Hdqrs. Seventy-Fourth Ohio Vet. Vol. Infty., Jonesborough, Ga.,
September
4, 1864
.
Sir: I have the honor to make the following report of the Seventyfourth Regiment Ohio Veteran Infantry, from the
5th day of July
to the
15th day of August, 1864, during which time I was in command:
On the
5th day of July
I was ordered by
Colonel
Given
, commanding brigade, to deploy my regiment as skirmishers and advance the line, which I did in connection with a part of
the First Brigade; drove the enemy back to his line of works, situated on the north side of the Chattahoochee River.
Crossing the Atlanta and Western Railroad on the
9th of July
, the brigade had a sharp fight.
The regiment took position in the second line under fire, but did not get into the action.
On the
10th day of July
was again ordered on the skirmish line, but finding the enemy had evacuated the night previous, I was ordered to advance
my regiment as skirmishers to the river-bank, a distance of about two miles, which I did. Finding no enemy on the north side, I returned to camp, where I remained until
July
17
, when we marched and crossed the Chattahoochee at Pace's Ferry, and formed in line of battle.
Had slight skirmishing with the enemy, driving him before us to the bank of Nancy's Creek, where we halted for the night and built a line of works.
The next morning,
July
18
, marched by the right flank until ��� we crossed Nancy's Creek, when we formed line of battle on the right of the First Brigade; had slight skirmishing with the enemy in the afternoon; halted in the evening on the high ground near the north bank of
Peach Tree Creek, where we were ordered to build a strong line of works, which we did that night.
Halted there until the next night,
July
19
, when we marched out and took position to support the Second Division.
Before daybreak on the morning of
July
20
crossed Peach Tree Creek at Turner's Mill, formed line of battle, took a position with the brigade on the left of the First Brigade, but was soon relieved by the troops of the Twentieth Corps, when we moved to the right, and took a position in the second line, and was exposed to a severe shelling and fire of grape and canister, during which time my men built pretty substantial
works.
Remained there until the afternoon of
July
21
, when we took part in the advance of the lines, which resulted in driving the enemy from his first line of works in front of Atlanta.
The next morning,
July
22
, marched toward Atlanta.
When within about three miles of the city it was found that the enemy was confronting us. I was ordered by
Colonel
Moore
, commanding brigade, to deploy my regiment as skirmishers on the right of the line of the First Brigade, and advance the line, which I did, but soon ran against the enemy in force, and a portion of my line suffered considerably,
as will be shown by accompanying list.
My regiment was relieved on the
23d
, when we built a line of works, occupied them for some days, when we were relieved by a regiment of the First Brigade.
On
July
28
marched with the brigade to the extreme right as support to the Fifteenth Corps; built a line of works that night; was relieved on the morning of the
29th
, and marched back to the position we left in front of Atlanta.
Staid in front of the city, building works and advancing the lines until
August
15
, when I was relieved by
Col.
Josiah
Given
taking command.
Respectfully,
Captain Hicks , A. A. A. G., Third Brig., First Div., 14th Army Corps.
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