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[132] headquarters, the first brigade was sept to the Chattahoochee River, for the purpose of guarding the railroad bridge on the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad, and on the----, the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin, of the Third brigade, was also sent to the same place, reporting to Colonel Smith.

The picket-duty of the Second and Third brigades consisted in guarding their front, extending from the McDonough road on the right, and connecting with the pickets of the Second division, to the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad on the left, and connecting with the pickets of the First division.

During the month of October, heavy details were made from the Second and Third brigades, for work upon the fortifications then being erected in and around the city of Atlanta. Lieutenant-Colonel Powers, of the Fifty-fifth Ohio, had charge of this working party, and the men performed a large amount of hard labor upon these works.

During the month of October, four large foraging expeditions were sent out from Atlanta, by authority of the corps commander. For each of these expeditions the division furnished one brigade. The Third brigade accompanied the first expedition, which went out on the----, under the command of Brigadier-General Geary, and returned on the fourth day. The Second brigade went with the second expedition, which started on the sixteenth, and was commanded by Colonel Robinson, of the First division, and also returned on the fourth day. The third expedition started on the twenty-first, and was under my command. The Third brigade formed a part of this expedition, together with the First brigade, First division, Colonel Selfridge, and the Second brigade, Second division, Colonel Flynn. This expedition returned on the morning of the fourth day, with nine hundred and twenty-eight wagon-loads of forage, making a quicker trip and bringing in a larger amount of forage than any other expedition.

Attention is called to my special report of this expedition, a copy of which is herewith inclosed.

The Second brigade, which, on account of the illness of Lieutenant-Colonel Bloodgood, was commanded by Major Brant, of the Eighty-fifth Indiana, was detailed to accompany the fourth and last expedition, under Brigadier-General Geary, which left Atlanta on the twenty-sixth, and returned on the fourth day.

All these expeditions were a complete success, and proved of great importance in the way of subsistence, considering the interruptions in our lines of communication.

On the------of September, the division was reviewed by Major-General Slocum, and, considering the long and tedious campaign just closed, and the difficulties of securing new clothing, the command presented a very creditable appearance, and was well spoken of by the reviewing officer. The transportation was well arranged, and in good condition.

On the-----, I was relieved by the return of Brigadier-General Ward.

In conclusion, I desire to express my high appreciation of the officers and men of the command for their efficiency and prompt attention to duty. My thanks are specially due to the members of the division staff, for the great kindness and courtesy extended to me while exercising the brief authority of division commander, and for the substantial assistance they gave me on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted.

Daniel Dustin, Colonel One Hundred and Fifth Illinois Volunteers, Commanding Second Brigade.

headquarters Third division, Twentieth army corps, Atlanta, Ga., October 24, 1864.
sir: I have the honor to report that the foraging expedition under my command moved from the city, as per order, at six A. M., on the twenty-first instant. The troops consisted of the following:

First brigade, First division, Colonel Selfridge, one thousand men; Second brigade, Second division, Colonel Flynn, one thousand men; Third brigade, Third division, Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham, eight hundred and eighty-eight men; cavalry, Colonel Garrard, four hundred men; total, three thousand two hundred and eighty-eight men.

Also, two batteries of artillery, Captain Winnegar.

The command moved direct to Decatur, where the train was parked for more complete organization. From Decatur we took the direct road to Lattimer's, with cavalry in advance.

Detachments of cavalry were also sent to the right, on the road to Flat Shoals, and to the left, toward Stone Mountain, all converging at Lattimer's, where we encamped for the first night.

On the twenty-second, some four hundred and fifty (450) wagons were loaded with corn in season to move back two and a half miles toward Decatur, to Snapfinger Creek, where we encamped for the second night. By noon of the twenty-third, all the wagons were loaded, and the head of the column moved out on the return march, with the intention of parking in Decatur for the third night. Just at this time, Colonel Carman, with his brigade, reported, with communication from corps headquarters. Coming up in our rear, he moved his brigade to the head of the column, which occasioned some delay. The last of the train was parked at Decatur at half-past 1 o'clock at night.

The command moved from Decatur for Atlanta at seven A. M. of the twenty-fourth. No enemy was seen, excepting a few straggling cavalrymen, one of whom was captured. But one or two acts of unwarrantable pillaging were reported.

Four hundred wagons can be loaded with corn in the vicinity of Lattimer's. A considerable quantity is reported two or three miles north of Lithonia.

The rapid manner in which the wagons were


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