USA > Iowa > History of the Fifteenth Regiment, Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry, from October, 1861, to August, 1865, when disbanded at the end of the war > Part 33
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
The enemy's knowledge of the ground whence he had to retreat before our advancing lines was an advantage which he made full use of, opposite the position of the 17th Corps, and more espec- ially in front of the 4th Division. Here the rebel batteries were so established as to allow their artillery a vigorous fire on our front and on both of our flanks; and the intervening bushy and thick timber was sufficiently shot away and thinned by shelling us for a couple of days, as to enable them to get a proper direction and elevation against our batteries and the colors of regiments support- ing them. On the 10th, 11th, 14th and 16th they opened along their whole front several times during each day and night, and sus- tained a well directed fire for several hours, but were invariably silenced by our superior batteries.
On the 17th, 18th, 20th and 22d their artillery threw a furious storm of solid shot and shell, bursting above the division line and scattering the timber in every direction. At the same time their infantry moved against the skirmish line of the 4th division, but as often it was repulsed, and their artillery silenced .
On August 23d,* the 11th, 13th and 16th Iowa, having com- pleted their new line on the left and to the front of the 15th Iowa, and occupied the same, the latter regiment sent a heavy detail of officers and men to work on the new sap on the right of the 3d brigade, the regimental details working alternately during the day and night, when on the next day, 24th August, the work was sus- pended by orders from department headquarters. In the evening the regiment was ordered to construct a new line perpendicular to and to the rear of the left of the regiment, facing due north, which was finished by the morning of the next day, August 25th, and the three left companies (B, G, K,) of the regiment occupied the
*The 3d Brigade headquarters were last established in the rear of a line of works erected early in August, and deserted on the 7th, the regiments advancing further to the front. On the 23d, General Belknap received an early visit at 3:30 o'clock A. M. in the shape of a musket ball passing through Lieut. John J. Safely's tent, on the left, and striking the General's bed in the place where he must have been had he not left his couch early in the morning. His early rising habit saved his life or limbs that day.
391
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
same. This line, facing north, was continued on the left of the regiment, by heavy details working without intermission, across the old fortifications, which had been erected since the battle of Ezra Church, July 28th, and were afterwards deserted by our troops, when they advanced to the front, to the position held by them on the 24th. The front of this new line, facing due north at the point where it commenced, within the position of the 15th Iowa, was changed further to the left to face northwest, and still further on the left to face due west.
Thus the new line on the left of the 3d Brigade, with the re- maining line of the troops then on their right, formed an irre- gular hexagon, with one side towards the southwest left open.
August 25th, the Army of the Cumberland left its former position held during the siege-its 20th Corps having marched to the railroad bridge on the Chattahoochie, opposite Vining station- the 4th and 14th Corps marched six miles west of the heights near Proctor's creek into a well fortified position, and the 16th Corps of the Army of the Tennessee also left the position it held on the right of the Cumberland Army, and was now occupying part of the new line just completed. The rebel forces opposite these abandoned positions were at a loss to understand the situation. From the position of the 3d Brigade, 4th Division, 17th Corps, the view was open to the left, along the low and wide meadow a mile and a half. The enemy's skirmishers were seen advancing by half dozens about noon, discharging their guns, and receiving no answer from the abandoned lines, after a while retreating to their lines. Those opposite the skirmishers of the 4th Division were soon convinced of the line being held, as the skirmishers as well as the batteries had several times shown themselves, when tried, to be well alive.
August 26th, the enemy's batteries opposite the deserted lines of the 16th Corps, and of the 3d division, 17th Corps, opened and were feeling for the troops that used to answer their calls. Elicit-
1
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
ing no reply, however, they turned their whole attention to the line of the 4th Division for several hours in the afternoon and evening, which proved to be their parting farewell.
At 8 o'clock P. M. of the same, the regiment, brigade, division and corps abandoned their lines and marched (followed by the 15th and 16th Corps) in rear of the fortifications of the Army of the Ohio, gaining the Sandtown road and following the same in a southwesterly direction to within five miles of the Chatta- hochie river, which changed direction on a side road leading due south and halted at 4 o'clock A. M. of 27th; at 8 A. M. it resumed march, the Ohio (1st) Brigade, Colonel Potts commanding, leading the column in same direction.
After building several bridges across rivers, creeks and marshy ponds, and cutting new roads through the timber, on the 28th August, the Iowa brigade, 3d, being in the lead, struck the Atlanta and Montgomery railroad, a little above Fairburn station, at 2 o'clock P. M., where a rebel cavalry brigade under General Ross, was met, fought, whipped, and driven to the eastward. On that day the regiment and brigade, after fortifying their position east of the railroad line, took part in the general destruction of the railroad, which was executed by the troops for "twelve and a half miles, the ties bound and the iron rails heated and tortured by the utmost in- genuity of old hands at the work. Several cuts were filled up with the trunks of trees, logs, rock and earth, intermingled with loaded shells, prepared as torpedoes, to explode in case of an attempt to clear them out, " as General Sherman says, on that night and on August 29th .
August 30th the armies moved directly east towards the Macon Railroad in three columns, to-wit: The Ohio Army on the left, the Cumberland Army in the centre, the Tennessee Army on the right; all on parallel roads, or as nearly so as practicable.
General Sherman's report says. "General Howard having the outer circle had a greater distance to move. He encountered cav-
393
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
alry which he drove rapidly to the crossing of Shoal creek, where the enemy also had artillery; hereafter short cannonading and skir- mishing. General Howard started them again and kept them mov- ing; passed the Renfro place on the Decatur road, which was the point indicated for him in the orders for that day, but he wisely and well kept on and pushed on toward Jonesboro, saved the bridge across Flynt river, and did not halt until darkness compelled him." August 31st the lines advanced, the 16th corps on the right, 15th corps in centre, the 17th corps on the left of the Tennessee Army; the men covered their front with the usual parapet and were soon prepared to act offensively or defensively, as the case called for. The 15th Iowa, with its brigade, General Belknap commanding, having been in charge of the train, arrived at 3 o'clock P. M., and at once took position on the left, when heavy musketry and artillery fire was opened on the right, soon enveloping the whole line to the left. The regiment, with brigade and division, having been as- signed to four different positions that afternoon and night, the last position assigned to it at 1 o'clock A. M. of September 1st, being on the extreme left of the Army of the Tennessee on a rocky and high range, where the lines were fortified, finishing the work by daylight on the right of Battery F, 2d Illinois Artillery, the 13th Iowa being on the right of the 15th Iowa, and the 16th and 11th on the left of the battery. Daylight revealed the position of the regiment and brigade, and the situation of the surrounding country. Eastward to the Macon railroad lay a wide, undulating, open field, extending across a low ground, gradually rising towards the rail- road two miles distant and exposing the whole surface of the front to open view, with the exception of some occasional spots of groups of trees, and a narrow strip of young timber along the creek run- ning through the basin of the valley, the latter being the line of our skirmishers. The same open ground continued towards the south one mile, and towards the north over half a mile, beyond which a young, brushy, oak timber closed the view. The lines of 29
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
several divisions were generally facing east, that of the 3d brigade being the extreme left was somewhat refused to the rear. At noon the Cumberland Army arrived and took position on the left of the 4th division, and as soon as connection was established commenced to swing its left around towards the Macon railroad, where it con- nected with Schofield's Ohio Army, descending on the east side of the railroad towards Jonesboro.
The engagement, which commenced before noon on the extreme right (16th corps), and was kept up along the line to the left, now broke fiercely opposite the 17th corps and along the Cumberland Army. Never, during the whole war, could the lines engaged in actual close conflict be seen to such a length and extent at one glance, as they could now be seen from the elevated ground whereon the left of the 4th division was assigned position. From that point the advance and engagement of the skirmish line, as well as the lines of battle of several corps, could be plainly viewed.
After a desperate fight and obstinate resistance, lasting over two hours, the enemy, (Hardee and Lee's corps), was brought to waver and soon gradually to yield his ground, retreating along the railroad towards Jonesboro, followed closely by the lines of the Cumberland Army facing south.
That part of the enemy's line which was facing the Army of the Tennessee soon yielded, as the advancing Federal lines began to flank their positions, when the 3d brigade, with its division and corps, was ordered to the extreme right to protect the right flank of the weakened 16th corps. It was marched on a parallel road in rear of that corps, and arriving on the right of the same at 6 o'clock P. M. at the crossing of the Flynt creek, it met, fought and drove the enemy from its well-selected position before night. After the fight, and while heavy skirmishing continued in front, the brigade was ordered to a new position on the left of the road, the 15th Iowa being the left, to connect with the right of the 16th corps at Flynt creek. Skirmishing was kept up during the whole of the dark
395
Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
night, the enemy's position in front of the 4th division being scarcely three-fourths of a mile distant. About midnight artillery firing of the heaviest kind, and in rapid succession, was heard far away at the north for over half an hour, and again about 4 A. M., mostly resembling a fire by file from a battalion of cannon. None could account for it until, on September 3d, it was ascertained that the enemy had burned eighty car loads of fixed ammunition prepara- tory to evacuating Atlanta that night; the troops that evacuated were the rebel General Stewart's Corps, and some 15,000 Georgia State Militia, who endured better times in sufficient degree during the siege to make them well remember that one of the staple pro- ducts of their state was " Sorghum molasses," and they ought to attend to that article instead of ever again meeting " Sherman's vandals " face to face. The Macon papers gave them the epithet henceforth of " Sorghum Malitia " with some degree of truth.
September 2d, at daybreak, two batteries opened a furious fire upon the enemy in front of the 4th division, and the lines of infantry were forming preparatory to an advance, when the enemy resumed his retreat-thus giving up Jonesboro. The 3d Brigade, leading the 17th Corps, started on the right of and parallel to the railroad, the 15th Corps moving on the railroad. Early in the afternoon, a slight cavalry skirmish commenced on the right and in advance of the column, when the 3d Brigade furnished a line of flankers; later in the evening a brigade skirmish line was sent out, with the 15th Iowa supporting the same, while the line of the division was formed facing south . The lines, thus moving forward, gradually changed their direction, lastly to face towards east; in this direction the division advanced half a mile, in an open but undulating, broken country; took position, and fortified same in an hour. Meanwhile, the enemy's skirmishers being pushed back, the divi- sion advanced at dark * to another position to the front, connecting
*As the advance of the brigade reached where the road turned to the right. a cavalryman rode hurriedly towards the rear; near the colors of the 15th, he caught up with cavalryman No. 2, also marching to the rear, joining him. No. 1 said, . Hello. Cap, I told a General with a big bushy beard, at the head of the column, that we had bunched the Rebs for him : the next instant the bunched rebs fired a tremendous volley at us. but luckily for us the shot went over our heads; there was a line of cavalry horses in the field on our left, but the cavalry, where were they ?
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
with the right of General Woods' division, 15th Corps facing east opposite Lovejoy's Station.
The line of the 3d Brigade being refused to the rear so as to face nearly south, it became exposed to an annoying cross-fire from east and south during the night and subsequent days.
September 3d, General Sherman's circular was published, con- gratulating the armies under his command upon the successful achievement of the great object of the campaign, announcing the evacuation of Atlanta by the enemy on the night of September 1st, and the occupation of the same by Slocum's 20th Corps, on the morning of September 2d; and also announcing the next destina- tion of the several armies, to-wit: The Cumberland Army to gar- rison Atlanta and the railroad north to Vinings Station, on the Chattahoochie; the Ohio Army to garrison Decatur and vicinity; the Army of the Tennessee to be stationed south of Atlanta, pro- tecting the Atlanta and Macon railroad.
Next day, the different trains were moved towards their respec- tive destinations, and at 8 o'clock P. M. of September 5th, the Army of the Tennessee left their position opposite Lovejoy, arriv- ing on the 8th within the massive rebel fortifications, and on the the 9th the several brigades, divisions and batteries of the 17th Corps were assigned their camps near the A. & M. railroad and near East Point, to positions to be fortified at once and the whole line was completed by September 15th.
Now the men, for the first time since the opening of the cam- paign, were permitted to enjoy a well merited and most needed re- laxation from the continued exhausting exertions of the long and severe, but glorious campaign.
During the siege just closed, the 15th Iowa has been under con- stant fire eighty-one days, most of this number the firing having been heavy and severe enough, and having lasted long enough during days and nights, as to be equal to common battles. It also partici-
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
pated in seventeen battles or advances upon the enemy and re- pulsing the enemy's attacks.
The 15th Iowa was under fire, during the siege of Atlanta, on the following days:
In June, from 10th to 30th inclus., Big Shanty and Kenesaw Mount'n, 20 days In July, from 1st to 16th inclusive, north of Atlanta, 16 days
In July, from 20th to 26th inclusive, east of Atlanta, 7 days
In July, from 27th to 31st inclusive, west of Atlanta, 5 days
In August, from 1st to 26th inclusive, southwest of Atlanta, 26 days
In August, 28th and 31st inclusive, south of Atlanta, . 2 days
In September, 1st to 5th inclusive, southeast of Atlanta, 5 days
Total
81 days
Days of battles or of advances upon the enemy, or repulsing the enemy's attacks:
June 15th, 19th, 23d, 27th, 4 days
July 3d, 4th, 5th. 20th, 21st, 22d, 28th, 7 days
August 17th, 20th, 28th, 31st, 4 days
September 1st, 2d, 2 days
Total
17 days
CASUALTIES OF THE CAMPAIGN IN SKIRMISHES, ON PICKET, ETC.
Asst. Surgeon H. Fisk, wounded mortally, before Atlanta, August 17; A Company. wounded: Privates, S. Bailie, hand and shoulder, Atlanta, August 15; P. Gebhart, -- , Nickajack, July 4; M. McNiece, leg, Kenesaw Mountain, June 17; J. Sweeny, left thigh, Nickajack, July 4; W. Watson, right thigh, Nickajack, July 4; B Company, wounded: 1st Sergeant W. Lump- kin, right leg, Nickajack, July 7; Privates, F. Burger, left hand, Atlanta, August 26; J. Fisher, right hand, Atlanta, August 23; J. Hardin, right arm, Atlanta, August 23; C. E. Harvey, head severely, Kenesaw, June 17; C Company, killed: Sergeant A. C. Tanner, Atlanta, August 9; Private G. Fallon, Kenesaw, June 19; wounded: Lieutenant S. Rynearson, Kenesaw, June -; Sergeant W. C. Laird, abdomen, Nickajack, July 5; Corporal W . H. Rom- esha, left arm and side, Atlanta, August 27; Privates J. Cooley,
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
left knee, August 23; J. Martin, -- , Nickajack, July 4; T. Mur- phy, right leg, (amputated ), Atlanta, August -; D Company, wounded : Corporal L. H. Burkhalter, left arm, Nickajack, July 4; Privates, A. J. Roach, right leg, Nickajack, July 7; J. Ogg, sun- stroke, Atlanta, July 26; E Company, killed: Private J. D. Sel- lers, Kenesaw, July 1: wounded: Drummer M. C. Davis, head, Nickajack, July 4, and in abdomen and right knee, (leg ampu- tated ), on July 5; Privates, W. G. Bish, shoulder, Nickajack, July 5; J. F. Lock, head, Atlanta, August 11; S. Mariott, leg, Nicka- jack, July 5; W. Miller, leg fractured, Nickajack, July 5; H. N. Moore, shoulder, Atlanta, August 15; O. Orm, leg severely, Nickajack, July 5; J. M. Richmond, hand, Nickajack, July 5; C. Warren, left arm, Atlanta, August 25; F Company, killed, Private L. Hessemer, Kenesaw, June 24; wounded, Sergeants I. Cooper, right shoulder, Atlanta, August 10; W. W. Seater, mor- tally, Kenesaw, June 24; Private L. E. Kelly, leg severely, Atlanta, August 25; G Company, wounded: Corporal J. C. Chapin, mortally, Kenesaw, June 27; Privates, J. Davis, mortally, Kenesaw, June 25; C. Finn, left hip severely, Kenesaw, June 27; J. Hannan, hand, Kennesaw, June 20; J. A. Lee, head, Nickajack, July 4; J. H. Reeves, mortally, Nickajack, July 5; R. Sanders, ·mortally, Nickajack, July 3; H Company, killed: Corporal A. L. Stone, Atlanta, August 19; Wounded, Captain N. W. Edwards, face, Kenesaw, June 16; Sergeant J. Vincent, right hip severely, Atlanta, August 26; Privates, W. Alloway, right thigh severely, Nickajack, July 4; B. F. Jordan, head, Atlanta, July 26; P. Mur- phy, knee severely, Kenesaw, June 16; W. F. Wills, foot, Atlanta, August 3; L. S. Tyler, sunstroke, Atlanta, August 1, again on 27; I Company, wounded: Sergeant J. C. Bonar, left hand, Nick- ajack, July 5; Privates, O. P. Fleming, foot, Kenesaw, June 16; L. Halfhill, wrist, Nickajack, July 5; captured, Private J. Fox, Atlanta, August 26; K Company, killed: Private W. S. Clear- waters, Nickajack, July 5; wounded, Corporal J. E. Morgan,
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
head severely, Lovejoy, September 2; Private J. F. St. John, left hand, Kenesaw, June 27.
RECAPITULATION OF LOSSES DURING THE CAMPAIGN, IN SKIRMISHES, ETC.
Killed.
Mortally
Wounded.
Wounded.
Total
Wounded.
Captured.
Aggregate.
Field and Staff.
0
1
0)
1
0)
1
A Company
0
0
5
5
0
5
B Company
0
0
5
5
0
5
C Company
2
0
6
6
0
8
D Company
0
0
2
2
0
2
E Company
1
0
10
10
0
11
F Company
1
1
3
0
4
G Company
0
4
3
7
()
H Company
1
0
6
6
0
.
()
()
3
3
1
4
K Company
1
0
2
0
3
Sunst. D Co 1 ; H Co 1
Totals,
6
6
44
50
1
59
Total in charge Ju 21.
4
7
44
51
0
55
Total in battle Ju 22.
19
5
55
60
87
159
Total in battle Ju 28. .
3
0
14
14
1
18
Aggregate
...
25|
18
157|
175
89.
29
I Company
Surgeon W. H. Gibbon, during the siege on detached service, on the 4th Division Board of Operators, returned now to the regi- ment, and by his excellent treatment, the cases of sickness were at once reduced in number, as well as character.
Adjutant E. H. King, who, being sick with fever since the forepart of August, and disabled from active field duty, was elected by the officers, and appointed by the regimental commander, Chaplain of the regiment on September 10th, having left on sick leave for the north that day, First Lieutenant E. P. Bye, G. Co., and from August 30th, Second Lieutenant W. C. Stidger, E. Co., were detailed to fill the place temporarily.
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
GENERAL FIELD ORDERS, No. 16:
CONGRATULATORY ORDER OF MAJOR GENERAL HOWARD.
Headquarters Department and Army of the Tennessee, East Point, Ga., September 9th, 1864.
It is with pride, gratification, and a sense of Divine favor, that I congratulate this noble army, upon the successful termination of the campaign.
Your officers claim for you a wonderful record,-for example, a march of four hundred (400) miles, thirteen (13) distinct engage- ments, four thousand (4,000) prisoners, and twenty (20) stands of colors captured, and three thousand (3,000) of the enemy's dead buried in your front.
Your movements upon the enemy's flank have been bold and suc- cessful: First, upon Resacca; second, upon Dallas; third, upon Kenesaw; fourth, upon Nick-a-jack; fifth, via Roswell, upon the Augusta railroad; sixth, upon "Ezra Church," to the southwest of Atlanta; and seventh, upon Jonesboro and the Macon railroad. Atlanta was evacuated while you were fighting at Jonesboro.
The country may never know with what patience, labor and ex- posure you have tugged away at every natural and artifical obstacle that an enterprising and confident enemy could interpose. The terrific battles you have fought may never be realized or credited. Still a glad acclaim is already greeting you from the Government and people, in view of the results you have helped to gain; and I believe a sense of the magnitude of the achievements of the last hundred days will not abate, but increase with time and history .
Our rejoicing is tempered, as it always must be, by the soldier's sorrow at the loss of his companions in arms. On every hillside,_ in every valley throughout your long and circuitous route, from Dalton to Jonesboro, you have buried them. *
*The official records of the Union and Confederate armies show that from Chattanooga to Atlanta inclusive, more than 85,000 men were killed and wounded, and more than 30,000 men were captured by the 1wo armies during the year ending September 15, 1864.
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Iowa Veteran Volunteer Infantry.
. Your trusted and beloved Commander fell in your midst; his name, the name of McPherson, carries with it a peculiar feeling of sorrow. I trust the impress of his character is upon you all, to incite you to generous actions and noble deeds.
To mourning friends, and to all the disabled in battle, you ex- tend a soldier's sympathy .
My first intimate acquaintance with you dated from the 28th of July. I never beheld fiercer assaults than the enemy then made, and I never saw troops more steady and self-possessed in action than your divisions which were then engaged.
I have learned that for cheerfulness, obedience, rapidity of move- ment, and confidence in battle, the Army of the Tennessee is not to be surpassed. And it shall be my study that your fair record shall continue and my purpose to assist you to move steadily forward and plant the Old Flag in every proud city of the Re- bellion.
O. O. HOWARD,
Major-General.
PART XI.
FALL CAMPAIGN OF 1864.
RECONNAISSANCE TO FAIRBURN, AND TO POWDER SPRINGS- GENERAL HOOD'S WHOLE ARMY WEST OF THE CHATTA- HOOCHIE -- PURSUIT OF HOOD TO RESACCA-GAYLESVILLE- MARIETTA-15TH IOWA TO RECEIVE 500 DRAFTED MEN, OCTOBER, 1864 -- CUTTING LOOSE FROM THE OLD BASE -- MARCH TO THE SEA-NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, 1864- SAVANNAHI. ·
General F. P. Blair and General G. A. Smith having left for the north on September 21st, the command of the 17th Corps de- volved on General M. D. Leggett, and from September 26th on General T. E. G. Ransom; that of the 4th Division on General
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History of the Fifteenth Regiment
W. W. Belknap; that of the 3d Brigade on Lieutenant Col., J. C. Abercrombie of the 11th Iowa, temporarily. The two divisions of the 16th Corps, with the army of the Tennessee, were trans- ferred September 30th, the 1st Divison under General J. W. Fuller to the 17th Corps, and the 4th Division under General J. M. Corse to the 15th Corps.
APPEAL FOR RE-ENFORCEMENTS FOR IOWA REGI- MENTS IN THE FIELD.
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERAL HOWARD AND GOVERNOR STONE.
Headquarters Department and Army of the Tennesse. East Point, Ga., September 23d, 1864. 5 To His Excellency Wm. M. Stone, Governor of the State of Iowa.
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