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[185] skirmishers, and under a galling fire of musketry the men deployed, and took their position along the road running in front of the regiment, and about three hundred yards from the enemy's line of battle. The enemy charged our line three times, but by the gallant conduct of the officers and the cool and courageous bravery of the men, they repulsed them with heavy loss, our loss being very heavy also; and now the battle raged. I received orders to report with my command on the west side of the railroad at the fort. I drew off the regiment and marched at a double-quick off to the left of the hill; and under fire of artillery and musketry which I never have seen equalled, the regiment passed down the hill facing the enemy, and across the railroad at the depot, and up the hill to the fort on the hill, where I was ordered to report the command. During the movement I had my regimental flag-staff shot off three different times with the enemy's shell. I am unable to give the number, but many of my men fell, before it was possible to accomplish the movement and get the regiment in position-either killed or wounded. Bravely and nobly did the officers and men of the Fiftieth Illinois infantry maintain their order, marching up with that determined feeling which only visits the brave soldier, to conquer or die, trusting in the God of battles for that glorious result which followed-victory.

I then, with the assistance of what officers I had, quickly formed the regiment in front of the fort next to the railroad, some occupying a position to the left of the fort, which they took and held under the most destructive fire of artillery and musketry that has ever, in my opinion, been witnessed during this present rebellion. By this time I had lost all my officers but four, and about one fourth of my men either killed or wounded. I was then struck by a musket-ball in the left thigh, which disabled me, but the men did not falter, but fought on with that stern determination which characterized them through the whole engagement. Though assailed by thrice their number, they still firmly held their ground, dealing out death to the enemy on every occasion, though their comrades were falling thick and fast around them; and thus the battle continued until nearly three P. M., and at four P. M. it had ceased altogether. Captain Horn, of my regiment, then coming up with the remainder of his company, took command of the regiment, and under his supervision the dead and wounded were cared for — the dead buried, and the wounded carried to the hospital that was established in the town. I wish particularly to call your attention to the gallant and soldierly conduct of A. G. Picket, Second Assistant-Surgeon of my regiment — after having been wounded, commenced loading muskets for the men to fire. I do not mention any of my line-officers, for the reason that I should be compelled to compliment all, which would occupy too much time and space, mentioning each one separately, though I here tender to the officers of the Fifteth Illinois infantry my heartfelt thanks for their gallant support and soldierly bearing during the whole engagement. After the dead and wounded were cared for, the regiment bivouacked on the battle-field immediately in front of the fort. I have received the report of casualties of each company, and find that out of two hundred and sixty-seven officers and men which I took into action, I lost in killed and wounded eighty-six officers and men. I was placed on the train. The regiment started from Allatoona on the afternoon of the seventh, and arrived at Rome, Georgia, on the ninth of October, 1864.

I am, very respectfully,

William Hanna, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Regiment.


Lieutenant-Colonel Hurlbut's Report.

headquarters Third brigade, Fourth division, Fifteenth army corps, Rome, Georgia, October 15, 1864.
Captain L. H. Everts, Assistant Adjutant-General, Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps:
Captain: I would most respectfully report that on the fourth instant I received orders from Colonel R. Rowett, then commanding brigade, to report with my command, Fifty-seventh Illinois infantry, at the railroad depot, which I did about seven o'clock P. M.; but owing to the scarcity of cars, could not get off but two companies, A and B, on the first train, with the balance of my brigade, but was ordered to remain and come on next train, which did not arrive, owing to a break in the railroad seven miles from here, till about half-past 7 A. M. on the fifth. The Fifty-seventh Illinois was immediately run down to the break, when the train returned for detachment of Seventh Iowa and Fifty-second Illinois, (six companies of Seventh Iowa and four of Fifty-second Illinois.) Soon as they arrived and were reloaded on train east side of the break, I ordered the conductor to move with all possible despatch to Cartersville, and from there to near the Allatoona Iron-Works, where the whole command were unloaded and moved directly to Allatoona, arriving about eight P. M., several hours after the fighting had ceased, and, on reporting to the General commanding, learned that every field-officer belonging to the command had either been killed or wounded. He at once placed me in command of the brigade, but as there was no fighting after my arrival, I can do but little more than forward you the reports of the several regimental commanders, which, in my opinion, are very complete of themselves.

The Twelfth Illinois infantry were temporarily attached to the brigade, but on its return, rejoined its own brigade, and no official report has been received from it by me.

During the night of the fifth, that part of the Fifty-seventh Illinois, Fifty-second Illinois, and Seventh Iowa which had arrived with me, were engaged in digging rifle-pits, and on the morning of the sixth, there being no signs of the enemy, details were made and sent out to bury the dead, bring in the wounded, and pick up the fire-arms lying scattered over the field. This occupied the entire day, and a part of the seventh. Our losses were as follows:


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