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.

[620] as possible. My command being assembled, placed in marching order, with two companies thrown forward as skirmishers, with an advance guard, the command marching along the road by the flank; on advancing about half a mile the advanced guard raised the rebel vedettes, which had the appearance of being very strong. I at once sent forward the Seventy-eighth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry with instructions to deploy as skirmishers and press the enemy as hard as they could. The Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteers and One hundred and eighth Ohio Volunteers were placed in line of battle on the right-hand side of the road. At this time the Fourteenth U. S. Colored Troops were sent forward and took position on the left of my command, and sent forward one company to act as skirmishers and protect their flanks. Due preparations being made, the troops commenced to move forward, meeting the enemy in strong force, which is said to be about 3,000, driving him three miles, through Dalton, where the entire command halted in a very heavy rain that fell. In this movement the troops in the fort at Dalton were relieved, the destruction of the railroad prevented, and the rebels severely punished. The casualties of my command are as follows: In Seventy-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 5 privates wounded-3 severely and 2 slightly; One hundred and eighth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, 4 enlisted men wounded-3 severely and 1 slightly; Sixty-eighth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, 1 private killed, 1 commissioned officer, supposed to be mortally, 3 men severely and 1 man slightly, wounded.

To the troops in my command, officers and enlisted men, I return my thanks for their bravery and promptness in obeying my commands. I cannot particularize as all are equally deserving of praise. I attribute the success of this engagement in defeating and putting to rout the rebel General Wheeler to Major-General Steedman and Colonel Streight, commanding the expedition, and their staff officers for their gentlemanly manner, efficiency in communicating orders to myself and command.

All of which is respectfully submitted.