The Atlanta (Georgia) Campaign: May 1 - September 8, 1864., Part I: General Report.
Maj. George B. Davis, Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Ed.

Sir: I have the honor to report the operations of the Seventy-ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers from the commencement to the termination of the campaign ending with the capture of Atlanta, in accordance with orders received headquarters Third Brigade, September 5, 1864.

On the 9th day of May the regiment returned from a veteran furlough and reported to the brigade for duty before Buzzard Roost, and was immediately ordered into position in the second line of battle. After moving one mile to the right and rear, under a heavy fire of shell and canister, remained in line of battle until the [621] 13th, when we moved with the brigade to Snake Creek Gap, threw out skirmishers and encamped for the night after a heavy day's march. 14th of May moved in line of battle, commenced skirmishing with the enemy, who opened with artillery and infantry. We threw up breast-works and remained in that position, supporting two batteries of artillery, and continued skirmishing with the enemy d-aring the day. The enemy made several charges on our main line during the early part of the night and were handsomely repulsed, evacuating their position during the night. Skirmishers were thrown out, who found their works empty, with every indication that they had been badly handled. On the 16th we were ordered in pursuit to Resaca; arrived there at 12 m.; found the railroad bridge across the Oostenaula River still in flames. The regiment was ord.ered to report to Major-General Thomas, and was detailed to remain and bury the dead left uncovered upon the battle-field, and to gather in arms and ammunition abandoned. After attending to that part of the business, burying 228 rebels and collecting 1,500 stand of arms, received an order to guard reserve ammunition train of the Department of the Mississippi to Kingston, which was successfully accomplished, arriving there on the 22d of May; then ordered to remain at Kingston for post duty.

On the 24th of May the enemy made a dash on a wagon train three miles from Kingston, when the regiment was ordered into line, and skirmishers thrown out to the front,who went forward. The balance of the regiment followed within supporting distance in rear of one section of artillery. The rebels, after destroying about 30 wagons, left hastily, when the regiment returned to their quarters in good order.

On the 8th day of June the regiment was ordered to rejoin the Third Brigade. Took up the line of march on the 9th and moved to Cartersville and encamped for the night. Resumed the march on the 10th; received an order to send a detachment to Kingston to guard medical stores. Companies G and B, under command of Capt. William S. McCaskey, were ordered to conduct the train and return with it. The balance of the regiment proceeded to Allatoona Station and encamped for the night. On the 11th we joined the brigade and were immediately placed in position and moved to the front; formed a new line of battle; remained in position until the 18th, when we relieved the Thirty-eighth Indiana onthe skirmish line; kept up a heavy skirmish all day in front of the enemy's works and under a heavy fire of artillery and infantry from their main works. Relieved on the 19th by a detachment of the Seventy-fourth Ohio. Enemy evacuate their works. On the 20th moved with the brigade into a new position in front of and to the right of Kenesaw Mountain, relieving a regiment of the Fourth Corps; threw out skirmishers. On the 22d the Seventy-ninth Regiment relieved the Seventyeighth Pennsylvania, who were on the skirmish line; remained in that position until relieved by a regiment of Cruft's brigade, when we shifted position to the right one mile. On the 24th took up Dosition and remained confronting the enemy until July 2, when our position was again shifted to the left for the purpose of forming a new line; worked all night, and at daylight found that the enemy had evacuated their works. Moved promptly on the 3d in pursuit of the enemy, marching through Marietta, Ga.; halted for a short rest, and then moved forward four miles, where the heavy skirmishing gave evidence that we had again crossed their path. After a sharp fight of four hours they again fell back, and took up a new [622] position. On the 5th we again started in pursuit, overtook them, and formed line of battle, and commenced shelling their works, which were of the most formidable character. Remained in that position until the 7th, when the line was ordered to fall back of our works and go into camp. On the 9th the regiment was ordered to move forward and support the Twenty-first Ohio in making a charge, which they successfully made, driving the enemy into their main line of works. After remaining in positon until dark, the regiment was ordered to return to camp, having accomplished all that was intended. On the 17th crossed the Chattahoochee River, formed line, and commenced to skirmish for three miles, carefully feeling our way and developing their new line of works, and then fortified strongly. 20th, crossed Peach Tree Creek, and took a position on the right of the Twentieth Corps, the enemy making a heavy assault on our left, but were repulsed with great loss. Remained in position until 3 p. m. of the 21st, when the regiment was ordered to support the skirmish line, it being the intention to develop the position of the enemy. The skirmishers charged, supported gallantly by the regiment, who rushed forward, capturing some prisoners, and driving the enemy into the main line of works, under a heavy fire of artillery and infantry. 28th, moved with the brigade to re-enforce the extreme right of the Army of the Tennessee, a distance of five miles, and fortified, remaining until the morning of the 29th, when ordered to take up the old ground. August 4, again ordered to the right to rejoin the division. Moved into position and ordered to countermarch, taking up the original position until the 24th, when they again shifted to the right. Afternoon of the 25th ordered to move at 8 p. m. without any unnecessary noise, as the whole line was to be abandoned. Moved at the appointed hour four miles to the right and rear. 26th, moved at 3 p. m. to the right some five miles. 27th, moved half mile to the right and remained there until morning of the 28th. Took up line of march at 6 a. m. Moved to the right and fortified, our right resting on the La Grange and Atlanta Railroad; encamped for the night. 29th, ordered to move and destroy the railroad, which was done effectually. 30th, started in direction of the Atlanta and Macon Railroad. Marched ten miles and halted for rest; then continued the march toward Jonesborough, encamping five miles from that point. 31st, ordered to move to the front line, when orders were again received and we countermarched, taking up our original position, with orders to move at daylight.

September 1, moved to the front; heavy firing going on along the line. After making a forced march of five miles, the Seventy-ninth was ordered forward as skirmishers, which was countermanded. Ordered to take position in line, the brigade having been ordered to reconnoiter. Moved in line of battle, when the enemy opened briskly with artillery and musketry. Seventy-ninth was ordered to support the Seventy-fourth Ohio in a charge, which they did, driving the enemy and forcing them to abandon their artillery after a short fight. After a brief rest was formed in line of battle, the Seventy-ninth on the extreme left of the brigade, in position to the right flank of the enemy, our left resting on the Macon railroad. Position of the enemy was soon developed, when the enemy opened with artillery and musketry, they having a double line of works. The regiment was ordered to relieve the First Wisconsin, they having expended their sixty rounds of ammunition. The regiment moved forward in line of battle infine style. After remaining [623] in position were relieved by the Sixty-ninth Ohio, with orders to advance, supported by the Seventy-ninth Regiment, which was accomplished under a very heavy fire, crossing the railroad and remaining there until relieved by a brigade of the Fourth Corps. After dusk ordered to fall back, and took up a position in the rear and remained there for the night.

September 2, ordered to move at 4 a. m. forward and fortify. After moving out was discovered that the enemy had gone, leaving us in possession of the field. After burying the dead and gathering in the wounded of both armies, we moved to Jonesborough, took up position in the works evacuated by the enemy the night before, and then learned with pleasure of the evacuation of the point aimed at-Atlanta.

Capt. John S. McBride, who assisted in the command of the regiment, and upon whom for a short time devolved the entire command, has proven himself an able officer, and deserves and receives the thanks of the commanding officer. Assistant Surgeon White, an accomplished surgeon, was constantly at his post, in close proximity to danger, relieving the suffering, and promptly paying that attention to the wounded so necessary in such a campaign, is entitled to my thanks and that of the entire command.

The officers and privates have again proven their valor, and have shown that the “old flag” is still the only fitting emblem of our nationality, the one, and only one, to which they will dedicate their lives and their honor, and will continue to fight for until this rebellion is subdued and universal liberty be again proclaimed.

The casualties of the regiment from the 9th of May, 1864, until the 1st of September, inclusive, are as follows: Killed on the field, 6; since died fromn wounds received, 12; commissioned officers wounded, 2; enlisted men wounded, 72; total casualties, 92.