No. 115. reports of Lieut. Col. Daniel F. Griffin, Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry.
Hdqrs. Thirty-Eighth Indiana Veteran Vols., Jonesborough, Ga., September 5, 1864.
Lieutenant: I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by the Thirty-eighth Regiment Indiana Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the summer campaign of 1864, in the State of Georgia:
May 3, 1864, moved from Graysville, Ga., as part of Third Brigade, First Division, Fourteenth Army Corps (Col. B. F. Scribner, Thirty-eighth Indiana, commanding brigade), stopping at Ringgold until May 7, 1864, when the regiment participated in the advance on, and occupation of, Tunnel Hill, the enemy retiring to Buzzard Roost Gap. May 9, advanced on Buzzard Roost with the brigade, driving the enemy's skirmishers and occupying an advanced position under a heavy fire of artillery, losing in this advance and position 2 enlisted men killed, 3 officers and 11 enlisted men wounded.
May 12, marched from Buzzard Roost, passing through Snake Creek Gap, and participating with the brigade in the advance on Resaca, May 14 and 15, without loss.
May 16, commenced pursuit of the enemy, passing through Calhoun, Adairsville, and Kingston, crossing Etowah River at Island Ford, May 23, taking position, May 26, in front of enemy's works near Dallas.
May 27, moved with brigade and division, supporting General Wood's division, Fourth Army Corps, passing to the front and left, striking the enemy on Little Pumpkin Vine Creek, the brigade advancing on the left of said division; the Thirty-eighth, with First Wisconsin Infantry, was ordered to the left flank to occupy and hold a hill of some importance, which was done, driving the enemy's skirmishers and cavalry from it, with a loss to the Thirty-eighth of 2 privates wounded.
At midnight the command was withdrawn by order, building works on a new line; and from that date until June 5, when the enemy were forced to withdraw from their position, the regiment was under continuous fire of both artillery and musketry, losing 1 private killed and 2 wounded. June 6, participated in the pursuit, going into position some three miles in front of Kenesaw Mountain.
Here on the 17th of June the Thirty-eighth was ordered to the front to advance the lines, and did so, charging the enemy's skirmish pits, capturing 15 prisoners with their arms.
Early on the 18th again advanced the line, charged their pits, capturing 4 prisoners and driving the enemy in our front to their main works near foot of Kenesaw Mountain, and holding the position 600 yards therefrom under a heavy artillery and musketry fire.
During these advances the regiment lost 2 killed and 5 wounded. The enemy again forced from his lines, the regiment with brigade went into position near southwest end of Kenesaw; again moving on night of 22d about one and a half miles to right and taking position on Bald Knob, 700 yards from enemy's main works, and from which the most vigorous shelling was kept up daily on our lines, the regiment losing 1 killed and 3 wounded. Remained in this position until the night of July 2, when the brigade moved to the left flank, only to find the enemy in retreat on the morning of July 3.
Followed in pursuit at once, passing through Marietta and forcing the enemy, July 5, to
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near their main works on the Chattahoochee River.
On this date, Colonel Scribner having been taken quite sick, the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel Given, Seventy-fourth Ohio Veteran Volunteers.
July 9, the regiment supported the Twenty-first Ohio Veteran Volunteers in advancing the skirmish line north of the Chattahoochee River, where a spirited and gallant affair ensued, the Twentyfirst charging and carrying the enemy's rifle-pits, the Thirty-eighth, as a reserve, losing 5 wounded during the affray.
July 15, Col. M. F. Moore, Sixty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, having been assigned to the command of the brigade and subsequent operations of the regiment coming under your personal observation, I shall be as brief as possible.
July 17, crossed the Chattahoochee River near Vining's Station, .advancing and participating in the skirmish from that point to the crossing of Nancy's and Peach Tree Creeks.
On the 20th was in the front line during the engagement of that day, losing 1 captain and 4 enlisted men wounded.
July 21, the regiment was ordered on a reconnaissance, finding the enemy in force three-quarters of a mile to the front.
Returned with loss of 1 killed and 1 wounded. Afternoon of 21st, as part of first line, supported Lieutenant-Colonel Brigham, Sixty-ninth Ohio Veteran Volunteers, in his advance of skirmish line.
His regiment and line gallantly charged across open fields, driving and capturing many of the enemy.
The Thirty-eighth, with Twenty-first Ohio and Thirty-seventh Indiana following as support, pressed the lines to within 400 yards of enemy's main works and occupied the same at 1:a. m., the enemy retreating on Atlanta.
In this advance the regiment lost 1 killed and 4 wounded. July 22, participated in advance on Atlanta, going into position in front of their works, and about two miles from the city.
July 28, moved with brigade to support the Army of the Tennessee, then engaged with the enemy.
Went into position on the flank of said army, throwing up works, but did not become engaged.
From this date until August 25, p. m., the regiment participated in the skirmishes and advances made by the brigade in the vicinity of Atlanta, taking with the brigade an advanced position in the lines on August 9 and 10 within 1,000 yards of enemy's main works.
Losses, though light, were of almost daily occurrence.
August 25, 9 p. m., left position in front of Atlanta to take part in the movements south of that point.
Joined division (from which the brigade had been temporarily detached) on the night of the 25th. ; August 26, fortified a flank line of works.
August 27 and 28, moved southwesterly, striking Atlanta and West Point Railroad six miles south of East Point on the afternoon of 28th. 29th, assisted in destroying railroad, which was done effectively.
August 30, moved in direction of Macon railroad, advancing to within four miles of Jonesborough.
September 1, commenced movement eastward toward railroad, Third Brigade in advance of corps; moved out on the Rough and Ready and Jonesborough road, soon meeting the enemy's skirmishers; lines were formed, Second Brigade on right, Third Brigade on left, advancing thus for about a mile through fields, swamps, sloughs, and creeks, driving the enemy's skirmishers and gaining the railroad about two miles north of Jonesborough, there connecting with Fourth Army Corps; lines reformed about 4
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p. m. in the same order, facing south, the left of Third Brigade resting on railroad.
The Thirty-eighth, the right of second line, advanced through an immense thicket under fire of enemy's skirmishers, who were driven by our skirmish line (of which Company D, Capt. James H. Low, formed a part) across an open field and into their works in woods beyond.
The first line of brigade followed closely, putting up light works in edge of timber, while the second line was halted 100 yards in rear and also put up a light line of works.
The first line now advancing became hotly engaged in the woods, the fight extending to the right for some distance with great fury.
The other regiments from second line were ordered forward to support the first, leaving the Thirty-eighth for the time a spectator to the gallant charges of our comrades.
Soon, however, came an order for the Thirty-eighth to advance, and crossing the field was ordered to take, if possible, the enemy's works.
Moving to the right of the brigade line the woods were entered; then deploying Company G, Capt. H. F. Perry, and Company H, Lieut. David H. Patton commanding, as skirmishers, the advance was given and acted upon with alacrity.
The men in the face of a terrible fire charging over the falling timber and abatis, struck the works and carried them, then swinging by a wheel to the left, advanced down the line toward the railroad, clearing the pits and traverses as they passed, hurrying the prisoners to the rear.
In a short time the brigade front was cleared, the railroad gained, and a rebel section of artillery and infantry colors escaping only by rapid running.
On the left of the railroad no advance seemed to be made, and the enfilading fire from there was such that safety required the left bank should be taken.
So across the railroad, down and up the sides of a ten-foot cut, did the men charge, clearing the works for sixty yards beyond, until in fact they came under the fire of our men of the Fourth Corps, who were 300 yards to the rear.
This caused a withdrawal toward the left bank of the railroad, which was held, together with the right bank and rebel works to the right.
The enemy's battery was now in its second position, not 400 yards down the railroad, and hurled the canister directly against us. No advance being made by the troops on the left of the railroad, the enemy rallied, advanced up their traversed line to within four rods of our position, and finally caused a withdrawal from that side of the road, after losing Major Carter, wounded, Captains Jenkins and Perry, wounded, and Lieutenant Osborn, killed, while enlisted men fell in proportion.
Having now withdrawn to right bank of railroad, still occupying the full brigade front of rebel works (the Seventy-fourth Ohio having taken position on the right), and seeing no prospect of the advance of troops on the left of the railroad, and having received notice that all the troops of our brigade were then in action, I deemed it but slaughter of the men who had done so gallantly to remain longer exposed to the terrible enfilading fire from the left, and consequently withdrew about dusk in good order to the open field in rear.
The enemy fought with the greatest desperation, and after first entering their works it was a continuous fight along their line of traverses for each section, many not dropping their guns until fired on or clubbed with the rifle.
The smallness of the command deterred me from sending prisoners to the rear under guard, although 41 were thus disposed of, but I am certain the estimate is none too high when I say 100 at least were sent to the rear by the regiment.
To both officers and
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men of the regiment I desire saying they did their every duty and did it well.
Major Carter was ever at his post until stricken down; Captains Jenkins and Perry, and Lieutenant Osborn were also struck while in the very front.
The color bearer (Lance Sergt. George W. Field, Company C) was instantly killed as he planted his colors on the railroad bank.
They were taken up and carried throughout the balance of the action by Lieut. Joseph W. Redding, Company D, whom I would especially mention for his gallant conduct.
The regimental color was carried safely through by Sergeant Owen, Company I.
The losses in the engagement were 1 officer and 7 enlisted men killed, 3 officers and 25 enlisted men wounded, and I enlisted man missing.
For recapitulation of casualties of the campaign, I respectfully refer you to accompanying sheet marked B., During the entire campaign of four months, although exposed to almost continuous fire, hard labor, and marches, both officers and men have at all times acted with alacrity, energy, and cheerfulness.
Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,
D. F. Griffin, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Thirty-eighth Indiana Vet. Vol. Infty. Lieut. H. O. Montague
, A. A. A. G., Third Brig., First Div., 14th Army Corps.
, A. A. A. G., Third Brig., First Div., 14th Army Corps.
Inclosure.
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Hdqrs. Thirty-Eighth Indiana Vet. Vol. Infty., Atlanta, Ga., September 10, 1864.
Colonel: I have the honor to report as follows as to the part taken by this command in the Georgia campaign between the date of July 5 and 13:
July 5, the regiment participated with the brigade in advancing the lines to near the north bank of the Chattahoochee River, late on the afternoon of the 5th, advancing and taking position in first line, losing 2 enlisted men wounded.
July 9, supported Twenty-first Ohio Volunteer Infantry in their advance of the skirmish line, in which spirited and gallant affair the Twenty-first charged and carried the enemy's rifle-pits, the Thirty-eighth, as reserve, advancing to their support, losing 5 enlisted men wounded in the affray.
On the night of the 9th the enemy abandoned their main works north of Chattahoochee River, burning the railroad bridge.
From July 10 until 15 the command lay in reserve on north side of river.
Below I give list of casualties.1
Recapitulation: Killed, 1; wounded, 8; total, 9.
D. T. Griffin, Lieut. Col., Comdg. Thirty-eighth Indiana Vet. Vol. Infty. Col. Josiah given
, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
, Seventy-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.