The strength of Co. K at the beginning of the Tennessee campaign, including the new recruits, was probably about 62 men, of whom perhaps 40 were present for duty. Lieut. N. K. Adams was in command.
The company arrived at Montgomery on the morning of the 25th. A number of them who lived in Autauga County received twelve hours’ furlough. The company left Montgomery on the morning of the 26th, and rejoined the regiment at New Hope Church, Saturday morning, May 28th. Knapsacks and other impedimenta, with the exception of blankets, were left in Montgomery.
CHAPTER IX.
IN NORTH GEORGIA WITH JOHNSTON AND HOOD—RETREAT TO KENNESAW—A GALLANT DEED—HOOD’S NEW POLICY—DEFENDING ATLANTA—THE VALLEY OF DEATH—THE GALLANT FIRST—FATE OF THE WOUNDED—DEATH OF SERGT. FAY—ELECTING A LIEUTENANT—EVACUATION OF ATLANTA—AT LOVEJOY’S STATION.
The First Alabama Regiment, on its arrival in North Georgia, was attached to Canty’s Brigade, but was soon transferred to Quarles’ Brigade (Tennessee troops), Walthall’s Division, Polk’s Corps. The regiment, excepting Co. K, arrived in time to take part in the battle of New Hope Church, on the 25th of May. When Co. K reported, on the 28th, active skirmishing was in progress along the entire line of Polk’s Corps, and during the next few days the regiment lost a number of men, among them being the Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Winnemore, who had an eye shot out. To June 2d the loss was three killed and eight wounded in the regiment.
On the night of June 1st the regiment was withdrawn from the front to the reserve line, and on the following night the New Hope line was abandoned. For several days it had rained heavily, and the clay roads were badly cut up. At 10, P. M., the regiment moved into the road immediately in the rear of the artillery and wagon-train. Every few hundred yards the wagons or guns would stick in the mud, and the infantry would be brought to a halt; but no opportunity was thus given for rest, as the road was liquid mud, and not even the musket could be brought to an “order.” A drizzling rain added to the discomfort of the men. At daylight on the morning of the 3d we halted near the foot of Lost Mountain, having marched five miles in seven hours. Fires were kindled, a ration of whiskey distributed, and the men were allowed to rest till after 12, noon, when the regiment was placed in position. Breastworks were, as usual, at once constructed. Privates A. D. Ellis, W. L. Ellis, John Griffin, Joseph Hurd and John Williamson were detailed at this time, with others of the regiment, to act, till further orders, as sharpshooters. From Lost Mountain the regiment moved to Pine Mountain, where it remained till June 18th. Daily rains made life in the trenches almost unendurable, and there was considerable sickness. Gen. Johnston did all he could to alleviate the discomforts of the soldiers; abundant rations of corn-bread were issued, and occasionally a little genuine coffee. Meat was scarce and of flour there was none.
On the night of the 18th of June the army fell back to the Kennesaw line of defence, and on the 19th entrenched. This night’s march, like that of the retreat from New Hope, was one long to be remembered. The road was ankle deep in mud and water, with occasional holes waist-deep, full of thin mud. Into these the soldiers would frequently stumble, requiring their comrades’ help to get out. During the early part of the night there were showers, and early next morning, as the soldiers filed up the steep wooded slopes of Kennesaw, a heavy fog saturated their clothing. By 10, A. M., a line of works had been completed, and Co. K was then ordered to assist in dragging two pieces of artillery to the top of Kennesaw. The detail of sharpshooters was at the foot of the mountain, and was soon actively engaged skirmishing. On the 20th the line was under a terrific artillery fire, and A. D. Ellis, of Co. K, was seriously wounded by a fragment of shell. He rejoined the company at Tuscumbia. While stationed on Kennesaw, Sergt. Cameron performed a notable act of bravery; during a heavy artillery fire a shrapnel shell fell in the entrenchments amidst Co. K. Sergt. Cameron, without an instant’s hesitation, seized the smoking missile and hurled it outside the works ere it exploded.
In the severe battle of June 27th, when Sherman attempted to break the Confederate lines, the enemy charged into the rifle-pits of Quarles’ brigade, but were repulsed. Though under fire, the First Alabama was not closely engaged in this battle; its loss was trifling, and in Co. K there were no casualties. While on Kennesaw, Assistant-Surgeon Madding, of the First Alabama, was killed by a sharpshooter.