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Battle and Saber Charge at Lovejoy, Georgia
The following transcribed by Larry Fryer.
POTTSVILLE
MINER'S JOURNAL
September
10, 1864
FROM
SHERMAN'S ARMY
KILPATRICK'S
RAID AROUND ATLANTA
GALLANT
SABER CHARGE BY THE 7TH PA CAVALRY & REST OF MINTY'S BRIGADE
100
REBELS SABERED ON THE FIELD
REMARKABLE
INSTANCES OF PERSONAL BRAVERY
The following are excerpts from a letter,
written by John L. Sherk, who was a
Surgeon; killed by guerrillas at Bardstown, KY, December 29, 1864.
"Confronting Atlanta"
August 23, 1864
The
raider, Kilpatrick, arrived in late last night, having made a complete circuit
around the Rebel army in the short space of four days, fighting all the time
against vastly superior forces.
The
forces which took part, were the Third Division of Cavalry, about 2,500,
and Minty's and Long's brigades of the Second Cavalry Division, numbering
2,554. General Garrard, of the
Second Division, did not accompany the expedition; consequently Col. Minty, of
the 4th Michigan, who, at that time, ranked Colonel (now General) Long, took
command. At 1 o'clock on the
morning of the 18th, the expedition left the cavalry encampment on the left of
our line for the rendezvous of the expedition at Sandtown, where it arrived at
6, A.M., accompanied by two sections of the Chicago Board of Trade Battery,
under the immediate command of Lieut. Robinson.
Arriving
at Sandtown on the morning of the 19th, Minty reported to General Kilpatrick,
and received his orders. As soon as
darkness had settled over the forest, the whole command, five thousand strong,
jumped into their saddles and boldly marched upon the West Point Railroad, near Fairburn,
the 3d Division in advance, skirmishing all the way from the right of our
infantry lines, until they struck the West Point Railroad, when.
The
first rebel assault was made at the moment that the 3d Division and a part of
Long's Brigade had crossed. The
enemy struck the column on the left flank with artillery and dismounted cavalry,
and with so much force that the 7th Pennsylvania was cut in two, causing some
confusion for the moment, but Major Jennings quickly reformed his regiment and,
supported by Major Max, commanding the 4th Michigan, made a vigorous and
irresistible attack upon the enemy, who was driven from the ground in disorder.
After destroying Jonesboro, the rebels came in
overwhelming force on Kilpatrick at Lovejoy Station, where our men were engaged
in tearing up the track. Here was
made a bloody saber charge by Minty.
A Bloody
Saber Charge by Minty
While the various regiments were being maneuvered into position to
meet the onslaught of the rebels at Lovejoy Station, who were sweeping down upon
them, the men had time to comprehend the danger that surrounded them. Rebels to the right of them, rebels to the left of them,
rebels in the rear of them, rebels in the front of them; surrounded.
There was no salvation but to cut their way out.
Visions of Libby Prison and starvation glided across their vision and
they saw that the deadly conflict could not be avoided.
Placing himself at the head of his brigade, the gallant and fearless
Minty drew his saber and his voice rung out clear and loud, "Attention,
column forward, trot, regulate by the center, regiment, march, gallop,
march"! Away the brigade went
with a swell that echoed away across the valleys.
The ground from which the start was made and over which they charged, was
a plantation of about two square miles; thickly strewn with patches of wood,
deep water cuts, fences, ditches and morasses.
At the word, "Away", went the bold dragoons at the height of
their speed. Fences were jumped,
ditches were no impediment, the rattles of the sabers mingled with that of the
mess kettles and frying pans that jingled at the sides of the pack mule brigade,
which were madly pushed forward by the frightened darkies who straddled them.
Charging for their lives, and yelling like devils, Minty and his troopers
encountered the rebels behind a hastily erected barricade of rails.
Pressing their rowels deeply in their horses flanks and raising their
sabers aloft; on, on, on! Nearer
and nearer to the rebels they plunged. The
terror stricken enemy could not withstand the true thunderous wave of man and
horse that threatened to engulf them. They
broke and ran, just as Minty and troopers were urging their horses for the
decisive blow. In an instant, all
was confusion. The yells of the
horsemen were drowned completely in the clashes of steel and groins of the
dying. On pressed Minty in pursuit,
his men's sabers striking right and left and cutting down everything in their
path. The rebel horsemen were seen
to reel and pitch headlong to the
earth while their frightened steeds rushed pell-mell over their bodies.
Many of the rebels defended themselves with almost superhuman strength,
yet it was all in vain. The charge of federal steel was irresistible.
The heads and limbs of some of the rebels were actually severed from the
bodies. The head of the rider
falling on one side of the horse, the legless trunk upon the other.
There were many instances of heroism.
Hardly a man flinched and when the brigade came out, more then half the
sabers were stained with human blood. Among
the cases of deeds vouched for are the following:
An orderly of Major Jennings, Samuel Walters, Co. F, 7th PA, rode upon a
rebel cavalryman who threw up his hand to guard the blow. The saber came down, severing the hand from the arm.
Another blow followed quickly, after upon the neck, and over the rebel
rolled out of his saddle, the neck only clinging to the body by a thin fiber.
Pvt. Douglass and Captain McIntyre of the 4th U.S., charged side by side,
killing 4 or 5 with the saber; capturing a Captain and a Lieut. and 13 men, who
were turned over to Douglass by the Captain, who rushed forward into the fray.
After the charge was over, Douglass rode up to Col. Minty, saluted him,
turned over his 15 prisoners, and remarked, "Here Colonel, are 15 Johnnies,
the trophies of Captain McIntyre and Private Douglass".
It was, all admit, one of the finest charges of
the war. Fully 100 men fell under
the keen sabers of Minty's brigade. The
praises of Minty and his command are upon every tongue. The 4th U.S., 4th
Michigan, 1st, 3rd, & 4th Ohio regiments charged over a rebel battery of 3
guns on the left of the road; but no sooner had our men passed, when the rebels
again seized the cannon and reversing them, poured grape and canister into the
charging columns. Gen'l Kilpatrick
seeing this, with his staff and others, about 30 in all, moved forward to
capture the guns, but found a high staked and ritered fence between him and the
battery. Seeing the predicament in
which the General was, Private William Bailey, Co. I, 4th Michigan, an orderly
to Col. Minty, coolly rode up to the fence, dismounted in the face of a severe
fire, tore down the fence, re-mounted, rode up to the battery, shot the Captain,
took possession of the horse and arms, and rode out.
He was immediately followed by a party of men who captured the battery
and spiked the guns. In the charge, Minty's Brigade captured 3 stands of colors,
the 4th U.S. taking two and the 4th Michigan one.
Col. Minty, whose soldierly form was conspicuous in the charge, urging
the men to follow him, had his horse shot under him.
An orderly was shot by his side and his Inspector, Captain Thompson,
captured. Gen'l Kilpatrick is loud
in the praise of Long and Minty and the nameless heroes who fought by them.
The expedition then returned to Atlanta.
Col. Minty estimates the rebel killed alone, greater then our entire
loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. While
our entire loss was only 231, theirs was not less then 1000. The 7th PA Cavalry lost 57.
POTTSVILLE
MINER'S JOURNAL
September
10, 1864
FROM
THE 7TH PA VETERAN VOLUNTEER CAVALRY
Camp Near Atlanta
August 23, 1864
Editors Miner's Journal: Since writing to you on the 8th, our movements have been
most important. On the 17th of this month we left camp on the left of our
army and moved to our extreme right, where we encamped for the night.
Next morning orders came to be ready to move at the shortest notice.
Before starting for camp, we learned that we were going on another
expedition. Brigades of cavalry
being the most effective, were selected to form the command.
The different troops that concentrated before starting consisted of two
divisions of cavalry, a regiment of mounted infantry and many pieces of
artillery.
Our 2nd Division, with the exception of Col.
Wilder's Brigade, formed part of the expedition, the 3rd Division the other.
General Kilpatrick being in command, issued an order; the order was
welcomed. The troops knew well what
had to be done, and with willing hearts, moved forward.
Marching day and night without resting, we at last hit the enemy in our
front. Skirmishing now began, our men advancing and driving them
back. As we moved forward and
gained ground, we found the enemy's position had been selected.
It was Armstrong's rebel brigade with 4 pieces of artillery.
As we moved onward and were crossing the West Point RR, they opened on
our column with grape and canister, all the while musketry was heard in all
directions. The iron missiles
flying thick among us, separated the column, leaving those who had not crossed
to remain on this side of the road, while the advance which had crossed the
railroad, while the enemy was pouring into us shot and shell, was left without
support to fight the opposing forces. However,
it was not long before our men got into position and began the rolling roars
from the Spencer Carbine. And in
the meantime we swung our right left wings around them, thus giving the separate
column on the opposing side an opportunity to join the advance. The 7th PA being in the advance of the column, was the first
to receive the enemy's fire. Still,
they sustained but little loss. Some
of the regiment wee killed and wounded but few of the wounded died.
Some of the other regiments, after joining our column sustained some
loss, but to what extent is not known. It
was not long before the enemy found himself getting entirely surrounded. Their
firing fell short, and seeing the result, if they held their position, retreated
in great confusion, which left the country open for us.
As we advanced, we looked every minute for them to open on us again, but
they did not until we reached the town of Jonesboro, the place we were to strike
the Macon Railroad. Here, we had a
heavy fight. The rebels held their
position well and were confident of holding us in check, until morning when
re-enforcement's would arrive for them. But
to their surprise, we drove them from the town, destroying many fine buildings
by fire. It being dark, the sky was
beautifully illuminated from the flames rising in the air.
A grander scene I have never witnessed.
The fire gave light form many miles around us. Our Divisions were brought in line to destroy the railroad.
The object in view was now being accomplished.
The men, with willing hearts and hands, were set to work tearing up rails
and burning the ties of the road for 20 miles.
After the work was done, and everything on fire,
we looked for feed for our horses, having had none since we first started.
After getting corn for all our horses we rested for the night and fed
them. The rebels in the meantime,
firing occasionally into our ranks, but doing no damage.
On the morning of the 20th we pressed on, still in
the rear of the rebel army. After
doing all the damage at this place, we started on for another point, which we
reached about noon. After the enemy
had been beaten off, and found we were still determined to do more damage, they
hastened to the next important place where they expected an attack.
In addition to the forces they had, they received two divisions of
infantry. As we moved forward we
found them in strong force. General Kilpatrick was always in front conducting the
movements. The rebels on our right
advanced when they found we were moving forward. The enemy greatly outnumbered us, but the motto of the
General was, Fight or die". Having
moved as far front as we could, the rebels began to charge us.
Our regiment dismounted and went in on foot, while the 4th Regulars
charged them mounted. They still
advanced but finally they got out in the open field where our men had a plain
sight of them. Now began the
battle. Our artillery opened on
them, volley after volley, while the cavalry dismounted, went in bravely on
foot. The rebels were checked.
Finding they had failed, they then began a flanking process.
Their forces were moved all to their right, to flank our left.
They had their artillery planted so as to sweep our column.
Our General was amply prepared for them and guarded well his flanks.
While their cavalry was in position to charge us, their infantry was posted all
in our front. We were now in a
tight place and our only chance was to charge.
The General, seeing their division of infantry moving forward, while
their cavalry was to charge, drew our column in line 4 deep and gave the order,
"Advance carbines, return carbines, draw sabers, forward trot,
charge". The advancing of the
carbines made the rebels think we would fight them in that manner, but it was
intended for a feint. The saber was
drawn, and the column, with our brigade in the advance, led the charge over
hills and hollows, fences and all kinds of obstructions.
Forward was the command! On
with the column, driving through their cavalry and infantry, while their
artillery was pouring shot and shell, grape and canister into our column.
There was no delay. Our men
charged on them, driving them into a general skid addle.
There were many prisoners taken, but they could not be brought from the
field, so great was the charge; it was impossible for the column to stop for the
prisoners. Their loss was heavy in killed, wounded and missing.
Many of them gave themselves up willingly.
By the prisoners taken, I learned that they were amply prepared for us.
Their infantry was commanded by General Ross; their cavalry by General
Jackson. It was seen by their
movements, they were prepared for our attack.
The fight lasted until late in the afternoon, when our men began to
retire.
It now began to rain very hard.
The roads and fields were filled with water.
After all was quiet, General Kilpatrick and Col. Minty, with their
respective staffs, gave three hearty cheers for the defeat of the enemy;
afterwards which the command fell back. The
enemy followed our rear but as we had done all that was required, we did not
wish to bring on another fight, being short of ammunition.
We retired in good order until we got to within a short march of our
lines, where we encamped for the night until morning, when we started for
Decatur to our lines. We got safe
to our camp last night.
Our expedition was successful and another victory
over the rebels. Of the honors
which the 7th PA Cavalry earned in former campaigns, the present one greatly
exceeds them. In this move we went
through the enemy's rear from our right; around their line to their left,
cutting through them. We captured
about 200 prisoners, one piece of artillery, a train of ambulances and an
ammunition train, six stand of colors, a lot of horses, arms, etc.
General Jackson, commanding their cavalry, was killed by the advance of
the charge. His uniform, saber and
hdq. flag fell into our hands. General
Ross, commanding their infantry, was wounded.
The majority of the prisoners taken were under the influence of liquor.
Our loss, when accounted for, will not exceed 400 killed, wounded and
missing in the Division. Our loss
of officers in this regiment was great. Among
them are the following: Captain
Heber Thompson, Co. I, missing in action; Captain White, Co. A, missing in
action; Captain Taylor, Co. H, missing in action; Lieut. Hermans, Co. C, missing
in action. None of the men from
Pottsville were hurt.
All are in good health and spirits.
Since our return yesterday, we have been in camp.
I remain, yours truly,
L.C.C. (Louis Crossland)
POTTSVILLE
MINER'S JOURNAL
September
17, 1864
From
the 7th PA Vet. Cavalry
The following graphic description of the recent
operations of the 7th PA Cavalry under General Kilpatrick in the vicinity of
Atlanta. From an esteemed friend, a
brave soldier of Co. L. We trust
that he will soon write again.
Camp, 7th PA Vet. Vol. Cav
In front of Atlanta, GA
August 23, 1864
Editors Miner's Journal: Since the date of my last communication, up to the 17th of
this month, nothing worthy of note happened to the old 7th.
We were out on two or three raids, destroyed several miles of railroad
for the Johnnies at and near Covington on the line of
road between Atlanta and Augusta, captured about 200 horses and mules and
about half that number of "free Americans of African descent," served
two weeks in the breastworks dismounted, and were beginning to think we were
destined to remain there until Atlanta had fallen, when we were ordered back to
our horses on the 15th instant. Rumor
said we were to make another raid and we were anxious for some definite
information, when about sundown of the 17th we were ordered to be ready to move
at 9 o'clock that evening with five days rations from the morning of the 19th.
About midnight we moved out and at 7 o'clock on the morning of the 18th
we were at Sandtown, a small village on the Chattahoochee River, some 16 miles
below the railroad bridge. Up to
this time we were in the dark as to what we were to do, or where we were going
to do it. We now found we were to form part of the force, which under the
command of Brigadier General Kilpatrick, were to make an attack on the enemy's
communications and endeavor to cut the Macon railroad.
I cannot better convey to your readers the object of the expedition then
by giving you the circular issued by the commanding officer.
It is as follows:
HDQ.
Cavalry Expedition D.C.
Sandtown,
GA August 18, 1864
Soldiers!
You have been selected from the cavalry divisions of the Army of the
Cumberland. You have been well organized, equipped and rendered formidable at great expense to accomplish an
object vital to the success of our cause. I'm
about to lead you, not on a raid, but in a deliberate and well combined attack
upon the enemy's communications, in order that he may be unable to supply his
army in Atlanta. Two expeditions
have already failed. We are the
last cavalry troops of the army. Let
each soldier remember this and resolve to accomplish the great object for which
so much is risked. Or die trying.
(s) J.
Kilpatrick
Brigadier
General, Commanding
At Sandtown on the 18th, the column moved and
consisted of the 3rd Division, composed of
Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois Cavalry.
One brigade of the 1st Division, and two brigades of ours, the 2nd
Division, composed of Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania Cavalry.
The advance struck the enemy's pickets five
miles from Sandtown. They offered
but feeble resistance however and we met with no serious opposition until
daylight the 19th, when we struck the Montgomery railroad at Red Oaks.
Here the rebs were strongly posted parallel to the road and had their
artillery so posted, that they could, so they supposed, hold us in check.
But orders were given to keep well closed up and keep pressing forward.
They threw their shells with a rapidity and accuracy that told upon our
ranks, but at length, upon seeing we were getting to their rear, they concluded
it was time for them to be leaving. So
they left on a double-quick towards Jonesboro.
We followed closely in their rear, drove
them all day and about dusk, struck the Macon railroad at Jonesboro.
At this point we destroyed over three miles of track, burned the depot
and several other buildings used by the Confederate government as storehouses,
and an iron water tank. The latter, for a time defied our efforts to render it
useless, but at last we brought a piece of artillery to bear upon it and I
rather think, will take more then southern ingenuity to stop all the holes we
knocked through it. As soon as the
work of destruction was
accomplished, the expedition was on the move, and taking the Covington road.
Daylight of the 20th found us 10 or 12 miles
from Jonesboro. Here we halted at a
church for an hour. The enemy, who
were following us, were held in check by
our rear guard. We then took a road
to the left and struck the main road from McDonough to Fayetteville, and pushed
rapidly forward till about noon, when we struck the enemy in force at our front.
At this point the 4th Michigan Cavalry struck off to the right to Lovejoy
Station to destroy the railroad at that point.
They succeeded in their object without meeting with any opposition.
Our regiment was thrown into the woods at the right of the road, and then
dismounted and commenced to feeling the enemy. They soon found them to be too strong for our number.
The 4th U.S. was sent to our assistance and shortly afterwards, the 2nd
Brigade of our Division. We then charged the rebs and drove them some distance, when
they rallied and in turn, drove us.
Meanwhile, the force in our rear was pushing
us hard. They threw shells, from
front and rear, into our columns. After
fighting on foot for some time, in which neither party appeared to gain much, we
were ordered to mount, which we did. We
were formed in columns by regiments, and ordered to charge.
Our regiment was on the right, the 4th Michigan in the center, and the
4th U.S. was on the left of the road. Another
Brigade was formed in like manner. When
everything was ready, the word was given and in they went.
Words can scarcely portray the terrible sublimate
of that cavalry charge. The
air was filled with bursting shells and musket balls. The ground fairly trembled under the tread of a thousand
horses. As they get nearer the foe,
the grape and canister comes tearing through the rank, yet nothing can stop our
rushing columns. Nearer they come,
to the yet unbroken line. Now they
close upon them with a yell which drowns the roar of artillery and the crack of
the musket. Now the rebel line is
broken, and is fleeing in wild disorder. Many
are cut down with the saber and many more trodden under foot of the horses.
The field is won and the victory is ours and wild and exhalted is the
cheer that makes the very welkin ring. Their
battery is silenced. One of the
pieces was brought in with us and the others were spiked and rendered perfectly
useless.
But I see that I am making my communication
altogether too lengthy, so I will not describe so minutely the remainder of the
expedition. Suffice it to say we
had some hard fighting, but as usual, were victorious.
The same afternoon the whole command forded
Cotton River, which was so swollen the horses had to swim. The next day, the 21st, we crossed Yellow River and destroyed
four bridges after we had crossed. Yesterday,
the 22nd, the command came in by way of Decatur, having made a circle around
Atlanta. We accomplished our
object, but when we look around for familiar faces, and look in vain for many,
who a week ago were full of life and hope, we realize the cost of our
expedition.
Captain Heber Thompson is missing, last seen
of him he was rallying the men to take the artillery.
His horse was shot and he was dismounted. We hope that he is still alive but fear that he is fallen,
another victim to this unholy rebellion. As
an officer he had few superiors. Brave,
chivalric, and kind, respected by his superiors and loved by his inferiors in
command. It would lift a heavy load
from the hearts of all who knew him if we could hear that he is still alive.
All we can do is wait and hope.
Captain Percy H. White is missing. We
know that he was wounded but trust it was not a fatal wound.
Captain James G. Taylor, Co. K, is a
prisoner, if he is yet alive. He
was wounded while the command was fighting dismounted.
Lieut. Hermans, Co. C is missing.
The casualties of men from Schuylkill County are
as follows:
David L. Davis,
Co. A, killed
Alonzo E. Kline,
Co. A, wounded
Owen P. Kehoe,
Co. I, wounded
Cpl. Charles M.
Kantner, Co. L, wounded in shoulder, serious but not fatal
Sgt. David P.
Reese, Co. A, wounded and missing*
Francis Weigley,
Co. A, wounded and missing+
William Robinson, Co. A, wounded and missing*
Capt.. George M.
Boyer, Co. F, wounded and missing
Levi Siebert,
Co. I, wounded and missing
Peter Mulcachey,
Co. A, wounded and missing+
The total loss in the regiment is as follows:
Enlisted
Men Officers
Killed
5
0
Wounded
12
0
Wounded & Missing
11
4
Missing
13
0
__
_
Total
41
4
The wounded
men will all receive furloughs. Home
is the most efficacious balm for the soldier’s wound.
F.H.R.
Co.
"L"
*David Reese
& William Robinson were killed at Lovejoy Station, August 20, 1864
+ Peter
Mulcachey & Francis Weigley died of their wounds received at Lovejoy
Station, August 20, 1864
CHARGE
OF MINTY’S BRIGADE
(At
Lovejoy Station, Ga. August 20,
1864)
By K. A. Whitwam, Madison, Neb.
Trapped
was the wary but fearless Kilpatrick,
Surely
beset by a jubilant foe,
Pouring
their broadsides from front, flank and rearward,
Eager
to crush his command at a blow,
Hear
their exultant cheer,
As
they on flank appear,
Reynolds
has massed a division in front of him,
Cleburne
comes down at the right on the run,
Jackson
on left and in rear with his batteries,
Hurls
shot and shell from full many a gun.
“Never
surrender,” has gone forth the edict,
“Never,”
cries Minty, “while I have a blade;
Give
but the word and we carve out a pathway,
I
and my men of the old First Brigade.”
“Forward,
the First Brigade,
Charge
yonder barricade!”
This
the reply of the swift seeing leader,
While,
like an arrow shot out from the bow,
Minty’s
Brigade leaped forth on their mission,
Each
trooper’s bosom with ardor aglow.
Over
the hill dashed the galloping squadrons,
Striking
a chill to the hearts of the foe;
Glittering
sabers now throw back the sunlight,
Then
in warm life-blood they dim the bright glow.
Awful
the gaps they made,
As
the fierce cannonade
Shakes
the whole earth and blots out the heavens;
Still
rode that line of steel flashing its wrath,
Like
mountain avalanche onward it thundered,
Hurling
to death all that stood in its path.
Ten
thousand men their volleys are pouring
Into
the ranks that in unequal fight,
Dared
yet to charge the enemy boldly,
Though
there were six to their one now in sight,
Midst
such a metal rain,
Valor
seems all in vain.
Murderous
shell exploded about them,
Whistling
minie balls screamed through the air,
Emptying
saddles and staining the greensward -
Oh,
the brave men who are perishing there!
Yet
the bold horsemen are eagerly pressing
on
where the barricade Jackson doth shield;
Sabers
are whirling in circles above them,
Armed
with the vengeance which patriots wield.
Crash!
And the lines are met,
Sabers
with blood are wet,
Steel
has met steel, and he drinking the lifeblood;
Horses
and riders in heaps askew the ground.
Rifle
and pistol shot whistling about them,
Tear
through the air, volleyed round upon round.
Minty
is hewing his way at the forefront,
swift
McIntyre has captured a gun;
Ball’s
own hand has taken another,
Every
bold trooper has prodigies done.
Stop
the tornado,
Block
up its way, though
Cherish
no thought, this horse torrent of stemming;
Minty’s
Brigade will not be denied,
What
though an army should block up the pathway,
It
shall be swept far away on the tide.
Still
went the clamor on, still flowed the crimson tide,
Still
swayed the deadly strife hither and yon,
“Strike
for Old Glory, boys, down with the stars and bars;
You
have a road to win, it can’t be won,”
Hark,
yonder the hurrah!
Victory’s
proclamation!
See
the once stubborn foe, break asunder.
Shattered
and bleeding, now flee far away.
Sheath
your red sabers, your duty is ended,
Safe
lies the path, you have won the proud day.
National
Tribune, January 25, 1894
Library of Congress, Washington, DC