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

by Robert M. Rogers

Headquarters 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division,

14th Army Corps, Army of Georgia, near

Savannah, Ga., January 3rd, 1865.

Captain: Pursuant to orders, of date Dec. 28th, 1864, I have the honor to report substantially the operations of my command, from the fall of Atlanta, up to, and including the, fall of Savannah.

On the fourth day of September last, my command, comprising the 85th, 86th and 125th Ills., the 52nd Ohio, the 22nd Ind., and three companies of the 110th Ills. Vols., moved from Jonesboro in charge of the 14th army corps hospital trains, and about seventeen hundred prisoners of war, to Atlanta, reaching the latter place about sundown. After reporting to Maj. Gen. Slocum, then commanding at Atlanta, and turning over my prisoners, by his orders I went into camp to the left of the White Hall road, just beyond the suburbs of the city, where I remained until the 29th day of September, when I received orders to move to Chattanooga by cars as rapidly as possible. At about 9 o'clock p. m., I got the brigade on board a train of cars going north, and arrived at Chattanooga Oct. 1st, at 3 o'clock p. m. General Morgan having previously gone to Huntsville, Ala., with the 1st and 2nd brigades of the division, I reported in person to Maj. Gen. Thomas, who directed me to proceed to Huntsville as rapidly as I could do with safety. I accordingly started on a train from Chattanooga at sundown, and arrived safely at Huntsville at 12 o'clock m., Oct. 2nd and went into camp on the south side of town, where we remained about two hours, when I received orders to move to the depot immediately. On going to my command, I found it all asleep, a luxury the men had not enjoyed since leaving, Atlanta, three days before. Shortly after arriving at the depot, we commenced reloading the same cars from which we had disembarked but two or three hours previously. At dark the entire division moved towards Athens, six miles when we met with obstructions on the road that delayed us until next morning, when we again started, reaching within six miles of Athens by noon. Here were other obstructions in the road, and we disembarked for the last time. By the order of Gen. Morgan, I directed Capt. Cook, commanding the 125th Ills., to guard the empty trains back to Huntsville, and return to the brigade by next train. At 2 o'clock p. m., the brigade marched with the division to Athens, and went into camp in two lines, facing south-east. It will be seen that my command was three days and four nights traveling from Atlanta to Athens, and with the exception of about six hours of that time they were on the cars, so closely crowded that none could lie down, even had that been possible they could not have slept, owing to the very heavy rain that fell almost without intermission during the trip. It was the ill fortune of my brigade, to ride on trains managed by drunken, incompetent, and irresponsible conductors and engineers, who, for the most part, seemed perfectly indifferent to the sufferings and inconvenience they imposed upon the soldiers, so long as they enjoyed official confidence, a profitable salary, and plenty to eat.

On the morning of the fourth of October, the brigade, except the 125th Ills., not yet returned from Huntsville, and the 110th Ills., in charge of supplies, marched from Athens toward Florence, fording the Elk River at Brown's Ferry, about sundown, after which it marched four miles to Rogersville and encamped for the night. Oct. 5th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., crossed Shoal creek at dark, and went into camp beyond and within seven miles of Florence. Oct. 6th, the first brigade moved toward Florence at 7 o'clock a. m. but met the enemy's cavalry skirmishers just beyond our picket line. I was immediately ordered to follow with three regiments, leaving one as camp guard. It was with little difficulty that a reconnoisance was pushed through to Florence, as it was afterwards ascertained that the enemy opposing our progress thither, amounted to only about one hundred and fifty men. We reached the town at 1 o'clock p. m., and there learned certainly, what we already suspected, that Forrest had escaped across the Tennessee. At 3 o'clock p. m., we returned to Shoal creek, reaching there about sundown. On the following morning the entire command with the division returned to Florence, and went into camp on the south-east side of the town, where we remained two days.

Up to this time, from the date of our departure from Atlanta, it rained heavily every day, rendering the roads from Athens to Florence very muddy, besides swelling the numerous streams to their banks. These streams we were compelled to ford, with the exception of Shoal creek, which had a good bridge. The men were drenching wet, adding greatly to the weight of their loads, and their sleep, though sound, was the sleep of exhaustion and afforded them but little rest. Besides many were bare footed and foot sore. Those who fell sick by the way side, were left in houses to the care of the citizens, as we had no means of transportation. The citizens, as far as I am able to learn, uniformly treated our sick soldiers with a great deal of kindness. Officers had no comforts or conveniences above those of enlisted men, and indulged only in such luxuries as they could transport by virtue of their own physical strength. In short I do not hesitate to say, that our trip from Atlanta to Florence, came nearer tasking to the utmost, the physical endurance of the American soldier, than any campaign I ever witnessed, and I cannot withhold the mead of praise so eminently due the brave officers and men who made it. They performed all that was required of them with that characteristic cheerfulness, which has recently become so strongly engrafted in the heart of our army. Oct. 10th, we left Florence on our way back towards Athens, marched nineteen miles, and encamped for the night. Oct. 11th, resumed march towards Athens, and encamped for the night within eight miles of the town. Oct. 12th, reached Athens at 10 o'clock a. m., where the 125th Ills. rejoined the brigade. We moved two miles east of town, and went into temporary camp. At 2 o'clock p. m., I received orders from Gen. Morgan to detail one regiment to rebuild a rail road bridge across a branch of Lime Stone creek, which next morning it had completed, and about noon cars began to arrive at Athens to transport the division to Chattanooga. My command got off at 4 o'clock a. m., Oct. 13th, and reached Chattanooga at midnight and went in camp in two lines on the west side of town where it remained four days. My first effort was to procure shoes and clothing for my barefooted and almost naked men. I succeeded in procuring 785 pairs of shoes, and a sufficient supply of clothing. At the expiration of our four days rest at Chattanooga, we marched, on the morning of the 18th of October, by the Rossville and Dry Valley roads, to Lee and Gordon's mills on the Chickamauga river and encamped for the night. Oct. 19th marched to La Fayette and camped for the night. Oct. 20th, marched south from La Fayette about twelve miles and turned to the right, on a road leading to Brown Town Valley, and after fording Chattanooga river, we went into camp for the night. October 21st, marched 25 miles on Brown Town Valley road towards Galesville. Oct. 22nd, marched to Galesville, and went into camp north of town, where we joined the corps and remained five days, subsisting partly on government rations, and partly on the country. Oct. 28th, left camp at 2 o'clock p. m., and marched 8 miles towards Rome and camped for the night at Missionary station, near the state line. Oct. 29th, resumed the march at 6 o'clock a. m., and encamped at night on the north side of the Ostanalla river, and within one mile of Rome, where we remained until Oct. 31st, when I received orders to march to Kingston as guard to corps train. My command left Rome at 3 o'clock p. m., marched 8 miles and encamped at night on Cedar creek. Resumed march at 7 a. m. next day, and reached Kingston within three hours, when it went into camp and remained until November 8th, on which day we marched to Cartersville and encamped south-west of town about two miles, until November 12th, when I was ordered to relieve a brigade of the 2nd division, 15th army corps, at the fort on the Etowah river. November 13th, marched to Ackworth, stopping on the way to tear up and destroy three and a half miles of rail road track and ties; reached camp at 9 p. m. November 14th, marched by way of Kenesaw Mountain to within four miles of Chattahoochie river. November 15th, resumed march at 6 o'clock a. m., crossed the river on pontoon bridge and reached Atlanta at 1 o'clock p. m. This may be said to finish the North Alabama campaign, having been gone from Atlanta forty-eight days, instead of four, as was expected. Before reaching Atlanta, I sent orders to Captain Hall, commanding a small detachment of the brigade at that place, to procure guns, accoutrements and ammunition for every man in his command able to march, and I also had requisitions made by regimental commanders, for the amount of such ordnance stores required to perfectly equip their command. I had also an officer detailed from each regiment to take these requisitions to Atlanta, and give them their personal attention. These were sent from Kingston as soon as I received intelligence that we would shortly cut loose from our "old base;" but they failed to get the men properly armed, in consequence of the surplus ordnance stores having been shipped from Atlanta before their arrival. This left my command on reaching Atlanta, short fifty-four guns and accoutrements. From Kingston, also, I directed my brigade quartermaster, Lieut. A. M. Ayers, to proceed to Atlanta and draw his estimate of clothing and allowance of transportation. This he did to my entire satisfaction, having procured a sufficient number of shoes to give every man two pair; the result of which was, that upon our arrival at Savannah, I had not a barefoot soldier in my command.

The 3rd brigade, comprising 1721 total commissioned officers and enlisted men present, left Atlanta Nov. 16th, at 12 m., and marched on the Decatur road 9 miles and camped for the night. Nov. 17th, marched at 7 a. m. by way of Lithonia to Conyer's station. During the afternoon of this day we tore up and destroyed three miles of rail road track and ties. Nov. 18th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m. on the Covington road, and camped for the night three miles east of that town. To-day the brigade destroyed two and a half miles of railroad track and ties. To-day, also, we began to subsist off the country. Nov. 19th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., crossed Alcova river, and went into camp at dark near Shady Dale. Nov. 20th, marched at 7 a. m., and camped at night near Eatonton Factory. Nov. 21st, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., and camped at night on east side of Cedar creek. Nov. 22nd, laid still to-day and let the 1st and 3rd divisions of the corps pass by. Nov. 23rd, marched at 6 a. m. with two regiments as train guard, and two as rear guard, and camped at night within two miles of Milledgeville, the rear guard reaching camp at half past 9 o'clock p. m. Nov. 24th marched at 10 o'clock a. m. through Milledgeville, Georgia's capitol, with colors displayed, and bands playing national airs, and camped at night seven miles beyond, on the Sandersville road. Nov. 25th, marched at 6 a. m. to Buffalo creek, where we found the bridge had been destroyed just before our arrival. My command marched at the head of the division column to-day; upon its reaching this creek I set to work a company of pioneers and two companies of men from the 22nd Indiana, and in half an hour had constructed a very good foot bridge, upon which I crossed the 22nd Ind., and afterwards the entire brigade. Leaving my pioneer party to assist Col. Buell in putting down a pontoon bridge for the crossing of trains, we camped at night on Keg creek. Nov. 26th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m., crossed Keg creek and met rebel skirmishers within ten miles of Sandersville. My foraging party assisted the troops in the advance to drive the enemy through town. We arrived in town at 10 o'clock a. m., and went into camp on the north side. Nov. 27th, marched at 7 a. m. on the Louisville road, crossed the Ogechee river, and camped within eight miles of Louisville for the night. Nov. 28th, marched at 6 o'clock a. m. to within one mile of Louisville, where we found that the bridge across Rocky Comfort creek, had been burnt, and was being repaired by the 3rd division, 14th army corps. At dusk I crossed my command over, marched through the town, and went into camp on the left of the Augusta road, about one and a half miles beyond. Nov. 29th, remained in camp all day. Nov. 30th, still in camp at Louisville. To-day I deployed the 86th and 125th Ills. as skirmishers, supported by the 52nd Ohio and 22nd Ind. and moved forward, covering the Warrenton and Augusta roads. This movement was induced by the presence in our vicinity of small parties of the enemy's cavalry, that had for two or three days past, been capturing and murdering foragers and other soldiers who were so unfortunate as to fall into their power. The enemy had, on the night previous to this movement, captured and killed two men of the 85th Ills., and one of the 125th Ills. My line advanced at 11 o'clock a. m. and drove the enemy in fine style, recapturing a small foraging party with trains from the 20th corps, that had ventured too far out. Pretty smart skirmishing continued for some minutes, when the enemy attempted to break my line, but were repulsed by the 86th Ills., with the loss of one captain and one private, who were killed outright, and left by the flying enemy on the field. At this juncture, by order of Gen. Morgan, I halted and adjusted my line. Everything remained quiet until 3:30 p. m., when I received orders to move forward until my right should connect with the left of the 2nd brigade, which was moving across towards the Augusta from the Waynsboro road. In this movement my line advanced at the double quick across a corn-field, to the woods beyond, driving the enemy out of a line of works about two hundred yards in length. It being deemed useless to pursue cavalry with infantry, I was directed at sun down to withdraw my brigade, and reestablish my picket line as it had been in the morning, which I did, the enemy following the skirmish line as it retired. In this day's operations a good deal of shooting was done by the enemy, but in driving him more than a mile, he did not succeed in wounding one of our men. We recovered the bodies of the enlisted men murdered the night before. I have no hesitancy in saying they were deliberately murdered after they had surrendered, as was evinced by an examination of the fatal wounds. One man was shot through the head, the ball entered just above the left ear, surrounding the entrance the hair was singed close to the scalp by the burning powder. The other two were shot through the body; one was shot three times, and the other twice. So close was the weapon held when discharged, that in every instance the clothing was scorched and burned.

In front of the left of my picket line, stood a cotton gin containing forty-eight bales of cotton, the property of Asa Hoyt, behind which the enemy had concealed himself, and fired upon my men in the morning. Not willing to give him the advantage of that position longer, upon the withdrawal of my troops, I detailed Major Holmes, 52nd Ohio, with a small number of men to destroy it, which they accordingly did, and which fact I reported to you in writing, while the gin was still burning. This embraces the only property of any kind burned by my orders during the campaign. Dec. 1st, marched at 10 a. m. as guard to 3rd division train, and reached camp at 11 p. m. Dec. 2nd, marched at 8 a. m. Furnished two regiments to guard the corps reserve artillery and ammunition trains, and reached camp at 8 p. m. Dec. 3rd, marched at 9 a. m. on Augusta road; crossed Buckhead creek and went into camp at dark on Mill creek, near Lumpton's station. Dec. 4th, marched at noon in rear of, and as guard to, 3rd division trains; passed through Habersham, and went into camp at 10 p. m. Dec. 5th, marched at 7 o'clock a. m.; furnished guard of two regiments for corps reserve artillery trains, and camped for the night at 7 p. m. Dec. 6th, marched at 6:30 a. m.; good roads all day. Marched twenty-one and a half miles on main Savannah road, and went into camp for the night Road blocked just ahead of this camp for three quarters of a mile by fallen trees. At night I made a detail of sufficient pioneer force to clear the road, which they accomplished by 9 p. m. Dec. 7th, marched at 11 a. m. in rear of, and as guard to, 3rd division trains. Reached camp at Ebeneezer creek at 8 p. m. Dec 8th, marched at 7 a. m.; order of march changed. Left all transportation excepting that belonging to brigade and regimental headquarters; crossed Ebeneezer creek at 12 m. and awaited the building of a bridge over little Kogglies creek; after which we marched four miles beyond, and went into camp at 8 p. m. In half an hour afterwards I received orders to return and camp for the night between the two creeks. Got into camp at 11 p. m. Dec. 9th, marched at 7 a. m., moved four miles and built two bridges over creeks. Moved about four miles farther on and encountered a section of a rebel battery planted in the road, well protected by a substantial earth work. I received orders from Gen. Morgan to send the 125th Ills. forward, deployed as skirmishers, on each side of the road, and develop, if possible, the strength of the enemy. The regiment thus moved to within one hundred yards of the rebel works, without drawing a shot from the enemy's musketry, though his artillery played continually upon a piece of our own posted in the road. The enemy had selected a good position to make a brief stand with a small number of men, having built his works in the center, and on either side of the road, just beyond where it divides a swamp. By direction of Gen. Morgan, I pushed forward the 86th Ills., six companies as skirmishers, until it joined the right of the 125th Ills. I then directed Lieut. Col. Fahnestock, commanding the 86th Ills., to wheel gradually to the left, and if possible get his right to the enemy's rear. This he did, so far as was in his power, but his whole line was in a swamp, where vines, rank weeds, and undergrowth timber was so abundant, that his progress was necessarily too slow to reach the desired position before dark, and at dark, by order of Gen. Morgan, the entire line was halted and established as a picket line for the night. During the night the enemy withdrew, and my skirmishers entered his works at daybreak. In this affair two men of the 86th Ills. were wounded. Dec. 10th, marched at 7 a. m.; proceeded five miles in the direction of Savannah, when we struck the 20th army corps column. Went into camp for the afternoon and night, on the left of the road. Dec. 11th, marched at 8 a. m. towards the city as far as the five mile post, and turned to the right and marched about three quarters of a mile, when, by direction of Gen. Morgan, I went into position in three lines, in reserve, facing south. My camp was as comfortable as I could wish, being on high ground, and in the midst of a pine grove. Dec. 12th, in the afternoon my command tore up and destroyed two and a half miles of track and ties, on the Savannah and Macon railroad. Dec. 13th, made the road, destroyed yesterday, suitable for a wagon road, after which the brigade did no other duties than furnish train and other guards, until the 22nd of December, the day subsequent to the fall of Savannah, when my command marched to within one and a half miles of the city, and went into camp in two lines, facing north, on the left of the canal, where we now are, making preparations for such other work as may be our lot to perform. This brigade, though small, is, perhaps, in as good condition for active operations, as any. There are many officers and men absent, whom I would be glad to have returned to their command. While in camp at Atlanta during the month of September last, there was perfected and forwarded a list of absentees, and efforts were being made to secure their return, but before much could be accomplished in this respect, the brigade was put in motion, and only stopped since arriving at this place. The strength of the command is as follows:

Present:	Commissioned officers, 80.	Enlisted men, 1634.
Absent:	Commissioned officers, 58.	Enlisted men, 1177.
Total:	Commissioned officers, 138.	Enlisted men, 2811.