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Hdqrs. Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps,
In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga.,
August
23, 1864
.
Captain: In compliance with orders from corps headquarters, I have the honor to herewith transmit report of the
part taken by my
command from the commencement of the present campaign up to
23d of August
, when, by order of the department commander, I assumed command of Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps.
In obedience to orders received from division headquarters early on the morning of the
2d of May
, broke up my winter camp at Mc-Afee's Church, near Rossville, Ga., and at 6 a. m. moved out with my command, consisting
of the Tenth,
Sixteenth
,, and Sixtieth Illinois Infantry (the Tenth and Fourteenth Michigan Infantry not having yet returned from veteran furlough), on the Ringgold road, marching eleven miles; bivouacked on the east side of
the Chickamauga Creek, remaining there during the 3d and 4th.
May
5
, command moved at sunrise, passing through Ringgold and
Taylor's Gap.
The Sixtieth Illinois Infantry was deployed near Stone Church; drove in rebel pickets and established picket-line, remaining in this
position during the 6th.
May
7
, brigade moved at 5 a. m. toward Tunnel Hill; Tenth Illinois Infantry deployed as skirmishers, which gained possession of a
high, rugged hill, overlooking Rocky Face; bivouacked for the
night and remained in same position during the 8th.
May
9
, at 5 a. m. brigade moved out and took up a position in front of Rocky Face on the right of
General
Howard
's command; Sixtieth Illinois Infantry deployed as
skirmishers, and drove the rebel pickets to the top of the ridge.
During the day my command was moved to the right, my right resting on the railroad.
Three companies each from Tenth and Sixteenth Illinois Infantry deployed as
skirmishers and a strong demonstration made upon enemy's position at Buzzard Roost.
May
10
, occupied same position during early part of the day; was relieved by
General
Stanley
and took up a position in rear of that command, remaining during the 11th.
May
12
, at 6 a. m. moved toward Resaca, brigade on the right of
the division; passing through Snake Creek Gap, bivouacked at midnight, after
marching over fourteen miles over bad roads.
May
13
, moved at 4 a. m.; the day was passed in taking up position; knapsacks were left in rear of earth-works,
bivouacking some three miles in advance of our last position near
Dalton road
.
May
14
, moved at 8 a. m.; command in reserve during the day. At
10 p. m. moved to the front line to the left of the Fifteenth Army
Corps and relieved a brigade of
General
Butterfield
's. Completing earth-works, remained during the 15th under a severe fire from enemy's sharpshooters.
May
16
, command moved at 8 a. m. toward Rome, marching seventeen
miles; bivouacked for the night.
The Tenth Michigan, returned veterans, joined the command to-day.
May
17
, moved at 7 a. m. over good roads to within
two miles of Rome
, where the enemy was found strongly posted; deployed my command on the right of the road in two lines;
the Sixteenth Illinois was moved to the right, deployed as skirmishers, and
handsomely drove the enemy to their main lines.
Darkness prevented any farther advance.
The Sixtieth Illinois and Tenth Michigan
Infantry were moved to the right during the night, Tenth Illinois
guarding train, and arrangements made for assaulting the works early in the morning.
During the night
Capt.
T.
Wiseman
, assistant adjutantgeneral of my staff, volunteered, with a company of the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, to try and get possession of the bridge across the Oostenaula;
darkness prevented success.
May
18
, a dense fog prevented an early advance; about 8 a. m.
Tenth Michigan Infantry, deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy's pickets
across the Alabama road, and the rebel works were soon occupied
by my command, the enemy having crossed the river, destroying the bridge.
A battery of the enemy's, stationed on the opposite side of the Coosa
River, having opened fire on my line,
Captain
Barnett
's battery reported to me and was soon in a good position, and in a short time silenced that of
the enemy.
May
19
,
20
, and
21
, remained on the north side of the Coosa River.
May
22
,
Tenth
Illinois Infantry were ordered to descend the Oostenaula in pontoon boats to
cross the Etowah and take possession of the south side of the Coosa, the enemy's pickets having become
troublesome in this direction.
This movement was promptly and handsomely executed by this excellent regiment.
At 5 p. m. the pontoon bridge having been completed over the Etowah
River, the balance of my command moved to the south side of the Coosa, remaining during the 23d.
May
24
, command moved at 5 a. m., and bivouacked at Peak's
Spring, having marched sixteen miles.
May
25
, moved at 7.30 a. m., passing to the left of Van Wert,
bivouacking for the night, having marched twelve miles.
May
26
, left camp at 7.30 a. m.; after marching some three miles, countermarched and took the road to Dallas.
On a reconnaissance near that place, the Tenth Illinois Infantry took the
advance and skirmished into the town, the main line entering soon after, receiving a few shell from a battery of
General
Logan
's corps, by mistake, who shortly after entered the town on our right.
My command took up a strong position half a mile east of Dallas,
advanced a picket-line and discovered the enemy strongly in position in our front.
The command remained in this position, with some very slight changes, during the 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th, and
31st, during which time skirmish firing was severe and constant, and upon my immediate right a strong attempt
was made to carry
our lines, but met a signal repulse from the Sixteenth Army Corps.
June
1
, moved to the left; bivouacked on the left of the Fourth Army
Corps.
At 10 p. m.
Sixtieth Illinois and Tenth Michigan
Infantry went into position, relieving
Colonel
Casement
's brigade, remaining during the 2d and 3d.
June
4
, command marched at 10 a. m.
two miles to Stoneman's Hill
. Fourteenth Michigan Infantry returned to-day from veteran furlough.
June
5
, remained in same position; rebels evacuated works in front last night.
June
6
, command ordered to move at 4 a. m.; marched at 8 a. m.; took up a position two and a half miles west of
the railroad, having marched eight miles.
June
7
,
8
, and
9
, command remained in same position.
June
10
, marched at 7 a. m.
four miles through heavy rain over bad roads; bivouacked for the night on
General
Howard
's left.
June
11
, command moved at 9 a. m. to the left in reserve and rear of First
Division, Fourteenth Army Corps; at 4 p. m. formed on the
left of the First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps; at 5.30 p. m. moved still farther to the left, and went into
position about 8 p. m.
two miles southwest Big Shanty, remaining during the 12th and 13th.
June
14
, at 9 a. m. made reconnaissance toward
Marietta road
; Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, in advance as skirmishers, occupied the road
and took up a strong position well in the advance, near Joel Bitt's house,
remaining in same position during 15th and 16th.
June
17
, picket-line advanced (7 prisoners taken), the First
Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, coming up into position on
the right.
June
18
, at 4 p. m. brigade line advanced about one-half mile.
June
19
, early this morning the enemy's works in our front found to be vacated; command moved forward toward
Kenesaw Mountain, the Sixtieth
Illinois Infantry in the advance; deployed as skirmishers as they advanced; the rebels made stout
resistance; they were steadily driven to
the base and well up the mountain by the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry.
It is no more than justice to say here that this is a fine regiment and ably commanded.
The enemy were found in force and well intrenched on the ridge.
This mountain is very abrupt and precipitous.
Our main line was established near the base of the Kenesaw, with Noonday
Creek in our immediate front, our left unprotected.
The command remained in this position during the 20th, 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, and 25th, and during the whole of
the time was constantly under fire from artillery and musketry.
On the
21st
General
Dodge
connected on my left.
On the evening of the 23d the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry was ordered to
advance and make a demonstration to attract the attention of the enemy while some movement was being made
on our right.
June
26
, about 1 a. m. my command was relieved by
General
Harrow
's division, of the Sixteenth Army Corps, and moved to
the right and bivouacked in reserve and rear of Fourth Army Corps.
June
27
, early this morning relieved
General
Whitaker
's brigade in the trenches and one regiment (Seventy-seventh
Pennsylvania) of
General
Cruft
's brigade; the line was taken up under a severe fire from the enemy's line, the Tenth Illinois Infantry losing 1 killed and 8 wounded; remained in same position
during the 28th, 29th, and
30th of June
, and
1st
and
2d of July
.
July
3
, enemy found to have evacuated their works in our front early this morning; the Tenth Illinois Infantry advanced promptly to Marietta and
Powder Springs road
as a skirmish line; the remaining regiments of the brigade moved to a point just south of Marietta, halted while the Fourth Army
Corps passed to the right, then followed Twentieth Army Corps
on
Sandtown road
four miles
south of Marietta
; 20 prisoners taken.
July
4
, early this morning received orders to drive in the enemy's pickets.
The Sixtieth Illinois Infantry was deployed as skirmishers; very bad ground in
front, low, marshy creek (Rottenwood), and dense undergrowth.
The Sixtieth passed through it and drove in the rebel pickets to main lines, but for the want of proper support
on the right was unable
to hold so advanced a line.
At 5 p. m., by direct orders from
General
Sherman
in person, five companies of the Sixteenth Illinois Infantry were
deployed on the right of the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry on
Atlanta road
, the line advanced, and lost ground regained, and held; subsequently, a regiment of the Twentieth Army Corps relieved the Sixteenth Illinois
Infantry.
July
5
, just after 3 a. m.
Major
Burnett
, in command of the Tenth Michigan, on the skirmish line, reported that
the enemy had vacated their works and that he was advancing with his command.
I would not be doing my duty did I not say here that
Major
Burnett
is a prompt, skilled, and intelligent officer and perfect gentleman, an honor to the service.
Main line advanced and took up a position on the right of the Third Brigade, about
two miles from the Chattahoochee River
.
The Fourteenth Michigan Infantry was deployed as skirmishers and promptly
drove in the enemy's pickets, losing 7 killed and 30 wounded. This is a fighting regiment.
Remained in this position during the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th.
At 3 a. m. on the morning of the 16th
Major
Burnett
, commanding Tenth Michigan Infantry, on picket-line, reported that he
was in the rebel works and was pushing forward toward the river in hopes to save the bridge
and capture some prisoners; Sixteenth Illinois Infantry was ordered forward to
his support and the whole command held in readiness to move.
July
17
, command moved at 5 a. m. on the road to Pace's Ferry, and at 11 a.
m. crossed the Chattahoochee River on pontoon laid at that point;
was then ordered forward toward Nancy's Creek; Sixteenth Illinois Infantry deployed as skirmishers; the enemy's pickets were soon struck and
a brisk skirmish was kept up during the entire day; bivouacked
near Nancy's Creek.
July
18
, about I p. m. pickets crossed Nancy's Creek about one
mile and formed upon the right of the Third Brigade.
July
19
, main line crossed Nancy's Creek, Moore's Mill, and a fine ford in our front on Peach Tree Creek.
The rebels occupied strong works on opposite side on a ridge completely commanding the mill ford and all its
approaches.
The Tenth Michigan Infantry, on picket, moved during the night to the mill and
intrenched; destroyed the flume, letting out the water above the dam;
the skirmishing at this point very heavy, close, and destructive; several officers and men were killed and
wounded.
July
20
,
five
companies of the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry crossed Peach Tree Creek early this morning and formed on the right of the
Third Brigade.
At 6.30 p. m.
Major
Burnett
, with Tenth Michigan Infantry, crossed Peach Tree Creek at the mill and occupied rebel works.
The
Sixteenth
and Sixtieth Illinois and Fourteenth Michigan
Infantry crossed the creek during the night and took position; rebel major taken prisoner.
July
21
,
Fourteenth
Michigan and Sixteenth Illinois
Infantry on picket3 Tenth Michigan Infantry made a reconnaissance to
the front; advanced about one and a half miles; met with some resistance on the right; brigade followed at 3 p.
m. The whole command recrossed Peach Tree Creek and bivouacked
for the night, the Tenth Illinois picketing from Chattahoochee River to Moore's Mill,
on Peach Tree Creek.
July
22
,
Tenth
Illinois Infantry relieved by cavalry and joined command.
At 1.30 p. m. brigade crossed Peach Tree Creek and moved out on
Atlanta road
; went into position at Meyer's house, on Proctor's Creek, fronting southwest, being the extreme right of the army, remaining
in this position during the 23d, 24th, 25th, and 26th.
July
27
, moved at 1.30 p. m., the Tenth Illinois Infantry advanced as
skirmishers, driving rebel pickets and clearing front for
General
Howard
's command, then returning to camp.
July
28
, received orders to be ready to march with my brigade at 8 a. m.; reported to
General
Davis
for orders; was informed by the general that he was too unwell to take command of the division in the
field; at 9 a. m. took command of the division on the Turner's Ferry road,
ready to move under the following order:
August
28, 1864
.
Maj. Gen.
George
H.
Thomas
:
Order
General
Davis
to move to Turner's Ferry, and then, by a road leading toward
East Point, to feel forward for
Howard
's right, back into some known point of
Turner
's Ferry.
I will be over on that flank all day and await to reach out as far as possible.
In compliance with the above order, I did move to Turner's Ferry; halted
one hour for rest and dinner.
Having no guide and no correct map of the country, I had to rely upon such information as I could obtain of
residents.
Returning from the river at the ferry, turned to the right at the church, one mile from the river, and took the
road leading t6ward East Point.
The enemy's pickets were soon met on the road.
They were well posted and in good numbers, requiring the deploying of a whole regiment to clear the front.
After moving upon this road about one and a half miles, a staff officer of the general commanding the division
overtook the command, and I received verbal orders to return as soon
as possible to the Turner's Ferry road, the enemy having attacked
General
Howard
's right.
Heavy skirmishing continuing in front, I determined to advance and take the first road to the left.
This was done, and the division was moved with all dispatch back to
Turner's Ferry road
, arriving late in the evening, and, owing to a bad swamp and a dark night, was nearly all night getting into
camp.
The whole day's work can be summed up in a few words ��� a late start, an excessively hot day, a long and hard
march (fourteen miles), and a late and very dark camp.
July
29
, division advanced, First Brigade on the right, about one and a half
miles, crossed
Green's Ferry road
, and intrenched on the right of
General
Howard
's command.
July
30
, brigade moved to the right, Sixtieth Illinois Infantry as
skirmishers.
July
31
, division moved out on
East Point road
on a reconnaissance, First Brigade on the right; Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, deployed as skirmishers, drove the enemy's pickets across Utoy Creek.
This is a fine regiment, then ably commanded by
Lieutenant-Colonel
Cahill
.
Returned to camp about 6 p. m.; heavy rain during the march; remaining in same camp during 1st, 2d, and 3d 6f
August
.
August
4
, at 1 p. m., in accordance with orders, division moved across Utoy Creek and ordered to form on
General
Baird
's right.
Owing to some delay by troops co-operating on my left, this division did not get into position.
Bivouacked for the night in reserve and refuse line, throwing up light works.
August
5
, division moved at 10 a. m. about one mile to the right and front, and took up a position on the right
of
General
Baird
's division, the Third Brigade on the left, Second Brigade center, and First Brigade on the right, our
line extending across the Lick Skillet road, rebels shelling our
lines severely during the day; remained in the same position during the 6th.
August
7
, about 1 p. m. received orders to advance my line; the whole division was ordered to swing forward on
the left (Third Brigade), the First Brigade
upon the right, being much farther from the main lines; moved forward some three-fourths of a mile; the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry, deployed as skirmishers, supported by Sixteenth Illinois Infantry, drove the rebels out of very strongly constructed
rifle-pits into the main works.
By this movement my front was changed from south to east, the Second Brigade
following the movement in the center; the entire change was a perfect success; the Fourteenth Michigan Infantry took 34 prisoners, losing 8 killed and 28 wounded.
August
8
, by order from corps commander, Tenth Michigan and Sixtieth Illinois Infantry and two regiments of the Second
Brigade moved to the right some two miles, to protect the right and rear of the Twenty-third Army Corps.
No change in the position during the 9th, 10th, and 11th.
August
12
, relieved
General
Cox
's division on the right, each brigade throwing out its line so as to cover the front of Second Division; remaining in same position during 13th, 14th, 15th,
16th, 17th, and 18th.
August
19
, at 4 a. m. the First and Third Brigades moved some three miles to the
right and rear of Twenty-third Army Corps as a reserve to that
command; returned at dark; Second Brigade occupied the trenches of the
division during the day.
August
20
, at 4 a. m. the First and Third Brigades moved to same position as
yesterday; at 9 a. m. was directed to make a reconnaissance toward Red
Oak; with First and Third Brigades moved out on
Campbellton road
, soon turning to the left to Red Oak, the Third Brigade in advance; Twentysecond Indiana Infantry
deployed as skirmishers.
Meeting with but little resistance, our march was rapid; two regiments of the First
Brigade were left at the junction of
East Point road
, and two regiments at Mim's house, to guard my left flank; taking
Mr.
Mim
as a guide, moved forward to railroad at a point
one-half mile
north of Red Oak Station
, cutting the road for a short distance and telegraph line; returned to camp at dark; it rained very hard
during the day,
and making a long march of twenty miles. The Tenth Illinois Infantry reported
to Sixteenth Army Corps to-day, by orders of
Lieut. Gen.
U.
S.
Grant
, through headquarters Military Division
of the Mississippi.
August
21
, the Seventeenth New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry reported to First Brigade to-day.
From the
28th of July
up to the
23d day of August
I have been temporarily (during the continued illness of
General
Davis
) in command of the division, taking command of the division in all movements in the field.
I have, therefore, in addition to reporting the movements of my own brigade, included that of the division
during that time.
On the
23d of August
,
General
Davis
having assumed command of Fourteenth Army Corps, I was
assigned to the command of his division.
I am without report from Tenth Illinois Infantry, that regiment having been
transferred to the Army of the Tennessee.
Orders have been sent for the report, and will be forwarded as soon as received.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Captain: In forwarding report of the Tenth Illinois Veteran Volunteer Infantry
I respectfully ask to make the following addition to my brigade report: In advancing upon Peach Tree Creek (
July
18
), the Tenth Illinois Infantry were in advance, deployed as
skirmishers, and in gaining possession of the ground, especially in front of Moore's Mill, were subjected to a very severe fire, but this fine regiment steadily
fought its way to the banks of the creek, intrenching
and maintaining its position.
Major
Wilson
and
Captain
Munson
(Company H), Tenth
Illinois, were severely wounded, the latter losing an arm. They were both good officers.
Captain
Coleman
, of the Sixtieth Illinois Infantry, was killed;
First Lieutenant
Welling
, Company G, Tenth Michigan
Infantry, severely wounded, losing a leg. Both excellent officers.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,