Excerpts from “Dan Master’s Civil War Chronicles:
Capturing the Gun at Knob Gap with the 15th Wisconsin
The Army of the Cumberland left Nashville on December 26,1862 marching south on the Nolensville Pike. The Right Wing, under General Alexander Mc Cook, ran into resistance 2 miles south of Nolensville at Knob Gap. A Georgia dismounted cavalry and battery had taken position atop the Gap.
General William P Carlins formed, the 15th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry in the center, the 21st Illinois on the right and the 101st Ohio on the left. The soldiers of the brigade explain what happened next:
Brigadier General William P. Carlin:
“About a mile south of Nolensville, the pike crosses a ridge through a depression on either side of which is a round hill or knob. North of this gap was a cultivated field, along the east side of which was the pike. The ridge bears off to the right and left from the knobs in a southwesterly a southeasterly direction.
The ridge itself with the knobs forms as fine a military position to hold against an attack as I ever saw in an open country, the gap is known as Knob Gap. It was then held by Wharton’s cavalry and several pieces of artillery. Davis’ division at to attack it, it was my part to move directly over the open field described above in the face of a direct fire of artillery and of Wharton’s cavalry dismounted and concealed behind trees.
Hotchkiss’ battery (2nd Minnesota) was brought into action in the road and threw a fell shells into the gap. My brigade was formed into line parallel to the enemy’s position and the command ‘Forward!’ was given. The field had been plowed late in the fall and the rains had converted the soil into sticky mud. Each man seemed to lift on his shoe a square foot of mud three inches deep at every step.”
Private William E. Patterson, Co. K, 38th Illinois:
“We marched on towards Triune and o und the Rebels in force at Knob Gap two miles from Nolensville. Their force consisted of a brigade of dismounted cavalry and a battery of 5-8 pieces. Their battery opened up on us at a distance of 1-1/2 miles. Hotchkiss’ battery unlimbered and returned the compliment.
Carlin’s brigade was ordered to charge the Rebel battery, which we did, crossing an open and very muddy field. We were exposed for a distance of a mile to their fire which was concentrated on the left of the 38th Illinois, Companies H, I, and K suffering the most severely.
The Rebel battery played on us full blast and out own battery in our rear (in an ineffectual attempt to cover our advance) exposed us to still more danger by their own shells bursting prematurely over our heads. The air resounded with the hideous noise of the shells whizzing and bursting before us, behind us, above us, and among us.
When we got to within 150 yards of the guns, we gave them a volley. They soon after retreated leaving one piece of artillery in our possession. We captured seven prisoners including one that had been captured in the skirmish with the cavalry at Nolensville.
A gang of cattle got between the lines during the fight and ran wildly from line to line. One of them had its leg broken by a Rebel shell and was devoured by the heroes of the day.”
Private Charles B. Dennis, Co. B, 101st Ohio Volunteer Infantry:
“About 11 o’clock we got in touch with heavier forces of the enemy and after the sharp skirmishing forced him back to near the village of Nolensville, where he took position on a ridge which ran directly across the pike. On this ridge he planted a battery of four guns with a strong support of infantry.
Our line drew up on a parallel ridge about one-half to three-quarters of a mile distant. One of our batteries had been ordered to get into position and open on the Rebels.