Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Documents and Narratives, Volume 11.
Frank Moore, Ed.

[295] enemy had strongly fortified this pass and the the high ridge on either side. I had some previous knowledge of the position, and knew that it was impregnable to our assaults, but in obedience to orders, we frequently made the attempt with a heavy skirmish line, at which my loss was about forty men. Finally, a portion of our army having passed the ridge further south, on the morning of the thirteenth of May, it was found that the enemy had retired from our front, when I was ordered and moved in pursuit on the Dalton road, but soon came up with the rear guard of the enemy, and skirmishing commenced. We drove to and through Dalton; my forces (Ninth and Thirty-sixth Indiana), the first to enter the place so long a stronghold of the enemy. We continued the pursuit, and at about twelve M., three miles south of Dalton, on the Resaca road, we came upon the enemy, in line upon a high, wooded hill; as we approached he opened upon us with a battery of artillery. Our artillery was placed in position, and a heavy duel commenced across a large open farm, with a low valley between. The Ninth and Thirty-sixth Indiana, supported on the right by the Eighty-fourth Illinois, were ordered into line, and advanced across the valley “double-quick,” under a heavy fire, ascended the wooded hill, drove the enemy from his barricades, and carried the place with very light loss. This was the last of our fighting for the day. We advanced a few miles to the right, entered Sugar Valley, and camped (with the corps in line), for the night.

May 14.--Early this morning, our corps moved toward the enemy's position at Resaca, on the right bank of the Oostanaula river, Georgia. At about twelve M., we came upon the enemy in position, about three miles from the river. The face of the country is rough and hilly, interspersed with small farms, but mostly heavy woodland, with thick underbrush. I was directed and put my command in position in double lines on the left of General Hazen's brigade of General Wood's division. The Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, Eightieth Illinois, Seventy-fifth Illinois, Thirtieth Indiana in the front line. The ground was too rough for the artillery to move with us. About one o'clock, General Wood informed me he was ready to advance, and I had received orders to advance in connection with his division. The other two brigades of our division were to have been in line on my left, but did not come up, and the lines advanced about two o'clock, my brigade on the extreme left of the advancing lines. We drove the enemy from the woodland, in which we formed, across a farm in my front, through another woodland, then over another small valley farm, and over a high, wooded hill beyond, upon which we were ordered to halt — a farm in a valley to our front, and the enemy fortified on the wooded hills beyond. Here I caused barricades to be constructed in front of my front line; late in the afternoon the other two brigades of our division came up, and took position on my left. The enemy, near night, advanced upon them, and drove them back. When I discovered them giving way, I immediately formed a line from my rear regiments, facing to my left, perpendicular to the rear, to protect the left flank of the main line. This new formation was made by the Fifty-ninth Illinois, one wing of the Eighty-fourth and Thirty-sixth Indiana. It was formed and ready for action, with skirmishers out, in less than ten minutes. Our batteries in the meantime, had been brought up and put in position, under the command and personal supervision of the gallant, brave, and lamented Captain Simonson, of the Fifth Indiana battery, on the left of this flank line, but the enemy moved rapidly forward toward and to the left of the batteries, with, as he thought, no doubt, a sure prize before him. But the ever-ready Major-General Joe Hooker was advancing with his corps at this point, and met the advancing enemy, engaged and drove him back with severe punishment. My front line was engaged at long range with the enemy while the fight with Hooker was going on. Night soon threw her mantle over the bloody scene, and all was quiet except continued skirmishing. In this day's battle, some of our bravest and best officers and men were among the fallen. My Acting Assistant Inspector-General, Captain Davis, of the Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, a brave, good soldier fell here.

May 15.--Major-General Hooker's corps advanced on my left, my left swinging around to assist; and a severe engagement ensued, in which we gained signal advantages, capturing prisoners and artillery, anal the enemy had to retreat during the night, leaving most of his dead and wounded in our possession.

May 16.--We pursued the retreating enemy across the Oostanaula at Resaca, and advanced to near Calhoun, and camped for the night.

May 17.--Advanced, encountering the enemy's rear, with heavy skirmishing, to near Adairsville, Ga., and lay for the right. My command not engaged to-day.

May 18.--Passed Adairsville, the enemy retreating with light skirmishing, and camped for the night on the Kingston road.

May 19.--Moved on to Kingston, found the enemy in position; attacked and drove him; most of the Fourth corps engaged; my command captured enemy's hospitals, with property, &c., &c. Continued to drive the enemy, with heavy skirmishing and artillery firing on both sides, so at nightfall the enemy was driven into his prepared trenches on a high ridge to the south-east of Cassville. At this point we made a junction with the Twentieth Army Corps, Major-General Hooker, and during the night the enemy again retreated, crossing the Etowah river, seven miles distant, burning the bridges behind him. Our loss not heavy.

We rested in camp at Cassville until May twenty-third, when we marched, crossed the Etowah river to the right of the Atlanta road, and camped at Euharley.