An election for Junior Second Lieutenant was held on August 9th. John L. Alexander received 9 votes, and Daniel P. Smith 10. Lieut. Smith soon after successfully passed his examination for promotion, but did not receive his commission till September 7th. John L. Alexander was about this time made Orderly Sergeant. Corpls. Averheart and Hearn were promoted to sergeantcies, and Josiah Tunnell and G. H. Royals were appointed corporals.
While at Atlanta, those of the soldiers who had any money could purchase some few articles of luxury; rice could be bought for 75 cents per pound, and flour for 50 cents per pound. The rations, as usual, consisted of corn bread and beef.
On August 19th the regiment was ordered down the railroad to intercept a raid, but went into camp in the outskirts of Atlanta. Again, on the 21st, the regiment was sent three or four miles to the right of the Confederate lines, where it constructed an abattis. The following day it was ordered back to its old position at the breastworks near the Chattanooga Railroad. On the night of the 25th the Federals withdrew from around Atlanta, moving to the south; and on the morning of the 26th Gen. Stewart’s corps occupied the abandoned works. The First Alabama, with other troops, advanced to the Chattahoochie on a reconnaissance, without meeting the enemy. In the afternoon the regiment was withdrawn, and camped inside the city lines. Here we remained until the morning of the 31st, when we were ordered down the Macon Railroad towards East Point, some four or five miles. During the day the regiment was mustered for pay. Towards evening the command returned to Atlanta, camping beside the Macon Railroad. Early on the morning of Thursday, September 1, the First Alabama was sent out on the Poorhouse or Lickskillet road on picket, being stationed about half a mile from the battle-field of July 28th. Rations of hard tack, all that the men could carry, were here given out. Returning to the city (leaving the picket line at 10.45 P. M.), we found it evacuated with the exception of the cavalry rear-guard. On an open square a huge pile of cotton was fiercely blazing, while down the Macon Railroad heavy explosions told of the destruction of an ammunition train abandoned through the negligence of the Chief Quartermaster. The First Alabama, which formed the infantry portion of the rear-guard, made no halt in the city, but took the road to McDonough, passing out of the city limits about 1 or 2 o’clock on the morning of the 2d. Except for brief intervals of rest, the march was continued till noon on the 2d, when the command deployed and built breastworks. Just as these were completed, orders were received to take the road again. At 10.45, P. M., another halt was made, and the men were allowed to rest till 2.30, A. M., Saturday, when they were ordered into line, but no move was made till daylight. About 3, P. M., a halt was made four or five miles from Lovejoy’s Station. Sunday morning, the 4th, the regiment marched four or five miles, and deployed in a piece of thick woods. Sharp firing could be heard in front, and occasionally a cannon ball went crashing through the trees; but the firing soon ceased, and the regiment went into camp.
There were twenty-two men present in Co. K when the retreat from Atlanta began. Two or three, Private Hurd among the number, broke down on the march, and were sent to hospitals. Lieut. Jones, of Co. I, assigned to the command of Co. K, was left behind in Atlanta, and Lieut. Smith took command of the company on the night of the 1st, though not commissioned till the 7th.
CHAPTER X.
HOOD’S RAIDS ON SHERMAN’S RAILROAD COMMUNICATIONS—FINDING LOST MOUNTAIN—HOLD THE FORT—TEARING UP RAILROADS—IN ALABAMA—A DISMAL NIGHT—REVIEW OF THE ARMY—FORAGING IN TENNESSEE—CATCHING MUD LARKS.
The First Alabama remained in camp at Lovejoy’s till Sunday, September 18th, a camp-ground was cleared up in the woods, and drilling was resumed. During the Atlanta campaign the cooking was done at the wagon-yards; now, cooking utensils were issued, and the men were enabled to have comparatively decent fare. W. L. Ellis was detailed to go to Montgomery after the company’s knapsacks, and also to procure clothing from home for the men. On the afternoon of the day he left orders were received to cook up two days’ rations, and at noon on the 18th the command broke camp and marched to Fayetteville, a distance of ten miles. At 2 o’clock Monday morning the reveille sounded, but it was 5.30, A. M., before the march was resumed. At dark the regiment bivouacked three miles beyond Palmetto, having marched eighteen miles.
On Tuesday, after a march of five miles, the command was deployed and orders given to entrench. The position was four or five miles from the Chattahoochie and about twenty-five miles from Atlanta. While camped near Palmetto, on Monday morning, September 26th, President Davis informally reviewed the army, being greeted along portions of the line by cries of “Give us Johnston!”