1864/12/26 Report of Col. D.Dustin

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XXXIX/1 [S# 77]

SEPTEMBER 29-NOVEMBER 13, 1864.--Operations in North Georgia and North Alabama.

No. 44.--Reports of Col. Daniel Dustin, One hundred and fifth Illinois Infantry, commanding Third Division.

HDQRS. SECOND BRIG., THIRD DIV., 20TH ARMY CORPS,

Savannah, Ga., December 26, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to report the operations of the division during the time that I had the honor to command it, as follows:

I assumed command on the 23d day of September, Brigadier-General Ward being absent on leave. I found the First Brigade in command of Colonel Smith, of the One hundred and second Illinois, the Second under Lieutenant-Colonel Bloodgood, of the Twenty-second Wisconsin, and the Third under Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham, of the Twentieth Connecticut. The position of the command was not changed until the -----, when by order from corps headquarters the First Brigade was sent to the Chattahoochee River for the purpose of guarding the railroad bridge on the Chattanooga and Atlanta Railroad, and on the [8th of October] the Twenty-sixth Wisconsin, of the Third Brigade, was also sent to the same place, reporting to Colonel Smith. The picket duty of the Second and Third Brigades consisted in guarding their front, extending from the McDonough road on the right, and connecting with the pickets of the Second Division to the Atlanta and Augusta Railroad on the left, and connecting with the pickets of the First Division. During the month of October heavy details were made from the Second and Third Brigades for work upon the fortifications, then being erected in and around the city of Atlanta. Lieutenant-Colonel Powers, of the Fifty-fifth Ohio, had charge of this working party, and the men performed a large amount of hard labor upon these works. During the month of October four large foraging expeditions were sent out from Atlanta by authority of the corps commander. For each of these expeditions the division furnished one brigade. The Third Brigade accompanied the first expedition, which went out on the [11th of October], under the command of Brigadier-General Geary, and returned on the fourth day. The Second Brigade went with the second expedition, which started on the 16th, and was commanded by Colonel Robinson, of the First Division, and also returned on the fourth day. The third expedition started on the 21st and was under my command. The Third Brigade formed a part of this expedition, together with the First Brigade, First Division, Colonel Selfridge, and the Second [First] Brigade, Second Division, Colonel Flynn. This expedition returned on the morning of the fourth day with 928 wagon loads of forage, making a quicker trip and bringing in a larger amount of forage than any other expedition. Attention is called to my special report of this expedition, a copy of which is herewith inclosed. The Second Brigade, which, on account of the illness of Lieutenant-Colonel Bloodgood, was commanded by Major Brant, of the Eighty-fifth Indiana, was detailed to accompany the fourth and last expedition, under Brigadier-General Geary, which left Atlanta on the 26th and returned on the fourth day. All these expeditions were a complete success, and proved of great importance in the way of subsistence, considering the interruptions in our lines of communication. On the ---- of September the division was reviewed by Major-General Slocum, and, considering the long and tedious campaign just closed, and the difficulty of securing new clothing, the command presented a very creditable appearance, and was well spoken of by the reviewing officer. The transportation was well arranged and in good condition. On the ---- I was relieved by the return of Brigadier-General Ward.

In conclusion I desire to express my high appreciation of the officers and men of the command for their efficiency and prompt attention to duty. My thanks are specially due to the members of the division staff for the great kindness and courtesy extended to me while exercising the brief authority of division commander, and for the substantial assistance they gave me on all occasions.

Respectfully submitted.

Colonel 105th Illinois Volunteers, Comdg. Second Brigade.

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,

Atlanta, Ga., October 24, 1864.

COLONEL: I have the honor to report that the late foraging expedition under my charge moved from the city as per order at 6 a.m. on the 21st instant. The troops consisted of the following: First Brigade, First Division, under Colonel Selfridge, 1,000 men; Second [First] Brigade, Second Division, under Colonel Flynn, 1,000 men; Third Brigade, Third Division, under Lieutenant-Colonel Buckingham, 888 men; cavalry under Colonel Garrard, 400 men; total, 3,288 men; also two batteries of artillery, Captain Winegar. The command moved direct to Decatur, where the train was parked for more complete organization. From Decatur we took the direct road to Lathear's, with cavalry in advance. Detachments of cavalry were also sent on the road to the right to Flat Shoals, and to the left toward Stone Mountain, all converging at Lathear's, where we encamped for the first night. On the 22d some 450 wagons were loaded in season to move back two miles and a half toward Decatur to Snapfinger Creek, where we encamped for the second night. By noon of the 23d all the wagons were loaded, and at I p.m. the head of the column moved out on the return march with the intention of parking at Decatur for the third night. Just at this time Colonel Carman, with his brigade, reported with communication from corps headquarters. Coming up in our rear, he moved his brigade to the head of the column, which occasioned some delay in the march. The last of the train was parked at Decatur at 1.30 o'clock at night. The command moved from Decatur for Atlanta at 7 a.m. of the 24th. No enemy was seen, except a few straggling cavalrymen, I of whom was taken prisoner. But one or two acts of unwarrantable pillaging were reported.

Four hundred wagons can be loaded with corn in the vicinity of Lathear's. A considerable quantity is reported two or three miles north of Lithonia. The rapid manner in which the wagons were loaded and the quick return of the expedition is to be ascribed, in a great measure, to the efficiency of the brigade commanders, and to the prompt and energetic personal attention which they gave to the work assigned to their commands. The wagon train was a most unwieldy thing, and under so many untoward circumstances the quartermaster of the expedition, Captain Summers, deserves great credit for his untiring industry in the execution of his arduous duties, and for the success that attended his exertions. Lieutenant-Colonel Hurst, Seventy-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, deserves much commendation for the efficient and diligent performance of his difficult duties as general field officer during the entire expedition.

I respectfully suggest that hereafter these expeditions should not be encumbered with more than 400 wagons, and that measures be taken to prevent an increase of this number by a thorough organization of the train on the day before starting.

Respectfully submitted.

Colonel, Commanding Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps.

Lieut. Col. H. W. PERKINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General.

HDQRS. THIRD DIVISION, TWENTIETH ARMY CORPS,

Atlanta, Ga., October 25, 1864.

Lieutenant-Colonel PERKINS,

Assistant Adjutant-General, Twentieth Army Corps:

COLONEL: I have the honor to transmit to you with my report that of Captain Summers, assistant quartermaster, who was in charge of the forage train. I respectfully call attention to the difference between the number of wagons as given verbally by me, and that stated in the accompanying report. It is owing to the fact that the officer, by whom I was informed, counted the wagons when parked at night, while Captain Summers caused them to be carefully counted in the daytime when on the march. I have no doubt that the number he gives is correct.

I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Colonel, Commanding Division.

QMRS. DEPT., THIRD BRIG., SECOND DIV., 20TH A.C.,

Atlanta, Ga., October 24, 1864.

Capt. H. M. WHITTELSEY,

Acting Chief Quartermaster, Twentieth Army Corps:

SIR: As quartermaster in charge of the recent foraging expedition I have the honor respectfully to make the following report:

The train started from Atlanta on the morning of the 21st in considerable confusion, owing to the illness and absence of Captain Lacey, who had been selected to take charge of the train, and as I was unexpectedly called upon to fill his place I could do no better than to take such general instructions and lists of wagons as were furnished to him and push forward the train, expecting to halt a few miles out of town, and, if possible, perfect an organization. About one mile beyond Decatur, Colonel Dustin, in command of the expedition, halted, and an attempt was made to organize the train, but it was discovered that the number of wagons was so great and the confusion was so complete that the attempt to organize was abandoned until the halt for the night, and on the appearance of the cavalry command the expedition moved forward to its destination. On the same evening the train was parked and the organization again attempted. On the examination of lists, permits, and reports it was found that the following list of the wagons and officers present is as perfect as could be made:

First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, ordnance and supply train (Lieut. E. K. Caley) 104

Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, ordnance and supply train (Lieut. William Saeger) 126

Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, ordnance and supply train (Lieutenant Tabor) 107

Corps headquarters and artillery brigade (no officer) 44

Third Division, Twentieth Army Corps, hospital 2

Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps, hospital 6

Cavalry brigade (Captain Ketterman) 75

Department of the Cumberland (Lieutenant Pond) 50

Artillery brigade, Fourteenth Army Corps (Lieutenant Fluskey) 33

Reserve artillery (Lieutenant Oslum) 10

Post teams, Captain Hade's (no officer) 20

Second Division, Fourth Army Corps (Lieutenant Hatfield) 20

General Thomas' headquarters (no officer) 33

Hospital department, Twenty-third Army Corps (no officer) 2

Lieutenant Lyon, Twenty-third Army Corps (no officer) 9

First Missouri Engineers (Lieut. John Murphy) 10

Lieutenant Erdmann. Department of the Cumberland headquarters (no officer) 25

First Michigan Engineers (Captain McCrath) 18

Ordnance wagons, Third Division (no officer) 12

Capt. A. Edwards, chief quartermaster (no officer) 4

Capt. Samuel Bonsall, Twenty-third Army Corps (no officer) 2

Miscellaneous army wagons, without permits. 113

Ambulances of Second Division, Twentieth Army Corps (Lieutenant Stevens) 25

Ambulances of headquarters and other commands (no officer) 26

Total number of wagons and ambulances 876

On the morning of the 22d those detachments of the train which had a permanent organization and officers in charge (numbering over 500 wagons) were sent out in various directions with full details of men for guarding and loading, furnished by Colonel Dustin, and the trains returned during the same afternoon and evening generally well filled with corn. On the same afternoon, by order of Colonel Dustin, the train stared on its return home and marched about three miles, when it was halted and parked and the organization perfected as far as possible by assigning officers to take charge of the consolidated miscellaneous wagons. On the morning of the 23d all the empty wagons (amounting to over 300) were sent out under the charge of officers designated, and during the afternoon they returned, nearly all the wagons being well filled with corn. This completed our work, and the expedition again started on the return to Atlanta, marching as far as Decatur, where it arrived and encamped quite late in the evening. On the morning of the 24th the expedition marched to Atlanta, and the various trains returned to their respective camps. I have the pleasure of reporting that all the quartermasters and officers in charge of the trains and assigned to such duty by me (as far as my observation extended) conducted the business assigned to them in an energetic and efficient manner, and appeared to fully and kindly appreciate the somewhat embarrassing circumstances under which I was placed in being unexpectedly called to take charge of the unwieldy and extremely miscellaneous train. I desire particularly to express my obligations to Lieutenant Pond, of the Department of the Cumberland, and Lieutenant Tabor, of the Third Division, for valuable assistance. I regret to be called upon to notice one case of inefficiency on the part of the wagon-master in charge of Captain Hade's wagons. A portion of the teams in his charge were so late in reaching the cornfields to which they were directed that the wagons could not be filled in time to reach camp before the train was ordered to move on its return home.

An actual and careful count of the wagons, ambulances, and other vehicles, made by my order between Decatur and, Atlanta, on the return of the trains, shows the following result:

Other vehicles (one-horse wagons, carriages, &c.) 48

Nearly all the army wagons and ambulances were well filled with corn, averaging to the wagons about 15 bushels (shelled) to the lead and about 5 bushels to each ambulance 607, 380 pounds of corn.

Of course it will be apparent to the comprehension of every person that such an immense train, with a large portion of it extremely disorganized, formed a most unwieldy machine to manage, and no one can be more conscious than myself that many glaring imperfections could be pointed out. I respectfully recommend that hereafter no trains of such size be permitted to start on foraging expeditions.

I desire to express my grateful feelings for the kindness and attention of Colonel Dustin, commanding the expedition. His assistance enabled me partially at least to organize the chaotic mass of animals, wagons, and men attached to the train. His prompt and energetic action in the furnishing of details to guard and lead the wagons enabled the officers to fill their trains with dispatch, and his conduct was that of a careful, prudent, and energetic commander, as well as a courteous and agreeable officer and gentleman.

Hoping this report will convey all the information you require, 1 remain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Captain, Asst. Quartermaster, 3d Brig., 2d Div., 20th Army Corps.