Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 9.
Frank Moore, Ed.

I found the Nineteenth Michigan detached and on duty in the city of Atlanta, reporting to Colonel Crane, One Hundred and Seventh New-York volunteers, commanding a provisional brigade.

On the fourteenth, I announced the brigade staff as follows: Major Wilson Hobbs, Eighty-fifth Indiana, Surgeon in Chief; Captain A. G. Kellam, Twenty-second Wisconsin, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General; Captain Wm. Bones, Twenty-second Wisconsin, Acting Assistant Inspector-General; Captain D. J. Easton, Nineteenth Michigan, Acting Aid-de-Camp; Lieutenant H. C. Johnson, Thirty-third Indiana, Topographical Engineer and Acting Aid-de Camp; Lieutenant L. M. Wing, Nineteenth Michigan, Acting Assistant Quartermaster; Lieutenant W. S. Harbort, Eighty-fifth Indiana, Acting Commissary Subsistence; Lieutenant C. A. Booth, Twenty-second Wisconsin, Provost-Marshal; Lieutenant H. C. Brown, Eighty-fifth Indiana, Brigade Ambulance Officer; Lieutenant John Hart, Thirty-third Indiana, Pioneer Officer.

November fifteenth, pursuant to orders of the day before, the brigade moved out from Atlanta at nine o'clock A. M., taking the Decatur road, the Third (3d) division in the rear and the Second brigade in the centre of the division. The march was seriously embarrassed by the trains, and, with frequent and tedious delays, was continued until eight o'clock A. M. of

November sixteenth, when, after halting two hours for breakfast, the march was resumed, the Third division in the centre, the Second brigade in advance. The roads were bad and the progress of the column still seriously impeded by the trains. The brigade encamped at eight o'clock P. M. near Rock Bridge, on Yellow River, having made twenty-five miles from Atlanta in the two days march.

November seventeenth, moved at six A. M., passing through Sheffield and Somers's Mill, crossing Big Haynes Creek shortly after noon. March continued through the night until three o'clock in the morning of

November eighteenth. After halting for a short rest and breakfast, the brigade moved forward at six A. M., striking the Augusta and Atlanta Railroad at Social Circle at an early hour in the morning. Passing on toward Rutledge, the brigade was halted near that town, and destroyed, by tearing up and burning, nearly two miles of railroad track, then again moving forward, and going into camp in good season about six (6) miles west of Madison.

November nineteenth, broke camp at five A. M., and after marching a short distance were halted and commenced destroying railroad track. This destruction was very complete, and extended to within half a mile of the railroad depot at Madison. Passing through Madison, the brigade went into camp on the Milledgeville road, four miles from Madison.

November twentieth, marched at six A. M., Third division in advance, Second brigade in rear of division. Deployed in the trains. Encamped two (2) miles north of Eatonton at dark, having marched fourteen (14) miles.

November twenty-first, moved at five A. M. A heavy rain falling, seriously affecting the roads. Third division in advance, Second brigade in advance of division. Eatonton is the terminus of a branch railroad intersecting the Central Railroad at Gordon, and miles distant from the latter place. Encamped at three P. M. on the Little River, ten miles from Milledgeville.

November twenty-second. Here the brigade was detained by the crossing of the trains on the pontoon until four P. M., when it moved forward on Milledgeville road, Third division in rear, Second brigade in rear of division deployed on trains. The march was continued through the night, with frequent detentions on account of the trains, the advance regiment of the brigade reaching Milledgeville about ten o'clock P. M., the rear regiment arriving at seven o'clock in the morning. The night was severely cold, and there was much suffering among the men.

November twenty-third, remained in camp during the day; weather very cold.

November twenty-fourth, the brigade moved at six A. M., crossing the Oconee River, and then halting, to allow the Fourteenth corps to pass, until three P. M., when it moved forward slowly, greatly impeded by the trains on the Hebron road. Third division in rear, Second brigade in centre. Roads generally fair. Marched until three next morning, making but twelve (12) miles.

November twenty-fifth, rested three (3) hours, moving again at six A. M. Third division in advance, Second brigade in advance of division. Moved through Hebron to Buffalo Creek, where our advance exchanged a few shots with the enemy. Went into camp, all the trains having crossed the creek except those of the Third division, Twentieth army corps.

November twenty-sixth, broke camp at six A. M., crossing the creek at ten A. M., and halting for the pontoon-bridge to be taken up, moved forward to Sandersville, Third division in rear, Second brigade in rear, reaching Sandersville at half-past 4 P. M. At this place our column was joined by the Fourteenth corps from the left.

November twenty-seventh, broke camp at seven A. M., the Third division taking charge of the trains of the whole corps, the First and Second divisions, being detached, destroying railroad track, Second brigade in centre of the division. Made fourteen (14) miles over a good road, crossing to the south side of the Central Railroad, arriving at Davisboro at seven P. M.

November twenty-eighth, marched at six A. M., on Louisville road, Second brigade in advance, First and Second divisions still at work upon the railroad. Arrived at the Ogeechee River at twelve M. The bridge having been destroyed by the enemy, the column was halted and the brigade went into camp in good season, with orders to be ready to move at eight next morning.