4th Iowa Infantry History - Page 14

At the great battle of Atlanta on the 22nd day of July, it was General Wood's division of the 15th Army Corps which held the extreme right of the Army of the Tennessee and when Gen. John C. Brown's division of Chetham's Corps broke through the line of the 15th Army Corps on the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad an captured De Gress' battery, Williamson's Brigade of Wood's division under the direction of General Sherman was moved in on the enemy's flank to retake this line and battery at the same time that Mersey's Brigade of the 16th Army Corps which General Logan has brought from that corps for the purpose of retaking the line, made the charge in front. At the same time, General Williams brigade charged on the flank an the two brigades retook the line of the 15th Army Corps and recaptured De Gress' battery and turned it again upon the enemy.

After the Battle of Atlanta, the 4th Iowa with the army of the Tennessee, on the 27th day of July, moved to the extreme right and took part in the noted battle near Ezra Church and fought on the 28th day of July where the rebel forces were completely defeated and driven back with great loss. The 4th Iowa swung with the Army of the Tennessee around the right of Atlanta to its rear, taking part in the fight at Jonesborough and forcing Hood to give up that stronghold, then returned to camp at Atlanta.

Up to this time, the regiment had lost 51 killed, 328 wounded, 54 from death by wounds, 200 from disease, but they had not lost hardly any prisoners.

The regiment, at three o'clock in the morning, heard a heavy, roaring sound, "like a double volley of heavy artillery." It turned out to be the destruction of the arsenals, foundries, etc., at Atlanta. The proud city was no more, and the enemy again fell back. The Fourth sought out the enemy and engaged them at Lovejoy Station, Georgia, on September 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th, during which one enlisted man was wounded.

The following was written by J. A. WILLIAMSON, Col. 4th Iowa Infantry, Commanding Brigade:

"HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., FIRST DIV., XV CORPS
Camp near Lovejoy's Station, Sept. 5, 1864

CAPTAIN: In compliance with Special Field Orders, No. 117, department headquarters, I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of this brigade during the campaign commencing May 3, ending with the occupation of Atlanta, Ga., Sept. 2, 1864:

The brigade consists of the 4th, 9th, 25th and 31st Regiments Iowa Infantry, commanded respectively, at the commencement of the campaign, by LtCol. S. D. Nichols, Col. David Carskaddon, Col. George A. Stone, and Col. William Smyth.

May 3, 1864, the Ninth, Twenty-fifth, and Thirty-first marched from Bellefonte to Stevenson. May 4, marched to Bridgeport, where the 4th Iowa, on return from veteran

furlough, joined the brigade, and continued the march to Shellmound. May 5, 6, 7, and 8, the march was continued, via Chattanooga, Gordon's Mills (on Chickamauga Creek), Gordon's Gap, to Snake Creek Gap. May 9, left camp early; marched to a point near Resaca, and then marched back again. May 10, in line of battle all day and night. May 11, built breast-works. May 12, moved out of the breastworks, and formed line of battle; remained in line nearly all day, and then marched to Sugar Creek. May 13, marched early toward Resaca. Skirmishing commenced at about 10 o'clock. At 3 o'clock we moved forward in line of battle, and drove the enemy into his main line of works. May 14 and 15, the brigade was continually under fire. On the evening of the 15th the 25th Iowa took part in the assaults made by BrigGen. Woods, commanding 1st Brigade. The loss was quite heavy in the affair at Resaca. May 16, entered the village of Resaca, detailed 25th Iowa for provost guard, rested a short time, and resumed the march to Lay's Ferry on Oostenaula River. May 17, 18, and 19, marched from Lay's Ferry to Kingston, via McGuire's, Woodland, and Adairsville. May 20, 21, 22, remained in camp near Kingston. May 23, marched from Kingston to Euharlee Creek, distance of more than 20 miles. On the 24th marched about twelve miles, encamped at Camp Gold Mine. May 25, marched about twelve miles and to a point about three miles south of Dallas; formed line of battle during heavy rain; lay under arms all night. May 26, moved at 11 a.m., with skirmishers in front, to a point three- quarters of a mile south of Dallas; formed line of battle, and sent out skirmishers, who very soon entered the town, after which we were ordered forward to a point about one mile east of Dallas; went into camp, but did not remain many minutes until I was ordered to move forward, which I did, and formed line of battle on the left of Gen. Giles A. Smith's brigade, of the 2nd Division, XV Corps. The line of battle, when formed, was from right to left, in the following order, viz: 25th, 4th, 31st, and six companies of the 9th Iowa Regiments, this being the order in which the brigade marched that day, and there being no time for forming the line in accordance with the rank of regimental commanders accounts for this formation of the line. As each regiment came into line I immediately sent skirmishers forward, covering the front. These skirmishers always found the enemy only a short distance in front, where a heavy skirmish fire was kept nearly all the night. Just before dark, after recon- noitering the ground in person, I deemed it advisable to advance the Thirty-first and Ninth Regiments to the crest of the high hill, upon the side of which they were origi- nally formed. This movement was approved by the general commanding the division, who came up just at the time the movement was completed. Prior to this there had been quite a heavy fire from the front, and the pickets and the sharpshooters of the division, under command of Lt. Williams, could only advance a short distance. It was now nearly, or quite, dark, and under cover of the darkness I hoped to be able to post a strong picket, or skirmish line, far enough in advance to render my line secure from surprise; and, in addition, gave strict orders for no man to leave the line, and that all should keep their arms in their hands. As soon as it was quite dark the attempt was made to advance the pickets, or, rather, a strong line of skirmishers. In doing this, and before they had been advanced far enough to prevent the line from sudden attack, a fire was opened from the enemy, which seemed to come from a line of battle, instead of a line of skirmishers. About 400 yards to the left of my line, and some distance to the rear, there was a hill, in an open field, which I thought it important to hold, and was so advised by orders from the general commanding the division. To do this required at least two companies, which I took from the 9th Iowa Infantry. I should here state that before it was dark one company of the Ninth had gained this position, and had reported to me that the enemy were in strong force in his front and left flank threatening them, leaving but four companies of this regiment in line. From the remaining four companies of the Ninth I was compelled to throw out skirmishers or pickets, to connect my skirmish line with the two companies on the hill to the left. I then sent Lt. Shields, of my staff, to the general commanding the division, to inform him of what I had done, and to state further to the general that it had been reported to me by Col. Carskaddon, of the 9th Iowa, and also by the officer commanding the two companies on the left, that my left flank was seriously threatened, and that I had no support anywhere on my left, and received the assurance that my statement could not be true. In this position I remained, my skirmish line being frequently attacked, and my whole command kept on the guard through the night. At daylight, in fact before it was light, I went to the left and found the skirmish line drawn back almost to the line of battle. I went in person to the officer commanding the skirmishers and ordered him to advance them. He reported the enemy but a short distance in his front in line of battle, and that a force was moving by the flank perpendicular to my line of battle. I pushed the skirmishers forward as far as it was possible, in front of the Thirty-first and the small portion of the Ninth which was there. About this time the skirmish line on the left, connecting the two companies, commenced giving way, and reported again that the enemy was coming up in heavy force between my left and the two detached companies. I sent Capt. George D. Hilton, of my staff, to inform Gen. Osterhaus of all that is above stated, and soon after, becoming more confirmed in my belief that everything was as reported to me, I sent Lt. Shields, of my staff, to repeat the same message, and assure the general commanding the division of the fact of the statements which I had instructed Capt. Hilton to give, as a representation made by officers commanding the skirmish line, as well as by other officers who had been reconnoitering. The events above narrated all transpired in a very short time and just at daylight. There was a heavy mist or fog, which made it impossible to see a man, or even a line of battle, more than 10 paces. While Capt. Hilton and Lt. Shields were gone with the message to Gen. Osterhaus the firing nearly ceased, and the apprehension of an attack was somewhat lessened, and the skirmish line to the left re formed. Both the officers returned from Gen. Osterhaus and assured me there was no enemy on or near my flank. While Capt. Hilton was reporting to me this intelligence, a heavy fire was opened on the flank driving in the skirmishers. I instantly went to the extreme left and found the skirmish line connecting with the two companies on the hill falling back. I had just given orders for the fragment of the 9th Iowa, then present, to form at a right angle to the position they then held, when a terrific fire was opened from the enemy, who had marched across my left flank. This attack was sudden, and the strong picket, which had been out on the left, coming in precipitately, and on account of the fog missing the flank of the regiment, thus coming to the rear among surgeons, cooks, litter-bearers, servants, and non-combatants generally, created some apparent confusion; when, indeed, but few, if any, who had been in line had given way. The enemy were soon repulsed and the fire ceased. My brigade being now several hundred yards in advance of any other troops, and both flanks exposed, I ordered it to fall back and connect with the left of 2nd Division, which had in the mean time refused the left of the position held on the evening of the 26th. Very soon after this I was relieved by the 1st Brigade, and ordered to occupy the position the 3rd Brigade had just left. Three days' subsequent fighting developed the fact that the enemy’s strongest point was in front of the place where my left rested on the night of the 26th and morning of the 27th. After being relieved by the 1st Brigade, as above stated, the brigade remained in camp, somewhat exposed to the enemy's fire, until about 5 p.m. on the 28th, when the enemy made a vigorous assault on Gen. Harrow's division on our right, when I was ordered to re-enforce him. My command fell in and double-quicked to his support, and took position on his right. How well, and in what time the movement was executed, I respectfully ask the general commanding to state for me. During the night of the 28th my command built a complete line of works. May 29, remained in works and building new works. Heavy firing on the skirmish line. Soon after dark my command was ordered to leave the works, with as little noise as possible, and take a position across the main road, so as to cover the rear of the remainder of the corps, which was to move out. About the time this movement was executed, and the 4th Division commenced to withdraw, the enemy assaulted our lines, and the firing became terrific. In obedience to orders, I sent two regiments (the Ninth and Twenty-fifth) back to the original position, and remained until daylight with the other two regiments, and then went with them back to the works on the right of the 4th Division. May 30, remained in the works, keeping skirmishers active during the day. May 31, remained in the works: skirmishers active. Late in the evening the enemy severely shelled every portion of my line. An attack was apprehended on the right, and preparations made to meet it.

June 1, at daylight, my brigade was ordered out of the works to another line a mile in the rear, which had been constructed to cover the withdrawal of the corps. When the corps had passed, my command acted as rear-guard on the march to New Hope Church, the enemy following us very close as far back as Dallas. June 2 and 3, remained in camp near New Hope Church. June 4, relieved Gen. Kimball's brigade near New Hope Church. Enemy left during the night. June 5, marched toward Acworth. June 6, arrived at Acworth. June 7, 8, and 9, remained in camp near Acworth. June 10, marched toward Kenesaw Mountain; camped at Big Shanty. June 11, received orders to reconnoiter in force with the remainder of the division; went forward and took position in reserve in front of Kenesaw Mountain. June 12, remained in camp doing but little. June 13, relieved 3rd Brigade. June 14, in camp through the day and built an advance line of works at night. June 15, at 2 o'clock I advanced my skirmish line with the skirmishers of the 1st and 3rd Brigades, and drove the rebels from the advance line of works; occupied a new line and built works during the night. June 16, 17, and 18, remained on the advance line skirmishing all the time. The enemy left the works on the night of the 18th. June 19, moved forward to the main line of rebel works. June 20, moved to the right of the 2nd Division, near the railroad, and built a line of works for the whole brigade. June 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, remained in the position taken on the 20th, and during all the time labored to advance my skirmish line. June 26, received orders to march at 6 p.m.; marched a few miles to the right and relieved a brigade of the IV Corps. June 27, was notified that the 2nd Division, XV Corps, would assault the enemy's line in my front at 8 a.m. In obedience to orders I sent 150 men under command of Capt. Daniel E. Cooper, 4th Iowa, brigade officer of the day, to clear the rifle-pits on the right flank of the as- saulting column; though exposed to terrible fire,

Capt. Cooper and his men performed their part in the most gallant manner, carrying the pits by assault, using the bayonet freely. From June 28 to July 2, inclusive, the brigade remained in this line of works, skirmishing all the time and suffering considerable loss. July 3, the enemy evacuated the works on the night of the 2nd; marched to Marietta and camped east of the town. July 4, marched at 9 a.m. toward the right of our army; marched 12 miles and encamped. July 5, 6, and 7, changing position by short marches. July 8, took position in front line and built breast-works for the entire command. July 9, 10, and 11, remained in this line. On the night of the 10th the enemy evacuated their works in our front. July 12, 13, and 14, marching from the right of the army on the Chattahoochee River to the left of it at Roswell, where I crossed during the night of the 14th. July 15 and 16, remained in camp. July 17, marched at 5.30 a.m. toward Atlanta. July 18, marched to Henderson's Mill. July 19, marched to Decatur. July 20, marched near Atlanta and built a line of works. July 21, advanced our line and built another line of works. On the 22nd, about 8 a.m., in accordance with orders, my command moved out of a line of works which it had constructed on the night of the 21st, going in a westerly direction about three- quarters of a mile, to a line of works which the rebels had abandoned the night of the 21st. The brigade had but three regiments preent, via the 4th, 9th and 25th Iowa Infantry Regiments. I sent skirmishers to the front to join the skirmishers who had been sent out the day previous, making in all 150 men, besides officers, on the skirmish line. I also sent 100 men, besides officers, for fatigue duty, to assist in erecting a battery to my left. With the remainder of my command, the Fourth and Ninth in front and Twenty-fifth in reserve, I commenced transforming the rebel line of works into a line for the defense of my command. The transformation consisted in removing the embankment and abatis to the opposite side of the ditch. This work was soon accomplished, the command remaining close to their arms after the work was done. About 2 o'clock the action commenced on our immediate left, the rebels attacking the 2nd and 4th Divisions of the XV Corps. When the action had lasted half an hour, or perhaps longer, the rebels carried the works in front of the 2nd Division, capturing Capt. De Gress' battery of 20-pounder Parrott guns. In accordance with orders of the general commanding the division, I changed the front of my line, letting my right rest where it was, and swinging my left back, connecting my left with the right of the 1st Brigade of our division. I remained in line of battle for a short time awaiting the advance of the rebels, but they did not come. Gen. Woods ordered me to advance in two lines and flank the work from which the rebels had driven our forces a short time before. I commenced the movement, the Fourth and Ninth in first and Twenty-fifth in second line, and very soon came under a heavy fire, to which the command was exposed only for a short time, for it soon came under cover on the margin of a little stream. Here was a short delay in getting through a thick bramble. The line was soon formed on the opposite side of the stream when the command was given to go forward, which it did gallantly, flanking and carrying the work and recapturing De Gress' battery, all in the shortest possible time in which a work of this kind could be done. I left the Ninth in the works, sending the Fourth to the right to occupy a rebel battery which commanded the head of a ravine which led to our line in the only place where there was not a breast-work. The regiment had not more than formed before it was assaulted by a brigade of rebel infantry, under command of Col. Baker, and a very stubborn fight ensued. The regiment nobly held the position, and finally repulsed the assault, inflicting great loss on the rebels in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The 37th Alabama (rebel) was, according to the statement made by prisoners, nearly annihilated in this engagement. The honor of recapturing De Gress' battery is due to the Fourth and Ninth Regiments, men of both regiments arriving there about the same time. After the last assault made by the rebels was repulsed, the command went to work changing the rebel works, and constructing new works, completing them against daylight, at which time I received orders to move to the left of the XVI Corps, some two or three miles to the left of our position. Loss in this engagement was 36, five being killed, two missing and 29 wounded, including LtCol. Nichols of the 4th Iowa, who was slightly wounded in the thigh in the early part of the engagement. Soon after daylight on the 23rd we moved and took our new position. Sunday, the 24th, was spent in destroying the railroad near Decatur. Remained in camp on the 25th and until night of the 26th, when I received orders to move with the balance of the division, which I did, taking a position to cover the rear in a movement being then made to the extreme right of the army. On the 27th at daylight my brigade moved, covering the rear, and marched all day toward the right, arriving at a place about 10 p.m., where we bivouacked until daybreak, when I moved forward a short distance and went into line of battle in the center of the division. Here we halted a short time and then advanced in line of battle obliquely to the left, and wheeling to the left. After advancing in this manner for about one mile, or probably a little more, in obedience to orders I halted and formed line of battle in two lines, the Fourth and Twenty-fifth in front, and the Ninth in rear, in reserve. As soon as the line was formed I ordered the construction of temporary breast-works, which the men willingly and hastily constructed. In about three-quarters of an hour after taking this position the rebels made an attack on our lines to my right. The rebel assaults were determined and fierce, lasting for nearly three hours, but during this time my command was but little engaged, as the rebel attack did not extend farther than to a point opposite my right flank. July 29, remained in camp and built breast-works. July 30, relieved by a brigade of the XVII Corps and moved in a reserve position, and sent the 9th Iowa to picket the extreme right. July 31, in camp.

Aug. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, in camp and doing picket duty. Aug. 6, moved about one mile to the front and took a position on the left of the XIV Corps, and built a line of works. Aug. 7, men under arms all day. Aug. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, remained in line; more than half the time under arms, in apprehension of an assault. Aug. 13, my com- mand took part in the assault made by the division on the enemy's skirmish line, mak- ing a complete success, capturing nearly the entire force in the pits. Aug. 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, remained in works, making demonstrations almost daily against the rebel works, losing some men each day. Aug. 19, advanced my line to the front of 1st Brigade, Twenty-fifth and Thirty-first Regiments occupying line, and digging intrenchments. August 20, making intrenchments. Aug. 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, occupying our works without much excitement or fighting. Aug. 26, marched at dark toward the right of the army; marched all night and until 10 a.m. on the 27th. Aug. 27, in camp. Aug. 28, marched at 7 a.m., arriving at the Montgomery railroad about 11 a.m.; took position on each side of the railroad, 4th and 25th Iowa building a line of earth-works. Aug. 29, in camp; Ninth and Thirty-first Regiments engaged in destroying railroad. Aug. 30, marched to a point about one mile north of Jonesborough, and sent two regiments, Twenty-fifth and Thirty-first, to support some cavalry on the right; cavalry went away as soon as the regiments came up. The other two regiments (Fourth and Ninth) went to the front. All the regiments built breast- works during the night. Aug. 31, during the forenoon the Twenty-fifth and Thirty-first were relieved by the XVI Corps, and went into the front line and again built a substantial line of breast-works. The 4th Iowa was also twice moved into new positions and built works. About 10 o'clock I sent 100 men (50 from each the Fourth and Ninth Regiments) to support a battery placed in an advanced position on the right. About 3 o'clock the rebels made an assault on our front line. The 100 men from the Fourth and Ninth did their duty in supporting the battery, and succeeded, under the immediate direction of the general commanding the division, in bringing the guns off from under a heavy fire from the enemy, who had nearly surrounded them. During the assault four companies of the 9th Iowa under Capt. McSweeney went forward and took a position in an interval between the right of the 4th Division and the left of the 3rd Brigade, where there were no intrenchments, and while the battle continued succeeded in throwing up temporary works, which enabled them to hold the position. The enemy were repulsed with loss. During the night a regiment of the 1st Brigade (the 30th Iowa) partially constructed a line of works on the right of the 25th Iowa. On the morning of Sept. 1, I relieved this regiment with the Twenty-fifth, which completed the works and occupied them.

Sept. 1, lay in works all day. Heavy skirmishing in the afternoon. Two hundred men on skirmish line. Fourth Iowa took a new position detached from, and on the right of, the division and built a good line of intrenchments. Sept. 2, the enemy having left during the night, the brigade was ordered to march with division in pursuit. Marched about five miles, and formed line of battle, and halted for a short time. A sharp engagement was soon brought on by the 4th Division, and my brigade was ordered to the left of it. The Thirty-first took position in the front line, the other regiments in rear, and during the night all intrenched themselves behind good works. Sept. 3, 4 and 5, occupied our works; constant skirmishing. In obedience to orders, I moved the brigade out at 8 o'clock in the night of the 5th, and marched to Jonesborough with the division, and took the same position which I left on the 2nd instant.

So closes the record of this memorable campaign. I could not make it more brief and do justice to the regiments of the brigade. The vast amount of labor done by this command, in addition to the marching and fighting, and the cheerfulness and zeal with which it has been performed, is sufficient to encourage the best hopes for the success of our army. The troops have neither hesitated nor murmured at any privation or labor. To the officers and men I owe a debt of gratitude for their prompt and willing obedience to orders.

To my staff officers, Capts. Anderson and Darling and Lts. Shields, Nuckolls, and Crane, I am greatly indebted for efficient services. Their bravery and competency will commend them to any officer under whom they may serve. I cannot close this report without mentioning in terms of praise my faithful orderly, George Simms.

The casualties in the brigade during the campaign have been 280."

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