The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-08-18

my regiment (the 18th Mich.) which l found
in the Regular Brigade in front of Atlanta the
second day after the death of Gen. Mcpherson,
Gen King in command This brigade at that
time consisted according to my recollection
of six battaions of the 18th, 10th, and 18th
Regulars, and the 18th Mich AS it was the
largest brigade in Sherman's army, equal to
seven average regiments, it was divided, and
being next in rank to Gen. King, took COM
mand of one half, and Maj. Eddy, of the Regu-
lars, the other half
Soon after Joined the command the brigade
was ordered to right on a reconnaissance.
While making this movement Gen. King was
temporarily in command OF the division and
of the brigade but late on the second day Gen.
King and | were back in our former places,
and / think the third day we returned to the
line in front of Atlanta, but fully mile to the
right Of our old position.
At about this time occurred Gen. Pamer's
unpeaSantness as commander of the corps aud
Gen. King took the division, and followed.
taking command Of the brigade, which held
more or less during the occupancy of that line.
However. think Maj. Eddy was as much in
command as was feeble at the time.
l would be pleased TO give dates and details,
but nv army records we're destroyed by fire
soon aft CT the war;. But this do remember:
Tho brigade under my,command, with another
brigade on my left, on the 7th of August, 1864,
made as gallant a charge as any of be war. It
was A dash at the encEy's man works IN our
front. We captured shout SOC rebels in their
hepits, and The 18th Regulars scaled their
main works, holding them for a short time,
when they were forced back by reserve COM
ing to the support Of the enemy. These were
the only Yankees as understood at the time,
who got inside Of the enemy's works in front
Of Atlanta. But presume this statement will
call to the front score more Of com rades
xri na,1fQ uyara Ia q IVh r
ing Regiments Of the Iron Brigade" or the
Tigers" or Z" Invincibles." etc, declaring that
it was their special commands, and that we
were net +" in it" at all. All right comrades;
have your own way. Your statements hereto
fore in THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE have so con-
fused me that / will believe anything you say
until the next fellow writes.
Well, the brigad. formed line that day and
fortified within 10 rods Of the enemy's front,
and held il until Sherman moved to Jonesboro.
The time of the IltE Mich. having expired
several days before this last move of Sherman,
we were sent to Sturgis, Mich. to be mustered
ont. When left the front with my regiment,
the Regular Brigade was commanded by Maj.
Eddy. How long he continued in command |
do not know. Jonesboro was fought few
days after we left, and the brigade then con-
sisted of Regulars wholly.
/ understand that when the army was reor.
ganized after the Missionary Ridge battle, the
Goth Ohio was i'll ibis brigade for awhile, but
was assigned afterward to another brigade; but
as was absent nursing a wound and on court
martial duty until / joined the brigade at
Atlanta, my evidence would be hearsay only.
IN closing, ] wish to say that 10 army pro-
duced more gallant aud courteous set OF Off
GERS than the Regular Brigade of the Army of
the Cumberland. When l consider that was
a volunteer officer, without military cduca-
ton, placed, simply by reason of rank, over
ay,,, ty,n,,
that courtesy. respect and cheerful assistance
that Major General could expect, my feelings
of thankfuness and love for those generous,
whole.souled, brave men are beyond express
sion.-MELvIN NUDGE, Lieutenant Colonel,
18th Mich. Los Angeles Cal.