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Hdqrs. First Brig., First Div., 4TH Army Corps, Near Atlanta, Ga.,
September
11, 1864
.
I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade during the campaign commencing
May
3
and ending
September
8
in the occupation of Atlanta:
From
May
3
to
June
10
Brigadier-General
Cruft
commanded the brigade, and for a report during that time I am restricted to information gained from
regimental reports and
from my assistant adjutant-general.
On the
3d day of May
this brigade, composed of the Thirty-first Indiana, Eighty-first Indiana, Ninetieth Ohio, and One hundred and first Ohio Infantry, and detachments of the non-veterans of the Twenty-first
and Thirty-eighth Illinois, attached to the One
hundred and first Ohio, broke up camp at Ooltewah,
Tenn., and, under command of
Brigadier-General
Cruft
, marched out the road leading to Tunnel Hill, via Catdosa Springs; camped on a high ridge half a mile south of Catoosa Springs on the evening of the 4th.
On the morning of the 7th the brigade, in advance of the division, moved directly on Tunnel Hill.
The One hundred and first Ohio and two companies of the Eighty-first Indiana, deployed as skirmishers, soon met the enemy's skirmishers and drove them
steadily back till our line swung around on the
base of Tunnel Hill; while lying in that position
General
Whitaker
's brigade moved down on the crest of the ridge and occupied the enemy's works on the hill.
That night the brigade encamped on the hill.
May
8
, moved forward to the railroad and lay in line of battle.
May
9
, brigade moved forward a short distance; skirmishers briskly engaged during the day.
May
10
, occupied same position.
May
11
, this p. m. brigade ordered on a reconnaissance in the gorge at Rocky Face.
One hundred and first Ohio, Thirty-first
Indiana, and a portion of the Ninetieth Ohio deployed as skirmishers.
Eighty-first Indiana, supporting the right of the One hundred and first Ohio, pressed forward and drove the enemy from his detached works to his
main line, and withdrew under cover of night.
May
12
, moved to the right to a position occupied by a brigade of
General
Davis
' division, and intrenched.
May
13
, the enemy having evacuated his position, the brigade, in the division column, marched through Dalton and bivouacked on the road leading to Resaca.
May
14
, marched on in pursuit of the enemy; soon met his skirmishers; deployed the One hundred and first Ohio and drove his skirmishers back to his line on the hills near Resaca.
The brigade was then formed for action, and, with the Fifth Indiana Battery,
moved forward on the Resaca road beyond the junction of the Tilton road, and became hotly engaged.
Owing to the extent of country to be observed by so small a force, the brigade was necessarily posted in
detached positions.
The enemy sweeping down on us in overwhelming force and pressing a heavy body entirely past our left flank,
compelled the
brigade to fall back in confusion.
The Fifth Indiana Battery, having been fortunately posted in rear of the
lines, checked the enemy's farther advance and punished him severely.
Just at night-fall the brigade was rallied, reformed, and moved to a position in rear of Colonel (now General)
Grose
's brigade, where it remained till the evacuation of the works at Resaca the morning of the 16th.
Moved forward that day in pursuit.
Came up with the enemy on the evening of the 17th near Adairsville; formed line of battle and advanced skirmishers; light skirmishing
until dark.
During the night the enemy withdrew.
Moved forward on the morning of the 18th; found the enemy near Kingston; deployed the One hundred and first Ohio
and Eighty-first Indiana.
Hbavy skirmishing ensued, driving the enemy about one and a half miles. Formed a line of battle and moved
forward, the enemy withdrawing; camped near Cassville.
May
23
, 3 p. m., marched with the division via Burnt Hickory, across Pumpkin Vine Creek, to a position near Dallas.
Lay in reserve at Dallas till the morning of
May
30
, when the brigade was ordered to accompany a supply train to Kingston.
The Twenty-first Illinois returned from veteran furlough, joined the brigade
at Kingston
June
4
.
Rejoined the division near Acworth
June
7
.
June
9
,
Thirty-eighth
Illinois joined the brigade, having returned from veteran
furlough.
On the morning of
June
10
General
Cruft
was ordered to Chattanooga on account of severe sickness,
and I had the honor to assume command.
Moved out on the Burnt Hickory and Marietta road in advance of the division, deployed the Twenty-first Illinois and Thirty-first Indiana as
skirmishers; the line soon became engaged with the enemy's skirmishers; drove them back nearly a half mile. The
line was here.
halted and column deployed into position and slight barricades constructed.
June
11
, line was relieved by portions of Colonel (now General)
Grose
's and
General
Whitaker
's brigades, and my command, by order of
General
Stanley
, moved to the left of
General
Grose
, relieving
General
Morgan
's brigade, of the Fourteenth Army Corps, and formed
in two lines, three battalions front.
Just before dusk commenced movement to occupy position 400 or 500 yards farther to the front; completed movement
under cover of night.
During the night my position was strongly intrenched.
June
12
, light skirmishing all day. Advanced the skirmish line about fifty yards; considerable firing on the
skirmish line all night.
June
13
and
14
, light skirmishing.
June
15
, at early dawn skirmish line advanced one-half mile without finding an enemy; took 6 prisoners. By order
of
Major-General
Stanley
brigade advanced three-fourths of a mile; 2 p. m. formed in double column, three battalions front.
5 p. m. advanced to the front and right, deployed in position on the right of
General
Grose
; advanced strong line of skirmishers under a brisk fire.
June
16
, skirmishers briskly engaged the entire day. During the day the Thirty-first
Indiana and part of the Ninetieth Ohio intrenched on the skirmish
line in an open field and immediately under the enemy's guns, performing their work gallantly.
The Ninetieth and One hundred and first Ohio completed the line in the early
part of the night.
June
17
, 3 a. m., advanced skirmishers to the enemy's works, and found them evacuated.
During the morning advanced the brigade one and one-half miles, to a commanding position, and on the right of
General
Grose
.
Was relieved in the afternoon by
General
Beatty
's brigade, and moved to the left in position, supporting the right brigade of
General
Newton
's division.
June
18
, advanced one-half mile, supporting same brigade of
General
Newton
's. 4 p. m. moved to position in front line farther to the right and joining the left of
General
Wood
's division.
June
19
, moved to the right and relieved a brigade belonging to the Twentieth
Army Corps.
June
20
, advanced a strong skirmish line to seize a high hill held by the enemy in my front.
Succeeded under a heavy artillery and musketry fire in gaining
the hill, but the enemy immediately moved a strong line of battle (under cover of a welldirected
artillery fire) against me, and my flanks not being sufficiently protected, my men were driven back.
June
21
, moved the brigade against the hill that I failed to hold on the
20th
, the Thirtyfirst Indiana deployed as skirmishers, Ninetieth Ohio supporting, all of the pioneers of the brigade following closely.
These regiments carried the hill gallantly and were followed immediately by the balance of the brigade, going
rapidly into
position previously indicated.
The enemy opened a heavy artillery fire on us, but our pioneers
succeeded so soon in erecting good works on the crest of the hill, that his artillery fire did
comparatively little damage.
My pioneers particularly deserve my thanks, and won my admiration on this occasion for their almost superhuman
efforts and
great gallantry displayed.
June
22
, occupied the same position; the enemy kept up a constant and heavy skirmish fire on us, and at times
during the day opened
a very heavy artillery fire.
June
23
, at 3 a. m. was relieved by
Colonel
Scribner
's brigade, Fourteenth Army Corps, and moved to the
right about one mile, and relieved portions of
Generals
Harker
's and
Kimball
's brigades.
June
24
, advanced skirmish line (Eightyfirst Indiana) and seized
a ridge occupied by the enemy's skirmishers.
One hundred and first Ohio and Twenty-first
Illinois moved closely in support of skirmish line, and with assistance of pioneers soon had good works
on the ridge.
The Ninetieth Ohio was then moved up and completed the line.
The enemy resisted this advance stubbornly and continued to annoy us very much during the night.
My regiments engaged performed their work in an admirable manner.
June
25
and
26
, occupied the same position, subjected to an annoying fire from the enemy.
June
27
, at 8 a. m. formed in column, regimental front, supporting in echelon.
General
Kimball
's brigade formed for assault.
The assault proving unsuccessful, was withdrawn and placed in same position occupied before.
June
28
,
29
, and
30
, occupied same position.
July
1
, in same position, with heavy skirmish and artillery firing.
July
2
, late p. m. moved to the left and relieved a portion of
General
Newton
's line.
July
3
, enemy evacuated, brigade marched via Marietta, and
bivouacked in front of enemy, in rear of
General
Grose
's brigade,
five miles
south of Marietta
.
July
4
, went into position on left of
General
Grose
, pushed forward a strong skirmish line and advanced line of battle; took enemy's skirmish pits and
intrenched during the
evening.
July
5
, enemy evacuated, brigade marched to the Chattahoochee
River.
July
6
,
7
,
8
, and
9
, occupied same position.
July
10
, at 10 a. m. marched on road leading up the river, camped within one mile of pontoon crossing.
July
11
, occupied same position.
July
12
, crossed the river and went into position on high bluff one mile below crossing.
July
13
,
14
,
15
,
16
, and
17
, occupied same position.
July
18
, brigade marched out
Atlanta road
at 5 a. m., following
General
Newton
's division; camped near Buck Head.
July
19
, marched about three miles and went into position on left of division.
July
20
, marched in rear of division, crossed south fork Peach Tree Creel, and bivouacked in rear of
Colonel
Taylor
's lines.
July
21
, occupied same position.
July
22
, marched in pursuit of enemy; went into position in front of enemy at 10 a. m., and advanced skirmish
line.
July
23
,
24
,
25
, and
26
, occupied same position, building works and skirmishing.
July
27
, at 9 p. m. moved to left flank of army and occupied enemy's old works.
July
28
,
29
,
30
, and
31
, occupied same position.
August
1 in the evening relieved one
brigade of
General
Hascall
's division on the front line.
August
2
, occupied same position.
August
3
, made demonstration with skirmish line; lost 8 men wounded.
August
4
.
same position.
August
5
, made demonstration with skirmish line.
August
6
,
7
,
8
,
9
,
10
, and
11
, all quiet.
August
12
, advanced skirmish line 300 or 400 yards, met very little resistance, and returned to old position.
August
13
,
14
, and
15
, occupied same position.
August
16
, shifted position to the left, the length of the brigade.
August
17
and
18
, all quiet.
August
19
, put the brigade in position on the Augusta railroad
to the left of picket-line, deployed Ninetieth Ohio, One hundred and first Ohio, and Twenty-first Illinois as
skirmishers and advanced onehalf mile, drove the enemy's skirmishers into their rifle-pits, and withdrew.
In the afternoon made similar demonstrations.
August
20
,
21
,
22
,
23
,
24
, and
25
, occupied same position, occasionally making a display of the troops.
August
25
, immediately after dark broke up camp and marched in rear of the lines to the right; crossed the Chattanooga railroad and bivouacked in some old works, Eighty-first Indiana deployed as pickets.
August
26
, the enemy advanced a strong line of skirmishers on our pickets, pushing them vigorously succeeded in
driving our pickets
off the ridge occupied.
The Thirty-eighth Illinois was immediately deployed as support.
The Eighty-first Indiana rallied and charged the enemy, driving the lines back
handsomely.
The brigade was then withdrawn and marched off to the right in division column, and camped at night in rear of
Fourteenth Army Corps.
August
27
, continued march to the right, and went into position near Mount Gilead
Church.
August
28
, continued march, and went into position near West Point
railroad.
August
29
, occupied same position; Thirty-first Indiana engaged in destroying
railroad track.
August
30
, marched to position near Mud Creek.
August
31
, drove the enemy's skirmishers from works on the bank of creek, and camped one mile west of Macon railroad.
September
i, marched down Macon railroad, destroying track.
About 3.30 p. m. became engaged with enemy's skirmishers, and drove them steadily before us to their main line
near Jonesborough; formed junction with Fourteenth Army Corps battle line and moved upon the enemy; became very spiritedly
engaged, driving the enemy into his works.
Night-fall compelled us to cease our efforts.
During the night intrenched.
The enemy withdrew during the night.
September
2
, pursued the enemy through Jonesborough, coming up to him
again near
Lovejoy
's; went into position and drove his skirmishers back to his main line of works.
Again night compelled cessation of work.
September
3
, was placed in reserve to Second and Third Brigades; occupied same
position until evening of the
5th
, when we withdrew and marched to present position on Augusta
railroad, arriving
September
8 p. m.
In the early part of this arduous campaign this brigade lost by sickness the valuable services and directions of
its proper
commander,
Brigadier-General
Cruft
.
For its comparative success since then I am indebted to the intelligent and untiring efforts of the regimental
commanders.
I am truly under lasting obligations to these officers for their cheerful and prompt execution of all orders,
and for their
indefatigable zeal aid watchfulness by day and night.
To the line officers and men, more than thanks are due. They have labored and fought cheerfully and gallantly
when physical
energies seemed taxed beyond endurance.
We mourn the loss of gallant comrades to the number of 6 commissioned officers and 53 enlisted men killed, and
sympathize with 22 commissioned officers and 343 enlisted men wounded, and 15 men missing.
Lieutenant-Colonel N eff, Thirty-first Indiana;
Major
Angle
, Ninetieth Ohio;
Captain
Ebersole
, One hundred and first Ohio, and
Captain
Harris
, Thirtyeighth Illinois, fell in front of Kenesaw;
Captain
Rains
, Ninetieth Ohio, in front of Atlanta, and
Lieutenant
Hosmer
, One hundred and first.
Ohio, in the dark gorge at Rocky Face.
Brave, gallant, accomplished gentlemen, whose memory their comrades will never cease to revere, and whose
virtues their highest
aim will be to emulate.
I must here bear testimony of the invaluable aid rendered by the pioneer detachments of this brigade.
They seemed to have been selected for their gallant and earnest enthusiasm in the cause.
I offer my thanks to
Lieutenant
Petticord
, One hundred and first Ohio, and
Lieutenant
Graham
, Eighty-first Indiana, pioneer officers.
To make mention of the officers and men of this brigade distinguished for gallantry would be to make out almost
a complete
muster-roll, but can, without detriment to the other gallant men, call attention to
Captain
Sutphen
, Ninetieth Ohio;
Captain
Latimer
, One hundred and first Ohio;
Lieutenant
Ford
, Thirty-first Indiana, as officers deserving more than thanks.
To all the members of my staff I am under obligations for the prompt and energetic manner in which they have
discharged their
duties.
Particularly am I indebted to
Lieutenant
Felton
, Ninetieth Ohio, aide-de-camp, and
Lieutenant
Stevens
, Eighty-first Indiana, assistant inspector-general.
Always correct in their judgment, always on the front line when there was work to do, rendering active and
valuable assistance,
and untiring in their efforts.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,