USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > History of DeKalb County, Illinois > Part 10
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On the 7th, marched rapidly and a considerable distance. Passed through Nick O'Jack Gape, driving the enemy's pickets. Camped in the woods in line of battle, southeast of Taylor's Ridge, a precipitous range of hills. Remained in camp on the 8th. Considerable skirmishing in front, at Rocky Face or Buzzard's Roost. Brigade still quiet on the 9th, ready for battle. The roar of cannon and rattle of musketry heard, and the wounded of General Geary's divi- sion being brought to the rear. Advanced four miles on the 10th, camping at cross-roads. Here visited by a hard rain.
On the 11th the corps, or the greater portion of it, arrived at Snake Creek Gap, halted and built a double road several miles long, in about as many hours, the regiment assisting in this work. While this was being done several members of the 10th made a detour upon the top of the high ridge which shut in the command on the right as it passed into the long, deep gap. The sight from so lofty a point, of the country, was only rivalled by a similar one which they had witnessed at Point Lookout. On the 13th and 14th of May the army moved forward slowly, skirmishing heavily and fighting considerable on the latter date, the enemy making a stand in and around Resaca. On the 15th the first brigade, supported by the balance of the division, made a fierce and determined charge upon a peculiarly strong position of the enemy, near Resaca, capturing four pieces of artillery with caissons complete. The pieces were marked, "Atlanta and Augusta Arsenal," and weighed about 1200 pounds each.
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The battle was especially terrific, the rebels having a cross- fire upon our force of grape, canister and musketry. Captain T. S. Rogers, with Co. B, were deployed as skirmishers, cov- ering the front of the brigade. The battle commenced about midday and lasted till late in the afternoon. The regiment entered this fight on the "double-quick," with fixed bayonets and a prolonged shout. The battle-line was deliberately formed behind the brow of a hill, beyond which intervened a sort of irregular ravine, next the slope of the commanding hills or ridges, on whose summits, well fortified, the enemy was thickly arrayed. Colonel Dustin led his men right into the spirit of the conflict, and notwithstanding it was the first time the regiment had been under fire, the officers and men bore themselves bravely and well. It was a dreadful day's work. The number of casualties was about fifty in the regiment ere it came out of the strife. The names of the killed and wounded will be founded appended to this sketch. Lieutenant Colonel Vallette was severely disabled by a bursting shell, which necessitated his retirement from the service. Captain W. O. Locke, of Company I, and First Lieutenant W. M. Tirtlot, of Company F, were wounded. Young Arthur P. Rice, of Company F, the bravest of the brave, fell inside the rebel fort. He was the first boy in Wheaton to mount the stand at the call of Captain Daniels for the service of his country.
In his official report of this battle Colonel Dustin pays the following tribute to the officers and men of the regiment :
"At a time when for several hours so terrible a shower of musketry, shot and shell was being poured upon us from the rebel forts and rifle-pits, the coolness and bravery of the officers in repeating commands, correcting imperfections in the lines and pressing it forward was observed by me with great pride and satisfaction, and was only equaled by the splendid manner in which the men overcame all obstacles, obeyed promptly all orders, and at last gallantly threw them- selves high up into and under the rebel fortifications."
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
The brigade stood at arms during most of the night, pre- pared to repel a night attack. An attack being made, as anticipated, it was successfully repulsed.
During the night the rebel army retreated hastily, leaving their exceedingly strong works at Resaca. On the morning of the 16th the army started in pursuit ; the first brigade being left behind to bury their dead, did not follow until evening, marched about twelve miles after dark, coming up to the balance of the division late in the night. On the 17th, marched about twelve miles, crossing Coosawater river. On the 18th, moved to within four miles of Cassville, on the Adairsville and Cassville road, the advance of the Third Division driving the rebel rear guard before it a distance of five miles.
Colonel Dustin gives the following account of the opera- tions of the 19th of May, in his official report :
" On the morning of the 19th our brigade was ordered forward on the Cassville road supported by other troops. The 105th was ordered to take the advance. Companies H and I were deployed as skirmishers under Captain Forsythe; one company under Captain M. V. Allen being left in charge of the ammunition train. The balance of the regiment consti- tuted a support to the skirmish line. Thus formed, our brigade moved rapidly forward and the skirmishers were soon encountered and by a rapid skirmish fire they were driven beyond Two Run Creek and to within one mile and a half of Cassville, during which time the utmost regularity and good order was observed both by our skirmishers and reserves. At this point was developed a large force of rebel cavalry, and we were ordered to halt. Very soon the enemy opened a battery upon us in our front from which we were under a severe fire for some two hours. We were then ordered to move further to the right, connecting with our third brigade in whose front the enemy seemed to be massing troops prepar- atory to a general engagement. But our artillery just at this time opened with deadly effect, scattering the rebels in
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all directions. This was followed up immediately by a grand advance of the entire Twentieth Corps. The grand column moved forward in excellent order, with colors flying, through large, open fields, crossing Two Run Creek and then ascend- ing a thickly wooded hill. On reaching the top of the hill the artillery again took position and opened fire in good order, and thus the region of Kingston and Cassville was effectually cleared of rebel soldiery and the day's work for the 19th was Gone."
A concentration of the troops occurred here on the evening of the 19th, lying over till the 23d to rest, the enemy retir- ing in the interim.
On the day following the battle of Reseca, Major General Butterfield, commander Third Division, issued the following congratulatory order :
" HEADQUARTERS 3D. DIVISION 20TH ARMY CORPS, Near Reseca, Ga., May 16th, 1864. S " Gen Orders, No. 4.
The Major-General commanding feels it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to congratulate the Division upon its achievements yesterday. The gallant assault and charge of the First Brigade, capturing four guns in the enemy's fort ; the brave support of the assault by a portion of the Second Brigade on the left, with the glorious repulse it gave twice its force, proves the Division worthy a high name and fame. Let every one endeavor by attention to duty, obedience to orders, devotion and courage, to make our record in the future as in the past, such that the army and the country will be proud of us.
By command of Major General Butterfield,
JOHN SPEED, Captain and A. A. G."
General Sherman in his report of the operations of his army, referring to the eventful days at Reseca, says :
"Nothing saved Johnston's army at Reseca, but the impracticable nature of the country, which made the passage of troops across the valley almost impossible. This fact enabled his army to reach Reseca from Dalton, along the comparatively good roads constructed beforehand, partly from
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the topographical nature of the country, and partly from the foresight of the rebel chief. At all events, on the 14th of May, we found the rebel army in a strong position, behind Camp Creek, occupying the forts at Reseca, and his right on some high chestnut hills to the north of the town. I at once ordered a pontoon bridge to be laid across the Oostenaula at Lay's Ferry, in the direction of Calhoun, a division of the Sixteenth Corps, commanded by General Sweeney to cross and threaten Calhoun ; also, the cavalry division of General Garrard to move from its position at Villanow, down towards Rome, to cross the Oostanaula and break the railroad below Calhoun and above Kingston if possible, and with the main army I pressed against Reseca at all points. Gen. McPherson got across Camp Creek near its mouth, and made a lodgment close up to the enemy's works, on hills that commanded, with short range artillery, the railroad and trestle bridges, and General Thomas pressing close along Camp Creek Valley, threw General Hooker's Corps across the head of the Creek, to the main Dalton road and down to it close on Reseca.
" General Schofield came up on his left, and a heavy battle ensued during the afternoon and evening of the 15th, during which General Hooker drove the enemy from several strong hills, captured a four-gun battery and many prisoners. That - night Johnston escaped retreating south across the Oostanaula."
The following letter was written by the Captain of the rebel battery, which the 105th assisted in capturing at Reseca. It appears the Captain designed sending it to his wife by a wounded rebel, but the latter was taken prisoner, and the letter fell into the hands of a member of the 105th. We give it verbatim et literatim :
My Dear wife
" RESECA, Ga. may 15
John Thompson is going home to Cassville wounded I thought I would drop you a line by him
The Yankees charged on my battery this P M and captured 2 sections of it many of our men and attendants were wounded
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It was as daring an exploit as when my brothers was charged at antietam Va by Co new york Reg
They threw themselves into the front as unconscious of danger as ducks into a pond
I tell you and will to stow away every thing of value fearing we shall have to fall back from here if we do the yankees will get everything in reach.
We had to fight hookers command here or else the battery never would have been taken.
I hear we are gaining on the yankees in Va and we would have whipped them here if it had not been for Hookers command
They all wore a star.
If we hold our ground here I will see you ere long.
I want you to send sis and James to grand Pas and you go to uncle Johns Take all the things you can
I must close as the train will leave immediately your husband Unto Death W W C
PS our position here was very
good but we have to fall back keep up good courage. I hope what I have said will not prove discouraging to you. W W C
The term, "Ward's Ducks," originated from the Captain's allusion to the men of the First Brigade in the fourth paragraph, " throwing themselves into the front as unconscious of danger as ducks into a pond."
After two days' rest near Kingston, the advance was resumed on the 23d, proceeded some eight or ten miles, crossing the Etowah'and bivouacking in the woods beyond. On the 24th, marched to and beyond Burnt Hickory, throw up breastworks and bivouacked. On the 25th, marched back through Burnt Hickory and changed course somewhat, but still advancing. At about three o'clock, the division met the enemy in considerable force, and a sharp engagement occurred-the Second and Third brigades formed the first line, and the First brigade the second. The 105th, together with the brigade, being thus under fire, from close proximity to the
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
front line, although not actively engaged, suffered severely, the number of casualties being fourteen wounded. First Lieutenant J. W. Burst of Company C, had his right leg shot away by a rebel shell. He was a good officer, and his loss was regretted by his company and the regiment. Adjutant Chandler was also stunned, being grazed by a shell or grape shot, on the neck, and shoulder.
On the 26th the regiment and brigade laid behind breast- works under fire. On the 27th, the brigade was ordered to advance a few rods in front of the breastworks and throw up another line of works. This was done under a severe fire from the rebel sharp-shooters. The casualties in the 105th amounted to fourteen including two commanding officers, several of the men being killed. On the 28th they lay behind the new works which had cost the regiment so much to build the day before. On the 29th, the brigade was relieved and moved ba k out of range, after being under fire for nearly four days. But the 105th was not to rest long. The major portion of the regiment was detailed for skirmish duty on the 31st. On the first of June skirmishers and regiment were relieved and ordered to march and overtake the brigade, which had moved around on the left of the lines. A five mile march after dark brought the tired and worn men of the 105th up with the brigade, when the men laid down on their arms. On the following day, June 2d, took up a position, after moving several miles, preparatory as was thought, to a general engagement-covering the flank and supporting the left of the twenty-third Corps under General Schofield About dusk, the 105th regiment was thrown out on the extreme left as flankers, and was furiously shelled while performing this duty. Two companies were thrown out from the regiment as pickets and skirmishers under Major Dutton. Here the regiment lost its able and greatly esteemed chief surgeon, Horace S. Potter, then acting Brigade Surgeon. He was struck by a shell on the head, the frontal hone being crushed in or torn from the skull. Surgeon Pottor was selecting grounds for
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a field hospital, when the missile of death took effect. Quarter- master Timothy Wells, who was with him at the time, had the remains immediately taken off the field and carried to the rear. S. W. Saylor, leader of the Brigade Band, and a kinsman of Surgeon Potter's, secured a leave of absence and took the body home. On Sunday the 5th, Chaplain Champlin preached a sermon in memory of Surgcon Potter. The entire regiment listened attentively to the Chaplain's well-chosen words, and all felt more or less keenly a loss which could never be fully repaired in the person of any other medical officer.
Horace S. Potter was born in Chatauqua County, New York, about 1834, and came to Illinois in 1838, his family having settled in Warrenville, Du Page County, remained there until 1867, studying medicine with Dr. E. Q. Newton, a prominent physician of that place,-and graduated at Iowa State University. From Warrenville, moved to Danby, same County, in 1851, practicing medicine until May, 1856, when he moved to Chicago, where he was engaged in his profession, previous to entering the public service as Chief Surgeon of the 105th regiment.
Contrary to anticipations, no general engagement came off on the 2d, and on the 3d the Twentieth Corps moved around and beyond the enemy's right, and camped about three miles from Ackworth, remaining until the 6th, when the command moved forward, passing on the right of Big Shanty to near Golgotha Church, where the entire Corps took up a prominent position in line of battle and immediately threw up intrench- ments.
From this time to the 15th were laying quietly behind breastworks with no enemy close enough to skirmish witlı.
On the 10th, the Fourth Corps took position in front of the breastworks, moving away the next morning when the First division of the Twentieth Corps moved up and occupied their place. While here a heavy rain, commencing in the night on the 8th and continuing until the 14th, gave the troops a severe drenching. On the 12th heavy cannonading was heard on the right and left.
19
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
On the 15th broke up camp and moved together with the Corps beyond Golgotha Church, encountering the enemy in a very strong position. The command marched up in line of battle, the 105th under Major Dutton was thrown forward to support the skirmishers which covered the front of the brigade. The skirmishers, with the 105th close behind, advanced promptly, soon followed by the other regiments of the brigade in line of battle, when they were crowded forward until the enemy's intrenchments were in full view, and his skirmishers driven back close to their main works. A spirited engagement was going on, the hardest of the fighting occurring on the right and left of the line. The regiment, however, was under a terrible skirmish fire, which amounted to little less than an engagement. Brisk firing was kept up until dark, when light lines of works were thrown up. On the 16th, the brigade advanced and constructed strong breastworks, in the face of the enemy's sharpshooters, suffering a loss of nine, and one killed. The enemy shelled the regiments after dark, after which the brigade was relieved and ordered behind a second line of works to the rear. During the night the enemy retired, leaving the strongest line of fortifications the boys had yet seen. The casualties of the 105th on the 15th and 16th, were nineteen.
On the morning of the 17th, the national troops entered the rebel entrenchinents and marched on, coming up with the enemy in the afternoon.
The division moved about two miles, entering a large, open field, when it was formed into two lines and plunged into a thick wood on the right, moving along until it came in contact with the Twenty-third Corps, still further to the right. Being then moved to the left, emerged into the open field, where the division was massed. Here the regiment camped.
On the 18th the cannoniers kept up a heavy firing. : The enemy moved back and took up a strong position on the top of Kenesaw mountain, near Marietta, extending his lines about due North and South. Our army followed him up,
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drove him back considerably on the 19th, and pressed him on the 20th and 21st.
From the 18th to the 21st inclusive, the troops received a thorough drenching from a series of heavy showers. Remained encamped on the 18th. On the 19th moved forward through rain and mud, crossing two fords, the men getting thoroughly wet to the knees. Rain came down in torrents during the passage of the first stream. In the evening went into line between the Fourth Corps on the left and the Twenty-third Corps on the right. On the 20th and 21st, severe skirmish firing was kept up while perfecting the lines. On the 22d, the brigade, in conjunction with other troops, advanced the lines and built breastworks under a brisk fire. The regiment suffered a loss of ten,-one commissioned officer accidentally wounded, two men killed, and seven severely wounded. Regiment was relieved in the evening; moved some distance to the right, and bivouacked for the night.
The division on the 23d was again placed in the front line on the right of the Corps, connecting with the left of the 23d Corps. The regiment was assigned a position very near the battle ground, and where they were burying rebel dead who fell before the works the day before. Very heavy cannonading was heard on Kenesaw Mountain. On the 24th, the brigade lay behind a third line of works, at rest, and remained there until the night of the 26th, when it was moved to the front line of works, relieving Colonel Coburn's Second brigade, of the Third division. Here the works of the opposing forces were within short musket range, and the men were obliged to keep their heads down to save them from perforation. It was thought the enemy was meditating an attack at this point, but on the night of the 3d of July he fell back, yielding up his whole position around Marietta, and on the commanding hights of Kenesaw.
This alternative of the rebels was impelled by a brilliant flank movement by the flanking army under Major General McPherson.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
The First brigade was relieved on the night of the 29th, (June,) by the Third brigade of the division, and moved back from the front line of works. In the evening of July 1st, the First brigade relieved the Second brigade behind the second line of works. Nothing of moment occurred until the 3d of July, when, leading the van, the First brigade, headed by Brigadier General Ward, commanding division in absence of Major General Butterfield, and Colonel Ben Harrison of the 70th Indiana, commanding brigade, advanced into the strong works of the enemy, the latter having retreated during the night, as mentioned above. The Third division advanced on the Marietta road in the direction of the town, the head of the column encountering the rebel rear near that place, who opened vigorously with shot and shell. A section of artillery was immediately detached from Captain Smith's battery, under his charge. The First brigade supported the guns while the gallant Captain silenced the rebel artillery. The 105th being posted immediately in rear of the battery, was exposed to a perfect storm of shot and shell from the enemy's guns, but escaped with only one man killed, and two wounded. Several of the battery boys were badly mangled by rebel shells. The division left the main pike and advanced in the direction of the Chattahoochee river, scouring the woods in a rather zigzag manner until sundown. The 4th of July found the regiment and division encamped about four miles from Marietta, on a. high open field, in sight of rebels and rebel works. Here, rested until afternoon, unfurling the national colors in honor of the day. After dinner a march through woods and fields brought the command to a deserted farm, well shaded and supplied with water. Fortunately, the 105th was assigned a camping ground contiguous to an apple orchard, the trees of which were hanging full of fruit. The harvest was not long suffered to remain ungarnered, and the humble collations of the boys were materially improved that night, with what they were pleased to call " apple jack."
On the 5th, moved about six miles, arriving within two
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miles of Chattahoochee river and meeting the enemy's pickcts. Regiment shifted its position on the 6th and went into camp. An order was issued for the command to rest as much as pos- sible during the time it might remain quiet. The entire corps rested until the afternoon of the 17th, when orders were received to cross the river. It was late in the night before the corps bivanocked on the other side. The 105th was im- mediately detailed for picket duty-a severe task to perform after a tedious march of some ten miles.
During the temporary rest enjoyed by the 105th, as above indicated, Colonel Dustin received a leave of absence for twenty days, starting for his home in Sycamore on the 13th. Major E. F. Dutton succeeded Colonel Dustin in the com- mand of the regiment, and senior Captain H. D. Brown, of Company A, assumed the duties of the Major.
The command moved a few miles on the 18th, reaching a point on the Marietta and Decatur road, within one and a half miles of Howell's mills, which, on the 20th, was the immediate scene of the memorable and brilliant engagement and victory of the first brigade, in the great battle of Atlanta. Here the brigade rested on the 19th, and on the 20th moved for- ward and formed in line of battle on the south side of Peach Tree Creek, comprising a portion of the force which closed up a gap existing in the lines, and which the rebels were seeking with desperate eagerness. They found it, but too late to answer the purpose of victory. The 102d Illinois, 79th Ohio and 129th Illinois formed the first line, connecting with the second brigade on the left. The 70th Indiana and 105th Illinois formed the second line, distance from the first, some two hundred yards. Between two and three o'clock, afternoon, the pickets on the crest of a hill in the brigade front commenced firing, the enemy charging over the open field in his front several lines deep. The lines of the division immediately advanced in splendid order up the hill when, on gaining the crest, they were so close upon the rebels that several regiments were intermingled.
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HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Major E. F. Dutton, in absence of Colonel Dustin, com- manded the regiment, assisted by senior Captain H. D. Brown, the former acting as Lieutenant-Colonel, the latter as Major. The second brigade having moved obliquely to the left, and the first line of the first brigade to the right, the front of 105th was nearly uncovered. Seeing the enemy coming in large numbers down the slope of the second hill, Major Dutton ordered the men to open fire, which was promptly done, the regiment advancing in good order, after a brief halt on the hill. The battle now raged furiously, the troops of the regiments giving not an inch of ground, but advancing, standing right up to the work. Soon the masses of rebels, after making a brave fight, indeed, faltered, and the national troops drove them back over the second hill and open field, the 105th reaching the summit almost simultane- ously with the troops of the first line, from which point the regiment poured several volleys into the disordered and re- treating ranks of the enemy. The fighting continued until dark, when the regiment and brigade commenced throwing up breastworks. and were busy at this work until nearly morning.
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