At 12 M. on May 17th, the general forward movement of our army was resumed. The Twenty-ninth regiment was the advance guard of its division, and assisted in driving the rebels from the little village of Calhoun, where we halt for the night. At 5 o’clock on the following morning we again moved forward in the direction of Rome, Georgia. At Rome cross-roads the rebels were met and promptly engaged by the Fourth corps; a lively fight ensued, resulting in slight losses on both sides. The enemy retreated, and we continued the pursuit until 9 o’clock P. M., when we encamped for the night.
On the next morning at early dawn we pushed forward, continuing until 3 o’clock P. M., when we halt and form line near Kingston, Georgia. The whole force of the enemy are immediately on our front, and the Fourth corps promptly open fire upon them, which resulted in a further movement of the chivalry to the rear.
We remain here until the morning of May 23d when we move about daylight via Cassville and Cass station to the Etowah river, which is crossed on pontoons, and a halt for the night made on its opposite bank. The next morning we resume the weary march, coming into line of battle at about 9 A. M. We advanced in this order up the Raccoon hills, or Allatoona range, until night, when we encamp at Burnt Hickory. The First brigade, as advance guard, moved ahead at daybreak, via the Burnt Hickory road.
CHAPTER XV.
Pumpkin Vine Creek—Dallas, or New Hope Church—Slight Unpleasantness—Personal.
At Pumpkin Vine creek we discover the enemy and drive back his skirmishers, who are stationed on its opposite bank, recovering the bridge, which we cross and throw out skirmishers on the opposite side. While this was being accomplished, General Hooker and Staff, with a small body guard, pushed ahead to reconnoiter. He had not advanced far, however, when he was attacked by a force of rebel sharp shooters. He now came tearing back into our lines shouting to General Geary to move his First brigade into position to hold the enemy in check until the Second and Third brigades should come up, they being some four miles in our rear. We quickly formed line by columns to the right and left, the Twenty-ninth Ohio occupying position on the extreme left, Knapp’s battery taking position immediately in our rear, to cover the bridge in case we were forced to retire before reinforcements should reach us. As the left company of the Twenty-ninth were completing the battle-line a rebel column was found marching in close proximity to our flank.
Ten paces to the front the skirmishers were hotly engaged, but our flank was uncovered. We immediately face to the left and prepare to fire, but are prevented by instructions not to draw on a general engagement but to hold the position at all hazards. The rebel column on our flank, however, slowly retired without firing a gun, and forming on their main line, which was massed in the woods a short distance to our front. During this time we hastily changed front in form of a semi-circle to protect us from flank attack. This movement was executed none too soon, as the enemy came immediately to the attack, and a sharp engagement opened all along the line, which was a hot one, yet it gallantly held its own until the balance of its division came up. Forming in column with us, we advance on the rebel line and drive them slowly back.
The battle now became fierce and our assaults were heroically met. Generals Hooker and Geary were present and ordered the attack, the plan of which was to advance lines and fire, to be followed by bayonet charges, by which the enemy was steadily driven back. Our front line was frequently relieved by columns from the rear, thus keeping fresh men at the front. Geary’s division alone had driven Hood’s rebel corps back to the forks of the road at New Hope church, when Butterfield’s Third division arrived and took position on our left. Soon after, Williams came up with the First division and passed to the front, which allowed the Second division to drop in the reserve long enough to clean our firearms and replenish cartridge-boxes, when we again advance in support of the First and Third divisions.
Just as the sun disappeared in the western horizon, General Geary ordered the First brigade to charge the enemy. This movement was executed on the double-quick, and as our columns passed in perfect alignment to the front, Butterfield’s and Williams’ commands greeted us with hearty cheers of genuine admiration. Onward the column rushes, and closing with the enemy delivers a terrible volley. The charge is continued, the air resounding with defiant cheers as the enemy is driven from the field and down a hill at a brisk run. It was now beginning to grow dark, and the impetuous rush of the men soon brought them within a short distance of a line of brush-covered work which concealed the enemy’s batteries, who at once opened a terrific and deadly fire of grape and canister into our ranks. Instantly falling on the ground, we deliver so destructive a fire on their cannoniers that their guns are soon silenced. Our left being without support, an attempt to carry their works was extremely hazardous. The regiment on our right had already retired some distance to our right rear, making the situation of the Twenty-ninth regiment one of great danger, but owing to the darkness we knew nothing of it until an officer of Geary’s staff came forward with an order to fall back, when we retired to a position some forty paces from the rebel line.
The enemy had now ceased firing, and perfect silence reigned, only broken by the groans of the wounded and dying. The Twenty-ninth regiment had suffered severe loss, and only the favorable depression in its front saved it from annihilation. W. F. Stevens, captain of company B, was wounded in this action.