Wednesday, May 18, 1864
This day, troops lay idle until rather late. Very little doing,
except completing our temporary breastworks. Two companies from
the regiment were detailed as skirmishers. In a very short time,
these men succeeded in clearing the rebels from the north side
of the river.
I was detailed to superintend the construction of a bridge across
the Oostanaula River. I examined the river opposite to, and for
some distance above the town, to find a suitable place to construct
such a bridge. it would be used for moving troops and wagon trains
across the river and into town.
Colonel Dilworth, in the meantime, was busily engaged in floating
his regiment across on rafts about two miles above the town and
by three in the afternoon, had manage to get most of his outfit
over. They then marched down on the south side of the river and
forced the few remaining rebels out of town. That enabled me to
get started. I decided to have the bridge constructed immediately
in front of town.
I located five old river scows which the enemy had originally
set afire. The fire, however, had failed to destroy the hulls
entirely and they were salvageable.
When all these little arrangements had been settled, I went
to the best hotel in town and took supper. I found but little
to eat there, yet it was a decided improvement over my own campside
table. There I seldom see anything but hard bread, bacon, sugar
and coffee - although it is, of course, very good fare for a soldier,
if he has enough of it.
Thus the day ended. Rome was ours and the Stars and Stripes floated
triumphantly from the courthouse steeple for the first time since
the secession of Georgia.
Thursday, May 19, 1864
Early this morning, we went to work at building a good wagon bridge.
I found that this could very easily be accomplished. By spiking
heavy planks on the sides and caulking the bottoms of the five
river scows, we were enabled to make a good bridge. However, other
lumber was needed and we carried none.
My orders permitted me to take anything that could be made useful.
On looking around Rome, I found several good plank sidewalks.
I immediately dispatched a detail of men to take those plank sidewalks
up, perfectly good lumber, and carry the planks to the riverbank.
When the hulls were fixed a little, we swung them around in the
stream. Then we laid a few planks on. That formed a rudimentary
bridge that was good enough to pass several horses over, along
with two regiments of troops. These traversed safely to the other
bank and moved to support Colonel Dilworth, who it was feared,
would not be able to hold his ground against the Confederate cavalry
then hovering around the east end of town.
Once these troops were across, we got back to work by half-past
four in the afternoon, a good, substantial pontoon bridge stretched
across the river. At this place, the river is about ninety yards
wide and twenty-two feet deep, with a rather sluggish current.
The remainder of the brigade traveled over this evening, also
Barnett's Battery and a portion of the wagon train. The brigade
proceeded into a pleasant grove on Kingston Road, about a half
mile outside of town.
Rome is a well-situated town of 4,500 inhabitants and is located
in the forks between the Oostanaula and Etawah Rivers, which form
the Coosa River just below town.
Friday, May 20, 1864
Pontoon bridge across the river is still in fair condition, except
one scow, which promises to give trouble. By passing heavy wagon
trains over, the weak places show. The boat gunnels of the scows
have been charred so much, due to the rebels' burning, that scarcely
enough good wood remains to hold the thing together. Rations are
again short, but the troops are not as destitute as they have
been on many former occasions and we have the promise of a speedy
supply for them.
Nothing unusual occurred today until about five o'clock, when
a train loaded with Yankee prisoners cam in on the Kingston &
Rome Railroad. This greatly surprised both citizens and soldiers.
rousing cheers were given by the boys for the rapidity with which
our engineers have constructed the bridge across the Oostanaula
at Resaca. The rebels had managed to destroy that bridge prior
to their evacuation. With the railroad operating, food can be
hauled in.
I spent much of my time today in the town, having conversations
with local citizens. Most of them are professed rebels. they said
they would never come back to live under the old federal rule
again. I also met some who pretended to be well pleased with the
recent change in local administration. The citizens generally
treat the soldiers with a great deal of respect and never fail
to say that those Female Demons who shamefully mistreated Colonel
Straight's men, after they were prisoners, have all left town.
The remaining citizens say they are not responsible for those
act of villainy committed by those women.
Colonel Straight commanded a force of mounted infantry and was
captured near this place about a year ago with his entire command.
In passing through Rome, the chivalrous Ladies 'spit' in the faces
of these men, some of whom were wounded, and offered every indignity
that their devilish natures could invent. The fear that justice
might now overtake these women have caused them to flee this place.
The weather is quite warm now but not as oppressive as I feared
it would be in this climate, at this season.
Saturday, May 21, 1864
Weather is still pleasant and quite warm though not so uncomfortable
as it has been on the march. Men have no illness and are gradually
better able to endure the heat than persons on a fatiguing march
through dust and mud, as the case may be.
Artillery passed over the river into town. A rumor is afloat that
a column of rebel infantry is moving on this place, but the report
is considered unreliable and no very serious apprehensions are
felt.
Sunday, May 22, 1864
this being Sunday, church bells are ringing in all parts of town.
for the first time in many weary months, the sounds of chimes
remind us of bygone days, when we were at home. It seems almost
civilized here, yet we are dispersed and scoffed at, by all the
local citizens. It is a strange and unpleasant thing and reminds
us of the good homes and love from which circumstances separate
us.
Monday, May 23, 1864
Stayed in camp all day in comparative idleness. Marching orders
for six a.m. departure tomorrow have been announced. 1st Brigade
of the 17th Army Corps has arrived to relieve this Division. We
move tomorrow to join the main army.
The main army has been pushing forward during our stay here in
Rome. it has crossed the Oostanaula and proceeded on to Kingston.
It has occupied Kingston without meeting any great resistance
form the enemy, who have retreated to and taken possession of
Cartersville. The Confederates have firmly established themselves
there on the range of the Allatoona Mountains and at Allatoona
Pass. That is a powerful, natural position where a small force
of our army is now menacing them, while the main portion of the
army is in motion toward the right, in the direction of Dallas.
Dallas, I hear, is a town of about two hundred inhabitants and
is attractively located on the range of the Allatoona Hills. The
army is moving with a view towards dislodging the enemy by flank
movement on his left. All of us regret very much to leave the
comforts of Rome, though it is always understood that whenever
a particular place is occupied, we are liable to pull up stakes
at very short notice.
Tuesday, May 24, 1864
The Brigade broke camp this morning and crossed the Etawah River
at half-past six, then marched in a direction southeast. A portion
of our regiment was detailed as rear guard to the wagon train
and in this order moved on slowly through a very good countryside,
parts of which are well improved.
In the Southern style, the plantations are generally very large,
with one good house and from eight to a dozen Negro juts. These
are usually badly constructed log cabins and are located near
the central residence, without any particular order of arrangement.
Saw a great many Negro women and children, but very few colored
men are about. They have been taken further South by their chivalrous
masters who are afraid that their valuable property might avail
themselves of the benefits of the Emancipation Proclamation. The
terms of that document are generally well understood by the slaves
of North Georgia.
Our progress has been rather slow today, as we have been detained
some by the wagon train. halted for dinner about thirteen miles
from Rome and after a rest of about two hours, we again went forward.
We joined the 16th Army Corps at the foot of the Allatoona range.
By the, it was nightfall. We proceeded on to a small creek and
camped for the night in a thick underbrush.
While our movement was in progress, there raged, all the time
one of the most terrific thunderstorms that I ever saw. Early
in the night, the rain simply cascaded down in torrents. The men
were anyway exhausted and so pathetically devoid of strength that
before they could manage to raise any shelter, all were drenched
to the skin. As the night wore on, the rain stopped and the sky
grew clear. It turned very cool, with further bad results among
the boys. Our misery was compounded because everything was so
soaking wet and fires were built only with the greatest difficulty.
I have good reason to fear for the health of my men.
Wednesday, May 25, 1864
Resumed the march at six a.m. and passed through a Gap in the
mountains. We proceeded about twelve miles by a zig-zag rout and
through and over the mountain on a very bad road in most places,
and in many places, was no road at all.
We stopped for dinner on a small creek. Water has been very scarce
along our line of march this forenoon and it is quite a warm day.
Consequently, everyone is thirsty.
After a pause of about an hour, we again moved out, traveling
over such a road - most of the way - as traveled over earlier
in the day. It led toward Dallas, so we pushed vigorously onward
and about half an hour before sundown, heard very great artillery
and musketry firing on our front. We soon ascertained the firing
to have been occasioned by the second division of the 20th Army
Corps, who had come in contact with the rebels. The southerners
had anticipated our intentions and had made dispositions to counteract
our flank movement.
Our brigade went a short distance and camped on the west side
of Pumpkin Vine Creek. Just before attaining the camp site, we
were subjected to another of these wretched, confederate rain-and-thunderstorms.
But a good portion of the men rushed to raise their shelter tents,
so that fortunately, only a few lads got wet. The storm passed
after a half-hour. The sky cleared and the night turned quite
cool.
This day, as also on many others, I became excessively weary and
footsore, so that it was with the greatest difficulty that I kept
up with my command. The interest which I feel in my company and
my desire to command it in future, as in former engagements, alone
have held me in my place. if my will was no better than my physical
strength, I fear that I should fail on many occasions.
Thursday, May 26, 1864
Departed at six in the morning and took the wrong road. This was
discovered after we had gone about a mile and a half. We then
had to counter-march back to where we had camped last night.
We proceeded on the road leading to Dallas, crossing Pumpkin Vine
Creek on a good wagon bridge, which the enemy had failed to destroy.
We reached the town at three in the afternoon and march marched
through, then took a position on the left of the road running
from Dallas to Marietta, on the crest of a ridge. There we built
temporary breastworks. rations were issued to the command. The
men's haversacks were by this time nearly or quite empty. Then
we bivouacked for the night.
Having marched but a short distance this day, the men are much
less fatigued than on the two previous days. We are now again
up with the main portion of the Army, but separated from our Corps,
which was left at Cartersville to threaten the enemy at Allatoona
Pass. It is also intended that this section of our outfit disguise
our plan to flank the rebels out of one of the most powerful positions
an army ever held.
The 1st and 3rd Divisions of our Corps has marched along the line
of railroad from Resacca to where it now lays and our Division
- the 2nd - has gone by way of Rome to Dallas. We are at this
time separated and have between us, and the other divisions of
the Corps, the whole of the Army of the Ohio, as well as the 4th
and 20th Corps of the Army of the Cumberland.
The Army of the Tennessee is deployed on our right and faces the
enemy, who have taken position on a high range of hills which
they have fortified well through the construction of a chain of
parapets. These run from left to right as far as our lines extend.
Since almost the entire distance of the rebel lines in this are
run through heavy sections of timber, they have been able to fall
trees and obstruct the approaches to their key points. This makes
it nearly impossible for an attacking force to make a successful,
direct assault. therefore, other means have had to be adopted.
This time, the movement is by the left and towards the railroad.
All this, of course, commenced some days ago.
Friday, May 27, 1864
The weather this morning is unusually cool and while the sky is
clear, everything bears a hostile attitude. On the line, artillery
and musketry firing is heavy and constant - on our front and on
the right. In front of the 20th Corps, the firing is terrific
and has been that way at intervals all during the forenoon.
At 8:30 a.m., our Brigade was ordered to the front line. It immediately
moved out by the right flank and advanced about a half mile. There
a position was occupied in tow lines on a ridge, from which the
enemy's skirmishers had just been driven by our men. Our skirmishers
had by then advanced about five hundred yards further, from where
the brigade was presently in line. Those fellows were hotly engaged
by the enemy, who stubbornly contested the ground on our front.
We stayed in this position but a short time, then we again advanced.
This time we went across the hill and into an open field up ahead.
During this passage, we were subjected to a heavy fire from the
rebel artillery. But is was generally aimed too high and thus
passed over us, doing but little injury among our
ranks. After going across, we again halted, this time behind a
fence and thick underbrush. This stretched the full length of
the fence row and completely hid us from the enemy's view. The
enemy therefore slackened fire, apparently deceived that we had
withdrawn after having been first convinced that the rebel shooting
was without effect.
We laid about an hour in this hidden position. In the meantime,
our skirmish line had been heavily re-inforced, had driven the
rebels about half a mile and were still gradually gaining ground
on our front. We were then again ordered forward and proceeded
by the left flank through a shaded, natural avenue, our passage
being covered all the while, until we reached a skirt of woods
in front. There we again deployed.
The brigade was here formed in one line, except one regiments,
which was required for picket and skirmishing. The line of the
Brigade was set on the crest of a hill through a piece of open
woods. Not anticipating any attack from the enemy, we did not
fortify, although our custom on former occasions was to do so
when in comparable proximity to the rebels.
The 22d Indiana which had been on skirmish all day had by then
advanced and forced the rebels to their outer line of works on
the crest of another hill. This was a hill I mentioned earlier.
it formed the rebels' main line of defense. Thus the day passed
and night fell. The 22d Indiana held the position in easy musket
range until about 10 p.m. Just as these lads were being relieved
by the 125th Illinois, the rebels made a bold charge on our skirmish
line, with the evident intention of driving them back and recovering
some ground lost earlier during the afternoon.
But the rebels' timing was bad; in fact, it was disastrous. Our
skirmish line was very strong and well supported. By that critical
moment, the skirmish line had the backing of an additional regiment.
That additional regiment, while in the act of relieving, was deployed
just in the rear of the line and almost along the whole length
of it, giving the effect of two, or a double, and 'very strong',
skirmish line.
In truth, it was nearly equal in terms of power to a regular line
of formal battle. The southerners had not expected to find anything
more than a mere line of skirmishers and their preparations were
therefore insufficient. On came their probing assault.
The night was very dark and a profound quiet was everywhere. All
at once, to the great surprise of our men, the rebels thundered
furiously down the hill into our front. A terrible fusillade broke
out, for opponents shot at each other from a very short range.
In many spots, hand to hand struggles went on. There were curses
and hideous shrieks. Men were clubbed with muskets, frequently
one person was without knowledge of his victim - for the darkness
blocked any chance of identification. And the darkness further
compounded difficulties by destroying men's sense of direction,
so that they really did not know which way to shoot.
The engagement went on for about twenty, utterly hysterical, minutes.
During that time, active preparations were astir at Company F's
sector, for in case the assault proved too much for our pickets
along the guard perimeter, we would be the next targets of the
rebels. The company was situated in a place where three large,
cut logs reposed. I therefore set my men to arranging the logs
for defense purposes. In short order, a good substantial breastwork
was ready, the work on which was done under heavy fire, amid the
chorus of hideous yells and howls from the fro. Not only did our
limbs fly to the task of building out of an anxiety for safety,
but we were driven with terror, to be perfectly honest. Such sounds
were enough to freeze the blood.