Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-14
Gen. Sherrian's Advance,
Letter from the 10th Wisconsin.
Interesting Account of Operations.
Correspondence of the state Journal.


give you brief sketch of our doings since
our connection with the Army of the Cum
berland. In the reorganization of the 18th
Army Corps, We were placed in the LIST Brig
AIDE, Gen. Force, and Sd Division, Gen. Leg
gett commanding. We left Clifton, on the
Tennessee river, May 18th, for the front, and
we took our position on the left of Gen.
Sherman's line at AckwOrth, the 6th CT June,
having march about 800 miles, crossed in our
route six distinct ranges of mountains, and
forded innumerable rivers and creeks. Rest
ing one day at Ackworth, on the 10th we
moved forward about eight miles, with light
skirmishing, driving the enemy's line before
US, until we discovered him in force in front
of high and much broken range of the AL
toona Mountains. About two miles from the
foot of this range Gen. Sherman formed his
line, the lst Brigade on the extreme left Our
line was formed in a dense underground Of
pine, hickory, oak, chestnut and sassafras
The general bearing Of this mountain range
is from northeast to southwest Our line
facing Il m followed the same parallel from
left to right. This range occupied by the
enemy consists of six or more high peaks,
the largest and most prominent of which is
called "Lost Mountain" At its base and
along its side is the center of Gen. Johnston's
army. At the time our line was formed, his
right occupied three peaks to the northward :;
his left as many southwark from the centre.
Now our Corps occupies two of these peaks
on his right, and our right has rolled back his
left, doubling his left and right up, back to
back along the railroad to Atlanta; each
flank protecting Marietta, which lies between
them in rear of " Lost Mountain" and the
route to Atlanta. Gen. Sherman has kept
the railroad from Rome open, and gets his
supplies at Big Shanty Station, about five
miles from Ackworth, from which station it
is only five or six miles to the right or left
Of bis army. Gen. Johnston gets his supplies
at Marietta, only miles from Big Shanty.
On the 18th, 18th and 18th, details were
regularly made from our regiment for pickets
and skirmishers. A strong line was estab-
lshed about so rods in front of our line, and
heavy diminishing was commenced; and, as
the rebels held their line rather tenaciously,
it was kept up most of the time night and
day The rebels had some little work or rifle
pit, and four or five men on post.
On the 18th the firing was more brisk than
usual Two batteries had been erected in
front Of our line little in rear of our Skin
mishcrs, and occasionally sent shell at some
of their posts. About noon eight of our
skirmshers suddenly charged on rebel post
and captured four, the rest made their es-
cape Our men again deployed and took
their place in line. From near the point of
capture toward our left, our men commenced
advancing, driving back their right consider
able, and closing up along our whole brigade.
At night Co. G was sent out as skirmishers
and large working party detailed The
3lst ILL., was ordered to advance and support
the workmen. They advanced about three
fourths of mile, and before midnight had a
breast work sufficient to cover a regiment.
The 31st rushed up and occupied them and
opened a heavy fire, which they kept up
most Of the night. 1t was expected that if
their line had no strong support near by, they
would take advantage of the darkness to re-
tire from place exposed as theirs was to our
fire, at short range, with no artillery to aid
them. Butin the morning they still occupied
iair little riff rife pits and boldly aimed their
ordered to relieve the 3lst, and sprang into
the works on the double quick, escaping the
rebel fire Co. G., commanded by Capt
Wheeler, were in our front, ensconsed in
some snug places or behind rocks, aud kept
up brisk fire in reply to the foe, doing some
execution, but keeping themselves well
screened. The difficulty of firing over the
heads of Co. G without endangering them
prevented us from firing much. In the after
noon brigade from reserve division Of the
9Th Army Corps was ordered up on our left,
and preparations made to test the strength of
the force in front of US.
SO The ground we then occupied was corn
field, and very much of the land in our front
was put III to corn and wheat, but was rolling
and cut by various deep, rocky, bush-lined
ravines, running at different angles. No po-
sition could be secured from which to discov-
err what these contained. Back of these farm
lands, lay more or less force, but well con-
cealed by the thick wood The brigade was
soon formed for the charge, and bore down III
gallant style. They met much heavier
force than was discernable, but made no de-
lay, and soon completely routed them, putting
them to a confused flight. Co. G joined in
the rush for graybacks and butternuts, and
with some more of the 10th, who were moved
from the picket line on the flank to the front,
they captured about 40 prisoners. The whole
regiment sent their compliments, but were
held by strict orders not to leave the breast
work The force routed was a brigade COM
posed of the 21st, 10th, 42d Alabama and the
SD Virginia. The Colonel commanding and
about 500 officers and men were captured.
Their right was driven back rather further
than the line in front of u.s. and we had ra-
king fire, and if it had been considered pru-
pent to allow us to move we could no doubt
have captured as many more prisoners, as
we could have got somewhat in their rear
Many of the rebs from this brigade have at
various times deserted to us. A Captain and
some of his men came in the night of the
oh Of bn
and two men came in, having previously
made arrangements for his whole come in at
given signal. Sergt. Chas. Bowen, Co. c,
10th regiment, IN command of the post, al
lowed the signal to be given, and a few came
in; Others were restrained by their timidity.
In this action understand the 9th Indi-
ana, which led the charge, lost killed and
20 wounded. We had only two wounded in
the 10th and some clothes torn. Major Dawes
had the honor of receiving a compliment
from them which cut pieces out of his coat
and shirt sleeves
the reos made quite display of force on
their right Tor number of days after this re-
pulse unmasked some heavy works and bat
terles on the nuts In our front, and finally on
the to'n anu l'th giving US pretty brisk
shelilnS' our Iorce, however, kept working
up to them, digging and fgbtin6 mill the
10th, when having got the range so as To
she'll their works on the mountain orr oorns
and one division of the 18th were formed n
line in the open field. for another CHARGE.
The desperate appearance of those solid
lines of Yanks must have frightened some
body, or else it rained SO hard they feared
they could not keep their powder dry for
when our men arrived at the top of the Hill
they met only light parting salute, which
they did not reply TO. They secured the
works the enemy had just left and could see
them as they fell back to another line of
works nearer Marietta, which is just in sight
from the highest peak. The 10th did not