USA > Ohio > The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 1861-1865; its great march, with roster, portraits, battle maps and biographies > Part 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
The skirmishers were within a short distance of the railroad when the enemy opened fire upon the brigade with a regiment of infantry and a bat- tery in position, directly off our right. I immediately sent orders to Gen- eral Fuller to charge the battery, and swing still further to the north. un- der cover of the timber. Before the order was executed, I received orders from General McPherson to withdraw the brigade and close upon General Sprague who was formed on the left of the Second Division. This had to be done in the view of the enemy, whose batteries had point-blank range, across the open fields upon the column. General Fuller deployed his bri- gade under cover of the timber and withdrawing by regiments across the open fields, formed in position on the west side of Mill Creek.
It was now sunset, and I received 'orders to withdraw the command and return to Snake Creek Gap. We bivouacked at twelve o'clock at night at the eastern outlet of the Gap. The loss was 29 killed and wounded. About thirty prisoners were taken.
192
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
My transportation had not yet reached me. Since leaving Chattanooga. I had only seventeen wagons, and I had marched out in the morning with- out rations, most of the command having been without food since the day before at noon. Thus a march of sixteen miles was made by the command. the men and animals whereof had had nothing to eat for a day and a half. Supplies came forward to Snake Creek Gap till May 13th. when the com- mand moved with the army. The Fourth Division being in advance, formed on the right of the Fifteenth Corps and advanced to Mill Creek, fronting Resaca, with the right resting on the Oostanaula River.
During the afternoon of May 14th, the line of hills east of Mill Creek and directly in front of Resaca were charged and carried. General Spra- gue's Second Brigade. Fourth Division participated in the charge, receiv- ing from General Wood, great credit for the gallant and efficient manner in which it aided in carrying and holding the lines. In the charge. the thirty-ninth Ohio of the First Brigade. Fourth Division, was ordered to protect the exposed right of the Fifteenth Corps, and did its work most nobly, capturing the enemy's skirmish line, including three commissioned officers, and held the position taken, which during the night was intrenched.
On the. 15th. the First Brigade, Second Division crossed the Oostan- aula. On May 16th at nine o'clock in the morning, I moved the Fourth Division to Lay's Ferry, crossed the Oostanaula River and pushed the en- tire command forward, on the road to Adairsville Station, forming on the right of Colonel Rice's Brigade. The enemy charged down in heavy force, but was defeated and withdrew. The loss was seventy killed.
On May 17th. at seven o'clock in the evening. the command moved out toward Kingston, via McGuire's, Adairsville and Woodland Roads, and after two nights and a day and half's march, reached Kingston where trans- portation was reduced, and twenty days short rations for men and animals was collected
On May 23rd, after three days and two nights of tedious march, we reached Little Pumpkin Vine Creek, ten miles south of Dallas, near Moody's Mills. The troops had hardly bivouacked, when daylight having arrived. the advance was moved on a cross road, striking the main Dallas Road at Pumpkin Vine Creek. A crossing was effected, the command formed in line, advanced upon, and after a slight skirmish, entered Dallas. The com- mand bivouacked half a mile east of the town, facing a high range of hills, occupied by the enemy. At daylight on the 27th, the enemy pressed for- ward in heavy force. The Fourth Division was formed on the left con- necting on the right of General Jeff C. Davis' Division of the Fourteenth Corps. Our lines were advanced driving the enemy into his works and our line intrenching itself upon the new ground taken, batteries were placed in position and a strong skirmish line thrown forward. Heavy skirmishing was kept up constantly till four o'clock in the afternoon of the following day, May 28th, when the enemy massed in heavy columns, under cover of the timber, made a sudden assault on our lines. This first assault was promptly repulsed. but rallying and reforming his lines, he again, with in- creased force and impetuosity. charged and contested strongly for the possession of the works, many of his dead and wounded being left within fifty yards of our lines, some indeed on the works. Three officers and a
193
GENERAL DODGE'S REPORT.
few enlisted men succeeded in getting inside our works. They were either killed instantly or captured. This assault although desperate and deter- mined, was promptly and gallantly met and repulsed.
On May 29th, at ten o'clock, the enemy (having evidently either sus- pected or discovered our movement for withdrawing the army in a move- mient to the left, to a position in the vicinity of New Hope Church) in heavy columns assaulted my line, making five separate and determined at- tacks, and although in each promptly repulsed, he kept up a continuous and heavy musketry fire along the entire front during the night, thereby necessi- tating a postponement of the movement for the withdrawal of the army.
In the different day and night attacks made by the enemy in front of Dallas, he suffered great loss. At no time did he move our line one inch. In every instance, he was speedily and severely punished, and left his dead and wounded in our possession.
On May 31st, 2 portion of the Fourth Division and the Second Brigade of the Second Division, Colonel August Mersy, commanding, advanced, and with slight loss, carried one line of the enemy's works. At seven o'clock of the morning of June 1st, the movement for withdrawing the army was commenced. A brigade was sent in advance to the left to occupy some new works on the Allatoona Road, built to cover the withdrawal of the army. The Fourth Division moved to a position near Owen's Mills, cover- ing the road to VanWert, Burnt Hickory and Kingston, and strongly in- trenched.
On the 2nd of June, the enemy attacked Fuller's and Sprague's Bri- gades of the Fourth Division at Big Pumpkin Vine Creek and was speedily repulsed. On June 3rd, I contracted my lines, the Fourth Division moving to the left and east of Big Pumpkin Vine Creek with only slight skirmishes with the enemy's pickets. June 5th, the movement began and was com- pleted on June 6th. The command bivouacked southwest of Ackworth in the evening. Quartermaster stores and supply of rations were brought up, the sick and wounded were sent to the rear.
On Jun : 10th, the command moved as rear guard to the army, and on the following day, the Fourth Division went into position near Big Shanty, its right resting on the railroad near Moon's Siding, its left con- necting with the Fifteenth Army Corps. The line was intrenched and bat- teries placed in position. This position was held with constant heavy skir- mishing, until June 18th, when the first line of the enemy's rifle pits in my front were charged and taken with about fifty prisoners, my loss not ex- ceeding one hundred. The men of the First and Second Brigade displayed great gallantry.
On June 19th, at daylight, the enemy evacuated his works on my front. The Fourth Division by prompt movement, pressed him closely on the Burnt Hickory and Marietta Roads. The enemy's new line was soon de- veloped on my front in a strong position on the crest of Kennesaw Moun- tain, which he had previously fortified. The First and Second Brigades of the Fourth Division, were moved into position facing, and close upon the enemy's works, connecting on the right with the Fourteenth Army Corps, and on the left with the Fifteenth Army Corps. The Second Division was held in reserve at Big Shanty.
194
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
On June 22nd. the Fourth Division and the entire line were advanced to within twenty-seven hundred feet of the enemy's batteries. Strong works were built at once and batteries placed in good position. On June 27th, in pursuance of general orders for a movement along the line of the armies. the Fourth Division advanced upon the works at the top of Kennesaw Mountain.
The natural defences and obstructions encountered rendered the ascent of the mountain very slow and difficult, but the men advanced under a galling fire until the main line of the enemy's force was reached, which however, was found too strong to carry, and the object of the movement which was to keep the enemy from weakening his force in my front, to throw against the main charging column on my right, being successfully accomplished, it was deemed inexpedient to attempt further to carry the works. The Sixty-Fourth Illinois deserves special mention for its action this day. It secured and held a position so close to the enemy's main line of works, on the top of the mountain, that the enemy was obliged to keep close inside.
The Sixty-fourth Illinois was relieved from this position by the 27th and 39th Ohio, who held it until July 3rd, when it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated and that our skirmishers had taken possession of the mountain and works, taking some prisoners. During the day the Fourth Division moved to the right and bivouacked on Nick-o-Jack Creek, near Ruff's Mills.
Early in the morning of July 4th, the Fourth Division moved out on the Ruff's Mills Station Road, and encountered the enemy, pressed him back for a distance of two miles, and until he was developed in strong in- trenchments in heavy force. Prisoners taken showed that Hood's entire Corps was in my front. The Second Division was brought up and placed in position on the right of the Fourth Division and the command proceeded to develope fully the enemy's position. The 43rd and 63rd Ohio and 64th Illinois of the Fourth Division were placed as support to a charging column consisting of the 27th and 39th Ohio Infantry of the Fourth Division, under command of Colonel E. F. Noves. At six o'clock in the evening they gallantly charged and carried the enemy's line of works, capturing over one hundred prisoners. In this charge my loss was about one hundred and forty, killed and wounded. Among the latter was Colonel E. F. Noves who lost a leg, a most gallant and efficient officer, beloved and admired by all. His loss to the Division was and still is deeply felt and deplored. The line charged was soon abandoned by the enemy along its entire length, and he immediately commenced his retreat to the Chattahoochee.
July 5th the command moved and bivouacked on the Sandtown Road. July 7th the Fourth Division moved to the forks of Howell's and Green's Ferry Roads, and placed skirmishers forward to the banks of the Chatta- hootchee River, where the batteries opened fire upon the enemy's position on the south side of the River. On July 9th the command moved out on the Sandtown Road and the Marietta Road, via Marietta en route to Ross- well, and having marched until ten o'clock at night, bivouacked one mile east of Marietta. The command resumed its march at three o'clock in the morning. The infantry and one battery were pushed across (fording) the
.
195
GENERAL DODGE'S REPORT.
Chattahoochee River, and occupied the works held by General Newton's Division of the Fourth Army Corps, which I relieved. A strong tete-de-pont was thrown up to cover the crossing, a foot bridge, seven hundred and ten feet long and fourteen feet high was built. The march from Sandtown to Rosswell, thirty-one miles, and the crossing of the Chattahoochee was ac- complished in less than two days under a scorching, burning sun, and was certainly one of the most laborious undertakings of the campaign, a most severe test of the endurance, patience and spirit of the men.
General Sherman had urged celerity, and the alacrity and spirit with which the command met the emergency, and the skill and cheerful industry displayed by the men in building the bridge over which the entire army of the Tennesee crossed with all its trains, entitles them to much credit, and proves that our gallant soldiers are equal to any and every emergency.
On the morning of July 17th, the command moved out on a road lead- ing to Old Cross Keys, Decatur being the objective point. The Fourth Division, Brigadier-General J. W. Fuller commanding, was brought for- ward, deployed and drove the enemy beyond Cross Keys, taking and holding a position on the south side of the creek. Communication was established on the right with the Twenty-third Army Corps, and on the left with the Seventeenth Army Corps.
At six o'clock in the morning of July 18th, the command moved directly across the country, crossing the Peach Tree Road, and striking the old Rosswell and Decatur Road, which it took, moving toward Decatur. The advance found the enemy in considerable force at Cressey's Branch, and drove him across Little Peach Tree Creek, on which stream the com- mand bivouacked that night. On July 19th, the command moved forward on the old Decatur Road. Here one of my scouts joined me, bringing the intelligence of the supersedure of Johnson by Hood in command of the Confederate Army, which information was immediately communicatel to Generals Sherman and McPherson. The Twenty-third Corps, having the Decatur Road, I ordered a road cut parallel to it, upon which my command moved and having crossed Peach Tree Creek proper, struck the enemy in force in front of Decatur, drove him steadily back, and entered the town. General Fuller placed his Fourth Division in position on a range of hills south of, and commanding the town. As this Division advanced through the town, the enemy opened fire upon it with artillery posted on a range of hills west of the town. General Fuller threw his Division promptly into line, batteries were brought into action, and opening fire upon, silenced the enemy's artillery. The line then advanced and occupied the range of hills south and west of town.
At one o'clock in the afternoon of July 20th, the command moved for- ward on the Decatur and Atlanta Road and intrenched during the night near the Three Mile House. The Second Brigade, Fourth Division, General J. W. Sprague, commanding, was ordered back to Decatur to relieve General Gerrard's Cavalry, and guard the trains of the army.
On the morning of July 21st, General Fuller moved the First Brigade of his Division into position as a reserve to the Seventeenth Army Corps. Light Battery F, Second U. S. Artillery, attached to the Fourth Division, was placed in position on General G. A. Smith's front Seventeenth Army
.
196
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
Corps. The Second Division moved and formed on the right of the Twenty- third Army Corps.
At four o'clock in the morning, the enemy had disappeared from our front. Our skirmish line was pushed forward and reported the enemy in force in works, surrounding Atlanta. I was ordered to move and place the First Brigade, Fourth Division in line on the left of the new position taken up by the Seventeenth Corps, the Second Division in reserve. At an early hour I rode with General McPherson to the front, the sudden evacua- tion of the enemy caused surprise and serious concern, and the General re- quested me to repair to the left, get my troops on the ground, examine the ground in front on the left of the Seventeenth Army Corps. Before orders to intrench by Fuller's Fourth Division could be executed, the command was attacked by the enemy in heavy force.
On the morning of the 22nd, my troops were disposed as follows : The Second Division was in position on the right of the Army of the Ten nessee, with one Brigade in reserve. The First Brigade of the Fourth Divi- sion was in reserve near the left of the army, and in rear of the center of the Seventeenth Army Corps, being held as a reserve to the left flank of the army. The Second Brigade of the Fourth Division, General J. W. Sprague commanding, was posted at Decatur, to hold that place and cover our trains in the absence of the cavalry. At daylight the pickets in front discovered the enemy had evacuated his works. They pushed on, finding the enemy in his works surrounding Atlanta. I received orders to move the Second Division from the right to the extreme left of the army, and mass it in the rear of the new position to be selected for the Seventeenth Army Corps, and to place one brigade of the Fourth Division in position on the left of this new position. The Second Division halted about half a mile south of the railroad on the road running parallel to and three-quarters of a mile in the rear of the position of the Seventeenth Army Corps. I went in person to select a position for the First Brigade of the Fourth Division.
The Seventeenth Army Corps was not to move until night. About twelve o'clock at noon, while at General Fuller's headquarters, straggling shots were heard in the rear of the left of the Seventeenth Corps, and re- ports came in that the enemy was in force in our rear. Our skirmishers in that direction immediately developed the enemy in considerable force in the timber in the rear of the Seventeenth Corps. General Fuller ordered out his First Brigade and went into position on the right of the Second Division facing east and south. Two batteries, H of the First Missouri, and the Fourteenth Ohio Battery, were posted in the center of the Second Division. My whole line immediately became hotly engaged, and the fact of the enemy's occupying the timber between me and the Seventeenth Army Corps. was clearly demonstrated. I saw that I could not prolong my line to con- nect with the Seventeenth Army Corps, a long line of timber lying between my right and its line of battle that faced west. I notified Giles A. Smith, commanding a Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps, requesting him to refuse his left in order to form connection with my right.
The enemy was pressing in column still beyond my right and far down the line of the Seventeenth Corps and in its rear. My staff officer found him hotly engaged and then unable to connect. The enemy pressed for-
197
GENERAL DODGE'S REPORT.
ward in my front and left, exposing the flank of his center column. De- tecting this, I at once pushed forward the 12th Illinois and 81st Ohio, which caught the enemy in flank. Our fire in front and flank was so destructive. that he soon gave way. A charge was ordered, and his two columns in my front and left were broken and driven back to the timber. The enemy. pressing past my right in the timber had not ere this been fully developed. General Fuller's advance soon drew a heavy fire on his right flank. He promptly drew back the regiments, 27th and 39th, that had charged, changed front to the rear under a galling fire, and moved on the enemy in the timber, clearing that point. The fighting in rear of my right continued heavy, and I immediately made preparations to connect as near as possible with the Seventeenth Corps, so as to bring the enemy entirely in front. As- certaining where the left of the Seventeenth Corps rested, it having refused its line in order to check the column passing in its rear, my right was swung around using the left as a pivot, until my command occupied a line facing a fitthe west vi south and a short distance to the rear of my first line. Major-General McPherson fell on the right of my line about one hour after the commencement of the battle, but it was not known to me till some time after. I sent a staff officer to General Logan reporting the gap be- tween me and the Seventeenth Corps and the exposed condition of my left, requesting that troops be sent there. Colonel Martin's Brigade of the Fif- teenth Corps was sent, arriving just as the enemy again made his appear- ance on my extreme left, but his demonstration was weak and soon re- pulsed. At five o'clock in the afternoon, the enemy made a demonstration on my extreme left, but only with artillery.
General Sprague, who had with him three small regiments and six guns, the Chicago Board of Trade Battery and one section of C Battery, First Michigan Artillery, was attacked by overwhelming numbers. Two Divisions of Wheeler's Cavalry, dismounted poured down upon him from three directions. Colonel Sprague concentrated his command, and. by de- termined, unyielding fighting, held the enemy in check and gained a posi- tion north of the town, which he was able to hold. by so doing he saved the trains of the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, and Seventeenth Corps, then on the road from Rosswell to the commands.
Great credit is due to General Sprague and his brigade for their con- duct on this occasion. We were no doubt saved a serious disaster by his cool judgment and excellent dispositions. For his uniform good conduct during the campaign and especially for his gallant service in this action, he was immediately promoted to Brigadier-General of Volunteers.
The 9th Illinois Infantry (mounted) and 43rd Ohio Infantry joined him during the engagement, and promptly went into action. Light Battery F, Second U. S. Artillery, belonging to the Fourth Division, had reported the day before to the Seventeenth Army Corps, and was placed in position on the front line, soon after it was ordered to return and take a position on the right of my line, covering as well as possible the space between the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps.
The Battery was on its way to comply to the order when the enemy in pressing through the gap, struck it and captured the guns, most of the men escaping. The Battery had no opportunity to save itself, being in the
198
FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
timber in the rear of the Seventeenth Corps, and in a place which under most circumstances would be considered perfectly safe.
ยท I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of both officers and men during the engagement. It was a critical moment for our army, and any failure on our part to have checked the advance of the enemy in our rear would have been fatal. With three Brigades disposed in single line, some forty-five hundred men, over one-half of Hardee's Army Corps, viz ; Walk- er's, Bates' and a portion of Cleburne's Divisions, was met and driven back with great slaughter, leaving their dead and severely wounded on the field.
During the engagement on my front, prisoners were taken from forty- nine different regiments, eight brigades, and three divisions. Three hundred and fifty-one prisoners were captured. Eight battle flags and some thirteen hundred muskets were captured and turned over. Four hundred of the enemy's dead were buried in my front.
General Fuller had a critical position and handled his command with great skill and good judgment. Every man in the ranks knew his business. Division and Brigade Commanders, Fuller, Rice, Mersey, Morril and Sprague, were wherever duty demanded, and by their personal presence and exertions, gave their officers and men that advice and encouragement that enabled them to so well and bravely hold their lines.
Battery H, First Missouri and the Fourteenth Ohio Battery, massed in the center of the Second Division, by holding fast and working their guns, even when the enemy was one hundred and fifty feet distant, and pouring upon them a terrible fire, aided effectively in driving back his ad- vancing columns, more especially Bates' Division, upon which they had a direct and point blank range. In our victory, all the joy and gladness that would otherwise have been experienced was lost to us in the fall of our brave and efficient Commander. General James B. McPherson's name and memory are imperishable.
The fortunate position of the command, and the prompt manner in which it formed and received the attacks, the cool, stubborn bravery with which it met and hurled back, and broke and scattered the columns of an enemy outnumbering it at least three to one, no doubt prevented a serious disaster to the Ariny of the Tennessee, if not to the entire army.
During the 24th of July, Sprague's Brigade was employed assisting Wood's Division. Fifteenth Army Corps, in destroying a railroad between Decatur and Atlanta. The caissons of Light Battery F of the Second U. S. Artillery were discovered between our own and the enemy's skirmish lines. and were taken possession of . On the 25th, Sprague's Brigade rejoined the Fourth Division. Brigadier-General T. W. Sweeny was placed under ar- rest. Brigadier-General Rice assumed command of the Second Division.
During the night of the 26th of July, the command drew out of its works and halted in the rear of the Fourth Army Corps. The Second Bri- gade, Fourth Division covered the rear and occupied a line of works near to and parallel with the Decatur and Atlanta Roads, until the withdrawal was effected. July 27th the command moved out, passing in the rear of the Army of the Cumberland and crossed Proctor's Creek. Brigadier-Gen- eral J. M. Corse was assigned to command the Second Division. My com-
199
GENERAL DODGE'S REPORT.
mand deployed and moved forward and drove the enemy steadily back, and went into position in successive brigades on the west side of Atlanta, facing due east. General Fuller commanding the Fourth Division, formed on General Corse's right and Corse connected his left with the right of the Ariny of the Cumberland.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.