1864/01/22 Report of Lt. Col. W.B.Wooster

O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXII/1 [S# 57]

JANUARY 20, 1864.--Skirmish at Tracy City, Tenn.

No. 1. --Report of Lieut. Col. William B. Wooster, Twentieth Connecticut Infantry.

HDQRS. TWENTIETH CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,

Cowan Station, Tenn., January 22, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that on Wednesday, the 20th instant, the post at Tracy City, commanded by Capt. Andrew Upson, Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, and garrisoned by Company B of said regiment, commanded by Second Lieut. Theodore Jepson and a company of Tennessee cavalry, almost entirely unarmed and not mounted, and known as Captain Tipton's company, was attacked by rebel cavalry numbering from 100 to 150 men, a portion of which force is known as Capt. Joe Carter's cavalry. Ť7 R R--VOL XXXII, PT Iť This force came through Altamont about 10 a.m. of that day, and mounted men dressed in Union uniforms rode rapidly up to the house of Capt. S. P. Tipton, then absent from his command and at his home in Altamont, and cried out, "Captain, the rebels are coming." As soon as he emerged from his house he was shot and instantly killed by the men that called to him. This force also killed at Altamont a private in Captain Tipton's company by the name of David Franklin. They arrived at Tracy City about 1 p.m. The picket on the road over which they passed was from Captain Tipton's men. The sentinel discharged his piece, but so rapid was the movement of the force that no alarm reached the camp until the whole force rode in. The point of entry was from the rear of Howard and Benham's store, and immediately, as the head of the column passed to the front of the store, they fired on the sentinel then on duty, mortally wounding David B. Powell, of Company B, Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, who was sitting near the sentinel. Many shots were fired by the sentinel and those in and about the store. Repulsed here, the force rapidly moved to the railroad depot, some 40 rods distant, where Captain Upson then was with a guard of three men. This placed the whole rebel force between Captain Upson and his command. He at first attempted to join his command, but seeing his position, he threw down his pistol and surrendered, and as he did so was several times shot at, two balls taking effect and seriously wounding him, one having passed through his left lung. While this movement was being enacted, Lieutenant Jepson formed his command in the stockade near the store. The rebels formed in line of battle, under cover of an elevation of ground on the right of the stockade, and also under like cover in rear of the railroad depot, and still another portion farther to the left and in rear of the engine-house. In these positions they were completely sheltered, so as to render our fire from the stockade quite ineffectual, while they, from their concealed positions and behind trees, continued to fire at our forces in the stockade without damage. Lieutenant Jepson deemed it inexpedient to advance any portion of his force from the stockade, as by so doing he would be exposed to a cross-fire from the rebels and endanger the capture of his whole force. In this position the officer in command of the rebel forces dispatched a flag of truce by a citizen with the following proposition for surrender:

SIR: Captain Upson, with 10 of your men, are now in my possession. If the remainder of your command will surrender at once, without further bloodshed, the entire command shall be at once paroled and permitted to retain all their personal effects.

By order of General Wharton:

Major, Fourth Tennessee Cavalry.

This proposition was promptly declined by Lieutenant Jepson. Soon another proposition was sent in like manner of the first, offering to- leave the command unmolested provided they could be permitted to take the goods from the store near the stockade. This too, was rejected. Two other propositions for surrender, having in view the possession of the store (the evident object of their raid), were sent in and declined. Under cover of the depot, the engine-house, and the buildings covering the coal-chutes men were advanced, and each was fired and totally consumed.

The stockade, erected long since, was built with reference to a defense of the store and buildings in the immediate vicinity of the store, and is so located as to afford no protection to the buildings that were burned.

Six men were captured with Captain Upson, all of whom were stripped of overcoats, blankets, and money, and forced to take a parole administered to them under threats of death as the penalty of refusal.

The rebels remained in position until dark, when, fearing reenforcements from Cowan, by the cars which had been stopped and sent back during the afternoon, they left, resting that night about? miles from Tracy City, near the house of David Nunley. They then passed in the direction from which they came (near Altamont) toward White County, where I have reasons to believe a rebel force exceeding 500 can be assembled. During this assault but 3 of Captain Tipton's men could be found. All had fled to places of supposed safety, and are again slowly returning to Tracy City.

Three of the rebel cavalry are known to have been wounded.

The officers and men of the Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers there engaged exhibited great coolness and determination to do their whole duty.

I have the honor to be, colonel, your obedient servant,

Lieut. Col., Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, Comdg. Post.

Commanding First Brigade.

Addenda.--At the time of the attack on Tracy City on the 20th instant the force consisted of 2 commissioned officers and 72 enlisted men from the Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers and Captain Tipton's cavalry (I officer, 73 enlisted men) none of which are armed--except some half-dozen with squirrel rifles--none mounted, and none of the slightest service.

At the time of the attack I was at Anderson, and Colonel Suds-burg sent Captain George with a detail of 100 men, who proceeded by railroad to a point near Tracy City, where he threw out a line of skirmishers and advanced to the place, arriving about 3 a.m. on the 21st instant. Finding matters there quiet, he at once returned with his command to Cowan. Colonel Sudsburg then detailed Second Lieutenant Gould and 43 men from the Third Maryland Volunteers to proceed at once to Tracy City to remain until further orders. With this force I proceeded to Tracy City, and disposed of the same in such manner to add materially to the strength of the position. I placed 1 sergeant, 2 corporals, and 12 men at an important bridge on the railroad about 1 mile from the place. I placed William W. Morse, captain Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, in command of the post in place of Captain Upson, wounded. This addenda is made pursuant to instructions from division headquarters.

Lieut. Col. Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, Comdg. Regt,

HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, 12TH CORPS,

Decherd, Tenn. January 23, 1864.

Respectfully forwarded, with recommendation that the troops be withdrawn from Tracy City, as I cannot see the public necessity of guarding a private trading establishment and coal mine.

Col. Twentieth Connecticut Vol. Infantry, Comdg. First Brig.