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headquarters 125TH Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Atlanta, Ga.,
September
10, 1864
.
Captain: I have the honor of submitting the following report of my regiment from
May
3
to
May
14, 1864
, at which time the command fell upon
Lieut. Col.
D.
H.
Moore
, I having since then been in command of a demi-brigade or a brigade:
May
3
, I moved with the brigade at 12 m. from Cleveland, Tenn.,
toward Dalton, Ga., with an aggregate of 500 officers and men,
fully equipped for an active campaign.
We bivouacked at 7.30 p. m. after a march of about fourteen miles.
May
4
, the march was resumed at 6 a. m. As we were near the enemy the march was slow.
Halted at about
seven miles from Tunnel Hill
and commenced throwing up works, but after dusk we changed positions and occupied a ridge that led down
to Catoosa Springs.
May
5
was spent in throwing up defensive works along the crest of the ridge.
May
6
, we received orders to be ready to move at any time.
7th, marched at 5.30 a. m., and at 2 p. m. arrived at Tunnel
Hill. 8th, at daylight I reported to brigade headquarters, when
General
Harker
showed me a map of the surrounding country, gave me a guide, and desired me to effect a lodgment on
Rocky Face Ridge with my regiment, and he would support me with
the remainder of the brigade.
This ridge runs north and south and is exceedingly abrupt, especially the western side of it. Huge bowlders lay
thickly along its steep sides; which, with
the severe angle of ascent, rendered our task very difficult.
I saw but one practicable place of ascent on the western side, and the eastern was commanded by the enemy, who
could move
a heavy force readily up at almost any place.
The ridge is 500 or 600 feet high, and the crest so narrow and rocky as to render it impossible for more than
four men to march abreast upon it. I was informed that the enemy held the southern portion of it in force and
could re-enforce
their northern posts with easy facility.
But as it was an important position, a foothold was very desirable.
I moved to the northern point of the ridge and made a demonstration against the enemy's skirmishers, as if I
intended to pass
round to the eastern side and go up there; then suddenly withdrew my men and left other portions of the brigade
to continue
the skirmish while, under concealment of trees, I commenced to ascend obliquely the western side.
We pushed up with all possible celerity, hoping to be quick enough to effect our purpose before the enemy could
ascertain
and meet my intentions.
We met but feeble resistance until we reached the crest (which was at 8.30 a. m.) and commenced moving south,
when we met an advancing force.
The skirmishers we first engaged escaped down the eastern side of the ridge, they having been cut off by the
movements above indicated.
The fire was severe, the rocks affording ample covering.
I got a company front up and poured in several volleys and then charged and drove the enemy a third
of a mile and behind a strong stone work, which was musket-proof.
My left flank was greatly exposed and I had stone works thrown up to make my position as safe as possible.
I then received orders from
General
Harker
to proceed no farther until directed by him.
The Fifteenth Wisconsin,
Major
Wilson
, of
General
Willich
's brigade, came up to my rear at 10.30 a. m., and I detained him to protect my rear left flank
until he could be relieved by troops from our own brigade.
At 11.30 a. m. I relieved him, the Sixty-fifth Ohio having reported to me. A
signal station was soon established, which communicated with headquarters at Tunnel Hill.
From this position we had a plain view of the enemy's works and batteries, and could see Dalton.
The importance of it as a point of observation was apparent.
I lost 5 men killed, 3 mortally wounded, 1 officer wounded, and 16 men.
May
9
, heavy skirmishing until 5.30 p. m., when an assault was made along the crest of the ridge by the flank,
the Seventy-ninth Illinois as skirmishers, then the Sixtyfourth Ohio, followed, respectively, by the Third
Kentucky and One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio.
We could only move by the flank; and the rough surface made it impossible for troops to keep ranks even in that
formation.
The regiments in my front were soon in disorder, under severe musketry from behind complete protection.
Numbers of my men were pushed off of rocks and fell six to ten feet.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Moore
rushed ahead with about thirty brave men and got close to the enemy's works, but could not carry them.
They had to remain there until darkness relieved them.
Greater bravery than they exhibited could not be shown.
Capt.
E.
P.
Bates
was cool and able amidst the greatest excitement and under the severest fire.
Adjt.
R.
C.
Powers
behaved with conspicuous gallantry and good judgment.
I lost 4 men killed and 21 wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel
Moore
was hit three times, but seemed to be miraculously preserved.
General
Wagner
's brigade relieved ours after dark, and my regiment bivouacked on a descending tongue that
reached a few hundred yards perpendicularly from the eastern side of the ridge.
May
10
and
11
, no movements were made on the ridge.
12th, my regiment descended the ridge with the brigade and took up position on a smart rise, which seems to
prolong the north
end of Rocky Face.
My right connected with the left of
Colonel
Sherman
's brigade.
The Sixty-fourth Ohio was next on my left, facing east.
We threw up defensive works.
No fighting in my front.
Adjto
R.
C.
Powers
captured a lieutenant and ordnance sergeant of the Thirty-sixth Georgia
Regiment. 13th, enemy evacuated last night, and we pursued early in the morning.
Rested in Dalton; at 12 m. moved on about eight miles south of
that place and bivouacked in battle order.
14th, marched at 5.30 a. m.; about 9 a. m. our brigade was placed in reserve, and fighting soon commenced.
Our brigade remained in reserve less than an hour, and it was then moved to relieve a brigade of
General
Cox
's division, of the Twenty-third Corps, then heavily engaged and nearly out of ammunition.
I was the left of the front line, the Sixty-fifth Ohio on my right.
We moved in line over an open field, which was exposed to a severe artillery fire.
The men kept ranks almost perfectly, and we soon reached and relieved the brigade, as directed.
We had tolerable breast-works, from which
General
Cox
had driven the enemy.
The enemy's main works were about 300 yards to our front, and they partially enfiladed ours on the right.
General
Harker
having received a severe wound from a hostile shell,
Colonel
Bradley
assumed command and directed me to move forward to relieve what was thought to be one of
General
Cox
's regiments, which was holding a parallel crest a few rods to the front.
My line passed quickly, under a severe fire of artillery and small-arms, and occupied the crest, although there
were only
a few skirmishers there to relieve.
I soon after received a severe flesh wound in my arm, which, from the loss of blood, obliged me to turn the
command over to
Lieutenant-Colonel
Moore
.
I remained near it, and when it was relieved retired with it. Since then I have either been in command of a
demi-brigade or
a brigade.
My losses in this engagement were 5 men killed and 51 wounded, 6 of them mortally.
My whole losses, 2 officers wounded, 14 men killed, and 91 wounded, 10 of them mortally.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,