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.

The regiment left Ringgold, Ga., May 10, at 6 a. m., joining the division same day at 4 p. m. at Tunnel Hill. In the engagement around Buzzard Roost my command did not participate. Upon the arrival of the army in front of Resaca I was at the front line of the brigade, but had no engagement with the enemy. On the 13th of May moved to the right, and here had 1 man killed. My regiment from this time on never, until the 9th day of July, met the enemy as an organization. I was on the front line from the 2d of June until the evacuation of Kenesaw Mountain by the enemy, and consequently had some part of my command constantly upon the skirmish line, and shall therefore not try to make an extended report, but only give my losses and the date of their occurrence-May 15, 1 man killed; June 4, 4 men wounded; June 15, 1 man wounded; July 21, 2 men wounded. On the morning of the 9th of July I was ordered to support with my regiment a forward movement of the skirmish line. I moved out at 6 a. m., and followed the skirmishers at close supporting distance. They, meeting a largely superior force of the enemy, were compelled to fall back. As soon as they had rallied behind my line I opened a fire upon the enemy, which checked his advance. There being no connection on my left, and the enemy coming around on my flank, I was forced to fall back about 200 yards, where I compelled the enemy to halt, and the Tenth Indiana joining me, he fell back to his old position. That night the rebels evacuated that side of the river. This contest, although only lasting fifteen or twenty minutes, was very severe. My loss was 4 killed, 14 wounded, and 2 missing. Among the wounded were Lieutenants Warren and Grace, of Company A, who fell while gallantly discharging their duty. Since crossing the river parts of my command have again beeni daily on the skirmish line, and the following losses there occurred: July 20, 2 wounded; July [817] 21, 1 wounded; August 4, 1 wounded; August 7, 4 wounded; August 13, 1 wounded; August 16, 2 wounded, making a total of 40 killed and wounded since the beginning of the campaign to the 16th instant.

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

The regiment was on the right of the brigade in the front line, .formed about 300 yards of the enemy's works, under the orders of Colonel Este, commanding the brigade. We fixed bayonets and moved forward to the assault about 5 p. m. The men reserved their fire until we reached the woods about thirty yards from the works of the enemy. Up to this time we had steadily advanced under a severe fire. As soon as we entered the woods the enemy, from behind their works, poured upon us a heavy volley of musketry, which, for a moment, caused the regiment to halt. We immediately returned the fire, and, with a shout, rushed on their works and captured a number of prisoners in their rifle-pits. The Seventy-fourth Indiana Regiment, which was in the rear line, closed up on us as we entered the works and gallantly charged the works with us. It being a larger regiment than mine, its right was some two companies farther to the right than ours. The enemy immediately in our front was the Sixth and Seventh Arkansas Regiments, of Cleburne's division, consolidated. We captured their flag, which has been sent to brigade headquarters. Private Henry B. Mattingly, of Company E, had the honor of capturing these colors. When we captured the works of the enemy, and for several minutes thereafter, our regiment and the Seventy-fourth Indiana had no support on our right, and the enemy fired up the line of works upon our right flank; but within some ten minutes the enemy was driven from our right flank by a well-directed fire from the Seventyfourth Indiana and Tenth Kentucky Regiments. My regiment went into the fight with 152 guns. Our casualties will be annexed to this report. The officers and soldiers of my regiment behaved with great gallantry and courage. I would like very much to mention individual acts of officers and men, but in so doing I would have to mention so many names that it might seem to be a reflection upon those not mentioned. All, so far as I know or have information, nobly did their whole duty. Capt. James M. Davenport, of Company G, was gallantly leading his company, and while in the works of the enemy was severely wounded in the leg, which has sin'ce been amputated. Lieut. William E. Kelly, Company I, and Lieut. Joseph T. Adcock, Company F, were both severely wounded while gallantly leading their companies. Corpl. Orville B. Young, the color bearer, deserves special mention for the manner in which he 52 R R-Vol XXXVIII, Pt I [818] discharged his duty when the regiment was checked by a murderous fire within twenty yards of the enemy's works. He ran forward with the flag, calling on his comrades to rally to it. It was the first flag placed on the enemy's works.¹

Respectfully, your obedient servant,