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

About twelve o'clock midnight, I was not a little relieved by the arrival of General Corse with one brigade, Fourth division, Fifteenth army corps. About two o'clock A. M. of October fifth, the rebels charged upon my picket-lines, and drove the out-posts back upon the reserves. I immediately sent Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, Eighteenth Wisconsin infantry, to deploy his command and hold the rebels, approaching on the Acworth and Dallas roads, until further orders. This he did successfully, remaining on the line until the rebels had wholly outflanked and rendered his position worthless. When he moved back into the fortifications, I placed the Fourth Minnesota infantry in the fortifications on the east side of the railroad; five companies of the Ninety-third Illinois infantry, in the fortifications on the west side of the railroad; and five companies of the Ninety-third Illinois, I sent out to hold a commanding point on the road leading to Pumpkinvine Creek. About half-past 6 A. M., the rebels opened on us with artillery, with which they kept up a fierce and continuous fire for more than an hour, when it temporarily and partially ceased.

At about half-past 8 o'clock A. M., the rebel infantry moved upon us, their line extending from the railroad south of our position around on the west, to a considerable distance over and beyond the railroad on the north. General Corse ordered two regiments of his division, the Twelfth and Fiftieth Illinois infantry, into the works east of the railroad, and with those regiments, together with the Fourth Minnesota infantry, he directed me to hold the position. About half an hour afterward, General Corse, to cover a necessary movement, ordered to the west side of the railroad, one of the regiments left with me. By some error in communicating the order, both the Twelfth and Fiftieth Illinois regiments moved to the other side of the railroad, leaving the Fourth Minnesota infantry to contend against the troops advancing directly upon us from the north. This, from our great advantage of position, we were able to do, and also, to assist greatly the troops on west side of railroad against rebels charging on them from the north and north-west. About half-past 10 A. M., Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson brought four companies of his regiment, Eighteenth Wisconsin, to the assistance of the Fourth Minnesota infantry, the other three companies of his command, under Captain Bumer, having some time before moved back into the fort on west side of railroad.

The detachment of Ninety-third Illinois infantry sent out on the Pumpkinvine Creek road, were moved back into the fortifications about ten A. M. There was no further movement of my command. From the commencement of the attack, the contest was never for one moment intermittent. The rebels moved forward with boldness and perseverance, and at length, when they did withdraw, at about three P. M., they had been so broken in the contest, they withdrew as individuals and not as organizations. The rebel loss has been heavy.

With the conduct of my command I am satisfied. Officers commanding regiments and batteries labored bravely and faithfully. The whole command seemed determined to hold the place at any cost, and many brave deeds I saw that day. I have to thank the officers and men of my command for the earnestness with which they did their duty, and especially do we all most heartily express our thanks to General Corse and his command, for the opportune arrival and heroic conduct.

My losses are considerable, and areas follows: Ninety-third Illinois infantry: killed, twenty-one; wounded, fifty-two; missing, ten. Eighteenth Wisconsin infantry: killed, one; wounded, nine; missing, two. Fourth Minnesota infantry: killed, eleven; wounded, thirty-three. Twelfth Wisconsin battery: killed, five; wounded, fifteen. Detachment Fifth Ohio cavalry: wounded, one. Total loss, one hundred and sixty.

Some seventy or eighty prisoners were brought in by my command, and the Fourth Minnesota infantry brought in two rebel flags.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

In compliance with orders from Colonel R. Rowett, commanding Third brigade, Fourth division, Fifteenth army corps, on the fourth of October, 1864, I had my command in readiness to move at a moment's notice. At about six o'clock P. M., I was ordered to proceed to the railroad depot to get aboard the train, and to leave one company (company D) to report for duty to Major Johnson, commander post of Rome. The remaining nine companies, numbering two hundred and ninety-one muskets and eight musicians, got on board the train with the Thirty-ninth Iowa infantry, Fiftieth Illinois infantry, two companies of the Fifty-seventh Illinois infantry, and the Twelfth Illinois infantry, under command of Brigadier-General J. M. Corse; left Rome at about nine o'clock P. M., and arrived at Allatoona a little after midnight. After disembarking, I was ordered to take my position on the left of the railroad, south of the depot. About two o'clock A. M., I was ordered to form line of battle, some two hundred yards in front of my former position, with the right of my command resting on the railroad. At about three o'clock A. M., I received orders to move my command on the right of the railroad, with the left resting on the railroad, and the right resting on some buildings.