USA > Pennsylvania > The Seventh Pennsylvania veteran volunteer cavalry; its record, reminiscences and roster; with an appendix > Part 11
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the rebels back to their haunts. All this time the head of the column was kept moving on, as time was precious, and we could not halt for slight "serim- mages."
"General Kilpatrick, not being satisfied with the progress Colonel Murray was making, ordered our brigades to come to the front, and Murray to take the rear. Long's brigade had the advance, and had not gone more than half a mile when he found a strong force of rebs in his front. He had to dismount his men, drive them from the rail breastworks they had thrown up, mount again, and he would find them in the same position a half mile further on. This was tried two or three times, when it was determined to march on foot altogether, and drive the rebels stead- ily, leaving men behind to lead the horses from which the riders had dismounted. I was up at the front all the time with Colonels Long and Minty. We drove them steadily until we came to the valley through which Flint river runs, when the rebels were reinforc- ed by Ferguson's brigade of cavalry (we had been fighting Ross' brigade this far), and opened on us sharply with artillery, when we commenced descend- ing the hill. The shells and bullets rattled merrily around us, knocking the bark and dirt in close prox- imity to our heads. Two guns of our battery ( we had with us four guns of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, which belongs to our division, and Murray had with him four guns of the Eleventh Wisconsin Battery) were soon brought up, and succeeded in silencing the rebel artillery. The very first shot struck a rebel artilleryman, burst in him, and blew him to atoms. Our men were all then dismounted, and went forward at the double quick, under fire of our eight guns, and drove the rebels clear into and through Jonesboro. Our regiment (4th Michigan) had the advance, being deployed as skirmishers. We then seized the railroad, for which we had been aim- ing since we started, and commenced to smash it gen-
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erally. The track was torn up, the depot and public buildings burned, and destruction was let loose. We destroyed about two miles of the track. While this was going on, the rebels returned to the attack. Our command was sent to meet them, while Colonel Mur- ray's turned over rails.
"The rebs had been driven southward, and our forces were pushed that way to shove them farther. Before us was darkness and rebels; behind, the burn- ing buildings and smoking ruins. It also commenced to thunder, lighten, and pour down rain. All this time, while we were skirmishing with the rebels, Gen- eral Kilpatrick had one of his bands behind us play- ing Yankee Doodle, Hail Columbia, and other airs, very provoking to rebel ears.
"It appeared as if chaos had come again. Soon the whistle of the cars could be heard in front of us, and we knew by the sounds that the enemy was receiv- ing reinforcements from below. It was then deter- mined to "flank" them. So, about midnight, our bri- gade, followed by Colonel Murray's division, moved in a south-easterly direction, about seven miles, Colonel Long's brigade being left to cover the rear. I stay- ed with Colonel Long's command. While waiting for the command to move out, I fell asleep on the ground, and came very near being left. However, we all got away clear. About seven miles ont we found our bri- gade and Colonel Murray's command feeding by the side of the road. Our brigade was on a hill, about a mile in front of Colonel Murray. Both hills were cleared, and the valley had but few trees in it. I rode over to our brigade and sat down to get a bite. Colo- nel Long halted just in rear of Colonel Murray. ( This was about 6 A. M., on the 20th). Our brigade had just been ordered to mount and move forward, when Colonel Long was attacked by the rebel cavalry, which had followed us from Jonesboro. It now con- sisted of Ross', Ferguson's, and Armstrong's brigades, about 4,500 men. Our brigade moved on and turned
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sharply to the right, in a south-westerly direction, for the purpose of striking the railroad again, about eight miles below Jonesboro. I stayed on the hill to witness the skirmishing for a little while. From where I was all the maneuvers of our men could be distinctly seen. It was a beautiful sight. The rebels could be perceiv- ed moving towards our men, and were driven back whenever seen by them. It was the best chance I ever had of seeing the whole of a skirmish. I remained as long as I could, and then galloped after our column. Colonel Long had orders to follow as quickly as pos- sible, and Colonel Murray was to come after him. We, in the meantime, pushed for Lovejoy's station. When within a mile and a half of the railroad, we halted for Colonels Murray and Long to join us. This they soon did, having driven back the enemy. About a mile from the railroad the road forked, the two prongs striking it about a half a mile apart. A few hundred feet in front of, and parallel to the railroad, another road ran. The Fourth Michigan was sent by the right hand road to the railroad, which it reached without any difficulty, and commenced tearing up the track. They sent word to us by the parallel road, men- tioning what they were doing. Our column, the Ser- enth Pennsylvania, in advance, moved down the left. hand road, having for the last mile or two been driv- ing about a dozen rebel cavalrymen. As we passed the parallel road, the firing became hotter and heavier.
"I had been with the advance urging them for- ward, as it was extremely necessary to reach the rail- road as soon as possible, and rode back to have more men sent to reinforce the advance guard, when a deril of a fusilade took place. The Seventh Pennsylvania was immediately dismounted, and sent forward into the woods. (One battalion of it had been the advance guard.) Hotter grew the firing, and the horses of the advance, who had dismounted, began to hurry back. The Fourth Regulars, who were next, were dismounted and sept in, and I was told to go back, and
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hurry up two of Long's regiments, have them dis- mount, and push in. Before that could be done the Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Regulars had been driven from the woods in confusion, the former leav- ing two captains and one lieutenant, and the latter one captain, in the hands of the enemy, dead or wounded.
"We had run on a brigade of rebel infantry who were lying in the woods, by the side of the railroad, behind barricades. A division was also pushing in on our right, near the point where the Fourth Michigan were at work.
"Long's men were immediately put in position to check the advancing rebels, and our battery brought up. The woods in front and on our left were swarm- ing with rebels. The Fourth Regulars and Seventh Pennsylvania were gathered together and made to support the battery. Poor fellows, they were badly cut up. One of Long's regiments was formed near the fork of the road, the Fourth Michigan was sent for and placed there, too. The rebels tried again and again to take our battery. It fought magnificently. It was a glorious sight to see it sweep those woods with grape and canister, sending many a howling re- bel into eternity. The guns were made to radiate in all directions, and did work splendidly. Our men sup- ported them well. One of the guns, by the rebound, had broken its trail short off, so that it could not be drawn from the field. When the rest of the pieces had been withdrawn, Colonel Minty called for some volunteers to drag off that gun by hand. I collected about twenty of the Fourth Michigan men, went down there, and helped pull it off. The rebels were then very close to us. While this was going on, we could hear musketry and artillery firing directly in our rear. The cavalry with which we had been skirmishing early in the morning, had followed us, and had attacked us from "behind." Thus, you see, we were in a pretty tight box. A brigade of infantry in our front and
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partly on our left; a division moving to hit us on the right, and but a little distance off ; and three brigades of cavalry in our rear. Stoneman and McCook caved in under just such circumstances. It was quickly de- cided what to do. We must leave the railroad alone for the present, and smash the rebel cavalry. We were withdrawn from fighting the infantry, who now had become very quiet, probably because effecting some combinations with their cavalry, and expecting confidently to 'gobble' us all.
"The whole command was faced to the rear as follows: Our brigade was formed on the right hand side of the road, each regiment in a column of fours, i. e., four men abreast, or the whole regiment in a column, presenting a front of only four men. The Fourth United States were on the left, the Fourth, Michigan in the center, and Seventh Pennsylvania on the right. Long's brigade formed in close column, with regimental front, i. e., each regiment formed in line, the men side by side. * * * The last regiment was deployed in rear of the others, so as to cover a large space of ground, and pick up prisoners and trophies. You see, we were to break through the re- bels and smash them, and Long was to sweep the ground and gather them in. This was very quickly determined and acted on, as we had not much time to lose.
"I happened to be near General Kilpatrick be- fore he determined what to do. Our brigade was then drawn up in line, in front of the Second brigade. He turned to me and asked, 'Captain, can your men charge through and break those rebels in front of us?' 'Yes, sir, they can.' 'What would be the best forma- tion, do you think? In line or in column?' .In col- umns of fours, I think, each regiment to form a col- umn, and then the rebels' attention would be dis- tracted.' 'We will have them so. How do they gen- erally charge-with saber or firing?' 'With saber,
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sir.' 'Good! Go tell Colonel Minty to have them charge in that way, and drive the -rebels to -' At this moment Colonel Minty rode up, and the regi- ments were quickly formed as I have stated.
"A few of our men were in front us dismounted, skirmishing with the rebels. They were told to throw down the fence behind which they were. The rebel skirmishers were keeping them engaged as much as possible, while a large force of them were throwing up rail breast-works. We were formed just behind the brow of a hill. Our skirmishers were on the crest of it. The rebel artillery to our left and front were playing over us. Bullets and shot were flying thick over our heads. We drew sabers, trotted until we came to the hill, and then, with cheer upon cheer, started at the gallop. What a sight it was! I rode at the head of the Fourth Michigan, or center column, Captain Thompson, our inspector, on my right, and Colonel Minty on the right of Thompson. Down the hill we went, the rebels turning their batteries of grape and canister upon us, while the bullets of the skirmishers and dismounted men whistled freely. The battery, away on our right, threw shells. We leaped fences, ditches, and barricades, and were among them. Their skirmish line did not attempt to stand, and the men behind the barricades turned to run just before we reached them. It was too late. Our fellows were mounted and on the gallop, and we did cut them down right and left. I was just about to strike two, when they, threw up their hands and surrendered. I passed them by, leaving some one in the rear to take care of them. A third, who did not surrender quick enough, I struck full on the top of the head, felt my saber sink in, saw him fall, and dashed on. I think I killed him, but did not wait to. see. The rebel artillery was very hot at this time. I could almost feel the balls as they swept by. Col- onel Minty's horse was shot. Poor Thompson was hit close by my side, and fell. He is yet missing, and
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we do not know what has become of him. The last seen of him he was dismounted, wounded, and trying to rally some men to take the rebel battery. I hope he is not dead. Our column and the Seventh Penn- sylvania dashed straight forward into the woods. The field over which we passed was at least a half a mile wide, with three fences, one partially built barricade, and a half dozen ditches or gullies, washed out by the rain, from two to six feet deep, and from five to thirteen feet wide. We would no sooner leap one of them when we would have to go flying over another. Our horses went kiting over the fences, some of them they knocked down. Of course, a good many of our men were dismounted. Upon reaching the woods we could not go fast, and could not keep in column. They were full of flying rebels. We soon struck a path or lane, and turning to the right, followed it about a mile and a half, when we turned to the left and joined the main column on the road. The Fourth Regulars, instead of keeping parallel with us, as was intended, seeing an opening in the fence by the side of the road, and finding very high fences in front of them, turned to the left and struck out on the main road. They ran on the rebels in the road near the battery, and sent them flying, and were soon among the led horses of the dismounted men in the rear, and among the ambulances, which were collected together in a disor- ganized body in the road. A perfect stampede took place. The horse-holders did not attempt to hold the animals, and a general 'skidaddle' took place. Rider- less horses and driverless ambulances were scattered in all directions. Our men were in the midst of them, shooting and cutting. As the rear of the Fourth Regulars was passing the battery, a part of them, with scattered men from other regiments, dashed on to it, drove the gunners from their pieces, and captured three of the guns. One of our orderlies shot the cap- tain. We brought away the pieces with us. The other two were so injured about their running gear that
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they could not be hauled off, so they were spiked and left. The charge continued for about two miles, when the command was collected together again. Colonel Long's brigade did not charge in line, as it was in- tended, but finding the ground impracticable for it, formed in column and followed the Fourth Regulars. Colonel Murray's command, instead of sweeping all to the left of the road, as we supposed they would do, turned to the right, and filed in after Colonel Long. Had he (Murray) done as was expected, both sides of the road would have been cleaned out. As it was, a good many of the rebels escaped to the left.
"Immediately after the charge, and while we were pushing through the woods, it commenced to rain. It came down in torrents. I had lost both hat and rub- ber overcoat in the brush, and in just five seconds was soaked, saturated, even my boots were so filled that the water ran out of the tops. The command was gathered together about two or three miles from where we started, and pushed on for McDonough. Before the whole of it had moved off, Colonel Long's brigade, which had been moved to cover the rear, was fiercely attacked by the division of rebel infantry, which I have mentioned was moving in on our right, as we faced the railroad, our left and rear as we were now going. Colonel Long fought them for about two hours, when his ammunition began to give out. He was obliged to retire (here Colonel Long was wound- ed twice), and the Fourth Michigan and Seventh Pennsylvania were formed a short way behind him, behind rail breastworks, which they had been or- dered to hastily throw up. The Fourth Regulars had been sent on, their ammunition having been all exhausted. We borrowed one of Long's regiments to assist the Fourth Michigan and Seventh Penn- sylvania. Long passed his men through, when the rebels came on us. There we had it, hot and heavy. The rebels charged two or three times, but were bloodily repulsed. All this fighting was done dis-
JOHN A, OPP, Co. D.
JACOB H. WAGNER, Bugler.
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mounted, and was for the purpose of holding back the rebels until our main column could get out of the road. Our battery, of three guns now, during this fight, burst one gun, and wedged another (got a shell half way down in it, so that it could neither be fired nor pushed down), so that we had but one to use, but that was used with effect. The rebels were playing with their artillery into our column along the road. You see our two brigades had to do all the fighting, obliged to lead the charge and cover the retreat. As soon as all the column had got into the road and moved about a mile, our regiments were withdrawn and followed it. The rebels did not attempt to pursue much farther. Their infantry could not keep up with us, and their cavalry was too thoroughly scattered to be gathered together again. We pushed slowly on to MeDonough, crossed Wal- nut creek, and about two o'clock in the morning lay down by the side of the road for a few hours' rest. How tired we were! Men would tumble from their horses, and it would be almost impossible to awaken them. Two or three would fall asleep together upon their horses, their horses would stop, and the whole column behind them would stop, too, supposing that there were some obstruction ahead. Hundreds of men were sometimes asleep in that way on their horses, and in the mud, for two or three hours at a time. Once, during one of the halts, I fell asleep on my horse for two hours, during which time we had a terrible storm of rain, which drenched me more, if possible, than I was. I knew nothing of it until I awoke, and then found myself in a strange crowd, the column in the meantime having moved on. It was raining and pitch dark, and, in fine, we had a terribly disagreeable time of it. About two o'clock we found a place to halt. The head of the column had been in at eight, but the tail was de- laved by the causes I have mentioned. * * * We had not slept. a wink for the nights of the 17th, 18th, 19th, and until two o'clock of the morning of the
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21st, except what we could snatch riding along. We had not had but three meals, and but little time to eat them in. Had fought seven pretty tough fights, be- sides skirmishing, &c., &c. Oh! how tired and sleepy I was! At daybreak the next morning we started on again. At Cotton river the bridge was gone, and the stream terribly swollen by the rains. It could not be forded, and the horses were obliged to swim it. The current was very swift. We had a terrible time crossing it. One man and about fifty horses were drowned in the attempt. We were obliged to leave behind the disabled cannon we had brought thus far in a wagon. A good many men who had gone through the fighting bravely dreaded to enter that stream. We also lost two wagons and an ambulance. It was almost heart-rending to see the poor wound- ed fellows carried across. Some were fastened on horses, while others were carried over in the ambu- lances. I saw one, with three in, tip over, fill with water, and go down the stream. However, the men were resened. I shall never forget crossing Cotton river. We all finally got over. If we had been at- tacked by a large force before we had succeeded in crossing, a great number of us would have been cap- tured. We were almost wholly out of ammunition, and many an anxious glance was cast to the rear. We expected every moment to hear the roar of ar- tillery. It was a relief when the rear of the column was on the north side. We then crossed South river, burning the bridge behind us, and all the bridges on each side for ten miles. During the day we marched slowly, and encamped that night at Lithonia. The next day we returned to our camp on Peach Tree creek, having made a circuit around the two great armies of Hood and Sherman. We did not do all that we had hoped to do when we started, but we did all we could."
In this expedition, the Seventh lost Captain James G. Taylor, Lieutenant Chauncey C. Hermans and five men killed; Captain Perey H. White, wound-
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ed and captured ; Captain Heber S. Thompson, whose horse was killed in the charge on the cavalry and artillery, captured; twelve men wounded; and twen- ty-four men captured.
From an account of this fight, published in the Memphis Appeal, that migratory sheet which at this time had reached Macon, Georgia, the following ex- tract is taken :
"When the Yankees charged they came in a solid column, ten or twelve lines deep, running their horses, and yelling like devils. They didn't stop to fire or attempt to keep any kind of order or forma- tion, but, each fellow for himself, rushed on, swing- ing his saber over his head. They rode right over Ross' and Ferguson's men in the centers, and over and through Cleburne's lines, one after the other, on the left. Cleburne's first line, they say, tried to use their bayonets, but the Yankees cut them to pieces. After the Yankees had cut through all the other forces, and captured the battery, Martin, seeing the field was lost, retreated in good order to the east, and joined Cleburne's main body."
THE FALL OF ATLANTA.
Sherman was not satisfied with the results of Kilpatrick's raid, and determined to move the major portion of his army to the southeast of Atlanta, thus absolutely severing Hood from the country that sup- plied him, and from all communication with the in- terior of the Confederacy. He says the movement of his forces commenced on the night of the 25th, and that as he vacated the lines, "Garrard's cavalry, leaving their horses out of sight, occupied the vacant trenches, so that the enemy did not detect the change at all." When they did discover the absence of their besiegers, their first impression was that "Sherman had retreated." This intelligence was telegraphed all over the South, and great rejoicing followed, but was of brief duration.
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Many histories tell of the bloody battles that fol- lowed this movement, and of the abandonment of Atlanta by the Confederates, therefore it would be superfluous to repeat these incidents and events here. Congratulations poured upon the army from the North, and intensified the rejoicings of the men who had, after months of almost continuous fighting, ac- complished the task they had set out to perform. Sherman tells how he received from Gen. Slocum, who had command of the force left to guard the bridge over the Chattahoochee, the news that Atlanta had been evacuated. "His letter," he says, "was dated inside the city, so there was no doubt of the fact. Gen. Thomas's bivouac was but a short dis- tance from mine, and, before giving notice to the army in general orders, I sent one of my staff offi- cers to show him the note. In a few minutes the officer returned, soon followed by Thomas himself, who again examined the note, so as to be perfectly certain that it was genuine. The news seemed to him too good to be true. He snapped his fingers, whistled, and almost danced ; and, as the news spread to the army, the shouts that arose from our men, the wild hallooing and glorious laughter, were to us a full recompense for the labor and toils and hardships through which we had passed in the previous three months." Of course, general orders were issued telling officially the result achieved, and included in these were the two following despatches. "We all felt," says Sherman, "duly encouraged and elated by the praise of those competent to bestow it."
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
Washington, D. C., Sept. 3, 1864.
The national thanks are rendered by the Presi- dent to Major-General W. T. Sherman and the gal- lant officers and soldiers of his command, before At- lanta, for the distinguished ability and perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia, which, under Divine favor, has resulted in the capture of Atlanta.
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The marches, battles, sieges, and other military oper- ations that have signalized this campaign, must ren- der it famous in the annals of war, and have entitled those who have participated therein to the applause and thanks of the nation.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States.
City Point, Virginia, Sept. 4, 1864, 9 P. M. Major-General Sherman :
I have just received your despatch announcing the capture of Atlanta. In honor of your great vic- tory, I have ordered a salute to be fired with shotted guns from every battery bearing upon the enemy. The salute will be fired within an hour, amid great rejoicing.
U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General.
The army went into camp, in the vicinity of At- lanta, for a short period of rest; and, Sherman adds, "to think well over the next step required in the progress of events." Vale gives the number of men in the First Brigade at that time, present for duty, at seven hundred and thirty-six. Major Jennings, of the Seventh Pennsylvania, was in command-all the officers of higher rank in the brigade being ab- sent-and Major Andress in command of the Sev- enth.
On the 1st of October the brigade moved in pur- suit of Hood's army, which was meandering north- ward in the hope that Sherman would follow him, and thus give up all he had gained by the summer's campaign. But Sherman was not that kind of a general, and showed the Confederate leaders, by movements which were soon initiated, that Atlanta was to be only a station on a march from the Missis- sippi to the sea. Hood's rear guard was caught up on the 2nd, at Sweet Water creek, and driven for- ward after a slight skirmish; and on the 4th the bri- gade joined the division at Marietta. On the 5th
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