Bible 8th Tennessee
HDQRS. FIRST BRIG., THIRD DIV., 23D ARMY CORPS,
Near Decatur, Ga., September 10, 1864.
CAPTAIN: In compliance with orders from division headquarters, I have the honor
to submit report of the operations and movements of the First Brigade, Third
Division, Twenty-third Army Corps--composed of the Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran
Volunteer Infantry, Maj. J. S. White; Eighth Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, Capt.
J. W. Berry; One hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. P.S . Slevin; One
hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. E . S. Bond, and One
hundred and fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Lieut. Col. O . W. Sterl--
since crossing the Chattahoochee River on 8th of July:
July 9, brigade moved
about half a mile into position on right of division on crest of ridge facing
east, intrenching the position. Brigade remained until evening of 11th of July,
when we were relieved by Second Division and placed in rear of line in reserve.
Continued in reserve, with an occasional reconnaissance by single regiment,
until, morning of 17th, brigade moved with division in a northeasterly direction
to Sandy Springs Camp-Ground. After passing this point changed direction to a
southeasterly course on Cross Keys road, camping for the night, on Nancy's Creek;
slight skirmishing during latter part of march, 1 man only wounded.
18th moved to Cross Keys, thence to Decatur road near the Roswell and Atlanta railroad.
19th, marched in southerly direction to north bank of Pea Vine Creek, on Atlanta road,
and camped for the night.
20th, moved in advance of division toward Atlanta, continually skirmishing, sometimes heavily, until about three miles from Atlanta,
and were placed in position fronting enemy's works, where brigade remained,
having thrown up defenses, until the morning of the 22d, when it was ascertained
the enemy had evacuated their works in our front. Brigade, with division and
corps, moved to Howard's house, about one mile distant from Atlanta. Remained
here about two hours, when brigade was ordered to proceed at once to rear of the
corps trains and hospital, to protect them from a threatened attack. In obedience
to orders, brigade moved to south bank of Pea Vine Creek, the Eighth Tennessee
Infantry and Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry moving to a point near the
Pace's Ferry and Decatur road to protect right flank of Colonel Sprague's
brigade, of the [Sixteenth] Corps, that had fallen back from Decatur. No enemy
was met by any part of brigade. Remained in position until evening of 26th.
Ordered to join division near Atlanta, at or near Howard's house. Did so, and
were put into position on left of division in works thrown up by enemy, where
brigade remained until evening of 1st of August.
On the 29th of July brigade made a reconnaissance to the east of Atlanta and toward right of enemy's position,
crossing Sugar Creek at Terry's Mill, going about one mile south of that point
until within not to exceed 500 yards of an apparent strong line of earth-works,
with head-logs, &c., occupied in force by enemy. There was continual skirmishing.
Brigade returned to camp without any loss.
August 1, brigade moved with the division some three miles toward the right of army and bivouacked for the night.
2d, moved some seven miles to the extreme right of army; placed in position on
west bank of--Creek; very slight skirmishing only in advance of our position.
3d, no move made by brigade; Lieutenant King, of Sixteenth Kentucky, was wounded on
skirmish line in arm severely.
4th, moved in afternoon to the rear and right of
Second Division, and bivouacked for the night, losing some few men by stray shots
from the enemy.
5th, moved with division to right on Lick Skillet road ; massed
in rear of Fourteenth Corps, where brigade bivouacked for the night ; Lieutenant
Clarke, of One hundredth Ohio, was mortally wounded by a musket -ball from enemy
this morning, while his regiment was moving out from position in rear of Second
Division.
6th, at 10 a.m. strengthened skirmish line of Third Brigade with 200
men of brigade, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Mottley, of Eleventh
Kentucky Infantry, for purpose of carrying ridge occupied by enemy on east side
of Utoy Creek and immediately east of Sandtown road; the line, supported by One
hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry, placed in position on west side of creek. The
skirmish line thus re-enforced, formed and charged, driving the enemy into their
works, which were now ascertained to be on crest of ridge. The One hundred and
twelfth Illinois Infantry, One hundredth Ohio Infantry, Eighth Tennessee
Infantry, and five companies of One hundred and fourth Ohio Infantry were ordered
across Utoy Creek; the One hundred and twelfth Illinois and One hundredth Ohio
were deployed, supported by the Eighth Tennessee, under command of Major Jordan,
and five companies of the One hundred and fourth Ohio, charged to within about
twenty-five or thirty yards of the enemy's works, but owing to the entanglement
cut by enemy in front of their works, rendering it almost impossible to advance
with any rapidity or regularity, and the heavy and destructive fire of the enemy,
protected by their works with head-logs, the line was forced to halt, but did not
yield one inch of ground. The Eighth Tennessee, Major Jordan, was deployed as
rapidly as possible, and one more effort was made to carry the position,
supported by five companies of One hundred and fourth Ohio, Capt. J. F. Riddle.
Notwithstanding every officer and man in the command sprang forward bravely and
gallantly, the greater part of the command only succeeded in making a few yards
in advance, when the withering fire of the enemy, with difficulties before
stated, again forced a halt, holding the ground, however, under a terrific fire,
until ordered to withdraw. The Sixteenth Kentucky Volunteer Veteran Infantry was
placed on the right with orders to drive a body of the enemy, who, with at least
one piece of artillery I supposed, were located on or near the Sandtown road,
their fire enfilading the line of brigade; this regiment fully obeyed their
orders, and rendered a very important service in protecting the main column from
the annoyance aforesaid.
I regret to say that the brigade suffered severely in
killed and wounded in the efforts made to carry the position. Col. P.S. Slevin,
of the One hundredth Ohio Infantry, was severely wounded while in front of his
regiment, cheering and encouraging his men forward; Lieut. Col. E. S. Bond,
commanding One hundred and twelfth Illinois Infantry, slightly, in leg; Lieut.
Francis C. Johnson, Eighth Tennessee Infantry, killed; Captains Sroufe, Gudgel,
and Colcord, of One hundred and twelfth Illinois Infantry, wounded, all slightly;
Lieuts. A. K. Tate and I. K. Cramer, One hundredth Ohio, wounded; Capt. J. A.
Bowers, Eighth Tennessee Infantry, wounded and missing; Lieutenants Bible and
Douglas, of the Eighth Tennessee Infantry, wounded, the latter severely; Lieut.
J. Walker, of the same regiment, missing; Capt. H. Ford, of One hundred and
fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, wounded slightly, Lieut. James B. Shane,
Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry, severely. A detailed statement of casualties
is hereto appended, with a statement of all casualties occurring in brigade
during time covered by this report.
Where all behaved so gallantly, it is very
difficult to give especial mention to any, but I cannot in justice neglect to
bear official testimony to the gallant and heroic conduct of the Eighth Tennessee
Infantry officers and men, without any distinction. The list of casualties,
however, is their best eulogy, when it is known that the regiment went into the
charge with but about 160 muskets. Colonel Slevin's known gallantry and Christian
bravery was fully sustained. Lieutenant- Colonel Mottley, of Eleventh Kentucky
Infantry; Lieutenant-Colonel Bond, One hundred and twelfth Illinois Infantry;
Lieutenant Shane, of Sixteenth Kentucky Veteran Infantry (than whom no braver man
lives), with every officer and private engaged in the assault in my command,
bravely and nobly did their whole duty, and added, if possible, to their
character for bravery and heroic courage. My staff officers fully sustained my
heretofore expressed opinion of them. Lieutenant Tracy was slightly wounded some
time after assault.
After brigade was ordered to retire from front of enemy's
work, it was placed in position in works occupied by Fourteenth Corps. 7th, moved
into position on ridge near house of Willis; intrenchments thrown up and occupied
by brigade until 12th, when brigade was relieved by portion of Fourteenth Corps,
and, with balance of division, marched to right of Second Division and to
Campbellton road on reconnaissance. At dusk brigade moved to Sandtown road and
camped. Remained in latter position until 16th August, when brigade was moved to
right of division on Campbellton road , and threw up strong intrenchments.
17th, remained in position. 18th, brigade moved into position on right and front of
Second Division, skirmishing slightly, losing 1 killed and 2 wounded; brigade
intrenched themselves, and remained, making occasional reconnaissances to front,
until evening of 26th of August. The brigade, with division, moved with whole
army on march to near Lovejoy's Station, on Macon railroad, and back to Decatur,
its present position, arriving at the latter point on the 8th instant, excepting
a very slight skirmish on Western railroad, some five miles south of East Point,
on evening of 30th of August, and destroying about one mile and a half of
railroad south of Rough and Ready, on morning of September 1, brigade
participated in no fighting or duty other than marching, and on two occasions
throwing up temporary works. Not a single casualty occurred in the command.
The One hundred and twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry was transferred from the
brigade on 12th of August; the Eleventh and Twelfth Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
were attached to brigade on the 11th of August.
I herewith forward reports of regimental commanders so far as received. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your most obedient servant,