A CONFUSED RETREAT WORSE CONFOUNDED.
"From the hill, which General Osterhaus had occupied with his right, Resaca was in full view. We could plainly distinguish the movements of the enemy's wagon trains and of their troops. They filed right and left with great complacency, and went into position in a long line of rifle-pits, into which we could look with ease. A large redoubt, with eight or ten guns mounted, was plainly visible beyond the river. The locomotives, with huge trains attached, ran up and down near the bridge. There was also some camps on fire, and to all appearances "confusion worse confounded" would begin to reign as soon as De Grass could get his guns in position and open upon them. At last he got up — Stalbrand, the Swedish artillerist, of Logan's staff, urging him forward and directing him into position. At last the four black monsters were in position. They opened, and immediately stirred up a hornet's nest of rebels that proved decidedly uncomfortable.
MR. SHANKS IN DANGER.
"I had expected a reply from the enemy, and had chosen a large stump as my place of refuge. The protection however appeared to me in a few minutes to be the most delicate fabric imaginable, and I confidently expected every one of the shots that skipped along the top of the hill to tear this fabric and the refugee behind it into a thousand fragments. From the rebel redoubt beyond Resaca, the enemy opened with at least eight guns. They had the exact range of the hill, and every shot fell near the battery. Every place was struck and damaged more or less, and at times it was impossible to work the guns. After a while, watching this duel began to be interesting; but while engaged in the task I suddenly found myself literally buried by the earth thrown up by a shell which had plunged through the ground near me. The force of nature or curiosity, as you may choose, could no further go; and, totally demoralized, I made a rapid movement to the left and out of ran I brought up with the 26th Illinois, any one of whom is ready to swear that I was the fleetest-footed man that lay on the hill that day."
The night of the 14th closed the bloody scene, and nature sank to rest, but not so, the army. Operating Boards worked hard, cutting the raw flesh and sawing the shattered bone and ligating the severed artery, till far in the night. No rest for those in excruciating pain. The result of this battle, though at times doubtful, was finally decisive. The enemy were driven and pursued by Hooker, Schofield, Stoneman and McCook. Our loss was five thousand, of whom two thousand were slightly wounded.
The ground was covered with dead rebels, and their loss must have been double ours. The force of the rebels numbered sixty thousand. Johnson, Hardee, Polk, Hood, Stevenson and Cleburne wore in command of the rebels. Hardee held their right, Polk the left and Hood the center. The talented author of "Sherman's March through the South," in writing of the battle of Resaca, commits a serious error in charging General Cox with tardiness in not timely supporting the Division of General Judah. That General Cox discharged his whole duty on that occasion, and is not accountable for the unfortunate repulse, for a time, of Judah's brave troops, I think is evident from the following Official Report;
"About eight o'clock, A. M. the line advanced by right of companies to the front, with orders to move North-easterly, but keeping connection on the right, and dressing accordingly. As the given direction was nearly that of the Rome and Dalton road, I ordered Reilly's Brigade to move into position by marching up that road one mile, and thence by the right flank into line, upon the left of Munson's Brigade. The movements of the line, as it felt forward for the enemy's positions, which were found across Camp Creek, continued to oblique to the right, causing the left wing to move over much larger space than the rest of the command, and opening an increasing gap between the principal line and Reilly, who found himself nearly two miles from the position he was to assume in the line, when the army halted on the West side of the valley, in which Camp Creek runs. No time was lost by him in pressing forward, marching as rapidly as the dense thicket and broken country would permit, and his Brigade came into line about one hour after Munson's had halted in position. After the formation of the line, the command remained halted about an hour, waiting for the approach of the Fourth Corps, from Dallas, and at eleven o'clock, rapid skirmish firing being heard on the left front, by direction of Corps Headquarters, I ordered Colonel Reilly to send a Regiment from his Brigade, to reconnoiter to the left and front, and ascertain whether communication could be opened with the force supposed to be Wood's Division, Fourth Corps. At half-past eleven, the 8th Tennessee Infantry, which had been sent out by Colonel Reilly, returned, reporting the troops of the Fourth Corps within supporting distance, and upon the Tilton road. I thereupon received orders to advance my line and attack the enemy in his position, upon the East side of Camp Creek, being informed that Judah's Division would advance simultaneously on my right. The position from which we moved was the line of hills forming the West bank of Camp Creek, which was there divided into several branches. Each Brigade was formed in two lines, Reilly on the left, having the 16th Kentucky, 112th Illinois, and 100th Ohio Infantry, in first line, and the 8th Tennessee, and 104th Ohio in the Second line; Munson having the 5th Tennessee and 24th Kentucky in the first line, and the 63d Indiana and 103d Ohio in the second line. The skirmish line of the Division already occupied the edge of the wooded land across the open valley some two hundred yards wide, immediately in our front, when the command to advance was given, and the whole Division moved steadily forward; the enemy opening immediately with artillery, from batteries in position down the valley, on our right, and which had an oblique upon our line as we passed through the low ground. After crossing the opening, we passed over several wooded ridges in succession, and through a deep though narrow channel of the creek, which, with its perpendicular sides, skirted by a tangled thicket, became a serious obstacle to the advancing troops. The lines were quickly reformed after passing the brook, and again moved forward, steadily driving the enemy's skirmishers backward toward their works. These skirmishers were so strongly reinforced that they were only to be driven back by the main line of our troops, who advanced, making an occasional momentary halt to deliver their fire. The ridges between the branches of the creek radiated from points where the branches joined the stream, and our left was constantly thrown forward as we advanced, thus continuing the change of front to the right, which had marked the movement of the whole line in the morning, and gradually enveloping the enemy's position toward Resaca.
Upon approaching the foot of the ridge on which the enemy's first line of infantry trenches was dug, the 5th Tennessee had, by the wheeling movement, fallen a little to the rear of the 24th Kentucky, which moved by the left flank into the protection of a ravine, to get somewhat out of the range of a heavy enfilading fire of artillery from the enemy’s batteries down the valley. The 63d Indiana continuing its movements, came up abreast of the 24th Kentucky, and on its right the 103d Ohio, and the 5th Tennessee, thus forming the second line of the new formation, rendered necessary by the nature of the ground, and the fact (then discovered,) that Judah's Division had not succeeded in crossing Camp Greek on our right. Reilly's Brigade having the greater curve to traverse, was a little in rear on the left, but preserving well its original formation. A short halt was made, bayonets were fixed, and the whole command charged the hill, and carried the line of rifle pits on the crest, driving the enemy back upon a second line, some two hundred and fifty yards from the first on our left, but approaching much nearer on our right. The first line of the Second Brigade was first in entering the works, but they were almost instantly entered by the First Brigade, also, further to the left.
The enemy immediately opened with both artillery and musketry, from their second line, which extended far beyond both flanks of the Division, and no troops being as yet, in position on either our right or left, the Division was halted, the Second Brigade (Munson's) occupying the enemy's works with their first line, and the First Brigade, (Reilly's) occupying them with the second line; advancing the first line to the protection of a small intervening ridge between them and the new l
ine occupied by the rebels, from which they were able to silence, with their rifles, a battery which was playing, destructively, upon the Second Brigade.
No artillery had been able to accompany the Division in its advance to attack, the broken nature of the ground, and the physical obstacles of the creek and thickets, entirely preventing. The batteries of the Division, (Battery D, 1st Ohio Volunteer Artillery, and the 15th Independent Indiana, Battery,) were put in position on the West side of Camp Greek, under charge of Major Wells, Chief of Artillery for the Division, and used occasionally from that side of the creek, as opportunity offered during the day.
Further advance being entirely impossible, till support should come up, on right and left, the command was ordered to screen itself from fire as much as possible, especially on the extreme right, which, from its greater proximity to the enemy's second line of works, and its exposure to artillery fire from his batteries in position on its flank down the valley, suffered very severely. About half-past one o'clock, P. M., Colonel Reilly reporting an appearance of a movement toward our left, from the enemy's works, he was ordered to place the 8th Tennessee in the first line, its left so as to cover the flank of the Brigade, and hold it there until support should come up. Shortly after, General Munson reported the ammunition of his first line to be nearly exhausted, and was ordered to relieve the first line by the second, which was done; the continuous heavy fire of the enemy, caused, however, a considerable loss in both the 103d Ohio and 5th Tennessee, whilst advancing to their position.
An hour after, I reported the ammunition of the whole Division nearly exhausted, and it being nearly impossible to get wagons forward to the line held by the command, I was notified that we would be relieved by the Fourth Corps, and withdrawn temporarily, to enable us to replenish the cartridge boxes. A little after three o'clock P. M., General Harker's Brigade, of Stanley's Division, Fourth Corps, advanced under a galling fire of all arms, to relieve the Second Brigade, and whilst preparing to effect the change, Brigadier General Munson was severely injured by a percussion shell exploding near him, and was carried off the field. General Harker was also slightly hurt in the leg, at the same time, but remained with his command, and completed the movements. I ordered Colonel Hunt, 24th Kentucky, to assume command of the Brigade, and to form in column of Division on the ridge, in rear of Reilly's Brigade, and hold it in that position until that Brigade also should be relieved.
The Division of General Stanley, which had been formed on our right, not extending far enough to the left to relieve Reilly, also, he was obliged to hold his position until six o'clock, his men being ordered to reserve a few rounds of ammunition, at all hazards, for an emergency, and the Second Brigade being ordered to support him with their bayonets, if he should be attacked. About six o'clock Reilly was relieved by General Willich's Brigade, of Woods' Division, Fourth Corps, and the whole Division was moved a short distance to the rear, to the edge of the open ground, on the East side of Camp Creek, when the ordnance train was able to reach the troops. It was now nearly dark, and the Division bivouacked for the night.
During the movements of the day, the Division in swinging around to the right, had described a quadrant of a circle, and starting in a North-easterly direction, finally occupied a position facing South-easterly; our left flank reaching toward the Connesauga river. For a statement of the losses of this day, reference is made to the table appended to this report. Colonel Thomas J. Henderson, 112th Illinois, Captain Wright, of same Regiment, Captain Pumpelly, of 16th Kentucky, and Lieutenant Lanie, of same Regiment, were wounded in the First Brigade, the last named, mortally.
In the Second Brigade, Major James E. Patterson, and First Lieutenant Sivank, of 63d Indiana, and Captains Hutchison and Philpot, the two senior officers present in the 103d Ohio, were killed. Captains Casey and Hedge, and First Lieutenants Nelson and McIntyre, of the 24th Kentucky, were wounded, as were also five officers of the 5th Tennessee Regiment, whose names have not yet been officially reported. The detailed reports of the dead and wounded have already been forwarded through the Medical Department, both of officers and enlisted men.
At eight o'clock on the morning of the 15th, orders were received to move the Division to the left, to support a movement of the Twentieth Corps, which had taken position on the Resaca and Tilton roads, about a mile North-west of Woodshed. The command immediately marched to the point designated, and relieved the Division of General Williams, of Twentieth Corps, and part of that of General Geary; and commenced building breastworks along a ridge extending nearly North and South, between the road above mentioned and the rail road, covering the extreme left flank of the army, which was now facing due South.
The position taken was occupied till about three P.M., when the command was moved forward and placed in reserve to the remainder of the Corps, upon the road leading from the Tilson road to Woodshed, and upon ground gained by the Twentieth Corps in the advance of the afternoon. The Division was not under fire during this day, and in the night the enemy evacuated Resaca.
To Brigadier General Munsori, who is still suffering from the injuries received in the battle of the 14th inst., and to Colonel Reilly, commanding First Brigade, I owe special mention, for the faithful and gallant discharge of duty.
For the mention of those whose conduct was honorably conspicuous in the brigades, I respectfully refer to the report of the brigade commanders. Captain Ed. D. Saunders, A. A. G., upon my staff, (who has since been killed in action,) displayed the most heroic gallantry, and I feel that I may specially mention him without invidious distinction among the members of the staff, all of whom were active and faithful in the performance of their duty.
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servant,
[Signed] J. D. Cox.
Brig. Gen. Comd'g."
TABLE OF LOSSES.
KILLED. WOUNDED. MISSING.
Prior to Resaca 1st Brigade 3 6
2nd “ . .
Total 3 6
At Resaca 1st Brigade 12 133 9
2nd 49 . 334 .
Aggregate 64 473 9
A LOYAL GEORGIAN WOMAN.
East Tennessee, Northern Alabama and sections of Northern Georgia have presented numerous instances of devotion to the cause of the old flag. The natives of these regions have sacrificed home, comfort, and in many cases, even life itself, rather than declare allegiance to the foul and hated organization of treason. During the movements round Resaca, General Jeff. C. Davis made a detour towards Rome, one of the most beautifully situated, as well as one of the most defensible positions in the route of march. It lies on a tongue of land, bounded by the Etowah and Oostanaula, rivers, which join there and form the Coosa. The town is built on a series of hills, commanding a large stretch of surrounding country. When General Davis drew near the town he found the enemy in position behind a chain of light earthworks on the West side of Oostanaula. Batteries were speedily brought to the front, a line of skirmishers thrown out, and a preliminary engagement began, which lasted about half an hour, when the rebels withdrew across the river into the town and occupied a hill commanding the crossing, leaving a strong picket at the bridge. Without a moment's delay General Davis deployed his troops and the two forces commenced engaging each other across the stream. At this moment an extraordinary commotion was seen across the bridge. A girl was there exposed to the fire of our troops, apparently disputing with a great deal of emphasis, with the commanding officer. After a fruitless attempt to carry her point, a party of soldiers attempted to carry her across the bridge. To this she objected, and sat down in plain view of our army. At a moment when the rebel pickets were most interested in responding to the fire of General Davis' men, the girl sprang to her feet, her bonnet and hair streaming on her shoulders, and ran toward our lines. She was scarcely twenty yards from the rebels when she fell. Our skirmishers, supposing her either killed or wounded, held their fire to see the result. It was less almost than a second before she was again on her feet. By this time the rebels had discovered the girl's mo
vements and fired several volleys at her. A chivalrous Texan officer ran forward after her, firing his pistol. One of General Davis' sharpshooters perceiving this, drew a bead on him and at the first shot leveled him to the ground. In about three minutes the girl was within our lines. The men forgetting their perilous duty, clustered around her, asking a number of questions, but all they could draw from her was the inquiry: "Where's the General?" A sergeant from the skirmishers took charge of the new arrival, and conducted her to the General. The girl seeing him, exclaimed: "General, you can whip them! You can whip them! They have only twelve hundred men. Just move down that road," pointing to a by-way, "and you can get round them. Come on, I'll lead you." The girl said a number of other things, but her excitement and articulation were so rapid, her last words were not understood. General Davis, cool as usual, commenced to question the girl as to her sincerity. Her only reply was: "I know you can whip them. They are nothing but a pack of cowards, and only a few of them. If you'll give me some men, I'll take them, where they will scatter those fellows from the bridge." But this was unnecessary. The rebel pickets, as soon as they discovered the girl safely in our lines, fell back and destroyed the pontoon bridge after them. In a short time after, they were evacuating the town entirely, moving across the Etowah River, on the road to Allatoona Mountains. After the smoke and confusion of battle had cleared away and the troops were camped on the beautiful hills of Rome, the girl visited the General's Headquarters. She was about twenty years of age, light figure, of quick action, round and cheerful blue eyes, rather talkative and very animated in her conversation. Her name was Sally Camp. She resided with her mother and two little sisters, about two miles from Rome. On the day of the arrival of General Davis' men, she was in town and wished to go home. Orders were issued that no one should be passed out. When the advance of General Davis' column came up, the girl was on the earthworks trying to persuade the rebel officer to pass her. When they were driven back he seized and carried her to the bridge under the fire that was going on. At the bridge she repeated her request in such strong terms that the officer threatened to shoot her, if she was not quiet. She sat down watching her chance to reach our lines. The girl insisted that, hearing of General Davis' approach, she went down to get information and intended to come out and give it to the Yankees, as she hated the rebels. She said she had two brothers conscripted into their service, but she got them out, one of whom she safely conducted to the Union lines at Chattanooga. Her father, nearly seventy years of age, was conscripted, but she released him and secreted him until our troops came up. In a few days after the town fell into our hands, every soldier knew Sally Camp; and her house was often visited to get a glimpse of the Heroine of the Battle of Rome.
Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas Page 7