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Hdqrs. First Division, Fourteenth
Army Corps, Jonesborough, Ga.,
September
5, 1864
.
Captain: I have the honor to report to the general commanding the Fourteenth
Corps the operations of this division since the
17th of August
, the date on which I assumed command.
The positions of brigades and their unimportant movements prior to the beginning of the great movement against
the Macon railroad need not be described, as the record of all
such information would encumber the headquarters of the division and corps without
affording necessary or interesting data.
On the
26th of August
the Second and Third Brigades were withdrawn from the position they
had held before the enemy near Atlanta and marched to a position
on the left of the Twenty-third Corps, the Third Brigade having preceded the other two, which position was held till the 28th, when the
entire division marched to Red Oak, on the Atlanta, West Point and Montgomery Railroad.
On the
29th
the Second and Third Brigades were engaged till 2 p. m. in destroying
the railroad toward East Point, while the First Brigade made a reconnaissance in the same direction on the right of the railroad and
covered the working parties.
There was slight skirmishing between the First Brigade and the enemy,
resulting in no loss to us. On the
30th
the division marched ten miles toward Jonesborough, Ga.,
and encamped near
Mrs.
Evans
', on the Fayetteville and Atlanta road.
On the
31st
the division marched to Renfroe's and remained there till
near sundown, when I received orders from
Major-General
Thomas
to move at once to support
General
Howard
, who was then confronting the enemy near Jonesborough,
which movement was made without delay.
Being informed through
General
Howard
's staff officer that he wished me on the Fayetteville
road ��� that is, near Renfroe's ��� I countermarched to that
place, where instructions were received from
General
Davis
, commanding the corps, to proceed to my former camp at
Mrs.
Evans
' and remain there that night.
On the
1st day of September
I received orders to move to the support of
General
Baird
and take position on his right, which was then on the Atlanta and Jonesborough road, east
of
Mrs.
Evans
'. Before going into position there I received orders to proceed about two and a half miles toward Jonesborough, and take a position facing the town.
Having marched till within two miles of that place and reached the pickets of the Seventeenth Corps, I took position parallel to the road and facing the Macon railroad, one and a half miles distant. I have omitted to
state above that the First Brigade and Nineteenth
Indiana Battery were detached at
Mrs.
Evans
' and sent to Renfroe's to protect the train of the army
in accordance with orders received.
From the point designated above I sent the Third Brigade on a reconnaissance
toward the railroad, with also one regiment of the Second Brigade as
skirmishers.
The skirmishers of both brigades soon encountered the enemy at a creek near the road and drove them back to a
strong position,
where they contested the ground obstinately with infantry or dismounted cavalry and one or two pieces of
artillery.
The position of the enemy was soon taken by the Third Brigade and the Sixteenth U. S. Infantry, and one caisson, filled with ammunition, captured.
The Second Brigade was immediately moved up to the right of the Third and the
skirmishers pushed onto the railroad.
While here
Captain
Edmonds
, of my staff, pointed out a very fine position for a battery, and I immediately ordered
Prescott
's battery to take position there.
Prescott
moved to it as rapidly as his horses could go, unlimbered, and opened his guns, which created great
havoc among the rebels.
It may here be stated that much of the success later in the day was due to the execution of this battery, both
on the infantry
and artillery of the rebels, as
Prescott
was almost immediately on the right flank of the enemy facing
Morgan
's division, of the Fourteenth Corps, and of the Army of the Tennessee.
While occupying the position last described I sent out a regiment on the left front to open communication with
the Fourth Corps, which was accomplished by
Lieutenant-Colonel
McMahan
, commanding the Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
I then changed the front of my division again to the right, the left of the Third
Brigade resting on the railroad, and formed line of battle, when I received orders from
General
Davis
to move forward toward Jonesborough till I should find
the works of the enemy.
Moving through a dense forest to an open field the enemy was encountered in a thicket beyond.
I ordered an assault, which was made with great energy and gallantry by both brigades.
The position of the enemy was very strong and the approach almost impassable in consequence of a dense growth of
small bushes.
The Second Brigade reached the works at the first dash and captured many
prisoners.
They would have held the works and gone on but for the unfortunate loss of
Capt.
L.
M.
Kellogg
, commanding the Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, who was on the extreme
right.
He was badly wounded while crossing the works.
The enemy brought up re-enforcements and compelled the right to fall back about 100 yards. A portion of this
brigade gallantly clung to the works till overpowered and captured.
When preparing to reform the Second Brigade for another charge, I received
information from
General
Davis
that he had ordered
Colonel
Este
's brigade, of
Baird
's division, to support me. As it was fresh and well formed I placed it in position for a
charge, when
General
Baird
arrived and gallantly led it himself.
It is an agreeable duty that I perform in saying that the conduct of this brigade was truly admirable, and that
they deserved
the success they achieved.
Colonel
Este
deserves promotion for his gallantry and good management.
The Third Brigade continued the fight till every rebel was driven or dragged
from the works.
The Thirty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
Lieutenant-Colonel
Griffin
commanding, deserves great credit in this part of the fight, as they had to contend almost alone against
a very obstinate
foe strongly intrenched.
The enemy having lost his works, brought infantry and artillery on the road still farther toward Jonesborough, and opened so heavy a fire that no farther advance
could be made.
Darkness closed the fight.
The two brigades captured about 300 prisoners and many small-arms.
The Second Brigade lost in killed, wounded, and missing, 168; the Third Brigade, killed, wounded, and missing, 203; total, 371.
The greater portion of the wounded will recover.
My thanks are due to
General
Baird
for the readiness displayed to support me at all times, as well as for the support actually received.
It is not X mere empty custom when I acknowledge the great assistance rendered during the hottest of the fight
by
Captain
Edmonds
, Ninety-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; Capt.
4.
W.
Smith
, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, and
Lieut.
W.
B.
Roby
, Thirty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and
Lieut.
George
H.
Tracy
, all of my staff.
Dr.
Solon
Marks
, chief surgeon of the division;
Lieut.
H.
G.
Litchfield
, ordnance officer, and
Lieut.
W.
R.
Maize
, in charge of ambulances, are deserving of mention for the faithful performance of their duties in their
respective departments.
Col.
M.
F.
Moore
, Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, commanding Third Brigade, deserves special mention for the promptness with which he always obeyed orders,
and put his command in motion.
The staff officers of the Second Brigade,
Captain
Mills
,
Lieutenant
Estes
, and
Lieutenant
St. Onge
, and especially
Capt.
W.
J.
Fetterman
, acting assistant adjutant-general of the brigade, displayed great gallantry and spirit in assisting
Maj.
J.
R.
Edie
, Fifteenth Infantry, in advancing the brigade.
The regimental officers and enlisted men cannot be over praised for their conduct.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Capt. A. C. McCLURG , Asst. Adjt. Gen. and Chief of Staff, 14th Army Corps.