to keep up connection with it. 5.30 p. m., we drove in the enemy's skirmishers after a brisk fight, and Kimball's division came up to the enemy's works at about 5.40 p. m. They were in a strong place and just beyond a deep ravine, and he thought it not practical to assault them. He made a feeble attempt once to do so, and found that he could not succeed. Newton moved up as fast as possible through such thick woods, but it was dark before he reached the enemy. He had completely turned his right flank, but it was too late in the day to accomplish anything. 7 p. m., we commenced to barricade along our front. 7.30 p.m., received instructions to move upon the enemy's works at daylight to-morrow morning. At once directed division commanders to prepare for an assault at daylight; to get up plenty of ammunition, &c. We lost in killed and wounded about 115 to-day. Day clear and very hot. Thoroughly destroyed about 5 miles of the Macon railroad track to-day. Took 70 enlisted men and 5 commissioned officers prisoners to-day. September 2.-4.30 a. m., the enemy has retreated. 4.40 a. m., directed General Kimball to move down the railroad, Newton to move on his left and parallel with him, and Wood to follow Newton; all to move by the flank. 5.30 a. m., head of our column reached Jonesborough and halted. The skirmishers of the Army of the Tennessee are moving out in our front. 7.30 a. m., received instructions from General Sherman to move forward; at once directed division commanders to march, Newton's division to lead, followed by Wood's, then Kimball's; the line of march to be southward, down the Macon railroad, after the enemy; our artillery, ambulances, and headquarters trains to move on the road along the side of the railroad. The Army of the Tennessee is moving along the direct road to Griffin, on the right hand of the railroad; we keep the railroad and the left hand dirt road. 7.50 a. m., our column passing through Jonesborough. 9.30 a. m., received note from General Thomas stating that our trains would move in the rear of our column, and that he had sent orders to send them in that direction. 9.30 a. m., directed General Kimball to leave one brigade with the trains as a guard. 12 m., have arrived at a point within two miles of Lovejoy's Station. The enemy can be seen about half a mile this side of the station, and just this side of the McDonough and Fayette road, on high ground, building barricades and constructing earth-works. The Army of the Tennessee has halted on the righthand side of the railroad and deploying in line of battle. 12.15 p. m., commenced to deploy and informed Major-General Thomas by note of this fact. 1.15 p. m., received word from General Thomas to push forward at once. 1.45 p. m., General Thomas sends word to General Stanley that "We have Atlanta," and he wishes him to press forward as soon as he possibly can. The troops are not yet in position, but our skirmishers have advanced about half a mile. 2.25 p. m., Newton's and Wood's divisions now deployed, and the head of Kimball's division has arrived. He is ordered to deploy on Wood's left immediately. Newton holds the right of the line, then Wood, then Kimball. 2.35 p. m., General Thomas directed General Stanley to move forward just as soon as General Howard moves (General Howard will send word when he is ready), and informs him (General Stanley) that Schofield is coming up on his left; to feel for him, and let him know when he gets up. 2.40 p. m., put two batteries or ten guns on the right of our line to quiet the enemy's batteries; our right rests on the railroad; division commanders instructed to take the enemy's works if possible; not to stop for 5 p. m., division commanders were instructed to cut roads to the year of their respective divisions, so that their troops may be easily drawn off when we march to Atlanta. The enemy is yet behind his works in our front in force, and we have been skirmishing heavily with him all day. Have lost a number of men killed and wounded to-day; no report of the number. Day hot and showery. September 4.-Nothing of importance occurred to-day. Only the usual skirmishing and artillery firing. The enemy yet in our immediate front, behind his strong works. Have had quite a number of men wounded and killed on the skirmish line to-day; at least 42 men. Day clear and very hot. 8.40 p. m., received official copy of Special Field Orders [No. 64], as follows:* September 5.-12.30 p. m., received verbal instructions to withdraw the troops of the corps at 8 p. m. and the pickets at 12 m.; these instructions received from Major-General Thomas. 1 p. m., sent orders to division commanders to withdraw their divisions at 8 p. m., moving to the field in the rear of corps headquarters, and then to march on the east side of the railroad to the position_occupied by the corps on the night of the 1st instant, just beyond Jonesborough, the order of march to be, first, Newton's division; second, Kimball's; third, Wood's. Pickets will be withdrawn at 12 m. Colonel Suman, Ninth Indiana, appointed special officer of the day. All headquarters wagons, ammunition wagons but five to a division and ambulances save six to a division, artillery wagons, and such artillery as can be moved without being observed, to be sent to the rear at once. 4.30 p. m., received Special Field Orders [No. 245], of which following is a copy:* 8 p. m., commenced to withdraw. The night is very dark, and the mud is so deep (owing to the heavy rains this morning) that the roads are almost impassable. The head of our column reached Jonesborough about 10.30 p. m. The pickets were successfully withdrawn at 12 midnight, and before daylight the whole corps was in position at the same place they occupied on the night of September 1, on this side of Jonesborough. Owing to our close proximity (in some points not over 100 feet) to the enemy's works, the swamp and ravines through which we had to pass, our withdrawal without having been observed by the enemy was a very handsome thing. Usual skirmishing and artillery firing to-day. Casualties of the day, about 25 wounded and killed. Day very hot, and very heavy rain and wind storm about 4 p. m. P. S.-The corps, not only, but also the divisions of the corps, occupying before daylight the same positions they occupied on the night of September 1. September 6.-6 a. m., General Thomas says that we will not move to-day, but remain where we are until to-morrow morning, when we will march for Rough and Ready. 8 a. m., issued orders of the day for the Fourth Army Corps for to-morrow, September 7: The troops of the corps will remain in their present position to-day, and they will march to Rough and Ready to-morrow morning at daylight, in the following order: First, General Wood's division; second, General Newton's division; third, General Kimball's division. One battery of rifle guns will accompany General Kimball; the rest of the artillery will move with and follow the train. One ammunition [wagon] will accompany each brigade, and ten ambulances will accompany each division. Headquarters trains will move with the divisions to which they are attached. All of the rest of the trains and wagons will move to Rough and Ready at 2 a. m. to-morrow, under direction of Captain Schoeninger, assistant chief quar *For full text of orders (here omitted) see Part V. ALTERNATE DESIGNATIONS OF ORGANIZATIONS MENTIONED IN THIS VOLUME." Abercrombie's (John C.) Infantry. See Iowa Troops, 11th Regiment. Adams' (Silas) Cavalry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 1st Regiment. Alabama First Heavy Artillery. See Union Troops, Colored, 7th Regiment. Alexander's (Archibald J.) Cavalry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 11th Regiment. Alexander's (Isaac N.) Infantry. See Ohio Troops, 46th Regiment. See Ohio Troops, 6th Battery. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 27th Regiment. Bailey's (Chesley D.) Infantry. See Kentucky Troops, Union, 9th Regiment. Bainbridge's (Edmund C.) Artillery. See Union Troops, Regulars, 5th Regiment, Battery K. Baird's (Harlon) Cavalry. See Iowa Troops, 5th Regiment. Baird's (John P.) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 85th Regiment. Baker's (Edward A.) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 65th Regiment. Baker's (John J.) Infantry. See Michigan Troops, 19th Regiment. Baker's (Myron) Infantry. See Indiana Troops, 74th Regiment. Baldwin's (Elisha G.) Infantry. See New York Troops, 141st Regiment. *References, unless otherwise indicated, are to index following. |