No. 119. report of Col. William Sirwell , Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Infantry, of operations August 14 - 15 ( Wheeler 's raid).

Hdqrs. Seventy-Eighth Pennsylvania Vol. Infty., Chattanooga, August 20, 1864 .

Sir: In obedience to orders [received] from your headquarters Sunday noon, August 14, 1864 , I reported my entire command, then in camp (a portion of my command being on the railroad as train guard) at the Chattanooga depot, to Major-General Steedman , numbering 327 effective men. On reporting to General Steedman , he directed me to take the advance train and report to Colonel Streight , informing me that the enemy was in strong force at Dalton, Ga., under the command of the rebel Major-General Wheeler . On reaching Chickamauga Station, on Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad, I reported to Colonel Streight . He placed me in command of the Seventy-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Bonnaffon ; One hundred and eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Joseph Good , and Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Espy (my command now numbered 627 effective men), with instructions to move forward on Dalton as speedily as possible. On arriving at Tunnel Hill I disembarked my troops from the cars, procured two guides, and marched across Tunnel Hill along the road, then taking the railroad marched along it perhaps three miles, having previously thrown out my skirmishers and an advance guard. Up to this point, it being in the famous Buzzard Roost, nothing of importance took place. Here I received an order from Colonel Streight to halt my command and place them in position to meet the enemy and guard against any surprise that he might attempt. It being 2 a. m. and so dark that it would be imprudent to go any farther until daylight, I at once placed my command in line of battle, throwing out a heavy skirmish line to protect my front and flanks, with outposts some distance in front of the skirmish line. At this time two pieces of artillery reported to me, which were put in position ready for action. The ground at this place is rough, being the entrance from the south to Buzzard Roost, known as the place where the rebels had a culvert on the railroad closed that dammed the water up for the purpose of preventing the ingress of our army in May last. My command at this time was sufficient to cover the entire entrance to the Roost and repulse any force the enemy might bring against us. At daylight, as near now as I can recollect, say 7 a. m., the enemy not having made his appearance, General Steedman gave orders to assemble the troops and move forward as rapidly as possible. My command being assembled, placed in marching order, with two companies thrown forward as skirmishers, with an advance guard, the command marching along the road by the flank; on advancing about half a mile the advanced guard raised the rebel vedettes, which had the appearance of being very strong. I at once sent forward the Seventy-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry with instructions to deploy as skirmishers and press the enemy as hard as they could. The Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteers and One hundred and eighth Ohio Volunteers were placed in line of battle on the right-hand side of the road. At this time the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Troops were sent forward and took position on the left of my command, and sent forward one company to act as skirmishers and protect their flanks. Due preparations being made, the troops commenced to move forward, meeting the enemy in strong force, which is said to be about 3,000, driving him three miles, through Dalton, where the entire command halted in a very heavy rain that fell. In this movement the troops in the fort at Dalton were relieved, the destruction of the railroad prevented, and the rebels severely punished. The casualties of my command are as follows: In Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 5 privates wounded-3 severely and 2 slightly; One hundred and eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 4 enlisted men wounded-3 severely and 1 slightly; Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 1 private killed, 1 commissioned officer, supposed to be mortally, 3 men severely and 1 man slightly, wounded.

To the troops in my command, officers and enlisted men, I return my thanks for their bravery and promptness in obeying my commands. I cannot particularize as all are equally deserving of praise. I attribute the success of this engagement in defeating and putting to rout the rebel General Wheeler to Major-General Steedman and Colonel Streight , commanding the expedition, and their staff officers for their gentlemanly manner, efficiency in communicating orders to myself and command.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

William Sirwell, Col. 78th Regt. Pennsylvania Vol. Infty., Comdg . Brig.

Maj. S. B. Moe , Assistant Adjutant-General. District of the Etowah.