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Regiment: 15th Michigan Infantry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: John M. Oliver
Hd Qrs 1st Brigd 4th Div. 15th A.C.
East Point, Ga. Sept 9th 1864
Capt Ira J. Bloomfield
AAAGenl 4th Div 15th A.C.
Sir.
I have the honor to submit the
following report of the 1
st Brigade, since August 4
th 1864 when the
Division was reorganized together with the reports of the Regimental
Commanders. And a copy of the report of the operations of the 3
rd Brigd
which was under my command during the campaign until it
was discontinued in the reorganization.
On the 4th of August 1864 the
3
rd Brigd was discontinued. The troops composing it together with the
12
th Ind Infty Col Raul Williams Commdg and 90
th Ills. Capt
O’Connor Commdg organized as a Brigade and designated as 1
st
Brigade 4
th Division, 15
th Army Corps.
The position occupied was about one mile (W.)
of Atlanta, well fortified and in close proximity to the works of the
enemy. On the 5
th the 48
th Ills was put in the front line, relieving
a Regiment of the 2
nd Brigade. While occupying this position
our Pickets were constantly engaged and their fire was often severe
and destructive. Our skirmish line having been securely entrenched
on the nights of the 7
th and 8
th the main line moved forward, and
occupied it on the 9
th the distance gained being 300 yards on
the left, and 450 on the right, and the line lengthened by this movement
so that the 99
th Ind & 15
th Mich. were also brought forward. On the nights
of the 12
th and 13
th a line of works was constructed in advance of the 15
th Mich
and occupied by the 70
th the following day. At daylight on the 17
th
Capt John Murphy Co “B” 90
th Ills. having volunteered for the purpose
with 20 men from his own Regiment. And 20 from the 12
th Ind.
made a dash upon a few of the enemys rifle-pits, which had been
annoying us greatly, and succeeded in taking them, with 8 prisoners
losing one man killed. The same night the enemys skirmishers
made an effort to retake them, but failed. August 18
th made a
demonstration, which resulted in discovering that there was no
diminution of the enemys force in our front skirmishing continued
until 26
th. At 9.10 P.M. commenced with drawing our lines leaving the
usual number of skirmishers in front and accomplished it without
loss, or interruption. the skirmishers having repulsed a heavy de-
monstration made by the enemy and coming in all safe at the sound
of Revellie in their camps. Marched all night an encamped at 1
P.M. 27
th on the south side of Wolf Creek distance 12 miles & fortified
our position. 28
th Marched 5 miles to Atlanta and Montgomery R. R.
and kept one half of the Brigade, employed during the night in des-
-troying it. 29
th the 12
th Ind. was detached as Train guard. 30
th marched
11 miles and went into position a half mile from Jonesboro. At 8 P.M. 70
th
Ohio and 99
th Ind in front. 48
th Ills and 15
th Mich in reserve and 89
th Ills
deployed as skirmishers. This position was well fortified during the
night by the two Regiments in front. Aug 31
st constructed an interior
line of works during the forenoon, and had some skirmishing until
half part two ocl’k P.M. when the enemy were seen forming columns
for assault. Our skirmishers were briskly attacked and driven in and
for a short time, the enemy made a determined effort to drive us
from our position, but were repulsed handsomely. The engagement
was quite spirited. The officers and men of the command behaved
with gallantry. No men straggling or leaving their posts. The
severity of the affair of the 31
st was not realized until after we got
into Jonesboro, and saw the number of men wounded and heard them
talk of the slaughter of that assault on our lines. As soon as the
enemys columns had been driven back, the 90
th Ills was deployed
as skirmishers, and again advanced to their old position which they
reoccupied taking 26 prisoners. In the engagement our total loss was 23.
Sept 1
st at daylight the order was given to advance our line of skirmishers
composed of details from the 48
th Ills and 15
th Mich. for the purpose of
feeling the enemys lines. Capt Keneipp 48
th Ills commanding was
wounded, and the advance was promptly made under the direction
of Lt McNiel 15
th Mich. next in command. They pressed forward
on the rifle-pits of the enemy within 50 yards of the enemys main
line of works captureing 33 prisoners. three of whom were officers.
The gallant conduct of Lt Edwards 15
th Mich. on this occasion, is
worthy of great praise. and the Commanding Officer takes pleasure
in announcing that it has elected the marked approbation of the
Genl. Commdg. Div Sept 2
nd skirmishers advanced at dawn and
finding, the enemys works abandoned, pressed forward to the Rail
Road, capturing 1 officer and 7 men, moved in pursuit at 9 A.M. along
the Rail Road, to the vicinity of Lovejoys Station, and erected
during the night, a strong line of works, at a distance of 4 to 600 yards
from those of the enemys. Sept 3
rd and 4
th brisk skirmishing. At 8 P.M.
Sept 5
th withdrew to our position at Jonesboro. Sept 7
th marched 7
miles to Morrows Mills. Sept 8
th marched 5 miles to East Point.
In making a report of so extended a campaign as this lasting such
a length of time and with a command that has been so uniformly
successful under so many adverse circumstances and where all
alike, behaved with great, and distinguished courage, and devotion
to particularize in especial mentions is unnecessary. I have though
this to say for all, that notwithstanding our fearful losses and the
terrible battles we have been through. We have always been
successful. We have never turned our backs upon the enemy. and
have taken in prisoners and of wounded and killed that fell
into our hands more than the aggregate loss to say nothing of the
killed and wounded carried off by the enemy. The records of
the Regiments of this Brigade, through this long and exhausting
campaign, are brighter than any was previously made. They
have been true, devoted, constant, and loyal. All the officers
staff, field and line, with their men, have my sincere thanks
and the proud satisfaction that they have contributed their
full share, towards the crowing result of the Great Campaign
“the Capture of Atlanta.”
Very Respectfully
Your Obt Servt
Col Comdg Brigd
