This version of the website was created in 2025. See the Site Information Page for contact information, data downloads, and other details.
Hdqrs. Seventy-Ninth Illinois Vol. Infantry, Atlanta, Ga.,
September
14, 1864
.
Sir: I have the honor to respectfully submit the following report of the operations of my regiment during the
campaign:
On the
9th day of May
my regiment was thrown forward on the skirmish line at Rocky
Face Ridge, Ga. In the evening we were ordered, with other regiments, to assault fort at that point,
which we did, but were driven back,
losing in killed and wounded as follows:
Col.
Allen
Buckner
, severely wounded; 1 enlisted man killed, and 9 enlisted men wounded.
Lieut. Col.
H.
E.
Rives
took command, and at dark we were relieved and retired to the rear.
On the
14th of May
we reached a point near Resaca, and were again ordered in
line of battle, relieving a part of the Twenty-third Army Corps.
My regiment here gained a point near the enemy's works, and were hotly engaged for a period of three hours,
until we were relieved by the Second Brigade.
We here lost 2 enlisted men killed, and 14 enlisted men wounded.
On the
27th
, at New Hope Church, while building breast-works, we
had 1 enlisted man killed and 2 wounded. On the
18th of June
, at Muddy Creek, while supporting battery, 2 enlisted men
were wounded.
On the
21st of June
my regiment was ordered out to support the skirmishers (Third Kentucky
Volunteers); we had 1 enlisted man wounded.
On the
23d
, near Kenesaw Mountain, in camp, 1 enlisted man wounded;
also, while in camp, on the
26th
, 1 enlisted man wounded.
On the
27th
, in the memorable charge made on the enemy's works near Kenesaw
Mountain, my regiment was ordered in double column at half distance on the third line of battle,
Capt.
O.
O.
Bagley
, temporarily commanding.
He advanced the regiment to the front line, when he, on account of the troops on the right falling back, was
compelled to
retire, losing, in commissioned officers, 1 wounded, 1 enlisted man killed, and 11 enlisted men wounded.
On the
4th of July
my regiment was again thrown out on the skirmish line, advancing and driving the enemy before them, the
Forty-second Illinois as support, losing 2 commissioned officers wounded, 1
enlisted man killed, and 2.
enlisted men wounded.
On the
20th of July
the regiment was on picket to the left of the battle-ground.
We took no part in the fight; 1 of our stretcher-bearers was wounded, being with the brigade.
On the
22d
.
in front of Atlanta, had 2 enlisted men [wounded]. On the
28th
, while on the picket-line, we had 1 enlisted man killed and 1 enlisted man wounded.
August
3
, we were ordered to support the Forty-second Illinois in making
demonstrations by advancing the picket-line.
In doing this we had 1 enlisted man wounded.
September
1
, on the skirmish line, near Jonesborough, we lost 2
enlisted men wounded.
September
2
, thrown on front line of battle in the advance toward the enemy's works near Lovejoy's Station, we were met with heavy fire, losing 2 enlisted men wounded.
(I omitted to mention that I took command of the regiment
June
8
.)
I will merely state in behalf of my officers and men that during the extended campaign, its marches, numerous
battles and
skirmishes, they have done their duty, ever cheerful and active in the performance of every duty required of
them at my hands.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,