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Hdqrs. Thirty-Seventh Indiana Vol. Infantry, Atlanta, Ga.,
September
9, 1864
.
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this command during the campaign,
commencing
May
7, 1864
, and ending
September
8, 1864
:
On the
7th day of May
the regiment broke camp at Ringgold, Ga., and marched
about eight miles and bivouacked in about
three miles of Buzzard Roost
.
The next day the regiment moved about two miles to the front, and on the
9th of May
the regiment moved in line of battle across an open field under the fire of the enemy, and took position
on a hill in a short
range of the enemy's artillery and sharpshooters.
This position was held until 10 p. m.
May
10. 1864
, when the regiment was relieved by the Fifty-first Ohio Volunteer
Infantry.
The next day,
May
12, 1864
, the regiment marched about
fifteen miles to Snake Creek Gap
, and on the
13th of May
took position, with our brigade as reserve to First
Division, on the battle-field of Resaca.
The regiment remained in reserve until
May
15
, when it moved about one mile to the left and took position on the front in the second line of the Third Brigade, on the right of the division.
Here the regiment remained under the fire of the enemy, protected by earth-works, until
May
16
, when the enemy having fled the previous night, the regiment started in pursuit.
The pursuit was continued until
May
21, 1864
, during which and the following day,
May
22, 1864
, the regiment laid in camp making preparations for a farther advance.
On the morning of
May
23
the regiment again broke camp, crossed the Etowah River
at Island Ford, and camped on Euharlee Creek.
The march continued until
May
26, 1864
, on which day the regiment reached the vicinity of the enemy and formed line of battle.
On
May
27
the regiment moved to the extreme left to support the Fourth
Corps, and about 5 p. m. were ordered into action on the extreme left of the line, the left of the
regiment resting on Pumpkin Vine Creek, and the right on the Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers.
Upon taking this position, I sent
Maj.
T.
V.
Kimble
to the brigade commander with the information that the left flank was very much exposed and received the
assurance that it
should be cared for. Shortly after the major's return to the regiment, the enemy made a charge, which was
gallantly repulsed.
Finding that the position was stubbornly held, the enemy crossed the creek with a part of their force and
assailed the left
flank of the regiment.
I immediately sent
Adjt.
William
B.
Harvey
to the bri. gade commander with the information that the left flank was assailed.
Before
Adjutant
Harvey
returned, the enemy again charged, during which I was wounded, and the command devolved upon
Maj.
T.
V.
Kimble
.
On the
6th day of June
, the enemy having retreated, the regiment marched about seven miles to the vicinity of the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad.
From the 7th to the
10th day of June
, both inclusive, the regiment laid in camp.
On the :
11th of June
the regiment moved out of camp and formed line of battle in front of the rebel lines running from Kenesaw to Lost
Mountain.
In this position the regiment skirmished with the enemy, gradually advancing and driving them back until
June
19
, when the enemy retreated from our immediate front and fell back about two miles to a new and more
formidable position.
June
20
, the regiment marched about two miles and took position about one mile to the right of Kenesaw Mountain, where it remained under the fire of artillery and
sharpshooters until
June
23
, when it marched about three miles to the right and took position on Bald Knob.
In this position the regiment remained under very annoying fire of artillery and sharpshooting until
July
2
, when it moved at 11 p. m. about two miles to the left and labored all night erecting fortifications to
protect the left of the army.
During the night the enemy retreated, and
July
3
, the regiment again marched in pursuit and overtook the enemy about
four miles
south of Marietta
, where it was held in reserve during the action of
July
4
.
July
5
, the regiment marched in pursuit of the enemy, who had retreated the evening before, and came up with
them in the evening
of the same day in the vicinity of the Chattahoochee River.
About 5 p. m. the regiment moved to the front, formed line of battle, and erected TIlE Atlanta CAMPAIGtNI,
temporary fortifications, where it laid under fire until
July
8
, when it was moved to the rear and placed in reserve, and acted as such until
July
10
, when the rebels retreated.
From
July
10
until
July
17
the regiment laid in camp.
On the day last named the regiment broke camp and marched to the left; crossed the Chattahoochee River at Pace's Ferry.
About 3 p. m. the regiment formed line of battle and commenced slowly advancing, skirmishing and slowly driving
the rebels.
July
18
and
19
, skirmishing and advancing continued.
July
20
, the regiment was under a very heavy fire of sharpshooters and fire of artillery, but with small loss,
owing to the protection
afforded by a hill in its immediate front.
July
21
, skirmishing commenced early and continued until 5 p. m., when the division charged, this regiment being
in the front line, and drove the enemy about one mile to their fortifications, and built breast-works for its
protection.
July
22
, started early in pursuit of retreating rebels and met them again in about
two miles of Atlanta
.
Here the regiment moved to the right and formed line of battle, erecting earth-works for its protection, the
Thirty-seventh Indiana being in the front line.
Here the regiment remained until
July
2.6, when it was relieved by the First Brigade and placed in reserve.
July
28
, the regiment marched to the extreme right of the army to re-enforce the troops heavily engaged on that
flank, and remained
there without being engaged until
July
29
, when it returned to camp.
The regiment laid in camp in reserve until
August
2
, when it was detailed to guard the corps supply train; with it the regiment remained repairing roads,
guarding and aiding
it in various ways during the remainder of the campaign.
In conclusion, I would say that the officers and soldiers throughout the entire campaign behaved nobly, doing
their whole
duty under the most trying circumstances.
All did so well that I think all are deserving of praise, and that distinctions are invidious.
I am, captain, yours,