The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1885-10-08
AT ROCKY FACE.
Two Comrades Have Their Say" About the Racks
There

Two Comrades Have Their ''Say " About the Racket
There.
To THE EDITOR: In THE NATIONAL TRIB-
UHE of Aug 6 a member of the 65th Ill. speaks
of the part taken in the action at Rocky Face
by Hovey's Division of 1ndianians, Twenty
third Corps.
l think part of Palmers Fourteenth Corps
also had "a hand in that little affair. In the
assault mentioned by the Goth Ill. correspond
ent Turchin's Brigade (the Third of Third DI-
vision, Fourteenth Corps made junction with
Hovey on his extreme right, reaching up among
the rocks to point beyond which was entirely
inaccessible to the boldest climbers. Hovey s
line extended down the steep and to tho
ground below, looking as il it was almost under
our feet. They whooped the JOhnnies up and
were pushing them right along till, striking {,
strong line advantageOusy posted along the
precipitous spurs and nights OF Rocky Face Tor
Buzzard Roost, as some called it,, they were
brought up all of a sudden, and in turn were
threatened with counter charge. That Is
when our boys were ordered in. Turchin got
word to charge the spur which lay in front of
u.s. and the old veterans stripped for the plunge.
The SD Ind and the S9th Ohio were in front.
Maj. Slocum commanded the Sod, and to him
was given the order to charge. The Ohio regi-
ment was not over 200 strong, but it was conf
posed of excellent stuff. Whoever it was in
command of it asked our Major if he wanted
them to help him. The Maj or told him he
might as we'll, he guessed, and in moment the
S9th's colors fluttered down our line on the
right, and away we went down steep wooded
slope and up the other side-steeper and more
heavily timbered than the one we went down
till we were into the very jaws of the heavy lines
of the enemy. l should say they were five to
our one and as they seemed inclined to stay,
We didn't and left. The trees saved us. We
sprang from tree to tree as we could catch a
lull in the rain of bullets. 1t did literally rain
bullets, for the dry leaves stirred and ruStled
under our feet like as if you had suddenly dis
turbed a lot of grasshoppers until we got back
to the starting place, and then retreated under
cover of the darkness. Maj. Slocum was killed.
He was brave man. He was already lame
from wound received in the first Bull Run.
The woods took fire, and some of our wounded
must have persisted. Well do | remember young
George Moreland, of Co. f, as he went dragging
himself down the hill and inploring me for
help. He met me after the war, ali right; but
/ never expected to see him again.
Hovey's boys did CALAMITY, but they prob
ably did not know we were up there among the
crags. This was hardly " the first baptism of
fire" of the Atlanta campaign, as your CORE
spondent alleges We had a pretty brisk en-
gagement at Dalton Gap a few days before; in
fact, three or four days were employed in
demonstrating the impregnable nature of that
position, requiring some pretty sharp fighting
before we were detached for the Buzzard Roost
business; but, of course, nothing like the fight
ing at Buzzard Roost. Rocky Face may be the
more correct name of this specific locality, but
my recollection is that it bore the two names
indiscrimnately.- -, Capt, Co. L, SD
Ind, Minneapolis, Mimi.
THE TwENTY-THIRD CORPS
To THE EDITOR: Capt. Walden Kelley, of
Co. F, Goth Ohio, should be accurate himself
before attempting to correct the inaccuracies of
&l,a-- lr ,t.y
third Corps at Rocky Face. 1t was moved from
its true position on the left of the Union line
and swung to the right, joining in the flank
movement through Snake Creek Gap and form
ing again the left flank at ReSaca. If the
Fourth Corps retreated at Rocky Face history
and personal observation at the time fail to
disclose it. The last fighting done at Resaca
ON the left was by the Twentieth Corps under
Hooker. The retreat of Johnston from this
position was closely followed by the Fourth
Corps, hence the supposition of Capt. Kelley
that his corps made the last fight. The article
he attempts TO criticise only relates to the first
days fight at Rocky Face and the conduct Of
Hovcys Division of the Twenty-third Corps
There can be no mistake of their position on
that day to the left of the army. If Capt
Kelley will consult authorities he will find that
the Twenty-third Corps was a " thanking corps
OF Shermans army, never in the center ex-
cept the day Mcpherson was killed, and that
nearly all of Sherman's movements in the At
lanta campaign were based upon the Twenty
third Corps as pivot, swinging to the right or
left as occasion demanded. There need be no
confusion between writers as to the correctness
of position and designations of troops by corps
engaged in either the initial fight at Rocky
Face or Resaca. The two engagements were
separate-yet designed for a common purpose
the dislodgment of the rebel army from their
intrenched position.-"Co A." Goth ILL.,, Corn
ing Iowa.