USA > Pennsylvania > The Seventh Pennsylvania veteran volunteer cavalry; its record, reminiscences and roster; with an appendix > Part 17
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July 3, marched through Marietta. July 4, pick- eting and skirmishing on the left. July 5, Seventh
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APPENDIX
Pennsylvania drove the rebels through Roswell across the Chattahoochee. July 6 to 8, picketing and scouting. July 9, dismounted and waded the Chatta- hoochee in rear of Third Brigade; threw up breast- works and held the ground until dark, when General Newton's division, of the Fourth Corps, relieved us. July 10 to 16, picketing and scouting. July 17, crossed Chattahoochee on MeAfee's bridge and march- ed to near Cross Keys. July 18, First Brigade, fol- lowed by the Third, made a raid on the Augusta railroad and destroyed about five miles of track. July 19 and 20, picketing and scouting. July 21, marched from Old Cross Keys to Rock Bridge via Decatur (thirty-seven miles), arriving at Rock Bridge at break of day on the 22d. July 22, after two hours' halt marched to Covington and, together with Third Brigade, tore up about five miles of track. July 23, marched. to Lawrenceville. July 24, marched to Decatur. July 25 and 26, in camp near Decatur. July 27, the division marched through De- catur to Flat Shoals ( First Brigade in advance) to cover General Stoneman's raid on the Macon rail- road ; same night our pickets were attacked by Allen's brigade of rebel cavalry. Fourth Michigan moved out (dismounted ) ; erected barricades and lay in line of battle all night. July 28, at break of day discov- ered that we were completely surrounded by three divisions (nine brigades ) of rebel cavalry. About 10 a. m. Third Brigade, dismounted, with one battalion Fourth Regulars on each flank, charged the rebels on the Lithonia road, and drove them in confusion. July 29, in camp near Lithonia. July 30, marched from Lithonia to Cross Keys ( thirty miles). July 31, went into camp near Buck Head.
August 1 to 14, First and Third Brigades, dis- mounted, relieved the Twenty-third Corps in the trenches on the extreme left of the army. During this time did duty as infantry. Occasional slight skirmishing with the enemy. Horses with no exercis .. and on half forage of grain and no long forage the
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whole time. August 15, left the trenches and rejoin- ed our horses. August 16, picketing. August 17, First and Second Brigades marched at 12 p. m. for Sandtown, arriving there at 6 a. m. August 18, marched at sunset on the Kilpatrick raid on the Ma- con railroad. August 19, attacked on the left flank by artillery and dismounted cavalry. The Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Michigan attacked with vigor and repulsed the rebels. The Fourth Regulars and Fourth Michigan, together with the Second Bri- gade, forced the passage of Flint River near Jones- borough, the Seventh Pennsylvania at same time cov- ering rear of column. In the advance from Flint River and the capture of Jonesborough, Fourth Michigan had the advance, followed by Fourth Regu- lars and Second Brigade, and drove Ferguson's and Ross' brigades of cavalry out of town. The brigado assisted in tearing up about two miles of track. About 10.30 p. m., being attacked from the south, General Kilpatrick directed that the column should move toward McDonough, about five miles, and then march on Lovejoy's Station, in rear of the rebel force. He directed that the First Brigade should take the advance, and that I should remain with Second Brigade to cover the movement. August 20, on nearing Lovejoy's Station the First Brigade was in advance, followed by the Second. Within one mile of the station the Fourth Michigan was detach- ed on a road diverging to the right, and succeeded in gaining the railroad and tearing up and burning a portion of the track. The Seventh Pennsylvania, at the head of the column, drove a small force of the rebels before them, until within a quarter of a mile of the railroad, where they met with spirited opposi- tion. The woods were heavy with a thick under- growth. I dismounted the Seventh Pennsylvania, but found that the left of the enemy overlapped our right. I then sent three squadrons of the Fourth Regulars to extend our line and one squadron, mounted, to cover the left flank. The remaining two
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APPENDIX
squadrons were covering the rear. At the moment the Fourth Regulars dismounted, Reynolds' brigade of infantry (seven regiments) poured in a heavy vol- ley, and, jumping out of the railroad cut, rushed for- ward over our line of less than 300 men, killing, wounding, or capturing 5 officers and over 60 men. The Second Brigade and the Chicago Board of Trade Battery quickly formed and gallantly checked the rebels. The Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Regu- lars were immediately reformed. The carriage of one of the guns was broken by the enemy's fire, and when the battery fell back it was left on the field, but a few volunteers shortly after brought it in, when it was taken off the carriage and placed in a wagon. The column being attacked in rear, General Kilpa- trick directed me to withdraw my command and form for a charge on the attacking force. I ordered in the Fourth Michigan, mounted the Fourth Regulars and Seventh Pennsylvania, and moved into the field sonth of the MeDonough road, facing east. I formed my brigade (now reduced to a little over 700 of all ranks) in line of regimental column of fours, the Seventh Pennsylvania on the right, the Fourth Mich- igan in the center, and the Fourth Regulars on the left, and directed Colonel Long to form in brigade column with regimental front in rear of First Bri- gade.
I sent a few men from each of my columns to charge as foragers, and remove portions of the first fence, and moved forward at the trot until I arrived on the top of the rising ground behind which we had formed, when we rushed forward at a gallop. One fence still intervened between us and the rail barri- rades, from behind which the rebels were firing. On a hill to my left a battery of three guns was pouring canister into our ranks as rapidly as they could load and fire, while four guns on a hill in front of my right was shelling us at long range. The leading horses, in trying to leap the fence, knocked off some of the top rails, and gaps were soon made, through
Richard Fotheringile.
John Coughlin.
W'm. Smith.
Llewellyn Llewellyn. Company F.
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APPENDIX
which the columns poured. The rebels held their po- sition until we were within about ten rods of them, when they broke from their cover and scattered in the wildest confusion, but scarcely a man escaped without a saber-stroke. After passing over the open ground and through a belt of timber, I had the rally sounded, got my men together and reformed. Gen- eral Kilpatrick directed me to cover the march of the column to McDonough. I directed Colonel Long to take the rear. Before the Third Brigade had broken into column on the road, Colonel Long was attacked by a heavy force of infantry, but gallantly held his ground until the Third Division had got out of the way. I dismounted the Seventh Pennslvania and Fourth Michigan, and formed them, with one section of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery, to cover the retreat of the Second Brigade, which was at this time sorely pressed. The Fourth Regulars was entirely out of ammunition, and I had to send it to our rear. The Ohio regiments fell back in good order, and the new line received and repulsed the enemy. From rapid firing, one of my guns burst and a shell wedged in the other. The two regiments held their position until the Second Brigade moved off; then fell back, mounted, and followed the column. About 2 a. m. I arrived north of Walnut Creek. August 21, march- ed at daybreak; at about 6 a. m. arrived on south bank of Cotton River. The bridge had been destroy- ed. We were, therefore, compelled to swim the stream. The wagon with the dismounted gun could not be taken across. We, therefore, buried the gun and destroyed the wagon. Camped at Lithonia. Au- gust 22, marched to camp near Buck Head, via De- catur, having made the circuit of Atlanta and both armies since 12 o'clock on the night of the 17th, and having marched and fought every day and night dur- ing that time with the exception of the night of the 21st, when we lay at Lithonia. August 23 and 24, in camp picketing. August 25, fell back from before Atlanta to Vining's Station, north of the Chattahoo.
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chee River, part of the Fourth Michigan covering the rear of the retiring infantry. August 26, in camp. August 27, marched to near Sandtown and camped near Sweet Water Creek. August 28 to September 10, in camp, picketing and scouting the country from Campbellton to Marietta. The thirteen days we lay at this point is the only time during the whole cam- paign that we had full forage for our horses.
During the campaign we were fighting thirty-one days, exclusive of the fifteen days we did picket duty in front of the trenches, and in the same time the headquarters of the brigade marched 925 miles. The killed, wounded, and missing are as follows :
Killed
Wounded
Missing
Total
Command
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
4th U. S. Cavalry.
TI
1
14
I
28
2
53
7th Pennsylvania Cavalry.
1 4
1
44
5
24
6
83
4th Michigan Cavalry
2
1 9
4
48
1
7
98
Total.
2
44
6
106
7
83
15
234
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. H. G. MINTY, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND CAVALRY DIVISION. John's Creek, Ala., May 16, 1864.
CAPTAIN : At 5 a. m. yesterday, the 15th instant, I marched from camp on Dry Creek. At about 8 a. m. my advance struck the enemy's pickets near Far- mer's Bridge, on Armuchee Creek, and drove them in. The advance vedettes and a few of my scouts charged over the bridge, but the advance guard hav- ing halted to allow the column time to close up they were not supported, and consequently were driven back with 1 killed and 4 horses wounded. On my ar- rival at the bridge I sent scouts to examine the creek
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APPENDIX
to the right and left. Bad fords were reported both above and below. I crossed two companies of Fourth Michigan Cavalry below and six companies above. I then crossed with the other battalions of the Fourth Michigan, followed by the Seventh Pennsyl- vania, the Fourth United States following the six companies of the Fourth Michigan across the upper ford. Captain Lokey, Twelfth Alabama Cavalry, was mortally wounded, and 9 men killed. We took 6 prisoners. I pushed forward rapidly to within three miles of Rome, where the enemy, in consider- able force and holding a strong position, made a stand, showing four pieces of artillery. They at the same time moved strong columns on both my flanks. Immediately in my rear the Dalton road joins the Rome road-the one on which I had ad- vanced. I, therefore, fell back to a position north of the junction of the roads. Here Lieutenant-Colo- nel Park, commanding Fourth Michigan Cavalry, reported that a column of infantry was moving around my left; at the same time Smith's brigade of cavalry was discovered on my right. I fell back to Farmer's Bridge, where I reported to General Garrard. The rebels followed me up closely. Four times they charged the battalion of the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, which formed the rear guard. They were received dismounted, and handsomely repulsed.
During the entire day's skirmishing the Fourth Michigan was the only regiment engaged.
My entire loss was 3 men wounded, 1 severely, 1 slightly, and 1 man taken prisoner.
From all the information I could gain there are two divisions of cavalry and one of infantry at Rome, under Generals Jackson, Ross, and Smith. Some of the citizens state positively that Forrest arrived at Rome on the evening of the 14th. The Atlanta paper of the 13th, which I gave the general this morning, places Forrest at Tupelo, Miss. It
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APPENDIX
also states that Lieutenant-General Polk is en route for Rome, where he will command the reserve di- vision of General Johnston's army. The scout this a. m. under Captain Garrett, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, met the rebel pickets at the cross-roads near the bridge, and drove them across the creek, killing 1 and wounding another.
ROBT. H. G. MINTY, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Captain KENNEDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Caralry Di- rision.
HDQRS. FIRST BRIGADE, SECOND CAVALRY DIV., DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
Neur Etowah, Ga., June 5, 1864.
CAPTAIN: On the 26th ultimo I was encamped about one mile east from Adair's Court-House, on the direct road to Powder Springs, my advance pick- ets being two and a half miles east of me on the road from Dallas to Villa Rica. About 1 p. m. my pick- ets were attacked and driven in about one mile. At 3 p. m. about two regiments of rebel cavalry showed themselves, sharp skirmishing being kept up the entire afternoon. I took parts of the Fourth Michi- gan and Seventh Pennsylvania, the only regiments I had, the Fourth Regulars being on detached ser- vice with General MePherson, to the front. One battalion Seventh Pennsylvania, under Major JJen- nings, and one battalion Fourth Michigan, under Captain Pritchard charged and drove the rebels from a good position near an old gin-house on the Dallas road, and followed them at the gallop be- tween two and three miles.
On the following morning, 27th, Colonel Miller, with his regiment ( Seventy-second Indiana), report- ed to me, and I received orders from General Me-
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APPENDIX
Pherson through the general commanding the divis- ion, to gain possession of the Dallas and Villa Rica road, and attack the enemy vigorously in flank or rear. Shortly prior to this my pickets had been again attacked. Colonel Sipes, with a portion of his regiment, had gone out to support them. I moved to the front with the remainder of the Seventh Penn- sylvania, Fourth Michigan, and Seventy-second In- diana, and found Colonel Sipes with his small force fighting the whole of Ferguson's brigade. I sent the remainder of his regiment to support him on the di- rect road. Lieutenant-Colonel Park, with the Fourth Michigan, moved across open ground to our left, and at the gallop drove them from their old po- sition at the gin-house. I dismounted the Seventy- second Indiana, and they followed the Fourth Michi- gan beyond the gin-house to the Dallas and Villa Rica road, where I had breast-works of rails, logs, &c., thrown up. Lieutenant-Colonel Kitchell having reported to me with a portion of his regiment ( Nine- ty-eighth Illinois), I ordered him to the support of Colonel Sipes, and so soon as I gained the Dallas and Villa Rica road, I sent a squadron to the right to communicate with him, and directed Colonel Sipes to leave the Ninety-eighth to hold the Powder Springs road, and with his own regiment to drive the enemy and join me near the gin-house. On the arrival of the Seventh I placed them on the right of the Seventy-second (dismounted and behind breast- works), and with a portion of the Fourth Michigan moved down the road toward Dallas and found my pickets skirmishing with the enemy, within three miles of that place. The woods here were very dense, and on the northeast side of the road, running parallel to it, there is a range of hills, which was occupied by the rebel cavalry in considerable force. At a little less than three miles from Dallas I had a good view of a line of breast-works facing west. I therefore ordered up Griffin's section of artillery, with the Fourth Michigan Cavalry to support it, and
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APPENDIX
commenced shelling them. A heavy column of dust was moving on the Marietta road, which I supposed to be about one mile distant from me; a few shells wore thrown in that direction, and also at several other points where there were indications of the en- emy. I kept up the fire until the position occupied by the Seventh Pennsylvania and Seventy-second In- diana was attacked, and a flanking fire opened on myself from the hill and woods on our right, when, not wishing to endanger the artillery too much, I rejoined the other regiments. Shortly after I did so, the enemy's artillery opened on me from the hill, and the second shell thrown killed two of the artil- lery horses. I sent the section back out of range, and held the position with the dismounted men, sup- ported on the flanks by cavalry, until after dark, when I established strong picket-lines and fell back to camp.
My loss was as follows: Seventh Pennsylvania, 3 killed, 11 wounded; Fourth Michigan 1 killed, 1 wounded ; Seventy-second Indiana, 1 wounded; total, 4 killed, 13 wounded.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant,
ROBT. H. G. MINTY, Colonel, Commanding.
Captain KENNEDY,
Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Cavalry Di- rision.
WILSON RAID-CAPTURE OF SELMA, ALA. Report of Col. Robert H. G. Minty, Fourth Michigan Caratry, commanding Second Brigade, of op- erations March 31-Apr. 2.
HDORS. SECOND BRIG .. SECOND DIV .. CAVALRY CORPS.
Selma, Ala .. April 4, 1865.
CAPTAIN: I beg to hand you the following re- port of the part taken by my brigade in the assault and capture of Selma on the 2d instant ;
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APPENDIX
On the night of the 31st of March I was camped ten miles north of Montevallo, and on the night of the 1st of April I camped at Plantersivlle, having marched forty-five miles on that day. On the morn- ing of the 2d I marched at 6 o'clock, taking the ad- vance on the main road to Selma. The Third Ohio was my advance regiment. It easily drove what small force we met without delaying the column for a moment. About six miles from Selma I turned to the right, taking a cross-road which led to the Sum- merfield road. At about 3 p. m. I found myself in front of the works around Selma. In accordance with orders from Brigadier-General Long I sent the Third Ohio to the right and rear to cover led horses and pack-mules. The other three regiments ( Fourth Ohio, Seventh Pennsylvania, and Fourth Michigan ): were dismounted and formed line about half a mile from the works. A strong skirmish line was pushed forward a few hundred yards in advance, and was immediately engaged with the enemy's skirmishers. At about 4 p. m. Major-General Wilson, accompanied by Brigadier-General Long, came forward to my skirmish line; after examining the grounds for a few moments General Wilson ordered an assault. The First Brigade was now moved to my right, and my skirmishers from that direction were drawn in. By direction of General Long I left one regiment, the Fourth Michigan, to support the Chicago Board of Trade Battery. The Third Ohio was still protecting the led animals, and was at this moment skirmishing with Chalmers' advance. This left me but two regi- ments for the assault, numbering in all 33 officers and 671 men. At about 5 p. m. the order was given to advance; the men moved forward with enthusiasm and kept a perfect line until their left struck a swamp, in which they were almost knee-deep. This threw the right considerably in advance. The left of the First Brigade came forward in the same manner, and, as I afterward learned, from the same canse, swamp in front of the outer flank; thus the right of
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APPENDIX
the Fourth Ohio and the left of the One hundred and twenty-third Ilinois gained the works first, the flanks sweeping forward as if the movement had been that of individual echelon. Corporal Booth, Company A, Fourth Ohio, was the first man inside the works. He was almost immediately after shot through the head. The works at the point of assault consisted of a breast-work or parapet from six to eight feet high, with a ditch about five feet deep, in front of which there was a well-built palisade stretching along the entire line. After entering the works we pushed up the line to the left, cleaning the rebels out of the bas- tions, in which we captured a considerable amount of artillery, until arriving opposite the fort near the cotton-gin, which formed a portion of the inner line of works. This was immediately assaulted and car- ried. Three field pieces were captured in this work. Here we again turned to the left and attacked and carried the works on the Plantersville road, capturing five pieces of artillery, one of them a 30-pounder Par- rott. At this point I collected and reformed my command, and at about 11 p. m. bivouacked between the lines of works. As before stated, the number en- gaged in the assault was 33 officers and 671 men. Of these 9 officers and 114 men were killed and wound- ed. Lieutenant-Colonel Dobb, commanding Fourth Ohio, was, I regret to say, killed, and Colonel McCor- mick, commanding Seventh Pennsylvania, was se- verely wounded. Each officer and soldier performed his duty well and nobly. It is therefore, difficult for me to make special mention of any. The gallant Cor- poral Booth, of the Fourth Ohio, was the first man in the enemy's works, but he fell in the moment of victory, shot through the head. Captains Moore and Richardson, of the Fourth Ohio, were amongst the first to enter the works, and acted throughout with conspicuous gallantry. Major Burns, Fourth Mich- igan Cavalry, my acting assistant adjutant-general, and Major Greeno, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, my acting assistant inspector-general, were also
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APPENDIX
amongst the first to enter the works, and acted in the most gallant manner throughout the entire ac- tion. I strongly and earnestly recommend the four above-mentioned officers for brevet. Inclosed here- with I hand you sub-reports of regimental command- ers, together with report of casualties.
I am, respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBT. H. G. MINTY,
Colonel Fourth Michigan, Commanding Brigade. Capt. T. W. SCOTT.
Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gen .. Second Division, Caralry Corps.
( Enclosure. )
Report of Casualties in the Second Brigade, Second Division, Cavalry Corps, in the action at Selma, Ala., on April 2, 1865.
Killed
Wounded
Missing
Total
Command
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
Officers
Men
7th Pennsylvania Cavalry
1
1
4
47
5
43
4th Michigan Cavalry.
2
3d Ohio Cavalry ..
4th Ohio Cavalry.
2
5
I
44
3
4
Total
3
8
5
100
1
6
9
114
ROBT. H. G. MINTY, Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
Report of Lieut. Col. Horace N. Howland. Third Ohio Cavalry, commanding Second Brigade.
HDQRS. SECOND BRIG .. SECOND DIV., CAVALRY CORPS. Near Macon, Ga., April 29, 1865.
CAPTAIN: Below please find report of number of guns, prisoners, flags, &c., captured by this com-
3
I
6
I
14
52
APPENDIX
mand, forwarded in compliance with circular from headquarters Second Division, Cavalry Corps, dated April 6, 1865.
Regiment
Prisoners
Pieces of artil.
lery
Small arms
Remarks
7th Pennsylvania Cavalry
215
250
4th Michigan Cavalry.
152
50
Railroad bridge west of Selma de- stroyed April 3.
4th Ohio Cavalry.
100
8
300 bales cotton destroyed near Selma.
Total
50 7
15
300
The pieces of artillery mentioned above were captured jointly by Seventh Pennsylvania and Fourth Ohio.
Respectfully,
HORACE N. HOWLAND, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding Brigade. Capt. T. W. SCOTT, Actg. Asst. Adjt. Gov., Second Division, Cavalry Corps.
Report of Brig. Gen. Eli Long, U. S. Army, com- manding Second Dirision, of Operations March 22-April 2.
HEADQUARTERS SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,
Selma, Ala., April 7, 1865.
MAJOR: I have the honor to make the follow- ing report of the part taken by my division from the time of leaving Chickasaw, Ala., on the 22d day of March, until the capture of Selma, Ala., on the 2d day of April :
On the morning of the 22d of March my com- mand moved from Chickasaw, the train having pre- ceded it two days. My progress was delayed by the
3d Ohio Cavalry.
40
.. ...
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APPENDIX
pontoon train, which was placed under my charge, and the excessive badness of the roads that we were forced to travel My division arrived at Montevallo on the 31st of March, having crossed Buzzard Roost Mountain, forded the deep and rapid waters of the Black and Little Warrior, and crossed the Cahawba on a narrow railroad bridge. At Montevallo I found the Fourth Division was a few miles in advance and skirmishing with the enemy. I went into camp near the town. On the morning of the 1st of April I mov- ed out on the main Selma road and struck the enemy near Randolph, and commenced skirmishing with him. The Seventy-second Indiana Volunteers were in the advance, and four companies were ordered forward and instructed to press the enemy vigorous. ly, and charge them whenever they attempted to stand. Skirmished briskly until the enemy reached Ebenezer Church, six miles north of Plantersville, where they were found in force and seemingly deter- termined on making a stand. The remainder of the Seventy-second Indiana was brought forward, dis- mounted, and formed on the left of the road. The enemy's lines were soon broken, and a charge was made by four companies of the Seventeenth In- diana Volunteers with sabers under Lieut. Col. Frank White. They charged over a mile, cutting through the enemy's lines, and reaching their artil- lery (four pieces), which had been firing on them heavily as they advanced. Our charging force being mnuch scattered, and a second and stronger line of battle confronting them and pouring a heavy fire upon them, they were forced to turn to the left and cut their way out, resulting in the loss, however of Captain Taylor and 16 men, who charged through and were either killed or fell into the enemy's hands. The enemy commenced falling back immediately and the Fourth Division striking them on the left they fled in confusion, leaving three pieces of artillery in our hands, also a number of prisoners. They succeeded in carrying off most of their killed and wounded.
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