Battle of Culp’s Farm or Kenesaw Mountain--The Glorious Fourth--Advance
to the Chattahoochie.
June 22d we move to the front, and occupy a ridge on Culp’s farm, which
covers the level on our front. We had been but a short time in this
position when the rebel General Hood’s corps was moved directly on our
front, and immediately advanced in furious attack upon the divisions of
Generals Geary and Williams. Our artillery was at once turned upon the
advancing rebel columns, which, with the terrific volleys our infantry
poured into their ranks, produced a sudden check to their further
advance, and in less than one hour these two divisions succeeded in
beating back and putting to total rout Hood’s entire command, which
suffered great loss, while ours was but slight. The enemy left on the
field 2,100 killed, wounded, and prisoners, besides many wounded,
removed from the field. The estimated rebel loss was 3,000 men. Eight
hundred of the rebel dead were buried on the field.
At the close of this action a body of our skirmishers were deployed
over the field, finding the enemy’s dead and wounded scattered thickly
about. In places they lay stretched across each other, literally heaped
up, bloody, terrible--dead. Our skirmishers advanced rapidly, and
were soon engaged with the enemy’s rear, but this soon ceased, and we
established a picket line for the night. We remained on the field until
noon of the 23d, when we were retired and rejoined the main line.
At about 4 o’clock P. M., one hundred guns opened a simultaneous
fire on Little Kenesaw mountain. Directly in front of our regiment
and across the creek, which flows along the base of the mountain, is
level ground. At this point is situated a block-house and rifle-pits,
the latter between the house and mountain, and both now held by rebel
sharpshooters, who were continually picking off our cannoniers. General
Geary, evidently contemplating an advance of his line, called for
twenty volunteers from the Twenty-ninth regiment to dislodge these
troublesome occupants of the block-house and rifle-pits. In response to
this call two men from each company came quickly forward, and at once
advanced across the creek and ravine. The rebels soon discovered the
detachment; and opened fire upon it. Sergeant Griswold, of Company B,
in command, rapidly advanced his men up the rise of open ground lying
between him and the enemy, and with a rush amidst a perfect storm of
bullets, closed on the rifle-pits, capturing all who remained in them.
We now approach the rear of the block-house and demand its surrender.
The rebel lieutenant in command exclaimed from the window of the house:
“You d--d yanks, take us if you can!” and immediately opened fire.
The door of the house is soon battered down, and the rebels attempt
to cut their way out. Finding themselves covered by nearly a score of
rifles, aimed by determined men, all, with the exception of the rebel
lieutenant and one other, threw down their arms and surrendered. The
rebel officer fired on the captors and lost his life by his rashness.
We had now a total of twenty-one prisoners. Several others were killed
or badly wounded. The former were sent at once to the rear, and the
little force deployed along the road to hold the position until
reinforcements should arrive. However, they were not furnished, and
after holding the position some two hours a heavy body of rebels came
upon us, stealing along under cover of the bushes on the opposite side
of the road, suddenly arose and fired a volley at us. The speed we made
across the level field with the rebels in hot pursuit, their bullets
whistling past our ears in the most energetic manner, would have
dismayed a professional pedestrian.
June 24th, skirmishing during the day. As night came on a detachment
of the Twenty-ninth regiment was sent out on picket. Nothing occurred
during the night, and at dawn we returned to our brigade, where orders
were received to hold ourselves in readiness to move on notice,
cannonading and skirmish fighting being kept up along the line.
The situation remained unchanged until June 27th. At an early hour
this morning two men from each company of our regiment volunteered to
advance to the relief of the Pennsylvania regiment on the outposts,
and about 9 o’clock A. M. we moved forward. We were also to dislodge
the rebel sharpshooters, who had been allowed to again possess the
block-house and rifle-pits. Crossing the creek and ravine we made a
quick dash toward the locality mentioned, amid a hot cross-fire from
rebels along the fence before referred to. But as we close the rebels
abandon the block-house and rifle-pits, yet dispute with the energy of
desperation, every inch of our advance as they retire. We, however,
gained possession of the road beyond the house, an important position
covering the rebel left on Little Kenesaw.
They now opened fire on us from the mountain on our left and front.
Making a flank movement to the left we came up in rear of some rebel
rifle-pits, capturing eleven prisoners and holding the position until
the Fifth Ohio regiment came to our support. That regiment at once
began to fortify, while we remained on the skirmish line under constant
fire. The enemy discovered the work of the Fifth and trained their
batteries from different directions on our position, and also advanced
infantry, who made repeated attempts to dislodge us. Solid shot and
shell came crashing through the block-house, the shells bursting
amongst us in quick succession. Nor were their musketry behind in
sending their death-dealing missiles upon us.
Knapp’s battery soon came up the hill, and swinging into position,
unlimbered and opened a rapid cross-fire on Little Kenesaw mountain.
About this time the Fourteenth, with a portion of the Fourth corps,
made a desperate assault on the mountain a short distance to our left.
The engagement now became serious, one shell killing twelve and another
six of our men. To hold the position we had captured was an arduous
undertaking, and so severe was the fighting that those of us who had
advanced early in the morning had fired nearly two hundred rounds. At
dusk the fighting ceased, and we are recalled to our command.
June 28th.--This morning at sunrise we advance obliquely to the right,
and, reaching an advanced position, throw up fortifications; rebel
batteries open fire on us meanwhile. Our lookout, as he sees smoke
issue from the rebel guns, calls out: “Lay down,” “lay low,” or “look
out, she’s coming,” etc. Many laughable and other incidents occurred
during this bombardment, such as attempts to dodge shells, etc. Charles
Upton, of Company G, while carrying a rail, had it cut in two by a
shell; he, however, escaped unhurt.
June 29th.--To-day the Fourteenth corps obtained a temporary truce
under flag, during which they interred their dead. An assault is made
on this corps during the early part of the night, but is repulsed, and
we were not again disturbed.
June 30th.--During this afternoon the Twenty-ninth regiment received
orders to move. About 10 o’clock at night our corps (the Twentieth) was
relieved by the Fourteenth. We at once marched several miles to the
right in relief of the Twenty-third corps.
On July 1st our regiment was again engaged. The fighting ceased only
with daylight. Sharp skirmishing and severe cannonading continued
during the entire day of the 2d, and at night the Twenty-ninth regiment
occupied its customary position--on the skirmish line. This time,
however, it was accompanied by the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania. Just
before daylight on the morning of July 3d, the enemy were found to be
retreating, and we at once moved forward to find the works deserted,
the troops having evacuated. The position, as supposed, was almost
impregnable to direct assault, being constructed to enfilade an attack
of infantry.
The army now push forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels, the
Twenty-ninth Ohio and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania taking the advance
in the order of heavy skirmishers. We soon came upon Wheeler’s
rebel cavalry, and engaged his dismounted men so promptly that they
fell precipitately back to where their horses were picketed. The
Twenty-ninth succeeded in capturing nearly one hundred of them in their
hurried efforts to remount. The Second division during the pursuit
captured nearly nine hundred prisoners. The rebels were steadily
falling back on the Chattahoochie river. It was late when we halted
for the night. How sweet the wooing of the drowsy god after such long
continued fatigue, only those who have been there can imagine, the soft
side of a rail on such occasions being more luxurious than any patent
spring contrivance of to-day.
July 4th. On this day, made glorious to all this goodly land by the
forefathers of both the blue and gray, was celebrated by the issue of
full rations of hard-tack, s----, bacon, and coffee, and wonderful
feats of gormandizing ensued. To make the day something of a reminder
of the Northern anniversary, with its tearing headache of the 5th,
General “Joe” ordered an issue of liquor to the men, the first of the
campaign. About 4 o’clock P. M. we broke camp and marched towards the
left, but soon came to a halt for the night.
At dawn on the following day we pushed forward and took possession of a
line of works the rebels had only evacuated on our approach. They are
now crossing Chattahoochie river. The advance is continued until within
about one and one-half miles of the river, where we encounter a second
line of rebel works, occupied by the enemy to cover the retreat across
the river.
July 6th we occupy the position of yesterday. During the forenoon our
regiment was support of Bundy’s New York battery, engaged in shelling
the rebels from a fort. About 2 P. M. we returned with the battery to
the main line, and one hour later moved with our division to the left
and formed line of battle, in which position we passed the night. On
the day following we marched to the left and assumed position in line
between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth corps. Sharp skirmishing was kept
up nearly all night. This position is maintained by our regiment,
with daily skirmishing, until the early dawn of July 10th, when the
Twenty-ninth Ohio is pushed forward on a reconnoissance. We discover
that the enemy have retreated across the Chattahoochie. On reaching
the river we deploy as skirmishers along the north bank, the enemy
being posted along the opposite side. Atlanta lies only nine miles to
the south of us. The rebel army of General Joe E. Johnston is said to
be strongly intrenched some four miles south of our position. A small
number only of rebels remain on the opposite bank of the Chattahoochie.
The Union and rebel pickets are on good terms, often meeting in the
middle of the river, where they exchange coffee for tobacco, which,
by the way, was a very scarce article with us. The Twenty-ninth Ohio
regiment now musters only one hundred and fifty men for duty. The
mustering officer tells us that we have lost more men killed and
wounded in proportion to the number present at the beginning of this
campaign than any regiment in the Western army.
July 6, we were in support of a battery during the forenoon. During the
afternoon we moved to the left, camping in a beautiful grove of pines.
7th. Moved forward some three miles, to a ridge commanding a fine view
of the country.
11th. The rebels have crossed Chattahoochie river. Our pickets are
posted on its north bank.
17th. Moved forward to the left, crossed the Chattahoochie river at
Peace ferry about 9 o’clock P. M.
18th. Moved forward some two miles, skirmishing much of the distance.
19th. Advanced to Peach Tree creek, which we crossed, encountering the
enemy and taking some prisoners.