Atlanta, Georgia - July 21 & 22, 1864

Atlanta, Georgia - July 21 & 22, 1864

JULY 21, 1864

"On the morning of the 21st my regiment was halted in the edge of an old field and in the center of the brigade, confronting the enemy's works and about 400 yards from them. Here we threw up temporary works under a heavy fire. About 12 m. the enemy advanced a line of infantry and drove in our pickets and made an assault upon our works, and were repulsed with heavy loss. During the day we were under a very heavy fire both of artillery and infantry, suffering mostly from the former, our loss being 8 killed (among whom was our gallant captain, James W. Bennett, commanding Company B) and 12 wounded. At night we received orders to move by the right flank. Marched to Atlanta; rested some three hours, at the expiration of which time we received marching orders.
 
JULY 22, 1864

... Col. R. Q. Mills being in command up to 2 o'clock on the 22d, when he received a painful wound by a shell... On the morning of the 22d we formed our command in line of battle in rear of the enemy and upon their left, which consisted of a large force, and the same who we encountered on the day previous. Our skirmishers having been thrown out, orders were given to forward, which we did. We advanced about one mile and a half and came up with them about 2 p.m., causing them to abandon all their artillery and driving them from their three rear lines of fortifications; but having no support upon our right we were forced to fall back to the second line of works, where we reformed. In this charge we lost 19 men and officers captured. We brought off 15 horses and mules, 6 pieces of artillery, and 30 horses to same Our lines being reformed, we were again ordered to advance and drive the enemy from the works which we had so recently held. We did so, but having no support upon our right as in the first attack, were forced to fall back."

In both charges we captured and brought out 50 prisoners, our loss being 5 killed (among whom was Lieut. Edward Ashby, commanding Company H) and 15 wounded. It is impossible to say how many prisoners we captured during the day, as many who were captured and sent to the rear were picked up by other regiments and stragglers..." 

[Official Records of the Rebellion; Chapter XXXVIII, Series III. page 750]