USA > Illinois > History of the 112th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry, in the great war of the rebellion, 1862-1865 > Part 19
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2:22
HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
From the position of Cox's division railroad trains could be heard moving between Marietta and the river, on the night of June 28th, which induced the belief that the rebel army was preparing to retreat south of the Chattahoochee River.
On the 29th the enemy's lines were severely shelled, and there was considerable sharp skirmishing, which continued all night and the next day. Hascall's division was moved from the left of Cox and thrown still further to the right, down the Sandtown road, until it covered all the roads leading into Marietta from the west. Its place in the line was filled by part of Hooker's corps. And then a brigade at a time was taken from the line and sent to the right, those remaining stretching their lines to cover the front.
In the night of July 3d Johnston evacuated Kenesaw Moun- tain and fell back to a new position in strong intrenchments, already prepared, behind Nickajack Creek. During the day his wagon trains could be plainly seen from the works of Cox's division, so near was the position to the road. The Army of the Cumberland moved down through Marietta ; the Army of the Tennessee to the right, and the Army of the Ohio stood fast in its old position. On the 4th of July heavy cannonad- ing toward the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochee indi- cated that Johnston's left flank was still in danger ; and being pressed on the right and center at the same time, he withdrew from the position behind the Nickajack, in the night, and oc- cupied another line of intrenchments, also already prepared, on the north bank of the Chattahoochee. These works extend- ed across a bend in the river, from bank to bank, covering the railroad bridge, and were about five miles in length, the flanks protected by the river. They were elaborately built, and pro- tected in front by heavy abattis and lines of chevaux-de-frise, and were evidently too strong to be carried by ordinary assault from the front. Sherman said he wanted time to study the situation ; and the Army of the Cumberland was placed in po- sition on the left and center, and the Army of the Tennessee on the right, to invest Johnston's position ; and the 23d Corps moved to Smyrna Camp Ground, near the railroad, in reserve, as a movable column ready to march in any direction. The 23d Corps had hardly got into camp on the 6th of July, when
223
AT THE END OF TWO MONTHS.
a locomotive whistle announced to Union and Confederate sol- diers, alike, that Sherman's lines of communication were in- tact, and a construction train swept down the track almost within musket range of the rebel pickets.
Two months had passed since the opening of the campaign in Northern Georgia, and in that time the enemy had been forced to quit one stronghold after another, had been pressed back from hill-range to hill-range, over a broken, mountainous country, where all the advantages had been on his side, until he had reached the Chattahoochee; and from the hill-tops the Union boys could discern the spires of Atlanta. Camps were laid out and prepared and arrangements made for a few days rest, but on the following day new movements commenc- ed, which will be described in the next chapter.
CHAPTER XVIII.
THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN CONTINUED. ACROSS THE CHATTAHOOCHEE-PEACHTREE CREEK. THE CHARGE AT UTOY CREEK-THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
As soon as Johnston had secured his position on the river he sent his cavalry, under Wheeler and Jackson, to the right and left on the south side of the river to guard the flanks and to destroy the bridges and ferry boats, and prevent the laying of pontoons. The work was well done, and for twenty miles up and down the river every bridge and boat were destroyed. There were numerous places where the river could be forded at times of low water, but the recent heavy rains had so swol- len the stream that the fords were impassable.
In the meantime Sherman's reserve column had not been idle. A place liad been found some seven miles up the river, at the mouth of Soap Creek, near Phillips' Ferry, which was insufficiently guarded, where a crossing could be made.
At midnight on the 7th of July the 23d Corps was ordered to be ready to move at day-light on the following morning, and at 4 o clock on the 8th the column was in motion. Accompan- ied by Col. Buell's pontoon train, the corps marched to the mouth of Soap Creek, Cox's division in advance, keeping away from the river so as not to be seen from the opposite side. Arriving at the place of destination, vedettes were plac- ed along the river bank, concealing themselves in the bushes, and pontoons were launched in the creek out of sight of the rebel guards, and at 3:30 in the afternoon preparations were completed for crossing. The boats were loaded with the 12th Kentucky regiment, of Byrd's brigade, and at a given signal
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CROSSING THE RIVER.
shot out of the creek into the river, the remainder of the bri- gade running down to the water's edge to cover the guards on the opposite side with their rifles.
A cavalry outpost with one piece of artillery was stationed on the heights opposite the mouth of the creek, and as the boats glided out of the creek into the river, they fired one shot from the cannon, ran it back and reloaded, and ran it forward to fire again ; but Byrd's men on the opposite bank covered them with rifles and no man could aim or fire it. The boats were soon over, and the men climbed up the bank, when the rebel cavalry and gunners took to their heels, leaving gun, caisson and artillery horses prizes of war to the Union soldiers.
In the meantime Cameron's brigade, led by Col. "Jack" Casement with his 103d Ohio regiment, had scrambled across the river on an old fish-dam half a mile above, in a swift cur- rent, and joined the Kentuckians on the heights below.
The pontoon bridge was laid, and Cox's division crossed over and intrenched on a high ridge nearly parallel to the riv- er, forming a natural bridge-head.
On the 9th the division was reinforced by two brigades, and moved down to a ridge one mile south of the crossing and in- trenched a strong position across the bend of the river, cover- ing the ford and bridge. Johnston had been kept busy in front by Thomas and McPherson, while Schofield was cross- ing, and the rebel army was completely surprised at the result of the movement. On the morning of the 9th a rebel picket on the river called out to a Union picket on the opposite side, "Say, Yank, we got reinforcements last night." "Is that so Johnny," replied the 'Yank', "who is it?" "Schofield with a whole corps is over here-he is on our side now," answered the rebel picket. In the night of the 9th, Johnston evacuated his works, crossed the river with his infantry, burned the bridges behind him, and retreated towards Atlanta. Sher- man's army at once commenced laying pontoons and building bridges. and several days were occupied in doing this work, and in constructing strong bridge-heads to guard the cross- ings, and getting the troops over.
On the 10th Cox's division strengthened its position, in an-
-15
226
HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
ticipation of an attack by Johnston's infantry, but beyond slight skirmishing with cavalry the enemy made no demon- stration in that direction. On the 11th the division was reliev- ed and placed in reserve near the river, and heavy details were made to work on the bridge. On the 12th the 4th Corps cross- ed on the pontoons at the mouth of Soap Creek. and went into position south of the river. On the 13th a substantial bridge was completed at this crossing ; and on the 14th the 23d and 4th corps were ready for an advance. Everything was packed in readiness to move, but as the other divisions of the army were not yet prepared, a general advance was not made until the 17th. In the evening of the 14th a heavy thunder shower, accompanied by a gale of wind, passed over the camp, blow- ing down tents and trees, and creating considerable excite- ment. The Adjutant of the 16th Kentucky was killed, and the Major and several men severely wounded, by a tree fall- ing upon their tent : and one man was mortally and several slightly wounded in the 104th Ohio.
On the 17th of July, all being ready, a general advance was ordered. Johnston's army was intrenched on the south bank of Peachtree Creek, and he had planned to strike Sherman's right wing with his whole force, while the column was in mo- tion when it crossed the creek, and then, falling back within the defenses of Atlanta, fall upon the left wing and crush it before Sherman s forces could be concentrated.
Johnston's position was about six miles from the river, and four miles from Atlanta.
On the morning of the 17th Gen. Thomas moved his army from Pace's and Phillips' ferries toward Atlanta, his left on the Buckland road. Schofield, with his corps, in the center, moved at 7 o'clock, and proceeded by way of Cross Keys to- ward Decatur ; drove the enemy's skirmishers before him, and bivouacked near Cross Keys for the night.
McPherson, on the left, was to cut and destroy the railroad between Decatur and Stone Mountain.
On the same day Johnston was removed from the command of the Confederate army, and Lieut. Gen. J B. Hood placed in command.
At the same time Gen. A. P Stewart was assigned to the
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AT PEACHTREE CREEK.
command of Polk's old corps, and B. F Cheatham took Hood's corps, Hardee being the only old corps commander remaining.
Hood followed the general outline of the campaign marked out by Johnston, but without the discretion and patient skill and watchfulness of the latter. Hood was brave to rasliness, and believed in an aggressive policy, but, as subsequent events will show, his dash and eagerness to fight cost him his com- mand and the Confederacy an army.
The 23d Corps moved at six o'clock on the morning of the 18th ; struck the main Atlanta road at Cross Keys, and marchi- ed to the north fork of Peachtree Creek. The 112th Illinois was thrown forward two miles, to the junction of the Decatur and Atlanta roads, and held the position until 6 o'clock in the evening, when it was relieved by the 2nd Division.
While the Army of the Cumberland was endeavoring to ef- fect a crossing of Peachtree Creek, on the 19th, the 23d Corps advanced on the Decatur road to within two miles of the town, crossed the south fork of Peachtree Creek, and secured a po- sition in front of Cheatham's line of intrenchments on Peavine Creek-the 15th Corps connecting on the left. Moved at six o'clock on the morning of the 20th, the whole left wing swing- ing forward and threatening to turn Hood's right. Cox's di- vision struck a line of intrenchments nearly parallel to, but crossing, the road, and the leading brigade engaged in sharp skirmishing. The other brigades formed on the left, and Has- call's division advanced and connected on their left.
At three o'clock in the afternoon Hood fell upon two divis- ions of Gen. Thomas' army, as they were crossing Peachtree Creek, with great force ; and until darkness put an end to the conflict, the battle raged with deadly fierceness. Hood was repulsed with great slaughifer. This is known as the battle of Peachtree Creek, but as the 112th Illinois was not engaged in it, a detailed account of the battle will not be expected in a history of the regimenf.
On the 21st the Army of the Cumberland intrenched its po- sition on the south side of Peachtree Creek ; the Army of the Ohio advanced and intrenched its skirmish lines, and the Ar- my of the Tennessee, on the extreme left, continued its oper- ations against the enemy's right flank.
2:28
HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
One man of the 112th Illinois, Corporal James E. Finley of Co. F, was severely wounded in advancing the skirmish lines.
In the night of July 21st Hood abandoned his line of intrench- ments in front of the 23d Corps and on Peachtree Creek in front of Thomas, and withdrew his army, except Hardee's corps, into new lines nearer the city. A general advance of Thomas' and Schofield's lines commenced early on the morn- ing of the 22nd. Moved forward about two miles and gained a position within two miles of Atlanta, and from the hills could look into the heart of the city ; and the fortifications on the opposite hills, with thousands of men at work upon them, were in full view of the Union troops.
In the meantime Hardee, with his four divisions, had made a long detour to the north east, in the night of the 21st, to make an attack upon the flank and rear of the Army of the Tennessee; and it was part of Hood's plan, if Hardee should be successful, to move upon the 23d Corps with Cheatham's corps, and crush the whole left wing of Sherman's army before Thomas, on the extreme right, could render as- sistance. How well Hardee performed his part ; how gallant- ly the Army of the Tennessee met his attack from front and rear ; with what bravery and heroism MePherson s men repell- ed the savage assaults of the Confederates : how the brave McPherson fell ; the noble conduct of Logan, on the field, and subsequently when the dispute arose as to the command of that army; all this is recorded in history and need not be repeated here.
A brigade of infantry in Decatur was attacked by Wheeler's cavalry, simultaneously with the assault upon McPherson, and Reilly's brigade of Cox's division was sent to cover the army trains behind Peavine Creek : and the brigade moved on a double-quick about two miles to gain the desired position. Army trains were met flying down the road in the greatest dis- order, teamsters lashing the mules and hurrying them forward at the top of their speed, and confusion and turmoil reigning supreme. The stampede was soon checked, however, and the trains ordered back to flieir former position.
The brigade in Decatur was reported as being hard- pressed, and Reilly's brigade was sent to its assistance. Wheeler was
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AT EZRA CHURCH.
driven off, and the extreme flank in that direction made secure.
Part of Cheatham's corps and a division of Georgia troops also made an attack upon the 2nd Division and Byrd's brigade of the 3d Division, of the 23d Corps, but were easily repulsed.
The Army of the Tennessee having effectually destroyed the Atlanta and Augusta railroad, the Macon road was the only line by which the Confederate army could be supplied, and Gen. Sherman determined to move his army by the right flank and cut this line of communication.
By the 25th the railroad bridge over the Chattahoochee had been rebuilt and trains were running right up to Thomas' lines. On the 26th the movement to the right commenced. The Ar- my of the Tennessee withdrew from the extreme left and mov- ed by successive corps to the extreme right, Schofield stretch- ing his lines to the left to cover the Augusta road, and draw- ing back Reilly's brigade of the 3d Division into the intrench- ments formerly occupied by the enemy, to protect his flank.
The movement was successfully accomplished ; but as How- ard, now commanding the Army of the Tennessee, was going into position near Ezra Church on the 28th, Hood again at- tempted to crush the column by striking it while in motion, but was severely punished and glad to withdraw within his fortifications. While these movements were being made Thomas and Schofield kept the enemy occupied in the center and on the left, and heavy skirmishing and cannonading con- tinued along their lines during the whole movement.
Col. Henderson having recovered from the wound received at Resaca, returned from home and rejoined the regiment on the 28th, but still suffering with ill health and hardly able to resume command.
On the 29th Reilly's brigade moved out in a south west di- rection on a reconnoissance, going around the rebel right and pushing well up to the defenses of Atlanta. The brigade drove the enemy's cavalry with ease and marched rapidly. Burned two mills and returned to its position in the line at dark-just in time to escape serious consequences, as the enemy had sent out heavy detachments of troops to cut off and capture the brigade.
Heavy skirmishing and considerable cannonading continued
230
HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
on our right, on the 30th and 31st, but all was quiet in front of the 23d Corps.
On the 31st Col. Reilly of the 104th Ohio, commanding the brigade, received huis commission as Brigadier General, and was heartily congratulated by the officers and men of the brigade on his deserved and well earned promotion.
On the first day of August the movement of the army to the right was continued. The 23d Corps was relieved by cavalry and a division of the 4th Corps, and at 9 o'clock in the evening moved towards the right, in rear of the Armies of the Cumber- land and the Tennessee. The night was very dark and the country densely wooded, and the column made slow progress. At twelve o'clock the command was halted and ordered to biv- ouac till daylight, and torches were lighted to see to stack arms.
Lieut. Col. Bond, who was in command of the regiment, had obtained a new "outfit" since the loss of the regimental wagon at Cassville, and he received information that afternoon that his valise and its contents had been stolen from the wagon. All he had left was a fatigue suit, which he was wearing, and a change of underclothing in his saddle bags. As he lay down to rest, he placed the saddle-bags under his head for a pillow, against some small trees, and remarked to his adjutant that he "guessed he had them fixed so no-thief could get them." When he awoke in the morning, behold, the saddle-bags were gone. No pen can describe the Lieut. Colonel's feelings. Could the thief have heard him, he certainly would have real- ized the baseness of his sin ; and could the Lieut. Colonel have got hold of luim, there surely would have been a case for the surgeon.
At 6 o clock the following morning the column was again in motion, Gen. Reilly's brigade in advance, and moving south, occupied and intrenched a position on the north fork of Utoy Creek, Cox's division on the right. A heavy shower in the night wet the men to the skin, as they had no tents. Reveille at 3:30 on the morning of the third, and by daylight the com- mand was ready for action.
Hascall's division crossed the creek and occupied a ridge on the south, followed by Baird's division of the 14th Corps, which had been ordered to report to Schofield, and the follow-
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READY TO MOVE IN THE MORNING.
ing morning Cox's division crossed and formed in rear of Baird to support his advance. Johnson's and Morgan's divis- ions of the 14th Corps crossed on the 5th, and a general ad- vance wasordered, but on account of Palmer (commanding the 14th Corps) refusing to obey the orders of Schofield, the ad- vance was delayed.
Reveille at 3:30 in Cox's division on the morning of the 4th, and ordered to stand at arms, until 4 o'clock, when the men stacked arms and rested in position. At 4 o'clock in the after- noon reconnoitered the enemy's works, but found them too strong to assault, and returned to position.
Reveille at 3:30 on the 5th, and again ordered to stand to arms to support an advance of Baird's division. A brigade was engaged in heavy skirmishing but there was no general action. Johnson's division was then ordered to advance, and Cox's division moved to the right, in column by regiments, in support, but no serious action occurred. All this maneuver- ing and delay was caused by Palmer's disaffection at being or- dered to report to Schofield ; and Palmer's division and brigade commanders, as might be expected, sided with him. The dit- ficulty resulted in Palmer being removed from his command.
On the 6th Cox's division relieved Baird's, and the latter re- lieved Hascall's. In the meantime the rebels had extended their flank and strengthened it with heavy works protected by abattis and chevaux-de-frise.
The distance across the forks of the Utoy was about two miles. Reilly was ordered to make a reconnoissance in force with his brigade. At 11 o'clock the brigade moved, and form- ed in line of battle, the 100th Ohio on the left, 112th Illinois in the center, 104th Ohio on the right, the 16th Kentucky off to the right to protect the flank, and the 8th Tennessee in re- serve. The brigade was supported by Cameron's old brigade, now commanded by Casement. A strong skirmish line was advanced across the field to the timber, and the order was giv- en to charge. The skirmish line advanced, and the brigade moved rapidly across the creek, up the slope beyond and into the woods. The skirmishers reported that the works were protected by abattis, and could not be carried, but the line was pushed forward, amidst a shower of bullets, until it found
232
HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
itself entangled among the felled trees and undergrowth half- cut off and bent downward and interlaced, but it pushed for- ward until it found itself within a few yards of the enemy's works, when it was compelled to lialt. The reconnaissance developed a solid line of breast-works as far as could be seen to the right and left, well-filled with Confederate infantry The 8th Tennessee was brought forward to reinforce the line, but ten times that number could not have carried the works. Casement's brigade was advanced across the valley, and un- der its cover the brigade was withdrawn, a well-supported skir- misli line being intrenclied close up to the abattis, and hold- ing the position.
The loss of the briga le was three hundred and thirty-three, in killed, wounded and missing. All the killed and many of the wounded were left on the field. The casualties of the 112th Illinois were as follows :
Killed :- Co. F, Serg. John H. Lane, Serg. Andrew G. Pike, Corp. Robert M. Dewey, and George W Rhodes ; James Es- sex mortally wounded, died next morning.
Co. D-Peter Lohnns, (mortally wounded, died same day.)
Co. C-William L. Jordan.
Co. E-Serg. Charles B. Hitchcock.
Co. K-William M. McHenry, Peter Shoe and Amos Tim- merman.
Co. G-James B. Henrietta, Edward Mckeon (mortally wounded, died Aug. 8).
Wounded-Lieut. Col. E. S. Bond.
Co. A-First Serg. Thomas J Williams (slightly), Corporal James Slick, James R. Batten (severely), Stafford Godfrey, Henry H. Leonard (slightly), John Willett (slightly).
Co. F-Isaac Messinger (died of woun'ls Sept. 2), William A. Stowe (severely), William Himes an l George W Jolinson, both slightly.
Co. D-Lieut. James H. Clark, First Serg. Andrew B. Laf- ferty, slightly, Andrew M. Gustafson, George Knapp and Isaac P Wing, both slightly.
Co. I-Corp. Wilber F Broughton (severely), Corp. Alanson D. Thomas (slightly), Charles T. Goss (slightly), Orie Cole (slightly), James A. Little, Henry L. Powell, George B. Ram-
233
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.
sey (severely), William H. Rankin and Jacob Zimmerman (both slightly).
Co. C-William Anderson, John W Cox (slightly), George M. Clark and James F Duncan.
Co. H-Capt. George W Sroufe (severely), Serg. Jolm H. Matthews (severely), Serg. John L. Jennings (slightly), John D. Bennett (slightly), and Enoch Ross (died of wounds Aug. 24).
Co. E-First Serg. Henry Graves (slightly), Corp. Sidney D. Butler (slightly), William Holgate and Joseph Sparks (both severely), and Jonas Stronburg (slightly.)
Co. K-Capt. E. H. Colcord (severely), First Serg. Edward S. Persons (severely), Serg. Jacob G. Rowland (died of wounds Aug. 29), Robert Burrows, James Kenney (slightly), William Miller, Albert B. McNickle (severely), Conrad E. Smith (slight- ly), and Michael Sweeney.
Co. G-William H. Cotteral and Ezra Litten (both slight- ly), and John A. Larson (severely).
Co, B-Capt. John Gudgel (severely, never returned to du- ty), Serg. Eli C. Jones (died of wounds Aug. 19), Corp. John R. Jones (slightly), Charles H. Barber (died of wounds Sept. 15), Melvin Gage (slightly), Cyrus Sturm (died of wounds Feb. 10, 1865), Charles R. Thompson and John Wallace, botlı slightly.
Captured-Corporal James M. Bice, of Co. A.
Total killed and died on the field, thirteen.
Total wounded fifty-nine, of whom six died of their wounds
Captured, one-making the total casualties in the regiment seventy-three.
Two of the Co. I men, above named, were wounded by a shell while the regiment was moving into position to make the charge ; and the others were killed and wounded in making the charge-many of them on the skirmish line.
A striking feature in the list of casualties is the number of sergeants killed and wounded-two having been killed, two wounded unto death, and three severely, and three slightly wounded. Many of the slightly wounded did not go off duty ; but many of the severely wounded were disabled for service and never returned to the regiment-some were discharged, others transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and some lingered
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HISTORY OF THE 112TH ILLINOIS.
through years of pain and suffering, and finally died of their wounds.
It was a severe encounter and a tight place. At one time as the brigade lay in line close up to the enemy's works, every man seeking shelter from the murderous fire from the intrench- ments, a body of rebel troops moved over the works and un- dertook to make a counter-charge and capture the whole line, but they were repulsed and scrambled back over their works.
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