From The Ohio River to Stones River: Pennsylvanians at Stones River, Part II

Part of a Series—Read Part I here

Few eastern units served with the western Union armies in places like Georgia, Tennessee, and Mississippi. In the Army of the Cumberland, which fought at Stones River, Tennessee, most of the troops were from Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, along with smaller numbers from Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. There were even troops raised in Kentucky and Tennessee with General William S. Rosecrans’s army.

I don’t know that this was on purpose, I think it was simply a matter of geography. As units were raised, they were sent where they were needed. Those closest to the front in the western states naturally went to assembly points there. But at times a unit might find itself far from home, simply being sent where needed as it was available at the time. Look at the large number of New England troops in the Gulf, fighting in the Red River campaign, or the few western units like the Iron Brigade that ended up in Virginia.

In the order of battle for Stones River, you will not find troops from New York, Maryland, New Jersey, or New England. One of the few eastern units here was the 78th Pennsylvania, one of only three Pennsylvania infantry units in the battle.

Recruited in the southern and western counties of the state, the 78th Pennsylvania was formed in Pittsburgh in October, 1861. They were initially in a brigade commanded by Gen. James S. Negley, himself a Pittsburgher and Mexican War veteran. With Negley’s promotion to division command, Colonel John Miller took over the brigade.

The 78th was assigned to Kentucky and moved into Tennessee in 1862, and Stones River would be their first major battle. As part of General Rosecrans’ army, they advanced on Murfreesboro in late December 1862.

On December 30, Gen. Negley’s division moved into position west of Murfreesboro. The Union troops deployed in cedar thickets, and could clearly see the Confederates in the open fields across from them, with artillery. Miller deployed skirmishers far out in front of his main line that evening.

Colonel Miller’s brigade was deployed in an arc, facing southeast, just north of the Wilkinson Pike, about two miles from where the battle began. His four regiments heard the sound of battle in the distance early on the 31st and the din gradually moved around behind them to their right. Miller had his men in formation ready for action. He received orders from Gen. Negley to hold his position “to the last extremity.”

At about eight o’clock on the 31st, General J. Patton Anderson’s Mississippi brigade attacked. Colonel William Sirwell’s 78th Pennsylvania was on the far right of Miler’s position, facing south, with the 37th Indiana to their left, and Stanley’s brigade to their right. The Pennsylvanians had a small rise to defend.

They held their ground, firing rapidly at the enemy. Then a confused order or miscommunication had them fall back. They withdrew in good order and reformed. Seeing this, Miller ordered them back to their original position, which they did, and from here continued to fire at the Confederates.

Eventually the 78th, along with the rest of the brigade and Negley’s division, fell back about one mile to the north, reaching the Nashville Pike and joining a new defense line being formed there by General Thomas.

Despite fighting hard and losing heavily on December 31, their work was not done. The brigade rested that night behind the Nashville Pike with other units that were spent, and remained there on January 1. But on the 2nd they were back in the fight.

Late in the afternoon on January 2, Breckinridge’s Confederate division struck the Union left at McFadden’s Ford on Stones River. Miller’s brigade was moved to the rear and ins support of the Union troops at the river (Van Cleve’s division). As those troops fell back in the face of the southern assault, Miller’s men allowed Van Cleve’s men to pass through their lines. The Pennsylvanians were lying down and concealed behind a small rise. Once the other troops passed, the 78th and the 21st Ohio rose up and charged downhill and towards the river crossing.

They crossed the river and pushed the Confederates back, Miller noting that the flag of the 78th was the first across the river. The Pennsylvanians then moved forward on the east bank of the river, securing the position. They captured the flag of the 26th Tennessee. By then the sun was setting and the battle ended.

The 78th Pennsylvania had 555 men in the ranks, and lost 190, the most in the brigade. They had played a key role in the battle’s culminating action.

Bert Dunkerly is co-author, with Caroline A. Davis, of the book, Force of a Cyclone: The Battle of Stones River, published by Savas-Beatie.