Siege of Atlanta - 38th and 66th Indiana

3rdIndianaCav

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This is a long post. I had two relatives, one in each of the above units, that were killed on consecutive days. Based on the information gathered, I am hoping that someone familiar with the siege and the area can help me locate the approximate position of the units on August 10 & 11. I believe that the 38th Indiana was on the far right of the 14th Corps line and the 66th Indiana was on the far left of the 16th Corps line. They were close enough that Sgt. Armstrong, 66th Ind., went to visit the 38th Ind. during this time frame. There is very little left of the Mayson & Turner ferry road, and obviously Atlanta is very different today than in 1866 when the original burial sites were identified. Both men are now interred at Marietta National Cemetery. Even if you are unable to help locate their units when they died or where they were originally buried, I hope that this research gives some insight into the Siege of Atlanta, an operation that is mostly glossed over by historians and even the troops that were there.

Samuel K. Kron, Pvt., Co. B KIA 8/10/64
38th​ Indiana Infantry – LtC Daniel F. Griffin
3rd​ Brigade – Col. Benjamin F. Scribner
1st​ Division – BG John H. King
14th​ Corps – R. W. Johnson/B.G. Jeff C. Davis as of August 9, 1864
Army of the Cumberland – George H. Thomas


During this period of August 1864 there were numerous changes in Brigade, Division, and Corps command. It is even unclear whether the 38th​ Indiana was a part of the Army of the Cumberland or the Army of the Ohio on August 10, 1864. I believe it was still part of the AoC. The list of commanders above is my best estimate.


From History of the Thirty-Eighth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry by Henry Fales Perry

(Pages 148-149)The siege now became somewhat monotonous, and was only varied by occasional outbreaks of fierce artillery fire which were more noisy than harmful. When these outbreaks occurred at night we were treated to a fine pyrotechnic display; if by day, the infantry simply "hunted their holes"—that is, kept as close under cover as possible. The picket firing was constant and there was at all times the soft, hissing sound of bullets in the air. Sometimes an advance of the picket line would be ordered, and then the volume of noise would increase until it approached the dignity of a battle. Every new movement was attended with more or less danger and more or less loss of life.
On the 11th of August, Frank D. Matthews, a young and very promising soldier of Company G, was killed on the skirmish line.
The loss of the Thirty-eighth Indiana during the siege of Atlanta was 3 enlisted men killed and 7 wounded. One man lost an arm while going to a spring for water.
(Page 312) Kron, Samuel – Date of Muster Sept. 18, 1861 – Vet. Killed in action Aug. 10, ’64 (Note: His brother, Charles Kron, of the same company, died of disease on May 3, 1863 at Mufreesboro General Hospital).


From U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960:

Burials on the Mason(Mayson) & Turner Ferry road
2 ½ miles NW of Atlanta on the Mason(Mayson) & Turner Ferry road in the NW corner of an old field on the Widow Elliot’s land.
There were 3 burials, all from the 38th​ Indiana, from 3 different companies. Two died on August 10, including my relative, and the other on August 11.



From Claim for Widow’s Pension File

Killed August 10, 1864 in front of Atlanta Ga. Certification from Wm. C. Shaw Capt. Co. B 38th​ Ind. Shows that this soldier was killed in line of battle in front of Atlanta Ga.by a rifle ball from the enemy the ball entering the neck causing instant death. J.A. Nichols Asst. Surg. 38 Reg. Ind. certifies to same as above.


Following from the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

Serial 076, Page 0449

HEADQUARTERS FOURTEENTH ARMY CORPS, Near Atlanta, Ga., August 10, 1864.

Brigadier General W. D. WHIPPLE,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Chief of Staff:

The corps remained to-day in its old position. A constant firing of skirmishers kept up, with occasional artillery firing. Losses, 3 enlisted men killed, 12 enlisted men wounded. Several deserters came into our lines and will be forwarded to department headquarters.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

R. W. JOHNSON,
Brigadier-General.
29 R R-VOL XXVIII, PT V

Serial 072, Pages 608-611
Numbers 115.

Reports of Lieutenant Colonel Daniel F. Griffin, Thirty-eighth Indiana Infantry.

HDQRS. THIRTY-EIGHTH INDIANA VETERAN VOLS.,

Jonesborough, Ga., September 5, 1864.

(Portion of Report, pg 609)

July 22, participated in advance on Atlanta, going into position in front of their works, and about two miles from the city.

July 28, moved with brigade to support the Army of the Tennessee, then engaged with the enemy. Went into position on the flank of said army, throwing up works, but did not become engaged. From this date until August 25, p. m., the regiment participated in the skirmishers and advances made by the brigade in the vicinity of Atlanta, taking with the brigade an advanced position in the lines on August 9 and 10 within 1,000 yards of enemy's main works. Losses, though light, were of almost daily occurrence.

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant,

D. F. GRIFFIN,
Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Thirty-eighth Indiana Vet. Vol. Infty.
Lieutenant H. O. MONTAGUE, A. A. A. G., Third Brigadier, First Div., 14th Army Corps.


Elmadore Cleveland, Pvt., Co. I KIA 8/11/64
66th​ Indiana Infantry – Capt. Alfred Morris (temporary command)
1st​ Brigade – Elliott W. Rice
2nd​ Division – B.G. Thomas W. Sweeney, arrested July 25
B.G. John M. Corse in command July 26
16th​ Corps – Grenville M. Dodge
Army of the Tennessee – Oliver O. Howard July 26



From Indiana Adjutant General Report

Cleveland, Elmadore – Date of Muster Aug. 19, 1862 – Killed at Atlanta August 11, 1865(sic)

From U.S., Burial Registers, Military Posts and National Cemeteries, 1862-1960:

Killed in Skirmish lines & General Field Hospital Cemeteries

4 miles NW of Atlanta on Leonard’s land 150 yards N of the Mason(Mayson) & Turner ferry road in a pine grove 150 W of Proctors creek

Burial 1372 Elmadore Cleveland, Pvt., 1 of 6 in burial, Co. I, 66th​ Ind., Date of Death 8/11/1864
Of the other 5 buried with him, three were from the 2nd​ Iowa, one from the 7th​ Iowa, and a Corp’l from Co. H, 66th​ Ind.




Following entries are from the diary of Sgt, Robert Armstrong, Co. H, 66th​ Indiana:

Monday, 25,​

The day very pleasantly and quietly spent on the picket line, had plenty of blackberries for dinner, an attack looked for in the evening, relieved at 4:30 oc. return to camp, T. W. Sweeny arrested and sent to the rear, Rice our Division Commander.

Tuesday, 26,​

Write a long letter home, get marching orders do not move till midnight, when we move very cautiously toward the right , Gen. Corse assumes command of the 2nd division, Gen. Howard of the army of Tenn.

Wednesday,27,​

March till 5 oc.A .M. when we stop for breakfast, rest a couple of hours and then proceed, get to the right of our lines at 3 oc. have a heavy shower of rain, a skirmish with the Rebs, drive them about a mile the 66th on picket, brisk firing kept up.

Thursday, 28,​

On the picket or skirmishing line all day, hard fighting on our right and left, we get shelled but they over-shoot us, relieved and get to camp after dark & have to draw rations, convalescents return

Friday, 29,​

Do not move till 4 oc. when we move about 300 yds, owing to some mistake or something else, we do not get to the place. we go to fill & lay behind the breastworks all night awaiting further orders.

Saturday, 30,​

Move back to our camp behind the hill this morning, lay there about when we again move, go to the left and take the 66th Ill. place at the breastworks, the Rebs throw shells in our vicinity some 64 pdrs.

Sunday, 31,​

Do not move today, mail comes get a letter, Bloomfield & Martin, Rains in the evening very hard, draw rations and clothing, Wash my clothes today.

August, Monday, 1, 1864​

Rains again today, brisk canonading this evening from both sides, write a letter home.

Tuesday ,2,​

Cleaning up camp this morning, The left wing of the Regt. go on picket, Constant firing kept up, not much canonading, rains in the night a light shower.

Wednesday, 3,​

On picket all day, shooting done by the Rebs, one man hit of Co.K We advance our lines late in the evening, Hard fighting going on, on our right and left , relieved at 6 P.M. get a letter, draw rations.

Thursday, 4,​

All quiet till 2 oc.&15 minutes when we are ordered to the works ready for an emergency, the lines are advanced, the Rebel pickets driven but they came with a line of battle and force our skirmishers back again, fighting kept up till dark,

Friday, 5,​

Nothing important today but firing is kept up briskly, Write a letter home to Jim., Col. Martin returns from the hospital.

Saturday, 6,​

The Rebs make some demonstrations against our lines, We prepare for an engagement , the picket & artillery settle the muss, Get two letters, rains in the evening, a great deal of artillery firing this evening.

Sunday, 7,​

We move at 7 oc. A.M. to a new line of works & work on them till 11 oc. when we again move to next ridge & begin another new line, work till 2:30 oc., relieved by 52nd and return to old camp guard. Write a letter home, fighting on the right.

Monday, 8,​

Finish writing a letter, The Regt. move at 11 oc. to the ridge where our new line is, Go on picket at 3 P.M. have to advance our line, rains very hard, move the line and fortify it, build or commence a new solid line again, Co.H. on reserve but get no rest.

Tuesday, 9,​

Go to the front this morning, work on breastwork under heavy fire all day, Wm. Thompson killed by our own shell none hurt by the Rebs, relieved at 4 oc., go to the old reserve, where we remain all night, rains a little.

August, Wednesday, 10, 1864.​

Write two letters, one home, one to Martin W., a few lines to Bill S, We remain at the old reserve all day, It rains again, the rebs shell us and then skirmish, fire also fell on us, Leander McKinster wounded in camp, also one of Co. I.

Thursday, 11,

Up at 3 o'clock, the right wing go on the front at 5, the lines advance again, the left wing of the Regt. go out as support at 6, a heavy skirmish is kept up all day, the rebs use their; ammunition freely, the regt lose 4 men killed and 9 wounded, work all night having relieved the right wing.


Friday, 12,​

Relieved early this morning, go back to our old reserve again, when we get shelled all cay, two men wounded in camp, three on the line, I detailed to work on a fort, work all night again under the enemy fire.

Saturday, 13,​

Relieved from work this morning, Write a letter home, one man of Co. K killed, one of Co. D wounded in camp by picket balls, Our camp a dangerous place, The rebels shell us some, hurt nobody.

Sunday, 14,​

All quiet today, nothing worthy of note transpires, The left wing of the regt. go on picket , Firing kept up all night, Col. Martin gone home.

Monday, 15,​

Relieved from picket early this morning, Nothing important today, but the usual firing kept up without intermission.

Tuesday, 16,​

All unusually quiet today, we lay in camp all day, I visit the 38th​ Ind. in the evening, The army on three quarter ration in consequence of our railroad being in danger.



Following from the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion

Serial 074, Page 0436

Numbers 533.

Report of Captain Alfred Morris, Sixty-sixth Indiana Infantry.

HDQRS. SIXTY-SIXTH Regiment INDIANA INFTY. VOLS.,

Near Lovejoy's Station, Ga., September 5, 1864.

(Portion of Report)

On the night 2nd July marched from front of Kenesaw Mountain to the right, and next evening relieved a regiment of the Fifteenth Corps, on the skirmish line. Was withdrawn next morning, and assigned to position as a support to the Seventh Iowa. Later in the day was ordered to construct works on the right of the Fifty-second Illinois, then occupying the rebel rifle-pits. The day following marched several miles down the Sandtown road, and encamped within four miles of the Chattahoochee River, and rested until the 9th, when we marched to Marietta, arriving there at 9 p. m. Early next morning resumed the march, and reached Roswell, on Chattahoochee River. At noon crossed over and fortified. Remained in this position until Sunday, the 17th when an advance was again ordered. The regiment arrived at Decatur, on the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad, on the evening of the 19th, without having been engaged with the enemy. On the 20th moved forward on the road to Atlanta, and took position on the right of said road, and intrenched.

Late in the afternoon of the following day again advanced and built a line of works, and rested on arms during the night. On the 22nd moved, with the division, to the left, and was engaged in the battle of that day. July 23, Major T. G. Morrison assumed command, Lieutenant Colonel Roger Martin having been sent to hospital. At midnight of the 26th moved to the extreme right, and acting as a support, advanced the skirmish line, and afterward relieved a regiment of the Fourteenth Corps, then on the line; were relieved next day by the Seventh Iowa Infantry.

On the 11th​ August Captain Jordan, with the right wing, charged the rebel skirmishers, drove them, and built works under fire of both artillery and musketry. After this nothing more than the usual skirmish fire occurred in our front during the siege of Atlanta.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

ALFRED MORRIS,

Captain Company F, Commanding Regiment.

Lieutenant J. B. MORRISON,

A. D. C., First Brigadier, Second Div., 16th Army Corps.
 
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