This version of the website was created in 2025. See the Site Information Page for contact information, data downloads, and other details.
headquarters Fifty-First Illinois Infantry, Near
Atlanta, Ga.,
September
12, 1864
.
Captain: I have the honor to submit the following condensed report of operations of my command during the late
campaign:
Left Cleveland, Tenn.,
May
3
, and commenced skirmishing on the 5th at Buzzard Roost,
where, on the
9th
, part of the regiment participated in an unsuccessful charge on the enemy's works.
Had 2 men wounded at this point.
The enemy fell back on the night of the
12th
, and we passed through Dalton on the 13th in pursuit, and
engaged them at Resaca on the
14th
, losing
Captain
Lester
, killed, and 20 men wounded.
The enemy evacuated his works on the night of the
15th
, and we followed, skirmishing continually until the 19th, when we halted, and the whole army rested for
three days near Kingston.
Resumed the march on the
23d
, and found the enemy on the 25th near Dallas.
After eleven days skirmishing they retreated, and we rested three days near Acworth.
The casualties here (near Dallas) were 1 officer and 11 men
wounded.
Moved forward on the
9th of June
, and on the
15th
, being on the skirmish line, lost 1 officer and 12 men killed and wounded.
On the
17th
the enemy decamped to their intrenchments at Kenesaw,
where nothing except changes of line and light skirmishing occurred till the 27th, when we participated in an
assault on the enemy's line, losing 4 officers and 39 men. The losses from the 15th to this time were 11 men
killed and wounded.
The enemy left this line on the night of the
2d of July
, and we marched to the Chattahoochee without further hinderance than a show of resistance on the
4th
.
On the
10th
marched to Roswell, eighteen miles up the river, and
crossed, returning to our position in the corps on the
13th
, and again crossed the river on the
14th
, and rested three days. Marched on the 18th in support of the skirmish line.
On the
20th
supported and reenforced the Eighty-eighth Illinois, First Brigade.
Afterward formed line, facing to the rear, and built breast-works.
Casualties, 5 wounded. On the
22d
confronted the enemy in their fortifications around Atlanta, where we remained until the night of the
25th
, when we started on a raid, which resulted in the evacuation of Atlanta, on the night of the
1st of September
.
In the skirmish near Jonesborough on the 1st lost 2 men wounded,
and on the 2d near
Lovejoy
's, 3 men wounded.
Remained at
Lovejoy
's till the 5th; commenced a retrogade movement in the evening, regiment on picket, and marched in
triumph into Atlanta on the
8th
.
This is a brief outline of operations, and somewhat imperfect, owing to the fact that I have been in command
since
June
27
only.
I append a list of casualties during the campaign: Officers killed, 3; wounded, 5; total, 8.
Enlisted men killed, 22; wounded, 79; captured, 4; missing, 1; total, 106.
Aggregate, 114.
I am, captain, very truly, your obedient servant,
Captain Waterman , Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Third Brigade.