USA > Ohio > The history of Fuller's Ohio brigade, 1861-1865; its great march, with roster, portraits, battle maps and biographies > Part 21
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"While exulting over our successes, let us not forget to drop a passing tear for, and hold sacred the memory of those of our comrades who have fallen in battle, in defence of the common liberties of all.
"While commanding you, it has been my constant aim to mete out equal and exact justice to all, and do what I deem best for the interest of the whole command.
"Trusting that in the future you may. win new laurels, and go forward in the suppression of this wicked, wanton and unnatural rebellion, until the hosts of the enemy are compelled to lay down their arms and our govern- ment is re-established throughout the length and breadth of this broad land, I bid you all an affectionate farewell."
I returned to my home in Ohio broken down in health.
M. CHURCHILL, Colonel Commanding, Brevet Brig. Gen'l. U .S. Vols.
Report of Colonel Wager Swayne.
· HEADQUARTERS OF THE FORTY-THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEERS.
NEAR JONESBOROUGH, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 6TH, 1864.
On May 1st, 1864, the regiment moved from Decatur, Alabama, as a part of the Second Brigade. Fourth Division, Left Wing, Sixteenth Army Corps, General Dodge commanding. Crossing the Tennessee River and turning east, the regiment proceeded via Huntsville, to Woodville on May 4th. Arriving at Chattanooga by rail the next day, we marched at once to the south to Rossville, Georgia, and thence to Gordon's Mills. Turning east on the night of the 7th, from the vicinity of La Fayette, the regiment having the advance, seized the pass known as Ship's Gap, and moved the next day with the command into Snake Creek Gap. We participated with- out casuality in the reconnaissance before Resaca on May 9th.
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COLONEL SWAYNE'S REPORT.
When the demonstration on Resaca was resumed the regiment did duty in the front line, on May 13th, and part of the 14th, south of the town, and afterward until after the evacuation, north of the town, in support of the Fifteenth Corps. This service was severe, the men remaining in line and relieving each other as skirmishers almost without intermission for four days. In the performance of this duty, Lieutenants C. McCaffry and J. W. Thompson received flesh wounds, and of the enlisted men four were killed and eighteen wounded, whose names are in the report of casualities.
The skirmishers of this regiment were of the first who entered the village of Resaca. The regiment reached Kingston on May 19th. Company K, under Captain J. H. Roads was detailed to guard the ordinance train, remaining on that duty until June 21st. On May 25th, the regiment entered Dallas and took position in line, and maintained a detail of two companies of skirmishers until the withdrawal of the army from before that place on the morning of June 1st. We suffered a loss of Lieutenant Milo Wilkin- son who was mortally wounded, and of nine enlisted mien wounded.
The Fourth Division being detailed to guard trains, the regiment re- mained on the right flank of the army until June 6th, when it marched to Ackworth. On June 10th, we participated in the gradual advance upon Kenesaw Mountain, without severe loss, ten enlisted men being the ag- gregate of casualties after leaving Dallas until July 3rd. On July 4th. leaving the front of Kenesaw Mountain. we moved with the command to the right flank of the army, developed the enemy's skirmish line near Ruff's Mills and reached the Chattahoochee River on July 7th, in the vicinity of Turner's Ferry. The following two days were employed in marching east via Marietta to Rosswell, near which place, on the afternoon of the 10th, the command forded the Chattahoochee River and fortified a tete- de-pont.
On July 17th, the regiment was detached to remain at Rosswell, and hold the bridge, and the ford over the Chattahoochee. Until the 22nd, Company G. temporarily commanded by Lieutenant Robert McNary was detached for the protection of the supply train. It moved to the vicinity of Decatur, arriving there just after the brilliant defense of that village by the rest of the Brigade, under General John W. Sprague.
Re-entering Decatur, and assisting in destroying the Augusta Rail- road, on the morning of July 22nd, this regiment with five companies of the Ninth Illinois Regiment, mounted Infantry, and one section of Battery C. of the First Michigan Artillery, all under my command, left Rosswell, escorting a train of four hundred wagons of the train of the Army of the Tennessee. As the advance of the train neared Decatur, it was discovered that the enemy was cannonading the village, and afterward that he was in possession of it. The head of the train was turned to the right, down a cross road, leading to the rear of the 23rd Corps, except a small portion belonging to the Seventeenth Corps, which moving with difficulty, was turned to the right down by a road a mile further to the rear. At the crossing first-named, the troops distributed through the train and disposed for defence, except three companies of the Ninth Illinois, which moved to assist Colonel Sprague, with his Brigade, retiring from Decatur by the same road. The entire train passed in safety, and the enemy, making no
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BATTLE NEAR ATLANTA, GA,, AUG, 4th, .864. 43d Ohio going over the Confederate Works, Driving the Confederate Advance Lines,
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COLONEL SWAYNE'S REPORT.
demonstration, my command followed it a quarter of a mile, when we re- joined the brigade already in position.
July 26th, the regiment moved with the command to the right of the main army, and took its place in the main line. During frequent skirmish- ing and pioneer duty for four weeks, we suffered an aggregate of casualities of two men killed, sixteen wounded and seven missing, the latter on the oc- casion of an advance of the whole line on the 4th of August.
The regiment was withdrawn on the 24th of August, and employed that night and the next day in constructing earthworks to serve as a flank line during the withdrawal of the army. The regiment moved via Campbellton. and helped destroy the Atlantic and Montgomery Railroad, near Fairburn. August 29th, and the next evening reached the vicinity of Jonesborough, where it was present but not engaged.
During the operations, on September 2nd, the regiment assisted in the destruction of the Atlantic and Macon Railroad, and camped near Love- joy's. There on the day following, after four months of labor, dangers and exposures, which had not impaired its patriotism, nor exhausted its strength, it welcomed an order officially announcing the close of the canı- paign that had already yielded the fruition of its hopes.
I wish to refer to the faithfulness of Lieutenant-Colonel, W. E. Her- rick, Captain John S. Hamilton and Lieutenant John P. Kennedy, Adjutant, all continually on duty when often suffering from actual disease. Captain J. H. Roads, when there was but one field officer with the regiment, re- lieved me with cordial and efficient service. Captain Peter Hewston, when both the medical officers of the regiment had been removed for duty else- where, gave to my great relief. his efficient service, and as acting assistant surgeon, Reverend R. Z. Chittenden, Chaplain, has been unwearied in all the kindly usefulness of his calling. Only the necessity that mention here be special, prevents a list of others who met the trying requirements of the campaign with a full measure of performance.
A high tribute is due to the suffering and the dead. The last sacrifice to freedom has been freely made, and wounds just less than death have been borne as brave men can. Last winter all but a traction of the enlisted men renewed their pledge of service, knowing all its meaning, In carrying out all that pledge, the hard trials of war have been met freely, but these only have been called to show it with their bodies and their lives. More than this cannot be written. I append a consolidated report of casualties. showing an aggregate loss of three officers and seventy-two men killed, wounded and missing, during the campaign.
Your obedient servant. WAGER SWAYNE,
Colonel Commanding the Forty-third Ohio.
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FULLER'S OHIO BRIGADE.
Report of Major John W. Fouts, Sixty-third Ohio Infantry.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE SIXTY-THIRD REGIMENT OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS ..
IN THE FIELD, SEPTEMBER 5TH, 1864.
SIP: In accordance with circular from headquarters Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, I have the honor to submit the following report of proceedings of the Sixty-third Regiment Ohio Veteran Infantry from May 1st, 1864, to September 2nd, 1864.
On May 1st, the Regiment started from Decatur, Alabama, crossed to the north side of the river, marched twelve miles east, and bivouacked May 2nd, we marched sixteen miles and bivouacked at Huntsville. May 3rd, marched twenty miles and bivouacked near Chattanooga Railroad. May 4th, marched seven miles and rested at Woodville. At three o'clock in the afternoon, took the cars for Chattanooga. May 5th, arrived at Chattanooga in the morning. Moved at four o'clock in the afternoon, and marched seven miles and bivouacked near Rossville. May 6th, marched eight miles to Gordon's Mills, had one man killed by a falling limb of a tree. May 7th, marched seventeen miles and bivouacked near Mattox Gap in Taylor's Ridge. May 8th, marched twelve miles, passed through Villa- now. May 9th, took part in the reconnaissance in force made by Major- Genera! McPherson, near Reseca, Georgia. Moved eight miles toward Reseca and moved back four miles in the evening and encamped and oc- cupied Snake Creek Gap. May 10th moved forward two miles and re- turned in the afternoon to form a camp. May 12th, moved one mile and a half to the front and encamped. May 13th, moved two miles to the front and formed line of battle, took part in the fight at Reseca, had two men wounded. May 14th, remained in position, being unable to advance on ac- count of an impassible stream in our front. Skirmishing all day and had nine men wounded. In the afternoon the regiment was detached to support a section of battery. May 15th, supporting the battery. May 16th, the enemy having evacuated Resaca, the regiment moved with the brigade seven miles to the right, crossed the Oostanaula River at Tanner's Ferry on a pontoon bridge, formed a line of battle and lay under arms all night. May 17th, moved at seven in the afternoon, marched nine miles, halted at mid- niglit. May 18th, marched eighteen miles, passed through Adairsville. May 19th, marched seven miles and bivouacked one mile west of Kingston, remaining till the 23rd and marched at midnight. Moved eight miles. crossed Etowah River and camped at half past three in the morning. May 24th, marched fourteen miles to Van Wert. May 25th, marched eight miles toward Villarica, and bivouacked at midnight. May 26th, moved at three o'clock in the afternoon toward Dallas, seven miles, formed line of battle and moved one mile through the town. May 27th, formed line of battle and commenced skirmishing, lost four men killed and four wounded. May 28th, lost two killed and two wounded. May 29th. lost one man wounded. May 30th. lost four wounded. June 1st, moved five miles in a north-east direction, toward the left of the army, encamped on Pumpkin Vine Creek. Worked all night fortifying our position. Remained till the
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MAJOR FOUT'S REPORT.
3d, and moved east two miles June 4th, moved half a mile to the right. June 5th1, moved five miles in the direction of Ackworth. June 6th, marched ten miles to Ackworth. Remained till June 10th, and marched five miles to Big Shanty Station, on the Atlanta Railroad, and bivouacked in line of battle. June 11th, took part in skirmishing two miles to the front. June 14th, advanced our line skirmishing half a mile. Remained in position skirmishing till the 15th, and advanced driving the enemy half a mile. Three men wounded. June 16th, engaged in skirmishing and had one man killed and one wounded. June 17th, had one man killed and two wounded. June 18th, two men were wounded. June 19th, advanced about one mile, the enemy falling back, one man wounded. June 20th, two men wounded. June 23rd, skirmishing at Kenesaw Mountain, lost three men wounded. June 25th, moved half a inile and occupied the front line of breastworks and had one man killed. June 28th, the regiment went on the skirmish line on Kenesaw Mountain. and lost one man killed. June 29th, lost three wounded. Relieved and went to camp. July 3rd, after the evacuation of Kennesaw Mountain by the enemy, the regiment marched south to near Nick-o-jack Creek, twelve miles. July 4th, moved two miles to the front, formed line of battle, fortified our position and supported the First Bri- gade in a charge in which they were successful. ( The Twenty-seventh and Thirty-ninth Ohio captured the enemy's works.) July 5th, marched southwest five miles on the Sand Town Road. July 6th, moved four miles toward Chattahoochee River. July 7th, marched two miles toward Howell's Ferry. July 8th, shirmished with the enemy across the Chattahoochee River. July 9th, marched seventeen miles, passed through Marietta on the road to Rosswell. July 10th. thirteen miles, forded the Chattahoochee River and camped on the south bank. July 17th, marched seven miles to near Nancy's Creek. July 18th, six miles to near Peach Tree Creek. July 19th, five miles, formed line of battle and bivouacked near Decatur, Georgia, July 20th three miles oward Atlanta, and took position in reserve for the Fifteenth Corps. July 21st, moved back to Decatur to relieve cavalry and guard trair of the Army of the Tennessee.
At about one o'clock in the afternoon, four companies: A, Captain Frank S. Gillmore, First Lieutenant Louis Schmidt ; D. Captain William Cornell and G, Captain George Whitman, were ordered to report to Colonel Montgomery of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry at Hoyle's House, where they formed a detatchment of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin and moved half a mile out on the Fayetteville Road and formed line facing west. left resting on road. Company D deployed as skirmishers. The enemy opened fire from the woods about four hundred yards in front and at two o'clock in the afternoon. opened with one piece of artillery upon the picket line, on the McDonough Road. when under orders from Colonel Sprague, the com- mand was moved by the left flank to take position in support of the line. During this movement, while passing a deep ravine in single file, the enemy opened fire upon the command with two batteries, one in front and the other on the left flank. At the same time, charged from the same points. when our men reformed. faced to the rear, and after a sharp fight, fell back to join main line on ridge south and west of the town. near Hovle's House. Company E. Lieutenant Thomas J. McCord and Company K. Captain Daniel 'T. Thorn, were on the grand guard line. At one o'clock in the
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afternoon, their outposts were attacked, E by cavalry and K by artillery. The attack by Cavalry was repulsed. The enemy then advanced with two lines of skirmishers and a line of battle, when under orders from Lieutenant- Colone! Henry, Thirty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, it fell back fighting until it reached the railroad, when the enemy pressed upon it with very superior force and with such vigor as to cause the companies of men to separate in squads. Company B, Lieutenant L. J. Mathews and Company C, Captain Winslow L. Bay, while supporting a section of Company C, First Michigan Light Artillery, were fired upon with artillery and charged with so much superior force in front and upon their right flank, as to cause them to fall back. Company I, Lieutenant James A. Gilmore, was on provost duty in Decatur, formed in the public square and met the enemy, fell back fight- ing and in good order to the ridge north of town, where deploying as skir- mishers in front and on the left flank protected the disarranged parts of the brigade which were being rallied on the ridge. Company H, Lieutenant Charles M. Harrison commanding, was the only company iert in camp. This company and the camp guard took position to the right of section of Chicago Board of Trade Battery. The enemy advanced in greatly superior force, and it became necessary for the battery to retire. While retiring, the battery became entangled in a heap of old iron, and was in danger of being captured. In order to save the battery, Company G, which had formed on the left of battery, and Company H fixed bayonets and made a determined charge on the advancing line of the enemy, causing him to fall back to the railroad and giving the battery time to get off, and giving a large wagon train of the Fifteenth Corps time to leave the field, which but for this charge would have fallen into the hands of the enemy. These com- panies under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Brown, then fell back in good order to Court Square. Adjutant Howard Forrer was killed during this movement. The other companies of the regiment, coming in at this time, were rallied and formed on the south side of Court Square. with part of the Twenty-fifth Wisconsin Infantry and held the ground until completely flanked on right and left, when we were ordered to fall back to the ridge north of the town. In rallying the regiment at this point, Lieutenant-Colonel Brown was severely wounded and carried from the field. The enemy continued the attack with a much superior force in front and on both flanks and obliged us to fall back to the cover of the woods and we took position with the rest of the brigade. The casualties in the regiment were: Commissoned officers and men killed, eleven; wounded, forty-eight ; missing, thirty-seven. With very few exceptions, both officers and men displayed unusual gallantry and courage. Of the enlisted men, I would make special mention of the following for unusual bravery, perse- verance and success in rallying the disorganized portions of the regiment, viz : Madison Hoon, Sergeant-Major ; Andrew Smith, First Sergeant Com- pany B: Alexander C. Harper. Sergeant Company A ; George W. Rike, Sergeant Company C: Chester M. Willson, Sergeant Company D, Stuart Martindale, Sergeant Company E: Franklin Worthen, Color-Sergeant, Company C, and Alonzo J. Shuman, private, Company D. who when the banner bearer (Corporal William Harris, Company C) was shot dead, picked up the banner, waved it above his head and called upon the men to
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MAJOR FOUT'S REPORT.
stand by him for he would die before our banner should fall into rebel hands.
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July 23rd, we re-occupied Decatur, moved west of the town, and for- tified our position and assisted in destroying the Atlanta and Augusta Rail- road. July 25th, reformed our Fourth Division and went into position in reserve. July 26th, moved during the night toward the right of the army. July 27th, continued our march and arrived at the extreme right, moved in line of battle one mile, darkness coming on we halted and fortified. July 28th, moved to the front, two hundred yards and fortified. July 30th, moved to the right and relieved a Division of the Seventeenth Corps. Au- gust 2nd, the regiment went out on the skirmish line, the enemy threw a sixty-four pound shell into our camp. Skirmished most of the time with the enemy until the 11th, then moved to the front line and relieved the Forty-third Regiment Ohio Veteran Infantry. August 12th, strengthening our position, lost one man wounded. August 16th, the regiment skirmish- ing lost one man wounded. August 20th, iost one man killed. August 26th, evacuated on our position at one o'clock in the morning. successfully, and tock position on the relieved line and strengthened our works. Moved at nine o'clock in the evening and marched all night and all the next day. Bivouacked near Camp Creek, marched eleven miles. August 28th, moved seven miles toward West Point Railroad. August 29th, marched south of Fairburn, on railroad and destroyed railroad back six miles and returned at dark. August 30th, marched all day and at midnight bivouacked near Macon Railroad. August 31st, moved to the front and fortified on the right flank of the army. September 1st, regiment on picket. September 2nd, marched through Jonesborough, the enemy having evacuated. Biv- ouacked four miles south. Received official despatch of the occupation of Atlanta by our troops. This regiment has marched during the campaign upwards of three hundred and fifty-five miles, participating in the battle of Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw Mountain, Decatur, Atlanta, and lost in killed, wounded and. missing. commissioned officers killed, one, wounded, four, wounded and taken prisoner, one, enlisted men killed, twenty-two, wounded, eighty-eight, missing, thirty-one ; Aggregate, one hundred and forty-seven.
J. W. FOUTS, Major commanding the Regiment. Lieutenant A. C. Fenner, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
The reports of Colonel John Cladek, Thirty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, follows, addressed to Governor Parker, and to Adjutant-General A. C. Fenner, Second Brigade, Fourth Division, Sixteenth Army Corps.
CAMP OF THE THIRTY-FIFTH REGIMENT VOLUNTEERS.
IN FRONT OF RESACA, GEORGIA, MAY 18TH, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to report to your excellency the part taken by my regiment, under my command, in the action of Resaca, on the 13th, 14th and 15th of May, 1864. Between the hours of three and four, in the
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afternoon of May 13th, the regiment formed in the third line of battle on the right of General Morgan L. Smith's command, advancing in line over fences and up a wooded hill, crossing ravines, hardly passable for mounted officers. My regiment cleared the fences and woodland at a double quick time, coming out on an open plain facing the Oostenaula River, about two miles above Resaca. The regiment had hardly cleared the woods when two rebel regiments opened a brisk fusilade fire on us. I immediately gave the command to commence firing, not however, before I had three or four men wounded.
1 wo lines of battle were before me when I entered the woods, but somehow, through the nature of the ground, I got to the extreme front. The firing lasted about fifteen minutes when both the rebel regiments gave way and ran. Then I withdrew my regiment under cover of the woods, on account of a regiment on my left giving way, and I, thinking myself flanked, otherwise I would have charged upon the retreating rebel regi- mails. in this day's action, i lost one killed and thirteen wounded. My own and Lieutenant ( Acting Adjutant ) Pierson's horses were wounded. The enemy giving way in this quarter, we moved to the left and supported our batteries. Our position was under two fires, the enemy's shells bursting over us, and our own shot tearing limbs of trees to splinters above our heads. which became dangerous for our men. Here I lost several wounded. as two of my companies, E and I were out skirmishing under command of Cap- tain Charles A. Angell my Acting Major, on the river front.
On the morning of the 14th, we left our position of supporting bat- teries for Resaca. We crossed a bridge under the rebel works, where we received a deadly fire, from artillery and infantry, under cover of rifle pits. Here we lost one man killed and another wounded. Seeing the danger. I ordered my men under cover. At that moment, our right center under General Morgan L. Smith, being repulsed, I was ordered with my regiment. to his support, passing to the right, under the rebel works. After arriving on the new position assigned me, the Thirty-fifth gave three rousing cheers, tending to inspire our troops in front with fresh energy, when the rebels opened a cross fire of shot and shell upon us as we advanced, but for- tunately we escaped, with one man wounded. At nine o'clock in the even- ing we threw up intrenchments, where we lay safe behind them on the following day, delivering a murderous fire, and repulsing every attempt made by the rebels to advance. During the night the rebels evacuated Resaca, and Captain Angell with two companies under his command, en- tered the town, which duty he performed admirably, capturing thirty rebels and two mails, one to and one from their army which they did not have time to assort. In respect to the behavior of my regiment during this ac- tion, I cannot find words to express my satisfaction. Officers and men tried to outdo each other in gallant behavior, especially Captain Charles Angell, Acting Major, and Lieutenant David Pierson, Acting Adjutant. To both of these officers, great honor is due. I not alone recommend them to vour excellency, but the whole regiment to a man, acting like a body of soldiers grown old in battle. I feel as proud of them as Napoleon did of his "Old Guard." They have earned and won for themselves a gallant name among our western troops in the department and Army of the Tennessee.
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COLONEL CLADEK'S REPORT.
In the engagement with the enemy at Decatur, Georgia, July 22nd, 1864, my regiment being camped in the lower part of the town, on left flank, at the commencement of the conflict, we marched to the railroad as the heaviest firing appeared to be there, but hardly had I reached that point and formed line of battle, when I became hotly engaged with the enemy, the regiment on my right having been driven across the railroad, thus having my right flank exposed. At the same time, the enemy's cavalry and infantry got between our picket line and left flank of my regiment. Seeing that I would be shortly cut off, and not receiving orders, although checking the enemy for the time being in my immediate front, I retreated up the hill about fifty yards, and immediately faced about and commenced firing. Knowing that it depended on my regiment to cover the left of the brigade, I sent a company to the left, between the houses and the field. At this time, the regiment on my right again fell back, with the exception of Captain Gillmore, Sixty-third Ohio, with a number of his men, who kept on our right flank.
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