December 21, 1862 – Capture of Union City

Report of Capt. Samuel B. Logan, Fifty-fourth Illinois Infantry, of capture of Union City.

COLUMBUS, KY., December 27, 1862.

In obedience to the orders of General Davies I left this place by rail the 23d instant [?] for Union City, Tenn., and arrived at that place about 3 o’clock that evening. Before the cars were unloaded I proceeded to detail 6 men to canvass (two going together) the country in the near vicinity of the town, with the view of examining all the approaches. Pickets were posted at the usual stands. My men were preparing dinner, having had no regular meal the day before.

While this was being done I sent men to press horses, that I might send horsemen on the Troy road and Wallace Mill Bridge road to act as scouts and advance pickets. At about 4 o’clock p. m. a flag of truce came to the picket stationed on the Hickman road, borne by Lieutenant-Colonel Collins of the Confederate Army, protecting Federal prisoners from Trenton and below to within our lines.

While I was trying to telegraph you the above facts, and before the horses had been procured for the advance pickets-twenty minutes having not yet elapsed since the reception of the flag of truce covering the prisoners-the Confederate Army, under General Forrest, I judge to the number of 1,500, surrounded my command in every direction but one, to within easy musket range. Their cannon were shotted and sighted upon us, three of which were in full view. From the time their forces first appeared in view three minutes did not transpire before we were thus surrounded.

General Forrest sent a flag of truce forward. My men needing my attention for a moment I sent Sutler R. W. Jones to meet the flag. A demand was made for an unconditional surrender of the post and forces. When I arrived at the flag of truce of General Forrest, Jones was stoutly claiming to the bearer of the flag that it was utterly contrary to honorable warfare to demand that I should surrender my forces under the surroundings. The flag of truce which protected the Federal prisoners, then in full view, was pointed to and a definite explanation was given of how and when it made my lines, by whom borne, and now flying within my quarters.

While this colloquy was being held General Forrest rode up, and Lieutenant Hanford, of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, a prisoner from Trenton, demurred to the general that he should demand the surrender of the post under the then circumstances, fully explaining them as before. The general again demanded an immediate and unconditional surrender. Deeming it to be extreme folly to fight so unequal a force I surrendered my command of 94 men to the above terms.

I would also state that a few moments only before Forrest’s force made their appearance Lieut. A. B. Balch and Orderly B. C. Percell accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel Collins from my headquarters to the prisoners, who yet waited at the picket station, for the purpose of bringing them in, and while directly with that flag of truce were both forced to surrender.

Five citizens who accompanied me were compelled to give parole not to return within Confederate lines during the war. I would do Lieutenant-Colonel Collins and General Forrest whatever justice there may be in their most emphatic denial of collusion in the two flags of truce.

Respectfully submitted,

S. B. LOGAN, Captain, Commanding Post, Union City.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 17, pt. I, pp. 567-568.

December 22, 1862 – Federal situation report for West Tennessee relative to Forrest’s Raid

COLUMBUS, KY., December 22, 1862—11 p. m.

(Received December 23, 4 p. m.)

Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, Gen.-in-Chief, U. S. Army:

Your dispatch received. Things are still unsettled. I had communicated them to Gen. Hurlbut. No connection south. No intelligence south of Trenton. Gen. Sullivan has withdrawn force from Union City, Kenton, Trenton, &c., to Jackson. Trenton and the railroad to Union City in hands of the enemy.

Troops at Trenton captured, say, 200; at Dyer, say, 50; at Rutherford, say, 50; and those at Kenton, say, 200; and at Union City, say, 60. By withdrawing them have sent a force, 1,500, to-day to Union City. Shall push down and repair railroad and fight.

Ordered boats below Fort Henry to be taken out of the river to prevent rebels crossing. Heard from 700 of them near Dresden; presume they will try to cross near Paducah. Cannot judge of their force-estimated from 1,500 to 7,000; seven pieces of artillery.

No gunboats at Cairo; all gone south. Col. Lowe, from Henry Heiman, and Donelson, in pursuit of enemy. Have taken every means to prevent their crossing Tennessee River.

Think Columbus will be attacked, but am ready for any force they can bring. Public property here estimated at $13,000,000. Have sent couriers through to urge up the forces from south to join me. Think things will be right in a few days.

THOS. A. DAVIES.

OR, Ser. I, Vol. 17, pt. II, pp. 453-454.