell’s Bend Engagement 1 Says that LCDR Fitch drove the left wing of Hoods army under General Abraham Buford from the river on December 4th, with the loss of several prominent officers. Recaptured the three steamers. Says Lee cannot get to Nashville because of low water.
Dec 8, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 5 Bell’s Bend Nashville telegraph operator reports that a Federal gunboat “came to grief in an exchange at Bell’s [Mill],” Water level has fallen five feet, so that gunboats can’t get below Ashland City if they tried.
The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah, Wiley Sword p.284
Dec 10, 1864 12:00 PM Confederate Forces ordered to be removed from Bell’s Bend Bell’s Bend Hood orders Jacob Biffle’s brigade of Calvary removed from Bell’s Bend and sent to Murfreesboro. Chalmers delays to the move until13th, using the weather as an excuse.
The Confederacy’s Last Hurrah, Wiley Sword p.314
Dec 13, 1864 Confederate Forces removed from Bell’s Bend Bell’s Bend Jacob Biffle’s brigade of Calvary removed from Bell’s Bend and sent to Murfreesboro. Rucker’s brigade of 900 men remains.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, pp. 649-650
Dec 13, 1864 10:00 PM Navy moves down Bell’s Bend again Hydes Ferry to Bell’s Bend Underway with Ironclad’s: USS Neosho and USS Carondelet, Gunboats: USS Moose, USS Reindeer, USS Fairplay, USS Brilliant, and USS Silver Lake. Neosho goes into the bend to feel the strength of the battery’s. Reports four guns.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, pp. 649-650
Dec 14, 1864 10:00 PM Hood orders more forces back to his right flank Harding Road. Hood learns that Federal forces have amassed on his left (west – Charllote Pike) flank. Orders Stewart to send Ectors infantry to The Harding Pike to support Chalmers. This allows Chalmers to shift most of his calvary farther north and west toward Charlotte Pike and the Cumberland River.
NOR Series I, Vol. 26, pp. 649-650
Dec 15, 1864 3:00 AM Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Charlotte Pike Hood learns of the impending attack and sends Chalmers from Belle Meade Plantation to Charlotte Pike at Richland Creek to take command there.
Confederate Veteran Vol XXXIV p. 219
Dec 15, 1864 10:00 AM Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Charlotte Pike Gunboats engaged calvary early in morning.1 (probably around the White bridge road Charlotte Pike intersection). There objective is to occupy the confederates until they can be encircled. Confederate calvary is attacked along Richland Creek at Charlotte Pike. Confederate calvary fights it’s way back to the Davidson house on Charlotte Pike (Davidson Drive and Charlotte Pike). Several civilian homes are damaged by US gunboats: Childress home and Stump home, in the present McCabe golf course area3
1Thomas Jordan and J.P. Pryor, The Champaigns of Lieut. Gen N.B. Forrest and of Forrest’s Calvary (New York: n.p., 1868; repr., n.p., Morningside Bookshop, 1973), p. 629
2. OR Chap LVII p. 600
3. West Nashville: It’s People and Environs, Sarah Foster Kelly p. 52 & 59
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte “along the ridge beyond a small creek that empties into the Cumberland River, his left resting upon the river, and his line stretching some distance across the pike beyond it”1 LCDR Fitch describes the Calvary being considerably annoyed by a rebel battery of four guns situated on the side of a hill back from the river 1/2 mile.2
Note: This could be either Alfred Drive or the Davidson House hill behind Brookmeade school. The creek is either the Ewin branch or the Davidson branch.
1 OR Chap LVII p. 600
2 NOR Series 1, Vol. 26, p. 651
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte John Johnston describes falling back “across a small stream and took a position behind a high ridge on the southern side, with the Harding (really the Charlotte Pike per Col. Kelly1) to our left. Here with our rifleman posted on the crest of this ridge, reinforced by a small battery, we repulsed several charges of cavalry and held our ground until night came to our relief”. Johnston also describes the Gunboat’s shelled close to their rear.2 Navy reports enemy’s battery was engaged until after nightfall.3
1 Confederate Veteran Vol XIII pp. 30
2 Confederate Veteran Vol XIII pp. 28-29
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte. Harrison’s First Brigade unsuccessfully tries to follow confederates into their works. Ruckers brigade of 1200 men2 holds off Johnson’s division. Johnson thinks he’s up against Chalmers whole division.1 The US Navy is under the mistaken impression that the US cavalry takes this battery.3
See Brig Gen Johnson’s Report 1 OR Chap LVII p. 600
2 Thomas Jordan and J.P. Pryor, The Champaigns of Lieut. Gen N.B. Forrest and of Forrest’s Calvary (New York: n.p., 1868; repr., n.p., Morningside Bookshop, 1973), p. 639
3 NOR Series 1, Vol. 26, p. 651
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte. Capt James Dinkins describes: “General Chalmers hurried Walton’s battery into position and had the guns double shotted with grape and canister, and as the enemy began to cross a bridge over a little creek, some 300 yards distant, Walton opened. Men and horses went down, and those not wounded tumbled over them…It was a great stampede, and Walton continued to shell the retreating mob”. Col Mark R. Cockrill (75 year old civilian) helped lead the charge.3
1 OR Chap LVII p. 600
2 NOR Series 1, Vol. 26, p. 651
3 James Dinkins, 1861-65 By an Old Johnnie Morningside Bookshop. 1975, p. 246
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Union Army retaliates against M.R. Cockrill. Sometime during the evening the Cockrill pet lamb flock were found to have their throats cut from ear to ear. The animals were said to have been slain in malice. After Mark R. Cockrill complained about union soldiers using his cedar fence rails for firewood, the solders beat him with it, breaking three ribs. Cockrill assails a union officer, and is sent to a union prison.
West Nashville: It’s People and Environs, Sarah Foster Kelly p. 90
Dec 15, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte. That evening Gen. Chalmers orders Col D.C. Kelly to connect with the left flank of their army (evacuated out either Charlotte Pike or Rodney drive through Bellview to the Little Harpeth to the Hillsboro Pike). According to Col Kelly: “At daylight, without the loss of gun or wagon, we found the left flank of our army”
Confederate Veteran Vol XIII pp. 30
Dec 16, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte. About the withdrawal from the Davidson battlefield, Capt W.A. Polk says that during the investment of Nashville the 7th Tennessee of Ruckers brigade “was among the last to abandon it’s position, and we became very badly mixed up with the Federals”.1 Conflicting reports say that the 7th Alabama was left behind.2
1. Confederate Veteran Vol XVI p. 124
2. The Death of an Army, Paul Stockdale p.46
Dec 17, 1864 Bell’s Bend Engagement 6 – Battle of Nashville Bell’s Bend / Davidson and Charlotte. Brig Gen R.W. Johnson says that they left behind a battery of 6 enemy guns at Davidson’s. States that he was informed that the gun boat flotilla had taken them into Nashville. Johnson says that he is entitled to “calif” (half?) these as capture for his division.
General Johnson says that he cannot forward causalities for lack of sub reports.
OR Chapt LVII p. 601-602
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