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

[127] duty in the quartermaster and commissary departments, under command of Colonel Crane, One Hundred and Seventh New-York volunteers, commanding provisional brigade. One company, B, was detailed for duty at Soldier's Home. With this exception, the regiment continued upon this duty until November fourteenth, when it was relieved by Major-General Slocum, and ordered to report to the brigade.

It joined the brigade November fifteenth, as it moved from Atlanta, and from that time until December tenth, participated in all the marches of the brigade, performing the usual duties of picket and train-guard, incident to a march. Captain Baldwin and his company, D, were detailed for foraging.

November 18.--A portion of his men returned.

December 19.--The captain, with the balance of his company, being then engaged in running a rice-mill.

The regiment was not at any time in action, and lost no men, except one who was left on guard at a private house, November eighteenth, since which time he has not been heard from; it is probable he is captured.

From December tenth until the twenty-first, the regiment with the brigade has been camped in line, about four miles from Savannah, doing the usual picket-duty in front of the enemy's line.

At daylight, on the twenty-first, the regiment was ordered to move toward the city, the enemy having evacuated. We marched within the rebel works and lay in line a few hours, when we again moved forward and came to our present camp, one mile from the city.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedidient servant,

Captain: I have the honor to submit the following “military history” of my command, from the occupation of the city of Atlanta, Georgia, to the present date.

September 2.--The regiment took an active part in the occupation of Atlanta, by the Second brigade, under command of Colonel John Coburn, Thirty-third Indiana, and taking position in the earthworks of the enemy, went into camp. Nothing of note took place until October sixteenth, when the regiment, with brigade, commanded by myself, accompanied a large foraging expedition, being absent four (4) days, penetrating some thirty miles into the enemy's country, and loading some eight hundred wagons with corn and forage. A similar expedition started October twenty-sixth, not going so far, however, but meeting with the same success, and without finding any considerable force of the rebels. During this time the regiment was commanded by Captain A. G. Kellam, and I was in command of the brigade. About November first, large preparations commenced for the campaign just ended. A full supply of clothing and equipments were issued to the men, and baggage of all kinds was reduced to its minimum. I resumed command of the regiment, having been relieved in command of brigade by Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, Eighty-fifth Indiana volunteers.

November 5.--The entire corps broke camp, and moving three miles out of the city, on McDonough road, camped for the night.

On the morning of November sixth, the pickets of the Second brigade were attacked by a small force of the enemy's cavalry, who soon retired. At three o'clock P. M., orders came to return to the city, which was done; the troops occupying the quarters left by them the day before. During these two days, the regiment received eight months pay, to August thirty-first, 1864.

8th. Election was held. The regiment polled three hundred and eighty-two votes, three hundred and seventy-two of which were for Lincoln. Remained in camp, doing light picket-duty, until the orders came for the beginning of the campaign, whose objective point was a mystery. Early on the morning of November fifteenth, the entire corps took the Decatur dirt road, and after getting beyond the fortifications, stopped for dinner, being delayed by the trains of other divisions. Crossed the Atlanta and Savannah Railroad about half-way between Atlanta and Decatur, and marched all night, only stopping about two hours in the morning of the sixteenth instant, for breakfast. On this day the regiment was in advance of the brigade. Marched all day, crossing the railroad again, a little south of Stone Mountain, and camping for night a mile east of Yellow River, at Rockbridge.

17th. Broke camp at half-past 3 A. M., marching till dark in an easterly direction, crossing Big Haynes Creek shortly after dinner.

18th. Marched all day and night with train, reaching Social Circle just after sunrise. Passing through Rutledge, we tore up and burned about a mile of railroad, and camped within eight miles of Madison.

19th. Broke camp, and after marching a short distance, commenced tearing up railroad, which we destroyed clear to Madison, and passing through this town, went into camp three miles beyond at an early hour.

20th. Broke camp at eight A. M., marched all day in a south-easterly direction, reached camp after a hard day's march about dark, stopping near Eatonton.

21st. Moved out through rain and mud, marching through Eatonton, travelled ten (10) miles, reached camp at half-past 2 P. M.

22d. Cold and windy; lay in camp until nearly night, when we moved out, crossing Little River (a branch of the Oconee) on pontoons; guarding train.

23d. Reached Milledgeville, the State capital, just at daybreak; remained here in camp during the day. Weather still quite cold.