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 CHAPTER IX.
R E T U R N T O T H E F R O N T.

Return home—How I spent my furlough—Join my regiment—Changes—Forward

movement—Tunnel Hill—Rocky Face—Resaca.

With the preceding chapter it was intended that my story should

end; but in the judgment of others, whose opinions it would be
improper to disregard, it was thought best that I should add a short
sketch of Sherman's celebrated campaign, which resulted in the
capture of Atlanta. The part taken by my regiment in this, one of the
most arduous and successful enterprises of the war, is worthy of
remembrance, and will be of no less interest to my brave
companions in arms than the scenes already described; and being in
actual command of the remnant of that noble band of men known
as the Sixth Kentucky, whose deeds of daring in that memorable
march should never be forgotten, my position gave me ample
opportunity to know how uncomplainingly they bore the fatigue and
privations of the march; how firmly they held the post of honor and
danger; how gallantly they charged the foe, and how nobly they fell.

It is a sad thought, that many who entered the service with me in

this regiment three years ago, will never read these lines; for they
are sleeping in quiet, nameless graves, over which loved ones will
never come to weep; their deeds and generous self-devotion to their
country in her hour of peril shall never be forgotten; and sorrowing
friends will take a melancholy pleasure, as they read these pages, in
remembering that those whom they shall see on earth no more were
not victims in a useless and wicked struggle, but martyrs, rather, in a
cause for which it is glorious to die.

To resume, then, the thread of my narrative. On reaching

Washington our party was extremely anxious to visit their homes
before again entering active service; and in order to do this
furloughs and back pay were necessary. There was such a pressure
of business at the War Office that we found great difficulty in having
our wishes gratified in the particulars above named. At length,
however, we found in Mr. Montfort, agent from Indiana to attend to
the interests of the soldiers of that State, a friend whose sympathies
were not bounded by the Ohio River, but one who was ever ready to
aid all who wore the uniform of our common country. Our recent
escape, and the dangers we had passed, enlisted his liveliest regard;
and being familiar with the forms of business, he soon procured for
us the desired furloughs, and the not less necessary pay. Nor did we
confine our gratitude to empty expressions alone; before leaving for
our homes we presented him with a very handsome testimonial in
the shape of a beautiful cane, with gold head and appropriate
inscription; and we feel greatly his debtors still, and trust that when
declining years shall render necessary the staff to support his feeble
steps, that his mind may be consoled by the reflection that his
unselfish exertions on our behalf are gratefully cherished.

Home was now in immediate prospect; yet, so endeared had we

become by association in Libby, and the perils attending our escape,
that our parting was not without emotion. But soon there came to us
all glad meetings—the embracings and welcomes of loved ones, and
the cup of our joy was full. I made my way to Carrollton, Ky., the
residence of my brother, the Rev. J. J. Johnston, and soon forgot the
perils of the past in the joys of the present.

The days of my short furlough of thirty days passed rapidly;

another of fifteen days was granted, and they, too, I need not say,
passed sweetly and swiftly away; for in the first weeks of my home
life I gave myself up to the delicious reveries of Love's young dream,
and changed that dream only for the honeymoon, by giving my hand
to Miss Annie Nash, in whose keeping my heart had long been.
Furloughs, however, like all things else on earth, have an end; and
leaving friends—a nearer friend now than all the rest—my wife—
behind, I hurried to the front, and joined my regiment between
Knoxville and Chattanooga, a few days before the campaign against
Atlanta began. My comrades gave me a hearty welcome; but there
were faces that I missed, and well-known voices that I heard not—
faces that I shall see and voices that I shall hear on earth no more. I
had been spared amid all the dangers and sufferings of captivity; but
they, amid the perils of the field and diseases of the camp, had gone
to their rest.
On the third of May, one of the loveliest days of Spring, Hazen's
Brigade, of the Third Division, Fourth Army Corps, was encamped
near Cleveland, on the railroad leading from Chattanooga to
Knoxville. Early in the day orders were received for a forward move;
camps were broken up; all surplus baggage sent to the rear; the
troops put in light marching order, one wagon only being allowed to
each regiment, which was to transport officers' baggage and ten
days' forage for the team. Thus prepared, at twelve o'clock, M., the
assembly was sounded, which was soon succeeded by the forward,
at which time the First Brigade moved on, full of glee and
cheerfulness, as if on the way to some high festival, instead of the
field of danger and of death. In a few moments the Second Brigade,
with its distinguished and gallant leader, Hazen, at its head, moved
on with that elasticity and precision of step so characteristic of that
command, with the watchword, "On to Atlanta!" upon every lip. O, it
was a grand sight to behold an army of veterans, whose courage
had been proved on many a well-fought field, under the eye of brave
and vigilant leaders, with banners frayed and torn in many a deadly
struggle, under the cheering notes of the sounding bugle and the
inspiration of past success, marching on to dangers greater and
fields more glorious than those already won. The day was warm and
the march long, and when night overtook us we camped in an open
field, wrapped up in our blankets, our only tent the arch of blue,
with its glorious stars above.
On the morning of the fourth the boys sprang up at dawn, took
their coffee, and were soon ready for the day's march. At six, A. M.,
the signal to advance rang from the bugles, and the whole command
moved forward, but with more caution than on the previous day; our
advance-guard had come up with the enemy's pickets, and slight
skirmishing continued nearly the whole day. We camped that night
near the Catoosa Springs, on the dirt road leading to Tunnel Hill,
advanced our pickets, and established our lines within a short
distance of the outposts of the enemy.
We remained in camp till the morning of the seventh, during
which time some picket firing was kept up, with but little damage to
either side. At five o'clock, on the morning of the seventh, our
baggage having been further reduced and the surplus sent back to
Ringgold, our line moved forward, the Sixth Kentucky in the rear,
having been on picket the night before. Our advance-guard soon
came in contact with the enemy's skirmishers, who were driven back
as far as Tunnel Hill, when, being reënforced, they formed in line of
battle and awaited our approach. We did not permit them to wait
long; and as our advance moved upon them they opened a heavy
fire with artillery and musketry; but finding that they were being
flanked on the right by a part of the First Division of the Fourth Army
Corps—the Ninth Indiana, I think—they retired in great confusion
from their line of works on the top of the hill.
We gained the hill about one o'clock, P. M.; and during the
evening a brisk cannonading was kept up along our lines against
some of the enemy, who could be seen across the valley at the base
of Rocky Face Mountain, and in the road leading to Buzzard Roost.
Our pickets were stationed at the foot of Tunnel Hill, while the
Fourth Army Corps camped on its summit—and the rest was all the
sweeter for the toils and dangers of the day.

On the next morning all was calm and beautiful, and many of us
desired that this quiet, which so well became the Sabbath, would
continue through the day; but war is stern work; we had only to look
before us in order to see the enemy and their intrenchments upon
the summit of Rocky Face. About nine, A. M., our line was formed for
a forward movement, which commenced half an hour later—the
Sixth Kentucky in the front line. In a few moments the Second
Brigade had descended Tunnel Hill, and were rapidly crossing the
valley toward Rocky Face. Our advance was resisted, and soon the
quiet of the Sabbath was broken by the sounds of battle. We steadily
drove the foe across the valley, and camped for the night at the foot
of Rocky Face, the enemy occupying the hights above in rifle range
of our camp. The evening passed with but little firing, and when
night came our boys gathered around the camp-fires as cheerful as
if our march were but a pleasure excursion, till the tattoo reminded
them of rest needed after the toils of the day, and necessary to
prepare them for the conflict of the morrow. Pickets were posted on
the mountain-side to watch the movements of the enemy while the
army slept; but as soon as day began to dawn the sleepers were
aroused by quick, sharp reports from the rifles of the rebel sharp-
shooters; their fire called forth corresponding activity on the part of
our men, who fired on them with great effect. At eight o'clock, A. M.,
the Sixth Kentucky advanced as skirmishers; and passing up the
mountain-side drove the enemy into the first line of their works upon
its summit; which line it would have been madness to attempt to
storm, as it was a strong position by nature, and so well fortified in
addition that a single line would be amply sufficient to keep an army
in check. Our brigade, however, held its advanced position till late in
the evening, when it retired slowly and in good order to the foot of
the mountain, where we encamped for the night. We lost several
men during the day, and next morning were so annoyed by sharp-
shooters that we were compelled to move our camp to a more
secure place across the valley, near the base of Tunnel Hill. Here we
remained till the afternoon of the eleventh, during which time
constant cannonading and active skirmishing was going on, and
matters now began to assume an exciting appearance; a heavy rain
fell that day, which made the movement of troops very disagreeable.
 In the mean time Sherman, with his flanking columns, was hard at
work; and on the night of the twelfth the enemy were compelled to
evacuate Rocky Face and Dalton, and pursuit of the retreating foe
began the next morning. We marched six miles south of Dalton, and
went into camp for the night. Early next morning our line of battle
was formed, and the enemy were reported to be awaiting us about
three miles from where we stood. Our column moved forward at
nine, A. M., and at eleven our advance-guard came up with the rebel
skirmishers, who fell back slowly till half-past one, when a general
engagement ensued, which lasted till night, and resulted in driving
the enemy into his main line of works in front of Resaca. As usual,
the Sixth Kentucky held the front rank in the line of battle. During
the day our brigade captured a number of prisoners, among them a
rebel colonel, and the night was spent in throwing up breast-works,
within close rifle range of the enemy's intrenchments. On the
morning of the 15th skirmishing commenced, and continued during
the day; at times there was considerable artillery firing, with but
little effect, however, on either side. In the afternoon a charge was
made on the rebel works by the Second Brigade, which was
repelled, with heavy loss on our part. This charge was considered a
blunder; it was led by the Colonel of the Fifth Kentucky—a brave
man and a good officer. Both men and officers acted nobly in the
affair; yet it was a bloody and fruitless attempt to break the rebel
lines without assailing their flanks, and should never have been
made by a single brigade. It was understood that Gen. Hazen did
not favor the movement. Who was in fault may never be known; yet
nearly all felt "that some one had blundered;" but wherever the fault
may be, it was not with the Second Brigade. That night was one of
great and unusual excitement; the enemy evidently was in motion,
and thought to be meditating mischief. At one time the impression
was that he was advancing upon our camp, and our men stood to
their arms—and, to tell the truth, some were fearful; they could fight
in daylight, but were somewhat nervous with regard to a night
attack. Morning came, and the commotion of the previous night
proved to be caused by the enemy abandoning his strong position,
and seeking, if not a stronger, at least a safer one further south. We
learned then, but, alas! too late, that all the advantages which we
gained might have been secured without the loss of the brave men
of the Second Brigade; for if compelled to abandon his position after
repulsing our attack, he would most certainly have done so had no
assault been made. We pursued as soon as we learned of the
enemy's flight; but were unable to come up with him, and went into
camp six miles south of Resaca.
The town of Resaca is situated on the south side of the
Oostanaula River, is surrounded by strong natural defenses, and had
been rendered almost impregnable, perhaps entirely so to any army
but ours, by admirably-constructed fortifications; but Sherman is
such a great fellow for the flanks, or, as the Georgians say, "for
coming at them endways," that the army of Johnston was compelled
to retire from position to position, till it was only necessary for us to
advance in order to insure his retreat. He may be a good general,
and unquestionably held some strong positions; but it is now quite
evident that a better general was in his rear.
 CHAPTER X.
O N T O AT L A N TA !

Confidence in our leader—Tunnel Hill and Rocky Face Mountain—Pursuit of the

enemy—Johnston's strategy—In command of my regiment—Battle near Dallas—
Night on the battle-field—Loss of an officer—Reflections.

With some slight reverses our march up to this time was that of a
victorious army, and the temporary checks we had met with only
served to make us more vigilant for the future. We had the utmost
confidence in our leader, which was justified by almost daily
successes; while that of the rebels in their chief was daily becoming
weaker, in consequence of his failing to make good his promises by a
successful stand. And, indeed, when we gained the works which he
time after time abandoned, we could not but wonder at the policy
which led to the abandonment of works and positions which we felt
we could have held against any army that could have been brought
against us. In our southward march we were able to understand
how it was that the first Napoleon was able to lead an army across
the hitherto impassable Alps—it was by infusing into every soldier his
own inflexible purpose; the same power is possessed in a high
degree by Gen. Sherman; his soldiers think themselves able to
execute whatever he commands.

We began our march with the cry, "On to Atlanta! Tunnel Hill and
Rocky Face Mountain, deemed impregnable, are already ours!
Resaca has fallen into our hands; and there are no difficulties to be
surmounted greater than those we have already overcome. Cheer
up, cheer up, boys! Atlanta shall soon be ours!"

With such feelings as those just expressed, on the morning of the

17th our army moved on in its conquering march, the men all in fine
spirits, and confident of victory whenever the enemy would hazard a
general engagement. We passed through Calhoun at eleven, A. M.—
skirmishing began about three in the afternoon. We drove the
enemy steadily as far as Adairsville, where they had a strong line of
works. We began to throw up intrenchments to protect us during the
night; the rebels began to shell us furiously while thus engaged; but
failing to get the proper range, they did us no harm—our boys
laughing gleefully and working zealously as the missiles went
shrieking over their heads. We expected hot work in the morning;
but when we awoke all was quiet, and we soon made the discovery
that the enemy had departed during the night. Our lines were
advanced; we entered Adairsville without opposition, and halted
there for a few hours—moved forward again five or six miles, and
went into camp for the night.
At seven o'clock the next morning we resumed our march, and
reached Kingston at ten, A. M., where we rested an hour or two—the
enemy still retreating, hotly pursued, however, by our advance,
which had constant skirmishing with their rear-guard.

About one o'clock the enemy made a stand, and our artillery
opened upon their line of battle, which was drawn up, apparently in
force, in an open field. Our own lines being completed, we advanced
upon them and took some prisoners, and drove them till night
brought an end to our operations, having during the day driven them
past Cassville, and compelled them to take refuge within a strong
line of works, where it was reported that they intended to make a
final stand. This intelligence was received with great satisfaction by
our boys, who began to think that the enemy's strategy was to tire
them to death by running after them, and many of them preferred
fighting to marching. The Sixth Kentucky was thrown forward into
the advance line, where they erected temporary works and spent the
night on picket, expecting a battle with the coming light. Day came,
but no battle; for, somewhat to our astonishment, after the reports
we had heard, Mr. Johnston, as our boys termed the rebel chief, had
again executed a night movement, for which he had already become
famous—and will you believe it, reader, many were greatly
disappointed because there was to be no fighting that day? We
remained here two days to rest and replenish our haversacks, as
rations had been brought up for a further advance. Our boys
enjoyed the rest greatly—especially as they had begun to regard the
campaign as a race rather than a conflict, and many were the jests
at the expense of our fleet-footed foe, and a general, whose
drummer-boys could not say, like the Scotch bagpiper, when asked
to play a retreat, "that he had never learned to play that."

Up to this time my company had been acting as Provost Guard at

head-quarters, in accordance with the expressed wish of Gen.
Hazen; but in consequence of some changes in the regiment, I was
sent back to it, with my company, and placed in command; and as
this was by order of my brigade commander, Gen. Hazen, under
whose eye I had been so long, I could not but esteem it as a great
honor; and if I had any ambition to gain the praise of the good and
the brave, it most certainly was gratified by an official paper, from
which the following is an extract: "Capt. Johnston has always
performed duty efficiently; has been in all the battles of the army till
captured at Chickamauga; he was shot through and left for dead at
Shiloh. He was, with one exception, the most active officer in
preparing for, and effecting the escape of a large number of officers
recently from Libby Prison." These, and other words still more
complimentary, were signed, "W. B. Hazen, Brig.-Gen.;" and it would
be affectation in me to say that I was not gratified by the approval
of this noble gentleman and good soldier.

Previous to the commencement of the campaign Gen. Hazen had

consolidated his brigade into four battalions, each composed of two
regiments—each of which, when on the march and in battle, was
commanded by the senior officer of the two regiments. The Twenty-
Third Kentucky and the Sixth Kentucky were together, and
commanded by Lieut.-Col. Foy. Being now in command of the
regiment, I shall not attempt the task of giving a full history of the
operations of the army during the remainder of the campaign; but
content myself with those matters which came under my own eye, in
which my own command was concerned.

In obedience to orders, on the 23d of May we broke up our camp

before Cassville, and resumed our march southward. The day was
very warm, the marching heavy, and we were glad to go into camp,
about nine o'clock at night, in a most beautiful country, about five
miles south of the Etowah River. Next morning we moved forward
and reached the Allatoona Mountains at midday. We rested long
enough to make our coffee, then ascended the mountains and
camped on the top. Heavy rains fell during the night; the Sixth
Kentucky went on picket, and was not relieved till eleven o'clock the
next day, at which time the assembly was sounded, and the column,
on account of the bad roads, moved slowly forward till about six
o'clock in the evening, when the sound of cannon was heard,
denoting that there was fighting ahead. Our march during the day,
though slow, was a pleasant one; the rain of the previous night had
cooled the air, the scenery was varied and romantic, and little met
our eyes that was suggestive of the terrible ravages of war. But our
thoughts were soon diverted from the quiet beauty of the woods and
the majestic grandeur of the mountains, by the dread sounds of
distant battle. The sounds came from Hooker's Corps, which was in
the advance of the flanking movement; and from the cool and tried
valor of its veterans, we were prepared to hear of a desperate
struggle and fearful carnage. It was even so; this army corps, on its
way to Dallas, was met by the enemy in force, and a heavy battle
ensued. Hooker suffered greatly; but the steady valor of his men
enabled him to hold the field. Our column had orders to push
forward; and, through rain and mud, on we pressed till near
midnight, meeting on our march sad evidences of the fight—the
ambulance and wagon trains, filled with wounded, on their way to
the rear, from which, ever and anon, came cries of pain and agony
that could not be repressed. We were wet and weary when we
received orders to halt, and we lay down in our wet clothing and
slept the remainder of the night upon the battle-field, amid the dead
and the dying who had fallen in the evening's conflict; yet the
thought, I doubt not, passed through many a mind ere slumber
came—may I not to-morrow night be like many of those around me
who sleep that sleep which knows no waking? Soldiers are generally
gay and thoughtless, even in the midst of danger; but they have also
their serious moments, and the lightest heart feels sad in the solemn
night on the battle-field thickly bestrewn with the dead.

At four in the morning we rose, expecting a hard day's work; for

picket firing was kept up all night, and increased after daylight. At
seven o'clock we were in line of battle—the Sixth Kentucky in front.
Companies D and F were thrown forward as skirmishers, while the
rest of the regiment was building breast-works, and while thus
engaged suffered considerably from the enemy's sharp-shooters.
Selecting a number of the best shots in my command, I assigned
them the task of silencing them, which was soon accomplished. At
one o'clock the whole regiment advanced, driving the enemy's
skirmishers within their works, and established our own lines in close
rifle range of them, and during the night, by dint of hard labor, we
intrenched ourselves securely. During the evening, while on the
skirmish line, and occupying the extreme left, we were threatened
by the rebel cavalry, against which I sent a few men under the
charge of a lieutenant, and dispatched a messenger to Gen. Hazen,
notifying him of my condition. On his way back the messenger was
wounded by a rebel sharp-shooter, and was taken to the rear; but
the message he was bearing was brought to me—it was, that Gen.
Schofield's command would soon join me on the left, and that I
must hold my advanced position till he made his appearance, which
I did till near sundown, when the Twenty-Third Corps came up, and
my weary flankers were relieved.

Early on the morning of the 27th the regiment was relieved from
duty on the front line, and moved back a short distance to rest,
which was greatly needed; and while preparing some coffee, a man
belonging to the battery was wounded. Lieut. William Furr, myself,
and two others, were placing the wounded man in a litter, and while
thus engaged Lieut. Furr received a wound which in a few days
proved fatal. He was a brave man and good officer, and his loss was
much regretted. Such incidents are the frequent and sad episodes in
a soldier's life, and make an impression deep and lasting—the very
dangers and toils through which they pass bind them together with
a power only understood by those who have been partakers of this
fellowship of suffering. The soldier often seems gay and light-
hearted in immediate prospect of a battle; and I have seen a
regiment express as much joy when the loud guns announced the
approach of a fierce conflict, as school-boys would at an unexpected
vacation; and yet those same men will at other times be as tender
and tearful as women. When they look down the lines, thinned in
many a battle; or, by the nightly camp-fire, talk of comrades gone;
or wrap in his overcoat or blanket the remains of one who has borne
with them the fatigues of the march or the perils of the fight, and
make his grave in a land of strangers, the bosom heaves, the tears
fall, and every look and tone proclaims that under the soldier's garb
a true human heart is beating still.
 CHAPTER XI.
MARCHING AND FIGHTING.

Reminder to the reader—Sherman, Howard, and Thomas in council—The attack

and repulse—The Sixth Kentucky in front again—In the trenches—Guarding train—
Forward march.

I must remind the reader that I did not set out with the intention
of giving a history of the grand campaign in which I took a humble
part—a task of such magnitude and responsibility must be reserved
for the future historian of one of the greatest and most complicated
struggles that the world has witnessed. Indeed, the thoughtful
reader, a thousand miles from the scene of strife, may have a better
conception of a great battle than many of those engaged in it. The
former, by the aid of maps, and the accounts given by various
writers who beheld the different parts of the great struggle, may get
a good general idea of it as a whole; while he who takes part in it, of
necessity, sees only that portion of the battle in which he is engaged
—and that generally is but a small part. Moreover, he is prone to
judge of the result by the success, or suffering, of the regiment or
brigade with which he is connected; while all are aware that a
portion of an army may meet with great disaster, and yet the general
result may be most glorious; but glorious it certainly does not seem
to that portion of the army which has suffered most severely,
although its suffering may have been the salvation of the rest. For
instance, the celebrated charge made by Marshal Macdonald against
the Austrian center at Wagram; although it turned the day in favor
of the French army, yet it was most disastrous to the charging
column, which is said to have lost in the proportion of ten out of
every eleven men who composed it, not having as many hundreds in
its ranks when the task was achieved as it had thousands when the
word to charge was given. Thus, in some of the battles of this
campaign, a brigade, and even a division, at times suffers terribly,
and yet the battle was not lost, and the enterprise, as a whole, was
a splendid success.
This view of affairs is absolutely necessary with regard to some
matters in the present chapter which it is necessary to mention, as I
am not attempting a general view of the campaign, but the part
played in it by the brigade to which I was attached, and more
particularly by my own regiment; and while not writing a history, I
am preparing materials to be used by others in framing a full and
perfect account of this truly-wonderful march. I write chiefly from
what came under my own notice—those who were in other scenes
than those in which I took part will do the same; and the truth must
be gathered, not from any one account, taken separately, but from
all the accounts in the aggregate. If, then, I speak of a success, do
not think it was one achieved by the whole army; if I mention a
disaster, let no one think that I regard the whole army as involved in
it; for seldom has an expedition of like proportions met fewer
reverses, or more glorious success.

About seven o'clock, on the morning of the 27th of May, a group

of officers were assembled in front of the Sixth Kentucky, engaged in
deep and earnest conversation. Although we could not hear their
words, their looks and manners indicated that matters of grave
import were occupying their attention. One of the group, though his
garb indicated no great rank, had the look of one born to command;
his face lighted up with unmistakable tokens of genius as he spoke,
and his words seemed most convincing. Another had a calm, quiet
face, with a look that showed great goodness of heart; yet he was
evidently a good soldier, as his empty sleeve showed that he had
lost an arm in defense of his country's flag. A third was a plain,
unpretending-looking personage; yet the lines of determination upon
his rugged face showed there was, under that quiet exterior, an
invincible will. They were in the order I have described them—
Sherman, one of the greatest military geniuses of the age; Howard,
the man without fear and without reproach; and Thomas, who stood
up so stoutly at Chickamauga, and many other well-fought fields.
These, with other general officers, were planning the operations of
the day; and having decided upon the course to be pursued, the
interview ended, and each one returned to his respective command.
I was informed by a member of Gen. Howard's staff that we might
look for hot work, as a general advance would soon be made upon
the rebel works. Our brigade was immediately moved about a mile
to the left, and formed in two lines of battle—the Sixth Kentucky
forming the extreme left of the rear line. At ten o'clock the advance
was sounded. With the belief that we should engage the enemy at
once, my orders were to support the regiment before me in the front
line of battle. Our lines advanced slowly, and we had not gone far
before skirmishing began. But instead of a general engagement, as
was expected, it seemed more like a brigade drill; for, as we passed
over the broken country which was the scene of operations, every
movement was preceded and indicated by Willich's brigade bugles,
which must have intimated to the enemy what we were about. It
was soon whispered that we were searching for the enemy's right
flank. About three o'clock we reached what was thought to be the
desired point; here the column halted till Johnson's Division moved
up and formed in our rear, making four lines of battle. When we first
came up we found a picket-post of the enemy established at that
point, which was fired upon by our advance and driven back, and no
enemy was now in view. The "attention" was sounded, all were
ready in line of battle, and in a moment more the order "double-
quick" rang out. All moved forward; the front line changed direction
to the right, while the second line moved forward, which soon
brought it into the front line of battle—the Sixth Kentucky being on
the extreme left, and in the second line of battle, with orders to
support the front line—which orders had not been countermanded. I
had not been informed that the front line had been changed; nor
could I see, on account of the dense thickets through which we were
moving, that the change had been made; and the first thing that
apprised me of the change was passing over the skirmish line amid a
perfect storm of rebel bullets, and finding myself and command in
the front line of battle. On we pressed till we came to an open field,
on the opposite side of which the rebels were strongly posted. The
right of our brigade was to cross this field, while part of the Twenty-
Third Kentucky, and the right wing of the Sixth Kentucky was formed
diagonally across it, and the left wing of the Sixth was formed front
to rear to meet a flanking column of the enemy that was moving to
our rear. This movement on the part of the enemy would have been
successful had I not at that moment formed my left wing so as to
return the flanking fire he was already pouring into us. The battle
now raged furiously along our line, and, under a murderous fire, the
rebels were pressed back to their works, our troops following, in
some instances, to within fifteen or twenty paces of the
intrenchments; but exposed as they were in an open field to the
deadly volleys of a protected foe, and a fierce fire upon the flanks—
shattered, torn, and bleeding, yet in spirit unconquered, they fell
back to the shelter of the woods. Taking a position there, the battle
was renewed, and an attempt was made on the part of the enemy
to dislodge them, but the failure was most signal. Some idea of the
dreadful carnage may be formed from the fact, that in a space of
time nearly as brief as it has taken to pen these few lines, our
division lost nearly fifteen hundred men. Our division went into the
fight alone, and was not supported by the division formed in its rear.
After reaching the point of attack the fight was put off two hours;
and when it began the enemy had time to mass three divisions
against one of ours. I am of the opinion that had the attack been
made at once the day would have been ours.
Great as was our loss, it proved but a barren victory to the enemy.
We were repulsed, it is true, and many of our brave men sealed their
devotion to their country with their blood. The enemy also lost
heavily, and their success was due to their greatly-superior numbers;
and whatever advantage they gained that day, it was not sufficient
to check the advance of our army; for they were soon again on the
retreat, and our army on the march to victory.
But I must return to my own command. After our repulse I was at
the extreme left with a few men who were still firing, when Lieut.
Clark, Acting Adjutant, came up and told me that the brigade had
been relieved, and was now assembling at the place where the
charge began. I knew nothing of its withdrawal, and replied that he
must certainly be mistaken. He said there was no mistake about it,
that all the brigade colors were at the place he had mentioned—that
we were relieved beyond a doubt. Still uncertain, I asked, "Where
are the troops to relieve us? I don't see them; but if relieved I will
go down to the left, where I have some men placed; and after
relieving them will go back." Lieut. Clark, who is a brave young
officer, went with me, and told them to go back, as our brigade had
gone to the rear; and on our way we passed the relief, which was
lying down, and had not come to our relief at all—a mere handful of
us had remained on the field, and the wonder is that we were not
captured to a man.

When we reached the brigade we found it formed and ready to

march to the rear, with Gen. Hazen at its head; but O, how changed!
In a few hours it was so cut down as to be not larger than a
regiment. We were moved down to Pumpkin Vine Creek; but were
not suffered to remain there long, being ordered to the front, and to
the right of where the battle had taken place; and though we had
been engaged in skirmish duty nearly two days before the battle, we
took our place in the front, and began building works within rifle
range of the enemy's lines.

At this point we remained till the 6th of June, during which time
nothing took place of interest, save the usual picket duty, of which
our regiment did its full share. Our position, however, was very
unpleasant on account of the heavy rains which fell, and being
compelled to lay close in our trenches to shelter ourselves from the
rebel sharp-shooters, who were always on the alert.
 On the night of the 5th of June the rebels evacuated their works
in front of us, Gen. Sherman having executed another flank
movement which rendered it necessary for them to retreat. By
sunrise the next morning we advanced again over roads rendered
very bad by the recent rains, and on the next day were detailed,
with the Twenty-Third Kentucky, to Carterville, to guard a train down
to the army. We were absent till the morning of the 10th, having
marched all the previous night in order to get the supplies through
as soon as possible. When we reached camp we found the army
ready to march; but it was delayed till two, P. M. We then moved
forward about three miles, and halted for the night.
 CHAPTER XII.
SHERMAN STILL FLANKING.

Pine Mountain, and death of Gen. Polk—Georgia scenery—Before Kenesaw—The

unreturning brave—Marietta ours—Across the Chattahoochee.

On the morning of the eleventh all was quiet. At an early hour we

advanced one mile, and formed in line of battle in front of the
enemy; and no demonstration having been made against us, we
were withdrawn at night, and went into camp till the 14th, during
which time nothing of interest took place, save the arrival of the cars
at Big Shanty with rations; and it made all feel better to know that
we were not expected to march and fight upon empty stomachs.

At noon on the 14th our division struck camp and marched to the
left three miles, formed our line of battle, and remained there till the
next day. Some skirmishing took place in front of Pine Mountain, on
which the rebel Gen. Polk was killed on the evening of the 14th. He
was one of the Bishops of the Episcopal Church before the war, and
possessed great influence in the South. In the army he had attained
the rank of Lieutenant-General, and was esteemed an able officer. In
company with some other commanders he had taken a position on
the mountain to observe our movements, when one of our batteries
opened upon them; they withdrew for a time, but curiosity drew
them back; and while engaged in conversation with his companions,
a shell struck him on the left arm, and passed through his chest; of
course he was killed instantly. These particulars were obtained from
a rebel officer who fell into our hands a few days after.
On the 17th I ascended the mountain, the enemy having
evacuated it, and visited the spot where he fell. While there I had a
fine view of Lost and Kenesaw Mountains; and when I looked at
their steep sides from which their batteries were belching shot and
shell, it really seemed madness to think of attempting to make them
our own. Others might have looked at them with the eye of a
tourist; but I looked at them with reference to the difficulties which
they presented to our advance. Viewed as mere scenery, they
present a grand and imposing spectacle; but I thought of Tunnel Hill
and Rocky Face, and the struggle they had cost us, and then
thought of the lives that must be sacrificed before those embattled
hights which frowned before me could be ours. Mountains are
beautiful, sublime, and all that; to ascend them with pleasant
company and in delightful weather, and gaze from the summit at the
lovely landscape below, is full of delight; but we soldiers think of the
sheets of flame and the storm of bullets through which we must
press our way before those summits, standing out so boldly in the
sunlight, can be gained.

On the 17th we advanced over two lines of rebel works which

were evacuated the previous night; but soon were compelled to
form in line of battle, having come up with the enemy's pickets in
front of their strong fortifications—the Sixth Kentucky in the front
line as usual. We advanced slowly till night, driving the skirmishers
into their works, and advancing our own lines within close range of
the enemy's rifle pits, and spent most of the night in throwing up
works to protect ourselves, our position being quite an exposed one
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