The National tribune., 1888-07-26
DE aREss.s BATTERY.

seems TO disprove Gen. Logan's statement in
a letter to Mr. McCreary (also incorporated |
in the article) In regard to the recapture of
De Gress's battery. As Gen. Logan directed |
in person the charge made In recapturing |
De Gress's guns it is to be presumed he |
knew what he was writing in reply to Mr.. |
McCreaTy's query. Without going into detail |
and with Characteristic directness, he simply
states the fact, not stopping to enumerate the
number of troops, etc, or explaining the
important events that followed in rapid
succession: recapturing Battery A, retall-
ing the ground from which our troops had
been driven, or many other matters of de-
tail he might have given. But as Logans
report of the battle is so explicit, we give it
herewith trusting it may settle the question:
At $50 p. N. the enemy made attack on the
Second Division of the Fifteenth Corps. 1t was
ascertained by the Provost Marshal from prisoners
captured and from Confederate reports subse-
quenty made that the attack upon the front OF the
Fifteenth Corps, and shortly afterward upon the
! front of the Seventeenth Corps made by the
! corps heretofore commanded by Gen. Hood. and
| that at that time under command of Gen. Cheat
| ham.
| The enemy advanced from the direction of their
main works about Atlanta In columns Of Tegi-
| ments. The attacking column moved rapidly upon
| the Second Division, commanded by Gen. Light
burn. The first assault was repused. Their lines,
| however, were rapidly reformed and the assault
renewed repeatedly but without success. The
| withdrawal of Col Martins Brigade from the Sec
ond Division to reinforce the Sixteenth Corps made
an interval between the right of the Second and
left Of the First Division, which held by thin
| line of skirmishers. Wangelin's Brigade had been
| withdrawn from the First Division. so that there
| were no reserve to the corps. At this point
deep cut of the railroad, the right of which four
guns of Battery A. LIST III. Art, were In position
and firing by the right-oblique at the broken lines
Of the enemy. Under the smoke of Battery A
| rebel column marched rapidly by the flank
up the main dirt road, and through the deep
cut of the railroad and were in rear
of our lines before the officers and men were
aware of their intention The division at once fell
back, the greater part hating in rayine between
the two lines, some, however, retiring to the old
line.
Battery A and the 2Opound guns of battery H LIST
H. l.. A. were left III the hands of the enemy; the
officers and men of both batteries fought with the
greatest gallantry, serving their guns while they
|
was giving orders to Gen. Dodge having just rid
den to his left, where Gen. Cox's Division, of the
Twenty Third Corps, Cfor which had as<ed,1 had
gone into position covering the Decatur road.
The command Of Gen Dodge was not at this
time engaged. Capt. Wheeler. ofmy staff, inform
ing me of the disaster TO the Fifteenth Corps or
dered Col. Martin to move at double-quck back to
his division, and also ordered Gen. Dodge to send
brigade of the Sixteenth Corps to the assistance
LIFT inf
him. in the event that he needed support, to call
upon Gen. Cox, commanding the division of the
Twenty third Corps on his left. The Second Bri.
gade of the Second Division, Sixteenth Corps, Col
Mersey commanding, moved promptly out, and ]
conducted 1t to the rear of the old works of the
Second Division of the Fifteenth Corps. where il
deployed on the right of the railroad. When I ar
rived Gems. Morgan L. Smith and Lighlburn were
reforming the line of the Second Division II
a ravine between the two lines of works
ordered Gen. Smith, as h'
could reform his lines, to reiaSe the position ana
the batteries which had been lost.
Gen. Woods, commanding the First Division
which was on the right of the Second Division
finding his position untenable, the enemy occupy
ing position 300 400 yards to his left and rear
threw back his left and rear, forming line facing
the enemy's flank, his right resting at the Howart
House. At the same time Maj Landgraeber, Chic
of Artillery of the First Division who had six gum
| in position, moved them into the open field anC
opened upon the enemy, compelling them to seei
shelter killing the horses of De Gressis batter,
and preventing the enemy from removing TIN
guns Gen. Woods then moved his First Brigad
forward, attacking the enemy In flank and rear
and his Second Brigade attacking in flank ant
front. At the same time the Second Division, fol
lowed by Merseys Brigade, advanced upon tn
enemys front. The movement successful
| Woods Division striking the enemy's flank. it be
gan to break, and soon afterward, the Second Di
vision changing his front, the line of works d
Gress's battery, and two guns Of Battery A, wer
reeaptured. Gen. Woods then swung his lei
around. aud the whole line of the First and Secon
Divisions reoccupied with further oppc
sition, except fierce assault on the 4th lows
which was repulsed.
To this we add an extract from Gen Mar
tins own report made at the time. Ate
narrating the orders received at p. m. 70
the disposition of his troops-First Brigade
Q Second Division, Fifteenth Corps-he says
h reported withIny reserve to Gen. Harrow, an
Immediately after being assigned TO position r.
IS ceived second order to march on the Decatu
- road and report TO Gen. Dodge, which / did, an
, was again placed in position. soon after which
IL was informed by Gen. Logan that our lines wei
| Immediately back to nay command / informs
the commanding officers of regiments Of the r
10 serve of our division, and gave the command
forward TO its support, which was obeyed on I'll
W doubleqnick. On arriving in the open field
Of the front of first line of works formed lir
and charged the works. We were repulsed in IL
~ first charge by enflading fire from the RICH
Id but again reformed and drove the enemy from OF
works, reeapturing two pieces of artillery, takir
~ one stand of colors and some 80 or 30 prisoner
The 1lIth H. was intrenched some distance in from
70 as a support to my piclxet-line. They held Il
works against two brigades fighting noby uni
at both tanks turned, when they fell back
80 good order and reformed behind the main work
Fifty dead rebels are reported in front of their p
1n stion.
it To this may be added extracts from ii
be report of Gen. G. NJ. Dodge, made immed
re ately after the battle, which sustain all tn
of Gen. Logan said.
., As soon as / ascertained that fact, sent stl
officer 20 Maj.-Gen Logan to report the expos
IN condition of nay left and request troops be Sc
no there also, reporting the gap between and t
Seventeenth Corps.
on A brigRde-Col. Martin-of the Fifteenth Cor
90 was Immediately sent to the left, arriving lust