No. 70. report of Capt. Eli F. Ritter , Seventy-ninth Indiana Infantry.

Hdqrs. Seventy-Ninth Regt. Indiana foot Vols., Near Atlanta, Ga., September 15, 1864 .

Captain: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Seventy-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteers in the campaign since leaving McDonald's Station, Tenn., May 3, 1864 , to the time of arrival at Atlanta, Ga., September 8, 1864 :

The regiment moved from McDonald's Station, Tenn., May 3, 1864 , under command of Col. Fred. Knefier , and belonged, as it does at present, to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps. It went into bivouac at Catoosa Springs, Ga., on the evening of the 5th , and remained until the morning of the 7th , when it moved with the brigade to Tunnel Hill, Ga. On May 8 , in front of Rocky Face Ridge, the regiment introduced its exercises for the campaign in a brisk skirmish with the enemy. Since that time it has taken an active part in all the movements, labors, skirmishes, and engagements of the brigade during the entire campaign. At Cassville, Ga., May 19 , the regiment, with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on the left and the Thirteenth Ohio Volunteers on the right, composed the rear line of the brigade, and though it did not become engaged with the enemy, Capt. John L. Hanna was badly wounded through the hand while advancing in line of battle. On the morning of May 20 the regiment went into bivouac near Cassville, Ga., and remained until the 23d, when, in compliance with orders, it moved with the brigade. The same day Colonel Knefler was ordered to take command of the brigade and Lieut. Col. Samuel P. Oyler to take command of the regiment. On the 27th day of May , at Pickett's Mills, near Dallas, Ga., the regiment was formed in the second line of the brigade, with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on the left and the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers on the right. The line was ordered to advance at once upon the enemy, which it did in good order, under a heavy fire of artillery. After advancing in the above order for near 500 yards, as the regiment reached the crest of a slight elevation, it was discovered that the line in front had been moved by the flank in extending the brigade line, and, the front being uncovered, the second line became immediately and heavily engaged with the enemy. The engagement began about 3 p. m. and continued three hours severely. The regiment advanced a short distance to the crest of a second hill, driving the enemy, and there, under a heavy fire of musketry, built a temporary line of rail works. In that position the regiment remained, keeping up a brisk fire and being partly sheltered by works until 11 o'clock at night, when the line was withdrawn by order of the brigade commander. In the action First Lieut. Thomas C. Batchelor was badly wounded and 3 men killed and 15 wounded. On the 18th day of June the entire regiment, with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, was placed on the skirmish line near Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and in advancing the line became warmly engaged with the enemy, which was kept up during the entire day, with the loss of 3 enlisted men killed and 7 wounded. On the 23d day of June the regiment was on picket near Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., and was ordered to advance the line and make a demonstration against the enemy's works, which resulted in the loss of Capt. Daniel W. Howe , severely wounded, 6 men killed and 17 wounded. On the 28th day of June Lieut. Col. Samuel P. Oyler was relieved from command on account of sickness and sent to hospital, and Maj. George W. Parker took command of the regiment. On the 19th day of July the regiment, with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers, was placed on the front line of the brigade and ordered to cross Peach Tree Creek at a point three miles north of Atlanta, Ga. , and attack the enemy on the opposite side. The movement was well executed and was most successful, and, except Maj. George W. Parker wounded, the loss to the regiment was very light. Major Parker being severely wounded, Capt. John G. Dunbar assumed command of the regiment. On the 21st day of July the regiment was ordered by the brigade commander to take a position in line with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on the left and the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers on the right, and fortify it at a point about three miles northeast of Atlanta, Ga. In fortifying the position the regiment was exposed to a constant fire from the enemy's skirmish pits and sustained considerable loss in enlisted men. As the enemy vacated their works in our front during the night of the 21st , the regiment moved with the brigade on the morning of the 22d. In the afternoon of the same day the regiment was ordered to take and fortify a position, in line with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on the left and the Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers on the right, about one mile and a half north of Atlanta, Ga. From that date until the 25th of August there was a continual skirmish between the pickets, and as the regiment had a daily detail on picket duty it sustained a slight loss in enlisted men. On the evening of August 25 the regiment was ordered by the brigade commander to abandon the works and move with the brigade. The regiment was with the brigade in all of the movements succeeding the above date, but was engaged in no skirmishes or actions requiring special notice until September 2 .

On the morning of September 2 , just at daylight, Capt. John G. Dunbar , who was commanding the regiment, was captured by the enemy while establishing a picket-line near Jonesborough, Ga., and I was ordered by Colonel Knefler , commanding the brigade, to take command of the regiment. In the afternoon of the same day, near Lovejoy's Station, Ga., I was ordered to form the regiment in the front line of the brigade, with the Ninth Kentucky Volunteers on the left and Nineteenth Ohio Volunteers on the right. The line was ordered to advance upon the enemy, and after advancing about one-half mile came upon their works. Orders were received to charge their works and were promptly obeyed, but the movement failed to be successful. The officers and men behaved gallantly in the charge, but, as they were unable to carry the works, they fell back a short distance to the cover of timber, where the regiment was reformed, and during the night, as ordered by the brigade commander, threw up a line of works. In the action Adjutant Thompson Dunn was killed, Quartermaster Jacob H. Colclazer , acting aidede-camp to Colonel Knefler , was severely wounded, and 5 enlisted men wounded. The loss in the regiment was very light, considering. The engagement, though very short, was very severe. On the evening of September 5 I received orders from the brigade commander to vacate the works at 8 o'clock of the same evening and move with the brigade in the direction of Atlanta, Ga. On the afternoon of September 8 I was ordered by Colonel Knefler , commanding the brigade, to go into camp with the regiment in the present location, two miles east of Atlanta, Ga.

The conduct of the officers of the regiment during the entire campaign has been worthy of great praise, and the enlisted men have behaved in the most soldier-like manner under all and the most trying circumstances.

The regiment entered upon the campaign on the 3d day of May with 3 field, 4 staff, and 13 line officers, and 300 enlisted men effective for duty, but went into the present camp on the 8th day of September with 2 staff (doctors) and 7 line officers and 163 enlisted men. including several men who have rejoined for duty from hospitals in the rear since the campaign began. This loss includes the killed, wounded, and sick.

The great change in regimental commanders that has taken place (the adjutant having been killed and myself having taken command only at the conclusion of the campaign) renders it impossible to make this report more complete.

A complete report of casualties for the campaign is herewith respectfully submitted. Nominal list (omitted) shows I officer and 15 men killed, 2 men died of wounds, 5 officers and 45 men wounded, and 1 officer captured; total, 69.

I am, captain, your obedient servant,

Eli F. Ritter, Capt., Comdg . Seventy-ninth Regt. Indiana Foot Vols. Capt. William S. S. Erb , Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Brig., 3d Div., 4th Army Corps.