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449 Series I Volume XXXVIII-II Serial 73 - The Atlanta Campaign Part II

Page 449 Chapter L. REPORTS, ETC.-ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.

direction after crossing the first hill I knew nothing of, nor was I informed in what direction or brigade was expected to go after reaching the top of said first hill, so that I only had to movements of the Eighty-fifth Indiana in my front to guide me, and moved when and where it moved, and when it halted my regiment halted, as a matter of course. My regiment acted with the brigade during the battle of that day, officers and men obeying every order. Where all acted so well, allusions to personal courage are uncalled for, and I will only refer to the most noteworthy. In passing the open ground, after crossing the first hill, under a heavy fire of musketry, grape, and canister, the color bearer was hit and fell out of line; thereupon Adjt. C. Jay Du Bois, seized the colors and gallantly carried them forward, holding them until our line was reformed on a new front, when he surrendered them to the sergeant designated to carry them. Soon after dark Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham, with Company B, Captain John H. Doolittle, and Company D, Captain Oliver R. Post, with parties of other regiments of the brigade, was detailed to hold possession and remove during the night, if possible, four 12-pounder brass pieces captured from the enemy that day, but so near the rebel breast-works as to be within easy musket-range, and thus making it impossible to remove them by daylight. This duty he accomplished with perfect success, and by 2 a. m. the guns were brought within our lines. Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham acknowledge valuable assistance from Colonel Cobham, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania, and his men. The regiment remained in line under arms. The list of casualties is hereto attached. Monday, the 16th, marched in pursuit of the retreating enemy to Field's Mill, crossing Connesauga and Coosawattee Rivers, and bivouacked for the night. May 17, marched to a place about two miles southeast of Calhoun and bivouacked. May 18, marched to a point on the Cassville road about two miles south of Doctor McDowell's house, on a high hill about four miles north of Cassville, and bivouacked in line of battle. May 19, about 11 a. m. this regiment was detailed with the Nineteenth Michigan Infantry, under my command, to report to Major-General Butterfield, the about two miles distant toward Kingston, with the First and Third Brigades; the other three regiments of the brigade remained behind with brigades headquarters. About 2 p. m. the division made a demonstration on the enemy with infantry and artillery. In this movement the Nineteenth Michigan and Twentieth Connecticut Volunteers, under my command, covered the right flank and supported our artillery. The division advanced about half a these regiments, under my command, were posted on the right of the division, my left connecting with the right of the Third Brigade. The formation for a general advance of the division being completed, these two regiments under my command, thus posted on the right, advanced with the division in good order to the road near the seminary. Officers and men acted promptly and bravely. Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham commanded the Twentieth Connecticut and Major Griffin the Nineteenth Michigan, both discharging their duties with ability and zeal. At this time Colonel Coburn arrived upon the ground and assumed command of these two regiments after that part of the day's operations were over, without the other three regiments; two of the three others were on the march and arrived about or a little after dark. The Twentieth Connecticut was

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Page 449 Chapter L. REPORTS, ETC.-ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.