CHAPTER XVII.
Battle of Culp’s Farm or Kenesaw Mountain—The Glorious Fourth—Advance to the Chattahoochie.
June 22d we move to the front, and occupy a ridge on Culp’s farm, which covers the level on our front. We had been but a short time in this position when the rebel General Hood’s corps was moved directly on our front, and immediately advanced in furious attack upon the divisions of Generals Geary and Williams. Our artillery was at once turned upon the advancing rebel columns, which, with the terrific volleys our infantry poured into their ranks, produced a sudden check to their further advance, and in less than one hour these two divisions succeeded in beating back and putting to total rout Hood’s entire command, which suffered great loss, while ours was but slight. The enemy left on the field 2,100 killed, wounded, and prisoners, besides many wounded, removed from the field. The estimated rebel loss was 3,000 men. Eight hundred of the rebel dead were buried on the field.
At the close of this action a body of our skirmishers were deployed over the field, finding the enemy’s dead and wounded scattered thickly about. In places they lay stretched across each other, literally heaped up, bloody, terrible—dead. Our skirmishers advanced rapidly, and were soon engaged with the enemy’s rear, but this soon ceased, and we established a picket line for the night. We remained on the field until noon of the 23d, when we were retired and rejoined the main line.
At about 4 o’clock P. M., one hundred guns opened a simultaneous fire on Little Kenesaw mountain. Directly in front of our regiment and across the creek, which flows along the base of the mountain, is level ground. At this point is situated a block-house and rifle-pits, the latter between the house and mountain, and both now held by rebel sharpshooters, who were continually picking off our cannoniers. General Geary, evidently contemplating an advance of his line, called for twenty volunteers from the Twenty-ninth regiment to dislodge these troublesome occupants of the block-house and rifle-pits. In response to this call two men from each company came quickly forward, and at once advanced across the creek and ravine. The rebels soon discovered the detachment; and opened fire upon it. Sergeant Griswold, of Company B, in command, rapidly advanced his men up the rise of open ground lying between him and the enemy, and with a rush amidst a perfect storm of bullets, closed on the rifle-pits, capturing all who remained in them.
We now approach the rear of the block-house and demand its surrender. The rebel lieutenant in command exclaimed from the window of the house: “You d—d yanks, take us if you can!” and immediately opened fire. The door of the house is soon battered down, and the rebels attempt to cut their way out. Finding themselves covered by nearly a score of rifles, aimed by determined men, all, with the exception of the rebel lieutenant and one other, threw down their arms and surrendered. The rebel officer fired on the captors and lost his life by his rashness. We had now a total of twenty-one prisoners. Several others were killed or badly wounded. The former were sent at once to the rear, and the little force deployed along the road to hold the position until reinforcements should arrive. However, they were not furnished, and after holding the position some two hours a heavy body of rebels came upon us, stealing along under cover of the bushes on the opposite side of the road, suddenly arose and fired a volley at us. The speed we made across the level field with the rebels in hot pursuit, their bullets whistling past our ears in the most energetic manner, would have dismayed a professional pedestrian.
June 24th, skirmishing during the day. As night came on a detachment of the Twenty-ninth regiment was sent out on picket. Nothing occurred during the night, and at dawn we returned to our brigade, where orders were received to hold ourselves in readiness to move on notice, cannonading and skirmish fighting being kept up along the line.
The situation remained unchanged until June 27th. At an early hour this morning two men from each company of our regiment volunteered to advance to the relief of the Pennsylvania regiment on the outposts, and about 9 o’clock A. M. we moved forward. We were also to dislodge the rebel sharpshooters, who had been allowed to again possess the block-house and rifle-pits. Crossing the creek and ravine we made a quick dash toward the locality mentioned, amid a hot cross-fire from rebels along the fence before referred to. But as we close the rebels abandon the block-house and rifle-pits, yet dispute with the energy of desperation, every inch of our advance as they retire. We, however, gained possession of the road beyond the house, an important position covering the rebel left on Little Kenesaw.
They now opened fire on us from the mountain on our left and front. Making a flank movement to the left we came up in rear of some rebel rifle-pits, capturing eleven prisoners and holding the position until the Fifth Ohio regiment came to our support. That regiment at once began to fortify, while we remained on the skirmish line under constant fire. The enemy discovered the work of the Fifth and trained their batteries from different directions on our position, and also advanced infantry, who made repeated attempts to dislodge us. Solid shot and shell came crashing through the block-house, the shells bursting amongst us in quick succession. Nor were their musketry behind in sending their death-dealing missiles upon us.
Knapp’s battery soon came up the hill, and swinging into position, unlimbered and opened a rapid cross-fire on Little Kenesaw mountain. About this time the Fourteenth, with a portion of the Fourth corps, made a desperate assault on the mountain a short distance to our left. The engagement now became serious, one shell killing twelve and another six of our men. To hold the position we had captured was an arduous undertaking, and so severe was the fighting that those of us who had advanced early in the morning had fired nearly two hundred rounds. At dusk the fighting ceased, and we are recalled to our command.
June 28th.—This morning at sunrise we advance obliquely to the right, and, reaching an advanced position, throw up fortifications; rebel batteries open fire on us meanwhile. Our lookout, as he sees smoke issue from the rebel guns, calls out: “Lay down,” “lay low,” or “look out, she’s coming,” etc. Many laughable and other incidents occurred during this bombardment, such as attempts to dodge shells, etc. Charles Upton, of Company G, while carrying a rail, had it cut in two by a shell; he, however, escaped unhurt.
June 29th.—To-day the Fourteenth corps obtained a temporary truce under flag, during which they interred their dead. An assault is made on this corps during the early part of the night, but is repulsed, and we were not again disturbed.
June 30th.—During this afternoon the Twenty-ninth regiment received orders to move. About 10 o’clock at night our corps (the Twentieth) was relieved by the Fourteenth. We at once marched several miles to the right in relief of the Twenty-third corps.
On July 1st our regiment was again engaged. The fighting ceased only with daylight. Sharp skirmishing and severe cannonading continued during the entire day of the 2d, and at night the Twenty-ninth regiment occupied its customary position—on the skirmish line. This time, however, it was accompanied by the Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania. Just before daylight on the morning of July 3d, the enemy were found to be retreating, and we at once moved forward to find the works deserted, the troops having evacuated. The position, as supposed, was almost impregnable to direct assault, being constructed to enfilade an attack of infantry.
The army now push forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels, the Twenty-ninth Ohio and Twenty-eighth Pennsylvania taking the advance in the order of heavy skirmishers. We soon came upon Wheeler’s rebel cavalry, and engaged his dismounted men so promptly that they fell precipitately back to where their horses were picketed. The Twenty-ninth succeeded in capturing nearly one hundred of them in their hurried efforts to remount. The Second division during the pursuit captured nearly nine hundred prisoners. The rebels were steadily falling back on the Chattahoochie river. It was late when we halted for the night. How sweet the wooing of the drowsy god after such long continued fatigue, only those who have been there can imagine, the soft side of a rail on such occasions being more luxurious than any patent spring contrivance of to-day.
July 4th. On this day, made glorious to all this goodly land by the forefathers of both the blue and gray, was celebrated by the issue of full rations of hard-tack, s——, bacon, and coffee, and wonderful feats of gormandizing ensued. To make the day something of a reminder of the Northern anniversary, with its tearing headache of the 5th, General “Joe” ordered an issue of liquor to the men, the first of the campaign. About 4 o’clock P. M. we broke camp and marched towards the left, but soon came to a halt for the night.
At dawn on the following day we pushed forward and took possession of a line of works the rebels had only evacuated on our approach. They are now crossing Chattahoochie river. The advance is continued until within about one and one-half miles of the river, where we encounter a second line of rebel works, occupied by the enemy to cover the retreat across the river.
July 6th we occupy the position of yesterday. During the forenoon our regiment was support of Bundy’s New York battery, engaged in shelling the rebels from a fort. About 2 P. M. we returned with the battery to the main line, and one hour later moved with our division to the left and formed line of battle, in which position we passed the night. On the day following we marched to the left and assumed position in line between the Fourteenth and Fifteenth corps. Sharp skirmishing was kept up nearly all night. This position is maintained by our regiment, with daily skirmishing, until the early dawn of July 10th, when the Twenty-ninth Ohio is pushed forward on a reconnoissance. We discover that the enemy have retreated across the Chattahoochie. On reaching the river we deploy as skirmishers along the north bank, the enemy being posted along the opposite side. Atlanta lies only nine miles to the south of us. The rebel army of General Joe E. Johnston is said to be strongly intrenched some four miles south of our position. A small number only of rebels remain on the opposite bank of the Chattahoochie. The Union and rebel pickets are on good terms, often meeting in the middle of the river, where they exchange coffee for tobacco, which, by the way, was a very scarce article with us. The Twenty-ninth Ohio regiment now musters only one hundred and fifty men for duty. The mustering officer tells us that we have lost more men killed and wounded in proportion to the number present at the beginning of this campaign than any regiment in the Western army.
July 6, we were in support of a battery during the forenoon. During the afternoon we moved to the left, camping in a beautiful grove of pines.
7th. Moved forward some three miles, to a ridge commanding a fine view of the country.
11th. The rebels have crossed Chattahoochie river. Our pickets are posted on its north bank.
17th. Moved forward to the left, crossed the Chattahoochie river at Peace ferry about 9 o’clock P. M.
18th. Moved forward some two miles, skirmishing much of the distance.
19th. Advanced to Peach Tree creek, which we crossed, encountering the enemy and taking some prisoners.