Statewide County IN Archives History - Books .....Chapter VIII Atlanta Campaign 1893
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Book Title: History Of The 82nd Indiana Volunteer Infantry

CHAPTER VIII.
ATLANTA CAMPAIGN.

  On the 7th day of May, 1864, our brigade, composed as follows, viz.: Eleventh,
Seventeenth, Thirty-first, Eighty-ninth and Ninety-second Ohio; Nineteenth and
Twenty-fourth Illinois, and the Eighty-second Indiana, being the First Brigade
(commanded by General Turchin) of the Third Division (commanded by General
Baird) of the Fourteeenth Corps, commanded by General Palmer (the Thirty-sixth
Ohio being removed from our brigade), started on the Atlanta campaign. Moving as
far as Tunnel Hill we encamped for the night. On the morning of the 8th our
whole division moved south three miles on the Villanow road, so as to form
connection with the Twentieth Corps (Major General Hooker commanding) and at the
same time to cover the right flank of Brigadier-General Johnson's Division,
which was swinging forward onto the south end of Tunnel Hill Ridge. In the
afternoon we crossed that ridge and moved up in support of Generals Johnson's
and Davis' Divisions in front of Buzzard Roost Gap, and went into camp for the
night. The 9th, 10th and 11th, remained in position. On the 12th, our division
in advance, moved at day-break toward the right, to the support of General
McPherson, who had passed through Snake Creek Gap, and taken position in Sugar
Valley, threatening Rosacca. On the morning of the 14th, at daylight, our
division swung forward and joined General Johnson, then pushed forward until we
struck the enemy, Captain Whedon, with companies A and B of the Eighty-second,
covering our front as skirmishers. In our advance we had to pass over a hill and
through dense undergrowth, which entirely obscured from view the rebel works
until we reached the brow of the hill. From there they could be plainly seen.
General Juda's Brigade was on our left, and in moving through the thicket they
became detached from our left and obliqued to the right and came out covering a
part of our front. They met with a most murderous fire from the enemy. When his
first line reached a small ravine about 100 yards from the rebel works they
stopped and took shelter in it. The second line being now badly exposed,
advanced rapidly and took shelter in the same ravine. Our brigade still advanced
to the foot of the hill. There being no room for any more men in the ravine we
took position behind a rail fence, having no orders to fall back. The range was
so short the enemy's shells knocked the fence into kindling wood. We were
ordered back to the top of the hill, took position and threw up works. The
Eighty-second lost in killed and wounded twenty-three officers and men. Lieut.
John W. Walker, of Company I, was killed. A brave and gallant officer, loved by
all, was taken from us at a time we most needed him. Here I received a severe
wound in the head and was left on the field until I came too enough to get back
to the rear. Yet the Eighty-second went on doing every duty assigned it. I am
indebted to Colonel Hunter and the reports of Generals Baird and Turchin for
this part of my history, from May 14, 1864, to the 2d day of July, 1864, when I
again returned to my regiment for duty. On the 15th the regiment moved with the
brigade farther to the right, and took position on the line. So tightly were the
lines being drawn around the enemy that during the night they evacuated their
works and retreated. On the 16th the Eleventh Ohio was detached and soon
mustered out, their time having expired. The balance of our brigade moved in
pursuit of the enemy, but had to encamp at Resacca [sic] on account of the
bridge across the river at that point being destroyed. On the 17th we moved
forward in hot pursuit, skirmishing and forming line of attack or to receive one
from the enemy, bivouacking wherever night overtook us, until the 24th, at which
time we were some ten miles beyond the Etowah River. On the 22d the
Twenty-fourth Illinois was detached and mustered out, its time having expired.
On the 24th our brigade was detailed to guard a train, which we continued to do
until June 11, when we again joined our division. On the 9th of June the
Nineteenth Illinois was relieved from duty to be mustered out, its time having
expired. On the 11th we again moved on the enemy, who was in a strong fortified
position, some five miles from Kennesaw Mountain. They soon gave way and we
continued to drive them from one position to another until the 18th, when they
again occupied strong works. Here the Eighty-second fortified in a very exposed
and dangerous position. But such was our extreme care that we had but one man
wounded, to wit: Private John Linenweber, of Company G. When once fixed we made
the rebel works so uncomfortable that they were compelled to abandon them under
cover of the night. On the 19th we pressed them until they entered strong works
previously prepared, at Kennesaw Mountain, where they again made a stubborn
resistance. Here for twelve days we were exposed to a heavy fire from shell and
musketry. We fortified with such care that we were protected from direct shots,
and only suffered from stray shots as we passed from one point to another in
rear of our works. Lieut. Joe Morris was on top the works during this time while
the enemy was shelling us. He would say, "Look out, boys; here comes another
darned scalp seeker." He kept this up until a twelve pound shell made straight
for him, and as he threw himself forward to get out of its way he said, "Here I
come." He was a little late, as it stripped his blouse clean from his back. The
Lieutenant concluded after that if the boys wanted to know when to dodge they
could find out for themselves. While here our loss was five in killed and
wounded. July 2d, in the evening, I again arrived at regimental headquarters for
duty, and went into the Colonel's tent to see him. General Baird and another
officer or two were in talking with him. After shaking hands all round, I went
out to visit all the boys. I hadn't got very far from the tent until a shell
passed through it, shocking all who were in but not seriously injuring any one.
The shell not bursting it went into the ground and was dug out by the men, being
six feet from the surface. On the night of the 3d the enemy again gave way, and
on the morning of the 4th we followed them so close they made a stand about four
miles below Marietta. The army was formed for battle and moved on the enemy,
when they gave away. Orders reached us to go into camp to spend the 4th; we
passed a nice day, having received a good mail soon after going into camp. On
the 5th we started again in hot pursuit and drove the enemy to their strong line
of works at the Chattahoochee river. Continuous skirmishing was kept up until
the 9th, when we pressed them so hard that when night came on they retreated
across the river and destroyed the bridge. Sergeant George King, of Co. A, was
killed and private Barringer, Co. B, wounded; two good soldiers-knocked out, one
for all time to come. Sergeant King was a most gallant soldier and would have
made a gallant officer that any regiment would have been proud of. Brave, cool
and always ready to meet the enemy. The crossing for miles up and down the
Chattahoochee river were heavily guarded by the enemy, and preperations [sic]
had to be made to form a crossing. We remained in position doing picket duty and
taking a rest, preparatory to dealing the fatal blow for the capture of Atlanta.
On the 17th General Turchin left us on a leave of absence, being sick. Here the
Twenty-third Missouri regiment was assigned to our brigade. Colonel Moses B.
Walker, of the Thirty-first Ohio, took command of our brigade, he being the
ranking Colonel in the brigade. The pontoon bridge being completed at Pace's
Ferry on the evening of the 17th, we crossed and moved out some distance and
bivouacked for the night. On the 18th our whole corps advanced, passing fancy's
Creek at Kyle's Ferry, with our advance at Howell's Mill on Peach Tree Creek,
bivouacked for the night. The most of the 19th was spent in reconnoitering the
creek for crossings, the bridges being burned and the stream being very deep.
The passage was very difficult, as the enemy was guarding it to prevent our
crossing. General Davis' Division, being on our right, had effected a crossing,
but met with such strong resistance his left brigade was forced back over the
creek. Our brigade was ordered to furnish him support. The Eighty-ninth Ohio and
Eighty-second Indiana passed along the creek until arriving at Davis' left
flank. The creek was deep, the banks steep and muddy. The Eighty-ninth took to
the water, crossing with a rush, the Eighty-second following at their heels as
support. As soon as reaching the hank the Eighty-ninth deployed as skirmishers,
the Eighty-second following in line of battle, the enemy falling back in
disorder. Having moved out sufficient to protect Davis' flank we halted and
threw up fortifications, where we remained during the night. Our movement
relieved Davis' flank, and his brigade re-crossed the creek and drove the enemy
from their front, and built a good line of works that the enemy failed to
attack. I quote from Colonel Walker's report in Series 1, Volume 38, Official
Records War of the Rebellion, page 761:

   "Was ordered to advance one regiment to the support of General Davis' left;
ordered the Eighty-ninth Ohio, under command of Colonel Carlton, to this duty;
sent the Eighty second Indiana in support of the Eighty-ninth Ohio, under
Colonel Hunter. I would fail in my duty were I not to mention the gallant
conduct of these two regiments. The enemy had a strong line of skirmishers
posted on the opposite side of the stream well protected by rifle pits and heavy
timber which skirted the open field on the opposite bank of the stream, and
commanded every approach to the ford. The crossing, from the depth of the water,
uneven bottom and muddy banks, was difficult. Colonel Hunter, ever prompt to
obey an order and discharge a duty, had hastened the march of his regiment, so
that the head of his column reached the ford before Colonel Carlton's left was
over. Both regiments bounded through the stream (which struck the men at the
waist) with an alacrity and energy truly surprising. Instantly on reaching the
opposite bank Colonel Carlton deployed his regiment, charged and drove the enemy
from his rifle pits, Colonel Hunter moving close in support." On the 20th we
pressed forward gradually under a heavy fire from the enemy. On the 21st we move
again, meeting with heavier resistance, yet driving the enemy from one line of
works to another. On the 22d we march toward Atlanta; met the enemy about two
and a half miles from the city; formed line of battle in front of the enemy's
works under a sharp fire of artillery and musketry. Remained in position from
the 23d to the 31st, inclusive, skirmishing with the enemy, much of the time
exposed to an annoying artillery fire.

  I again quote from Colonel Walker's same report, page 762: "During the time we
were in this position two of my regiments, the Twenty-third Missouri and the
Eighty-second Indiana, deserve honorable mention for having each driven the
enemy from an advanced position, captured, held and fortified the same." My
regiment had two men seriously wounded on this occasion. August 1st and 2d
remained in position. Early on the morning of the 3d marched to the right of the
Army of the Tennessee. Late in the afternoon crossed Utoy Creek under a heavy
artillery fire, and advanced about three-quarters of a mile upon the enemy,
driving back his skirmishers and taking position about 250 yards in front of the
enemy's works, sometime after dark. The night was very dark and rain fell in
quantity, yet when morning came we had works in our front that we had no fears
of the enemy taking.

  I again quote from Colonel Walker's same report, page 762:

  "On the 4th sent the Eighty-second Indiana, Eighty-ninth Ohio and Twenty-third
Missouri, under Colonel Hunter, to support the Second Brigade in a
reconnoissance; took the enemy's rifle-pits and captured about thirty prisoners."

  On the 5th advanced our skirmish line and again took the enemy's rifle-pits,
captured fifty-six prisoners out of the works; took up an advanced position,
posting the Seventeenth Ohio and Twenty-third Missouri on the right of the
Second Brigade; Thirty-first, Eighty-ninth and Ninety-second Ohio and
Eighty-second Indiana on the left of the Third Brigade; advanced our lines a
third time to within two hundred yards of the-enemy's main line. This position
has been a very trying one, and our losses in gaining and holding will be sure
to be heavier than in any of our former operations except Resacca. I again quote
from Colonel Walker's second report, page 763:

  "On the 7th of August the brigade remained in its old position on the hills
southeast of Utoy Creek, holding our advanced lines on the left of the division
as well as the right, having four regiments, the Thirty-first, Eighty-ninth and
Ninety-second Ohio and Eighty-second Indiana on the left, and the Seventeenth
Ohio and the Twenty-third Missouri on the right. On the 7th I pressed forward my
line to a new position about two hundred yards from the enemy's works; took up
and fortified a line from which we held the enemy close within his lines,
compelling him to keep his men constantly covered behind his works. One hundred
men of the Eighty-second Indiana were sent forward to fight for the new
position, whilst the main line was advanced and the position fortified. Almost
one-fourth of this gallant little band— twenty-two—were killed or wounded during
the day." This gallant little band was commanded by Second-Lieutenants Michael
E. Bunger, Co. F, Joseph K. McIlhany, Co. D, and Elisha J. Robinson, Co. B.
Major Jolly, of the Eighty-ninth Ohio, being officer of the day, was in charge.
They carried the rifle-pits three times before they were able to hold them. The
Fourth Kentucky on the right, and Eighteenth Regulars on the left, failed to
carry their front. All the enemy in the pits in front of the Eighty-second boys
were captured. The second charge the Eighteenth Regulars again failed, which
caused our men to have to fall back, bringing more prisoners. The third charge
was successful and the rifle-pits held with a large number of prisoners sent to
the rear. After night the enemy attacked our pickets, and the left wing of the
Thirty-first Ohio commenced firing and made it so hot for the Eighty-second boys
on picket that they left their line and crawled up under the Thirty-first's
works and caused them to cease firing. The men went back to their places, except
Lieutenant Bunger; he failed to come to the rear. After the Thirty-first and the
enemy had ceased firing the place was so dark the Lieutenant attempting to reach
our lines traveled in the wrong direction and found himself so close to the
enemy's line that he concluded he was sure to be captured. Not wishing the enemy
to have his sword and watch he hid them under a log, thinking he might perhaps,
some day get them again. He remained quiet until day began to break, made his
reckonings for our lines and crawled on his hands and knees quietly until he
seen our pickets, then raised and took to his heels running, the Johnnies giving
him a good-bye salute as he ran. By the merest good luck he escaped uninjured.

  I have not seen the Lieutenant for twenty-seven years. If he ever got his
sword or watch I have never heard of it. These three young Lieutenants were
exceedingly smart officers, and as brave as the bravest, while Major Jolly, who
commanded, had no superior in the army for bravery and zeal in executing all
orders. On the 9th of August, Ordnance Sergeant Edward E. Sluss was engaged in
taking up the arms and accoutrements of the men killed and wounded on the 7th,
when he received a flesh wound through the calf of one of his legs. He was sent
to the hospital at Nashville, and his father came to see him. As he would not do
for duty for some time his father succeeded in getting a furlough for him to
return home. The evening before he was to start home he wrote me a letter,
telling me of his father's presence and how delighted he was to think he would
soon be permitted to meet his good and noble-hearted mother and the little
sisters and brothers. I felt much pleased in knowing he was permitted to return
home. He was a noble young man and a bosom friend of mine. I expected a letter
from him on his arrival home but it never came. I received notice of his death,
occurring the same night he had written me. Had the news of the death of one of
my own family reached me I could not have felt any worse.

  On the morning of the 11th our brigade moved to the right, and relieved a
portion of General Morgan's Division. This position we held until the night of
the 26th. On the morning of the 19th, before daylight, our brigade moved out of
our works on the Sandtown road about one-half mile, and took up a position in
readiness to support the troops on our right if necessary; remained until night
and returned to our works. On the 20th we made a movement as far as Wallace's:
place for the same purpose; reported to General Davis; relieved General Morgan's
Division, which went forward on a reeonnoissance as far as the Atlanta &
Montgomery railroad. At 5 p. M. we were relieved and reported back to our
position. From the 20th to midnight of the 26th we remained in our works, being
constantly annoyed, but not seriously hurt, by the enemy's artillery and
sharpshooters, a man being occasionally hit. At 1 o'clock A. M. the 27th we quit
our old works under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery and moved about one
mile upon the Sandtown road. Here we halted and formed line of battle, front to
rear, to cover the movements of our trains. The Thirty-seventh Indiana boys will
remember this, as we relieved their division, and they moved off to our rear.
The enemy were in full view. I spoke to Colonel Ward, of the Thirty-seventh, and
he said we were sure to get into battle. As the trains advanced we fell back,
forming line of battle upon three successive positions to cover and protect our
trains. The enemy made a very feeble advance, feeling our skirmish line very
cautiously. The trains being safely guarded to a place of safety within our new
lines, we moved as far as Wallace's house. At 5 P. M. we were ordered to report
to General Davis; by his order advanced as far as the Widow Holbrook's place,
and camped for the night in a position to protect the trains then parked near
Patterson's. On the 28th marched by a cross-road to Mount Gillead church,
remained with the train until 10 A. M.; were then ordered by General Thomas to
report to our division commander; marched with the division until near night,
when we crossed the Atlanta & Montgomery Railroad; took a position about
three-fourths of a mile from Red Oak Station; remained in position on the 29th.
On the 30th we marched, at 6 A. M., by Shoal Creek church; met the enemy's
cavalry, skirmished with it about one mile, killing one and capturing two of
them; took a strong position. On the 31st the enemy's train was seen at a
distance passing toward Rough and Ready on the Jonesborough road. General Baird
ordered the Seventh Indiana Battery (Captain Morgan) to open on the train, which
he did, causing much disorder among the wagons, and driving them from the road.
In the meantime our brigade and Colonel Mitchel's Brigade, of General Carlin's
Division, moved forward under command of General Baird; moved as far as Rough
and Ready and Jonesborough road, meeting no enemy. We fortified to hold the
position. The Atlanta & Macon Railroad now being about two and one-half miles to
the front, General Baird ordered two regiments to go and if possible to cut it.
The Eighty-ninth Ohio with one hundred men from the Seventeenth Ohio was
detailed from our brigade, and the Seventy-fourth Indiana from the Second
Brigade. They went out and destroyed some of it. The enemy's cavalry came up in
such quantity that the force fell back and sent in a report of their situation.
General Baird ordered two more regiments sent to their assistance. The
Eighty-second Indiana and Thirty-first Ohio, under Colonel Hunter, was ordered
out. Colonel Hunter being-the ranking officer, now assumed command of the whole
force. We marched upon the railroad, driving back the enemy's cavalry, capturing
a few; the four regiments formed a hollow square and fortified. The
Eighty-second built its works on the railroad track. During the night a train
came from Atlanta, but being notified by the cavalry that the road was occupied
by troops, it returned back to Atlanta. We held our position until morning
having torn up considerable of the railroad. On the morning of September 1st we
were ordered back from the railroad and moved off on the Jonesborough road. On
arriving at a creek, two miles north of Jonesborough, we moved in on the left of
Carlin's Division. Our whole division turned to the left, leaving the high road
to march toward our position. As the head of our column passed the creek one of
the staff officers, who had been sent out in advance, came up with orders from
General Davis. He directed our division to take position in rear of an interval
between Generals Morgan's and Carlin's Divisions, through which he was fearful
the enemy would attempt to pass, and the point on which it was desired we should
form was pointed out. Before this order could be executed we received another,
directing our division to form on General Carlin's left and prolong his line.
The engagement now became general. Our brigade being in reserve was not actively
engaged, yet we were so close on the front line that it was about as dangerous.
Dirt, rock, slivers of rail and bushes, together with the grape and canister, as
well as the minnie balls, filled the air with the most deafening noise. The
battle was short, but furious. The Fourteenth Corps carried the rebel works the
full length of their line, capturing many prisoners. Dark overtook the army and
the enemy succeeded in withdrawing under its protection. Had there been a few
hours of daylight, and the Fourth Corps had more time to make its right wheel,
the chances are the whole rebel army here would have been captured, unless they
had been able to cut their way through our lines, which was hardly probable, as
our lines were extremely heavy, the line growing smaller as they concentrated
around the enemy's works. September 2d the enemy having evacuated Jonesborough
during the night and fallen back on the Macon road, our army pressed after them.
September 3d it was announced that Atlanta had been evacuated. Our campaign was
at an end. Commencing this campaign without transportation, and with supplies
sufficient for only six weeks, and compeling them to last for four months, often
the whole army was compelled to lay in the mud and rain for days without
shelter, and wholly unable to preserve the ordinary cleanliness which is
essential to health, and many have broken down for want of proper food. During
the greater part of the time our men laid constantly under the enemies fire
liable at any moment to be picked off, whilst the sound, not of distant
artillery and musketry, but of the closely whistling bullet and bursting shell
was seldom out of their ears. Our losses in the slow operations of the
rifle-pit, the picket line, during daily and nightly skirmishes, as well as in
the many battles, although distributed over a great length of time, yet equal in
the aggregate the casualties of great battles. The following report exhibits the
total loss of our brigade in killed and wounded: "Commissioned officers killed,
7; wounded, 15. Enlisted men killed, 55; wounded, 277. Missing, 2. Total
officers, 22; total men, 334; aggregate 356. The Third Division (of which the
Eighty-second formed a part), during the four months captured 908 men, including
61 officers; 147 of these desired to be sent to the rear and classed as
deserters." Our command returned to Atlanta and went into camp near "White
Hall," Colonel M. B. Walker, our brigade commander leaving us. Colonel Morton C.
Hunter, of the Eighty-second Indiana, being the ranking Colonel in the brigade,
took command of the brigade. On the 15th day of September I was detailed as
Acting-Assistant-Adjutant- General of the brigade to succeed Captain Curtis,
whose resignation had beed [sic] accepted. We were not left idle very long. Hood
threw the rebel army in our rear. The Twentieth Corps was left at the
Chattahoochee River as a guard for our supplies, while the balance of the army
followed Hood and his army until they retreated into Alabama. Then the Fourth
and Twenty-third Corps, under the command of our time-tested, gallant commander,
"Old Pap Thomas," was left to look after Hood, while the Fourteenth, Fifteenth,
Seventeenth and Twentieth Army Corps, under General Sherman, made their
arrangements for a trip to the sea. During our chase after Hood the day for the
election for President of the United States took place. The voting was done
during the halt for dinner. While the Indiana boys were allowed a hand in all
that took place before this and all that took place afterward, on this occasion
they stood off like poor devils that had no voice in saving their country, being
the only troops of the whole army who were denied the privilege of saying who
they wished to stand at the helm and control the sailing of the old ship to
safety. I felt then that the Generals on one side of Indiana were as disloyal as
the Generals of any we were fighting to control, and haven't changed my mind as
yet. Before proceeding farther, I feel it my duty to give a brief history of our
brigade and division commanders in this campaign. It gives me great pleasure to
do so, while I feel my store of language is entirely insufficient to do them the
justice they so honestly deserve. General John B. Turchin commanded our brigade
during the campaign from May 6 to July 17. While he was not a native of this
country, be became a citizen in due form, and proved by his courage, zeal and
patriotism that no native born had more interest in the preservation of this
country than he. He was a fine disciplinarian, brave as the bravest and a man
loved by all under his command. Long may he live with greatest enjoyment.
Colonel Moses B. Walker commanded the brigade from the 17th of July until the
fall of Atlanta. Three regiments of the brigade, viz.: Seventeeth and
Thirty-first Ohio and Eighty-second Indiana had served under him for some months
before. I am unable to find language to do the grand old gentlemen justice. He
was kind, noble, generous; a fine disciplinarian, and no braver man every
presented himself in defense of his country. He is now well past his three score
and ten years, yet I hope he may enjoy health and live many years of usefulness
and pleasure. General Absalom Baird commanded our division during the whole
campaign; in fact from about the 1st of October, 1863, to the close of the war.
While we had served under several division commanders, none created the lasting
esteem of the division as General Baird. He was a fine disciplinarian; ever
prompt in his duties, a gentleman, a true soldier and brave to a fault. When his
division was called to desperate battle, he was always at the front, showing the
men he was a leader, not a follower. With health and plenty, I wish you a long
and happy life.


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

HISTORY OF THE EIGHTY-SECOND
Indiana Volunteer Infantry,
ITS ORGANIZATION, CAMPAIGNS AND BATTLES.

WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE MEMBERS

BY
ALF. G. HUNTER,
Late Adjutant.

INDIANAPOLIS:
WH. B. BURFORD, PRINTER AND BINDER.
1893.


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