USA > Illinois > DeKalb County > Past and present of DeKalb County, Illinois, Volume I > Part 34
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On the ith marched rapidly and a considerable distance. Passed through Nick O'Jack Gap. driv- ing the enemy's pickets. Camped in the woods in line of battle, southeast of Taylor's Ridge, a pre- cipitous range of hills. Remained in camp on the 8th. Considerable skirmishing in front. at Rocky Face or Buzzard's Roost. Brigade still quiet on
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the 9th, ready for battle. The roar of cannon and rattle of musketry heard, and the wounded of General Geary's division 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 part 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 rivaled 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 considerably 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 Angusta arsenal," and weighed about 1,200 pounds each.
The battle was especially terrific, the rebels hav- ing a cross-fire upon our force of grape, canister and musketry. Captain T. S. Rogers, with Com- pany B. were deployed as skirmishers, covering 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 command- ing hills or ridges, on whose summits, well forti- fied, 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 found appended to this sketch. Lieuten- ant-Colonel Vallette was severely disabled by a bursting shell. which necessitated his retirement from the service. Captain W. O. Locke, of Com-
pany 1, 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 Cap- tain 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 fort and rifle-pits, the coolness and bravery of the officers in repeat- ing 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 or- ders, and at last gallantly threw themselves high up into and under the rebel fortifications."
The brigade stood at arms most of the night, prepared to repel a night attack. An attack be- ing made. as anticipated. it was successfully re- pulsed.
During the night the rebel army retreated hast- ily, leaving their exceedingly strong works at Res- aca. On the morning of the 16th the army started in pursuit ; the first brigade being left behind te bury their dead, did not follow until evening. marched twelve miles after dark, coming up to the balance of the division late in the night. 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 operations of the 19th of May in his official re- port :
"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 com- pany under Captain M. V. Allen being left in charge of the ammunition train. The balance of the regiment constituted a support to the skirmish line. Thus formed, our brigade moved rapidly forward and the skirmishers were soon encoun- tered and by a rapid skirmish fire they were driven beyond Two Run Creek and to within one mile
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and a half of Cassville, during which time the ut- most 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 prepara- tory to a general engagement. But our artillery just at this time opened with deadly effect, seat- tering the rebels in all directions. This was fol- lowed 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 ascending 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 done."
A concentration of the troops occurred here on the evening of the 19th. lying over till the 23d to rest, the enemy retiring in the interim.
On the day following the battle of Resaca. Ma- jor-General Butterfield. commander third divis- ion, issued the following congratulatory order :
"Headquarters Third Division. Twentieth Army Corps,
Near Resaca. Ga., May 16, 1864. "General Orders, No. 4.
"The major-general commanding feels it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to congratulate the division upon its achievement yesterday. The gallant as- sault 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 hrigade 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 cour- age. 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.
JOIN SPEED. Captain and A. A. G." General Sherman in his report of the operations
of his army, referring to the eventful days at Re- saca. says :
"Nothing saved Johnston's army at Resaca 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 Resaca from Dalton. along the comparatively good roads constructed beforehand, partly from the top- ographical 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 Resaca, and his right on some high chestnut hills to the north of the town. 1 at once ordered a pontoon bridge to be laid across the Oostenaula at Lay's Ferry, in the direction of Cal- houn, a division of the sixteenth corps, command- ed by General Sweeney, to cross and threaten Cal- houn; also, the cavalry division of General Gar- rard to move from its position at Villanow, down towards Rome, to cross the Oostanaula and break the railroad to below Calhoun and above King- ston if possible, and with the main army I pressed against Resaca at all points. General MePherson 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 Resaca.
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, cap- tured a four-gun battery and many prisoners. That night Johnston escaped, retreating south across the Oostananla."
The following letter was written by the captain of the rebel battery which the 105th assisted in capturing at Resaca. It appears the captain de- signed 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 :
"RESECA, GA., May 15.
"My dear wife
"John Thompson is going home to Cassville
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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 and many of our men and attendants were wounded.
"It was as daring an exploit as when my broth- ers was charged at antietam Va by Co new york Reg.
"They threw themselves into the front as uncon- scious of danger as ducks into a pond.
"I tell you and will to stow away every thing of valne fearing we shall have to fall back from here if we do the yankees will get every thing in reach.
"We had to fight hookers command here or else the battery never 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 immedi- ately your husband Unto Death W W C
"P S 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 ad- vance 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, threw 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 Sec- ond 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 front line, although not actively engaged, suffered severely, the number of casual- ties 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 regi- ment. Adjutant Chandler was also stunned, be- ing grazed by a shell or grape shot, on the neck and shoulder.
On the 26th the regiment and brigade laid be- hind breastworks 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 com- manding 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 back 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 1st of June skirmishers and regiment were re- lieved 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 ont 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 surgcon, Horace S. Potter, then acting brigade surgeon. He was struck by a shell on the head, the frontal bone being ernshed in or torn from the skull. Surgeon Potter was selecting grounds for 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 Champ- lin preached a sermon in memory of Surgeon Pot- ter. The entire regiment listened attentively to
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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 offi- cer.
Horace S. Potter was born in Chautauqua coun- ty, New York, about 1834, and came to Illinois in 1838, his family having settled in Warrenville, DuPage county, remained there until 1867, study- ing medicine with Dr. L. Q. Newton, a prominent physician of that place, and graduated at lowa 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 engage- ment came off on the 2d, and on the 3d the Twen- tieth Army Corps moved around and beyond the enemy's right. and camped about three miles from Ackworth. remaining until the 6th, when the com- mand 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 bat- tle and immediately threw up intrenchments,
From this time to the 15th were lying quietly behind breastworks with no enemy close enough to skirmish with.
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 drenehing. On the 12th heavy cannonading was heard on the right and left.
On the 15th broke up camp and moved together with the corps beyond Golgotha church, encounter- ing the enemy in a very strong position. The com- mand marched up in line of battle, the 105th un- der 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 ene- my'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 vet seen. The casualties of the 105th on the 15th and 16th were nineteen.
On the morning of the 12th the national troops entered the rebel entrenchments 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. Be- ing then moved to the left. emerged into the open tield, where the division was massed. Here the regiment camped.
On the 18th the cannoneers 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 line about due north and south. Our army followed him up drove him back considerably on the 19th. and pressed him on the 20th and 21st.
From the 18th to the 21st inchisive, 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 thor- oughly wet to the knees. Rain came down in tor- rents 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 being killed, and seven severely wounded. Regiment was relieved in the evening :
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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, connect- ing 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 moun- tain. 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 or 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 at- tack 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 heights of Kenesaw.
This alternative of the rebels was impelled by a brilliant flank movement by the flanking army under Major General MePherson.
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. On the evening of July 1st the First brig- ade 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. com- manding 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 Mari- etta 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 the 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. Sev-
eral of the battery boys were badly mangled by rebel shells. The division left the main pike and advanced in the direction of the Chattahoochie river, scouring the woods in a rather zigzag man- ner 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 after- noon, 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. For- tunately, 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 hum- ble collations of the boys were materially im- proved that night with what they were pleased to call "apple jack."
On the 5th moved about six miles. arriving within two miles of Chattahoochie river and meet- ing the enemy's pickets. Regiment shifted its position on the 6th and went into camp. An order was issued for the command to rest as much as possible 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 bivouacked on the other side. The 105th was immediately de- tailed 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 ahove 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 command 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 bat- tle of Atlanta. Here the brigade rested on the 19th. and on the 20th moved forward 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.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF DE KALB COUNTY.
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 line, distant from the first some . two hundred yards. Between two and three o'clock, afternoon, the pickets on the erest 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 im- mediately advanced in splendid order up the hill. when, on gaining the crest, they were so close upon the rebels that several regiments were inter- mingled.
Major E. F. Dutton, in absence of Colonel Dustin. commanded 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 the 105th was nearly uncov- ered. Seeing the enemy coming in large num- bers down the slope of the second hill, Major Dut- ton 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, fal- tered, and the national troops drove them back over the second hill and open field, the 105th reaching the summit ahnost simultaneously with the troops of the first line, from which point the regiment poured several volleys into the disor- dered and retreating 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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