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Stone's River after battle report: Reports of Lieut. William B. Turner, Smith's Mississippi battery. SHELBYVILLE, TENN., January 14, 1863. MAJ.: In accordance with Special Orders, No. 2, issued from headquarters artillery, Polk's corps, Army of Tennessee, I have the honor to report that at the battle of Stone's River the company sustained a loss of 1 private killed (Henry Sellers) and 1 sergeant, 1 corporal, and 2 privates wounded, 4 horses killed and 6 wounded. No damage done to carriages or caissons. The battery was engaged four different times on Wednesday, 31st ultimo, with the batteries of the enemy and firing on their infantry, averaging about half an hour to each engagement. We were engaged some six times on Friday, 2d instant. We drove back a line of infantry on Wednesday, and on Friday, in conjunction with Carnes' and Stanford's batteries, were engaged with several of the enemy's batteries, and drove back a column of their infantry. The effect of our two light 12-pounders was particularly noticeable. That evening after sundown, Capt. Stanford, acting chief of artillery, seeing a line of the enemy's infantry approaching, ordered me to open fire, which I did upon them with my two light 12-pounder guns, firing several round and repulsing the enemy. We fired during the two days we were engaged some 800 rounds, composed of solid shot, shell, spherical case, and canister. We noticed nothing inefficient in regard to the projectiles of the Bormann fuses. We were compelled to use a few of the paper fuses. They proved inefficient, not preserving the range. We never used our adjustable sights, it not being necessary. Very respectfully, WM. B. TURNER, Lieut., Cmdg. Light Battery. Maj. M. SMITH, Chief of Artillery, 1st Div., Polk's Corps, Army of Tennessee. ----JANUARY 29, 1863. In accordance with special orders issued from headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of Smith's battery during the engagements before Murfreesborough, Tenn., from December 29, 1862, to January 3, 1863, both inclusive: On the 29th, the battery was ordered to take a position on Stone's River, about 2 1/2 miles from Murfreesborough, on the left wing, and lay in position until late in the evening, whet it was ordered to take another position about three-fourths of a mile farther down on the left. In that position it remained until about sunset, when I was ordered to return and part my battery for the night near the first-named position. The battery was not engaged during the day, and did not fire a single shot. On the 30th, I was ordered to cross Stone's River and take a position in rear of your brigade, which I did. During this day the battery was not engaged, though exposed to heavy shelling from the enemy's guns. In this position the battery remained until late in the evening, when I was ordered to return and park my battery for the night in the same place it occupied on the night of December 29. On the 31st, I was ordered to cross Stone's River and take a position about half a mile from said river, which was done, and the battery went into action, firing a few rounds. From thence I was ordered about half a mile farther onward, to take another position. At this point the battery went into action a second time, firing upon one of the enemy's batteries, as well as upon their infantry. In this second engagement the battery fired about 200 rounds, and was engaged about forty minutes; succeeded in silencing the enemy's battery, as well as driving back their infantry. The enemy's battery having ceased firing, and their infantry having fallen back, I was ordered to advance farther onward and take a position near the one occupied by the enemy's battery, which had been captured during the second engagement. In this position the battery remained until late in the evening, when I was ordered to another position to the right of the one last occupied, and at this point the battery was engaged about twenty minutes, firing several rounds. I then parked it near by for the night. On the morning of January 1, I was ordered with my battery to take a position near the one last held the evening before, which was done. The battery lay in this position during the whole day without being engaged. On the night of January 1, it was parked in the same place, and the men, according to orders, went to building fortifications, which occupied them until a late hour. At 2 o'clock in the morning of January 2, the battery was ordered to the right of the Nashville pike, to take a position on Stone's River, which was done, and during the day it was engaged six times, averaging about a half hour to each engagement. In the action of this day the battery succeeded twice (in connection with those of Carnes, Stanford, and Scott) in driving back a column of the enemy's infantry. The effect of our two 12-pounder Napoleon guns was noticed particularly during the whole day, and late in the evening they succeeded of themselves in driving back a column of the enemy's infantry. Some time after dark I was ordered back across the pike, and parked my battery for the night. On January 3, I was ordered with my battery to the left on the Wilkinson pike, and lay in position during the whole day without being engaged. In the evening of this day I was ordered to camp about 2 miles from Murfreesborough, on the Shelbyville pike, and there parked my battery until the evening of the 4th, when I was ordered to proceed on toward Shelbyville. The commander takes great pleasure to include in this report that his men remained steadily at their posts, filling their respective duties during the hottest part of the engagement, and acted in every respect commendable as soldiers. The list of casualties were 1 killed and 4 slightly wounded; also 8 horses killed and lost. Respectfully submitted. WM. B. TURNER, Lieut., Cmdg. Smith's Battery Light Artillery. Capt. THOMAS H. MALONE, A. A. G., Maney's Brig., Cheatham's Div., Polk's Corps, Army of Tenn. Source: Official Records PAGE 742-29 KY., MID. AND E. TENN., N. ALA., AND SW. VA. [CHAP. XXXII. [Series I. Vol. 20. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 29.] Chickamagua after battle report: Report of Lieut. William B. Turner, Smith's (Mississippi) battery. HDQRS. SMITH'S BATTERY. October 3, 1863. CAPT.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the action of Smith's battery during the engagement at the battle of Chickamauga: On September 17, I was ordered to have my battery in readiness to move with the brigade, which was done, and in the evening my battery moved forward in the direction of Chickamauga. On the 18th, the march was resumed in the same direction, no engagement having occurred during either day. On the 19th, the march was continued. Chickamauga was crossed, and my battery was halted for a time in reach of the enemy's guns. In the evening of this day I followed on in rear of the brigade, when I received orders from Gen. G. Maney to leave one piece of my battery and fall back about 300 yards with the remaining three pieces. I left one piece in charge of Lieut. C. S. Smith, which commenced firing, and continued to do so until Lieut. Smith was wounded, and it was forced to fall back on account of the advancing line of the enemy. It thus rejoined the battery, which was lying in position on the ridge. I then placed Lieut. C. Le B. Ingraham in charge of the section hitherto commanded by Lieut. Smith. About this time I perceived the enemy advancing steadily in line of battle, when I ordered firing to commence, which was done, and resulted in repulsing the enemy three different times. Early in the engagement Lieut. C. Le B. Ingraham was killed. My battery fired during the engagement (which lasted about an hour) 220 rounds, composed of solid shot, shell, spherical case, and canister. The repulse of the enemy was effected by my battery alone as there was only an occasional shot fired by a few sharpshooters who had remained to support it. I remained at this position all night, and on the morning of the 20th I was ordered to report to the brigade, which was then about a mile to my left. I did so, and remained with the brigade all day, being exposed to the enemy's fire all the time. Late in the evening I was ordered to put my battery in position, which was done. During this day I did not fire a gun. On the 21st, my battery resumed the march with the brigade in the direction of Chattanooga. On the 22d, the march was continued, and late in the evening one section of my battery was ordered forward and took position, under charge of Lieut. W. W. Henry, on the side of ridge (Missionary Ridge). Late in the evening the remaining section was ordered forward, and the section on the ridge joined in, when the entire battery moved forward over the ridge. On the night of the 22d, I parked my battery to the right of the brigade in line of battle, and have remained in line ever since, with the exception of change of camp twice. During the march and while engaged, I take great pleasure in saying that the officers and men performed all the duties assigned them without reluctance, and although exposed to very heavy firing, they remained at their posts and fought with courage becoming soldiers. The casualties during the entire engagement were 2 killed and 4 wounded. The above brief report is respectfully submitted. Very respectfully, WM. B. TURNER, Lieut., Comdg. Battery. Capt. A. J. PORTER, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 105-51 KY., SW. VA. TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [CHAP. XLII [Series I. Vol. 30. Part II, Reports. Serial No. 51.]

Mississippi Smith's Light Artillery (Confederate)

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