The 125th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry: Attention Batallion!

by Robert M. Rogers

Captain: Pursuant to directions from division headquarters, of date the 6th instant, I have the honor to report, so far as my information extends substantially, the operations of this brigade from the 3rd day of May, 1864, when it struck tents and broke camp at Lee and Gordon's mills, until its arrival at Atlanta on the 4th day of the present month. Being the fourth brigade commander since the campaign began, and having served on the corps staff for some time before, and up to, the 27th day of June last, I am compelled to rely largely for data, upon the necessarily confused memoranda of the different commanders who preceded me.

On the 3rd day of May last, the brigade, comprising the 22nd Ind. Vet. Vols., 85th, 86th, 110th and 125th Ills. Vols., and the 52nd Ohio Vols., commanded by Col. Dan. McCook, left Lee and Gordon's mills and marched to Ringgold, Ga., where, toward night, it crossed the Chickamauga river and joined the division commanded by Brig. Gen. J. C. Davis, and bivouacked until the morning of the 5th of May, when it marched out to near Catoosa Springs and encamped until the morning of the 7th, when it marched beyond Tunnel Hill about two miles, part of the time under heavy fire from the enemy's artillery. On the morning of the 8th of May, the brigade marched towards and confronted the enemy's skirmishers guarding the entrance to Buzzard Roost Gap. May 9th, supported the 1st brigade skirmish line. May 10th, the brigade lay under fire from the enemy's sharp-shooters until evening, when it moved to the front, and relieved the 1st brigade, with the 52nd Ohio deployed as skirmishers. May 11th, remained on the line until dark, at which time we were relieved by a brigade of the 4th corps, and moved up the valley about two miles and bivouacked for the night. May 13th, at day break the brigade with the division marched toward Resaca by way of Snake Creek Gap, reaching the mouth of the Gap, after a tiresome march, at about 8 o'clock p. m.; continued the march until nearly 2 o'clock a. m. next day, when the command halted until daylight, took breakfast and moved beyond the line of intrenchments towards Resaca, where it rested until evening. Took up position at night in rear of 1st division, 14th corps. Moved into line next day, and confronted the enemy in his works at Resaca. Remained thus until the enemy evacuated that place, when this brigade with the division was ordered to Rome. The march commenced early, the 3rd brigade in rear, with the 125th Ills. detailed as guards for the division train; went into camp on the left of the Rome road. The brigade resumed the march on the next morning at daylight, following the 2nd brigade, and arrived within two miles of Rome at 5 o'clock p. m., where the enemy was reported to be in his works in full force. Col. McCook immediately disposed the brigade in order of battle as follows: the 22nd Ind. and the 86th Ills., as front line, the 52nd Ohio and 85th Ills., as second line, with three companies from the 22nd Ind. thrown forward as skirmishers. The front line occupied an elevation of ground known as Howe's Hill, with the left resting near Howe's house. The lines were but just formed, when the enemy made a vigorous attack upon the 22nd Ind., throwing it into some confusion, and forcing its right back about sixty yards, where it rallied behind a rail fence. A part of the 86th Ills., in the mean time, was pouring a well directed fire from its right, into the enemies advancing lines. This had the effect to check them; at the same time the 52nd Ohio advanced and relieved the 22nd Ind. By this time it became so dark that but little could be discovered of what was going on, but by continuously advancing the skirmish line, it was soon ascertained that the enemy had retreated to his main works. To be prepared for an attack in the morning, a light line of works was constructed, but was not needed, for during the night the enemy evacuated his intrenched position, and moved across the Ostenaula river, burning the bridges after him. On the morning of May 18th, the 85th Ills. crossed on the floating debris of the bridge, and occupied the city of Rome. On the following day the entire brigade crossed on newly constructed pontoons, and encamped in the suburbs of the town, where it remained doing various duties until the morning of the 24th of May, when the brigade, with the division, marched toward Dallas, reaching the latter place about noon, May 26th, and took up position about one half mile to the left of town, where if remained until the next morning, when it moved with the division to the mouth of —— Gap. Here the brigade was placed in single line, with the 125th Ills. deployed as skirmishers. At about 10 o'clock on the night of the 27th of May, the enemy attacked the skirmish line and captured one commissioned officer and fourteen enlisted men, when a counter charge was made which resulted in the capture of two commissioned officers, and twenty seven-enlisted men from the enemy. The officers and men of the 125th Ills., on this spirited occasion, displayed that high degree of coolness and bravery so essential to success. The brigade lay in this position for several days, holding works. June 1st moved toward the left, and relieved a brigade of the 23rd corps, remaining in this new position under a constant fire from the enemy, until June 4th, when it moved about three miles further to the left, and, with the division, rejoined the corps. The brigade performed the various duties imposed upon it; sometimes skirmishing with the enemy, changing position, building fortifications, or holding those built by others, but all without taking any active part in any general engagement, until on the morning of the 27th of June, when it was disposed in order of battle as follows: 85th Ills. deployed as skirmishers, with lines of battle composed of first, the 125th Ills.; second, the 86th Ills.; third, the 22nd Ind., and fourth, the 52nd Ohio. These dispositions were made in an open field, little more than half a mile from the works to be stormed. The 2nd brigade was formed on the right, and Gen. Harker's brigade of the 4th corps, on the left. At a few moments before nine, the command "forward" was given and responded to by the brave men of the brigade with a will and determination to succeed when success is possible. The movement began in quick, and continued in this time for near one third the distance, when the step was changed to double-quick. The lines moved with marked precision, until they reached the foot of an abrupt hill where they encountered a marshy creek lined on either side with shrubs and thickly matted vines. The command relieved itself as rapidly and orderly as possible from this confusion, and turning its face towards the enemy, rushed forward across an open field extending to within fifteen rods of the point of attack. Here it entered a skirt of light timber, and from this point also commenced an ascent of the ground. On, and up the brave men rushed with their gallant leader at their head, until some of them reached the base of the enemy's parapet. Nothing daunted they struggled to scale the works. In their efforts to do this, some were knocked down with stones and clubs hurled at them by the enemy. Here the gallant McCook fell, mortally wounded, while present with, and cheering his men on. Shot and stoned down completely exhausted by the length and impetuosity of the charge, the brave men reformed their lines a few steps in the rear, and partially under the crest of the hill. While this was being done, Col. O. G. Harmon, of the 125th Ills., left the command of the regiment to Maj. J. B. Lee, and placed himself at the head of the brigade. But hardly did he enjoy this new command five minutes, when a musket shot from the enemy pierced his heart, and in a few moments his remains were borne from the field. Col. C. J. Dilworth then assumed command, and after adjusting his lines to his satisfaction, he ordered works to be constructed, the front line of which did not exceed sixty yards from the enemy's strong line of works.

The loss to the brigade in this bloody encounter was four hundred and ten, nearly all of which occurred within the short space of twenty minutes. These casualties fell heaviest upon the 125th Illinois and 52d Ohio. By three o'clock p. m. the men were sheltered by their new lines of works and were confronting the enemy as sharp-shooters. At four o'clock of the same day, upon my request to be relieved from duty at corps headquarters, I returned to and took command of my regiment. From this point forward in my report I am chiefly reliant for information on the notes and memoranda of Col. Dilworth. After the confusion of the battle was over, the brigade was disposed thus: The 85th Illinois on the right, connecting with the 2d brigade; the 22d on the left, connecting with Gen. Harker's brigade; the 125th Illinois in the center, and the 86th Illinois and 52d Ohio in reserve. The lines remained the same until the morning of the 28th, when the 125th Illinois was relieved by the 86th Illinois, that in turn was relieved on the morning of the 29th by the 52d Ohio. On this day a cessation of hostilities was effected, and arrangements made, under flag of truce, by which the dead between the lines were removed or buried. On the 30th under my personal supervision a new line of works was constructed within from five to seven rods of the enemy's strong works. From this position our sharp-shooters did excellent service, many of them using an invention called the "refracting sight," the testimony in favor of the use of which at short range was abundant. The brigade did duty here until the morning of the 3rd of July. The enemy having again abandoned his works, we marched through Marietta, thence in a south-west course about five miles toward Atlanta. We halted and encamped here for two nights. On the morning of the 5th of July, we advanced again about five miles towards the railroad bridge over the Chattahoochie river. Upon our arrival within about three miles of the bridge, we came up with the enemy's skirmishers. The 3rd brigade was put in position in a heavy wood, connecting on the left with the 2d brigade. As soon as the lines were formed, I was ordered forward with the 125th as skirmishers. The line was at once established and waited for support on the right, which was late arriving. About five o'clock, all things being ready, the line advanced at the double quick across an open field, and charged the enemies' skirmishers behind works at the verge of the woods on the opposite side. Routing them from these, we drove them in confusion to their main line of fortifications, our own line pursuing to within less than three hundred yards. The enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to drive our line back. As soon as it was dark the 86th Illinois relieved the skirmish line, and by morning were well entrenched. The other regiments of the brigade moved forward to the road and threw up works. The command remained in this position, each regiment in its turn doing picket duty until the morning of the 10th of July, when a little before daylight the bridge over the Chattahoochie river was discovered to be on fire, and no enemy in our front. Col. Dilworth was ordered to made a reconnoisance with the 86th Illinois, and accompanied it in person as far as the river, meeting with no opposition, when he returned with all but two companies, which he left at the river as pickets. On the afternoon of the same day the brigade moved down to the Atlanta road and went into camp on the right and within one mile of the railroad bridge, in which position we remained doing picket and guard duty until the morning of the 18th, on which day we crossed the Chattahoochie river on a pontoon bridge at Paces' Ferry, and about five miles above the railroad bridge. On the same day we crossed Nancy's creek, and advanced skirmishers from the 22d Indiana as far as Peach Tree creek near Howell's mill. The brigade bivouacked for the night on the Atlanta and Pace's Ferry road.

As the 19th of July was an eventful day in the history of this brigade, I choose to incorporate in this report the minutes of its operations made by Col. Dilworth at the time:

"This morning I was ordered to form my lines in rear of skirmish line and push across the Peach Tree creek. This was done by placing the 52d Ohio in advance, crossing the creek on a log, and moving out across the field and over the hill. Here we found an entire brigade of rebels and a portion of another. The balance of our brigade crossed, 1st, 85th Illinois and went to the assistance of the 52d Ohio on the left, and found a heavy force. Next came the 125th Illinois and moved forward to the crest of the hill. Next the 86th Illinois and formed on the left. The 22d Indiana at the same time commenced crossing on our right and connected with the 52d Ohio skirmishers on the right. Word was sent to Gen. Davis for assistance, at the same time information was received that the enemy were drifting to the right. Col. Langley, of the 125th Illinois, was ordered to form on the right, which he did at a double-quick, and just reached the top of the hill as the enemy were ready to attack, and after a fire from the 125th the rebels were driven back from the right. That night entrenchments were thrown up, and the men remained on the ground getting in the wounded."

The brigade lost in this day's operations two hundred and forty-five men, killed, wounded and missing. These losses fell heaviest on the 52d Ohio, 22d Indiana and 85th Illinois. The morning of July 20th found the brigade well fortified, and about noon two sections of Capt. Gardner's battery were put in position, which with the aid of sharp-shooters from this and the 2d brigade, succeeded in driving the enemy from his works. On the same day the 110th Illinois, Lieut. Col. Topping commanding, reported for duty and was put in line on the right. July 21st Col. Dilworth was ordered to make a reconnoisance with one regiment. He ordered out the 125th Illinois and connected with Col. Mitchell's brigade on the left and Gen. Morgan's on the right; moved too far to the right; found rebels near Moore's house on the Marietta and Atlanta road and returned to camp. July 22d—No enemy in our immediate front. Moved towards Atlanta to within two and a half miles of the city. Heavy cannonading to our front and left. Went into camp at night in reserve. July 24th—Relieved a regiment of Gen. Beard's division with the 125th Illinois. Remained in this position with a slight change of camp until the morning of the 28th of July. One regiment on out-post duty daily. July 28th—In connection with the division made a reconnoisance to Turner's Ferry, intending to strike the enemy in left flank, but being misled by an inefficient guide, the division took no part in the engagement of this day. After a long meandering and weary march, we returned late at night to near our old camp. From this date forward our duties were various. We built several lines of works, did picket duty, and changed position towards the right and front about three miles, and went into position in the evening, connecting with Gen. Baird on the left, 125th Ills. on the left, and the 22nd Ind. on the right of the front line, with the 85th Ills. on picket. On the following morning the picket line moved nearly three quarters of a mile to the front, and took fifteen prisoners with no loss to us. The main line moved forward, still keeping up the connection with General Baird on the left, and also connecting with Col. Mitchell on the right. Four companies of the 52nd Ohio relieved the 85th Ills. pickets. July 6th; brigade in same position, the enemy almost constantly shelling our lines. At night seventy-five men from the 110th Ills. relieved the 52nd Ohio on picket. I quote below, substantially, Col. Dilworth's minutes of the operations of the brigade on the 7th of July:

"Received orders about ten o'clock, that the division was to swing to the left, and that the movement would begin on the left. About noon I went to the lines and saw General Baird, who said he could not advance until evening. As soon as he had gone I received orders that Gen. Morgan had commenced the movement on the right, and for me to conform my movements to Mitchell's. I then went to the right, and found Col. Mitchell had advanced. My skirmish line was advanced, and the 125th Ills. was ordered forward, the 52nd Ohio was ordered up also. The 22nd Ind. advanced and connected with Col. Mitchell on the right and facing north-east. At night the 86th relieved the 110th Ills. on picket."

In gaining this new and important position, the brigade was exposed to a galling fire of musketry and artillery from the enemy's lines, and with but little chance to us to return, successfully, the fire. The brigade took possession of, and extended its lines across, the Sand Town road, and as speedily as possible erected strong fortifications. The loss to the brigade in this day's operations, was forty-two officers and men killed and wounded. Nothing of further importance than frequent changes of camp, and position in line, and picket duty, occurred until August 20th, on which day the brigade started at day break and marched to the rear lines of works of the 23rd corps, where we lay in close column for two or three hours, when orders came to move out. The whole division moved toward the right of our lines, with this brigade in advance. We marched rapidly to the line of the West Point rail road at Red Oaks; tore up track, and cut the telegraph wires in sight of a large force of rebel cavalry. Returned to camp at night after making a march of 22 miles, most of the time in heavy rain and mud. From this time forth, the brigade performed its usual duties until August 26th, when we broke up camp and marched out with the division to contribute our remaining efforts to turn the enemy's left, and destroy the Macon rail road, the last and only line of transit for subsistence to his army at Atlanta. By the last of August it was very generally conceded that the enemy would tender us battle, as usual, on his choice of ground, and within his strong fortifications. On this last named day, we marched to an encampment for the night near Turtle Swamp, on the left of the Atlanta and Jonesboro road. On the following morning, early, we moved across to, and down, the Rough and Ready and Jonesboro road toward the latter named place, to a point about one half mile south of Flint river. Here the brigade moved to the left in an open field, and formed in order of battle as follows: First line, 22nd Ind. on the right, 125th Ills. in the center, and the 52nd Ohio on the left, except three companies of the 52nd Ohio, which were deployed as skirmishers; the second line comprised the 85th, 86th and 110th Ills. About 2 o'clock p. m., the brigade moved by the right flank across a difficult slough, and reformed its lines on the crest of a hill beyond, and under a heavy fire from the enemy's artillery. From this point we discovered that the enemy were in strong force and well intrenched along the line of the Macon railroad. At about 3 o'clock p. m., our line advanced through a thick skirt of woods to an open corn-field beyond, swinging gradually to the right as it advanced down the slope beyond, until our course was nearly south. We moved to within one fourth of a mile of the enemy's line of works, and engaged his skirmishers with our own, while the main line was struggling to cross a swamp at the foot of the slope. As soon as a crossing was effected the enemy's skirmishers were vigorously attacked and driven to their main works. In this valley the first line built temporary works which it held but a few minutes, when it again moved forward. A part of the 52nd Ohio, charging with the 2nd brigade, aided in taking a rebel battery in their front. The 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills. advanced in quick time to the crest of the hill, where they encountered a line of rebels concealed among the standing corn. These two regiments became at once hotly engaged. The contest for a few moments appeared doubtful, and might finally have turned in favor of the enemy, but for the success of the 2nd brigade on our left. As soon as this success was known, not one moment was lost by the 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills. in charging the enemy's line, which finally yielded and broke, the men running in confusion to their intrenchments, but just in time to find themselves our prisoners. After driving the enemy back some six or seven hundred yards to their second line of works on the rail road, and the woods to the west of the rail road, our lines were about being reformed, when Col. Dilworth, commanding the brigade, received a severe wound, and was carried off the field. As soon as notified of this fact, I assumed command, and as rapidly as possible reformed my somewhat broken lines. Going a few rods to the left and rear, I met Captain Swift, brigade inspector, coming forward with the 85th Ills. from the second line. This I put to work to turn the rebel fortifications, and make them available to us in the event of a counter assault. Meeting with other members of the brigade staff, I directed them to bring forward the 86th and 110th Ills. as rapidly as possible, and hold them in readiness for further orders. In the mean time I drew from their former positions, the 125th Ills. and 22nd Ind., to give them some rest. At this juncture Col. Mitchell represented to me, that the enemy were massing in his front with a view to an attack, and asked me to send him some assistance. Knowing the importance of holding the hill we jointly occupied, I immediately sent him five companies from the 86th Ills., and seven from the 52nd Ohio. In a few minutes the other battalion of the 86th Ills., also went to his assistance. This force remained with Col. Mitchell about one hour, and I depend on him to do them justice in his report.

Between the right of the 2nd brigade and the left of the 15th corps, was a gap in the lines about one half mile wide. The threatening demonstrations of the enemy in front of this gap, showed the importance he attached to it, and I determined to throw all my available force into, and as far as possible close, it up. I accordingly moved the 125th Ills, to the right and front, as far as the crest of the hill, putting it nearly in the same position it occupied while fighting half an hour before. I then moved the 85th Ills. to the right, and the 110th Ills. to the left of the 125th, and directed them to put out as many sharp shooters as could be made available, to annoy and keep back the enemies' skirmishers, while the main line was ordered to construct works. The firing was kept up until dark. Several times the enemy attempted to advance, but were driven back to their works by the unerring aim of our guns. On the return of the 86th Ills., and the 52nd Ohio, from the assistance of the 2nd brigade, I put the first in position on the right, with the right well refused. The 52nd Ohio and 22nd Ind. were placed in reserve. Each regiment furnished pickets for its front, the entire picket line being under the especial charge of Captain Burkhalter, brigade provost marshal. These dispositions, in my opinion, rendered our position perfectly secure. At night the enemy abandoned his works, leaving his dead unburied, and wounded uncared for. Our loss in this day's fight was one hundred and thirty-five killed and wounded. The loss fell heaviest on the 22nd Ind. and 125th Ills.

We advanced about 10 o'clock to Jonesboro, went into position on the left of the rail road and town, where we remained until late in the day of Sept. 3rd, when I received orders from Major Gen. Davis, commanding the corps, to remove the brigade to Atlanta on the following day, to guard prisoners of war, and as escort to corps hospital trains. Arrived at this place on the afternoon of Sept 4th, with 1674 prisoners, and trains. Reported pursuant to orders, to Maj. Gen. Slocum, and went into camp on the west side of town, where the troops have remained doing no duty since.