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Hdqrs. Second Battalion, Fifteenth U. S.
Infantry, White Hall, Ga.,
September
19, 1864
.
Captain: I have the honor to forward the following report of the marches, battles, and engagements in which this
battalion participated
in the campaign of Atlanta:
The battalion, composed of six companies-Company A, commaned by
Lieutenant
Jackson
; Company B, by
Capt.
W.
S.
Mc
-
Manus
; Company C, by
Captain
Norton
; Company D, by
Lieutenant
Derickson
with
Lieutenant
Burness
; Company E, by
Lieutenant
Harrison
, and Company F, by
Lieutenant
Forbes
, numbering in all 10 officers and 307 enlisted men-left Graysville, Ga., on the
3d of May
, under the command of
Maj.
John
R.
Edie
, as a part of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, and
marched to Ringgold and went into camp.
Remained at Ringgold until the
7th of May
, when the battalion marched to Tunnel Hill and went into
bivouac for the night two miles east of the tunnel.
On the next day (8th),
Major
Edie
assuming command of the detachment of the First and Second Battalions,
the command of this battalion devolved upon me. This day the battalion marched in the direction of Buzzard Roost Mountain for a distance of one mile and a half, when
the brigade, forming line of battle, this battalion in the front line and on the left of First Battalion, advanced and took up a position opposite and within
one mile of Buzzard Roost Gap
.
Bivouacked at this point for the night, and on the afternoon of the next day advanced to the foot of the
mountain, the battalion
going into position on the right of the gap and under a continuous fire of shell from the enemy's cannon, the
fire lasting
until darkness set in. Remained in this position (losing 1 man wounded by sharpshooters) until daylight of the
11th instant
, when the battalion was ordered into the woods, under cover from sharpshooters, one-half mile in rear,
where it rested until daylight of the next day (l2th), when the brigade moved to the right and through Snake
[Creek]
Gap, we going into bivouac for the night in Sugar Valley.
By order of division commander left the knapsacks (packed) at this place, and next day (13th) advanced six
miles, the brigade moving a portion of the time in line of battle, this battalion being in the second line and
on the right of the First Battalion.
Bivouacked for the night
four miles
east of Resaca
.
On the morning of the following day (
14th instant
) the brigade advanced in line of battle, this battalion in the front line, on the right of the First Battalion, when the brigade skirmish line meeting that of the enemy's, and
the first line becoming engaged, was relieved by the second line in the afternoon, this battalion throwing up
works that night.
Remained in advance all next day (15th), losing 1 man wounded on skirmish line, when the enemy evacuated that
night.
We marched into Resaca the next day (16th) and bivouacked for the
night.
On the
17th
, 18th, and 19th were on the march, passing through Calhoun, Adairsville, and Kingston, at which latter place we threw up works.
On the
20th
marched southeast of Kingston
two miles, built works, and went into bivouac, remaining until the
23d instant
, on which day we marched to the north bank of the Etowah
River.
While at Kingston, in compliance with an order from division
commander, turned in all our transportation, which consisted then of only one wagon, and sent to the rear all
tents and officers' baggage.
On the
24th
crossed the river by fording, marched eight miles, went into bivouac, and remained until the 26th, on
which day marched to Pumpkin Vine Creek.
On the
27th
moved to the left of the Fourth Army Corps and went into
position at New Hope Church, where the battalion threw up works
under a heavy fire of the enemy's cannon, losing 3 men-wounded.
Remained in this position at New Hope Church until the
5th day of June
, when the enemy evacuated, losing 1 officer,
Lieutenant
Forbes
, killed on skirmish line
31st of May
;
1 man killed and 6 wounded on the
28th
; 1 wounded on the .$1st, and 1 on
June
1
.
Distance marched during the month of
May
; 105 miles. On the
5th of June
occupied the enemy's works,: and at, 10 a. m. next day advanced four miles in the direction.
of Acworth; went into bivouac, and remained until the
10th instant
, when we again moved in the same direction, advancing a portion of the time in line of battle, the
battalion being in the
first line and on the left of the First Battalion; distance marched this day,
four miles. On the
11th instant
advanced one mile, built works, and moved in the afternoon by the right of companies to the front, a
distance of two miles, and built new works, behind which we lay until the
14th instant
, when we advanced one mile and again built new works.
On the
16th
Colonel
Stoughton
, who was then in command of the brigade, ordered me, through
Major
Edie
, detachment commander, to deploy the battalion as skirmiishers and advance to a strip of woods in our
front, and drive the
enemy's skirmnishers out of it, which was accomplished, and the ground held until evening, when the First Brigade took possession, and I, being relieved, returned to works occupied
in the morning.
Here we lay until the morning of the
18th instant
, when we moved to the front and right the distance of a mile.
During the night of the 18th the enemy withdrew to a position on line with Kenesaw Mountain, and on the 19th we advanced to within two miles of the mountain,
and on the immediate front.
On the
20th
moved to the right of Kenesaw, and being in reserve, went
into bivouac, concealed by woods, and remained until the night of the
22d
, when we moved to the front and relieved troops of
Whitaker
's brigade, Fourth Army Corps, who were occupying
intrenchments; occupied this position until the 27th, losing 1 man killed and 2 wounded, being exposed during
the time to the enemy's artillery, they having a battery planted in our immediate front and within
250 yards. Being relieved on the night of the
27th
, was ordered in reserve into woods half a mile in rear, where we bivouacked until the night of
July
2
, at which time we moved to left and relieved troops of the Fifteenth
Corps in front of Kenesaw Mountain.
Distance marched during the month of
June
, eighteen miles.
The enemy evacuating on the. night of
July
2
, the ensuing day we followed in pursuit, passing through Marietta, and overtaking the enemy at Neal Dow
Station.
At 3 p. m. the battalion was ordered out as skirmishers and was engaged until night-fall, losing 3 men wounded.
Remained on the line all night and was relieved by the Eighteenth Infantry at
daylight of the 4th.
At 12 m. moved to the support of
Prescott
's battery, and at dusk relieved the Eighteenth Infantry on
advanced line, and during the night built works.
At daylight, finding the enemy had retired during the night, sent out skirmishers, who captured 9 rebel
prisoners.
Commenced pursuing at 10 a. m. of the
5th instant
, which was continued to the north bank of the Chattahoochee
River, where we went into camp
one mile and a half
west of Vining's Station
, and rested until the
17th instant
.
On the
16th
of this month our transportation and baggage were returned to us and were most welcomely received, as
the officers suffered
great inconvenience from want of clothing, company papers, &c. At 4 p. m. on the 17th crossed to the south
bank of the Cattahoochee and bivouacked for the night.
On the
18th
and 19th moved slowly forward, a portion of the time in line of battle, and: on the 20th crossed Peach Tree Creek early in the morning, lying in reserve until 3 p.
m., when we advanced and took position in secdnd Iine under a severe fire of the enemy's cannon, to which we:
were exposed until
dusk, when we moved to the left seven miles and relieved troops belonging to the Fourth Army Corps, who were guarding a ford.
Here we remained until the morning of the
22d
, when we found the enemy had retired to Atlanta and
occupied the fortifications for its defense.
The same day we closely pursued and took up position at 3 p. m. within range of their works and two and a half
miles north of the city, which position we occupied until the
27th instant
.
On this day, in compliance with a field order of the day, the battalion was detailed to worry the enemy and
attract his attention
to the front of our division.
In executing this order the battalion attacked the enemy's skirmish line and drove his skirmishers into their
works, holding
the ground thus gained until night-fall, when, our object having been accomplished, we withdrew and returned to
our works.
In the skirmish we lost i officer,
Lieutenant
Jackson
, and 3 men wounded.
On the
29th
the battalion went on picket at 6 p. m. and remained until 5 p. m. of the
30th
, losing 4 men wounded, when we returned to ground occupied on 29th; went into bivouac and remained until
August
2
.
Distance marched during
July
, thirty miles. On the
2d of August
advanced 300 yards and built works, and on the 3d left these works, having been relieved by troops of
the Twentieth Army Corps, and marched to the extreme right flank of
the army and built works.
On the
4th
went with the brigade on a reconnaissance and returned same evening and occupied the works we had before
constructed.
On the
6th instant
moved two and a half miles to the left and took up position at Utoy Creek, on the left of the Third Brigade,
Third Division, Fourteenth Army
Corps.
On the
7th instant
, at 3 p. m., received orders to advance upon the enemy and drive him as far as possible.
The battalion crossed over the works which were on one side of an open field 500 yards wide, and charged over
this field under a destructive fire from the well-filled rebel rifle-pits.
These we ran over, capturing all rebels, 95 in number, who occupied them.
This was a difficult task, as within a few yards of the pits was a steep bank, fifteen feet in height, and in
ascending which our lines were necessarily broken to some extent.
After securing our prisoners and reforming the line we advanced to within fifty feet of the enemy's main line of
works, a portion of the command going far enough to become entangled in the abatis.
At this moment the enemy opened a murderous fire of grape and canister, and, judging it impossible to carry the
works with
our force, orders were received to fall back twenty yards, reform the line, and build works.
This battalion remained here until daylight of the
8th
, when it was relieved and returned to the old works in rear.
During this assault the battalion was under a severe fire from 3 p. m. till dark, losing 3 killed, 41 wounded,
and 8 missing. On the
9th instant
moved into works built on the night of the
7th
, remaining until the night of the
10th instant
, losing 2 men killed and 3 wounded. On the
11th
moved into works on left of Third Division, relieving troops
belonging to
Este
's brigade, and remained until the
26th instant
, having 11 deserters come into our line; and losing 3 men wounded while-in this position.
On the night of the 26th abandoned the works, moving out quietly at 8 o'clock, leaving a strong skirmish line
behind with orders to follow just before daybreak, and moved to the right, lying in rear of Fourth Corps all next day. On the
28th
marched to the right and on to the West Point
railroad, the battalion going on picket for the night; and the next morning, being relieved at 6 a. m.,
was detailed with the rest of the brigade to assist in the destruction of the West Point railroad, Companies A
and B being for a portion of the day thrown out as skirmishers and
engaged.
On the
30th
and 31st moved to the right and in the direction of Jonesborough; distance marched during the month, fifty-seven miles. The battle of
Jonesborough, fought on
September
1
(a report of the part taken by this battalion herewith inclosed), has gloriously terminated the Georgia
campaign.
It is impossible, in a report necessarily circumscribed, to detail the many incidents of a campaign embracing a
period of
over four months, which it might otherwise be both useful and interesting to place upon record.
The fatiguing marches by day and night, the ceaseless vigilance required by the constant proximity of the enemy,
the days
of suspense and danger passed in the confinement of the trenches, the hazardous experiences in the picket and
skirmish line,
and the peculiarly difficult and dangerous character of the campaign throughout, might all be separately alluded
to, and when
thus detailed the zeal and devotion which has always been manifested by the enlisted men of the command, would
be made conspicuous.
They have endured the hardships of the campaign with a true soldierly contentment, and too much praise cannot be
given them
for their conduct on all occasions.
In conclusion, I respectfully direct special attention to that part of my report of the battle of the 1st which
gives honorable mention of several non-commissioned officers of the battalion.
I also particularly desire to compliment the deserving line officers of the command.
To
Captain
Norton
, who was the second ranking officer present, and upon whom the command often devolved, I can say no more
to a good and faithful officer than
that he was present with the command, zealously discharging his duty, until
August
26
, when sickness compelled him to leave his company for the hospital.
To
Lieutenants
Jackson
,
Harrison
,
Burness
, and
Quartermaster
Potter
, I would say that they performed their respective duties well and faithfully, and are deserving of their
Government.
To
Adjutant
Knapp
I can but repeat the expressions used in my report of the 1st as regards his merits as an officer.
In the death of
Second Lieutenant
Forbes
, who was killed at New Hope Church,
May
31
, the service has lost a brave, honest, and intelligent officer.
Acting Assistant Surgeon
Bigham
has also been constant and unremitting in the discharge of his duties.
By his studied care always to be present with the command, whether in bivouac or in the field, he gives
assurance that, either
in case of sickness or wounds, all that skill and prompt attention can do shall be done for those who suffer.
The entire distance marched during the campaign is 210 miles.
List of casualties: Killed, 15; wounded, 94; missing, 8; total, 111.
Captain: In compliance with yesterday's order requiring a report from the battalion commanders of the part taken
by their battalions
in the engagement of the
1st instant
, I have the honor to make the following report:
When the brigade was first drawn up in line of battle the position of this battalion was the second from the
right, its left resting on a road.
Here we threw up works.
When the brigade again moved forward it was by the left flank, this battalion going first, and moved about 200
yards to the edge of a woods, where the brigade was again formed in line, this battalion being on the left.
The line being formed, we moved almost directly east, by the right of companies to the front, this battalion
being the battalion
of direction, and formed line, my left resting on the right of the Third
Brigade.
When we again moved it was by the right flank, and to that position occupied by
Prescott
's battery, where we formed line on the left of the battery as a support.
Here we remained for half an hour, when we moved to the left, along a road running southeast, about half a mile,
and formed
line, my left resting on the right of the Eighteenth Infantry.
Here I threw out a company of skirmishers, who crossed over an open field and found the enemy's skirmishers,
distant some
300 yards from our lines.
About 3.30 p. m. the order was given to advance in line of battle, which we did, passing over ground grown with
thick underbrush, through
a swamp, and then over an open field, under a heavy and continuous fire of the enemy's musketry, and up to their
works, in
front of which we lay for twenty minutes. Finding these works strongly defended and no possibility of our taking
them with our thin line, the battalion fell back
with the rest of the line about 100 yards, where we reformed and remained until dark, when we moved to the edge
of the woods and threw up works.
The battalion went into the fight with 2 commissioned officers and 124 enlisted men, out of which we lost 5
killed and 20 wounded and 2 missing.
Sergeant
Cummings
, a brave and good soldier, was killed while in charge of the company of skirmishers, he having charge in
consequence of their
being no line officers on duty with this battalion.
In common justice to other non-commissioned officers who have for a long time been doing the duty of
commissioned officers,
I deem it my duty to mention the conduct of
Sergt.
Samuel
Shane
, in command of Company A, and of
Sergt.
Philip
Game
, of Company C, who was severely wounded in the left arm and
breast, rendering necessary an amputation of his arm, while in the heroic discharge
of his duty, as well as
First Sergt.
George
Haller
, commanding Company F.
Sergeant-Major
Brandt
, wounded in the shoulder, also deserves praise for the steady bravery and coolness which in this as well
as on other occasions
he has displayed under fire.
I cannot conclude without returning thanks to Lieut. and
Adjt.
Orson
C.
Knapp
, of this battalion, for the prompt and faithful manner in which he performed his duties on this day, and
must take advantage
of this opportunity of complimenting him upon the manner in which he has performed his duties all through this
campaign.