Railroad, Lieutenants Edge and Conard immediately established stations of observation, from which they reported the movements of the enemy in our front. Marching again with their corps, stations were established upon their going into a new position in front of Jonesborough. There stations were occupied by Lieutenants Edge, Fish, Dunlap, Conard, and Adams, who kept the generals commanding constantly informed of the enemy's movements. The station occupied by Lieutenant Fish was maintained under a heavy fire from the enemy, whose sharpshooters attempted to dislodge him, and finally attempted the demolition of his station by artillery. Lieutenant Fish's reports were of an important nature. Early in the morning on which the enemy evacuated Jonesborough, I proceeded, accompanied by Lieutenant Edge, to the spire of the church in town, from which could be seen, by the columns of dust, the routes taken by the retreating enemy, all of which was promptly reported to the general commanding, and confirmed reports received from other sources. When the army encountered the enemy in position near Lovejoy's Station, stations of observation were established and occupied by the officers of the detachment. During the entire campaign signal officers have, when not employed at their legitimate duties, acted as aides to the general officers with whom they were serving. I take pleasure in testifying to the uniform zeal and industry of the officers and men composing my command, who have, I am confident, done all in their power to promote the interests of the service and the success of our arms, and in this they have been untiring. I have the honor to be, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, O. H. HOWARD, Captain, Signal Corps, U. S. Army, Comdg. Detach. Lieut. Col. WILLIAM T. CLARK, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. and Army of the Tennesseee. No. 446. Reports of Maj. Gen. John A. Logan, U. S. Army, commanding Fifteenth Army Corps. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Near Kenesaw Mountain, Ga., June 28, 1864. COLONEL I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders, after being relieved from my position in front of Kenesaw Mountain by the troops of the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Corps, I relieved the Fourteenth Army Corps, which was in position on the south and east of Kenesaw Mountain. The movements of troops necessary to carry out the orders were made after dark on the night of the 25th and 26th instant. Brigadier-General Harrow's division formed the left, and Brig. Gen. P. J. Osterhaus' division formed the right, of my line, and Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith's division was placed in rear of the two as a reserve. On the morning of the 27th, in obedience to orders, I formed the division of Brig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, consisting of Brig. Gen. J. A. J. Lightburn's and Brig. Gen. Giles A. Smith's brigades, and Col. C. C. Walcutt's brigade, of Brigadier-General Harrow's division, all under command of B.ig. Gen. Morgan L. Smith, into column for assault; and at 8 o'clock moved them forward in two lines against the enemy's works on the south side and west end of Kenesaw Mountain. They moved forward gallantly, engaging the enemy almost immediately after leaving our line of works. The advance was continued steadily in the face of a destructive fire from three batteries of about twelve pieces, throwing canister and shell, and from a musketry fire from sharpshooters of the enemy, situated below the enemy's first line of rifle-pits, and rifle-pits also. After a most stubborn and destructive resistance they succeeded in taking and holding two lines of the enemy's rifle-pits and advanced toward the succeeding works of the enemy, which were found to be impossible to be carried by assault, on account of a steep declivity of rock twenty or twenty-five feet high, and the nature of the ground, which was of the most rugged and craggy character. Commanding officers state most positively that the position could not be gained in two hours without any opposing force. After vainly attempting to carry the works for some time, and finding that so many gallant men were being uselessly slain, they were ordered to retire to the last line of works captured, and hold them, which was done. The pioneer corps of the different divisions were ordered up at once and used in strengthening the position already held. Seven commanding officers were killed and wounded in this assault. The position gained by this assault I do not regard as important, except in this, that it reduces the distance to be traversed by the troops before reaching the main line of the enemy's works in the event of another advance being made. Near night-fall the enemy on the right of my line advanced from their works and attacked General Lightburn's column, and, after a short but decisive fight, were gallantly thrown back, losing very many killed and wounded, whom they were unable to remove. After this affair the enemy remained quiet and little firing was heard during the night. We captured 87 prisoners, 3 of them being commissioned officers. I respectfully call your attention to the inclosed report of casualties and report of prisoners captured. The names of killed and wounded will be forwarded soon. I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JOHN A. LOGAN, Major-General Vols., Comdg. Fifteenth Army Corps. Lieut. Col. WILLIAM T. CLARK, Asst. Adjt. Gen., Dept. and Army of the Tennessee. List of casualties in the Fifteenth Army Corps, Department and Army of the Tennessee, on the 27th day of June, 1864. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Before Atlanta, Ga., July 29, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to report that in pursuance of orders I moved my command in position on the right of the Seventeenth Army Corps, which was the extreme right of the army in the field, on the night and morning of the 27th and 28th instant, and during my advance in line of battle to a more desirable position, we were met by the rebel infantry from Hardee's and Lee's corps, who made a desperate and determined attack at 11.30 a. m. of the 28th. My lines were only protected by logs and rails hastily thrown in front of them. The first onset was received and checked at 11.30 a. m., and the battle commenced and lasted until about 3 o'clock in the evening. During that time six successive charges were made, which were six times gallantly repulsed, each time with fearful loss to the enemy. Later in the evening my lines were several times assaulted vigorously, and each time with like result. The most of the fighting occurred on Generals Harrow's and Smith's front, which formed the center and right of the command. The troops could not have displayed more courage nor greater determination not to yield. Had they shown less they would have been driven from their position. Brigadier-Generals Woods, Smith, and Harrow, division commanders, are entitled to equal credit for gallant conduct and skill in repelling the assault. My thanks are due to Major-Generals Blair and Dodge for sending me re-enforcements at a time when they were much needed. My losses were 50 killed, 439 wounded, and 73 missing; aggregate, 562. The division of General Harrow captured 5 battle-flags. There were about 1,500 or 2,000 muskets captured. One hundred and six prisoners were captured, not including 73 wounded, who have been removed to hospitals and are being taken care of by our surgeons. Five hundred and sixty-five rebels have been already buried, and about 200 yet supposed to be unburied. A large number were undoubtedly carried away during the night, as the enemy did not withdraw until nearly daylight. The enemy's loss could not have been, in my judgment, less that 6,000 or 7,000. A more detailed report will hereafter be made. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. W. T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Indorsement.] HDQRS. DEPARTMENT AND ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE, Before Atlanta, Ga., July 29, 1864. In forwarding the within report, I wish to express my high gratification with the conduct of the troops engaged. I never saw better conduct in battle. The general commanding the Fifteenth Army Corps, though ill and much worn, was indefatigable, and the success of the day is as much attributable to him as to any one man. His officers, and in fact all the officers of this army that commanded my observation, co-operated promptly and heartily with him. O. O. HOWARD, Major-General. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, COLONEL: I have the honor to report that about 10 o'clock yesterday morning I caused my skirmish line to advance against that of the enemy, driving them from their pits, which we took possession of after a short but spirited skirmish. At about 1 o'clock the enemy reorganized in stronger force and advanced against the position taken, driving my troops from the pits and reoccupying them. At about 4.30 p. m. I caused my skirmishers to be re-enforced, and ordered them to retake the lost position, which they did quickly and in gallant style. The engagement was severe but of short duration. The position is an important one to us, and is now as securely held as a strong line of skirmishers can hold it and can be occupied by my troops at any time you may suggest. We captured about 140 prisoners. Our loss was 11 killed, 81 wounded, and 3 missing; total, 95. (See inclosed report.) The troops engaged were those of the Second and Fourth Divisions, Brigadier-Generals Lightburn and Harrow commanding, respectively. Lieut. Col. WILLIAM T. CLARK, JOHN A. LOGAN, Assistant Adjutant-General. [Inclosure.] A list of casualties in the Fifteenth Army Corps, Department and Army of the Tennessee, on the 3d day of August, 1864. HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH ARMY CORPS, In the Field, near Lovejoy's, Ga., September 3, 1864. COLONEL: I have the honor to report the following summary of the part taken by my command since leaving the West Point railroad, at Sideling Station, on the morning of the 30th ultimo: In obedience to orders, I moved from my position at Sideling at 7 a. m., on the Jonesborough road, with the division of BrigadierGeneral Hazen in front, through Renfroe Place, crossing Shoal Creek. A short distance east of Shoal Creek my advance skirmishers met those of the enemy posted behind rail piles, and sharp firing was commenced and continued every few hundred yards to Flint River, our skirmishers driving those of the enemy quite rapidly. The enemy opened artillery at one point, when I caused some guns to be placed in position, and their fire returned, and at the same time sent forward a body of flankers, which soon caused them to withdraw their guns, and our advance continued to Flint River, where a slight resistance was made to our crossing. At this point my skirmishers were reorganized, and, in conjunction with two regiments of cavalry from General Kilpatrick's command, made a dash for the bridge and secured it, and effected a crossing. The cavalry are entitled to much credit for the gallant style in which they made the charge on the enemy at the bridge. My command was then rapidly pushed beyond the stream, and moved forward until the darkness prevented a further advance; one hour more daylight would probably have secured us the railroad at Jonesborough. I placed my command in position, with General Harrow on the right, General Hazen on the left, and the troops of General Osterhaus occupying part of the line, on both right and left. I directed strong works to be made during the night, which was done on my entire front. On the morning of the 31st skirmishing opened quite briskly, the enemy occasionally using artillery. It soon became apparent that the enemy was lengthening his lines, and it was judged that he was being re-enforced. At about 3 p. m. he opened batteries from all points of his lines, and at about 3.15 o'clock made a vigorous and determined assault upon General Hazen's front, which extended along the front of General Harrow and that part of the line on the right occupied by General Osterhaus. The attack upon Osterhaus and Harrow was, however, less vigorous than upon Hazen. The fighting was severe for about three-quarters of an hour, when the enemy was severely repulsed. In a few moments they had reformed and advanced again, but were severely handled as before, and were compelled to retire before the superior gallantry of our troops. From the reports of division commanders the enemy's loss in dead is estimated at 500, left on ground in front of our lines, from which they were driven. loss in wounded is variously estimated at from 3,000 to 5,000. A rebel surgeon left in charge of their wounded reports it at 5,000 on the 31st. Among the wounded was known to be Maj. Gen. Patton Anderson. We captured 2 stand of colors and about 1,500 muskets. and 167 prisoners, in addition to 82 wounded who fell into our hands. Our losses were 154 killed, wounded, and missing. Their To Maj. Gen. P. Joseph Osterhaus, Brig. Gen. W. B. Hazen, and Brig. Gen. William Harrow, division commanders, my thanks are due for the skillful management of the troops during the march and the engagement; and to the soldiers for their gallantry in action. and good conduct on the line of march. A brigade belonging to the Sixteenth Corps, Brigadier-General Ransom commanding, on my right, and one on my left belonging to the Seventeenth Army Corps, Major-General Blair commanding, are entitled to much praise for the part taken by them in the engagement with the enemy, and I hereby tender my hearty thanks to the officers named for their co-operation during the engagement which resulted so satisfactorily to us. JOHN A. LOGAN, Major-General, Commanding Fifteenth Army Corps. Lieut. Col. WILLIAM T. CLARK, Assistant Adjutant-General. Addenda.-The troops engaged against us were the corps of Hardee and Lee, prisoners being captured from the different brigades of both these corps. |