CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATLANTA.
Early on the morning of the 3rd of May, 1864, the Third Brigade of the
Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps, under command of Colonel Dan.
McCook, left Lee and Gordon's Mills and arrived in Ringgold, a distance
of twelve miles, in the afternoon of the same day, and there joined the
other two brigades of the division. There was a large army camped in
the vicinity of Ringgold, and the hills and valleys were covered with
camps, and rung merrily with the voices of many soldiers. It now became
evident that the indomitable Sherman was assembling his whole force to
make a crushing effort to drive back the threatening rebels under Jo.
Johnston.
The few days we remained at Ringgold our army was continually
augmenting, when by the 7th of the month it had assembled in force, and
set in motion against the enemy at Tunnel Hill and Dalton.
The grand army of the Mississippi, under the immediate command of
Major-General Sherman, at the commencement of this campaign, numbered
ninety-eight thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven effective men, and
two hundred and fifty-four pieces of artillery, and was divided as
follows:
The Army of the Cumberland, Major-General Thomas commanding--infantry,
fifty-four thousand five hundred and sixty-eight; artillery, two
thousand three hundred and seventy-seven; cavalry, three thousand eight
hundred and twenty-eight. Total, sixty thousand seven hundred and
seventy-three; with one hundred and thirty guns. Army of the Tennessee,
Major-General McPherson commanding--infantry, twenty-two thousand four
hundred and thirty-seven; artillery, one thousand four hundred and
four; cavalry, six hundred and twenty-four. Total, twenty-four thousand
four hundred and sixty-five; with ninety-six guns. Army of the Ohio,
Major-General Schofield commanding--infantry, eleven thousand one
hundred and eighty-three; artillery, six hundred and seventy-nine;
cavalry, one thousand six hundred and ninety-seven. Total, thirteen
thousand five hundred and fifty-nine; with twenty-eight guns. These
numbers continued relatively the same during the campaign, the losses
in battle and from sickness being about compensated by recruits, and
returns from furlough and hospitals.
The Fourteenth Corps, to which our division belonged, was commanded by
Major-General Palmer, and was assigned to a position under Thomas in
the centre.
In the move of the grand army on the 7th, our division reached Tunnel
Hill at noon, where the enemy made a slight resistance, and while it
was getting into position, a battery played upon it from an eminence
near the village. This battery was soon dislodged and the enemy put to
flight, retreating behind Rocky Face Ridge, where he took up position
in Buzzard's Roost Gap, our forces following up rapidly, confronting
his position, and throwing up works in case of an attack. The night of
the 7th passed off with some skirmish firing in the gap at the Roost,
and the next day, nothing was done, only the division changed its
front.
The command now held this front until the 12th, during which time there
were various demonstrations made on the rebel's invincible position, to
no advantage. While here, the Eighty-sixth was continually exposed to
the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, who occupied a position on the
highest and most abrupt portions of the Rocky Face Ridge, from whence
they viewed us, on the far-spread plain below, as mere Lilliputians of
a vile Yankee descent, and shooting among us, often did much injury.
The regiment went on the skirmish line on the afternoon of the 10th,
where it spent a most disagreeable night, not being allowed to pitch
its tents. An almost continuous skirmish fire was kept up on the 11th,
resulting in no very serious casualties to the Eighty-sixth, though the
Fifty-second Ohio was made to suffer severely. On the evening of the
11th, our command was relieved by General Cruft's division of the
Fourth Army Corps.
In this vicinity was passed a dolesome time, the country being wild and
rugged, affording handsome scenery under different circumstances, but
for us it had no enchantment. It was at this same gap we fought the
enemy on the 25th of February of the same year. Companies H and K had
each a man wounded at this place, being the only loss of the regiment.
On the morning of the 12th of May, the Fourteenth Corps, including our
division, marched to the right along Rocky Face Ridge, until it came to
Snake Creek Gap, and passing through it with much difficulty at a late
hour at night, camped on the south-east side of the ridge. Previous to
this, General McPherson had taken possession of this gap, completely
surprising a brigade of Confederate cavalry which was coming to watch
and hold it.
McPherson's and Hooker's commands had gone through before us, and
Schofield's followed after us, the Fourth Corps having been left to
attract the enemy's attention in front. Thus, the whole army, except
Howard's Fourth Corps, moved through Snake Creek Gap, on Resaca.
Major-General Thomas took up position on the left of the line, and
McPherson and Schofield on his right, the enemy being completely
flanked by this move, from his strong position at Buzzard's Roost and
Dalton, and compelled to fall back on Resaca. At this place, they
determined to give our forces a check, if possible, which moved on
their position on the 13th.
On the next day, the 14th, there was hard fighting, our division taking
a position late in the afternoon, and building breastworks, the roar of
artillery and musketry continuing furiously all the day.
At dusk, on the evening of the 15th, the Eighty-sixth was sent on the
skirmish line only a short distance from the rebel works. The enemy was
very conversant on this occasion, as was usually the case when their
forces took up the retreat, our boys telling them that they would wager
their last red that they would be gone before morning; and sure enough,
when morning came, every word of this prophecy was verified.
Our commanders, suspecting the action of the rebels, ordered our
batteries to play freely on their works. These batteries were stationed
on the hills behind the regiment, the screaming missiles from them
passing over it, presenting, in the darkness of night, a scene of
magnificent grandeur.
In the morning, the rebels had evacuated their works, falling back for
a better position, which they never found. In this battle, the regiment
lost five, in all; the company loss being as follows: Company C, three
wounded; Company H, one wounded, and Company I, one missing. No sooner
had the rebels evacuated Resaca than our skirmishers were aware of the
fact, so that, by daylight on the 16th, we were in possession of their
works, the pursuit being taken up at an early hour.
On the evacuation of Resaca, the Third Brigade passed through it;
thence, going back nearly to Snake Creek Gap, and from that place the
division continuing along the west side of the Oostanaula river in the
direction of Rome, arrived in the vicinity on the 17th, where it met
and fought the enemy. The Eighty-sixth Illinois and Twenty-second
Indiana were the only regiments generally engaged. These two regiments
advancing on the left of the line over uneven and wooded ground, found
the enemy and attacked him, a sharp fight ensuing of about twenty
minutes in which the foe was worsted, falling back into his
intrenchments; and our troops, holding the ground, built rail
breastworks. The next morning the rebels were gone, burning the bridge
over the Oostanaula after them.
The loss of the Eighty-sixth in this battle, was, five killed and
twelve wounded, the company loss being as follows:
KILLED.
Company F 2
Company D 1
Company I 1
Company E 1
--
Total 5
WOUNDED.
Company A 3
Company H 1
Company D 4
Company F 2
Company I 2
--
Total 12
On the morning of the 18th, the Eighty-fifth Illinois crossed the river
and took possession of the village of Rome, the remainder of the
brigade following over in the evening, having to wait for the
construction of a rickety pontoon. The people were very much frightened
at the event of our entering their village, having formed the idea that
the Yankees would extend them no mercy. They told us that they had
heard much of Yankee inhumanity, and death was the most clement act
they had expected--thus wagged the world with them.
In the possession of Rome, General Jeff. C. Davis' division met with
the most gratifying success, capturing its forts, with eight or ten
heavy guns, valuable mills, foundries, and various railroad
communications. Our brigade remained in Rome six days, the other two
brigades of the division not yet having crossed the Oostanaula. During
this time, Sherman had halted his whole army along the north side of
the Etowah river, in order to rest his troops and complete
communications as far as Kingston. This being accomplished, he supplied
his wagons with twenty days' rations, and again set his army in motion
toward Dallas, nearly south from Kingston, and fifteen miles west from
Marietta.
On the 24th day of May, General Davis' command took up the line of
march from Rome, crossing the Oostanaula near its mouth, and marching
in a southerly direction about twenty miles, camped in a heavy rain
storm, the Sixteenth Corps passing it during the night. The next day
the division made a forced march over rough and disagreeable roads
without gaining much distance, when, late in the evening, distant
cannonading could be heard at Dallas. On the 26th the command advanced
a short distance beyond Dallas, and drawing up in battle line, built
log breastworks, as the Confederate army was lying entrenched in a
strong position near this place.
Our lines were advanced still further on the 27th, throwing them into a
gap, far in advance of the main line of the battle, and built
breastworks, with the appearance of staying awhile.
The enemy about this time made repeated charges on our lines, both to
the right and left of us, and several on the lines of the First
Brigade, but only one on the Third Brigade. These charges proved very
disastrous to the enemy.
The command remained in this position nearly six days without rest,
being compelled to lie on its arms, not knowing what moment the enemy
might come. This detour of the whole army from the Etowah in its
circuit to the right, on Dallas, was made for the purpose of turning
Altoona Pass which the rebels determined to hold at all hazards, and
proved eminently successful.
On the first of June, our forces began their move from Dallas to the
left, in order to contract the lines, and the next position of our
division was eight miles to the left of its former one, and still on
the left of the Fourth Corps, remaining there two days, skirmishing
continually with the enemy until it was relieved and marched further to
the left, joining its corps, the Fourteenth; they having been separated
since Resaca. Here the boys received a mail, the first for a long
while. The corps remained in its position here one day after our
division joined it, the enemy evacuating his works on the night of the
5th of June, having been flanked therefrom.
Our forces followed a short distance on the morning of the 6th, but
before night took up position, and camped near Ackworth, on the
railroad, until the 9th, when they were again set on the move.
After its advance from Ackworth, our army was not long in finding the
rebels in another entrenched position.
About this time, General Blair arrived at Ackworth, with two divisions
of the Seventeenth Corps and a brigade of cavalry--a reinforcement that
amply compensated for our losses in battle, and troops left in garrison
at Resaca, Rome, Kingston and Altoona.
On the morning of the 9th, the entire army moved forward to Big Shanty,
the next station on the railroad. Here, we found ourselves surrounded
by scenery of peculiar and lofty beauty. To our left, and on the east
of the railroad, were Sweet mountain and Black Jack, while to the
westward, and nearly in front, rose the bold and striking Kenesaw. To
the right was Pine mountain, and more distinctly to the right was Lost
mountain.
Here we found the rebel General Johnston, strongly fortified on the
northern slopes of Pine, Kenesaw and Lost mountains. General Sherman
says, in his official report: "The scene was enchanting; too beautiful
to be disturbed by the harsh clamors of war; but the Chattahouchie lay
beyond, and I had to reach it."
At this place, our division took a position at right angles with the
railroad and a few miles south of Big Shanty, where it threw up
substantial breastworks, and remained until the 14th, when the lines
were advanced and another line of works thrown up. In front of these
works there was a deal of skirmishing carried on, creating undue
excitement in the lines of battle, for it was thought the Johnnies
would make a trial on our strength and position.
About this time there was an incessant roar of artillery on the extreme
right of our lines, despite the heavy rains that fell, which afterwards
proved to be the operations of Sherman's "flanking machine."
On Saturday, the 18th, our lines were again moved forward and other
works constructed, the boys working with a vengeance all night to find
the Johnnies gone in the morning; being flanked and obliged to evacuate
their position for another. They were followed up at early dawn on the
morning of the 19th, and chased to their next place of retreat. Their
right was now found resting on the Marietta and Canton road, with their
centre on Kenesaw mountain, and left, across the Lost mountain and
Marietta road, behind Nose's creek, and covering the railroad back to
the Chattahoochie. Our division under Davis, took its position directly
in front of the Big Kenesaw and nearly up to its base.
Several batteries of our artillery soon moved up in short range of the
Kenesaw and opened a furious fire upon it, in order, if possible, to
develop the whereabouts of the enemy's masked batteries. During this
cannonade it seemed that the very heavens were in agitation and the
earth in violent commotion, but no reply was received.
The troops stood from behind their works in full view of the enemy,
looking on in silent amazement, enjoying in their hearts the sublime
grandeur of the scene. Finally, a locomotive was run up to the base of
the mountain, when behold, a masked battery opened on it in all its
fury, the engine immediately reversing its steam and running back.
On the night of the 20th and 21st, the rebels constructed several
strong forts on the summit of the Kenesaw, from whence they annoyed our
position a great deal. On the 22nd and 23rd, interesting duels were
fought between these batteries of the enemy and our own; and certainly
there never was a more amusing and interesting scene portrayed than
exhibited in these short, effective engagements.
The scenes about Kenesaw will ever maintain a sacred spot on the
tablets of our memory. During operations about this place it rained
almost continually for three weeks, so that a general move was
impossible.
On the evening of the 25th of June our division was relieved from its
position in front of Kenesaw by a division of the 15th Corps, and after
much delay arrived at General Palmer's headquarters on the right centre
of the army.
The next day Sunday the 26th, it lay in the rear of the lines of
battle, resting itself for the dreadful scenes of the morrow. The loss
of the Eighty-sixth Regiment, from Dallas up to this time, was nine
wounded and one killed; the company loss was as follows:
Company I, one killed.
WOUNDED.
Company A 1
Company I 1
Company E 1
Company F 1
Company D 2
Company K 1
Company B 2
--
Total 9
On the 24th of June, General Sherman ordered that two assaults should
be made on the 27th, one by General McPherson's troops near Little
Kenesaw, and another by General Thomas', about one mile further south.
This came wholly unexpected to his troops, all believing that he would
put "the flanking machine" in force whenever he made a demonstration on
the enemy's position, but Sherman resolved to execute any plan that
promised success. These two assaults were made at the time and manner
prescribed in the order, and both failed.
General Thomas chose the 2nd division of the 14th Corps to aid in the
work along his line, and early on the morning of the 27th it was massed
preparatory to a charge. The 3rd brigade, Colonel Dan. McCook
commanding, was on the left of the division; the 2nd brigade, Colonel
Mitchell commanding, was on the right, and the 1st brigade, General
Morgan commanding, was held in the rear as reserves. The signal for the
charge was given at 8 A.M., by the simultaneous discharge of a battery
of guns; the lines advancing slow and steady, passing over our line of
works, descending a hill over a small stream, then crossing an open
field, ascended the acclivity on which the enemy's works were built,
when a desperate rush was made upon them with all the fortitude and
heroism of men under a most galling fire of cannon and musketry.
The brigade on our right failing to come up, we had to receive the
cross-fire of the enemy. It was too withering, the men falling before
it as the grass before the scythe. When the works were reached by those
who did not fall in the attack, they were too weak and too few in
number to effect a breach in them, the men lying down in front of the
works and up against them, until the order to fall back was given. When
the order of retreat was given, it was hard to obey, being attended
with a greater slaughter than the assault, the enemy having the chance
of taking cool and deliberate aim. Thus our broken lines fell back,
again taking position only thirty yards from the enemy, and in the most
difficult manner threw up a line of works, at the same time hugging the
ground for dear life, and where we remained in defiance of the exultant
rebels. This was our darkest day of the war.
The loss of the brigade on this occasion was truly severe. Colonel
Daniel McCook fell mortally wounded, and Colonel Harmon succeeding him,
survived his command but one moment, when he was carried off the field
a corpse.
The total loss of the regiment in this charge, in killed, wounded and
missing, was ninety-six men.
The company loss was as follows:
KILLED.
Company A 11
Company C 4
Company D 2
Company F 3
Company G 2
Company H 2
Company I 3
Company K 1
--
Loss in killed 28
WOUNDED.
Company A 7
Company B 3
Company C 6
Company D 9
Company E 5
Company G 7
Company H 13
Company K 5
--
Loss in wounded 55
MISSING.
Company A 6
Company D 2
Company F 1
--
Loss in missing 9
Officers wounded 4
Ninety-six men were lost from the Eighty-sixth on that fatal day. It
was a loss to be remembered and remarked, for they were among our
foremost and best men. They were as noble, as true and trusty men, as
loving and as loyal as ever lived.
May a just Heaven reward them as their merit deserves! May the earth
rest light on their bones! Mourn them not; it was with them "_dulce et
decorum, est pro patria mori_." How well these men have fought and
with what heroism they have suffered, let the battles of Chickamauga,
Mission Ridge and Kenesaw answer! They will be rewarded, for they have
left their "footprints on the sands of time."
It was now a busy time at the hospitals, for they were full of the most
heart-rending cases. Among the physicians conspicuous there for energy
and ability, were the indefatigable Hooton and Guth--men who justly
deserved the confidence and respect of their boys. Among the most
trying positions in the army, the Surgeon's is first. The minds and
dispositions of soldiers are as varied as the colors of the
kaleidoscope, and hard to comprehend even in a sound condition, but
when fretted by ill health no one man could come out best with all of
them. A good Surgeon, like the whimsical pages of Tristram Shandy, is
pestily censured and admired alternately.
The 3rd brigade held its position in close proximity to the enemy's
works for six days, until the 3rd of July. It was a hard one indeed,
for we were obliged to hug the works and keep concealed all the time,
night and day. Bullets were continually buzzing round in threatening
and unfriendly style. An interesting incident occurred, however, on the
29th, that broke the monotony of our situation for a short time; it was
an armistice of a few hours to bury our dead, the stench having become
so offensive to both parties that it could be no longer endured.
Details were sent from every company to perform the last office to the
heroic dead. This having been done, and a headboard erected with the
name of each upon it, to mark the spot where rests the sleeping brave,
the armistice was concluded. Soon after the armistice our brigade, now
under command of Colonel Dillworth, began a trench with the intention
of undermining the enemy's works, and blowing them up, but suspecting
something underhanded on our part, they threw turpentine balls between
the lines, which would certainly have disclosed any outward movement,
but the movement was inward, and their handsome fires availed them
nothing. This experiment, however, was followed by another, more
successful. By placing a drum on the solid ground and a marble on the
head of it, they discovered a jar in the earth. This was sufficient,
and gathering up their traps they evacuated early in the evening of the
2nd of July, our forces following on the morning of the 3rd. If the
rebels had not evacuated when they did, the 3rd brigade would have had
a grand jubilee on the 4th, for by that time it would have succeeded in
laying a magazine under their works, and setting it off would have
raised their ideas.
On the evening of the 3rd of July, our forces again came upon
Johnston's army entrenched at Smyrna Church, five miles from Marietta,
and forming our lines so as to confront his position, lay here until
after the 4th.
On the morning of the 5th, Johnston had fallen back to another line of
entrenchments on the north side of the Chattahoochie, our lines
advancing as usual until they came upon him. We were now in sight of
the Gate City, its steeples and spires appearing in the distance. For
the first time we beheld the object of our toils and marches, every
heart rejoicing to behold the doomed Atlanta. General Sherman was not
content, however, until every vestige of the Confederate army was upon
the south side of the Chattahoochie. Accordingly, he ordered his
"flanking machine," under command of General Schofield, to cross the
river and operate on the enemy's flank.
General Schofield crossed the Chattahoochie on the 7th of July,
compelling an evacuation of the enemy's works on the 9th, their whole
force crossing to the Atlanta side of the river and burning the bridge
after them; and thus, on the morning of the 10th, Sherman's army held
undisputed possession of the right bank of the Chattahoochie; one of
the chief objects of his campaign was gained, and Atlanta lay before
him only eight miles distant. It was too important a place in the hands
of the enemy to be left undisturbed, with its magazines, stores,
arsenals, work shops, founderies and converging railways. But the army
had worked hard and needed rest. Therefore it was put in camp in
favorable positions along the Chattahoochie, General Davis' division of
Palmer's corps camping near the railroad and wagon bridge across the
river. While we were encamped at this place, the adventuresome boys
would go near the banks of the river and gather blackberries,
notwithstanding the continuous fire of the rebel pickets on the
opposite side, there being scarcely a soldier who would not risk his
life for a blackberry.
The 3rd brigade remained in this camp just eight days, when on the
18th, it crossed the Chattahoochie river at Paice's ferry several miles
above our camp, the other two brigades having preceded it on the same
route.
After crossing the river, the division advanced cautiously in line of
battle, preparatory for any emergency. The advance was made over woody
and uneven ground, although not to say very broken. Shortly before
night, the command took up a position on favorable ground, the front
lines building rail breastworks. During the night, there was some
skirmish firing in our immediate front, though it was not sufficient to
prevent the boys from gathering blackberries, which had to be had,
Johnnies or no Johnnies.
On the morning of the 19th, at ten o'clock A.M., the division was again
put on the move, going further to the right and front. It halted a
short time at Peach Tree creek until a crossing could be made over it.
The Eighty-sixth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois were the
last of the 3rd brigade to cross over this creek, the other regiments
having made the passage and engaged the enemy in battle beyond the
crest of the hills bordering on this stream, finding them almost an
overmatch. At this juncture, Colonel Fahnestock was ordered to hasten
his regiment to their assistance, for the left of the line was giving
ground. In obedience to orders, the Eighty-sixth crossed the creek on a
foot log, being greatly scattered by the time all were across. The
scattered regiment formed at the foot of the hills on which our
skirmishers were engaging the rebels, and then advanced to their
support. Having taken up position, and thrown up a light line of works,
the rebels in superior force charged on our skirmishers, driving them
back pell-mell on the main line, which, after a desperate struggle,
repulsed them with heavy loss. The enemy in this charge came near
flanking the Eighty-sixth out of its position, the right giving back a
short distance at first, but soon resumed it again. Despite the
disadvantage in numbers, in this spirited engagement, our forces
maintained their own, and when night came, good earthworks were thrown
up in readiness for any emergency.
The loss of the brigade in this battle was almost as great as was
sustained in the charge on Kenesaw; the regiments on the skirmish line
being all cut to pieces, and half their number killed and captured.
Many a lifeless form was left unheralded on the field of battle, and
the evening shades of the ever memorable 19th of July drew her mantle
of darkness over a field of blood.
The loss of the Eighty-sixth, in this battle, was comparatively light,
being ten in all.
The company loss was as follows:
KILLED.
Company D 2
Company B 1
Company H 1
--
Total 4
WOUNDED.
Company B 1
Company D 2
Company C 1
Company F 1
Company I 1
--
Total 6
The next morning after the battle, at daylight, a rebel line of works
could be seen about four hundred yards in our front. There was nothing
in them, however, but a small skirmish force, the main body having
withdrawn. The Eighty-sixth kept up a heavy skirmish fire on these
works, not allowing a Johnny-reb to show his head except he got a
volley of musketry. Four pieces of artillery were brought on the line
and opened on these works, having great effect and causing them to be
evacuated. When a rebel would turn his back to run, half a regiment
would salute him, in its modest way. This was fun for the boys and they
seemed to relish it.
On the 21st, a reconnoitering expedition was sent out to ascertain the
strength and whereabouts of the enemy, and after advancing one mile and
a half found him in force, strongly intrenched, and then returned.
There being now nothing to confront it, our division moved forward on
the 22nd, and passing a line of intrenchments which were found
evacuated, arrived and camped within three or four miles of
Atlanta--the Gate City of the South. In this position, our brigade was
left in reserve, the first time on the whole campaign, having, however,
to keep a regiment on a hill, half a mile in advance of the main line
of works, as a lookout. While on this eminence, the boys had some
sociable times with the Johnnies, trading and exchanging with them as
long as agreeable, there being an agreement that there should be no
shooting while trafficking was going on.
On the 22nd, the day on which General McPherson was killed, there was
hard fighting on the left, Hood having massed his forces in the hope to
crush it, but after the most desperate fighting of the campaign, his
efforts were foiled, and he was compelled to withdraw with an
overwhelming loss. Sherman's report of a few days after, gave the
enemy's loss as six to our one.
The Second Division of the Fourteenth Corps was moved from its position
on the morning of the 28th, and marched to the right. It was now that
General James D. Morgan took command of it, General Davis being
indisposed. General Morgan was ordered to move his command by Turner's
ferry and East Point and come in on the flank of General Howard's new
line, so that, in case of an attack it would catch the attacking rebel
force in flank or rear. This plan proved abortive by the sickness of
General Davis and mistake of roads by General Morgan, who, by this
mishap was greatly delayed. Meantime, Hardee and Lee sallied forth from
Atlanta by the Bell's Ferry road, and formed their masses in the open
fields behind a swell of ground, and after some heavy artillery firing,
advanced in parallel lines against the Fifteenth Corps, expecting to
catch it in air; but Sherman was prepared for this very contingency;
our troops were expecting this attack and met it with a raking fire of
musketry, which thinning the ranks of the enemy, compelled him to
withdraw in confusion. After this, at some points, six or seven
successive efforts were made to carry our works, but all of them proved
futile.
Had our division not been delayed by causes beyond control, what was
simply a complete repulse of the enemy would have been a disastrous
rout. The rebel slain in this day's fight was enormous. Dead men never
lay in greater numbers on the same sized piece of ground. Our men
buried 2,840, exclusive of those carried off by their own men.
Late in the evening of the 28th, or rather, early on the morning of the
29th, after a most fatiguing tramp, our division reached the main line.
In the afternoon of the 29th, the division advanced the lines of battle
and took position; and again, on the 30th, it moved to the right and
advancing the lines took up position. On the 31st, it left its works
and marched still further to the right, on a reconnoissance, returning
to its works the same day. On this reconnoissance we got a fine
ducking, having left our rubbers in camp.
On the 4th of August, the division was again moved to the right, and
advancing the lines at least one mile, after several halts, built works
under a severe cannonade from the enemy's batteries. After some hard
skirmishing and changing about, the 3rd division of the 14th Corps
relieved General Morgan's command; it moved further to the right and
front, on the 12th, relieving a command of raw troops of the 23rd
Corps.
Here we found breastworks and were not constrained to labor as much as
usual on such occasions. The command remained in this last position
without any unusual occurrences only the spirited bombardment of the
city of Atlanta by our batteries of heavy guns, being kept up at
regular intervals night and day. The skirmish firing was also kept up
with animation on both sides and along the entire lines. Now and then
the monotony was broken by a conversation or trade, but never to last a
great while, the foe not allowing their men such liberties when it
could be helped, for they would not unfrequently take advantage of
these occasions to desert.
However, on the 19th of August, our brigade was marched several miles
to the right, in support of the 23rd Corps, as it was thought the enemy
would charge its lines on that occasion, but the supposition did not
prove a reality. The brigade returned the same day without adventure to
its former camp. Then again, on the succeeding day, the division was
moved off in the same direction of the day previous, but not stopping
so soon as before. This time, we passed the right wing of the army
entirely, and bearing south-east struck the Atlanta and Montgomery
railroad not far distant from East Point. After injuring the railroad
all that lay in its power, the division returned to camp, having
enjoyed a drenching rain. Nothing more of interest passed off except
the hum-drum picket firing, until the siege of the doomed Atlanta was
raised.
It was on the memorable 27th of August, that Sherman's entire force was
withdrawn from about the beleaguered city, and the whole of it, except
the 20th Army Corps, which moved to the fortifications at the railroad
on the Chattahoochie, marched in the direction of the Macon railway for
the purpose of severing the enemy's communications. Early on the
morning of the 27th, all the troops on the left of our division having
changed front the day previous, it moved from the breastworks, and
during the day took its position on the new line.
On the evening of this same day, the Eighty-sixth regiment held its
second anniversary. It had been the intention had not the movement of
the army interfered, to appropriate a part of the day for this purpose,
but as the regiment was on the move all day it was under the necessity
of taking the night.
Accordingly, in the evening, the men were assembled on the color line
and the objects of the meeting announced. A committee of three: Major
Thomas, Captains Bogardus and French, were appointed to draft
resolutions.
The committee having retired, Chaplain Millsaps made a speech
appropriate to the occasion, when the resolutions were called for and
read. They were strong in favor of the administration and bitter
against the copperheads. Though the regiment was not permitted to vote,
it could, nevertheless, express its sentiments to its friends, and in
behalf of the country. These resolutions were unanimously adopted,
there being no dissenting voice, and ordered to be sent to the Chicago
Tribune, Peoria Transcript and Peoria Mail. Speeches were then made by
Surgeon Hooton, Colonel Dillworth, Major Thomas, Captain Bogardus and
others, of a stirring and patriotic nature. This anniversary was, under
the circumstances, highly interesting indeed, and all the surviving
members who were there, will be duly wont to review it with feelings of
pride.
When Sherman's army had withdrawn from the siege of Atlanta, the enemy
supposed he had taken up his line of retreat and abandoned the
enterprise. While in this belief, they were destined to have a jubilant
time; and to make it the merrier still, a mandate was sent out to the
country about for all to come and partake of the fatted calf. Fair
damsels flocked from the vicinity about to partake in the joy over
victory; but lo! in the meantime, the Yankees cut the Macon railroad so
that the birdies from the rural districts could not get to their homes,
and aged mothers cried in vain for their affectionate daughters,
wishing the Yankees many a curse for interfering in their jubilee. Ah!
their day of rejoicing had too soon turned to one of tears, their
unhappy city had been relieved from a siege only to be captured. O, the
bitter disappointments that overtake short-sighted man! One hour he
rejoices, the next he mourns! How varied the fortunes of war; to-day
the city is impenetrable, to-morrow it has fallen! Poor, proud Atlanta
reveled, rejoiced and wept the same day!
After the siege of Atlanta was abandoned it was not long until our
division, under General J. D. Morgan, arrived in the vicinity of
Jonesboro, about twenty-two miles south of Atlanta. At this place, on
the 1st of September, and at five o'clock P.M., our division was formed
for a charge: the 2nd brigade on the right, the 3rd brigade in the
centre, and the 1st brigade on the left, and advanced to the attack in
two lines of battle. The Eighty-sixth regiment in this battle held a
position in the second line. The enemy's works were handsomely carried,
capturing a greater part of rebel General Gowan's brigade, including
its commander, with two four-gun batteries. This brigade was among the
choice men of the rebel army, having fought with a desperation worthy a
better cause.
This charge came like a flash upon the enemy, who were not aware of our
coming until we pounced upon them like an avalanche, and though they
fought obstinately, they were completely conquered.
Our brigade was in the hottest of the fight, and among the first troops
to scale the works and capture them.
The loss of the Eighty-sixth Regiment in this battle was two killed and
sixteen wounded. The company loss was as follows:
KILLED.
Company F 1
Company I 1
--
Total 2
WOUNDED.
Company A 1
Company B 1
Company D 2
Company G 4
Company I 1
Company H 5
Company E 1
Company K 1
--
Total 16
The night after the battle of Jonesboro an explosion of a tremendous
character was heard in the direction of Atlanta, for the enemy were
evacuating it and burning their magazines.
The disheartened and disorganized forces of the enemy now exerted all
their energies to complete a successful withdrawal, and save themselves
from utter annihilation. One wing of Hood's army fled precipitately
down the Macon railroad, and the other retreated along the Augusta
road.
Thus was Atlanta evacuated on the night of the 1st of September, after
so long a period of time. Remaining a few days in the vicinity of
Jonesboro, the 3rd brigade was put in charge of the prisoners and sent
with them to Atlanta on the 4th. It kept a jealous eye to its charge,
conducting them to the desired place with undue rapidity. The day was
hot and water scarce. Many of the boys under their heavy loads gave out
and laid down to rest. Rebel and Yank laid down together, and as best
they could followed up after they had become rested.
The blame of this unmasterly march was laid to Colonel Langley, who was
then in command of the brigade, Colonel Dillworth having been wounded
in the late battle. When the command arrived in Atlanta, not more than
one-half the men were with it, being left tired and worn out along the
wayside. Many of the prisoners might have made their escape, for all
were huddled and mixed up in all manner of ways.
There was much sympathy expressed by the citizens of Atlanta towards
these prisoners as they were marched and counter-marched through
several of the principal streets of the city. Weeping and moaning and
lamentation was the principal order of the occasion. The prisoners were
finally put in the "bull-pen," and the brigade permitted to go into
camp. We were now in the great city for the first time, that place for
which we had so long fought and labored to possess. It had been much
impaired by the bombardment, the effects of our heavy guns being
discernible in various parts. Thus ended the great campaign against
Atlanta--the Gate City of the South--after one hundred and twenty days
of the most trying scenes through which an army ever passed. During
this time we were under the almost continual fire of the enemy,
amounting to little else than an incessant battle. The Eighty-sixth
Regiment was in eight regular engagements of the most desperate and
trying nature. Our dear comrades were daily falling around us and by
us, but still we pressed on and finished the work in which they were so
ardently enlisted.
At the fall of Atlanta the hopes of the nation revived and the cause of
the Union was materially aided. The great anaconda of secession was
palsied and made to fade! A new-born nation rejoiced in the beginning
dawn of peace and liberty! The heart of a free, loyal people was made
to leap for joy!
There were many thrilling and exciting incidents connected with this
campaign, among which we will narrate the one respecting Captain Jo.
Major. In the charge on Kenesaw, on the 27th of June, while only a few
feet from the enemy's works, Captain Major was struck in the breast
with a stone thrown by a rebel, which knocked him senseless for a time,
and during this state the lines had fallen back, leaving him alone
among the dead and dying. Regaining himself, by and by he ascertained
his condition, but determining not to be a prisoner, he resolved to
play the dying man. He lay, therefore, in a seemingly helpless state,
closing his eyes and gasping as if the next breath was to be his last.
Finally, a rebel came to where he lay, and took his sword and other
valuables. The dying man made signs for water, and the rebel held a
canteen to his mouth, but, poor man! he could not drink. After this,
other rebels from their works shot at him, but he did not budge, and
believing him really in the throes of death, they did not bother him
any more. The day was extremely hot; it was one of those warm summer
days peculiar to the South. He lay on his back in the burning sun--an
impossible thing under other circumstances. Flies and ants swarmed his
face, and bit and stung him, but he dared not move.
He was kept in this position from 9 o'clock A.M. until after dark; but
night coming on, he took leg-bail for our works, reaching them without
further adventure. He came to his company hatless, swordless,
moneyless, but sound as ever--the same old Jo.