Part I - Don's Metal Detecting Forum

file:///I|/civil war books/war of rebellion/38a.txt
and canister. The regiment behaved in the most gallant manner.
Our losses in the charge were heavy, comprising about 33 per
cent, of the officers and men present for duty. Here fell Colonel
Miller, mortally wounded, a brave and patriotic young officer of rare
ability. The command of the regiment now devolved upon Captain
McNeal. For a short time, commencing a few days previous to this,
I make my report from data in possession of the adjutant, being
myself absent sick. On the 2d day of July, the enemy having left
our front, the regiment marched through Marietta, Ga., toward the
Chattahoochee River, crossed the river at Roswell on the 9th, and
with the rest of the brigade fortified a position on the left bank of
the stream. Several unimportant changes were made, when on the
18th of July the regiment marched with the army toward Atlanta,
Ga. Was in battle on the left bank of Peach Tree Creek July 20.
Our loss was very light and that of the enemy very severe. The
regiment remained in camp near Atlanta until August 1, when
with the rest of the brigade moved to the extreme left of the army
near the Augusta railroad. August 24, Lieutenant-Colonel Olson
took command. In accordance with orders from Colonel Opdycke,
the brigade commander, the Thirty-sixth Illinois marched with the
column at dark August 25, in the direct ion of the right of the army,
upon the Sandtown road. We reached the Macon railroad near
Rough and Ready September 1. By direction of the brigade commander,
we formed part of the force engaged in the destruction of
the railroad between Rough and Ready and Jonesborough. At 5 p.
m. I received orders from Colonel Opdycke to form the regiment on
the left of the Eighty-eighth Illinois in the second line, this to the
left of the railroad and about one and a half miles from Jonesborough.
We moved forward for action; the enemy gave way before
the skirmish line.
The enemy having evacuated, on the 2d of September the Thirtysixth
Illinois marched with the column towardL ovejoy’s Station.
When two miles distant, by order of Colonel Opdycke, I brought the
regiment into position to the left of the railroad, the right joining
the left of the Eighty-eighth Illinois, and, in further compliance
with his order, advanced the regiment with the rest of the brigade
to make a demonstration upon the enemy. We moved through a
dense woods under fire from an unseen foe. Among the casualties
of this day was Captain McNeal, mortally wounded. He was a
Ci~.u. L.j 1U~PORTS, ETC.—A1~Mt O~’ TIfl~ CUMBERLA~D. 315
brave and faithful officer and a man of much personal worth. We
moved back with the column from Lovejoy’s, arriving at Atlanta,
Ga., September 8, 1864.
To detail minutely the part taken by the regiment during the long
campaign would extend this report to an improper length.
Many brave officers and men have fallen; their memory will be
cherished by a grateful country. Among the officers was Colonel
Miller, mortally wounded; has since died. His loss will be mourned
not only by the regiment but by all who knew him.
The enlisted men of the regiment have endured the hardships and
privations of this protracted struggle with a patience, zeal, and devotion
worthy of the cause. I have not room to mention particular
instances of gallantry; they have cheerfully performed every labor,
and faced danger in every form required of them.
I cannot speak in too high terms of the conduct of the line officers,
their cheerful obedience to orders, their bravery on the field, and
their hearty co-operation with the regimental commander is worthy
of highest praise.
I desire on my own part to thank Adjutant Case for the assistance
he has rendered in the management of the regiment. Surgeon
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