Hdqrs. Battery M, First Ohio Vol. Light Arty.,
In the Field, near Atlanta, Ga.,
September
7, 1864
.
Captain: In obedience to instructions, I have the honor to submit the following as a report of the operations of this battery from
the
24th day of June, 1864, to the present day:
On the
25th day of June, 1864, this battery, in compliance with orders from department headquarters, commenced its march from Nashville, Tenn., to the front, arriving at Peach Tree Creek on the
21st of July
, and reporting to
Brigadier-General
Brannan
, chief of artillery, Department of the Cumberland, for orders.
On
July
22
battery was assigned to Fourth Army Corps, and was put in position on its front near Atlanta, and remained in position until
August
25
, when was ordered to withdraw from the front lines and prepare for a rapid march.
On
August
27
ordered to report to
Brigadier-General
Kimball
, commanding First Division, Fourth Army Corps; moved into position with the division and threw up works.
On next morning moved with the division about four miles, and again went into position and remained during the rest of the day and night.
On morning of the 29th were busily engaged throwing up works; put battery into position, and remained until next morning (30th), when was ordered to march with First Brigade, First Division, Fourth Army Corps.
Marched all day and arrived in camp after dark.
On morning of 31st battery moved with the First Division, Fourth Army Corps, and about 10 a. m. discovered the enemy.
Battery put in position, and after firing a few rounds ceased.
No response from the enemy.
About 1 p. m. moved into the enemy's works.
Went into camp about a mile and a half west of the Macon railroad.
On
September
1
moved with the division along the railroad till near Jonesborough, where battery was placed in position about half a mile to the left of railroad, and on a rise of ground.
Succeeded in silencing the enemy's artillery.
On the morning of the 2d moved into Jonesborough; then marched with the Artillery Brigade along the railroad to an open field on left of railroad, and near
Major-General
Thomas
' headquarters; went into camp for the night.
On morning of 3d battery ordered to take position on a rise of ground on the left of First Division, Fourth Corps, and in plain view of the enemy's works, distance about 600 yards; opened entire battery on enemy with very good effect, but was seriously annoyed by their sharpshooters.
Battery remained in position and kept up a constant fire on enemy's works for three days, losing 1 man killed and 2 wounded. At sundown on the 5th was ordered to withdraw, and marched all night with Artillery Brigade, and went into camp north of Jonesborough about three miles. On the
6th
battery moved with Artillery Brigade about half a mile and went into camp, where it remained until the morning of the 7th.
List of casualties during the campaign :
Nominal list (omitted) shows 1 killed, 5 wounded, and 2 missing; total 8.
The battery left Nashville, Tenn., with 4 commissioned officers and 142 enlisted men for duty, 110 horses, and 6 light 12-pounder guns.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
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William G. Thomas
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