IN NORTH GEORGIA WITH JOHNSTON AND HOOD—RETREAT TO KENNESAW—A
GALLANT DEED—HOOD’S NEW POLICY—DEFENDING ATLANTA—THE VALLEY OF
DEATH—THE GALLANT FIRST—FATE OF THE WOUNDED—DEATH OF SERGT.
FAY—ELECTING A LIEUTENANT—EVACUATION OF ATLANTA—AT LOVEJOY’S
STATION.
The First Alabama Regiment, on its arrival in North Georgia, was attached
to Canty’s Brigade, but was soon transferred to Quarles’ Brigade
(Tennessee troops), Walthall’s Division, Polk’s Corps. The regiment,
excepting Co. K, arrived in time to take part in the battle of New Hope
Church, on the 25th of May. When Co. K reported, on the 28th, active
skirmishing was in progress along the entire line of Polk’s Corps, and
during the next few days the regiment lost a number of men, among them
being the Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Winnemore, who had an eye shot out. To
June 2d the loss was three killed and eight wounded in the regiment.
On the night of June 1st the regiment was withdrawn from the front to the
reserve line, and on the following night the New Hope line was abandoned.
For several days it had rained heavily, and the clay roads were badly cut
up. At 10, P. M., the regiment moved into the road immediately in the
rear of the artillery and wagon-train. Every few hundred yards the wagons
or guns would stick in the mud, and the infantry would be brought to a
halt; but no opportunity was thus given for rest, as the road was liquid
mud, and not even the musket could be brought to an “order.” A drizzling
rain added to the discomfort of the men. At daylight on the morning
of the 3d we halted near the foot of Lost Mountain, having marched
five miles in seven hours. Fires were kindled, a ration of whiskey
distributed, and the men were allowed to rest till after 12, noon, when
the regiment was placed in position. Breastworks were, as usual, at once
constructed. Privates A. D. Ellis, W. L. Ellis, John Griffin, Joseph
Hurd and John Williamson were detailed at this time, with others of
the regiment, to act, till further orders, as sharpshooters. From Lost
Mountain the regiment moved to Pine Mountain, where it remained till June
18th. Daily rains made life in the trenches almost unendurable, and there
was considerable sickness. Gen. Johnston did all he could to alleviate
the discomforts of the soldiers; abundant rations of corn-bread were
issued, and occasionally a little genuine coffee. Meat was scarce and of
flour there was none.
On the night of the 18th of June the army fell back to the Kennesaw line
of defence, and on the 19th entrenched. This night’s march, like that of
the retreat from New Hope, was one long to be remembered. The road was
ankle deep in mud and water, with occasional holes waist-deep, full of
thin mud. Into these the soldiers would frequently stumble, requiring
their comrades’ help to get out. During the early part of the night there
were showers, and early next morning, as the soldiers filed up the steep
wooded slopes of Kennesaw, a heavy fog saturated their clothing. By 10,
A. M., a line of works had been completed, and Co. K was then ordered to
assist in dragging two pieces of artillery to the top of Kennesaw. The
detail of sharpshooters was at the foot of the mountain, and was soon
actively engaged skirmishing. On the 20th the line was under a terrific
artillery fire, and A. D. Ellis, of Co. K, was seriously wounded by a
fragment of shell. He rejoined the company at Tuscumbia. While stationed
on Kennesaw, Sergt. Cameron performed a notable act of bravery; during a
heavy artillery fire a shrapnel shell fell in the entrenchments amidst
Co. K. Sergt. Cameron, without an instant’s hesitation, seized the
smoking missile and hurled it outside the works ere it exploded.
In the severe battle of June 27th, when Sherman attempted to break the
Confederate lines, the enemy charged into the rifle-pits of Quarles’
brigade, but were repulsed. Though under fire, the First Alabama was not
closely engaged in this battle; its loss was trifling, and in Co. K there
were no casualties. While on Kennesaw, Assistant-Surgeon Madding, of the
First Alabama, was killed by a sharpshooter.
On the night of July 2d Gen. Johnston fell back from Kennesaw to the
line south of Marietta. A portion of Co. K was on picket, but overtook
the regiment without losing a man. Sherman followed close in pursuit,
and when the new position was reached, no time was lost in entrenching.
In less than thirty minutes from the time the First Alabama halted, the
men had constructed temporary breastworks and were ready and eager for
the fray. Sherman, however, finding Johnston prepared, contented himself
with shelling our lines. The fire of the enemy’s sharpshooters was very
annoying, and on the 4th, Corp. James D. Rice was wounded by them. He
rejoined the company prior to the Tennessee campaign.
About 9 P. M. on the night of the 4th, the army again retreated, the
new line being that of the Chattahoochie River. Breastworks were again
constructed, and here the regiment remained till another flank movement
by Sherman compelled Gen. Johnston, on the 9th, to cross the river. The
regiment was stationed on the line south of Peach Tree Creek. While here,
Lieut. Adams was transferred to the Navy Department, Richmond; and an
election in the company, held by order of Maj. Knox, resulted in the
choice of Galvin Golsan as Second Lieutenant, Jr. Orderly-Sergt. Cameron
was also brevetted First Lieutenant for gallantry, and, pending Lieut.
Golsan’s examination for a commission, was placed in command of the
company.
Gen. Hood took command of the army on July 19th. By five o’clock on
the morning of the 20th the sound of musketry on the right announced
the inauguration of the new policy of aggressive instead of defensive
warfare. The regiment was at this time deployed as skirmishers on Peach
Tree Creek, three-quarters of a mile in front of the works. Orders were
received to retire as skirmishers, and assemble on the main line. This
was done under a heavy artillery fire, in good order. The brigade having,
in the meantime, moved to the right, the regiment followed at a double
quick, overtaking it in position on the reserve line immediately in the
rear of the heaviest fighting. No call was made on the reserve, and at
the close of the day the regiment returned to its former position, but
was marching and countermarching all that night and the following day. On
the night of the 21st the regiment was withdrawn to Atlanta, and placed
on picket. Private Tharp was missing on the arrival of the company at
its new post, and was not again heard from.
The usual work of entrenching was immediately begun, and in three hours
everything was ready for an attack. Late on the afternoon of the 22d
the regiment was ordered to the right to storm a twelve-gun battery;
but Hood’s attack had failed, and the order was countermanded when the
regiment was in position. It bivouacked there for the night, and on the
following morning returned to its former position. Here it remained till
July 27, when it was withdrawn 300 yards to the rear for rest. The same
evening, however, the regiment was ordered to fall in, with blankets
rolled, ready for marching, and it remained in line all night awaiting
further orders. It rained gently through the night, but when morning came
the clouds disappeared, and the sun rose bright and clear—for the last
time for many of the brave men of the First Alabama.
About 10, A. M., came the command, “Attention!” “Right face!” “Forward,
march!” After marching two or three miles, the command was halted till
about 3, P. M., when it was again ordered forward. Soon the sound of
musketry announced that a battle was in progress immediately in front.
Hood, with Stewart’s and Lee’s corps, was attempting to break through the
enemy’s line near the Lickskillet, or Poorhouse Road. Gen. Quarles at
once placed his brigade in line of battle—the First Alabama on the left,
Co. K to the left of the color company—Brevet-Lieut. Cameron in command,
Lieut. Golsan, who had not yet received his commission, accompanying
him. In a few minutes the brigade was under fire, and, pressing forward,
passed over Canty’s brigade, which was lying down, and, crossing a rail
fence, charged down a slope—
“Into the jaws of death,
Into the mouth of hell.”
No sooner had they reached the foot of the hill, crossed a small run or
brook and begun to ascend the opposite side, than a withering flanking
fire swept down their ranks; while from the works in front, halfway
up the ascent and hidden in the edge of the woods, streamed forth a
constant blaze of musketry, while shots from the artillery pierced the
bank of smoke like flashes of lightning. Still the men made no halt, but,
with heads bent down as though breasting the cyclone, pressed onward,
till Gen. Quarles, seeing that none could survive to reach the enemy’s
lines, gave the order to halt and fall back to the run, now red with
blood, where a slight cover was afforded. They were within fifty yards
of the enemy when halted, and a gallant soldier of another command was
buried by the enemy where he fell just outside their works, and his
grave, carefully protected, was marked by them with a tribute to his
bravery. The charge was made over open ground, while the enemy were
wholly concealed in the woods and behind a breastwork constructed of a
rail fence and rock piled up. Lieut. Golsan fell early in the fight, and
Lieut. Cameron just before reaching the run at the foot of the hill. Both
were cheering on the men when stricken down. Co. K lost 19 men killed and
wounded out of 32 engaged, the casualties being as follows:—
Killed—Brev. First Lieut. Norman Cameron; Junior Second Lieut.
Galvin Golsan; Privates William Dubose and John Owens: total,
4.
Mortally wounded—Privates A. C. Smyth, J. J. Stuart, and A. J.
Thompson: total, 3.
Seriously wounded—Sergt. M. D. Lamar; Privates John Boggan,
George Durden, E. Leysath, J. L. Simpson and John Williamson:
total, 6.
Severely wounded—Corpls. E. L. Averheart and O. M. Blaylock;
Private C. B. Brown: total, 3.
Slightly wounded (not sent to hospital)—Privates J. C. Hearn,
John Tunnell and J. H. Shaver: total, 3.
Of the regiment, 171 men, out of 325 present, were killed and wounded,
including 13 color-bearers. It was not till about dark that the shattered
remnant of the First Alabama was withdrawn. The names of those of Co. K
who escaped unharmed from this terrible gorge are, to the best of the
writer’s knowledge—Sergt. W. H. Fay; Corp. G. W. Hearn; Privates T. M.
Boggan, W. L. Ellis, W. W. Day, John Griffin, Joseph Hurd, G. W. Hunt,
R. H. Kirkpatrick, John Killough, Joseph May, Eli T. Sears and Josiah
Tunnell.
Of the wounded, Privates Smyth and Thomson lived till they reached the
hospital at Griffin, where both died. There is some uncertainty in
regard to J. J. Stuart’s fate, several members of the company asserting
positively that he was mortally wounded in this battle, and died in
hospital; others, having equally good opportunities of knowing the facts,
being ignorant of his fate; and some asserting that he was not present.
His name does not appear in a memoranda of the killed and wounded made
about ten days after the battle by the writer, who was himself in
Montgomery, Ala., at the time. Sergt. Lamar received a bullet in the
hip and was never able to return to duty. Private Williamson received
a bullet in the shoulder, a second in the thigh, while a third chipped
a piece off of a front tooth. He, too, was permanently disabled, as
were Durden, Leysath and Simpson. The others soon recovered of their
wounds. For some days doubt existed as to Lieut. Cameron’s death, but the
lingering hope was dispelled by a member of another company, who saw him
breathe his last. Lieut. Golsan’s body was carried a little distance to
the rear by some of the company; but they had to leave him, and with the
other dead he was buried by the enemy. There was no foundation whatever
for the rumor, which reached his home, that he was not killed.
Maj. Knox was seriously wounded, and the command of the regiment devolved
upon Capt. Williams. Sergt. W. H. Fay was ordered to take command of Co.
K. The brigade bivouacked for the night near the battle-field, and on the
29th returned to its former position on the defences, and the regiment
resumed picket duty.
While out on picket, August 3d, Co. K suffered another great loss.
Private Farmer was slightly wounded, and expressing a desire for water,
Sergt. Fay volunteered to get some at a neighboring well. He took several
canteens, and succeeded in reaching the well in safety; but on his
return, while crossing an exposed opening, a ball pierced his heart. He
exclaimed, “Oh, men! oh, men!” walked about fifteen steps and sat down
under the shade of a small tree; and as Sergt. Royals, who ran to his
assistance, caught him in his arms, he struggled once or twice and died.
Thus perished, in the glory of early Christian manhood, one of the pure
and noble of earth. The company thus lost in less than one week two
officers commanding, and one who had been elected to command—three noble,
Christian men, Cameron, Golsan, and Fay.
On the death of Sergt. Fay, Sergt. C. H. Royals took command, and held
it till relieved by Lieut. Jones, of Co. I. Private G. F. Martin was
slightly wounded on the 4th. On the 12th of August Private D. E. Holt
was severely wounded, a Minie ball passing through both thighs, but
fortunately missing the larger blood-vessels and bones. He was taken to
the hospital, where gangrene getting into the wound, he narrowly escaped
death, and was disabled from further service.
An election for Junior Second Lieutenant was held on August 9th. John
L. Alexander received 9 votes, and Daniel P. Smith 10. Lieut. Smith
soon after successfully passed his examination for promotion, but did
not receive his commission till September 7th. John L. Alexander was
about this time made Orderly Sergeant. Corpls. Averheart and Hearn were
promoted to sergeantcies, and Josiah Tunnell and G. H. Royals were
appointed corporals.
While at Atlanta, those of the soldiers who had any money could purchase
some few articles of luxury; rice could be bought for 75 cents per pound,
and flour for 50 cents per pound. The rations, as usual, consisted of
corn bread and beef.
On August 19th the regiment was ordered down the railroad to intercept
a raid, but went into camp in the outskirts of Atlanta. Again, on the
21st, the regiment was sent three or four miles to the right of the
Confederate lines, where it constructed an abattis. The following day
it was ordered back to its old position at the breastworks near the
Chattanooga Railroad. On the night of the 25th the Federals withdrew
from around Atlanta, moving to the south; and on the morning of the 26th
Gen. Stewart’s corps occupied the abandoned works. The First Alabama,
with other troops, advanced to the Chattahoochie on a reconnaissance,
without meeting the enemy. In the afternoon the regiment was withdrawn,
and camped inside the city lines. Here we remained until the morning
of the 31st, when we were ordered down the Macon Railroad towards East
Point, some four or five miles. During the day the regiment was mustered
for pay. Towards evening the command returned to Atlanta, camping beside
the Macon Railroad. Early on the morning of Thursday, September 1, the
First Alabama was sent out on the Poorhouse or Lickskillet road on
picket, being stationed about half a mile from the battle-field of July
28th. Rations of hard tack, all that the men could carry, were here given
out. Returning to the city (leaving the picket line at 10.45 P. M.), we
found it evacuated with the exception of the cavalry rear-guard. On an
open square a huge pile of cotton was fiercely blazing, while down the
Macon Railroad heavy explosions told of the destruction of an ammunition
train abandoned through the negligence of the Chief Quartermaster. The
First Alabama, which formed the infantry portion of the rear-guard, made
no halt in the city, but took the road to McDonough, passing out of the
city limits about 1 or 2 o’clock on the morning of the 2d. Except for
brief intervals of rest, the march was continued till noon on the 2d,
when the command deployed and built breastworks. Just as these were
completed, orders were received to take the road again. At 10.45, P.
M., another halt was made, and the men were allowed to rest till 2.30,
A. M., Saturday, when they were ordered into line, but no move was made
till daylight. About 3, P. M., a halt was made four or five miles from
Lovejoy’s Station. Sunday morning, the 4th, the regiment marched four or
five miles, and deployed in a piece of thick woods. Sharp firing could be
heard in front, and occasionally a cannon ball went crashing through the
trees; but the firing soon ceased, and the regiment went into camp.
There were twenty-two men present in Co. K when the retreat from Atlanta
began. Two or three, Private Hurd among the number, broke down on the
march, and were sent to hospitals. Lieut. Jones, of Co. I, assigned to
the command of Co. K, was left behind in Atlanta, and Lieut. Smith took
command of the company on the night of the 1st, though not commissioned
till the 7th.