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

Colonel: I have the honor to report the following operations of this division during the period between the capture of Atlanta and the capture of Savannah. Entering Atlanta on the eighth of September, the division consisted of the following organizations, namely: The First brigade, Colonel M. C. Taylor, Fifteenth Kentucky volunteers, commanding; the Second brigade Major I. R. Edie, Fifteenth United States infantry, commanding; the Third brigade, Colonel M. F. Moore, Sixty-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry, commanding; and battery C, First Illinois artillery, Captain Prescott commanding. During the month of September, the following-named regiments were detached from the division or mustered out of service: The First Wisconsin, Tenth Wisconsin, and Fifteenth Kentucky. The entire Second brigade was detached about the last of September and ordered to Lookout Mountain. On the third of October, I commenced [38] the campaign against the rebel army under Hood, who had gone to our rear and was operating on our communications. The march was continued daily, via Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Allatoona, Kingston, Rome, Resaca, Snake Creek, Georgia; Ship's Gap, Summerville, and Chattoogaville to Galesville, Alabama, where we remained from October twenty-first to October twenty-eighth, during which the troops and animals were subsisted almost exclusively by foraging on the country.

At Galesville, the Third brigade was sent out to search for one Gatewood and his band of guerrillas. But Colonel Hambright, confining himself altogether to the main roads, failed to accomplish any useful result.

On the twenty-eighth, we set out for Rome, and arrived there on the twenty-ninth. Here the Thirteenth Michigan volunteers joined the division.

November second, we marched to Kingston, where in a few days the troops received pay and clothing. Here also the Twenty-first Michigan volunteers joined the division.

On the twelfth of November, we left Kingston for Cartersville where we arrived that night. On the thirteenth, I resumed the march southward, and at Ackworth commenced destroying the railroad, which was continued to Big Shanty, five miles, where we camped for the night. On the fifteenth, I reached Atlanta, leaving the Thirteenth Michigan at Chattahoochee Bridge, with orders to destroy it after the passage of all our troops and trains. This order was carried out by Lieutenant-Colonel Palmer, commanding the regiment.

On the sixteenth, I marched from Atlanta, via Decatur, to Lithonia, twenty miles. On the twenty-first, I marched to Yellow River, destroying five miles of the Georgia Railroad. The march was continued through Covington to Harris's plantation, where we turned southward toward Shady Dale, and on to Milledgeville, where we arrived on the twenty-third.

On the twenty-fourth, we crossed the Oconee and marched on Sandersville, arriving there on the twenty-seventh. On the twenty-eighth, we arrived at Davisboro. Continuing the march due east, through Louisville, we struck the Augusta and Millen Railroad at Lumpkins Station, and destroyed three miles of railroad, all the buildings, platforms, wood, etc. Marching on eastward, we struck the Savannah and Augusta road near the Savannah River and turned southward.

On the eleventh of December I arrived before Savannah, and took position on the right of the Louisville road, relieving Mowers's, Leggett's, and G. A. Smith's divisions of the Fifteenth corps.

This position was maintained, with more or less skirmishing, till the twenty-first instant, when my advance entered the city of Savannah. Several days before the evacuation by Hardee, I recommended an attack in front of my division.

My total loss during the campaign in killed, wounded, missing, and deaths by disease is as follows: One commissioned officer wounded, two enlisted men killed, seven wounded, and thirty-seven missing.

It is impossible to state accurately how much cotton was destroyed by my men, but it would probably amount to ten thousand bales. None was left in the country on our line of march.

It is estimated that this division drew from the country on the march at least one hundred and twenty thousand rations, worth to the United States at least thirty-six thousand dollars, ($36,000.) One hundred and sixteen horses, and two hundred and four mules total, three hundred and twenty head — were seized by this division and used for public purposes.

The estimate of rations by the Commissary of the division I am sure is under the mark.

I have the honor to be, Colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: In compliance with circular from headquarters First division, Fourteenth army corps, dated December twenty-eighth, 1864, I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of this brigade from the fall of Atlanta, Georgia, to the capture of Savannah, Georgia.

From the fall of Atlanta until the eighth day of November, 1864, this brigade was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Hapeman, One Hundred and Fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, whom I relieved at Kingston, Georgia, by order of General Carlin. The operations of the command during this period consisted of a series of marches after the rebel army, under General Hood, through North-western Georgia to the border of Alabama. The following statements show the principal points arrived at during these marches. On the third day of October, the brigade marched with the division from Atlanta, and on the night of the fifth it bivouacked near Marietta. On the morning of the sixth, we again resumed the march, and passing Kenesaw Mountain, leaving Big Shanty and Ackworth on the right, we crossed the Allatoona Mountain, the Etowah River, and arrived at Rome, Georgia, on the thirteenth. From Rome the command marched to Galesville, Alabama, passing through Resaca, Snake Creek Gap, Ship's Gap, and Summerville. At Galesville the troops remained in camp for several days, and were subsisted almost entirely on the potatoes, chickens, cattle, sheep, etc., which were gathered from the surrounding country.

From Galesville, on the twenty-eighth, the command marched back to Rome, Georgia, where it arrived on the twenty-ninth. Here the troops received payment to include the thirty-first day of August, 1864. On the morning of the second [39] November, 1864, the brigade marched from Rome to Kingston, where it remained until the twelfth. At this place, by order of General Carlin, I assumed command of the brigade on the eighth of November.

On the twelfth day of November, my brigade marched from Kingston to Cartersville. The following morning I crossed the Etowah, marched through Allatoona Pass and Ackworth, destroyed two (2) miles of railroad, and camped my troops at Big Shanty. From Big Shanty I marched to Atlanta, and camped my command about one mile east of the city. On the fifteenth day of November, during the afternoon and night, I clothed my troops and made all possible preparations for the campaign which terminated in the fall of Savannah.

On the morning of the sixteenth, my brigade marched in advance of the division. During the day we passed through Decatur, and taking the upper Covington road, we encamped for the night at Lithonia. On the following morning we resumed our march, and at twelve o'clock M. of the eighteenth I camped my command four (4) miles east of Covington, and forty-four miles east of Atlanta. After passing Decatur, we found forage in great abundance, a sufficient quantity of which was gathered by my foraging parties to supply my whole command. Near Yellow River the brigade destroyed two and a half miles of railroad. November nineteenth, we again resumed our march, and on the twenty-third day of November I camped my troops about one mile from Milledgeville. On the morning of the twenty-fourth, my brigade marched through Milledgeville, and crossing the Oconee River, we took the Sandersville road, and reached Sandersville on the twenty-seventh.

Here I received orders from General Davis to hold the town until all the trains of the Fourteenth army corps and General Kilpatrick's trains had passed, and then follow as an escort. About seven o'clock P. M., the trains having passed, I ordered my pickets to rejoin their commands, and withdrew from the town.

From Sandersville my brigade formed the rear-guard until we reached Louisville, November twenty-ninth. At Sandersville, tile Eighty-eighth Indiana lost one man captured by a squad of rebel cavalry. On the thirtieth, my brigade, in advance of the division, marched from Louisville on the road leading to Station No. 10, and camped three miles east of Sebastopol. From this point the command marched to Lumpkins, a station on the Augusta Railroad, where we bivouacked during the night.

The next morning, December fourth, my brigade destroyed one and a quarter miles of railroad, after which we marched in the direction of Savannah River, and striking the river-road, we marched down toward Savannah. Nothing of importance occurred. We reached our first posion before the city December eleventh. Here I relieved a division of the Seventeenth army corps, and threw up works along my whole front.

About four o'clock P. M., December twelfth, by order of General Carlin, I moved my brigade to the right, crossed the Ogeechee Canal, and relieved General Smith's division, Seventeenth army corps. While holding this position, (with a front of more than two (2) miles,) I forwarded one (1) prisoner of war, captured by the One Hundred and Fourth Illinois, in a slight skirmish at the Lawton Farm, and twenty-seven deserters, who came through my lines on the night of the fifteenth of December.

During the night of the twentieth December the rebels evacuated the city, and early the next morning my skirmishers crossed the swamps and rice-fields in my front and took possession of their works, capturing three (3) prisoners. There were ten (10) pieces of ordnance left by the rebels in my front, including two sixty-four (64) pounders. During the day, I moved my brigade over on to the Lawton Farm, and remained until the next morning, when I marched to this camp.

Casualties have been from the Eighty-eighth Indiana volunteer infantry, one (1) man captured; Thirty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, one man wounded and one man missing; total, three.

Number of miles of railroad destroyed, 5 3/4; number of horses and mules captured, 110; number of cattle captured, 500; cotton and cotton-gins destroyed, none.

Forage taken from the country: Corn and oats, 50,000 pounds; long forage, 52,000 pounds; total, 102,000 pounds.

Supplies for officers and men: Breadstuffs 41,000) pounds; potatoes, 55,000 pounds ; meat, 47,000 pounds ; beans and rice, 4800 pounds; sugar, 7200 pounds ; molasses, (sorghum,) 30 barrels; or subsistence for one thousand five hundred (1500) men for forty (40) days.

As the conduct of the brigade during the campaign was constantly under the eye of the General commanding the division, I close this report simply with the foregoing narration of facts.

I have the honor to be, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: You will please find below a report of the casualties which have occurred in this brigade since leaving Atlanta.

Thirty-third Ohio volunteer infantry, one enlisted man missing, November tenth, 1864; one enlisted man wounded, November twenty-fourth, 1864; Twenty-first Wisconsin volunteer infantry, one enlisted man missing, November nineteenth, 1864; Eighty-eighth Indiana volunteer infantry, one enlisted man captured, November twenty-seventh, 1864.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: In compliance with circular dated headquarters First division, Fourteenth army corps, December twenty-ninth, 1864, I have the honor to submit the following report:

Number miles railroad destroyed, 5 1/2; number cotton-gins destroyed, 5; cotton destroyed, 300 bales or 150,000 pounds; number horses captured, 50 head; number mules captured, 60 head; number cattle captured, 250 head; number negroes that followed the column, 40; number pounds corn captured, 62,000; number pounds rice captured, 18,000; number pounds oats captured, 14,000; number pounds fodder captured, 13,084; number pounds hay captured, 5133.

From the organization of the brigade up to the fall of Savannah, the men were issued five (5) days' rations. The rest of the time they subsisted off the country.

The Second brigade was organized November sixteenth, 1864, at Atlanta, Georgia, and assigned to the First division, Fourteenth army corps, with which it marched to this place, a distance of two hundred and ninety-three miles, passing in its route through Decatur, Lithonia, Congers, Covington, Sandersville, Louisville, Milledgeville, and striking the railroad again at Lumpkins Station.

I have the honor, Captain, to be your obedient servant,

Captain: In compliance with orders, I have the honor to submit the following report of casualties occurring in this brigade since October third, 1864:

Regiments.	commissioned officers.				enlisted men.				Aggregate.
	Killed.	Wounded.	Missing.	Total.	Killed.	Wounded.	Missing.	Total.
13th Michigan,		1		1		2	5	7	8
21st Michigan,						3		3	3
69th Ohio,							4	4	4
Total,		1		1		5	9	14	15

sir: In compliance with orders received, dated headquarters First division, Fourteenth army corps, Savannah, Georgia, December twenty-ninth, 1864, I beg leave to make the following report of the operations of this command from the fall of Atlanta up to and embracing the fall of Savannah, Georgia.

After the fall of Atlanta, the brigade went into camp at Whitehall, near Atlanta, and was engaged during the time we remained there doing regular garrison and picket-duty.

October third, 1864, the brigade, composed of the Twenty-first, Sixty-ninth, and Seventy-fourth Ohio, Thirty-eighth Indiana, and Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, under command of Colonel H. A. Hambright, Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania, was ordered to march with the division to the rear, as the rebel army was threatening our line of communications. Camped night of the third on north side of Chattahoochee River; fourth and fifth, marched to Marietta and camped near Kenesaw Mountain, where we remained until the evening of the eighth. The Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania was ordered to report to Captain Swift, Superintendent of Repairs on Railroad, the morning of October seventh, and did not again report to the command until November thirteenth. October eighth, marched within a short distance of Ackworth, where we remained until the evening of the tenth, when we started for Kingston, arriving there the eleventh, and from there went to Rome the twelfth. The evening of the thirteenth we again resumed the march, arriving at Resaca the fourteenth.

October fifteenth, marched to foot of Rocky Face Ridge, and sixteenth crossed over the ridge into Snake Creek Gap and Taylor's Ridge into the Chattooga Valley, marching down the valley through Summerville, and went into camp at Galesville, Alabama, where we remained until the twenty-fourth, when orders were received to scout through the mountains in direction of Coosaville and Dirttown after a band of guerrillas under one Gatewood; and after scouting through the country mentioned, and finding no enemy, returned to camp the twenty-seventh. October twenty-eighth and twenty-ninth, marched to Rome, where the brigade was paid off. November first, the Thirteenth Michigan veteran volunteer infantry was temporarily assigned to the brigade. November second, marched to Kingston, where we remained until November twelfth, when orders were received to march in direction of Atlanta. Near Big Shanty the brigade was engaged several hours destroying railroad. At Marietta, the thirteenth of November, the Seventy-ninth Pennsylvania veteran volunteer infantry rejoined the command. Arrived at Atlanta the fifteenth. Here the Sixty-ninth Ohio and Thirteenth Michigan veteran volunteer infantry were taken from the brigade and ordered to the Second brigade, First division, Fourteenth army corps. Drew clothing and equipped the unarmed men of the command.

November sixteenth, left Atlanta, marching on the Augusta road, and camped at Lithonia Station, on the Augusta and Atlanta Railroad. Seventeenth, marched through Conyer's Station, and was engaged several hours destroying railroad. [41]

November eighteenth, Colonel H. A. Hambright being unfit for duty on account of sickness, Lieutenant-Colonel D. Miles took command of the brigade. November eighteenth to twenty-third, marched to Milledgeville, capital of the State.

November twenty-fourth to twenty-seventh, marched to Davisboro Station, on the Macon and Savannah Railroad. November twenty-eighth, marched to Louisville. November thirtieth, marched to Sebastopol, on the Macon and Savannah Railroad. December first to third, marched to Lumpton Station, on the Savannah and Augusta Railroad.

December fourth, part of the day the brigade was engaged destroying railroad; was rear-guard to the wagon-train, and skirmished with a small body of cavalry who were hovering in the rear, but with no result.

December fifth to eighth, marched to Ebenezer Swamp, where we formed line of battle to protect the train while crossing the swamp, and at midnight marched two miles and camped on east side of the swamp. December ninth, resumed the march, but coming upon a small party of the enemy posted in a small fort protected with artillery, went in line for the night.

December tenth, the enemy fell back during the night, and we resumed our march until the evening of the eleventh, when we took up our position in line in front of Savannah, relieving part of the Seventeenth army corps. Here we remained until the twenty-first, during which time nothing of note occurred save regular skirmishing, which was kept up between the pickets, but with no loss whatever on our part.

December twenty-first, the enemy disappearing from our front, the brigade was ordered forward to discover the whereabouts of the enemy if possible ; but meeting with no opposition whatever, marched into the city at eight A. M., and, pursuant to orders, returned to our old position, where we remained during the night. December twenty-second, marched forward and went into camp on west side of the city.

During the time mentioned in this report the brigade destroyed about fourteen (14) miles of railroad. No cotton or cotton-gins were destroyed. Twenty-two (22) horses, sixty-four (64) mules, and two hundred (200) cattle were captured by the command. Sixty-nine (69) negroes followed the column. From the time we left Lithonia until our arrival at Savannah, nearly enough forage was gathered by the command to supply them independent of the issues of the Commissary.

The loss in the command during the time mentioned in this report is as follows: One (1) man wounded; six (6) men either killed or captured by the enemy; ten (10) men captured by the enemy.

I am, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain: In compliance to orders received, dated headquarters First division, Fourteenth army corps, I beg leave to make the following report of casualties in regiments composing the Third brigade, First division, Fourteenth army corps, from October third, 1864, up to and including the fall of Savannah, Georgia, December twenty-first, 1864:

Command.	Commander.	enlisted men.
		Killed.	Wounded.	Prisoners of War.	Total.
Headq'rs 3d Brigade,	Lieut.-Col. D. Miles,
21st Ohio Vol. Inf.,	Lt.-Col. A. McMahan,	2	1	14	17
38th Ind. Vol. Inf.,	Captain J. H. Low,			2	2
74th Ohio Vol. Inf.,	Major R. P. Findly,
79th Pa. Vol. Inf.,	Major M. H. Locher,			6	6
		2	1	22	25

commissioned officers.--Killed, 0; wounded, 0; prisoners of war, 0.

Captain: In obedience to circular received, I have the honor to submit the following report:

While in camp near Atlanta, Georgia, I received orders on the second of October to prepare to march next morning with thirteen days rations and three days forage, and to report to Brigadier-General Carlin, commanding First division. I joined the division as directed, and marched with it throughout the entire campaign north of Atlanta, returning to that point on the fifteenth of November, 1864. During the campaign I drew about sixteen days full rations and fifteen days forage; the remainder of the forage and subsistence I obtained from the country along the line of march.

After remaining in Atlanta, Georgia, one night, I again joined the First division, Fourteenth army corps, (in obedience to orders), with three days rations and three days forage, and marched with it to a point near Savannah, Georgia, where I took up position in line of battle on the twelfth of December. Was engaged lightly by the enemy's batteries on the twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, sixteenth, seventeenth, nineteenth, and twentieth, during which time I expended (283) two hundred and eighty-three rounds of ammunition, without any loss except one wheel belonging to a gun-carriage. On the twenty-second, I moved into camp near the city [42] of Savannah, Georgia, the enemy having evacuated the night before. During the march from Atlanta I drew three days full rations and one day's forage; the remainder of forage and subsistence I obtained along the line of march.

During the entire campaign the officers and men of the battery performed their duty well in every respect.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Report of killed, wounded, and missing in battery C, First Illinois artillery, since the fall of Atlanta, Georgia: Killed, none; wounded, none; missing, (3) three-one sergeant and two privates taken prisoners near Kingston, Georgia, on the seventh of November, 1864.

Date. 1864.	By whom Captured.	Horses.	Mules.	Total.
Nov. and Dec.,	Q. M. Dep't, First Division,	20	40	60
Nov. and Dec.,	First Brigade,	19	42	61
Nov. and Dec.,	Second Brigade,	40	50	90
Nov. and Dec.,	Third Brigade,	32	56	88
Nov. and Dec.,	Ambulance Corps,	5	16	21
	Total,	116	204	320

Respectfully submitted.

Colonel: In compliance with circular from Corps Headquarters, dated December twenty-eighth, 1864, I have the honor of submitting the following report of the operations of my division from the fall of Atlanta to that of Savannah.

September third, my division was in position at Jonesboro, remaining there until the seventh, when the First and Second brigades broke camps and moved to White Hall, (the Third brigade having previously moved to Atlanta with prisoners and the wounded of the division ;) arrived at White Hall on the ninth, and established camps there; distance marched, (20) twenty miles ; remained in this camp until the twenty eighth. During this time, the officers of the command were busily engaged in bringing up back reports, reclothing the men, and preparing the command for another campaign.

September twenty-eighth, received orders from corps headquarters to be prepared to move with my command by rail to Chattanooga with four days rations in haversacks, not to break up camps, leaving in it all convalescent men, train, camp, and garrison equipage. In compliance with this order, the First brigade embarked same evening, and the Second and Third brigades and battery on the twenty-ninth, arriving at Chattanooga at half-past 3 P. M. on the thirtieth; by direct orders from Major-General Thomas, left Chattanooga by rail October first, at half-past 5 A. M., for Stevenson, Alabama, and by subsequent order to Huntsville, arriving there at eight P. M. The track had been destroyed about twelve miles from Stevenson, and again about (4) four miles this side of Huntsville.

October second, left Huntsville at half-past 5 P. M., by rail, for Athens; about four miles from Huntsville, found the track badly torn up; by heavy details, and working all night, (raining hard,) was ready to move by day-light to within two miles of Athens, when the track had been again destroyed, and bridge burned; marched from this point to Athens, here I found that the enemy had left the day previous; the gallant little garrison having replied that they were there to fight and not to surrender.

October fourth, left Athens at daylight (leaving the One Hundred and Twenty-fifth and part of the One Hundred and Tenth Illinois infantry to guard supply train which was to follow the command) and marched to Rogersville, fording Elk River, raining very hard, distance eighteen miles.

October fifth, left camps at daylight, (rained hard all night and during the early part of the day,) fording First, Second, and Blue Water Creeks, bivouacked at Shoal Creek, two brigades (First and Third) crossing to the west side, and the Second and battery remaining on the east. Four companies of the Sixth Tennessee cavalry, under the command of Major----, having reported to me for duty by order of Brigadier-General R. S. Granger, were ordered well out on the Florence road in advance of my infantry pickets; during the night they were driven in, and some sharp picket-firing took place. At daylight on the sixth, the Sixteenth Illinois infantry were ordered to Bainbridge, on the Tennessee River, one and a half miles distant. The cavalry were ordered forward on the Florence road; they were soon driven back by a largely superior force, (reported to be two regiments cavalry, Forrest's command.) The First brigade had already been ordered forward, the Sixtieth Illinois deployed as skirmishers, who drove the enemy steadily beyond Florence. Here I obtained the first certain information about Forrest. He had crossed the Tennessee with his command at Florence and at Bride's Ferry, (on the fifth,) ten miles below, leaving these two regiments as rear-guard. Deeming it useless for infantry to pursue cavalry, and my order not warranting me in advancing beyond Shoal Creek, that portion of my command that was at Florence was ordered to return, arriving at Shoal Creek (marching fourteen miles) just after dark.

October seventh, in obedience to orders from Major-General Rousseau, moved with whole command to Florence, (seven miles,) remaining there during eighth and ninth.

October tenth, by command of General Rousseau, commenced my return; moved at daylight, [43] and bivouacked at Second Creek, making nineteen miles.

October eleventh, marched at daylight, bivouacking at Spring Creek, fording Elk River; seventeen miles.

October twelfth, moved at seven A. M., bivouacking at Athens; One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Illinois joined its command, not being able to cross Elk River, it not being fordable. During the day and night the railroad bridge was finished and track repaired to Athens.

October thirteenth, transportation having arrived, the First brigade left at ten A. M., Second and Third brigades and battery at three P. M., arriving at Chattanooga at ten P. M. on the fourteenth, and reported to General Schofield by direct order of General Thomas.

To show more fully the object of the movement of my division, I transmit herewith orders and telegrams from Major-Generals Thomas and Rousseau, marked A to Zzz, also my report by telegraph numbered from 1 to Zzz.

October fifteenth, sixteenth, and seventeenth, remained at Chattanooga.

October eighteenth, in compliance with orders from General Schofield, moved at seven A. M., bivouacked at Lee and Gordon's Mills, marching (12) twelve miles.

October nineteenth, moved at eight A. M., marching thirteen miles, bivouacking at La Fayette.

October twentieth, moved at six A. M., marched thirteen miles, bivouacking near Enthittaga Springs or Chattooga River.

October twenty-first, moved at six A. M., and marching sixteen miles, bivouacking at Dougherty plantation on Broomtown Valley road.

October twenty-second, moved at six A. M., marching eight miles, bivouacked at Gaylesville, and, in accordance with orders from General Schofield, reported to corps headquarters and joined the First and Third divisions, thus closing a short but active campaign. My thanks are due and cheerfully awarded to my command, for energy and good conduct and good nature. Starting without tents or a single wagon, almost without a change of clothing, raining almost constantly for the first week, fording rivers and deep creeks, many of the men barefooted, was certainly trying, but all these disadvantages were met with a cheerfulness and promptness that were admirable.

October twenty-fourth, twenty-fifth, twenty-sixth, and twenty-seventh, remained at Gaylesville.

October twenty-eighth, at two P. M., crossed the Chattooga River and moved out on the Rome road, marching eight miles, and bivouacked at State Pine.

October twenty-ninth, marched to Rome, sixteen miles, remaining there the thirtieth and thirty-first.

November first, marched to Kingston, sixteen miles, remaining there the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh.

November eighth, left camp at seven A. M., and marched to Cartersville, eleven miles, remaining there during the ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth.

November thirteenth, marched at daylight to Ackworth, thirteen miles, destroying the railroad from the Etowah River to Allatoona Creek, eight miles.

November fourteenth, marched at daylight, passing to the right of Kenesaw Mountains, and bivouacked at Nickojack Creek, twenty miles.

November fifteenth, moved at daylight to Atlanta, (12) twelve miles.

November sixteenth, left Atlanta at eleven A. M., passing through Decatur, and bivouacking at Snapfinger Creek, marching ten miles.

November seventeenth, moved at seven A. M. through Lithonia to Couzens, seventeen miles, and destroying five miles of railroad.

November eighteenth, marched at daylight, crossing Yellow River by Covington, to Ulcafouhatchie River, fifteen miles, destroying three miles railroad.

November nineteenth, marched at daylight, passing through Newburn, to Shadydale, nineteen miles.

November twentieth, left camp at seven A. M., marching to Etonton Factory or Little River, (15) fifteen miles.

November twenty-first, marched at daylight, crossing Mud Creek, and camping at Cedar Creek, marching eighteen miles. November twenty-second, in camp.

November twenty-third, moved at daylight, and camped near Milledgeville, fifteen miles.

November twenty-fourth, left camp at ten A. M., passing through Milledgeville and crossing the Oconee River, and camping at Town Creek, nine miles.

November twenty-fifth, moved at daylight, crossing Buffalo Creek, and camping at Cagy Creek, marching twelve miles. Twenty-sixth, moved at daylight for Sandersville; about four miles west of that place, my foragers were met by Wheeler's cavalry, who were disposed to resist their advance. The foragers were soon formed and deployed as skirmishers, and steadily drove the enemy to and through Sandersville, never checking the advance of the column. As a precautionary measure, the One Hundred and Thirteenth Ohio, (Captain Jones commanding,) of the Second brigade, were deployed as skirmishers on the left of the road. One division of the Twentieth corps entered the town simultaneously with my own.

Twenty-seventh, marched at seven A. M., crossing the Ogeechee River, camping at Ferm's Bridge, Hudson's plantation, marching sixteen miles. Twenty-eighth, left camp at daylight, crossing Rocky Comfort Creek, camping at Louisville, nine miles, remaining there during the twenty-ninth and thirtieth. While at Louisville, six wagons under charge of Lieutenant Coe, Acting Assistant Quartermaster, were attacked just outside of picket-line by Wheeler's cavalry, and four wagons captured, the remaining two escaping within the lines, followed by the enemy. Captain [44] Dumphrey with company--, Tenth Michigan infantry, waited coolly their approach when within close range fired, killing one lieutenant, two privates, and wounding two, one mortally, promptly charging, recaptured the four wagons. The Captain is a cool, gallant soldier, and commands brave men. Reports being made that there was a large body of Wheeler's cavalry in my front, Lieutenant-Colonel Pierce, commanding the Second brigade, was ordered forward. The enemy did not wait for a close approach of deployed infantry, but male a rapid retreat. Lieutenant-Colonel Langly, commanding Third brigade, with two regiments of his command, had previously driven a party of cavalry from his front on the Alabama road, killing a captain and one private. I had no farther trouble with Wheeler's command.

December first, leaving my train in compliance with orders from corps headquarters, marched at half-past 10 A. M. on Waynesboro road to Baker's Creek, ten miles.

December second, left camp at eight A. M., marching ten miles camped near Buckhead Creek.

December third, left camp at nine A. M., crossing Buckhead and Rock Creeks, camping near railroad, ten miles.

December fourth, moved at half-past 6, my division in the advance with its own and Third division trains, crossing railroad at Lumpkins Station, passing through the town of Habersham to Smith's plantation, marching sixteen miles.

December fifth, moved at daylight, camping at Buck Creek P. O., having marched sixteen miles.

December sixth, moved at half-past 6 A. M., crossing Buck and Black Creeks, camping after a march of eighteen miles. Road badly obstructed by fallen trees; removed them during the night.

December seventh, left camp at half-past 6 A. M., and marching fifteen miles, camped at----plantation, twenty-six miles from Savannah. Road badly obstructed by fallen trees, but by heavy details removed them, causing but little delay. The bridge at Ebenezer Creek having been destroyed two miles in our front, Colonel's Buell's command went actively to work to construct a new one.

December eighth, the bridge having been completed, left camp at ten A. M., crossing Ebenezer Creek, marched to Little Ebenezer Creek, where, after a delay of several hours for completion of pontoons, moved forward to Cyler's Creek; just after going into camps, received orders from General Davis to return to Little Ebenezer to protect the train of the corps, an attack being apprehended; returned, and the Second and Third brigades, recrossing the creek, bivouacked for the night, having marched (10) ten miles.

December ninth, left camp at seven A. M., marching eight miles, (and constructing three bridges.) At Doctor Cuyler's plantation, about fourteen and a half miles from Savannah, my advance came within range and fire of a rebel battery. Two regiments of the Third brigade were at once deployed as skirmishers on the right and left of the road, and one piece of the battery ordered forward; this piece was soon in position and opened fire, which was spiritedly answered by some, well-directed shots. Lieutenant Coe, commanding battery, was struck by a shell and instantly killed — a brave, good officer. By order subsequently received from Corps Commander, the First and Third brigades were placed in position. During tile night the works in our front were abandoned.

December tenth, left camp at eight A. M.; marching four miles, found the Twentieth corps moving upon our road ; went into camp.

December eleventh, received orders to relieve Seventeenth corps. Left camp at eight A. M., marching seven miles; went into position on the right of the Milledgeville road, remaining in this position until the twenty-second. During this time steady approaches were being made to within three hundred yards of the enemy's works. On the night of the twentieth, succeeded in getting two guns in fine position. Just before daylight my skirmishers entered the abandoned works of the enemy.

This closing a brilliant and successful campaign. With a few exceptions, all have faithfully performed their duties. To Lieutenant-Colonel Pearce, commanding Second brigade, (in the absence of Colonel Mitchell,) and Lieutenant-Colonel Langly, commanding Third brigade, (in the absence of Colonel Dilworth,) I am under obligations for their promptness in execution all orders. They are good officers and ought to be promoted. My staff-officers are deserving of all praise; constant and active attention to duty; and I again, as in my former reports, recommend them for promotion, having from long and faithful service earned it.

I close this report with stating First That since the fall of Atlanta my division has marched (560) five hundred and sixty miles, (and by railroad (406) four hundred and six.)

Second. Captured (189) one hundred and eighty-nine horses, (586) five hundred and eighty-six mules, (6) six jacks, and (1) jenny, four hundred and eighteen head of cattle in addition to the number used during the campaign.

Third. （17) Seventeen miles of railroad destroyed.

Fourth. But (3) three rations of bread and (2) two of salt meat were issued to my command from Atlanta to Savannah, the men always having an abundant supply furnished by forage details.

Fifth. The mules of my trains, and artillery horses, were in much finer condition at the end than at the commencement of the campaign.

Sixth. No cotton-gins, cotton, or other property destroyed by my order.

Casualties: eight killed, sixteen wounded, fifty-seven missing--total, eighty-one.

All of which is respectfully submitted,

Colonel: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part performed by this division in the operations of the army against Hood after the capture of Atlanta, and the subsequent advance to and capture of this place.

Having gone into camp at Atlanta, after the taking of that city, the army remained there for the purpose of repairing the damages caused by the long and arduous campaign of the summer until about the first of October. It was then ascertained that the rebel army of Hood, recovered from the effect of the recent discomfiture, was moving to the west and north, as if to threaten our communications, and our forces were put in motion to meet it.

The following diary of daily events sets forth the movements of this division in consequence:

October first and second, division remained in camp, situated about one mile south of the city of Atlanta. On Monday, October third, at ten o'clock P. M., pursuant to orders from corps headquarters, tents were struck and the march commenced toward railroad bridge. Crossing the Chattahoochee River, bivouacked during the night half a mile from the river. October fourth, crossed the river and encamped upon the ground occupied by the enemy on the front of the Second division Fourteenth army corps, on the fourth of July last. October fifth, marched all day, and encamped near Marietta, Georgia. October sixth, marched to Jack's House, near Pine Mountain, and went into camp.

October seventh, division made a reconnoissance two miles beyond Lost Mountain, in the direction of Dallas. October eighth, moved to a point near Ackworth, and remained in camp until five P. M., October tenth, when the division marched all night, passing over Allatoona Mountains, through Cartersville, at seven A. M., October eleventh, and halted for the night half a mile west of Kingston. October twelfth, marched to Rome at half-past 9 P. M. October thirteenth, started for Resaca, passing through Calhoun at three P. M. next day, and reaching Resaca the same evening. Crossed the Oostanaula at daylight of the fifteenth, and encamped on the summit of Mill Creek Mountain. October sixteenth, marched through Snake Creek Gap to a point within two miles of Ship Gap.

From this place, October eighteenth, passed through Dick's and Ship's Gaps, moved along the side of Taylor's Ridge, and crossed the Chattooga on the nineteenth. October twentieth, division reached Galesville, Alabama, where it remained encamped till the twenty-ninth. October twenty-ninth, crossed the Chattooga, destroyed the bridge and also a large and valuable flouring-mill, passed through McCullough's Gap, and encamped five miles from Rome, at which place the division remained until the morning of November second, 1864.

November second, division moved from camp near Rome, Georgia, and arrived, at three P. M. same day, at Kingston, where it remained until November twelfth, when the march toward Atlanta was begun, encamping first night three miles from Etowah River. November thirteenth, passed through Allatoona Gap, destroyed the railroad from Allatoona Creek to a point one mile beyond Ackworth, and went into camp at Big Shanty. November fourteenth, division crossed the Chattahoochee River. November fifteenth, marched through and camped near the city of Atlanta.

November sixteenth, passed through Decatur and marched as far as Shaphinger Creek. From the seventeenth the march was continued through Lithonia, Conyers, crossing Yellow River, through Covington, over the Ulcofahauchee, through Shady Dale, and reaching the city of Milledgeville. On the morning of the twenty-fifth, crossed the Oconee and destroyed the bridge. On the twenty-sixth, arrived at Sandersville. November twenty-seventh, division started for Louisville, taking the road to Fenn's Bridge, the First and Second divisions, with all the trains of the corps, following the direct road. Head of column reached Rock Comfort Creek at half-past 8 A. M., but, the bridge having been destroyed by the enemy, was unable to cross till late in the afternoon; encamped near Louisville, where the division remained until December first, 1864.

December first, at ten o'clock A. M., division moved from camp near Louisville, Georgia, in company with General Kilpatrick's division of cavalry, and went into camp at five P. M. on the bank of Buck Head Creek. During the day considerable skirmishing with the enemy's cavalry, with a loss on our side of three men killed and ten wounded.

December second, met the enemy again at Rocky Creek at ten A. M., posted behind strong barricades and disposed to dispute our crossing at the ford. The Seventy-fourth Indiana charged and dispersed them, and the division marched to the farm of Mr. Gisholm, and went into camp. December third, arrived at Thomas Station on the Savannah and Augusta road, and during the night thoroughly destroyed several miles of railroad track. December fourth, General Kilpatrick attacked [46] the enemy's cavalry one mile from Thomas Station, and drove them in confusion through Waynesboro and two miles beyond.

Division followed up and supported General Kilpatrick during the day and then made a night march to Alexander. December fifth, reached Jacksonboro. December sixth, arrived at Beaver Dam Creek and joined the other two divisions of the corps. December seventh, late at night, reached Sisters Ferry. December eighth, remained in camp during the day and had considerable skirmishing with the advance of the enemy's cavalry; marched at midnight and crossed Ebenezer Creek at three A. M., December ninth. December tenth, encamped within twelve miles of Savannah, making short marches.

Division encamped, December thirteenth, on the Louisville road six miles from the city, where it remained until the twenty-second, at which time, the city having been evacuated on the night of the twentieth, it was moved to a position, still occupied, half a mile from the town.

December twenty-seventh, corps reviewed by Major-General Sherman.

The division entered upon the campaign organized as it had hitherto been, into three brigades of infantry, commanded respectively by Colonel George P. Este, Fourteenth Ohio volunteers; Colonel Morton C. Hunter, Eighty-second Indiana volunteers; and Colonel N. Gleason, Eighty-seventh Indiana volunteers.

The Fifth Wisconsin battery, four guns, Captain Joseph McKnight, was likewise attached to it. Our effective force of fighting men during the whole march was, upon an average, a little under five thousand.

The number of mouths which we had to feed, including teamsters and servants, somewhat over six thousand.

We cut loose from our connections at Atlanta to march to this point with the following supplies: 57,000 rations bread, about nine and a half days; 161,000 rations coffee, about twenty-seven days; 117,000 rations sugar, about nineteen days; 30,000 rations salt meat, about five days; and an abundance of salt, with some candles and soap.

We also started with five hundred and fifty head of beef cattle and have yet remaining seventy-five head.

On these supplies, together with what was drawn from the country, the division subsisted from the sixteenth of November to the sixteenth of December.

The amount of sweet potatoes, hogs, cattle, and poultry taken in the country and consumed by the troops cannot be estimated, but it must have been very large, the men living well.

The division destroyed quite effectually eighteen miles of railroad and two large bridges — that over Rocky Comfort Creek on the Augusta road, and that over Oconee River at Milledgeville, as well as the State magazine at that place. It destroyed, I feel quite sure, over one thousand bales of cotton and probably less than two thousand bales.

The amount of forage and other minor articles consumed and destroyed cannot be estimated.

The command “foraged liberally.” The number of draught and saddle animals captured was about five hundred and ninety-seven; some of them were used to replace those in our trains already worn out, others were worthless, and my quartermaster has still about four hundred head to turn over.

Negroes to the number of about six hundred and sixty-eight joined or followed our column on the march, and have, since our arrival here, either been employed or turned over to the Provost-Marshal. A large number was probably with the column, or near it, at certain times; but as no notice was taken of any of them, and no restraint exercised over those simply passing along the road, many doubtless disappeared without any account being had of them.

The division captured sixteen prisoners, and its loss in action was eight men wounded, three of whom afterward died. The list of casualties by name is appended.

In closing this report, I have again to commend to the notice of my superior commanders the ability and meritorious services of Colonel George P. Este, Fourteenth Ohio; Colonel Morton C. Hunter, Eighty-second Indiana; and Colonel N. Gleason, Eighty-seventh Indiana, who commanded [47] my three brigades, and to ask for their promotions, at least by brevet, to the rank of Brigadier-General.

I have also to request that Colonel B. D. Fearing, Ninety-second Ohio volunteers, an officer of surpassing merit, and the only other full colonel who made the campaign with the division, may be promoted to the same grade.

To my staff-officers, I am again deeply indebted, and I beg to renew the recommendations which I have heretofore given for their promotion.

I am, sir, very respectfully,