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was ordered and moved to the left of the railroad, about one mile and a half; formed my lines, Eighty-fourth Indiana, Eighty-fourth Illinois, and Seventy-fifth Illinois in front line, in a corn-field on the left of
Colonel Knefler's brigade, of
Wood's division, and advanced rapidly as the ground (very rough and hilly) would permit.
We soon came upon the enemy in rifle-pits, about five-hundred yards in advance of his main works (heavy trenches). assaulted and carried the pits, taking most of the men in them prisoners.
Our advance skirmishers went beyond these pits toward the main works of the enemy, but were driven back with severe loss.
Much of the injury I received here was from the enemy's artillery with canister.
Our artillery did not come up until next day, nearly twenty-four hours after the fight; my front lines maintained their positions at the line of these pits, and fortified during the night.
Colonel Taylor's brigade soon came into position on my left.
The loss in my command during these two last days was ninety killed and wounded; among the latter were:
Captain Brinton, my A. A. A. G., severe wound in arm,
Major Phillips, Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania, arm off;
Captain Fellows and
Captain Taylor of the Eighty-fourth Indiana; all fell bravely at their posts.
September 3.--No change in position to-day, but much firing at each other's lines, with some casualties, which remained so until the morning of September fifth.
When twenty-six miles east of south of
Atlanta, in front of
Lovejoy, a station on the Macon railroad, and seventy-five miles from the latter place, orders were received announcing that the campaign had ended, and that the army would fall back to
Atlanta, rest for one month, and “prepare for a fine winter's campaign.”
Thus ended the most eventful and successful campaign in the history of the war. The enemy driven from
Dalton, his stronghold, over rivers and mountains, natural strong military positions one after another were yielded up to the power of our arms, until the “Gate City,”
Atlanta, was at last vacated to the onward march of our brave and gallant armies.
It is due to the officers and men of my command, to notice in terms of gratification to myself, and commendation to them, that better soldiers I never wish nor expect to command: all willing and ready to obey every order, without regard to fatigue, peril or danger, without halt or hesitation.
Many acts of distinguished valor could be mentioned that came under my immediate notice, but they are so numerous it would be impossible to do full justice to all.
The effective force of my command monthly during the campaign was as follows:
| May 30, 1864, including battery, | 2,753 |
| June 30, 1864, including battery, | 2,739 |
| July 31, 1864, including battery, | 2,395 |
| August 31, 1864, without battery, | 1,979 |
The casualties of the campaign are as follows:
| command. | killed. | wounded. | missing. | total killed and wounded. | |
| Commissioned Officers. | Enlisted Men. | Commissioned Officers. | Enlisted Men. | Commissioned Officers. | Enlisted Men. | Commissioned Officers. | Enlisted Men. | aggregate. |
| Fifty-ninth Illinois Volunteer Infantry | | 10 | 1 | 53 | | 2 | 1 | 63 | 66 |
| Seventy-fifth Illinois Volunteer Infantry | 1 | 10 | 4 | 53 | | | 5 | 63 | 68 |
| Eightieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry | | 13 | 5 | 68 | | | 5 | 81 | 86 |
| Eighty-fourth Illinois Volunteer Infantry | | 12 | 1 | 74 | 1 | | 1 | 86 | 88 |
| Ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry | | 17 | 8 | 87 | | | 8 | 104 | 112 |
| Thirtieth Indiana Volunteer Infantry | | 7 | 6 | 63 | | 7 | 6 | 76 | 89 |
| Thirty-sixth Indiana Volunteer Infantry | 3 | 9 | 2 | 52 | | | 5 | 61 | 66 |
| Seventy-seventh Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry | 2 | 7 | 6 | 77 | | 3 | 8 | 87 | 98 |
| Eighty-fourth Indiana Volunteer Infantry | | 3 | 3 | 24 | 1 | | 3 | 28 | 32 |
| Battery B, Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteer Artillery | 1 | 1 | 1 | 13 | | | 2 | 14 | 16 |
| Total | 7 | 89 | 37 | 564 | 2 | 12 | 44 | 666 | 711 |
This presents the bitter of such a brilliant campaign, and leaves many aching hearts, not only with families and friends at home, but these fallen heroes will ever be remembered and lamented by their comrades in arms, as the jewels sacrificed upon the altar of their country.
A change of provost-marshals inadvertently deranged the papers, so I am now unable to give an accurate list of the prisoners captured by my command during the campaign, but the probable number was about five hundred to six hundred.
From my situation I have been unable to have the reports of regimental commanders before me, and will respectfully refer to them to be forwarded herewith, for more minute particulars, and for a list of casualties in their respective commands.
I am,
Captain,
Your most obedient servant,
