HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,
In the Field, Ga., July 8, 1864.
SIR: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to submit report of
part taken by the First Brigade, Third Division, Twenty-third Army
Corps--composed of the Sixteenth Regiment Kentucky Volunteer Veteran
Infantry, Col. James W. Gault; Eighth Regiment Tennessee Volunteer
Infantry, Col. Felix A. Reeve; One hundred and twelfth Regiment Illinois
Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Emory S. Bond; One hundred Regiment
Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Patrick S. Slevin, and One hundred and fourth
Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. Oscar W. Sterl--in
operations of said corps from 16th day of May, 1864, to the 8th day
of July, both days inclusive:
May 16, brigade marched in advance of the division from the position
occupied by them on the flank and rear of Twentieth Corps on the 15th
instant on Tilton road, and forded the Connesauga River, some ----
miles southeast of Tilton, and marched to the old Federal road and
bivouacked for the night.
May 17, marched about 10 a.m. to the
Coosawattee River at Field’s Mill; were detained at this point by the
crossing of parts of other corps until dark, when brigade crossed over
river in rear of Second Brigade, and marched some eight miles to Big
Spring, where we bivouacked for the night.
May 18, moved in southeasterly direction until we caught up to part of Twentieth Corps,
near ----- Mills, where we bivouacked for the night,
May 19, moved out this morning toward Cassville, formed line, threw out skirmishers in
front, and advanced to within short distance of Cassville and to the
left and rear of part of Twentieth Corps.
May 20, moved out this morning on Cassville Station road; when within short distance of the station discovered the cavalry of enemy in front. The command was formed in line, with skirmishers in advance; moved forward skirmishing continually, occasionally heavy, to Cartersville, where the command was camped. Captain Bratton, of Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Veteran Infantry, was severely wounded during the advance; some few privates
were wounded during the day. I cannot refrain from speaking in the
highest terms of the efficiency and bravery of Maj. John S. White,
of Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, who was in charge of and conducted
the skirmish line of brigade during the day.
May 21, brigade remained in camp during the day, except the One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry; the latter regiment made a reconnaissance on the Allatoona
road to the Etowah River in evening, losing 2 wounded and burning
station-house at river.
May 22, the One hundredth Ohio Volunteer
Infantry, Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, Eighth Tennessee
Volunteer Infantry were ordered to and did proceed to the Etowah Mills,
some five miles from camp, and destroyed the mills containing large
quantities of corn, flour, &c., and other buildings connected therewith,
skirmishing slightly with the enemy while in vicinity of river; command
reached camp about 8 p.m. May 23, brigade moved out this morning and
marched to Etowah Cliffs, on north bank of Etowah River, and bivouacked
for the night. May 24, crossed river on pontoon bridge of Twentieth
Corps and marched to Burnt Hickory Ridge and camped for the night.
May
25, moved about 2 p.m. and marched to Burnt Hickory, when command halted
until about 1 a.m. May 26, marched to and across Pumpkin Vine Creek,
and
were placed in position on extreme left of the division and connecting
on right with Second Division of corps. The brigade advanced some
distance in line in an easterly direction until ------- Creek was
crossed at ------- cotton-mill, near which the skirmishers of enemy
were
met by our skirmish line; skirmishing continued during the day and
night, the brigade losing 1 killed and 2 or 3 wounded. May 27, the
command occupying the same relative position to the other portion of
the
division and corps, was advanced some distance to the crest of ridge
immediately opposite crest occupied by enemy's fortifications, which
were held by apparently a very strong force. The brigade fortified
this
position during the night. The command remained in this position until
dark on the evening of June 1. During almost the whole time a constant
fire was kept by the enemy upon our lines. I regret to report that
Capt.
M. C. Horton, Company D, One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers, was
killed by a musket-ball while in rear of our first line on 28th of
May.
Capt. William Bishop. One hundredth Ohio Volunteers, was severely
wounded; since dead; and also Second Lieut. H. Sherbondy, One hundred
and twelfth Illinois Volunteers, wounded on skirmish line of the 29th,
and Lieutenant Taylor, of Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, wounded on
27th
while reconnoitering enemy's position. While in this position the enemy
daily made demonstrations upon our skirmish line, the command suffering
in either killed or wounded <ar73_702> every day, the majority of
days
in both. Brigade was relieved by a portion of Brig. Gen. Jeff. C. Davis
division, of Fourteenth Corps, and moved a short distance to the rear
and left, and bivouacked for the night. June 2, brigade moved this
morning with the division to Brownlow's Hill, near where they were
formed in line on right of Second Division. Covering front with line
of
skirmishers, advanced a short distance, when our skirmishers became
warmly engaged. Line advanced and found enemy in position on east side
of ------- Creek in edge of timber. The One hundred and twelfth Illinois
Volunteers, Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, and Eighth Tennessee
Volunteers, composing first line, charged across the creek and field
and
drove the enemy into their works on crest of hill, occupying and holding
possession of the position from which enemy were driven, constructing
temporary works during the night. June 3, brigade remained in same
position; One hundredth Ohio Volunteers taken from second line, and,
in
connection with a brigade of Second Division, occupied works evacuated
by the enemy during the day. June 4, the remainder of brigade moved
into
works evacuated by enemy and commenced fortifying. June 5, brigade
was
ordered to make a reconnaissance to the front. A section of Battery
D,
First Ohio Light Artillery, were ordered to proceed with brigade. The
command advanced about one mile and a half, crossing a very heavy line
of works evacuated by the enemy but a short time previous to our
arrival; brigade returned to camp, meeting no enemy whatever. June
6, 7,
8, and 9 no change in position or otherwise. June 10, brigade marched
with division to the left of Twentieth Corps. The One hundred and fourth
Ohio Volunteers crossed Allatoona Creek, driving the enemy's skirmishers
over the ridge; held the position until balance of brigade came up,
and
was placed in position. June 11, 12, 13, and 14, remained in this
position, having thrown up works. While in this position our skirmish
line was constantly engaged with the enemy--some few men wounded. June
15, skirmish line advanced to the works of enemy in our front and found
them evacuated; brigade moved up and occupied the works. The One hundred
and fourth Ohio Volunteers sent forward to occupy right of Twentieth
Corps. June 16, no change in position. June 17, the enemy having
evacuated their works in front during the night, brigade was moved
forward and over them. After advancing short distance south of enemy's
works our skirmishers met those of the enemy, and drove them rapidly
to
their works on east of creek, near Darby's plantation. The brigade
moved
up to the crest of the ridge on west side of creek. While moving into
position were met with a heavy artillery fire, but owing to the
protection of the crest no injury was sustained. The brigade fortified
the crest during the night. Adjt. J. S. Reeve, Eighth Tennessee
Volunteers, was mortally wounded by a musket-ball. June 18, no change.
June 19, rebel works again evacuated, and occupied by brigade. About
5
o'clock this morning Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, supported by One
hundredth and One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers, made a
reconnaissance on Marietta road some two and a half miles, driving
enemy's skirmishers rapidly across Noyes' Creek on that road,
capturing
some 19 prisoners. Brigade was then ordered to return to Sandtown road;
followed road on east of Noyes' Creek to Sandtown road, and marched
in
rear of Second Brigade to near the crossing of said creek. Bivouacked
and threw up some temporary works between road and creek. Some 2 or
3
wounded from brigade on skirmish line. June 20, brigade did not change
position <ar73_703> excepting One hundredth Ohio Volunteers crossed
creek as support to Second Brigade. June 21, no change in position.
June
22, moved across Noyes' Creek and past works put up by Second Brigade,
and was ordered in advance of division; deployed a line of skirmishers
supported by One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers, One hundred and
twelfth Illinois Volunteers, and Eighth Tennessee Volunteers, in line,
and drove the enemy's skirmishers to and past Cheney's house, on Atlanta
and Marietta road, and were placed in position on crest north of
Cheney's house, and fortified the same. June 23, 24, and 25, no change;
our skirmish line constantly engaged with those of the enemy. June
26,
moved out of works on Atlanta road and drove the enemy's skirmishers
into works on the east side of Olley's Creek. Leaving the One hundredth
and One hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers in position at this point,
moved the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, One hundred and twelfth
Illinois Volunteers, Eighth Tennessee Volunteers on Powder Springs
road
to country or private road, passing farm owned by Mr. Cox, for the
purpose of crossing Olley's Creek at this point and turning the position
of enemy, but was prevented from so doing by an almost impassable swamp.
Command bivouacked for the night. June 27, moved Eighth Tennessee
Volunteers to the right of swamp this morning, after a heavy and
well-directed artillery fire from Fifteenth Indiana Battery, Lieutenant
Harvey, and a section of Twenty-third Indiana Battery, Lieutenant Wilber
commanding, where they crossed. At about same time One hundredth and
One
hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteers crossed on Atlanta road, and One
hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteers and Sixteenth Kentucky
Volunteers on farm road before referred to, and drove enemy out of
their
works. The brigade is indebted for their success in a great measure
to
the movement of the Second Brigade, in threatening and pushing the
right
flank of the enemy during the time and previous to crossing. After
crossing, brigade moved up Atlanta road about one mile to a favorable
position and commenced fortifying same. June 28, 29, and 30, no change.
July 1, 2, 3, and 4, no change in position. The right of the skirmish
line was engaged more or less during our stay here; 2 or 3 men wounded.
July 5, moved this morning some two miles to cross-roads at Moss' house
and bivouacked for the night. July 6, moved this morning in advance
of
division on road to Ruff's Station, passing through one strong line
of
enemy's evacuated works; camped on east side of railroad. July 7,
marched to near Poplar Branch of Rottenwood Creek and went into camp.
July 8, marched in rear of ------ brigade in easterly direction on
Soap
Creek road to a point about three-fourths of a mile from the
Chattahoochee River, where brigade was halted until about 5 p.m., when
they were moved down to the river, crossing about 8 p.m. on pontoon
bridge at mouth of Soap Creek, and bivouacked upon first ridge on east
side of river, in rear of Second and Fourth Brigades.
A detailed list of the casualties occurring in the brigade during the
time herein reported is hereto attached.(*)
I am pleased to be able to state that during all of the skirmishing,
marching, and fatigue duty herein detailed the officers and men at
all
times faithfully and promptly performed their full duty, notwithstanding
the unfavorable weather the greater part of the time, without murmur
or
complaint. <ar73_704>
My staff officers were prompt in attending to their various duties
and
performed all required of them efficiently and cheerfully.
It is proper for me to say that I was in temporary command of the
division from morning of the 26th of May to morning of the 28th of
same
month, Col. J. W. Gault, of the Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, being
in
command during that time.
The Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteers, owing to the continued ill health
of
Colonel Gault, has been commanded by Maj. J. S. White since the 29th
of
May. The Eighth Tennessee Volunteers, in command of Captain Ragan,
during latter portion of June, and to this date.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. W. REILLY,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Maj. H. W WELLS,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen., 3d Div., 23d Army Corps.
Recapitulation.
O Officers.
T Total.
M Men.
-----Killed.----
----Wounded.---- --Missing.--
Command. O
M T
O M
T O
M T
104th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (a)1 3
4 .... 28
28 .... 3
3
12th Illinois Volunteer Infantry
.... 1 1
1 17
18 ....
1 1
16th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
.... 4 4
2 20
22 ....
.... ....
100th Ohio Volunteer Infantry .... 2
2 (b)1 24
25 1
3
4
8th Tennessee Volunteer Infantry
.... 3 3
(c)1 16 17
....
1 1
Total 1 13
14 5
105 110 1
8 9
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