No. 167. report of Col. William A. Choate , Thirty-eighth Ohio Infantry, of operations May 10 - August 15 .

Hdqrs. Thirty-Eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Camp near Atlanta, Ga., August 15, 1864 .

Captain: In compliance with the order of the colonel commanding the brigade, I have the honor to submit the following report in brief of the operations of the Thirty-eighth Regiment Ohio Volunteers during the present campaign:

On the 10th day of May, 1864, left Ringgold, Ga., in pursuance of an order from brigade headquarters, and took up our line of march, with the balance of the brigade, for the front, where we arrived same evening, and moved into position directly in front of Buzzard Roost, the Thirty-eighth having the left of the front line. Remained in same position until the l2th, when we marched with the brigade as train escort to Villanow, where we went into camp for the night. On the 13th moved through Snake Creek Gap, a distance of seven miles, and went into camp for the night, and on the morning of the 14th joined our division, moving up during the day to the support of troops which engaged the enemy's forces. On the morning of the 15th moved to the right and went into position on the left of the front line of the brigade. The enemy evacuating their works in and around Resaca during the night of the 15th , the regiment was among the first to enter the town on the morning of the 16th. On the 17th and 18th took part in the pursuit of the enemy. On the 19th was detailed as train guard, joining the brigade late at night in their camp south of Kingston. The 20th, 21st, and 22d were spent in camp. On the morning of the 23d broke up camp, moved in the direction of Dallas; during the day forded the River Etowah, making altogether one of the hardest marches of the campaign. On the 24th moved out of camp, returned, pitched tents, and remained until the morning of the 26th , when we again took up the line of march, going into camp near Burnt Hickory. Passed the 27th in camp. Moved three miles to the front on the 28th ; returned again to a position near Burnt Hickory; went into camp, remaining in same camp until 1st of June , supposed to be guarding during the time the army transportation.

On the 1st of June moved to the front line near Dallas, and on the 2d went into position on the extreme front. From the 2d until the morning of the 5th took part with the brigade in building works and the skirmishing which resulted from advancing our lines, which led to the abandonment by the enemy of their works. The nights of the 4th and 5th were spent in camp. The 6th we marched to a position near Acworth and went into camp, where we rested until the 10th, when we again moved out to engage the enemy, which we found in strong position about four miles from camp. The regiment took part with the brigade in the various marches, countermarches, advance moves from right to left and left to right, the digging of intrenchments, and the various skirmishes embracing the time from the 10th until the night of the 19th , when the enemy again fell back to a strong position, their flanks extending to the right and left of Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta being covered by their center. On the 19th moved up with the brigade in front of Kenesaw Mountain. The brigade was held in reserve the 20th, 21st, and 22d. On the 22d , it might not be improperly noticed, a rebel shell wounded 2 commissioned officers and 5 enlisted men, 2 of the enlisted men receiving mortal wounds. On the night of the 22d moved up on to the front line in front of the mountain, where we remained until the night of the 26th , when we moved to the right. On the 27th , with the division, supported Davis , of our corps, and his assault upon the enemy's works. Remained in position in rear of Davis until the night of the 30th , when we again moved to the right, relieving the division commanded by General Geary , of the Twentieth Corps. Moved into position behind works and there remained without change until the morning of the 3d , when it was found that the rebels had again beat an inglorious retreat. Took part in the pursuit of the 3d, camped in sight of the enemy for the night, and spent the anniversary of American Independence in front of the rebel intrenchments, the rebels being inclined to make another stand before falling back to their line of defenses on the north bank of the Chattahoochee. On the morning of the 5th , however, to our surprise, the enemy had disappeared from our front; moved in pursuit with brigade and went into position near the railroad south of Vining's Station. From the 5th to the 8th took part in the various movements of the brigade, which developed the enemy's position and forced him to cross the river precipitately during the night of the 9th. The 10th we moved camp to the left and front of Vining's Station, where we remained until the 17th of July . During the time from July 10 to the 17th the regiment was supplied with clothing and had ample opportunities, which were not neglected, to clean up. The regiment also, to a very great extent, recovered from its fatigue which the hardships of the campaign had produced; especially were the recruits of the regiment, in a worn and exhausted condition, benefited by the rest. On the 17th of July crossed the Chattahoochee River with brigade, it being in rear of division and corps, and on the evening of the 19th advanced to a position on the south bank of Peach Tree Creek. From the 19th to the 22d took a prominent part in the movements of the brigade and army, which brought on the battle of the 20th and led to the advancement of the line to within easy range of the enemy's works, which they abandoned on the night of the 21st and fell back to their works in the immediate vicinity of Atlanta. Moved up on the 22d to a position in the direct front of Atlanta, where we built works and remained until the 2d instant , when, under orders, we moved with the brigade to the extreme right and went into position.

From the 3d to. the 6th it is unnecessary to detail operations, for they are familiar to the commanding officer of the brigade. It might, however, be mentioned that we supported the skirmishers on the advancement of the line on the 5th instant , and in so doing met with quite serious loss, both in commissioned officers and enlisted men. It is presumed that this report is intended to be but a brief summary or memoranda of this regiment during the campaign, hence details have not been entered into, nor the operations mentioned enlarged upon. Copious extracts might be furnished from the journals of the regiment showing the character and diversity of country over which we had passed, and full and accurate descriptions given of the various skirmishes and battles in which this regiment has taken part, either directly or in the way of support; nor is it presumed that it is expected that distinctions will be made as between meritorious officers, or enlisted men, all of whom, I am only too proud to say, behaved with great gallantry under all circumstances during this campaign and bore up under the exposures and hardships incident thereto with commendable fortitude. It is believed that the heroism displayed by our soldiers in this ever-tobe-memorable campaign is unequaled in the history of the world, and is of a higher type than has yet been displayed in our efforts to crush out this great rebellion, which seeks to overthrow the best Government the world ever saw. The losses of our regiment have been as follows, to wit: In front of Resaca, 1 killed, 2 wounded; near Dallas, I killed, 6 wounded; Kenesaw Mountain, 1 killed, 16 wounded; near Chattahoochee River, 6 wounded, 1 missing; south of Peach Tree Creek, 2 wounded; near railroad in front of Atlanta, 1 killed, 5 wounded; on right wing of army near Atlanta, 4 killed, 41 wounded, making an aggregate of 87, 8 of whom were killed and 78 wounded and 1 missing. Of the above 5 were commissioned officers wounded, among whom were Major Irving , severely, and Captain Gilbert and Lieutenant McQuillen , severely. The total loss of regiment to date has been 121 killed and wounded, but the losses to 6th instant are as above stated. In closing this report I must be allowed to express my thanks to the colonel commanding the brigade and his staff for the uniform courtesy and kindness with which they have not only treated myself, but also the officers and men of my command, during the entire campaign, extending now over a period of 100 days.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Wm. A. Choate, Colonel, Comdg . Thirty-eighth Ohio Vol. Infantry. Capt. W. F. Spofford , A. A. . G., 3d Brig., 3d Div., 14th Army Corps