[Matt Branch]

Branch, Thomas of Flint, Mich., c.1832 born in England; Nov. 20, 1861 enlisted at Flint, Mich. as sgt., Co. I, 10th Mich. Infantry Rgt. March 31, 1863 2ndlt. Feb. 6, 1865 mustered out

1870 US Census has a Thomas Branch, stone & brick mason, living at Forest, Mich. This Branch was born in England but according to the Census was born in 1821.

JANUARY 25, 1863.--Skirmish near Mill Creek, Tenn.
Report of LtCol. Christopher J. Dickerson, 10th Mich. Infantry Rgt.

HDQRS. TENTH REGIMENT MICHIGAN VOL. INFANTRY,
Nashville, January 30, 1863.
COLONEL: In accordance with orders previously received, there have been detailed from this regiment 25 privates, two corporals and one sergeant, who are stationed at Bridge No. 3, on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, about nine miles distant from this city. On the 25th. instant, about 10 a.m., an engine with a number of cars attached was started from Bridge No. 3, in the direction of La Vergne, having on board the train between 25 and 30 men, acting as a train guard. After moving out about 1½ miles, the cars were suddenly thrown from the track, in consequence of one of the rails having been slightly removed from its place.
An attack was immediately made upon the train by a band of guerrillas, numbering from 100 to 150, said to be a part of Dick McCann's force. The train guard was captured and an effort made to burn the cars and engine. Sgt. Thomas Branch, with his squad of men detailed from this regiment, hearing firing in the direction of the train, quickly started with his men to relieve the train, if possible. Upon arriving in sight of the train, about 40 rebels were observed in the act of setting the cars and engine on fire with some rails which they had collected for that purpose. Sergeant Branch, getting his men into position, moved up near the train and fired a volley at the car-burners, who immediately broke and run for their horses, which were hitched to a fence a short distance off. After recapturing the train and driving the enemy for some distance, the engine and cars were run back to Bridge No. 3.
Sergeant Branch and the men under his command are entitled to much credit for the manner in which they behaved on this occasion. They accomplished what a much larger force have often failed to accomplish under more favorable circumstances. Inclosed I forward a copy of a report made to me by Sergeant Branch.
Respectfully submitted.

C. J. DICKERSON, LtCol., Comdg. Tenth Regiment Michigan Infantry.

Col. R. F. SMITH, Commanding Second Brigade, Second Division.

Report of Sgt. Thomas Branch, Co. I, Tenth Michigan Infantry
MILL CREEK, NASHVILLE AND CHATTANOOGA RAILROAD,
January 27, 1863.
COLONEL: In accordance with your order, which I received this day, I will proceed to write a statement of facts relating to the skirmish which took place near here on the 25th instant.
The engine, with a number of cars, started in the direction of La Vergne. There were from 25 to 30 men on the cars, acting as a train guard. In a short time after the train moved, I heard firing up the track. Supposing it to be an attack on the train, I ordered my men to fall in. In three minutes we were moving on a double-quick up the track. We soon came upon a rebel mounted picket, who ordered us to halt. We replied by sending a number of shots after him. He ran, and we saw no more of him.
I now ordered 12 men to move forward as skirmishers until they came opposite the train, then rally and move toward the road. The balance of my men moved up toward the track on the right of the skirmishers. When we came within a few yards of the train we could distinctly hear the rebels at work burning the train. Some one halloed, "Tom, hurry up; the devils are burning the train!" We were now opposite the train, and I gave the command, "Rally on the right file." We soon got into line and moved up within range, when we gave them a volley. They jumped from the cars and ran for their horses, which were tied to a fence about 60 rods from the train. We gave one yell and charged on them, or I should say after them, for they had got quite the start of us. We drove them into the woods, until we saw at least two companies of cavalry in line waiting for the car-burners, who were about 40 in number. They retreated over a hill and we left them.
We now devoted our attention to putting out the fires which they had kindled on the train with rails. Some of the fires had got pretty well to going, and one car was partly burned up. After putting out the fires, we ran the train into our camp.
We captured two horses, with equipments, and several guns. How many we killed I know not. The paroled prisoners who were captured on the train say they know we killed two and wounded a number. These are the facts, as near as I can state them.

THOMAS BRANCH, Sergeant Company I, Tenth Michigan Infantry,
Comdg. Guard to Construction Train on Nash. and Chat. R. R.

LtCol. C. J. DICKERSON, Commanding Tenth Michigan Infantry.

[Indorsements.]
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH DIVISION,
February 4, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded.
Sergeant Branch acquitted himself with a great deal of credit in this spirited affair he so modestly details. Many officers of a much higher grade would not have done as well. By his courage and coolness he not only drove away the enemy, but saved to the Government valuable property. He ought to be promoted.
JAMES D. MORGAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding.
-----
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES FORCES,
Nashville, Tenn., February 4, 1863.
Respectfully forwarded to department headquarters.
All reports concur in attributing officerlike qualities to this soldier. I respectfully recommend his promotion.
ROBT. B. MITCHELL, Brigadier-General, Commanding.



SPECIAL FIELD ORDERS No. 33.
HDQRS. DEPT. OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Murfreesborough, Tenn., Feb. 5, 1863.
XVII. The general commanding feels great pleasure in announcing as first of his company upon the Roll of Honor of this army, Sgt. Thomas Branch, Company 1, Tenth Michigan Volunteers. In command of a squad of 25 men, Sergeant Branch, on the 25th of January, hearing the firing of the rebel guerrillas on the construction train on the Nashville and Chattanooga Railroad, disposed his men in an admirable manner, moved them at double-quick to the front of attack, and charged upon a force more than double his own numbers, and supported by still larger reserves, put them to flight at the point of the bayonet, and then recovered and brought back with him the engine and cars, which had been thrown from the track and set on fire. It is such conduct as this that makes men soldiers, and that the general commanding is proud to honor.
By command of Major-General Rosecrans:
H. THRALL, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.



Source: Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861-65
Official Records of the War of the Rebellion