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[164] cavalry, mounted, in column on left, and the Tenth Ohio volunteer cavalry in column in the road, on the right of the Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry volunteers; Colonel Van Buskirk, with his regiment, the Ninety-second Illinois mounted infantry volunteers, dismounted, moved steadily up in front of the barricades, keeping the enemy in constant fear of his Spencer rifles, and his regiment moved over the barricades of the enemy, while many of them lay behind them with loaded guns, in dumb-stricken fear; and as they attempted to leave the barricades poured in volley after volley, with his repeating rifles. The Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry, Colonel Hamilton commanding, held the left flank, skirmishing with rebels in the woods beyond. The Tenth Ohio volunteer cavalry charged in gallant style down the road. The Ninth Michigan volunteer cavalry, after passing the first barricade, charged by squadron to meet a countercharge by the enemy, and did it finely, driving him back. Three successive lines of barricades were taken in the single charge, the enemy stubbornly resisting, but compelled to yield to our charging columns. Wheeler had chosen his position cautiously, in the roughest and most inaccessible locality, and feeling himself safe against a sabre-charge, hung to it tenaciously; but he was handsomely routed and ridden over. The fruits of our victory were fifty (50) of the enemy killed, thrice that number wounded, and eighty-seven (87) prisoners captured. My brigade was now withdrawn by command of General Kilpatrick, and Colonel .Murray's brigade pushed the enemy through the town.

All of my men and officers behaved with noticeable gallantry, but I am impelled to mention specially Captain Weston, of the Tenth Ohio volunteer cavalry, who was mortally wounded in this charge while nobly doing his duty at the head of his men. “Now for a name for our regiment!” said he, as with gleaming sabre he went forward into the fight. Generous soldier! The honor of his regiment was his uppermost thought. Corporal David Scott, the bearer of my brigadeflag, was instantly killed in the thickest of the fight while waving the flag as high as he could reach, and cheering on the men.

The Fifth Ohio volunteer cavalry, Colonel T. T. Heath, followed the enemy to Brier Creek, on the Augusta road, and completely destroyed the large railroad bridge over that creek. My brigade moved that night to Alexander, and encamped.

5th. Marched twenty-two (22) miles, and encomped at Jacksonboro.

6th. Marched fourteen (14) miles, covering rear of Fourteenth army corps, and encamped at Buck Creek.

7th. Marched at eight A. M., the enemy attacking our rear as we left camp, the Ninth Michigan volunteer cavalry as rear-guard. About five P. M., the enemy, in strong force, made a vigorous attack, and were repulsed by the Ninth Michigan volunteer cavalry and Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry. The attack was a most persistent one, and was met and returned as persistently by these two regiments.

8th. Moved in rear of General Baird's division of infantry, Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry as rear-guard, the enemy following and fighting. About noon the infantry halted, the enemy still pressing, and we went into position on the right of the road, General Baird deploying a brigade of infantry on the left. We repulsed an attack of the enemy on the road, and again, in attempting to turn our right flank. The infantry repulsed an attack on the left. We remained in position until twelve P. M.., when, the infantry having withdrawn, we did so, General Baird's second line remaining until we had crossed Ebenezer Creek, when we again took the rear, barricaded the road, and destroyed the bridge, the enemy shelling us with artillery while withdrawing, but without injuring us.

9th. Moved to report to the Division General, and encamped six miles south of Springfield.

10th. Marched at seven A. M., to Station No. 1, Georgia Central Railroad; Ninth Ohio volunteer cavalry sent to cover rear of Twentieth army corps.

11th. Moved to within six miles of Savannah ; the Fifth Ohio volunteer cavalry sent to cover rear of Fifteenth army corps, and remained in camp on the twelfth.

13th. Marched at nine A. M., and encamped three (3) miles south of King's Bridge.

14th. Marched to Midway, and encamped.

15th and 16th. Moved to King's Bridge, and encamped, where this report was called for.

During the campaign, my brigade has marched five hundred and twenty (520) miles; been frequently in action, and always successful. Have captured one hundred and four (104) prisoners, one thousand one hundred and fifty-nine (1159) mules and horses; have subsisted ourselves principally upon the country, and have burned five thousand eight hundred and forty (5840) bales of cotton, one hundred and twenty-nine (129) cotton-gins and screws, eleven (11) flouring mills. My brigade has lost twenty killed in action, seventy wounded in action; captured by the enemy, fifty-one. My brigade was organized just before leaving Marietta. The regimental organizations were unaccustomed to act together, and officers and men were strangers. In this month's campaign, in bivouac and battle, they have become acquainted, have always acted in harmony and mutual support of each other, and I trust have not failed to win as a brigade the confidence and approval of their Commanding General.

To officers and men, I return my sincerest thanks for their soldierly conduct on all occasions and their cheerful and prompt obedience to all of my commands. As brigade commander, I am proud of my brigade. I feel confidence in it, and its soldierly conduct in this campaign is a sure augury of what it will always be ready to do.

To my personal staff, I return my warmest thanks for their cheerful and ready assistance at all times.


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A. Baird (3)
J. M. Wheeler (1)
Weston (1)
David Scott (1)
E. H. Murray (1)
Judson Kilpatrick (1)
Thomas T. Heath (1)
W. D. Hamilton (1)
Matthew Buskirk (1)
E. P. Alexander (1)
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1159 AD (1)
12th (1)
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