Behind the Guns: The History of Battery I, 2nd Regiment, Illinois Light Artillery

5. The Atlanta Campaign

ON MARCH 4th, after a two weeks' extension of furlough," the battery "veterans" boarded the cars of the Michigan Central R. R. to procede to the front, viz. Indianapolis, Ind., Louisville, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., to Chattanooga, Tenn., at which place they arrived March 8th, and joined the men left in charge of the guns and camp equipage. Ed. Smith, in command of camp, had everything in good shape. Lieutenant Coe, with a detail of men, was left in Nashville to procure horses for the battery, as there had to be a new supply in place of those turned over when the battery went home on 1. The Battery reported to Camp Erwin at Joliet on February 15 and then was granted an additional two weeks leave. 2. On January 25, 1864, 1st Lt. Coe wrote to General Fuller, recommending Judson Rich, a Senior 2nd Lt. be promoted to Junior 1st Lt., 1Jice 82 5 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN In which Battery I rendez1Jous at Joliet as its veteran re-enlistment furloughs end, then m01Jes to Chattanooga, Tennessee, arriving March 8, 1864, to prepare for the Atlanta campaign. On May 7, the Battery went into action, and was constantly either in action or on the move. It did some spectacular shooting near Kenesaw Mountain, recorded by a Chicago Tribune correspondent. As Sherman reached out to the right of Atlanta the Battery suffered its worst casualties of the war. Meanwhile, General John B. Hood replaced Johnston as commander on July 17, and after his attacks on Sherman failed to halt the Union advance, Hood retreated from Atlanta to L01Jejoy's Station. Soon Hood headed north, and Battery I was among the troops sent north to head him off; Sherman followed Hood but shortly gave up the pursuit and, after reinforcing Thomas around Nashville , prepared to march from Atlanta to the sea. furlough. He was successful in getting a fine lot of very good horses, and soon joined the battery in Wauhatchie Valley whither the battery had moved from Chattanooga. The first few days after the return was occupied in getting things into shape and drilling the new recruits. March 23rd Lieutenant McDonald was mustered into service as Jr. 2nd Lieutenant, and Sergeant George T. Ward was promoted to Orderly Sergeane . March 21st the battery was ordered to report to the commander Lt. Plant, and 1St Sgt. George T. Ward be promoted to Junior 2nd Lt., vice Lt. McDonald, soon to be Senior 2nd Lt. Coe pointed out he had only one officer with him, Barnett being absent as Chief of Artillery, 2nd DiVIsion , 14th Army Corps and McDonald had been captured. 83 BEHIND THE GUNS of the Twentieth Corps for duty, and moved out to Lookout Valley, six miles from Chattanooga. That night there was a heavy fall of snow, nearly a foot in depth, for which the men were poorly provided, having but few tents up. On the 26th Lieutenant Rich arrived from Springfield, Ill., with some new recruits. Soon after he was taken with smallpox and had to be treated outside of the battery in a small hut built expressly for him and his nurse. He recovered in good shape, and there were no other cases in the battery. During some of the first days of April the battery practiced target shooting, which was witnessed by experienced artillery officers, and they gave the boys credit for doing as good shooting as they had ever seen done. While the battery was with the Twentieth Corps 3 the officers of the 2nd Division signed a petition, requesting that Battery I, Captain Barnett commanding, be assigned to the 2nd Division of the 14th Army Corps, to which it had belonged before the veterans had received their furlough; and the petitioners forwarded the same to General Thomas. The result was that Aprilgth orders were received by Captain Barnett,assigning his command to the 2nd Division, commanded by Jeff. C. Davis, and moved the same day to Rossville Gap, where the division was encamped. The boys were very glad to get back to the old command where they could march and fight beside their old trusted and tried brigade commanded by Colonel Dan. McCook.4 How the old brigade cheered when Battery I moved into camp, and how the boys yelled and swung their hats in reply. All felt the greatest satisfaction that the battery had gotten back to its old place among...