[497]
Colonel Innis, or “we don't surrender much.”
Lavergne, Tennessee, a mere hamlet, but a position of great strategic importance, between Nashville and Murfreesboro, Tennessee, had been garrisoned by a small Union force early in December, 1862. When General Rosecrans commenced his movement from Nashville to Murfreesboro, in the latter part of that month, the movement which culminated in the battle of Stone river, it was absolutely essential that Lavergne should be held, yet the general could spare but a small force for it, and he knew that the rebel cavalry general, Wheeler, would attack it with one greatly superior. In this emergency he knew of no one in whose bravery and unflinching resolution to hold the position against heavy odds he could so fully rely as Colonel William P. Innis of the First Michigan Engineers. Innis's regiment consisted of but three hundred and eight-nine men, and Wheeler would attack with three thousand cavalry and two field pieces, while Innis had no artillery and only some rudely extemporized breastworks. “Edmund Kirke” (Mr. J. R. Gilmore) tells the story of the battle, as he heard it from both sides, as follows:Colonel Innis,said General Rosecrans, “will you hold Lavergne?” “I'll try, general.” “I ask if you will do it!” exclaimed the laconic general.
