On the twenty-seventh, the picket was attacked by a small scouting-party of the enemy's cavalry, on both roads leading in an easterly direction; but their advance was checked by the force which I had thrown across these roads, remaining here until the evening of the twenty-seventh, when the column started about eight P. M., and marched about seven (7) miles toward Atlanta. On the twenty-eighth, started about noon, and reached the regimental camp at Atlanta about six P. M.
On the fifth November, 1864, pursuant to orders received from brigade commander, the regiment broke camp at Atlanta and moved out upon the McDonald road, about two (2) miles south of the city, and bivouacked.
About noon, on the sixth November, orders were received to move back to our original camp, which was done.
On the ninth November, 1864, the enemy attacked the picket-line on the Macon road, and advanced with a section of artillery and a few dismounted cavalry toward our works. The regiment was quickly moved into its position in the works, and there remained awaiting any attack which the enemy might make.
After shelling our line a short time, the enemy retired. During the attack, one man was slightly wounded by a shell.
From this time until the commencement of the Georgia campaign, the men were preparing for the active service which was soon to commence.
In the foregoing summary of events, occurring during the occupation of Atlanta, I have necessarily been brief and somewhat disconnected, having lost my diary relating to that period, and therefore trusting almost entirely to my memory.
November 15, 1864.--Pursuant to orders received from brigade headquarters, broke camp at six A. M., and started upon the campaign through Georgia. Marched on the Decatur road along the line of the Augusta Railroad, starting at seven A. M. Owing to the wagon train, our progress was necessarily slow and tedious. Marched throughout the day.
16th. Continued our march until four A. M., when the regiment bivouacked near Stone Mountain, having marched, since the morning previous, about fifteen (15) miles. At eight A. M., again moved forward about ten (10) miles and bivouacked about five P. M., at Littlefield.
17th. Started at five A. M., marched about fifteen (15) miles, and bivouacked near Green Creek, at five P. M.
18th. Started at half-past 5 A. M., marched about twenty (20) miles, and bivouacked near Madison, Georgia, at half-past 5 P. M.
19th. Started at five A. M., marched about ten (10) miles and bivouacked, just beyond Buckhead and near the Appalachee River, at four P. M. During the afternoon the regiment destroyed about eight hundred (800) yards of railroad track, on the Augusta Railroad, by tearing up the track and burning the ties.
20th. Started at seven A. M., left the line of the Augusta Railroad, marched about fifteen (15) miles, and bivouacked at Denham's Factory, at quarter-past five P. M.
21st. Started at seven A. M., marched about ten (10) miles through a drenching rain-storm, and bivouacked at Dr. Nesbitt's plantation, at half-past 5 P. M.
22d. Started at six A. M. About noon crossed the Oconee River, joined the main column, and entered Milledgeville a little after dark. Marched across the river at Milledgeville, and bivouacked, about one mile beyond the city, at nine P. M., having made about fifteen (15) miles during the day.
23d. The regiment went with the rest of the brigade in the afternoon, for the purpose of destroying the railroad running to Gordon, on the Macon Railroad. Worked until dark and returned to the camp, this regiment having thoroughly destroyed about three fourths (3/4) of a mile of the track.
24th. Started at seven A. M. Marched about ten (10) miles, and bivouacked at six P. M., near Town Creek.
25th. Started at half-past 6 A. M. Marched about six (6) miles, and bivouacked at nine P. M., just beyond Buffalo Creek.
26th. Started at five A. M., passed through Sandersville, Georgia, and reached Station Thirteen, on the Macon and Savannah Railroad, about four P. M., having marched about fifteen (15) miles in all. The regiment was ordered to go into position in advance of the brigade, so as to guard against any attack which might be made by the enemy's cavalry, upon the troops who were at work destroying the railroad. This order was obeyed, and the regiment remained in line until after dark, when it bivouacked with the rest of the brigade, near Station Thirteen.
27th. Broke camp at half-past 6 A. M., continued the destruction of the railroad until about two P. M., when our march was continued. Arrived at Davisboro about ten P. M., having marched about twelve (12) miles during the day. Placed the regiment on picket, pursuant to instructions received from the division field-officer of the day.
28th. Moved at seven A. M. back to the point on the railroad, distant some seven (7) miles, to continue the destruction of the railroad. Commenced tearing up the track about noon. After working a short time, a portion of the troops so engaged, were fired upon by a small party of the enemy. I ordered the flank companies to cease work and deploy as skirmishers on both sides of the railroad, to guard the remainder of the regiment against any attack, and allow them to continue the destruction of the road. In a short time thereafter, pursuant to orders received from Colonel Barnum, commanding brigade, I ceased work upon the railroad, and marched back to join the main body of troops. This order I obeyed with much reluctance, as the destruction
