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.

Colonel: I have the honor to transmit report of casualties sustained by my division in engagement of yesterday.

I will proceed to give a more perfect account of the action. With a heavy skirmish line the ridge, one-half [mile] wide, in front of our works was taken. General Kimball's brigade moved up to the skirmish line and formed on the right-hand side of the road, Colonel Blake on the left; Colonel Bradley was along the road perpendicular to their position in order of march. As soon as Kimball's and Blake's brigades reached the top of the ridge they commenced naturally to throw up log and rail barricades, and, as the result proved, providentially. When my line of battle was formed and my troops well in hand, I ordered the skirmish line forward. They had not advanced over 150 yards before they met the enemy in front. At the same time the enemy threw one division around my left and rear. This attack was repulsed, the details of which I will give hereafter. The fire had scarcely subsided on my left and rear when it broke out on my front and right flank where Kimball held. The enemy came completely around his right front. He made a return of his flank and drove them laterally in front of the Twentieth Corps, one division of which was then advancing to connect with me. From this time until sundown it was a succession of attacks on my right, left, and center, so rapid that I could not keep account of them, showing that the enemy were in strong force and well handled. The only thing that troubled me was that I did not have half men enough to hold the ground assaulted, even in one line, and I was obliged to move regiments from place to place as the attack was made, and several times strong attacks were repulsed by artillery and a few stragglers collected to support them. I had but 2,700 men in line. I had several regiments on the north side of Peach Tree Creek which did good service in preventing the enemy crossing the creek and capturing our trains. From the best and most reasonable accounts I can gather, we were attacked as follows: Bate's division on my left and rear, Walker's on my left front, and Cleburne to the right and rear. The position I held was a key point, which accounts for the vigorous attack made upon me. If I had [291] been driven across the creek Hooker's left flank would have been entirely exposed and serious consequences ensued. The enemy were completely astonished to find, half completed barricades on the hill which we had just taken and which they imagined was only occupied by a skirmish line.

I am ordered by General Thomas to make no further advance until I connect with General Wood on my left.

I am, colonel, very respectfully,

Report of casualties in Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, in action of July 20, 1864, on Peach Tree Creek, Ga.

Respectfully submitted.

Tuesday, May 3, the division marched from Cleveland to Red Clay. May 4, marched from Red Clay to Catoosa Springs. May 5 and 6, remained at Catoosa Springs in position. May 7, marched from Catoosa Springs to Tunnel Hill, this division following a road on the left flank of that pursued by the other divisions of the corps, and took position on that road until relieved by the Twenty-third Corps; after this followed the First and Third Divisions to the neighborhood of Tunnel Hill, where it was posted in reserve. Sunday, May 8, Harker's brigade was ordered to ascend to the northern extremity of Rocky Face Ridge, the One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry (Colonel Opdycke) clearing the way as skirmishers, which being effectually done, the whole brigade ascended [292] to the summit. The summit was a sharp ridge, never wider than the room occupied by four men abreast, and oftentimes so narrow and obstructed by bowlders that men in single file could with difficulty climb over the obstacles. The enemy, protected by natural and artificial impediments, steadily resisted the advance of the brigade until dark, General Harker gaining about three-fourths of a mile of the crest. At night one piece of Battery M, First Illinois Artillery, was moved on the ridge, ready to open on the enemy's rock barricades in the morning. General Schofield having arrived on the ground mean time, one brigade of his army was moved on the crest, and took its place in General Harker's rear. May 9, Schofield having withdrawn his troops from the ridge to make a demonstration with his whole corps in the valley on the east side of Rocky Face, the remainder of my division was pushed to the top of Rocky Face Ridge, forming immediately behind General Harker. General Harker opened with his piece of artillery at daybreak and charged the enemy, driving them gallantly until they found shelter behind their main line of works on the top of the ridge. The whole extent of the ridge occupied by us amounted to about a mile and threequarters. From the ground thus gained the lines of the enemy on the east of Rocky Face could be distinctly seen. Their position was good and well fortified, running off at right angles with the general direction of Rocky Face. General Schofield having driven the enemy's skirmishers into their works in the valley, it was arranged that he should then attack while I attacked the enemy's works on the eastern slope of the ridge and on the top, General Wagner's brigade being displayed on the eastern slope for this purpose. General Harker on the top of the ridge was not to attack till an impression had been made by the other columns. General Wagner, in advancing, found his farther progress impeded by an impassable ravine, on the opposite side of which the enemy had a line of intrenchments, receiving a heavy fire from the enemy in the mean time. The leading regiment of General Harker's brigade, without waiting for the partial success of the other attacks, prematurely advanced, and the column naturally followed. They carried the work immediately in front of them with heavy loss, marching by the flank, but found themselves confronted by another and stronger work on an eminence commanding the one they had taken. They held this position for some time, but farther progress being impossible, fell back somewhat, retaining about 100 yards of the ground they had gained. Colonel McIlvain, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was killed in this charge, Colonel Buckner, Seventy-ninth Illinois, and Lieutenant-Colonel Bullitt, Third Kentucky,wounded, and the names of many other brave officers and men close the list of casualties on this day. This day's operations demonstrated the enemy's position on the slope and crest of the ridge to be impregnable. General Harker and the officers and men of his brigade highly distinguished themselves for gallantry and good conduct. May 10, no change made except in the relative positions of the brigades, Wagner being ordered to the front; sharp picket-firing all day. May 11, no change, except that Sherman's brigade relieved Wagner; picket-firing all day. May 12, General Schofield being withdrawn and sent toward the right, and the Fourth Corps forming the left flank of the army, Sherman's brigade, of my division, was left on the top of Rocky Face, the other brigades being withdrawn and placed in defensible positions on the flank of the army, General Stoneman's cavalry [293] being also on my left to observe the enemy and cover the flank. The enemy moved out a heavy force, threatening our left, which was first observed toward noon, composed of over twenty regiments of infantry and a large body of cavalry. General Stoneman was attacked, his pickets and front line being compelled to fall back. At this time I contracted my lines to get a better defense, and finding my force still insufficient called on General Wood for one brigade, as I had been instructed to do in such a case by General Howard. This brigade arrived promptly, with General Wood himself, and closed a gap in my line. The enemy, apparently satisfied with a demonstration merely, retired without attack. May 13, the enemy having evacuated the night previous, my division took up the line of march for Dalton, General Stanley's division being in the lead; marched from thence and encamped in Sugar Creek Valley. May 14, my division marched to the right (the other two divisions of the corps being to the left), and was directed to form in reserve behind the Twenty-third Corps, which was done. The Twenty-third Corps becoming heavily engaged with the enemy in force in front of Resaca. I was ordered forward, by General Thomas, to form on the left and rear of the Twenty-third Corps. Shortly afterward Harker's brigade was ordered into the fight to relieve a portion of the Twenty-third Corps, which was gallantly done under a severe and destructive fire of the enemy. The position just taken by Harker was a short distance in advance of their line of intrenchments and commanded by them, and it was only by taking advantage of every little inequality of the ground that the brigade could maintain its position. In the meanwhile, General Wood having come up and connected with my left, a general advance of his division and mine was ordered, and my other two brigades were posted on the wooded heights overlooking the valley in which Harker was engaged. Colonel Sherman's brigade was ordered, toward the close of the afternoon, to relieve General Harker. Our loss was considerable in Harker's and Sherman's brigades. Among the wounded were General Harker and Colonel Opdycke, One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, both of whom refused to quit the field and remained on duty till they recovered. The enemy's artillery fire being annoying during the night, eleven guns belonging to my division were put into position on the bald hills to the right of the woods, forming the right of my line. Sunday, May 15, General Schofield's command having been withdrawn during the previous afternoon and night, I found in the morning my right connecting with the Fourteenth Corps. My artillery opened and soon silenced that of the enemy, from which we experienced no further annoyance. Wagner's brigade was moved in to relieve Sherman's. At 11.30 p. m. a heavy fire of musketry was opened all along our lines (it is uncertain whether the rebels or ourselves commenced it) and continued for some time. May 16, the enemy having evacuated during the night, we marched to Resaca. As soon as the bridge, partially destroyed by the rebels, was repaired, we crossed the Oostenaula River, and advanced toward Calhoun, General Harker's brigade leading and skirmishing the whole of the way with the enemy's cavalry. We rested at Calhoun that night. May 17, advanced toward Adairsville from Calhoun, Sherman's brigade leading. From this point till late in the afternoon heavy skirmishing with a large body of the enemy's cavalry, who intrenched themselves in every strong position along the road, from which they were successively [294] dislodged. At length, two and a half miles from Adairsville, we came on the enemy's infantry, when the whole of Sherman's brigade was engaged, and one or two regiments of the Thi d Brigade. The firing was very sharp till after night-fall. Sherman's brigade lost considerably. May 18, the enemy having retreated in the night, I marched to Adairsville, abreast with General Wood's column, finding at a short distance from the engagement of the day before the enemy's lines of battle intrenched. After a long halt at Adairsville, I marched on a parallel road with General Wood and encamped about three miles from Kingston. May 19, marched toward Kingston, my division being third in order of march. Between one and two miles beyond Kingston, General Stanley leading, became engaged with the enemy; General Wood's division becoming engaged likewise, I was ordered to hold my division in reserve. I was not engaged this day, but from the changes of position demanded by the varying circumstances of the day, my men became greatly fatigued. At length, toward night-fall, I was ordered to form on the left of General Stanley, connecting with the Twentieth Corps, only a portion of General Stanley's division being able to find a place in the line. I went into camp for the night just in the rear of the line. May 20, the enemy retreated during the night previous, and this day, the 21st, and 22d were devoted to refitting the troops. Monday, 23d, started at 1 p. m. and proceeded by way of Saltpetre Cave to Gillem's Bridge, where we crossed the Etowah, third in order of march. Advanced three miles beyond the river and encamped at 11 p. m. May 24, marched to Burnt Hickory, second in order of march. May 25, took the road toward New Hope Church, crossing the bridge over Pumpkin Vine Creek, in rear of Williams' division, Twentieth Corps, my division leading the Fourth Corps. Advanced to the neighborhood of New Hope Church, but did not participate in the conflict, though Kimball's (First) brigade was formed on the left of the road in readiness for such an event. About night-fall the whole division was formed in line on the left of the road. May 26, reformed my lines and intrenched within eightyfive paces of the enemy's works; placed Goodspeed's battery (A, First Ohio) on the right of my line, relieving one of General Stanley's batteries posted there. From this date until the evacuation of the enemy on the night of June 4 there was continual skirmishing and demonstrations on my line. We lost many men in these operations by sharpshooters, and from the fact that our camps were exposed to the enemy's fire. It was a period of unprecedented fatigue and watchfulness on the part of officers and men, the behavior of whom was admirable. June 5, remained in the same position. June 6, marched to Morris' Hill Church, bringing up the rear of the corps, and leaving Kimball's brigade behind to guard and bring up the corps hospitals. June 7, General Kimball having performed this duty, rejoined the division. He had several skirmishes with the enemy's cavalry. June 8 and 9, remained in camp. June 10, marched to a position in front of Pine Mountain, taking position to the right and rear of General Stanley's division. June 11, 12, 13, and 14, skirmishing and changes of position. The enemy retired on the night of the 14th. June 15, the corps was ordered to attack the enemy in his new position, my division to lead. Division was formed in column of attack, preceded by three regiments deployed as skirmishers, under command of Colonel Bradley, Fifty-first Illinois, who conducted the advance with great skill. [295] The enemy's skirmishers were steadily driven out of skirmish pits in strong positions, and forced back to their main line of works, the strength of which, in the opinion of General Howard, forbade an attack with my main force. The division encamped for the night within 700 yards of the enemy's works, General Stanley's division on the right, the Fourth Corps on the left. June 16, advanced the left of my position; the enemy retired at night. June 17, advanced, following General Wood's division, about 400 yards. In the afternoon went into position on his left, strengthened my skirmish line, which, under charge of Colonel Lane, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, gallantly advanced across an open field, and carried the enemy's skirmish pits. June 18, skirmishers, under command of Colonel Bartleson, One hundredth Illinois, advanced a considerable distance to the high ridge beyond Muddy Creek, driving by a most gallant charge the enemy's skirmishers from behind their main line of works, where they had posted themselves in considerable numbers. The whole division was then advanced, during a violent rainstorm, to the high ridge, and posted on the skirmish line, directly under the fire from the enemy's line of works. Portions of the division had to maintain an incessant fire during the day, to keep down the enemy's infantry and eight guns he had in position. The fire of the latter would have been very destructive to our troops. Our loss this day was very large. The enemy retired in the night to their position at Kenesaw. June 19, advanced, General Stanley's division leading; my skirmish line, under Colonel Miller, Thirtysixth Illinois, was thrown out well to the left, to cover the movement, the Fourteenth Corps not having come up. Colonel Miller had severe skirmishing with the enemy, through the dense undergrowth; captured many of them. I came into position on the left of Stanley. June 20, remained in position; had a sharp artillery duel in the afternoon, Goodspeed's and Spencer's batteries silencing two of the enemy's batteries. Was relieved toward night by King's division, Fourteenth Corps. June 21, moved to the right, and relieved part of the Twentieth Corps. General Wood, on our left, having advanced, our lines were moved forward about 200 yards, and connected] with him. June 22, skirmish line was re-enforced, and, under command of Colonel Bradley, advanced, driving the enemy's skirmishers from their pits into the main line. The enemy's position behind a strong line of works was plainly determined by this advance. Our skirmish line lost very heavily this day. June 23, skirmish line again advanced under Colonel Bartleson; drove in the enemy's pickets as before. The gallant Colonel Bartleson was killed. From this time until the 27th no operations took place beyond changing and adjusting the lines, and skirmishes and demonstrations. June 27, my division was ordered to assault the enemy's lines before Kenesaw, in front of the position held by General Stanley's division. The formation prescribed by General Howard was in two columns, composed of divisions closed in mass. Accordingly, General Harker's brigade was formed on the right in one column closed in mass: General Wagner's and General Kimball's on the left in one column closed in mass. The columns were preceded by a strong line of skirmishers, under command of Colonel Opdycke, One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. At about 9 a. m. the skirmishers advanced, gallantly driving the enemy's pickets into the works, the columns immediately following them. General Harker's [296] brigade advanced through dense undergrowth, through the slashing and abatis made by the enemy, in the face of their fire, to the foot of their works, but were unable to get in, and fell back a short distance. General Wagner's brigade passed through similar obstacles, and were compelled to stop their advance a short distance from the enemy's works. General Harker then attempted another advance, and in the act this gallant and distinguished officer was killed. After a short respite General Kimball's brigade was ordered to advance. It moved to the front gallantly to the foot of the enemy's works, when his command was retired. It having been demonstrated that the enemy's works were too strong to be taken, the division was withdrawn, leaving our pickets in the captured rifle-pits, where they were afterward relieved by General Stanley's division. Apart from the strength of the enemy's lines, and the numerous obstacles which they had accumulated in front of their works, our want of success is in a great degree to be attributed to the thickets and undergrowth, which effectually broke up the formation of our columns and deprived that formation of the momentum which was expected of it. Beside the enemy's musketry our troops were exp9sed to a heavy fire of canister and case-shot. Colonel Miller, Thirty-sixth Illinois, was mortally wounded; Lieutenant-Colonel Chandler, Eighty-eighth Illinois, was killed; Lieutenant-Colonel Kerr, Seventy-fourth Illinois, after receiving a mortal wound, still led his men to the foot of the works, where he was taken prisoner. The loss of the division in the assault was 654 killed and wounded. It is no injustice to the claims of others to state that General Kimball, commanding First Brigade; Colonel Bradley, commanding Fiftyfirst Illinois; Colonel Opdycke, commanding One hundred and twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Colonel Lane, Ninetyseventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, distinguished themselves by their conduct on this occasion. From this time until July 2 the division remained in old camp. July 2, moved to the left and relieved General Wood. On this night the enemy retired. July 3, marched through Marietta, General Stanley leading. Formed at Neal Dow Station, to the left and rear of General Stanley's division, which had encountered the enemy there. July 4, moved forward and formed on the left of General Stanley, who had advanced his skirmish and main lines, took some of the enemy's rifle-pits and captured prisoners. The enemy retired this night. July 5, marched, following General Wood, who had a skirmish with the enemy's cavalry near Pace's Ferry, driving them over it. Encamped near Vining's Station, in reserve. July 6, remained in camp. July 7, moved camp, our left resting on Rottenwood Creek. July 8, remained in camp. July 9, marched to Roswell to support Garrard's cavalry and occupy any ground they had gained after crossing the river. Crossed the river about dusk at Shallow Ford and relieved the cavalry, who recrossed to the north side, except their picket in front. July 10, adjusted our lines and made a t~te-de-pont. General Dodge, with two divisions of the Sixteenth Corps, arrived to-day and relieved our front line. July 11, recrossed the river and went into camp on hills near Shallow Ford. July 12, moved back to our old camp at Rottenwood Creek. July 13, crossed the river at Powers' Ferry, and formed on the left of General Wood. Remained in this position till the 18th. July 18, moved to Buck Head, my division in advance. Encountered the enemy's cavalry at Nancy's Creek and skirmished all the way with [297] them, Colonel Opdycke commanding skirmishers. Encamped at Buck Head. July 19, sent out a reconnaissance on a road leading to Decatur, and found the enemy at one of the forks of Peach Tree Creek. At 6 p. m. the division moved to Peach Tree Creek. Kimball's brigade was sent over to re-enforce one of General Wood's brigades across the creek. July 20, General Wood's division having been ordered to recross the creek and move to the left, the whole of my division was thrown over Peach Tree Creek, taking position in the intrenchments left by General Wood. I was informed by General Howard that I was to consider myself detached from the corps for that day, and was to receive orders from General Thomas, who arrived upon the ground about noon. My orders were, as soon as the Twentieth Corps had crossed the creek and effected a junction with me, to advance on the main road to Atlanta. The junction having been completed, at 1 p. m. a strong skirmish line of five regiments, under Colonel Barrett, Forty-fourth Illinois, was ordered forward to take the next ridge in our front. This was handsomely done, and the division moved forward to the skirmish line, General Kimball's brigade taking post on the right of the road, the Second Brigade, under Colonel Blake, on the left of the road, four pieces of Goodspeed's battery being placed between these brigades on the road. Colonel Bradley's (Third) brigade formed along the road, nearly perpendicular to the line of the other two brigades. The formation was as near as possible that of a T, Bradley's brigade forming the tail of it. The men of Kimball's and Blake's brigades at once set toward making log and rail barricades. The old skirmish line was relieved by a new detail of three regiments, under Colonel Conrad, Fifteenth Missouri. The Fifty-seventh Indiana was sent along the ridge to my left as far as Pea Vine Creek to scout and watch for any approach of the enemy from that quarter. The One hundredth Illinois, to my left and rear, was in the bottom land, in the angle between Peach Tree and Pea Vine Creeks, skirmishing with the enemy on the other side of Pea Vine. Everything being ready for an advance, the skirmishers, under Colonel Conrad, were thrown forward. Immediately on moving they encountered a sharp fire from the enemy's pickets, but they pressed forward until they came in contact with an almost continuous line of skirmish pits. Colonel Conrad sent back a report that he had found the enemy in force. This was immediately communicated to General Thomas, who ordered me to remain where I was for the day and intrench. Directly after the enemy made an attack on us in columns and lines, passing through our front skirmish line, which fell back on our main lines. The Fiftyseventh and One hundredth Illinois, however, on our flank and rear, being cut off by this movement, recrossed Peach Tree Creek and took position on the north bank, where they did valuable service in repelling the attempts of small bodies of the enemy to cross the creek and get at our trains. The enemy attacked my position by divisions obliquely in echelon. Bate's (rebel) division passed clear of my left through the woods and emerged into the bottom land, between Peach Tree and Pea Vine Creeks, evidently aiming at the bridge. I had fortunately kept two guns of Goodspeed's battery in the rear, on the road, at the angle of the works vacated by General Wood. With these guns, which I put into position, and a few of the pickets who had been driven in alongside of them, this column of Bate's was checked and driven back into the woods. At the [298] same time Walker's (rebel) division attacked my left and center, and almost immediately after another heavy column (Cheatham's, I think) attacked Kimball's right, which at this time was 500 or 600 yards in the advance of General Hooker's line of battle. A portion of the enemy passing around Kimball's right, he was compelled to take a regiment from his line of battle and form against them, this regiment, firing into their flank, dispersing them and driving them off to the right. On the left of Blake's brigade the enemy's column succeeded in getting around his flank. Colonel Lane, Ninety-seventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry, ordered the pioneers of the brigade to fire into them, fix bayonets and charge, which was done, and the column dispersed. Colonel Bradley, from the road, threw forward some of his regiments to the support of Blake's left, connecting him with the road upon which the rest of his brigade was. The enemy advanced quite near the road, but were repulsed by Bradley's (Third) brigade, who employed their leisure time in throwing up a barricade along the road. This first attack lasted about thirty minutes before it was finally repelled. In the mean time Bate's division attempted another movement to our rear. Spencer's battery of four guns had arrived and was in position, besides the section of Goodspeed's in the rear, and a battery of the Twentieth Corps, which happened to cross at the same bridge I used, had gone into position, as I understood, under the immediate supervision of General Thomas. This force easily repulsed the attempt of the enemy. The Twentieth Corps was not in position on the ridge when the attack commenced on me, and they had barely time to get there before the enemy, if, indeed, the enemy did not a little anticipate them.

The attack on this corps began after my division had been engaged some fifteen minutes. After the first attack until sundown the enemy made frequent attacks on my line, though none so severe as the first, and a constant fire had to be kept up along my lines until dark. Owing to the partial protection of the rail barricades, and the fine natural position, my loss was very slight, amounting to 102 casualties, of whom 6 were reported missing. During this fight my division held the left of the troops engaged. I do not know the interval which separated me from the rest of the corps, but I think it was about two miles. The importance of the position held by my division cannot be too highly estimated, composed of a ridge nearly parallel to Peach Tree Creek, its left termination being on Pea Vine, and its right extending, I think, indefinitely. Connecting the bridge with this ridge was a spur, on the summit of which the road ran nearly at right angles with the ridge. On each side of the spur was low, rolling ground, commanded by the spur. Had the enemy obtained this position the right wing of the army would probably have been rolled back into the angle between Peach Tree Creek and the Chattahoochee, and entirely separated from the left and center. The road to Buck Head would have been in the enemy's possession, and, beside the destruction of material, a heavy loss in men would have been the result of such disaster. During all this time I had but a single line, and even that was not sufficient to cover the space enveloped by the enemy, but regiments frequently had to be moved from point to point to meet some exigency. Among those who highly distinguished themselves on this day I mention the names of General Kimball, Colonel Bradley, and [299] Colonel Blake, commanding brigades, and Colonel Lane, Ninetyseventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry. July 21, the day was devoted to rest, and to the burial of the dead. In the afternoon a reconnaissance was made by Colonel Lane, which developed the enemy in respectable force. In the night the enemy retired to Atlanta. July 22, marched on the road toward Atlanta, my division coming in rear of the corps, and took post on both sides of the main road, intrenching the position. From this date till the night of August 25, when we evacuated our position in front of Atlanta, our time was usefully employed in adjusting lines, constructing new lines, in brisk skirmishes with the enemy, and in demonstrations. The position of the enemy became perfectly known to us, and was found to be impregnable to attack. August 25, evacuated our lines before Atlanta about midnight without annoyance from the enemy, this division bringing up the rear of the corps, and marched to Proctor's Creek. August 26, crossed Proctor's Creek, no enemy following but a thin skirmish line; crossed Utoy Creek and encamped, this division leading. August 27, left at 3 p. m., bringing up the rear of the corps and guarding the baggage train; passing the rest of the corps in camp, and crossed Camp Creek, covering the road to Fairburn. August 28, moved second in order of march, and took position near Red Oak, on the West Point railroad. August 29, remained in camp. August 30, marched first in order, and took position at Mann's house. Our march this day was much impeded by the Fourteenth Corps. August 31, crossed Crooked Creek at the mill; remained there to guard the trains and artillery, while the rest of the corps moved forward to strike the railroad. Toward evening took up position on the right of the First Division. September 1, marched toward Jonesborough by the railroad, destroying the track as we went, the First Division in the lead. Late in the afternoon proceeded to Jonesborough, where the division was formed to attack and turn the enemy, this division being on the extreme left. We advanced rapidly, driving the enemy's skirmishers before us over ground very unfavorable for attack, and did not stop till darkness put an end to the day's operations. When we rested my lines of battle were 600 or 700 yards in advance of any other troops, and was completely in rear of the enemy. We took one of their hospitals. I lost about 13 men of my pickets captured, from the fact that in the darkness they became mixed up with small straggling bodies of the enemy, and for the same reason I took a much larger number of them. My loss in the advance on the skirmish line was about 40 killed and wounded. Had one hour's more light been afforded us it is certain that the day's operations would have been much more decisive in the defeat of the enemy. September 2, marched to Lovejoy's Station in advance, forming on the left of the railroad. In the afternoon the whole corps moved to the attack of the enemy; found the enemy in my front, strongly intrenched, with open ground for several hundred yards in advance of their position, across which it would have been impossible to advance with any hope of success. From the circumstances of the case my attack was a skirmish fight. September 3, 4, and 5, remained in camp strengthening my position. Left on the night of the 5th for Jonesborough. September 6, remained in camp near Jonesborough. September 7, broke up camp and marched toward Atlanta, second in order, and encamped at Sykes' house. September 8. marched to [300] Atlanta, bringing up the rear of the corps, without annoyance from the enemy. Passed through Atlanta, and encamped on the Decatur road, about three miles from the center of the city.

In the foregoing I have said but little of the artillery-Battery A, First Ohio, Captain Goodspeed, and Battery M, First Illinois, Captain Spencer. I cannot conclude this report without bearing testimony to the gallantry and efficiency with which these batteries have been served throughout this campaign. Placed in every position as occasion served, sometimes on the skirmish line, again in line of battle, and at other times replying to the enemy's guns at long range, I have never called upon them in vain to repel an attack, or to silence the enemy's batteries.

I have been ably and zealously seconded by the brigade commanders, Generals Kimball, Wagner, and the lamented Harker, General Bradley, Colonels Sherman and Opdycke.

I wish likewise to call the attention of the commanding general to the efficiency and gallantry of my staff: Captain Tinney, at one .time assistant adjutant-general of the division; Capt. J. S. Bliss, aide-de-camp, Sixty-seventh New York Volunteers, wounded; Lieut. H. W. Jackson, aide-de-camp, Fourth New Jersey Volunteers, wounded at Kenesaw, June 27; Lieut. E. Carrington, aide-de-camp; Captain Ransom, provost-marshal, Forty-fourth Illinois; Captain Morgan, acting assistant inspector-general, Seventy-third Illinois; and also to the zeal and efficiency with which their respective duties were performed by Captain Mallory, commissary of subsistence; Lieutenant Van Pelt, acting assistant quartermaster; Captain Hill, assistant quartermaster; Lieutenant Douglass, ordnance officer; and by Doctors Bowman and Glick, chief surgeons of the division.

Throughout this campaign of four months duration, undertaken in the heats of summer, unprecedented in the fatigues and exposures it has caused, I have had more than reason to be proud of the officers and men of this division. In battles, in bloody skirmishes, in marches, they have more than realized my expectations.

Report of casualties in Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, for the month ending May 31, 1864.

Report of casualties in Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, from May 3 to June 5. 1864.

Report of casualties Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, for the month ending June 30, 1864.

Report of casualties in Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, for the month ending July 31, 1864.

Respectfully submitted.

Report of casualties occurring in the Second Division, Fourth Army Corps, during the month of August, 1864.

Respectfully submitted.