Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-09-14


letter received by him from sherman army
Tp,p2cArrRs sru rrss. yol, IM, ~ 1n u.lp,l
Near Atlanta, August 10, lsA,
In hldImcnt Of my promise | now
write to tell you Of the brave and gallant conduct
of ono of your own loyal rcgimcnts-the noble sth
Tennessee Volunteer lnhutry-iu the charge made
by the lst Brigade Gen, Reilly = against the lcfl
Of the rebel lines near Atlanta Ca on the 9th inst
] do ,o because, having been for some time past
| temporarily in command Of the regiment, its field
officer, all being absent | had the honor to lead
| them upon that occason-sharc with them the dan
ger and peril, and witness their noble bearing
throughout the action The Sh was held in reserve,
masscd in column by division, under the brow Of u
hill, about six hundred yards in front Of the rebel
works. The other regiments Of the Brigade ad-
yauccd in single line upon the charge, getting
within eight ten rods OF the rebel cntrcnchmonts
unable to 20 further but stubbornly holding their
ground, The sth was then ordered to dopoy into
line and charge in the hope that they might reach
the rebel works and break their lines They did
so promptly, advancing in double quick, with liked
bayonets-pusSng through u small strip of woods
and entering the open ground IN front of the rebel
works. Amid q storm Of bullets, they pressed for
ward upon the charge up the steep hill, through
and over the tangled brush and distractions, with
unbrolen line advancing until within few yards
Of their cntrcnchmeuts when their ranks thnncd,
utterly exhausted and unable longer to stand before
the whitening fire to which they we're exposed-a
direct fire from their works in front and an cullad-
Ing fire from either hunk-thcy laid down, and un.
sheltered, continued for nearly an hour the unequal
fight against the outnumbcriug und cntrcnched en-
cmy, who after the action began, had been largely
reinforced, Had the regiment failed to charge, or,
at this critical uncture had they fallen into confu-
sion or disorder and rctrcatcd-as even brave men
min buN tbaN ug hN kvb Rrir
adc would have been almost entirely cut to pieces
and captured. But they stubbernly and defantly
held their exposed position the other regiments of
the Brigade acting in the same manner fighting
braycly and as far as in their power returning shot
for shot-thc rebels demanding their surrender, and
they for reply returning bullets. Thus the day was
saved by ntimidating the rebels from leaving their
dchc, TO attempt their capture, and enabling the
wounded to be brought off the field and then, when
commanded, and not till then, they skillmlly and
with but little loss, withdrew.
No regiment ever marched more steadily or
maintained better line while advancing upon
charge than did this noble little Tennessee rogi-
ment. None ever faced danger, fought more brave
", or withdrew more skillfuly than did they, re-
tanning through all the horrd crash and strife and
peril Of that fatal hour that presence of mind
which charactcriLos the "bruvcst of the brave '--
They failed to reach the cnemys works and break
his line, only because to that number of men, il was
an impossibility Their brave Color Sergeant
John Gos,ctt was killed, falling but a few pace.
from their works. The Color Corporal, Newton j.
Rogers, tell-suppo,cd to be wounded with the
flagstaff against the works and, holding still faith
fully to the staff, was dragged over the works and
Coors captured.
The regiment lost more heavily IN proportion to
it, numbers than any other IN the Brigade IT hav-
ing advanced nearest to the rcbol works and been
IN hp pnr tsi.h
twelve commissioned officers, lmysclf included
and came out with but six mhurt Entered with
2ll enlisted men, and came out with but l3i. The
losses wcrc-killed 26, mortally wounded, 81 &C.
riousy wounded 26 slightly wounded loi miss
ing, l6; total, S3-bcing more than one-third Of
their number engaged.
| might instance to you special acts of daring
courage heroism and loyal devotion on the part Of
both officers and men, who fell under my own OBJ
scrvation but refrain from doing SO, as all fought
bravelv and then, when retiring ongtheucd out
the minutes of personal danger and peril TO aid
those who were wounded to get away, and have
fairly won for themselves Il reputation for bravery,
courage and patriotic devotion, which while such
virtues are esteemed and such deeds recorded will
be remembered and emulatcd. Since the battle the
regiment was formed into line for the purpose when
Gen. Reilly personally cOmplimented them both
officers and men, in unmcasurcd terms for their no.
bic conduct, unsurpassed bravery and gallantry,
and thanked them for their important services upon
that day; and also told them that Gems Schofeld
and Cox had each likewise commissioned him to
bear them, personally their thanks and compli-
ments, with the assurance that their CALAMITY and
services were duly appreciated by them.
! send you detailed list Of the casualties, which
please have published for information to those hay
ing friends in the regiment.
Your friend WI. j.