CHAPTER XIV.

Battle of Resaca, Georgia-In Pursuit of the Fleeing Chivalry (?) At an early hour on the morning of May 15th sharp skirmishing opened along our entire front. General Geary's Second division moved a short distance to the left and halted for orders. About II o'clock Generals Sherman, Hooker, and Thomas, with their respective staffs, reached the battlefield and immediately held a council of war. General Hooker is requested to assume command of selected troops to take the offensive, and is asked how large a force he required to capture a certain fort directly in our front, known to be the enemy's stronghold and the key to his position. Hooker astonished his superiors by replying: "Geary's division can, I think, carry that position if it can be done by anyone.' As this conversation was heard by our men we were prepared for what was to follow.

As soon as General Geary had received his instructions, the Second division moved to the attack in the following orders: Second and Third brigades in the advance, with the First brigade closely massed in their. rear, the latter advancing closely in support of the attacking column. Our advance was met with obstinate resistance, yet we steadily pushed forward, driving the enemy back and gaining possession of three lines of hills in rapid succession, the last of which was in close proximity to the rebel fort, only a narrow ravine intervening. The enemy are strongly entrenched in earthworks extending in the rear of the fort. The First brigade commenced

a rapid firing at short range to cover the sortie being made by regiments of the Second and Third brigades. These regiments rush gallantly forward to the assault. They are repulsed but quickly reform, and, with other regiments sent to their support, they again pass forward. The fort was captured and lost three times in succession, but at last the rebels are forced to flee before our furious charge. Leaving the guns they join the main line.

The Union forces prevented the rebels from again occupying the fort until dark, when detachments from the Twenty-ninth and other Ohio regiments of the First brigade were sent to open a trench through the earthworks of the fort through which to move the guns into the ravine below. The rebels discovering this charged down upon us to recapture the guns. Expecting such an attack the First brigade had moved forward into the ravine, and now waited the coming of the rebels. When close upon them a signal was given, which was followed by a sheet of flame along our whole line, dealing terrible destruction into the rebel ranks, immediately followed by a determined bayonet charge, which threw their lines into disorder and they fled panic-stricken over their fortifications, closely pursued by our command, whose loud huzzas sent Johnston's army in rapid retreat, abandoned all its cannon, hospital, and commissary stores, and with their usual savagery leaving their own dead and wounded upon the field. We also captured many prisoners.

This success was a grand victory for the "white star" division of the Twentieth corps, yet not unattended with losses, which were, however, light in comparison with those of the enemy. In fact, in the night attack we had so thoroughly surprised the enemy that but feeble resistance was made.

At an early hour on the morning of May 16th we pushed rapidly forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. At 9 o'clock A. M. we came into line on the bank of the Coosa river, near the railroad bridge, which our cavalry had prevented the rebels from burning, though they had made repeated efforts to do so. The enemy's flight was so rapid that he had not even time to seriously impair the railroad track. Our locomotives, with trains of surplies, soon came in sight. We now advanced across the river and encamped for the night.

At 12 M. on May 17th, the general forward movement of our army was resumed. The Twenty-ninth regiment was the advance guard of its division, and assisted in driving the rebels from the little village of Calhoun, where we halt for the night. At 5 o'clock on the following morning we again moved forward in the direction of Rome, Georgia. At Rome cross-roads the rebels were met and promptly engaged by the Fourth corps; a lively fight ensued, resulting in slight losses on both sides. The enemy retreated, and we continued the pursuit until 9 o'clock P. M., when we encamped for the night.

On the next morning at early dawn we pushed forward, continuing until 3 o'clock P. M., when we halt and form line near Kingston, Georgia. The whole force of the enemy are immediately on our front, and the Fourth corps promptly open fire upon them, which resulted in a further movement of the chivalry to the rear.

We remain here until the morning of May 23d when we move about daylight via Cassville and Cass station to the Etowah river, which is crossed on pontoons, and a halt for the night made on its opposite bank. The next morning we resume the weary march, coming into line of battle at about 9 A. M. We advanced in this

order up the Raccoon hills, or Alatoona range, until night, when we encamp at Burnt Hickory. The First brigade, as advance guard, moved ahead at daybreak, via the Burnt Hickory road.

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CHAPTER XV.

Pumpkin Vine Creek-Dallas, or New Hope Church-Slight Unpleasantness-Personal.

At Pumpkin Vine creek we discover the enemy and drive back his skirmishers, who are stationed on its opposite bank, recovering the bridge, which we cross and throw out skirmishers on the opposite side. While this was being accomplished, General Hooker and Staff, with a small body guard, pushed ahead to reconnoiter. He had not advanced far, however, when he was attacked by a force of rebel sharp shooters. He now came tearing back into our lines shouting to General Geary to move his First brigade into position to hold the enemy in check nntil the Second and Third brigades should come up, they being some four miles in our rear. We quickly formed line by columns to the right and left, the Twenty-ninth Ohio occupying position on the extreme left, Knapp's battery taking position immediately in our rear, to cover the bridge in case we were forced to retire before reinforcements should reach us. As the left company of the Twenty-ninth were completing the battleline a rebel column was found marching in close proximity to our flank.

Ten paces to the front the skirmishers were hotly engaged, but our flank was uncovered. We immediately face to the left and prepare to fire, but are prevented by instructions not to draw on a general engagement but to hold the position at all hazards. The rebel column on our flank, however, slowly retired without firing a gun, and forming on their main line, which was massed in the