Rudesill, 5 Aug 1909: We were actors as well as observers in that terrific battle. a positive injustice has been done to the 14th and 38th OH when it is charged that they were repulsed at any time during that action in the sharp and fiery battle, so meagerly detailed by historians. Art: Much has been written about Sherman’s masterful Atlanta campaign. For some reason, precious little has been written about the penultimate battle that ended the Atlanta campaign and ejected the rebels from that city. To make matters worse, no part of the battlefield has not been “saved” by the Civil War Trust. That is, the Battle of Jonesboro. What has been meagerly detailed are the exploits of George Este’s Third Brigade, part of General Baird’s Third Division of George Thomas’ vaunted Army of the Cumberland. This is the story of that battle, in particular the 14th OH and 38 OH Volunteer Infantry Regiments as told by the men that fought in that battle.
Paragraph: The Confederate defenders of Atlanta remained self-confident and convinced that these pampered yankees could not whip entrenched rebels (after Mission Ridge, they could not be so sure). We knew were in for a life and death fight, but we were calm, cool, and determined. We were about 500 yards from the first line of enemy works, which run east-west. The so-called “protective flank,” a line that extended out from the main north-south rebel line. From the wide-open field, we could not see either line — the protective flank or the main line — as they were hidden in a woods. And, the farther left, the greater the distance to the rebel line and so subjecting the Union attackers to more time exposed to rebel musket fire. At 5:27 PM, about an hour before sunset, the Union forces resumed the attack from the positions on the map that General Absalom Baird included in his Official Report of the battle. 1883 History of Defiance: The enemy were fortified with two lines of earthworks. The outer line was a relatively short extension of the main Confederate line; a protective flank. The second rebel line, which was in a woods and hidden from our view, was further protected with a heavy abatis. After the repulse of Major Edie’s regular brigade, the advance was sounded and Este’s brigade moved up to the attack. Colonel Este, with General Baird at his side, gave the order, singing out clear and steady as a bugle signal: “Battalions, forward, guide center! March” and waved his hand for the “forward.” Benjamin F. Mattern, 38th OH, 17 May 1883, West Unity, OH/Rudisill: Then came the order from the regimental commanders of the left wing, Major John W. Wilson of the 14th OH and Colonel William Choate of the 38th OH, “Forward, double-quick, march!” These veteran regiments moved off handsomely up a slight grade toward a low crest in the open field with as much coolness and regularity as they ever had done on battalion drill.” Corporal Oscar P. Randall of Company B bore the 38 OH Regimental colors. Inc into Este attack…description of the ground mostly, That Body of Brave Men, Mark W. Johnson, Regular Infantry, 538: Carlin actually moved thru thick woods for about a mile before arriving at a broad open field. The Rebel line occupied high ground on the far side of the opening. The field was anywhere from 300 to 800 yards across (estimates vary). A creek and low ground ran laterally across the front and much of the field was covered with thick brush and vines. Walking thru the vegetation was hard enough; maintaining alignment in the battle formation would be close to impossible. As with the Regular’s failed attack, the angle was the focal point of the XIV Corps attack. That Body of Brave Men, Mark W. Johnson, Regular Infantry, 543: Reinforcements were on the way. After an hour, perhaps about 4:00, Moore’s brigade and Morgan’s division were finally advancing again. Gen Davis ordered Este’s brigade into the attack. It would be one of the few examples in the Civil War of a successful reinforcement of a stalled attack. Personally led by Baird, Este advanced across the field and swamp, following the route of the regulars had taken. Baird halted the brigade 50 yards behind Edie’s line and had his men strip off knapsacks and fix bayonets. The regulars warned Este’s OH, KY, and IN that there were at least two rebel lines and that some regulars may be holding out in part of the first line. Baird gave the order to advance. The regulars cheered as Baird’s veterans walked thru Edie’s line, continued up the slope, and disappeared over the ridge and out of sight. The regulars had pushed Govan to the breaking point. They delivered a single volley and before they could reload found our men in the trenches with they bayoneting all who wouldn’t surrender. Este’s brigade continued to advance into the main works. Moores brigade and elements of Morgan’s division (17th NY) joined them there. Federal numbers carried the day. Art: Right behind the 38th OH were the 328 battle-hardened veterans of the 14th OH led by Major John W. Wilson (hot link) and their color bearer Private Joseph E. Warner of Company A. The brigade was in double line with the 14th Ohio in the second line and perhaps 50 yards behind the 38th Ohio. Our line of battle moved just as we had practiced in brigade drill, soon passed through some of the unnerved men from Edie’s beaten Regular brigade. They told us that there were at least two lines of rebel works and that Union troops already occupied the first line. The latter claim turned out to be a delusion/fantasy. Kirk OR: We advanced through the open field slowly, so that when we were ready to charge, we would be fresh and in imposing military order. That Body of Brave Men, Mark W. Johnson, Regular Infantry, 538: With fire from the Regulars pinning down Govan”s forward troops, Este was able to advance unchecked right up to the edge of the enemy position. Co G, 38th OH, Ayersville: The rebels did not fire a shot until we reached the edge of the woods… Link to Rudesill, 5 Aug 1909: At the edge of the woods our commanders gave us the signal to charge. We ran as fast as we could, up another slight grade. Kirk OR: In a few seconds, we reached another low crest about 100 yards from the projecting first line of rebel works. Still the rebels held their fire. But, when the 38th OH reached the edge of the timber line just a few seconds later, all hell broke loose…
Link to Map in Media….
Map Caption: Per General Baird, this map is the best representation of the field of battle the moment we began to move forward on the rebels. The 1st line of rebel works began at the edge of the woods, on a crest, and then continued about 45 yards to the 2nd line. Additionally, the 2nd line fell away to between 45 to 100 yards to the left. Depending on where we entered the woods, the 1st line was from 0 to 25 or 30 yards to where the 1st line met the 2nd line some distance to our right where our right-hand regiments struck the 2nd line. At other points, the works were 60, 80,100 yards back in the woods. Major Edie’s brigade is 250 yards from rebel works with Este and in close support, 50 yards back.
Hot Link to: Major Wilson, of Defiance, Ohio, enlisted in April of 1861 as a musician for 3 months service. He re-enlisted in August of 1861 as the Captain of Company E and then was named regimental commander on XXXXX. Major Wilson exhibited perfect coolness and fortitude, and by his manner appeared to inspire the men with his own ardor, fired, without doubt, by a determination to make good a resolution to avenge the death of his brother, murdered by the rebels in Kansas. Major Wilson, a surveyor in civilian life, was the father of 6 young children back in Defiance, Ohio.
