No. 20. report of Col. Jacob E. Taylor , Fortieth Ohio Infantry, commanding Second brigade, of operations June 30 - September 8 .

Hdqrs. Second Brig., First Div., 4TH Army Corps, Atlanta, Ga., September 15, 1864 .

I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of the Second Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, from the 30th day of June, 1864, up to and including the capture of Atlanta:

On the 30th of June Brig. Gen. W. C. Whitaker , having obtained leave of absence on account of ill health, took his departure for the rear, and I, being senior officer present, assumed command of the brigade. On that date the brigade lay on the extreme right of the Fourth Corps, connecting its right flank with General Jeff. C. Davis ' division, of the Fourteenth Corps, and its left with the Third Brigade of this division. The front line was pushed up to within seventyfive yards of the enemy's works, at the point where the brigades of Harker and McCook made the assault on the 27th of June . This line was held by two regiments of my command, and was subjected to an incessant and fatally accurate fire from the enemy. The remaining regiments of the brigade were camped at a short distance in rear and were held to relieve the regiments on the front line, which was done at 8 p. m. each day. The position of the front line remained unchanged until the morning of July 3 , when the skirmishers of the Fortieth Ohio and Fifty-first Ohio being advanced, it was found the enemy had evacuated his works, which had been rendered almost impregnable against assault. The reserve regiments of the brigade were moved, in accordance with orders from Major-General Stanley , on the night of the 2d instant about one-half a mile to the left, and relieved General Kimball 's brigade, of Newton 's division. At early dawn on the 3d instant , the enemy being gone, the brigade was assembled and massed in an open field and awaited orders for pursuit. At 7 a. m., pursuant to orders, the brigade took up the line of march, bringing up the rear of the division. Leaving Marietta to the left, we proceeded down the Atlanta railroad to a point four miles south of Marietta , where the enemy was found intrenched. Here the brigade was ordered to mass into column of regiments, and encamp for the night. The Thirty-fifth Indiana was detailed to picket the brigade front. Next morning, the 4th instant , being ordered to strengthen and advance the line of skirmishers, I ordered the Forty-fifth Ohio to the support of the Thirty-fifth Indiana, and immediately advanced the line. The Thirty-fifth Indiana made a brilliant charge on the enemy's skirmish line (which was nearly equal in strength to a line of battle), and, being well supported by the Forty-fifth Ohio, carried the rifle-pits and held them, although exposed to a galling flank fire, in consequence of the failure of troops on the left to advance in conjunction with them. The remaining regiments of the brigade were promptly advanced to within supporting distance of the skirmish line, and a temporary barricade erected. On the morning of the 5th instant it was found that the enemy had again fallen back, and, pursuant to orders, the brigade marched with the division to Vining's Station, and went into camp along the north bank of the Chattahoochee River. The position of the brigade remained unchanged until the 10th instant , when with the division it moved up the Chattahoochee and encamped near Powers' Ferry. On the 12th instant a crossing of the river was effected, and the brigade went into camp on the left of the division on a high ridge protecting the Powers' Ferry crossing. On the 18th instant the Thirty-fifth Indiana was detached from the brigade (pursuaiit to orders from division headquarters) to guard the supply train of the corps, and did not rejoin the brigade until the 30th of August . On the 18th instant the brigade moved with the division to Buck Head, where it remained until the afternoon of the 19th , when orders were received to proceed on Atlanta road across the north fork of Peach Tree Creek, which was accomplished before night-fall. On going into camp three regiments were put into the front line and ordered to throw up temporary breast-works. The remainder of the brigade was held in reserve, protected from the fire of the enemy by the nature of the ground. A brisk fire was kept up between our skirmishers and the skirmishers of the enemy. Next morning the brigade was ordered to take the advance of the division and force a crossing of the south fork of Peach Tree Creek, on the south bank of which the enemy was found to be in force. After moving in a southerly direction about two miles from the position held on the night of the 19th , the road suddenly turned to the west, and we marched directly toward Atlanta. The Twenty-first Kentucky was rapidly deployed as skirmishers and advanced steadily, driving the skirmishers of the enemy before them until they gained the creek. The brigade was here brought to a temporary halt, in consequence of the destruction of the bridge across the creek until another could be constructed. For better security, I ordered the Fortieth Ohio to the right as flankers for the brigade, and brought the Forty-fifth Ohio and Ninetysixth Illinois into line, the former on the right and the latter on the left of the road. As soon as the pioneers had constructed a bridge the skirmishers, with proper supports, were ordered forward to take possession of the high ridge bordering the south bank of Peach Tree Creek, but being considerably annoyed by the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, who were posted behind a cluster of log cabins on the crest of the ridge, one section of the Fifth Indiana Battery, under command of Lieutenant Ellison , was ordered into position, and by a few well-directed shots drove the rebels from their cover, and the skirmishers advanced over the hill, followed by the brigade in column. On the crest of the hill I formed a line of battle, consisting of the Ninety-sixth Illinois on the right, the Fifty-first Ohio in the center, and the Forty-fifth Ohio on the left; the Eighty-fourth Indiana was held in reserve. I then directed the Fortieth Ohio. which was deployed as flankers on the right, to move forward and extend the skirmish line by forming on the right of the Twenty-first Kentucky. These dispositions having been made the signal (eighteen guns) was given and the line moved forward, capturing the skirmish pits of the enemy. The main line of battle was halted about 100 yards beyond the captured pits of the enemy, and immediately erected a line of breast-works. The skirmishers advanced so close to the main rebel works, and were in such an exposed position that they were unable to throw up any protection for themselves, especially on the left of the line held by the Twenty-first Kentucky. The Fortieth Ohio was relieved by the Fifty-first Ohio at 5 p. m., but it was impossible to relieve the Twenty-first Kentucky at that time without too much risk. About two hours before dark the rebels advanced from their works in line of battle, and charged the skirmish line with the intention of driving it in. They were not only defeated in their object, but were repulsed with great loss. Great praise is due to the officers and men of the Twentyfirst Kentucky and Fifty-first Ohio for the pertinacity with which they held their ground on this occasion. After dark the Twenty-first Kentucky was relieved by the Ninety-sixth Illinois., The night was spent in building earth-works with timber revetments. On the morning of the 21st instant the Fortieth Ohio was sent to relieve the Fifty-first Ohio, and during the day the firing was incessant, killing and wounding a number of my officers and men. The amount of firing done by the skirmishers may be imagined by the fact that the Fortieth Ohio alone expended 27,000 rounds of ammunition during the night and day of the 21st instant . At night the Twenty-first Kentucky was again ordered to the skirmish line to relieve the Ninety-sixth Illinois. At 3 a. m. of the 22d our skirmishers pushed up to the enemy's works and found them evacuated. They remained in the works until daylight, and gathered up about 25 rebel prisoners. During the morning we marched up to the high ridge confronting the enemy's works east of Atlanta, and having been assigned a position in the line went to work with a will in the construction of a line of intrenchments. We were engaged in strengthening our works for several days, using every conceivable device to render our position impregnable. The timber was felled in our front for a distance of 200 yards, and an abatis consti ucted through which it was impossible for a. line of battle to advance. On the night of the 26th instant (the Army of the Tennessee having marched from our left flank around to the right. thereby leaving our rear and left exposed) I was ordered to move my brigade to the rear about one and a half miles and take position in the rebel works, abandoned by them on the night of the 21st instant . These we strengthened and held until the 1st of August , when we were ordered to relieve a brigade of the Twenty-third Corps, directly on the left of the position we had previously occupied before Atlanta. Here the entire brigade, with the exception of the Fifty-first Ohio, which was kept in reserve, was put into the front line of trenches, and remained there until the night of the 25th instant . During this time I was frequently ordered to make demonstrations on the enemy's line, which I did with as much success as was possible, considering the ground on which I had to operate. On the 16th instant , pursuant to orders from the major-general commanding the Department of the Cumberland, the Eighty-fourth Indiana was transferred from this to the Third Brigade of the division. Universal regret was felt throughout my command on parting with the noble regiment which had so long and so honorably been associated wit i this brigade, and it carried with it the best wishes of all. The Fifty-ninth Illinois was assigned to this brigade in place of the Eighty-fourth Indiana. Its commanding officer, Colonel Post , although the ranking officer, declined taking command of the brigade, as he expected soon to be transferred to the Third Division of this corps. On the 18th orders for the transfer of the Fifty-ninth Illinois were received, and on the 19th instant it left the brigade, and was replaced by the Twenty-third Kentucky, Lieut. Col. G. W. Northup commanding. On the 25th instant orders were received to withdraw from our works quietly at night-fall and fall in with the column in rear of the First Brigade. At 8 o'clock we retired, and with so little noise that our own pickets were not aware when we left. All sick and convalescent men .and surplus wagons and horses having been sent off during the day the march was rapidly accomplished, and by 3 o'clock next morning we had crossed Proctor's Creek and made a temporary halt to allow the men a few hours' rest. Our pickets were withdrawn successfully at 12 o'clock that night by Lieutenant-Colonel Wood , Fifty-first Ohio, brigade officer of the day. In the morning the Twenty-third Kentucky was detailed for picket and did not afterward rejoin the brigade until the next day. On the 26th the brigade was detailed to guard the wagon train of the corps. We reached camp at 6 p. m. and bivouacked for the night in the vicinity of Sandtown. On the 27th we marched to Mount Gilead Church and went into position and builta line of works. Here we met for the first time since the movement commenced a body of the enemy, and skirmishing in lively style ensued between the opposing forces. At noon on the 28th we marched in the direction of the West Point railroad, and encamped at night near Red Oak Station. On the 29th I reported according to orders with my brigade to Brigadier-General Wood for the purpose of assisting in the destruction of the railroad. Under the direction of General Wood I moved about two miles toward East Point, where I threw the brigade into two lines on the left of the railroad, connecting with Carlin 's brigade, of the Fourteenth Corps, which was formed on the right of the road. The Twenty-first Kentucky was deployed as skirmishers and the Fortieth Ohio as flankers. We moved rapidly forward for a mile, driving before us a body of rebel cavalry, when by General Wood 's order I halted and held the enemy at bay while working parties destroyed the road. When the work of destruction was completed, I about-faced the brigade, retiring it in line, with flankers out and the skirmishers bringing up the rear. After passing inside the line of works I brought the brigade into column and returned to my former camp. On the 30th . we crossed the West Point road and pushed out in the direction of the Macon railroad. The enemy appeared on our left several times during the day, but were kept off by the flankers. On the 31st we again struck out for the Macon railroad, this brigade in advance. We had not proceeded far when brisk skirmishing ensued, and we discovered a strong line of works in our front. By order of General Kimball I formed my brigade in line and commenced the construction of works. Believing the enemy to be in weak force the skirmishers were ordered forward and soon drove the rebels from their works, which were found to be quite formidable. I brought up the brigade and massed it in the field inside of the rebel works, and waited for General Wood 's division to pass, which here took the advance of the corps. When he had got by I followed with the brigade, throwing the Fifty-first Ohio on my left as flankers. We marched some three or four miles and encamped at night in a position commanding the Macon railroad, and threw up a strong line of works. At daylight on the 1st of September we marched to the railroad and commenced its destruction, working southward. Late in the afternoon we had reached a point three miles from Jonesborough , having destroyed the railroad thoroughly as we advanced. Here we received orders to proceed toward Jonesborough and attack the enemy. This brigade being in rear of the division was held in reserve, and followed the movements of the division. Two regiments, however, the Fortieth :Ohio and Twenty-third Kentucky, were detached and sent to report to General Grose , commanding Third Brigade, and were placed by him so as to protect his left flank. These regiments rejoined the brigade that night at 10 o'clock. At daylight the 2d instant I was ordered to take position on the left of General Grose 's brigade, and attack the enemy in his works, but daylight disclosed the fact that the rebels had gone, and the movement was not made. We marched through Jonesborough and down the railroad until we again found the enemy intrenched near Lovejoy's Station. I was ordered to move on the left flank of General Grose 's brigade, which was deployed in line. The Ninety-sixth Illinois, Major Hicks commanding, was deployed as skirmishers on the left and in continuation of Grose 's skirmish line, and moved in conjunction with them. We moved forward, conforming to the movements of Grose 's brigade; the Fortieth Ohio was in advance of the column. While advancing across a marsh under a heavy fire, which swept the whole length of the column, Captain Matchett , commanding Fortieth Ohio, was wounded so as to disable him, and the command of that regiment devolved on Captain Kemper . On entering an open field near the enemy's position, General Wood took the responsibility of directing me .to throw three regiments into line and ordering a charge to the crest of the ridge in our front, which would give us a fine position, either for offensive or defensive movements. The charge was made under a storm of shot and shell, and a barricade was instantly thrown up on the crest of the ridge out of such materials as could be gathered on the ground. In gaining and holding this ground we lost severely in killed and wounded, owing to our nearness to the rebel works. I should not omit to say that when the brigade advanced to this position the skirmishers of the Ninety sixth Illinois charged gallantly and drove the enemy's skirmishers from their pits and occupied them.

On the night of the 5th instant I was ordered to withdraw my brigade at 8 o'clock and move toward Jonesborough. The night was rainy, and, except when the lightning flashed, it was impossible to see ten steps in advance. Owing to the rains of the 3d, 4th, and 5th instant , the roads were in a horrible condition, and the men actually waded for miles through mud knee-deep. It was a terrible night march, and the men, overcome with fatigue, straggled considerably. Near daylight in the morning we reached the position held on the night of the 1st instant , and here the brigade encamped until the morning of the 7th , when we marched in the direction and within eight miles of the city of Atlanta. On the 8th we marched through the streets of the city we had fought so hard and so long to possess, and proceeding two miles out on the Augusta railroad, we formed our line running parallel with it, facing south, and went into camp.

Subjoined is a list of casualties of the brigade since I assumed command of it; also a list of prisoners captured.

It affords me pleasure to acknowledge the valuable assistance rendered me on all occasions in the execution of orders and in every movement we have made by the regimental, field, and line officers of this brigade. My thanks are especially due to Colonel McClain , Fifty-first Ohio Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Evans , commanding Twenty-first Kentucky Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Northup , commanding Twenty-third Kentucky Volunteers; Lieutenant-Colonel Tassin , commanding Thirty-fifth Indiana Volunteers; Major Hicks , commanding Ninety-sixth Illinois Volunteers; Captain Matchett , commanding Fortieth Ohio Volunteers; Captain Humphrey , commanding Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, and Captain Taylor , commanding Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteers. They have shown themselves amid hardships and dangers to be brave, firm, persevering, and efficient officers, and deserve to be gratefully remembered of their country.

The medical corps, under direction of Dr. J. N. Beach , acting brigade surgeon, have been untiring in their endeavors to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded.

To my staff- Capt. H. F. Temple , acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. John North , inspector-general; Lieut. J. C. Peck , aidede-camp; Lieut. G. W. Pepoon , provost-marshal, and Lieut. J. R. Dean , controlling ambulances-my acknowledgments are due for their faithfulness and efficiency in the discharge of their manifold duties. They have been tried on many a field and their gallantry and fearlessness well attested.

Very respectfully,

J. E. Taylor, Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Capt. E. D. Imason , Asst. Adjt. Gen., First Division, Fourth Army Corps.

Inclosure no. 1.

List of prisoners captured by the Second brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, during the months of July and August, 1864 .

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Inclosure no. 2.

Report of casualties in Second brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps, from July 1, 1864 , to September 9, 1864 .

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J. E. Taylor, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.