The Atlanta (Georgia) Campaign: May 1 - September 8, 1864., Part I: General Report.
Maj. George B. Davis, Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Ed.

Captain: In accordance with instructions from brigade headquarters, I have the honor to report the operations of this battalion during the recent campaign in the State of Georgia.

The battalion marched from camp at Graysville, Ga., at 8 a. m. on 3d of May, 1864, about five miles, and to within one mile of Ringgold, at which point it remained until the morning of the 7th [589] May, when it moved through Hooker's Gap, about five miles to the front, and formed line of battle on the right of Tunnel Hill. The battalion was here detailed on outpost duty to guard a road leading into the rebel lines, and I detached two companies to reconnoiter; was relieved from this duty on the ensuing morning, when the battalion joined the brigade, moved to the front about one mile, occupied a ridge on front of Buzzard Roost Gap, and threw out one company as skirmishers to cover its front. On the afternoon of 9th of May the battalion was placed in position at the foot of the mountain on the right of gap, in which position it remained, exposed to the fire of the enemy's artillery and sharpshooters, until the morning of the 12th instant, when it marched through Snake Creek Gap, a distance of about eight miles. On the 13th moved at 11 a. m. from Sugar Valley, formed line of battle, and marched by the right of companies to the front, about four miles, through thick woods and underbrush; relieved after midnight and marched to the left and rear about one and a half miles, taking up a new position nearly at right angles with our former one. At 8 a. m. on 14th of May marched in line to the front, with one company thrown out in front of the battalion as skirmishers, and soon discovered a strong line of the enemy's skirmishers opposing our progress. The line was, by instructions, swung to the right and a charge made which drove the enemy and unmasked his fortified position on a ridge about 500 yards distant. The battalion on this day suffered a loss of 3 killed and 15 wounded. We were before sunset relieved by the Eleventh Michigan Volunteers; marched to the rear on the second line of the brigade, and threw up intrenchments. On the 15th, and after sunset, were ordered into the first line and directed to build works on our new position strong enough to resist field artillery, which duty was performed during the night. On the 16th, the enemy having evacuated his works, the battalion was marched three miles to Resaca. On the 17th crossed Oostenaula River, passed through a village named Calhoun, and marched about five miles beyond; distance marched during this day, ten miles. On the 18th the battalion went on duty as guard for division train, and bivouacked for the night near Adairsville; next day passed through village of Kingston and camped on its outskirts. On 21st relieved from duty with division train and joined brigade in camp, three miles south of Kingston, at which camp the battalion remnained until the 23d, on which date, the brigade having been detailed on duty as guard to corps train, we marched four miles to Etowah River. Next day relieved from said duty, and, marching five miles, joined division; afterward crossed creek at Hawkins', and camped on ridge. Moved from last-mentioned camp on 26th of May at 2 a. m. to Burnt Hickory, and thence several miles toward Dallas. On 27th marched in line of battle to the front several miles, .until 4 p. m., when the battalion moved by the left flank to Pumpkin Vine Creek, where we found the enemy in force; built intrenchments during the night. On the 29th the battalion was separated on the following duties: Captain Barnard, with three companies, A, B, and E, on picket; Lieutenant Leamy, with Companies C, F, G, H, and A, Second Battalion, skirmishing in front of position occupied by Second Battalion, Eighteenth Regiment U. S. Infantry; Captain Phelps, with a portion of Company D, filling a gap between two battalions on the front line of the brigade. On the 30th of May the remaining seventy men of the battalion were directed to cross [590] the creek, occupy and build works on a hill on the left of the brigade, a position not previously occupied by troops. Shortly after the specified works were commenced the enemy attacked the position, but were repulsed, with a loss to the battalion of 2 killed and 6 wounded. Was relieved from duty at this point on 2d of June, 1864. On the ensuing day relieved the First Battalion, Eighteenth U. S. Infantry, on first line of the brigade. On the morning of the 5th of June the rebels were found to have again vacated their works in our front. Marched on 6th about seven miles toward Big Shanty. Camped in thick woods. The battalion was employed until the 18th of June in digging rifle-pits, supporting batteries, performing the usual guard and picket duties, and in moving nearer to the line of railroad between Acworth and. Marietta. The enemy having left their position in front of Kenesaw, the battalion, on the 19th, took position near Kenesaw Mountain. On 22d relieved a portion of Whitaker's brigade, Fourth Corps. Lay in breast-works at this point until the 27th, during which time the battalion lost 4 killed and 3 wounded. Moved to the left on 2d of July, near Brush Mountain, and again on the morning of the 3d, in pursuit of the enemy, who, evacuating his works on the mountain, was hurrying toward the Chattahoochee. Marched through Marietta, and four miles south of it camped near the line of railroad. After sunset, built works on a height overlooking the enemy's position. On the forenoon of the 4th of July one-half of the battalion was directed to support Prescott's battery, the other half was placed on the picketline, the whole being under a heavy fire until sunset. On the 5th marched at 6 a. m. in pursuit of the enemy on road running parallel with line of railroad; encamped about one and a half miles from the Chattahoochee River. On 8th of July moved to the right into position on the left of Davis' division. On the 16th the battalion was on picket duty on the river. On 17th, at 5 p. m., marched one and a half miles to the left as rear guard of division train to Pace's Ferry. Crossed Chattahoochee next day, and joined the brigade. On 20th crossed Peach Tree Creek, and about 4 p. m. threw up breast-works under a heavy fire from the rebel artillery, and about sunset was marched four miles to the left to fill a gap between Fourth and Twentieth Corps; was employed on picket duty at this point until the morning of the 22d of July, when the battalion was directed to join the division. The Fourteenth Corps having been detailed to pursue the enemy, marched to within two miles of Atlanta, and found the enemy in strength. Crossed to the right of the railroad; built strong works with abatis. Defended these works until the 3d of August, when the battalion was marched about five miles, to the right of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and on the extreme right of the army. On 4th of August went skirmishing to the front and crossed Utoy Creek, and, on the morning of the succeeding day, built works near the Sandtown road. Marched after sunset to the left about two miles, and on the morning of the 6th relieved a portion of the Twenty-third Army Corps on our line of works. On 7th of August the battalion supported the first line of the brigade in a charge made upon the rebel rifle-pits, and at 7 p. m. relieved the Fifteenth U. S. Infantry in their position on front line. On 18th moved about five miles to the right to replace a portion of Twenty-third Corps, withdrawn to support or assist Kilpatrick's cavalry command in reaching and cutting the Montgomery railroad. Returned five miles to the left after sunset on the same day. On [591] 19th marched to the right the same distance as on the 18th, and returned to the old position at night-fall. On 26th of August the battalion was relieved from picket at 7 p. m., and marched five miles to the right. On 28th marched at 6 a. m. along the Sandtown road, and about eight miles to Montgomery railroad, about four miles south of East Point. On 29th moved one mile toward East Point, along the line of railroad; assisted in destroying the railroad-heating the rails and bending them, and burning the ties. On the 30th marched at 6 a. m. on the Rough and Ready road, the battalion being thrown forward as advance guard of the division; marched about 10 miles in a southeasterly direction.

On 1st of September continued the march, and when within one and a half miles of the Macon railroad the battalion was detailed as a picket to cover the brigade front. On the advance of the brigade, and when it formed line of battle to attack the enemy's works on our right, Companies D, F, G, H, and A, Second Battalion, were withdrawn from the picket-line and formed on the right of the brigade, Companies A, B, C, and E remaining on this line, by instructions from the brigade commander. Ninety-two recruits, who had lately joined the battalion and had never been drilled, were, by the same authority, not placed in the line of battle. Companies D, F, G, H, and A, Second Battalion, numbering 118 muskets, advanced with the brigade across the open field under the fire of the enemy, and on arriving at the foot of the height on which the enemy's works were situated were thrown into some confusion by having to pass through a swamp covered with thick underbrush. During this time it was found impossible to preserve the brigade alignment. There being no troops on my right, forming a portion of the attacking force, and my battalion being here greatly exposed to a fire from rebel sharpshooters posted in rifle-pits on a height on my right flank, I found it necessary to detach two companies to dislodge them, who captured 12 rebels and sent them to the rear. The battalion under my command advanced under a heavy fire and charged the enemy's works, and when the brigade was withdrawn from the contest it was reformed behind the crest of the hill. The following officers were present with the battalion on this occasion: First Lieuts. G. W. Johnson (slightly wounded), A. B. Carpenter, and Douglas Edwards (Lieut. J. J. Wagoner being in charge of the companies on the picket-line). These officers performed their duty with credit to themselves and to the service. The battalion lost on this day 4 killed, 12 wounded. After the battle of Jonesborough was terminated by the defeat and retreat of the enemy, the battalion was detailed on picket to cover the brigade front, from which duty it was relieved on the following morning, when it moved to Jonesborough and encamped. On 5th of September was detailed at 7 p. m. as guard for wagon train of Fifteenth Army Corps at Flint River. Was relieved on the next morning and returned to camp at Jonesborough; marched same day about I mile toward Atlanta, constructed works, and camped. On 7th of September moved within ten miles of Atlanta. On 8th camped about 4 p. m. about two miles from Atlanta. On 10th of September marched at sunset about one mile southwest of our former position, where the battalion is now in camp.

The total loss of the battalion during the period covered by this report is 14 killed, 56 wounded, 4 missing in action, and 2 captured by the enemy. [592]

I have given in this report a brief summary of the principal events of the campaign in which the battalion took a part. It does not and cannot include a description of the toil and harassing labor undergone by the battalion in common with the brigade at various periods during the campaign. I wish to express my satisfaction with the officers and enlisted men of my command for their cheerful and zealous compliance with my every order, shown alike in meeting the enemy or in the endurance of privation and fatigue. To this spirit we may ascribe the success which has crowned the efforts of our army.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to give, for the information of the brigade commander, a detailed report of the operations of this battalion on the 1st instant:

During the march of the brigade to the front from the position occupied by it on the 31st ultimo, and when within one mile of the Macon railroad, the battalion was detailed as a picket to cover the front of the brigade, which was at that time parallel with the line of railroad. Having deployed and reached a point near the railroad, I received orders to connect my line on the right with the skirmishers of the Second Division, then about 400 yards in rear and on the right of my line. When the brigade advanced and formed to the right for the purpose of assaulting the enemy's works on the hill, my line of pickets, excepting that portion connecting the right of the brigade with the left of General Morgan's division, was withdrawn, and formed on the right of the brigade, Companies A, B, C, and E, under command of First Lieut. J. J. Wagoner, remaining on the picket-line, Companies D, F, G, H, and A, Second Battalion, being formed on the brigade line. The last-mentioned companies, numbering 118 muskets, advanced with the brigade across the open field, under the fire of the enemy, and on arriving at the foot of the height on which the enemy's works were situated, were thrown into some confusion on account of their having to pass through a swamp covered with thick underbrush, during which time it was found impossible to preserve the brigade alignment. There being no troops on my right forming a portion of the attacking party, and my battalion being at this time exposed to an enfilading fire from the enemy's skirmishers posted in rifle-pits on. a height on my right flank, I found it necessary to detach two companies to dislodge them, who captured 12 rebels and sent them to the rear. The battalion, under my command, advanced up the height and charged the rebel works, and when the brigade was afterward withdrawn, it was reformed behind the crest of the hill. The recruits, ninetytwo in number, who have only lately joined the battalion, and, although armed, have never been drilled, were, by order of the [593] brigade commander, not placed on the line of battle. The casualties in the battalion during the day were as follows: Commissioned officers-wounded, 1. Enlisted men-killed, 4; wounded, 11; missing, 5; total, 20. Aggregate. 21.

First Lieut. G. W. Johnson (slightly wounded), First Lieut. A. B. Carpenter, and First Lieut. Douglas Edwards, acting adjutant, performed their duty with credit to themselves and to the service. The men behaved well.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,