1

OFFICIAL ARMY RECORDS

1864-3

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., 15TH ARMY CORPS,

Camp near Lovejoy's Station, September 5, 1864.

CAPTAIN: In compliance with Special Field Orders, No. 117, department headquarters, I

have the honor to submit the following report of operations of this brigade during the campaign

commencing May 3, ending with the occupation of Atlanta, Ga., September 2, 1864:

The brigade consists of the Fourth, Ninth, Twenty-fifth, and Thirty-first Regiments Iowa

Infantry, commanded respectively, at the commencement of the campaign, by Lieut. Col. S. D.

Nichols, Col. David Carskaddon, Col. George A. Stone, and Col. William Smyth.

May 3, 1864, the Ninth, Twenty-fifth, and Thirty-first marched from Bellefonte to

Stevenson. May 4, marched to Bridgeport, where the Fourth Iowa, on return from veteran

furlough, joined the brigade, and continued the march to Shellmound. May 5, 6, 7, and 8, the

march was continued, via Chattanooga, Gordon's Mills (on Chickamauga Creek), Gordon's Gap,

to Snake Creek Gap. May 9, left camp early; marched to a point near Resaca, and then marched

back again. May 10, in line of battle all day and night. May 11, built breast-works. May 12,

moved out of the breastworks, and formed line of battle; remained in line nearly all day, and then

marched to Sugar Creek. May 13, marched early toward Resaca. Skirmishing commenced at

about 10 o'clock. At 3 o'clock we moved forward in line of battle, and drove the enemy into his

main line of works. May 14 and 15, the brigade was continually under fire. On the evening of the

15th the Twenty-fifth Iowa took part in the assaults made by Brigadier-General Woods,

commanding First Brigade. The loss was quite heavy in the affair at Resaca. May 16, entered the

village of Resaca, detailed Twenty-fifth Iowa for provost guard, rested a short time, and resumed

the march to Lay's Ferry, on Oostenaula River. May 17, 18, and 19, marched from Lay's Ferry to

Kingston, via McGuire's, Woodland, and Adairsville. May 20, 21, 22, remained in camp near

Kingston. May 23, marched from Kingston to Euharlee Creek, distance of more than twenty

miles. On the 24th marched about twelve miles, encamped at Camp Gold Mine. May 25,

marched about twelve miles and to a point about three miles south of Dallas; formed line of

battle during heavy rain; lay under arms all night. May 26, moved at 11 a.m., with skirmishers in

front, to a point three-quarters of a mile south of Dallas; formed line of battle, and sent out

skirmishers, who very soon entered the town, after which we were ordered forward to a point

about one mile east of Dallas; went into camp, but did not remain many minutes until I was

ordered to move forward, which I did, and formed line of battle on the left of General Giles A.

Smith's brigade, of the Second Division, Fifteenth Corps. The line of battle, when formed, was

from right to left, in the following order, viz: Twenty-fifth, Fourth, Thirty-first, and six

companies of the Ninth Iowa Regiments, this being the order in which the brigade marched that

day, and there being no time for forming the line in accordance with the rank of regimental

commanders accounts for this formation of the line. As each regiment came into line I

immediately sent skirmishers forward, covering the front. These skirmishers always found the

enemy only a short distance in front, where a heavy skirmish fire was kept nearly all the night.

Just before dark, after reconnoitering the ground in person, I deemed it advisable to advance the

Thirty-first and Ninth Regiments to the crest of the high hill, upon the side of which they were

originally formed. This movement was approved by the general commanding the division, who

came up just at the time the movement was completed. Prior to this there had been quite a heavy

fire from the front, and the pickets and the sharpshooters of the division, under command of

Lieutenant Williams, could only advance a short distance. It was now nearly, or quite, dark, and

2

under cover of the darkness I hoped to be able to post a strong picket, or skirmish line, far

enough in advance to render my line secure from surprise; and, in addition, gave strict orders for

no man to leave the line, and that all should keep their arms in their hands. As soon as it was

quite dark the attempt was made to advance the pickets, or, rather, a strong line of skirmishers. In

doing this, and before they had been advanced far enough to prevent the line from sudden attack,

a fire was opened from the enemy, which seemed to come from a line of battle, instead of a line

of skirmishers. About 400 yards to the left of my line, and some distance to the rear, there was a

hill, in an open field, which I thought it important to hold, and was so advised by orders from the

general commanding the division. To do this required at least two companies, which I took from

the Ninth Iowa Infantry. I should here state that before it was dark one company of the Ninth

had gained this position, and had reported to me that the enemy were in strong force in his front

and left flank threatening them, leaving but four companies of this regiment in line. From the

remaining four companies of the Ninth I was compelled to throw out skirmishers or pickets, to

connect my skirmish line with the two companies on the hill to the left. I then sent Lieutenant

Shields, of my staff, to the general commanding the division, to inform him of what I had done,

and to state further to the general that it had been reported to me by Colonel Carskaddon, of the

Ninth Iowa, and also by the officer commanding the two companies on the left, that my left flank

was seriously threatened, and that I had no support anywhere on my left, and received the

assurance that my statement could not be true. In this position I remained, my skirmish line being

frequently attacked, and my whole command kept on the qui vive through the night. At daylight,

in fact before it was light, I went to the left and found the skirmish line drawn back almost to the

line of battle. I went in person to the officer commanding the skirmishers and ordered him to

advance them. He reported the enemy but a short distance in his front in line of battle, and that a

force was moving by the flank perpendicular to my line of battle. I pushed the skirmishers

forward as far as it was possible, in front of the Thirty-first and the small portion of the Ninth

which was there. About this time the skirmish line on the left, connecting the two companies,

commenced giving way, and reported again that the enemy was coming up in heavy force

between my left and the two detached companies. I sent Capt. George D. Hilton, of my staff, to

inform General Osterhaus of all that is above stated, and soon after, becoming more confirmed in

my belief that everything was as reported to me, I sent Lieutenant Shields, of my staff, to repeat

the same message, and assure the general commanding the division of the fact of the statements

which I had instructed Captain Hilton to give, as a representation made by officers commanding

the skirmish line, as well as by other officers who had been reconnoitering. The events above

narrated all transpired in a very short time and just at daylight. There was a heavy mist or fog,

which made it impossible to see a man, or even a line of battle, more than ten paces. While

Captain Hilton and Lieutenant Shields were gone with the message to General Osterhaus the

firing nearly ceased, and the apprehension of an attack was somewhat lessened, and the skirmish

line to the left reformed. Both the officers returned from General Osterhaus and assured me there

was no enemy on or near my flank. While Captain Hilton was reporting to me this intelligence, a

heavy fire was opened on the flank driving in the skirmishers. I instantly went to the extreme left

and found the skirmish line connecting with the two companies on the hill falling back. I had just

given orders for the fragment of the Ninth Iowa, then present, to form at a right angle to the

position they then held, when a terrific fire was opened from the enemy, who had marched across

my left flank. This attack was sudden, and the strong picket, which had been out on the left,

coming in precipitately, and on account of the fog missing the flank of the regiment, thus coming

to the rear among surgeons, cooks, litter-bearers, servants, and non-combatants generally, created

some apparent confusion; when, indeed, but few, if any, who had been in line had given way.

The enemy were soon repulsed and the fire ceased. My brigade being now several hundred yards

3

in advance of any other troops, and both flanks exposed, I ordered it to fall back and connect

with the left of Second Division, which had in the mean time refused the left of the position held

on the evening of the 26th. Very soon after this I was relieved by the First Brigade, and ordered

to occupy the position the Third Brigade had just left. Three days' subsequent fighting developed

the fact that the enemy's strongest point was in front of the place where my left rested on the

night of the 26th and morning of the 27th. After being relieved by the First Brigade, as above

stated, the brigade remained in camp, somewhat exposed to the enemy's fire, until about 5 p.m.

on the 28th, when the enemy made a vigorous assault on General Harrow's division on our right,

when I was ordered to re-enforce him. My command fell in and double-quicked to his support,

and took position on his right. How well, and in what time the movement was executed, I

respectfully ask the general commanding to state for me. During the night of the 28th my

command built a complete line of works. May 29, remained in works and building new works.

Heavy firing on the skirmish line. Soon after dark my command was ordered to leave the works,

with as little noise as possible, and take a position across the main road, so as to cover the rear of

the remainder of the corps, which was to move out. About the time this movement was executed,

and the Fourth Division commenced to withdraw, the enemy assaulted our lines, and the firing

became terrific. In obedience to orders, I sent two regiments (the Ninth and Twenty-fifth) back to

the original position, and remained until daylight with the other two regiments, and then went

with them back to the works on the right of the Fourth Division. May 30, remained in the works,

keeping skirmishers active during the day. May 31, remained in the works: skirmishers active.

Late in the evening the enemy severely shelled every portion of my line. An attack was

apprehended on the right, and preparations made to meet it.

June 1, at daylight, my brigade was ordered out of the works to another line a mile in the

rear, which had been constructed to cover the withdrawal of the corps. When the corps had

passed, my command acted as rear-guard on the march to New Hope Church, the enemy

following us very close as far back as Dallas. June 2 and 3, remained in camp near New Hope

Church. June 4, relieved General Kimball's brigade, near New Hope Church. Enemy left during

the night. June 5, marched toward Acworth. June 6, arrived at Acworth. June 7, 8, and 9,

remained in camp near Acworth. June 10, marched toward Kenesaw Mountain; camped at Big

Shanty. June 11, received orders to reconnoiter in force with the remainder of the division; went

forward and took position in reserve in front of Kenesaw Mountain. June 12, remained in camp

doing but little. June 13, relieved Third Brigade. June 14, in camp through the day and built an

advance line of works at night. June 15, at 2 o'clock I advanced my skirmish line with the

skirmishers of the First and Third Brigades, and drove the rebels from the advance line of works;

occupied a new line and built works during the night. June 16, 17, and 18, remained on the

advance line skirmishing all the time. The enemy left the works on the night of the 18th. June 19,

moved forward to the main line of rebel works. June 20, moved to the right of the Second

Division, near the railroad, and built a line of works for the whole brigade. June 21, 22, 23, 24,

and 25, remained in the position taken on the 20th, and during all the time labored to advance

my skirmish line. June 26, received orders to march at 6 p.m.; marched a few miles to the right

and relieved a brigade of the Fourth Corps. June 27, was notified that the Second Division,

Fifteenth Army Corps, would assault the enemy's line in my front at 8 a.m. In obedience to

orders I sent 150 men, under command of Capt. Daniel E. Cooper, Fourth Iowa, brigade officer

of the day, to clear the rifle-pits on the right flank of the assaulting column; though exposed to

terrible fire, Captain Cooper and his men performed their part in the most gallant manner,

carrying the pits by assault, using the bayonet freely.

From June 28 to July 2, inclusive, the brigade remained in this line of works, skirmishing all

the time and suffering considerable loss. July 3, the enemy evacuated the works on the night of

4

the 2d; marched to Marietta and camped east of the town. July 4, marched at 9 a.m. toward the

right of our army; marched twelve miles and encamped. July 5, 6, and 7, changing position by

short marches. July 8, took position in front line and built breast-works for the entire command.

July 9, 10, and 11, remained in this line. On the night of the 10th the enemy evacuated their

works in our front. July 12, 13, and 14, marching from the right of the army on the

Chattahoochee River to the left of it at Roswell, where I crossed during the night of the 14th.

July 15 and 16, remained in camp. July 17, marched at 5.30 a.m. toward Atlanta. July 18,

marched to Henderson's Mill. July 19, marched to Decatur. July 20, marched near Atlanta and

built a line of works. July 21, advanced our line and built another line of works. On the 22d,

about 8 a.m., in accordance with orders, my command moved out of a line of works which it had

constructed on the night of the 21st, going in a westerly direction about three-quarters of a mile,

to a line of works which the rebels had abandoned the night of the 21st. The brigade had but

three regiments present, viz, the Fourth, Ninth, and Twenty-fifth Iowa Infantry Regiments. I sent

skirmishers to the front to join the skirmishers who had been sent out the day previous, making

in all 150 men, besides officers, on the skirmish line. I also sent 100 men, besides officers, for

fatigue duty, to assist in erecting a battery to my left. With the remainder of my command, the

Fourth and Ninth in front and Twenty-fifth in reserve, I commenced transforming the rebel line

of works into a line for the defense of my command. The transformation consisted in removing

the embankment and abatis to the opposite side of the ditch. This work was soon accomplished,

the command remaining close to their arms after the work was done. About 2 o'clock the action

commenced on our immediate left, the rebels attacking the Second and Fourth Divisions of the

Fifteenth Corps. When the action had lasted half an hour, or perhaps longer, the rebels carried

the works in front of the Second Division, capturing Captain De Gress' battery of 20-pounder

Parrott guns. In accordance with orders of the general commanding the division, I changed the

front of my line, letting my right rest where it was, and swinging my left back, connecting my

left with the right of the First Brigade of our division. I remained in line of battle for a short time

awaiting the advance of the rebels, but they did not come. General Woods ordered me to advance

in two lines and flank the work from which the rebels had driven our forces a short time before. I

commenced the movement, the Fourth and Ninth in first and Twenty-fifth in second line, and

very soon came under a heavy fire, to which the command was exposed only for a short time,

for it soon came under cover on the margin of a little stream. Here was a short delay in getting

through a thick bramble. The line was soon formed on the opposite side of the stream when the

command was given to go forward, which it did gallantly, flanking and carrying the work and

recapturing De Gress' battery, all in the shortest possible time in which a work of this kind could

be done. I left the Ninth in the works, sending the Fourth to the right to occupy a rebel battery

which commanded the head of a ravine which led to our line in the only place where there was

not a breast-work. The regiment had not more than formed before it was assaulted by a brigade

of rebel infantry, under command of Colonel Baker, and a very stubborn fight ensued. The

regiment nobly held the position, and finally repulsed the assault, inflicting great loss on the

rebels in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The Thirty-seventh Alabama (rebel) was, according to

the statement made by prisoners, nearly annihilated in this engagement. The honor of recapturing

De Gress' battery is due to the Fourth and Ninth Regiments, men of both regiments arriving there

about the same time. After the last assault made by the rebels was repulsed, the command went

to work changing the rebel works, and constructing new works, completing them against

daylight, at which time I received orders to move to the left of the Sixteenth Corps, some two or

three miles to the left of our position. Loss in this engagement was 36, 5 being killed, 2 missing,

and 29 wounded, including Lieutenant-Colonel Nichols, of the Fourth Iowa, who was slightly

wounded in the thigh in the early part of the engagement. Soon after daylight on the 23d we

5

moved and took our new position. Sunday, the 24th, was spent in destroying the railroad near

Decatur. Remained in camp on the 25th and until night of the 26th, when I received orders to

move with the balance of the division, which I did, taking a position to cover the rear in a

movement being then made to the extreme right of the army. On the 27th at daylight my brigade

moved, covering the rear, and marched all day toward the right, arriving at a place about 10 p.m.,

where we bivouacked until daybreak, when I moved forward a short distance and went into line

of battle in the center of the division. Here we halted a short time and then advanced in line of

battle obliquely to the left, and wheeling to the left. After advancing in this manner for about one

mile, or probably a little more, in obedience to orders I halted and formed line of battle in two

lines, the Fourth and Twenty-fifth in front, and the Ninth in rear, in reserve. As soon as the line

was formed I ordered the construction of temporary breast-works, which the men willingly and

hastily constructed. In about three-quarters of an hour after taking this position the rebels made

an attack on our lines to my right. The rebel assaults were determined and fierce, lasting for

nearly three hours, but during this time my command was but little engaged, as the rebel attack

did not extend farther than to a point opposite my right flank. July 29, remained in camp and

built breast-works. July 30, relieved by a brigade of the Seventeenth Corps and moved in a

reserve position, and sent the Ninth Iowa to picket the extreme right. July 31, in camp.

August 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, in camp and doing picket duty. August 6, moved about one mile to

the front and took a position on the left of the Fourteenth Corps, and built a line of works.

August 7, men under arms all day. August 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, remained in same line; more than

half the time under arms, in apprehension of an assault. August 13, my command took part in the

assault made by the division on the enemy's skirmish line, making a complete success, capturing

nearly the entire force in the pits. August 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, remained in works, making

demonstrations almost daily against the rebel works, losing some men each day. August 19,

advanced my line to the front of First Brigade, Twenty-fifth and Thirty-first Regiments

occupying line, and digging intrenchments. August 20, making intrenchments. August 21, 22,

23, 24, and 25, occupying our works without much excitement or fighting. August 26, marched

at dark toward the right of the army; marched all night and until 10 a.m. on the 27th. August 27,

in camp. August 28, marched at 7 a.m., arriving at the Montgomery railroad about 11 a.m.; took

position on each side of the railroad, Fourth and Twenty-fifth Iowa building a line of earthworks.

August 29, in camp; Ninth and Thirty-first Regiments engaged in destroying railroad.

August 30, marched to a point about one mile north of Jonesborough, and sent two regiments,

Twenty-fifth and Thirty-first, to support some cavalry on the right; cavalry went away as soon as

the regiments came up. The other two regiments (Fourth and Ninth) went to the front. All the

regiments built breast-works during the night. August 31, during the forenoon the Twenty-fifth

and Thirty-first were relieved by the Sixteenth Corps, and went into the front line and again built

a substantial line of breast-works. The Fourth Iowa was also twice moved into new positions,

and built works. About 10 o'clock I sent 100 men (50 from each the Fourth and Ninth

Regiments) to support a battery placed in an advanced position on the right. About 3 o'clock the

rebels made an assault on our front line. The 100 men from the Fourth and Ninth did their duty in

supporting the battery, and succeeded, under the immediate direction of the general commanding

the division, in bringing the guns off from under a heavy fire from the enemy, who had nearly

surrounded them. During the assault four companies of the Ninth Iowa, under Captain

McSweeney, went forward and took a position in an interval between the right of the Fourth

Division and the left of the Third Brigade, where there were no intrenchments, and while the

battle continued succeeded in throwing up temporary works, which enabled them to hold the

position. The enemy were repulsed with loss. During the night a regiment of the First Brigade

(the Thirtieth Iowa)partially constructed a line of works on the right of the Twenty-fifth Iowa.

6

On the morning of September 1 I relieved this regiment with the Twenty-fifth, which completed

the works and occupied them.

September 1, lay in works all day. Heavy skirmishing in the afternoon. Two hundred men on

skirmish line. Fourth Iowa took a new position detached from, and on the right of, the division

and built a good line of intrenchments. September 2, the enemy having left during the night, the

brigade was ordered to march with division in pursuit. Marched about five miles, and formed

line of battle, and halted for a short time. A sharp engagement was soon brought on by the Fourth

Division, and my brigade was ordered to the left of it. The Thirty-first took