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.

This brigade-composed of the Ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Col. G. Kammerling; Second Regiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, Col. James George; Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Col. N. Gleason; Seventy-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. W. O'Brien; One hundred and first Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Thomas Doan; One hundred and fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. George T. Perkins; Thirty-fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Maj. Joseph L. Budd-under command of Col. F. Van Derveer, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, left Ringgold, Ga., May 7, 1864, and moved with the division to Tunnel Hill, thence in front of Buzzard Roost Gap, where it remained two days, but was not engaged. Thence on the 12th marched through Snake Creek Gap to Sugar Valley, and took position in line with the army, confronting the rebel works near Resaca, where the brigade [789] was under fire of the enemy's guns during the 14th and 15th, but was not engaged, except on the 14th, the Thirty-fifth Ohio being on the skirmish line. The fortifications of the enemy being evacuated on the night of the 15th, the brigade followed in pursuit of the enemy through Resaca, Calhoun, Adairsville, Kingston, to a position on the railroad near Cassville Station, and remained in camp three days. At this place the term of service of the Ninth Ohio having nearly expired, this regiment left the brigade. Having been supplied with rations and forage for twenty days, on the 23d the brigade, with the division, moved across the Etowah River; thence, guarding the transportation of the army, marched through Burnt Hickory; thence to Pumpkin Vine Creek, near Dallas, remaining one night. Returned with the transportation to Burnt Hickory, and camped until the 2d of June, when the division was ordered to the front. On the 3d the brigade took position in front of the enemy, on Pumpkin Vine Creek, east of Dallas, deployed in one line, and intrenched. The skirmishing was very active during the occupation of this position. The enemy having evacuated on the night of the 6th, the next morning the brigade moved to a point about three miles from Acworth and camped. June 10, moved to a position in front of Pine Mountain. June 11, moved forward and to the left about one and a half miles; formed in line of battle and camped, the skirmishers being engaged with the enemy. June 14, moved one mile south, skirmishing quite sharply with the enemy; lost several men; formed in line of battle and intrenched. June 15, the enemy having left our immediate front, the brigade moved forward about one mile and a quarter and intrenched, the skirmishers being engaged as the advance was made. June 17, the enemy slowly withdrawing, the brigade advanced and took position on a ridge held by the skirmishers, and again intrenched. Enemy's skirmishers made an attack about midnight, causing the brigade to stand to arms. June 18, advanced line by left wheel about a mile and intrenched under heavy fire of artillery and musketry. The Second Minnesota and Thirty-fifth Ohio advanced into an open field under a heavy fire from the enemy's main line4 of works, and thoroughly intrenched themselves, the lines then being so near that the musketry from our lines silenced, to a great extent, the enemy's artillery. The brigade lost quite severely in this movement. Enemy evacuated during the night. June 19, moved about one mile and took a position in front of Kenesaw Mountain, and intrenched, where the brigade lay under a heavy fire of artillery and sharp skirmishing, which continued daily. On the night of the 22d moved about one-fourth of a mile to the right and occupied a similar position, but nearer the enemy and more exposed to his fire. In making this movement the Second Minnesota Volunteers lost several men by shells. While occupying this position the men of the brigade were closely confined to their intrenchments on account of the severe shelling of the enemy. On the night of the 26th the brigade, with the division, moved some two or three miles to the right and bivouacked in rear of the Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. June 27, Col. F. Van Derveer, having been for some time in bad health and unfit for duty, received leave of absence. I assumed command of the brigade. An assault having been ordered upon the enemy's line by the Second Division, our division was ordered to support the assaulting column. My brigade formed in two lines, and moved forward in support of the Second Brigade, [790] Second Division, but the charge proving unsuccessful my command was not engagd with the enemy. Remained in camp at and near this position until July 3, when, the enemy having evacuated, we moved about five miles south of Marietta and camped.

July 4, received orders to proceed with my brigade to Marietta and garrison that town, with instructions to preserve public and private property as I found it. These orders were strictly and faithfully obeyed; besides, the brigade did a large amount of work in policing the town and doing guard and picket duty; in receiving and sending North a large number of factory employes from Roswell and other places. July 13, rejoined our division at Vining's Station. July 16, the Second Minnesota Veteran Volunteers detached and ordered to Marietta. July 17, crossed the Chattahoochee River and moved forward, crossing Peach Tree Creek on the night of the 19th; took a position on the ridge south of said creek and built intrenchments. July 20, my skirmishers moved forward and occupied the enemy's advanced works in our front. Afterward the Thirty-fifth Ohio was sent forward as skirmishers to hold said works with the intention of moving the front line of the brigade to said position. This regiment executed this movement in a very commendable manner, but not without considerable loss. Capt. L. F. Daugherty was instantly killed and several enlisted men wounded. Captain Daugherty was a worthy officer, having nearly completed his term of service. My brigade being relieved by a brigade from the First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, which came forward and occupied the position held by the Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers, I moved a short distance to the right, and remained in reserve in rear of our division. We were severely shelled during the engagement with the Twentieth Corps on our left, and had several casualties in the brigade. Lieut. Col. William O'Brien, Seventy-fifth Indiana, received a wound in the hand which resulted in the amputation of two fingers. July 21, moved forward, driving the enemy's skirmishers, and took position on a high ridge, and built intrenchments. During the night the enemy evacuated their works. July 22, moved forward with our division and took position in line of battle in front of Atlanta and built heavy intrenchments, where we remained under fire of the enemy's guns until the 3d of August, when, with the division, we moved about four miles to the right of Atlanta, and took position on the right flank of the army and again intrenched. The Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers detached August 2, their term of service having nearly expired.

August 4, I was ordered by the general commanding the division to move forward with my brigade in advance of the general line and reconnoiter the enemy's position. Forming my command in two lines, the One hundred and fifth Ohio and Eighty-seventh Indiana forming the front, the Seventy-fifth Indiana and One hundred and first Indiana the second line, I pushed forward with a heavy line of skirmishers in front and took two lines of the enemy's skirmish pits, capturing 25 prisoners. The advance was made to a point so near the enemy's main works as to fully develop his line. The object of the movement being accomplished, in obedience to orders the brigade returned to its old position. The brigade was under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry, having 26 casualties. August 5, the information obtained the evening previous developed the importance of advancing the line along the whole division front, but the enemy had occupied his old position with heavy re-enforcements [791] and, as afterward learned, with orders to hold the position at all events. Having a knowledge of the ground, a plan for the advance was arranged with the other brigades of the division, and a sudden assault upon the enemy's works with a heavy skirmish line, supported by a regiment from each of the brigades, resulted in taking the enemy's works and capturing about 140 prisoners by the division, 62 of whom were captured by my brigade. Our lines were immediately formed along the captured works, and strong breast-works built, but before they were completed the enemy opened a heavy artillery fire upon the brigade, but the advanced condition of our works afforded material protection. August 6, no change of position, but as the fire of the enemy's artillery was severe the work of strengthening the intrenchments was continued. The occupation of this position must be regarded as important, as it strengthened the line and resulted in its advancement for some distance on our right.

During the whole of this laborious and eventful campaign the officers and enlisted men of this brigade have at all times manifested that patience and cheerful attention to duty for which they have heretofore been so signally distinguished. Where all have done so well it would seem unjust to discriminate. I cannot, however, fail to commend the faithful conduct of Lieut. Col. W. O'Brien, commanding Seventy-fifth Indiana Volunteers; Lieut. Col. Thomas Doan, One hundred and first Indiana Volunteers; Lieut. Col. J. W. Bishop, Second Minnesota Veteran Volunteers; Lieut. Col. E. P. Hammond, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers; Lieut. Col. George T. Perkins, One hundred and fifth Ohio Volunteers, and Maj. Joseph L. Budd, Thirty-fifth Ohio Volunteers; also Maj. C. J. McCole, commanding Seventy-fifth Indiana Volunteers since July 20, and Maj. Charles G. Edwards, commanding One hundred and fifth Ohio Volunteers, in support of the skirmish line during the advance on August 5, and Maj. R. C. Sabin, Eighty-seventh Indiana Volunteers, commanding skirmish line, all of whom have handled their respective commands with promptness and ability. These officers deserve great credit for their gallant, strict, and faithful execution of orders on all occasions. There are many line officers and enlisted men who deserve special mention, but the limits of this report will only allow me to respectfully refer to the reports of regimental commanders. When the brigade left Ringgold the effective force numbered 2,549. Two regiments, the Ninth Ohio and Thirty-fifth Ohio, have left the brigade on account of the expiration of their term of service. The Second Minnesota is still absent. Effective force present in four regiments, 1,120.

Casualties of four regiments:

[792]

The casualties of the Second Minnesota and Thirty-fifth Ohio Regiments will bear a proportional average with the above regiments, including 1 officer in each regiment killed. The members of the brigade staff-Capt. Clinton A. Cilley, acting assistant adjutant-general; Capt. Samuel L'Hommedieu, assistant inspector-general; Capt. Sanford Fortner, provost-marshal; Capt. M. D. Ellis, topographical engineer; Lieut. C. C. Colborn, acting aide-de-camp; Lieut. W. H. Osborn, acting commissary of subsistence; Lieut. W. H. Conner, acting assistant quartermaster--have faithfully discharged the duties of their respective departments. Captains Cilley and L'Hommedieu having been absent since July 15, Captains Fortner and Ellis have performed their duties, the former that of acting assistant adjutantgeneral, the latter acting inspector, in a highly efficient manner.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

My command — the One hundred and first Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. Thomas Doan; Eighty-seventh Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Lieut. Col. E. P. Hammond; Seventy-fifth Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Maj. C. J. McCole; One hundred and fifth Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Lieut. Col. G. T. Perkins; Second Regiment Minnesota Veteran Volunteers, Lieut. Col. J. W. Bishop, the latter regiment rejoining the brigade August 20-remained in position as indicated in last report until August 10, when a brigade on our right was relieved by deploying the four regiments first mentioned on the front line. This new position was near and in plain view of the enemy's works. For several days in front of my command picket-firing ceased, during which time quite a number of deserters from the enemy came into our lines. August 18, ordered to strengthen the skirmish line and fire upon the enemy for two hours. This was executed vigorously, a portion of the line firing from the main works ; the enemy was seen to take from his line wounded men. August 19, moved my command at daylight one mile west on the Sandtown road; being relieved by troops of the Third Brigade of this division, returned to old position again at night; this movement was not discovered by the enemy. August 27, having been supplied with fifteen days rations and forage, my command moved with the division at daylight along the Sandtown road about three miles, and near Utoy Creek went into position; intrenched and camped for the night. August 28, marched at daylight; crossed the Atlanta and Alabama railroad about five miles west of the junction of this and the Macon railroad; moving about one mile south, went into position facing east; intrenched and camped. August 30, marched to near Couch's house, took position, intrenched, and camped until noon next day. August 31, marched to a position nearly one mile in advance [793] of the main line of the army near the Macon railroad, and intrenched. Detached the Seventy-fifth Indiana and sent it forward to said road to operate with other troops.

September 1, marched south on the road from Rough and Ready to Jonesborough and formed in position with the division, with the left of my line resting upon the railroad. I was immediately in rear of the Third Brigade, with the First Brigade on my right. My command was formed in an open field, the Eighty-seventh Indiana on the right and the Seventy-fifth Indiana on the left, in the front line; the One hundred and fifth Ohio and One hundred and first Indiana in the second line, and the Second Minnesota forming a third line in rear of the brigade center. The troops in front having driven the enemy through a belt of woods, I was ordered to follow the First Brigade by the flank. This was done, preserving the formation of my brigade as above described. When nearly through the woods, and as the First Brigade was filing to the right into position again, the attack in our front was heavy. Keeping my troops well closed up, when I had passed the woods I filed to the right into position with two lines at the same time, and occupied the line which the brigade in my front had just left. When I had swung into line my left rested upon the railroad as before. In this position my command commenced making temporary works, which was prosecuted under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the enemy. The assault of the Third Brigade having been made, the troops in my front moved forward so as to leave vacant one line, which had been occupied. I instantly moved my brigade forward and occupied that line, and this brought my command in support of a brigade (Colonel Moore's) of the First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps. In this position intrenchments were made, and we bivouacked for the night. Although not engaged with the enemy in the grand and successful assault of his works at Jonesborough, my command kept well closed up in support under a heavy fire of artillery, and did all as a supporting column that was required. Officers and enlisted men all behaved splendidly, and deserve great praise for the gallant and determined manner in which they moved forward to meet the enemy. The casualties of the brigade during this engagement were 1 killed and 7 wounded.

September 2, moved a half mile and camped. Afterward moved one mile and camped again, where the brigade remained until about noon on the 6th, when we marched two miles and formed in position in line of battle facing south. September 7, marched to Rough and Ready and camped in line of battle. September 8, marched and went into camp near Atlanta, taking position in line facing southward. No better evidence can be seen of the glorious success of the four months campaign, so brilliantly closed, than is discovered in the fine physical condition of the troops, as well as the glowing enthusiasm that pervades all camps.

The effective force of the five regiments herein mentioned when the brigade left Ringgold, Ga., May 7, 1864, was-commissioned officers, 100; enlisted men, 1,892; total, 1,992.

Casualties: Killed-commissioned officers, 2; enlisted men, 23; total, 25. Wounded-commissioned officers, 6; enlisted men, 156; total, 162. Missing-commissioned officers, none; enlisted men, 4; total, 4. Sent to the rear sick-commissioned .officers, 8; enlisted men, 354; total 362.

Effective force September 9-commissioned officers, 87; enlisted men, 1,491; total, 1,578. [794]

The number of men joined brigade is not shown in the above statement, which accounts for difference in aggregate. I again take pleasure in commending the gallant conduct of the commanding officers of regiments before enumerated, as well as the other officers and enlisted men of my command. All have nobly done their duty. The brigade staff-Capt. Clinton A. Cilley, assistant adjutant-general; Capt. M. D. Ellis, acting inspector-general; Capt. Sanford Fortner, provost-marshal; Lieut. Cora C. Colborn, acting aide-decamp; Lieut. W. H. Osborn, acting commissary of subsistence; Lieut. W. H. Conner, acting assistant quartermaster--have my thanks for the prompt and efficient discharge of their various duties, rendering such assistance as to make the command of this brigade a pleasure.

I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant,