Episode 23: COL James Cooper Nisbet and the 66th Georgia at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek

At the Battle of Peach Tree Creek on 20 July 1864, COL James Cooper Nisbet and the 66th Georgia, participate in an echelon assault upon the Army of the Cumberland. After being repulsed, COL Nisbet reforms his command and advances again in support of a separate Confederate Brigade.

Sources used for this episode:

Nisbet, James C. Four Years on the Firing Line. Chattanooga: The Imperial Press, 1914. https://www.loc.gov/item/14008722/.

Davis, George B., Perry, Leslie J., Kirkley, Joseph W. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. ser. 1, vol. 38, pt. 1 Reports. Washington: Government Printing Office 1891. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924077722977&view=1up&seq=3.

“Capt. Nisbet’s Regiment.” Confederate Union, March 24, 1863. https://gahistoricnewspapers.galileo.usg.edu/lccn/sn85034083/1863-03-24/ed-1/seq-3/.

Transcript

0:22

Hello. My name is bill Coughlin. And welcome to first person civil war podcast. Which retails the stories of the soldiers and officers on the ground, in the battles of the civil war. Episode 23 is entitled. Colonel James Cooper Nisbett and the 66th Georgia at the battle of peach tree Creek and relies on his book for years on the firing line. What shape published in 1914. At the beginning of the war, James Cooper in his bet lived in Dade county, Georgia. And wanted to enlist in the company that his neighbor. John B. Gordon. Raised in response to the call of troops made by governor Joseph E. Brown. Gordon declined. This request. He believed that James Nisbett could better serve the Confederacy as a company commander. James Cooper. Nisbett raised a company of infantry in July and became its captain. An interesting policy within his home state at that time. Was that Georgia regiments did not form within its own borders. I had notified governor brown, that my company was ready to report to the camp of instruction and was informed that other companies were ahead of mine, that I would have to wait. It took a political poll in those early days of 61. To get off to war. I should have used my father's influence. Later. It was not so hard to get on the firing line. Captain his bet. And his company traveled to Richmond by train and upon arrival entered into service as company H 21st, Georgia. While in the 21st Georgia captain is bet fought in the valley campaign. And from the seven days battles to Fredericksburg. The war department in Richmond selected captain Nisbett in January, 1863 for promotion to Colonel. But it was contingent on him recruiting a regiment of his own. Major general, how will Cobb an old friend of his and the commander of the department of middle Florida? Had the authority to recruit in Georgia. With his endorsement, the war department approved James Cooper. Nesbit's promotion to Colonel. And he traveled back to Georgia. To raise his regiment. Captain his bet selected Macon, Georgia as his headquarters. He targeted ex soldiers desiring to reenter the fight as officers to form and lead as companies. He took out ads in newspapers, across Georgia, such as Southern banner in Athens. The Macon Telegraph in Macon. The Savannah Republican in Savannah. And the Confederate union in Milledgeville. Who's headline read. We asked the attention of our young men throughout the state to the call made upon them by captain J Cooper Nisbett of Macon. He is a soldier, every inch of him. And if he succeeds in raising his regiment, we predict that it will do good service. And when bright laurels. The regiment will be assigned to duty in Southern Georgia. Affording those who join it in opportunity to go into service near home. The conscription act will soon be altered to embrace all between 16. and 45 and young men would do well to select a good position while the privilege has left them. Though captain Nisbett had the authority to raise his regiment. Conscription officers could also recruit within the state of Georgia. On more than one occasion. These men directly interfered with his recruiting efforts. The issue stemmed from the tradition that men of the regiment elected their officers. Rather than being appointed. Captain his bed selected veteran soldiers as his company commanders, but just as he was not yet a Colonel. So two were these soldiers, not officers until the regiment filled its ranks. The conscription officers did not recognize the company commanders authority, which affected recruitment efforts. Captain his bed appealed this complication in person at Richmond. But it was denied. Not only that, but the men he wanted from the 21st Georgia to serve as officers was also denied. Because taking men from that regiment would effectively reduce it to a battalion. Despite additional recruiting difficulties that companies filled their ranks across the state and converged on Macon where the regiment formed. 13 companies in all formed under the authority of captain Nisbett. He brought the roster of his regiment to Richmond. And was given the designation of the 66th Georgia. And James Cooper, Nisbett received the rank of Colonel. With an official muster date of 11, August, 1863. The three extra companies became the 26th battalion, Georgia infantry. And led by his brother major John w Nisbett. By may of 1864 Colonel Nisbett and the 66th Georgia. We're assigned to Brigadier general Clement H Stevens's brigade in major general, William H T walkers division. Of Lieutenant general, William J Hardy's Corps in the army of Tennessee commanded by general Joseph E. Johnston. From may to July the 66th, Georgia. Participated in the Atlanta campaign, which were a series of battles, such as Kennesaw mountain, that contested major general Sherman's advance toward Atlanta. General Johnston's tactics in opposing Sherman's advance. We're not aggressive enough for the Confederate government. And appointed Lieutenant general, John Bell hood as his replacement. Who took command of the army of Tennessee on 18 July. Colonel and his bets and his regiment marched past general Johnson's headquarters. That same day. It was a sad day for us. He stood with head uncovered. We lifted our hats. There was no cheering. We simply passed silently with heads uncovered. Some of the officers broke ranks and grasped his hand. As the tears poured down their cheeks. We knew that general Johnson had managed his campaign with skill. The morale of his army at that time was as good as it could be. During the Atlanta campaign, Lieutenant general hood was a Corps commander in the army of Tennessee and had been twice wounded from battles such as Gettysburg. Colonel in his bed also knew of him from his time in the army of Northern Virginia. And commented about his abilities as a leader. There was no better division commander than John B. Hood. But as the commander of an army in the field, He was a failure. He demonstrated his incapacity to take Joe Johnson's place. Jeff Davis unwittingly hit the Southern Confederacy. A heavy blow that morning. General Johnston planned an attack upon the union army as they crossed Peachtree Creek. Which is north of Atlanta. And once in command, Lieutenant general hood decided to follow through. Major general Sherman split his army into an ordered major general Thomas's army of the Cumberland to cross peach tree Creek. While the rest of his forces marched on Atlanta from different directions. This gave the Confederates an opportunity to engage an army that was similar in strength. And if time to properly. While I was conducting a water crossing. Not only did the army of the Cumberland cross unopposed. But they also managed to construct makeshift breast works before the Confederates attacked. Colonel Nez bet. And the 66 Georgia posted along the peach tree road, end, advanced against the federals that afternoon. We advanced and drove in the enemy. Skirmishers there was a considerable gap on my left. I protested against advancing until this gap was filled. But the order was given. And the line went in with a rush. Right up to the well-constructed earthworks, my regiment and the regiment on my right. The first Georgia Confederate infantry. Capture the works in our front. But we were unsupported. The enemy on my left, not being assaulted. Continued to inflate my line. Seeing fresh troops being rushed up against us. I was certain we could not hold the position. The 66, George has left flank became exposed because of Lieutenant general Hood's guidance for an echelon assault. Instead of all divisions assaulting at one time. The right. Most division would attack first. And the next division would advance in line from right to left. As Colonel in his bets regiment was on the left flank of his division. He would have no support on his left for some time. Brigadier general Nathan Kim ball commanded the brigade from the fourth Corps that faced them. And was himself on the right flank of his core. The left of the 20th Corp had at this time crossed Peachtree Creek, but had not come up. So my right was entirely uncovered. Arms for stacked in line. And every man fell to work with the greatest activity to throw up breast works. But these were hardly commenced when at 3:00 PM. Uh, rapid firing was heard on our picket line in my front. My skirmishers were driven in closely followed by the enemy and two lines of battle. Charging with great confidence with a rapidity and absence of confusion. I have never seen equaled. My men sees their guns and formed to resist the enemies advance. He was repulsed with terrible loss in our front. Brigadier general Kim ball while engaging Colonel Nisbett and the 66 Georgia among other regiments. Recognize the disjointed Confederate attack to his right. Colonel and his pets left. And shifted the 73rd Illinois to form a right angle. And defend against a movement on his own exposed flank. Brigadier general Kim ball continues. When the enemy had been repulsed by the left of the 20th core, he was obliged in retiring to expose himself to an inflating fire from this regiment. This. fire was so deadly that great numbers of the rebels covered themselves in a small ravine and were captured by the 20th core. Colonel and his bet and the 66 Georgia were ordered to fall back by their brigade commander who was killed after giving the order. And this assault. He estimated the regiment suffered 25% casualties. As the regiment returned to the Confederate main line. Colonel and his bet met Brigadier general, Mark P. Lowery. Who commanded a brigade of Mississippians and Alabamans. Criminal and his bet warned Brigadier general Lowery that the enemy had constructed breast works. But Lowery didn't believe him. Colonel Nisbett summarizes the exchange. Kernel, you must be mistaken about the enemy being fortified. General hood informed me that they had just crossed the Creek. Brigadier general Lowery was determined to assault the union line. And Colonel Nisbett offered the 66 Georgia to support him. I deployed in, drove back there. Skirmishers who had advanced as we fell back. I halted my line in full view of their breast works and waited for Lowry to come up. After viewing the situation, he agreed with me. That it would be a useless waste of lives to assault. There works again. With what force we had, we returned to our original line. Brigadier general Kim ball's brigade stolen their fortifications. Met the Confederates advance. Repulse that every point where he met union troops, the enemy fell back. And reforming his lines, made another desperate attempt to drive us from our position. But with no better success than before. Still, he kept up a rapid fire. And seen persistent in his efforts to find a weak point through which he could force his way. Until about six o'clock. When he retired, leaving most of his dead and wounded, where they fell. It is interesting to see this exchange between Colonel Nisbett and a superior officer. Just how much confidence the Confederate army had in Lieutenant general hood at this battle. Having failed in one assault already. The viewpoint of this regimental commander was not enough to convince a brigade commander to forego and assault. The information that Lieutenant general hood had on hand was only partially true. The 20th cores section of the union line had no fortifications whatsoever. While other sections, besides the fourth Corps had enough time to construct them. Colonel and his bets final comment about the battle of Peachtree Creek critiques, whoever conducted the reconnaissance of the union line prior to its ill-fated assault. It will be seen that the enemy had crossed the Peachtree Creek the evening before and fortified. And that hood was acting on misinformation. And he emphasizes this word in italics. The fight was a miserable affair on his part from start to finish. And which for the want of concert of action, the army lost many valuable lives and accomplished nothing of benefit. James Cooper and his bet published his book for years on the firing line in 1914. The forward to his book reads with dissatisfaction, with a contemporary scholarship on the civil war. All important facts mentioned are verified from the statements and records of our friends. The enemy. Meaning Confederate and union. And he continues. The fear of offending established views destroys the power of investigation. I write without fear or favor. With the unhindered pen of limpid candor moved by the fighting soul of a fighting man proved. in the long ago. Thank you for listening to the 23rd episode. The link to James Cooper. Nesbit's book is now available on the podcast website. First person, civil war, podcast.com. On Facebook, Instagram, X. and LinkedIn. This week, you will find a picture of Colonel Nisbett sometime between 1863 and 1865. I'd like to thank my audience for their patients over this past week, as I was feeling under the weather. I announced the delay of the episode on social media and on the news page of the podcast website. So please follow the podcast on these platforms. I did post pictures of the ruins of the Fayetteville arsenal last Wednesday. So if you haven't yet go check them out. Links for all social media accounts are at the top of each webpage. Sergeant Charles Augustus fuller. Of company C 61st, New York. Provides next week's first person accounts. At the battle. Of Glendale. My name is bill Coughlin. And thank you for listening. to first person civil war podcast.