Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-22
FROM THE r25th REGIMENT
Rebel Retreat from Resaca.
MAR DALLAS, GEORGIA,
lime 4 1864

NEAR DALLAS, GEORGIA,
June 4, 1864.
EDS. CHRoNIcLE:-The rebels evacuated
their works in front of Resaca on the
night of the 18th of May. The
rear guard made charge at midnight in
order to more effectually cover the re-
treat At daybreak next morning we
discovered that we were confronting
empty intrenchments, and Immediately
commenced pursuit. Details were sent
to bury the dead and look after the
wounded who had fallen in the charge of
the previous day. was curious to know
how much we had injured the enemy,
and the extent of his work Riding over
the battle field, crossed dense thicket
where our men had charged a rebel bat
terry. Such sight as met my eyes, |
hope never again to witness. After our
men had been repulsed, the woods had
been set on fire, and the dead and those
too badly wounded oget away were liter
ally charred The clothes of many had
been almost en- tirely consumed and their
distorted countenances, and crisped and
bloated forms expressed a hideousness
altogether inhuman Nearer to the rebel
works, friend and foe lay side by side
mute in death; their blood commingled.
By observing closely, the remark I have
several times heard, seemed to be verified:
The rebel dead have a more CHASTITY
look than our own" While the counte-
nance of many of our men are composed,
calm almost as wrapt in sleep; there is in
the face of the enemy troubled, fero-
cious, despairing look as though death
had increased rather than relieved his
suffering. have never yet seen placid
countenance among the rebel dead.
Passing inside the enemy's works, 1
found he had been directed to the ''Last
ditch" We had driven him from his
outer works, and he had but one line left,
nor would the character of the ground
permit another within supporting dis
tance.. This explained to me why the 4th
Corps had been so stubbornly opposed in
all its attempts to charge the enemies
second line. Had we been successful the
result would have been disastrous to him.
As it was we had inflicted severe punish
ment One battery had lost every horse
but one; and many new-made graves in
the immediate vicinity sttested how
effective had been our fire. The fortifi-
cations were not nearly so strong as those
in front of Tunnel Hill; and had John
ston persisted in holding them one day
longer, his army would probably have
been routed.
By o'clock A. NJ, the l4th corps was in
Resaca. In their haste to get away the
enemy LETT valuable property behind
Flour, cannons, one thousand sacks of
corn. tents equipments &C., fell into our
hands. All the intensely secesh citizen.
had left in advance of Johnston's army;
and when our own advance entered the
town, drums beating and banners flying,
we were warmly welcomed. Small boys
swung their hats and hurrahed for Lin
cum" young ladies waved their hand
kerchiefs, aud in the eyes of gray-head-
ed men tesr-drop gathered as sight
of the honored emblem of our country
awakened within their hearts old loves
and old associations.
The railroad bridge was still burning;
it had been fired some hours before
The braces of the wooden bridge had
been nearly cut off. the enemy undoubt-
edIy thinking that in our eagerness to
pursue, our advance would rush madly
on to the bridge when it would give way
and Yankees, bridge and all, would be pre-
cipitated into into the river. But our
impetuosity was not so confused as to al
low us to be caught in trap of so shall
low minded conception. After little re-
pairs we commenced crossing in single
file, our brigade having the advance; and
when our pioneers had made the bridge
perfectly safe (the work of only a few
moments) the entire corps passed rap
idly over.
The advance was Immediately resum-
ed. At dark we went into biVouac near
Calhoun having skirmished with the en-
emy's rear-guard all the afternoon dri-
wing it steadily before us, capturing many
prisoners and taking large number of
deserters and stragglers.
For the part taken by the 125th at the
battle of Resaca, we claim no parLic-
ular credit. We tried to do our duty;
and at Rocky Face Ridge. were highly
complimented by the commanding Gen
eral. Our loss was four killed and thir-
ty-eight wounded Among the latter
was Col. opdycke, whose wound l am
pleased to inform you is now healing rap
idly. Respectfully,
t-zEG- -Ll { CEYLON.