Page 483-488

HDQRS. FOURTH DIVISION, SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS,

East Point, Ga., September 12, 1864.

MAJOR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this division in that remarkable campaign which has driven the enemy from Northern Georgia and which has closed so gloriously by our occupation of "The Gate City of the South:"

I regret that the absence of any records covering the time prior to my taking command of the division will prevent my giving so detailed a report of the early portion of the campaign as is due to the officers and men concerned, for the endurance, fortitude, and courage of those who have fought is hardly less remarkable than the genius of the general who has directed so minutely all the details of the operation of this great army.

On the 1st day of May, 1864, the First and Second Brigades, with three batteries of artillery, marched from Decatur, Ala. Passing through Huntsville on the evening of the 2d, we reached Woodville, on the Chattanooga railroad, on the 4th. From this point the infantry and a portion of the artillery were conveyed by rail to Chattanooga. The wagon train and a part of the artillery marched through, escorted by the Ninth Illinois mounted Infantry and the First Alabama Cavalry, which, at this time, were under the orders of the division commander. On the 5th of May we left Chattanooga, and marching via Rossville, Gordon's Mills and Villanow we passed through Snake Creek Gap on the 9th, and made a reconnaissance to within a mile of Resaca. The First Brigade was here ordered to gain the railroad just north of the town, and the Second followed to render any support which might be required. The skirmishers has already reached a position from which they commanded the railroad, and the battalions were close behind with every prospect of beating the small force sent out by the enemy to counteract our movements. Here, however, General McPherson deemed it prudent to halt and recall the division, and to withdraw all the forces under his command immediately to the mouth of the gap in our rear. On the 13th the division formed the extreme right of the army, encircling the enemy's lines at Resaca. Our skirmishers, deployed along the banks of the Oostenaula, were steadily and sharply engaged, and those facing the enemy's main fort, near the church, crept up so closely and maintained so rapid and accurate a fire that the enemy was unable to use his guns. The guns of the Fourteenth Ohio Battery, posted on the bald hill which overlooks Resaca from the south, poured shot and shell with great rapidity and accuracy into the town, frequently causing the enemy to seek shelter in a ravine which protected them from our fire. When General Logan's command drove the enemy from his advanced position on the 14th, two regiments of this division, the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin and Thirty-fifth New Jersey, were ordered forward to assist in this movement. General Woods, to whom they reported, highly praised their conduct on this occasion. The map* on the foregoing hope page will exhibit the position gained and held by the division till the enemy evacuated Resaca, on the night of May 15. Crossing the Oostenaula on the 16th the division marched, via Adairsville, to Kinston, where we rested for two or three days, resuming the movement on the 23d. Passing through Van Wert, we entered Dallas without opposition on the 26th of May and encamped on the easterly outskirts of the town. Just at sundown an order was issued for the division to march out on the Marietta road, where, it was afterward ascertained, lay Hardee's corps. Fortunately the order was countermanded. At daylight the following morning the enemy drove our skirmishers back upon their reserves, and out line of battle was immediately formed on the ground where we had slept. The skirmishers were speedily re-enforced, and the enemy drived back to the mountain, but we lost some valuable officers before it was accomplished, among them Captain Sawyer, of the Twenty-seventy Ohio, one of the most faithful officers of the command. During the day our skirmishers were pushed well up the mountain side, and our lines advanced to near the foot of the mountain and strongly intrenched. On the 28th the enemy attempted to storm the line to our right, but his skirmishers only attempted to advance in our immediate front, and were held in check by our own skirmishers without assistance from the line of battle; but the skirmishing was so severe for several days that we sustained considerable loss.

On the 1st of June the Army of the Tennessee moved four or five miles to the left (north) to united with the Army of the Cumberland. The Fourth Division was held as rear guard to cover this movement, and followed without molestation from the enemy. Encamping near Pumpkin Vine Creek, works were thrown up covering the right flank of the army, but through we had some skirmishing, and our batteries exchanged some shots with the enemy's artillery, nothing important transpired till he fell back from our front on the 4th. Moving on the morning of the 5th the division reached Acworth on the 6th, where it enjoyed several days' rest. On the 11th the Second Brigade took part in an armed reconnaissance which developed the enemy strongly intrenched some three miles south of Big Shanty. The First Brigade following, formed line to the left of the Second, and extended to connect with the corps of Major-General Logan. Here seemingly close to the foot of Kenesaw Mountain (yet nearly three miles distant), in plain view of his troops on the summit, and watched closely by his signal corps, whose flags were in constant motion, we met that obstacle which for twenty days bid defiance alike to the bravery of our soldiers and the skill of our commander.

The accompanying map* will exhibit the different positions occupied by the division during the approach to the mountain, every one of which cost us a sharp skirmish to gain, and all of which were strongly fortified by the willing hands of men who toiled as cheerfully in the trenches as they fought bravely in the ranks. When the general assault of June 27 was ordered, the Sixty-fourth Illinois was selected to drive the enemy's skirmishers up the mountain side, and, if possible, to gain a foothold upon the crest. They advanced with great gallantry, and a few bold men got close to the enemy's line of works; but the task assigned them proved more than men could accomplish, and nearly 50 brave fellows fell in the attempt. They drove the enemy back into his main works near the crest, but the steep and rocky face of the mountain was an obstacle if itself more formidable than a line of men, and beyond this they could not go. They held a position, however, higher than anybody on their right or left, and during the night toiled patiently till it was rendered tenable and secure.

Early in July the enemy evinced a nervousness at the movements of the extreme right of our army, and on the morning of the 3rd it was discovered that he had fallen back toward the Chattahoochee. Very soon the command was marching to the right and toward the river, and we bivouacked that night on the right bank of Nickajack Creek, near Ruff's Mill. On the following morning July 4, the First Brigade was ordered to drive the enemy from a position he held on the opposite bank. We crossed the stream at the mill, and as soon as we reached the hill beyond, the Thirty-ninth Ohio and Sixty-fourth Illinois were deployed in line, and the Twenty-seventh Ohio and Eighteenth Missouri were formed in column on either flank. The rebels were soon encountered, and after a sharp skirmish fell back to a strong line of works, where they were found to be in force. During the skirmish, and while ascertained the position of their line, we lost 30 or 40 men. After forming our lines within 200 or 300 yards of the enemy, we constructed continuous rifle-pits for the infantry, and also placed a battery in position to command his works. The annexed map* will explain the movements just described. About noon an order was given by General Dodge to make an effort to break the enemy's line. The Twenty-seventh and Thirty Ohio Regiments were selected to make the charge, and were advanced quietly through the woods to the line held by our skirmishers. This order was soon countermanded, the movement being deemed too hazardous to attempt. About 6, however, in the evening, the order was rebated. The two regiments mentioned were again moved forward to the skirmish line. The Sixth-South Illinois was to cover the left flank, and on the right it was understood a part of the Second Division of this corps was to charge simultaneously. The Eighteenth Missouri and Second Brigade (Colonel Sprague) were held in reserve, and in readiness to cover their retreat, should the troops assaulting be repulsed. Orders were given not to fire a shot before reaching the works, and at a given signal the two regiments rushed forward. They had not more than 100 yards to run, yet more than 80 feel before the works were reached, among them Colonel E. F. Noyes, the gallant commander of the Thirty-ninth Ohio, who lost a leg, and Captain Angel, of the Thirty-fifth New Jersey, who was instantly killed while forming his line. Some of the same were bayoneted, others shot, and a good many captured, but the great mass, apparently panic stricken by the boldness and suddenness of the assault, ran off at full speed. A moment later, seeing a portion of his works in our possession, and, perhaps, thinking the cheering from our lines indicated a general assault, the enemy, as far as we could see to the right and left, abandoned his intrenchments and retired. It is doubtful whether so small a force as that actually engaged ever emptied a longer line of works. During the night the enemy made great show of strengthening an interior and still stronger line of earthworks, but daylight the next morning revealed the fact that he had abandoned our front altogether and retired to the river. We were now ordered to move down the Sandtown road, and take a position in rear of the Seventeenth Corps, near the Chattahoochee. We bivouacked for two or three days, skirmishing with the enemy across the river (which at this point is less than 100 yards in width) until the 9th, when we marched to Roswell, via Marietta, which we reached on the evening of July 10, and immediately forded the river.

Here we remained until the 17th, rebuilding the bridge across the Chattahoochee, and strongly fortifying the position we had taken, which formed a tete-de-pont. At this point Brigadier-General Veatch, was compelled, on account of ill health, to relinquish the command of the division, which now devolved upon the writer. Leaving the river we marched in a southerly direction to Nancy's creek, from which, after a brief skirmish, we drove the enemy's cavalry and encamped. The day following we moved to near Peach Tree Creek, and on the 19th marched into Decatur. While going into position near the railroad, on the south side of the town, the enemy opened on us with artillery, killing and wounding several men of the command. The guns of the Fourteenth Ohio were put in position near the jail and soon drove the enemy from our front. On the 20th we moved on the road toward Atlanta, and encamped near the Augusta railroad, about three miles from the city. On the 21st the Second Brigade was ordered back to Decatur, while I, with the First Brigade, Light Company F, Second U. S. Artillery, and the corps of engineers, was ordered to report to Major-General Blair, commanding Seventeenth Army Corps. At this movement, together with the part taken by my command in the battle of July 22, has already been described in my report dated August 2,* it is not necessary that I should here repeat the details of that sanguinary day. The story of the valor displayed by one of the brigades in Decatur, and of the desperate fighting of the other near Atlanta, is already well known to the general and to the country. Mingled with our rejoicing over the signal and decisive defeat of that portion of the enemy's forces which assailed our position, was felt a sorrow more deep than words can utter, over our wounded and our dead. More than one-fourth of those who stood in the line of some of our regiments at noon were not present when the sun went down. Many a grave was shutting from sight forever those had stood manfully in the ranks for years; hundreds more were borne maimed and bleeding to the hospital, and the commander of the Army of the Tennessee, McPherson, who had secured our unbounded confidence and regard, had fallen just when his usefulness seemed at its zenith and when his assistance seemed most required.

The position taken by the First Brigade at the close of the battle of July 22 was strongly fortified and occupied till the night of the 26th. The Second Brigade took a position on the Decatur road in rear until the 25th, when it returned and reported for orders. Just after midnight July 27 the division moved around the rear of the army to the west side of the city. About 4 p. m. we formed line on the right of the Second Division of our corps and advanced to near Proctor's Creek, driving the enemy's skirmishers steadily, before us till it was dark. On the morning of the 28th we advanced some 500 yards and at once constructed a line of rifle-pits facing to the east. The Second Division of our corps connected with us on the left, and the Seventeenth Army Corps on our right. During the day the enemy attacked the lines of the Fifteenth Corps still farther to the right, and, in obedience to orders, I sent the Sixty-fourth Illinois and Thirty-fifth New Jersey to the support of that corps. They reached the battle-field in time to render very important assistance, and shared in the glory of the day. From this time no movement of importance was made by the division for several works. Sharp skirmishing was kept up continually, and our lines were advanced some 500 yards, from which position we were enabled to use our artillery with very considerable effect.

On the 4th of August Brigadier-General Ransom was assigned to the command of the division, but on the same month, Major-General Dodge being severely wounded, General Ransom assumed command of the Left Wing of the corps, leaving the writer again in command of the division. On the 8th of August the Third Brigade, which had been on duty at Decatur, Ala., rejoined the division and took its place in the front line, bearing cheerfully their part in the toils and dangers of the campaign. August 20, the Seventeenth New York (Colonel Grower) was transferred to the Fourteenth Army Corps, and the Tenth Illinois (Colonel Tillson) being assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, took the place of the Seventeenth New York in the Third Brigade. The record of this regiment, though belonging properly to the history of the Fourth Army Corps, will be found among the accompanying papers, and is one which the regiment may refer to with satisfaction. August 24, arrangements were made to enable the Army of the Tennessee to swing to the extreme right flank. A line of works was constructed, running nearly at right angles with that occupied for some weeks, to cover our left flank pending the movement. By daylight on the 26th the troops were all withdrawn to this new line, and about midnight following all were in motion. On the 28th we encamped near Shanda Church, on the Montgomery railroad, and during the following day we marched about two miles to the south of Fairburn and assisted in thoroughly destroying the railroad for a space of six or eight miles. On the 30th of August we marched to within two miles of Jonesborough, and the next day fortified our position near Flint River. The enemy attacking our lines during the day, a brigade of the division was sent to re-enforce the command of General Corse, but the enemy was speedily repulsed and they did not participate in the action.

During the night of September 1 the enemy retired from our front and orders were soon issued to follow him. He was found in position, well intrenched, about five miles from Jonesborough. The lines were formed, leaving this division in reserve. On the 3rd instant we went into position, faced to the west, on the extreme right flank of the army, and here received the welcome order announcing the fall of Atlanta and the close of the campaign. On the afternoon of the 5th the division went into position, occupying works constructed to cover the withdrawal of the army. During the night the Seventeenth Army Corps and the Second Division of the Sixteenth, passed through our lines to the rear, and at daylight on the morning of the 6th we followed, serving as rear guard for the right column of the army, halting near Jonesborough. On the morning of the 7th we marched to near Morrow's Mill, and on the following day reached East Point, where the command is now encamped.

As I close this report I am conscious that I have failed to do justice to the division I have the honor temporarily to command, especially so as I recall the many instances of heroic fortitude and courage which it has evinced. On the fields of Resaca, of Dallas, sleep many gallant men who stood in our ranks, and high up the mountain side of Kenesaw are resting the bones of others. Shall any one reprove the men of this command as they relate with something of pride that their skirmishers were first to enter Resaca, and that one of their flags was first to wave from the top of that mountain, which is both tomb and monument to many of their comrades?. Shall we soon forget the Nickajack, henceforth associated by us with the natal day of our country? Near its banks a portion of this command celebrated that anniversary by an assault upon the enemy's works, which was as bold as it was successful, nor can one walk in either direction save one from the city of Atlanta without treading upon ground which has been rendered historic by the valor of the soldiers of this division and hallowed by the graves of its dead.

To General Sprague, who has commanded the Second Brigade throughout the campaign with marked ability, I have been greatly indebted.

In Colonel Morrill (wounded on the 22nd of July) and Lieutenant-Colonel McDowell, who succeeded him in command of the First Brigade, as well as Colonel Tilson, who has recently commanded the Third Brigade, I have ever found an able and willing support. They have my thanks for the promptness and ability with which I have been aided.

To the officers of the division staff, Captain Cadle, assistant adjutant-general; Captains Pollock, Robinson, Weber, Koehne, and Lieutenant Beers, who have been detailed from the line, I am under great obligations. In the camp, on the march, and on the battle-field they have displayed a zeal, ability, and courage which has secured the esteem and confidence of all with whom they have served.

It is fitting also that I should here record the fact that during the entire campaign Captain Kellogg, our commissary of subsistence, has never omitted supplying us promptly with rations, nor have the trains of Captain Giesy, our quartermaster, ever failed to bring them to our lines. The same may be said of Lieutenant Smith, our ordnance officer, who has faithfully brought to the front all the ammunition required.

I am, very respectfully, yours,

JOHN W. FULLER,

Brigadier-General, Commanding.

Major J. W. BARNES,

Asst. Adjt. General, Left Wing, Sixteenth Corps.