The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-11-04
The l25th 0, V. I in the Spring and
Summer Campaign of 1864.
(Couciu1ed \

CAMP NEAR ATLANTA, Ga. Sept. 20, GA.
FRIEND CONVERSE In tho continuation
! of my campaign history OF tho l25 h Reg.
| shall commence with July 22d, on which
day We again advanced upon tho enemy
driving him within his tornfications around
Atlanta, and rushing our lines as close to
his works as practicable. Not choosing to
rick another engagement with us IN the open
field, after his disaster of the 2Oth Hood
couientCd h:nIscit with shcilng us, and scat
tered the iron hail around us IN showers
No one, however, was injured in the les n.
aud we established our part OF the line on a
commanding ominence, where it remained
during the siege.
From July 22d to August 25th, our reei
mepl was engaged in assisting TO conduct
the siege. and IN constructing a large fort;
to which was given the name, Fort Opdy ckc.
in honor of Colonel Opdy cke, under wtose
guidance and experimentation it was built.
On the morning OF August 25th wo wcro
ordered to prepare for u march, and at
p. NJ moved out of our works, thus com.
mcpcing that grand fsuking movement
which resulted in the overthrow and cap.
ture of tho Gate City of tho Coufederacy.
Passing around TO the right of the army, we
continued our march until A. NJ, when a
short rest was given to allow tho men an
opportunity to got breakfast. At A NJ,
August 26:h we again moved forward con tim
uing the march IN the most rapid manner
until p. NJ, when wo bivouacod for tho
night.
This days march was one of tho most So
we're in the whole campaign. 1t was neccs
sary foi the army TO movo with the grea est
dispatch of which it was capable, in order
to reach the Macon railroad. tho great goal
OF tho expedition, before tho enemy should
disc over our intention. Never before had
seen troops SO completely exhausted as on
the 26th. The heat was most intense and
numbers in the | 25th fell under the effects
of sunstrokr; whIlesothors, worn out by the
continued rapid march, were compelled to
halt, aud lio down by the roadside to rest.
On our making a short halt about L. Nj +.
tho entiro reg gment could boast % men
preesout to stack arms, and three line off
GERS. During the evening, however, after
we had bivouaced. tho absent came up again.
August 27th, 28th, 29th, 30th and 3lst
were occupied in continual marching, and
efforts to walk the railroad, which we sue
ceeded in doing on the lst of Sept, striking
it three miles below Rough and Ready about
81 miles from Atlanta. l can assure YOU we
struck it hard blow, tearing up some IL
miles Of track, burning the ties and bending
the rails in such "a manner as TO render
them entirely useless. We were proceed
ing with our work of destruction, when.
about 4 p. NJ. we suddenly received or
ders to hasten towards JUnesboro, in SUP.
port of tho Army of the Tennessee, which
had attacked and gained advantage over
the enemy. We Fastened on. and, when the
shades of night were fast closing around
we formed in position and charged upon the
enemys line. driving them, after a short
but severe struggle, from the fold. Our
lines advanced to the edge OF wood. for
merly held by the enemy, and darkness hav.
Jog come on, and not knowing what might
be in our front. we halted, s0nding out pick.
cts. and rested for the night. In establish.
ing our picket line, Capt. II. G. Powers. of
tho l25h. discovered in our immediate
front rebel hospital. and, throwing forward
the chain of picke's, he enclosed the said
hospital aud all ils inmates within our line.
Taking with him guard of tour men, bo
approached tho hospital for the purpose of
reconnOitering. but left his guard few pa
ces distant. Going up to the door of the
tent, he saw it filed with wounded and sick,
and seeing also an attendant, called him.
The rebel nurse advanced toward Capt. p,
mistaklng him, in the darkness. for one of
his own officers. As they yet knew nothing
of being within the Yankee lines until close
up to him, when discovering tho bluo uni
form, be began back kward movement. crv-
ing out at every step, oh, don't! Oh, don'l!"