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enemy, and these companies having received orders to hold the works at all hazards, did not feel warranted in quitting them without orders, and the enemy, emboldened by our weakness, massed a heavy column on the
Cartersville road, (leading to the fort,) and charged us on the double-quick, passed the works, and turning upon our men in the rifle-pits, killed, wounded, or made prisoners every man remaining but nine, (9.) It was in this charge that the colors of the regiment were captured, but not until the entire guard were killed or wounded; these brave boys suffering themselves to be bayoneted rather than surrender the colors which had been placed in their hands, and the companies which had them in charge were captured, killed, or wounded.
Finding that by remaining longer I would subject myself and the handful of men with me to needless capture, without being able to effect any results, I fell back to the fort.
Here the men of the command fought with the same determination and enthusiasm that had characterized their conduct on the open field.
Here that brave, gallant, and lamented young officer,
Lieutenant A. T. Blodgett, fell, inspiring the men by his gallant and noble conduct, of which he was the very embodiment.
The fighting continued desperate and bloody, the spirit of the men arising as the fight progressed, until, at three o'clock P. M., we had the satisfaction of seeing the rebel host leaving in utter rout, and the hard-fought field was ours.
I cannot close this report without giving expression to the heartfelt grief which pervades all breasts for the loss of our valiant dead; yet we have the consolation of knowing that they all fell nobly battling in defence of the country, and so long as brave and gallant conduct continues to excite emotion in the breast of man, the names of
Lieutenant-Colonel Redfield,
Lieutenant Blodgett,
Lieutenant Ayres,
Lieutenant Wright,
Lieutenant Jones, and the noble dead who fell under them, will ever be remembered.
To the wounded, we would say: Your wounds are sacred, received in a holy cause; to you we extend a soldier's sympathy, and assure you that you shall never be neglected nor forgotten.
And to the living, who passed through that terrible ordeal, unharmed, I would say: Your deeds will live after you, and your names will be remembered in history.
And although, where all did so well, to particularize would seem invidious, I cannot refrain from making mention of the conduct of
Lieutenant W. C. Ghost,
Acting Adjutant of the regiment, who continued to ride the entire length of the line under a murderous fire, encouraging the men by his words, and inspiring them by his noble daring; also the entire color-guard, and especially the
color-sergeant,
Charles Armstrong, who so gallantly defended his flag.
Subjoined is a list of the casualties of the regiment in the engagement: Commissioned officers, killed, five; wounded, one; missing, two; total, eight.
Enlisted men: killed, twenty-eight; wounded, sixty-one; missing, sixty-eight; total, one hundred and fifty-seven.
Aggregate, one hundred and sixty-five.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
.