Ohio Civil War » Civil War A-Z » 0-9 » 47th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

47th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

1861-1865

In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. Almost 330,000 Ohio men, including 5,092 African Americans, served in the Union military during the conflict.

In the American Civil War, Ohio provided the federal government with 260 regiments of men, including infantry, artillery, and cavalry units. Ohioans also served in several other regiments from other states, most notably from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Massachusetts, as well as in federal units. Almost 330,000 Ohio men, including 5,092 African Americans, served in the Union military during the conflict.

Infantry regiments formed in Ohio became known as regiments of Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Soldiers of Ohio infantry regiments served the Union for varying lengths of time, ranging from one hundred days to three years. One of the three-year regiments was the 47th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment began organization at Camp Clay at Pendleton, Ohio on June 15, 1861. On July 29, 1861, the 47th moved to Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, where organization was completed on August 13, 1861. Six of the regiment's companies consisted of native-born Americans, while the remaining four primarily included Germans.

On August 27, 1861, the 47th departed Camp Dennison for Clarksburg, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia). In early September, the regiment advanced to Weston, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia). Two days later, officials ordered the 47th's Companies E, F, G, and I to garrison the town, while Companies A, B, C, D, H, and K joined General William S. Rosecrans's advance to Bulltown, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia). At this location, authorities brigaded the regiment with the 9th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the 28th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The Union command soon advanced to Sutton, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where officials ordered the 47th's Company B to remain on garrison duty. The remainder of the Union force advanced to Carnifex Ferry in present-day West Virginia, where the Battle of Carnifex Ferry erupted on September 10, 1861. Following this Union victory, the Northerners advanced to Big Sewell Mountain, arriving at this location on September 24, 1861. Heavy rains limited the Northern force and prompted the command to withdraw to the Gauley River. The 47th and the 9th Ohio did participate in a brief expedition across the New River to Fayette Court House in present-day West Virginia, seizing a quantity of enemy supplies. While along the New River, enemy forces launched artillery barrages and skirmished heavily with the 47th. The regiment successfully fended off these attacks and, after the Confederates withdrew, entered winter encampment on Gauley Mountain.

While the bulk of the 47th participated in the campaign to rid western Virginia (modern-day West Virginia) of Rebel forces, the four companies at Weston also remained active. On September 19, 1861, these companies advanced to Cross Lanes in present-day West Virginia, relieving the Union garrison at this location. These companies conducted numerous forays against Confederate guerrillas operating in the region. On December 5, 1861, the regiment reunited at Gauley Mountain. In winter encampment, the 47th spent most of the time constructing fortifications, although, in January, the command did join an expedition to Little Sewall Mountain, where the Northerners drove a detachment of enemy soldiers from their quarters.

On April 23, 1862, officials dispatched three of the 47th's companies towards Lewisburg, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia). On May 10, 1862, a battalion of the 2nd Virginia Cavalry, one company from the 44th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and one more from the 47th reinforced the other four companies. On that evening, the Union force advanced upon Lewisburg, driving the Confederate garrison from the town. The remainder of the 47th soon arrived at Lewisburg, with the 36th regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry and the rest of the 44th Ohio. Officials brigaded these three regiments together, and on June 22, 1862, the organization marched through Monroe County in modern-day West Virginia, driving Confederate forces from the region and seizing cattle and supplies. On July 10, 1862, the 47th advanced to the Greenbrier River, to relieve two companies of the 44th Ohio. The regiment also attacked an enemy camp, forcing the Confederates to withdraw. On August 6, 1862, four companies of the 47th began a march through Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties in present-day West Virginia, freeing the region from enemy guerrillas.

In late August 1862, the 47th moved to Gauley Bridge, Virginia (modern-day West Virginia), where officials dispatched the regiment's companies to surrounding communities to serve as garrison troops. Confederate forces engaged six of the 47th's companies at Summerville, prompting the Northerners to withdraw. Other Union forces within western Virginia joined the retreat all of the way to the Ohio River across from Gallipolis, Ohio. The 47th moved to the Kanawha Valley in present-day West Virginia in late October 1862, before officials ordered the regiment to Memphis, Tennessee. On December 30, 1862, the organization boarded steamers. The 47th, sailed past Louisville, Kentucky, before arriving at Memphis.

At Memphis, the 47th joined the Union's advance upon Vicksburg, Mississippi, spending the early months of 1863 digging canals that would allow Union gunboats to sail around the Confederate stronghold out of reach of the enemy's cannons. In May 1863, the regiment crossed the Mississippi River and participated in the Northerners' advance upon Vicksburg's rear. By May 18, the regiment arrived at Walnut Hills, Mississippi on Vicksburg's outskirts. On May 19 and 22, 1863, the 47th attacked the Confederate position on Cemetery Hill. The regiment seized this position on May 22, 1863 and occupied the Cemetery Hill Fort for the duration of the Siege of Vicksburg.

Following the Union's occupation of Vicksburg on July 4, 1863, officials immediately dispatched the 47th with the remainder of General William T. Sherman's command to Jackson, Mississippi. After a brief siege, Union forces seized Mississippi's capital. The regiment spent the next two months destroying fortifications and railroad tracks in this city, before returning to Memphis, via Big Black River Bridge and Vicksburg, in late September 1863.

On October 9, 1863, the 47th accompanied a corps train from Memphis to Corinth, Mississippi, arriving at this location six days later. On October 17, 1863, the regiment began an advance to Chattanooga, Tennessee, where the Confederacy's Army of Tennessee had besieged the Union's Army of the Cumberland. On November 23, 1863, the 47th arrived outside of Chattanooga and, two days later, constructed rifle pits on the south side of the Tennessee River. Later that day, the regiment joined in the Battle of Missionary Ridge. The Northerners stormed the Confederate position on the ridge, driving the Southerners from the field and bringing the Siege of Chattanooga to a victorious conclusion for the Union.

Following the Siege of Chattanooga, the 47th briefly joined the Union's pursuit of the retreating Southerners, advancing as far as Graysville, Georgia. Officials quickly dispatched the regiment to Knoxville, Tennessee, where a Confederate force had besieged the city's Union garrison. The siege ended successfully for the Union before the 47th arrived at Knoxville, and the regiment returned to Chattanooga. During January and February 1864, the organization participated in several expeditions into northern Georgia, including skirmishing with enemy soldiers at Rome on February 3. Following the advance on Rome, the 47th entered camp at Larkin's Landing, where approximately three-fourths of the regiment reenlisted. In mid-March 1864, the re-enlistees received a thirty-day furlough to their homes in Ohio.

Upon the furlough's conclusion, the 47th returned to the frontlines at Stevenson, Alabama on May 3, 1864. The regiment immediately embarked upon Union General William T. Sherman's Atlanta Campaign. The goal of this expedition was for Northern forces to capture the important manufacturing center of Atlanta, Georgia. The 47th fought in many of the largest engagements of the campaign, including the Battles of Snake Creek Gap, Resaca, Kingston, Dallas, New Hope Church, Big Shanty, Kennesaw Mountain, Ezra Church, and Atlanta. Union forces occupied Atlanta on September 2, 1864, bringing the campaign to a victorious conclusion for the North. After the Atlanta Campaign, the 47th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. FORTY-SEVENTH OHIO INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS, East Point, Ga., September 10, 1864.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following account of the operations of the Forty-seventh Ohio Infantry Volunteers since May 3, 1864, until September 8, 1864, in pursuance of orders heretofore received:

May 3, the regiment, returning from veteran furlough, rejoined the Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, between Stevenson and Bridgeport, Ala., at 2 p. m., and encamped at Bridgeport at 6 p. m. From this day until the 10th May the advance was steadily maintained, having marched, via Bridgeport, Chattanooga, Rossville. Gordon's Mills, and Gordon's and Snake Creek Gaps, to Sugar Valley, where the enemy were found in considerable force. A line of battle was formed, and a spirited skirmish ensued, in which four companies of the regiment were engaged. During the afternoon a light line of works was constructed in our front. May 11, retired about one mile, to the mouth of Snake Creek Gap, and assisted in the construction of light field works; the following day returned to the position formerly occupied at Sugar Valley. On the 13th May, at 6 a. m., again moved forward. and, being in the advance, were continually engaged in skirmishing. At the intersection of the Calhoun Ferry and Resaca and Sugar Valley roads the enemy was encountered in such force as to render it impossible to proceed farther with skirmish line. Accordingly, a line of battle was formed along the Calhoun Ferry road, the regiment on the left of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, with four companies, deployed as skirmishers. and relieved throughout the afternoon. At 1 p. m. the advance was resumed, and the enemy driven from ridge to ridge, until forced behind their works at Resaca, where, at 5 p. m., the line halted on the slope of a ridge facing the enemy's works. In the engagement 5 men were wounded. Saturday, May 14, details were engaged in heavy skirmishing. At 12 m. assisted in making a demonstration, which continued until 4 p. m. At 6 p. m. again made a demonstration, which continued until 7.10 p. m., when we advanced under a very heavy artillery fire to the support of the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, which had stormed a hill occupied by the enemy. During night assisted in fortifying the new position. The day following was occupied in skirmishing. On Monday, the 16th the skirmishers advanced and found the enemy had evacuated. At sunrise advanced to the railroad bridge across the Oostenaula River. The loss in this entire engagement was 10 wounded. The same day at 9 a. m. began the pursuit; moved, via the Calhoun and Lay's Ferry road, across Lay's Ferry, and encamped two miles east of the river. On the 17th, being in the advance, was engaged the entire day in skirmishing, and drove the enemy steadily until near McGuire's, when they made a stand in a dense wood and opened a battery. The division was then deployed, and the entire line advanced, when the enemy retired. Encamped at sundown about one mile from McGuire's, on the Adairsville and Rome road. Arrived at Kingston on the 19th, and encamped on the Connasene Creek, near its confluence with the Etowah River. Resumed the advance May 23, and marched, via Blacksville and Van Wert, to Dallas, at which place the command arrived on the 26th, having experienced no opposition except light skirmishing. The same day, about one mile east of Dallas, the enemy were found strongly posted on the Powder Springs road. During night the regiment was placed in position in the second line, and details therefrom were occupied on the 27th and 28th in skirmishing and constructing rifle-pits. At 4 p. m. on the 28th the enemy opened with a heavy cannonade, and at 4.50 p. m. made a terrific assault upon our line, which lasted until 5.15 p. m., when they were completely repulsed. The charge was followed by heavy skirmishing, which continued until the 1st day of June.

On the 1st day June, at 5 a. m., moved out of the works to Dallas and from thence at 9 a. m. to New Hope Church, where we relieved Maj.-Gen. Butterfield's division, of the Twentieth Army Corps, and was engaged in continual skirmishing until the morning of the 5th, when it was discovered the enemy had evacuated. At 10 a. m. marched, via Burnt Church, to and one mile beyond Acworth, Ga., where we arrived on the 6th, and remained until the 10th, when the advance was resumed. A short distance south of Big Shanty the enemy were encountered in force. Immediately we formed line, erected light works, re-enforced the skirmish line with details, and pressed the enemy. The 11th and 12th were likewise occupied in skirmishing. On the 13th moved in reserve to support the Seventeenth Army Corps, and remained in this position until the 15th. when we moved to the support of the Fourth Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, then engaged on the left in a demonstration against the enemy. At dark returned to old position. On the 16th June relieved Gresham's division, of the Seventeenth Army Corps, and was placed in the second line of works on the right of Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, where we remained until the enemy retired from their works and occupied a position on Kenesaw Mountain, when we advanced to the vicinity of Green's Station, went into line, assisted in constructing works and participated in the daily skirmishing until the night of the 26th June, when we moved to the front of Little Kenesaw Mountain. On the 27th June the Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, was formed behind the exterior line of the Federal works in two lines, the Forty-seventh Ohio on the right of the second line, and supporting the Fifty-third Ohio. At 8 a.m. the brigade, this formed, advanced to storm the works of the enemy upon Little Kenesaw Mountain. Crossing the open field, completely swept by the enemy's artillery, in the most excellent order, and passing through an almost impenetrable morass, came unexpectedly upon the first line of the enemy's works, which was occupied by Georgia volunteers. The Fifty-third Ohio was already engaged in a fierce handto-hand conflict with these troops, and the Forty-seventh, to a limited extent, likewise became engaged with the same troops. This line was quickly carried, and the charge continued up the bare knoll beyond, but on account of the exposed position, murderous front and flank fire of the enemy, was unable to proceed, and finally retired to the morass, where we remained until dark, when we moved to the rear of the First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and encamped. In this assault Col. A. C. Parry, commanding the regiment, received a severe wound, and was borne from the field, as the regiment was returning to the morass, from which time the command devolved upon Lieut. Col. John Wallace.

July 2, marched with the division to the vicinity of Ruff's Mill, and relieved Col. Strickland's brigade, of the Twenty-third Army Corps, and completed works on the front. The following day at 12 m. was sent out to re-enforce a detachment of the Second Brigade then engaged in making a reconnaissance. The entire detachment was then ordered forward. After advancing about three-quarters of a mile through a wood thick with undergrowth, we came upon an extensive field almost half a mile in width, beyond which the enemy with one battery were strongly posted behind hastily constructed works on the east bank of Nickajack Creek. A brief rest, and we again advanced, crossing the field on the double-quick, under a severe fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry. Upon reaching the creek was ordered to cross over. Having crossed and made connection with the Fifty-fourth Ohio on the left, we advanced and occupied the works of the enemy, and continued in the possession of them until relieved by the Sixteenth Army Corps. On the 4th July supported the Sixteenth Army Corps in attack upon the enemy's works. At 7 a. m. on the 5th, marched, via Sandtown road, to the intersection of the Turner's Ferry road, thence down the ferry road to within three miles and a half of the Chattahoochee River, where we encamped and remained until 4 p. m. of the 8th, when we again moved forward, halted in front of the enemy's works, and went into line on the west side of Nickajack Creek, near its mouth, where we constructed light works, and engaged the enemy's skirmishers until the morning of the 11th, when the enemy retreated beyond the river, and were pursued by skirmishers from all regiments to its north bank. At 11 a. m. of same day marched, via the ferry and Sandtown road, within a short distance of Sweet Water, and camped at 5 p. m. The day following, at 5 p. m., resumed the march, and proceeded, via Marietta and Roswell Factory, to the south side of the Chattahoochee and encamped at 6 p. m. On the 14th and during the next two days assisted in the construction of works. Sunday, 17th, marched at 7 o'clock on the road to Cross Keys, and, crossing Nancy's Creek and passing Cross Keys, struck the Augusta railway, two miles west of Stone Mountain, and destroyed between a quarter and half a mile of it. After one hour's labor on the railway rejoined the division and encamped on Peach Tree Creek. The day following, at 5 a. m., took up the line of march to Decatur, at which place we arrived at 3 p. m. at 5 p. m. formed line of battle and halted for the night. On the 20th advanced upon the direct road toward Atlanta, deployed on the north side of the railroad, connecting on the left with the Thirtieth Ohio, driving the enemy's force, which consisted of mounted infantry and cavalry, steadily back a distance of about three miles and a half, when a halt was ordered. During night was relieved by a regiment of the First Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, went into line, and on the 21st assisted in the construction of rifle-pits.

On the morning of the 22d, nothing but a male skirmish line of the enemy having been found in our front, our skirmish line moved forward, driving the enemy from their skirmish-pits, their main works, and compelling them to retire under cover of the guns of the principal works on the east part of the city of Atlanta, within a very short distance of which our line halted. The entire division then advanced and occupied the works abandoned by the enemy. A few minutes after 4 p. m. the skirmish line was driven in by an assault of the enemy. Upon arriving within the works occupied by the Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, I saw the regiment first in the following order: Three companies behind the works on the right of a section of artillery on the right of the Decatur road. Subsequently Company K was ordered to support a section of artillery between the wagon and rail roads, posted behind a low earthwork, terminating a few feet from the right bank of a cut in the railway. Said Cut is about fifteen feet deep, dry and firm at the bottom, and on the 22d was open and clear, neither occupied by troops nor blockaded. The wagon road on the right of said section and company is about twenty-five feet in width, and was likewise open and unoccupied by troops. The distance between the wagon road and railway is four rods. One platoon of said company, consisting of sixteen men, was ordered between the guns composing the last-named section, the other platoon to lie down in rear of it. The remainder of the regiment was in a few moments ordered into position behind the works on the right of the artillery on the right of said wagon road. Two columns of the enemy advanced up a ravine in front of the works, but were repulsed and retired behind a house and some outbuildings a short distance there from, while. apparently, a third advanced by the flank, concealed by the dense smoke of the artillery, up the rail and wagon roads. This advance was not discovered until the head of the column was about to enter the gap made by the open wagon road in the works, mount the works in front of and pass around the last named section of the artillery. The platoon between said guns fought desperately, and all except four were killed, wounded, and captured. The other platoon of said company being in rear of said guns could not fire without killing our men in their front, but received a heavy fire in front and on the right flank, and when the enemy debouched from the said cut in their rear, to avoid capture, they retired. Simultaneously the entire line began moving back. At the works a fierce struggle and hand-to-hand conflict occurred over our colors, in which the enemy were punished most severely. In this struggle Corporal McCarthey, of the color guard, was captured; Corpl. Abraham T. Craig, of the color guard, wounded and captured, and Henry Beckman, color–sergeant, wounded. Lieut. Col. John Wallace, commanding the regiment, and Capt. H. D. Pugh were captured while bravely laboring to form a new line. Upon the arrival of the regiment at the second line of works, by an order of the division commander, I was relieved from duty as picket officer of the division to take command of it.

Behind these works I reformed the regiment, and, in accordance with orders from the corps and division commanders, advanced in line of battle with bayonets fixed to recapture the works taken by the enemy. After proceeding a short distance, one small company and men from various regiments joined my line, swelling the number to about 250, with whom, wholly unsupported, I charged, and succeeded in approaching within a few feet of the works, when, such was the storm of fire which swept over this gallant band, that both flag-staffs were shot off and the regimental standard torn from the staff by the fragment of a shell. One of the color bearers, Corpl. Joseph Ludborough, was killed, Corporal Roemhild, of the color guard, wounded. Finding my command flanked, both on the right and left, to avoid capture I retired. In retiring over an entanglement and through the dense undergrowth, the command became to some extent separated. Meeting a line upon a ridge in the rear advancing, I halted, and, with them, made a second assault. Capt. Pinkerton, Company D, and Lieut. Brachmann, Company G, with a portion of the right wing, moved forward on the right of the railway, while I, with men from both wings, moved on the left of it, but, being again outflanked, all were again compelled to retire. This time we withdrew to an open field and reformed as rapidly as possible, and a third time advanced upon works. Capt. Pinkerton and Lieut. Brachmann, as before, moved on the right of the railway and I on the left of it, pouring a continuous and deadly fire into the enemy, driving them from the works, and retaking a section of artillery, standing upon the left of the railroad, which the enemy had turned upon us, and which, with the assistance of Sergeant Seidel, Sergt. Maj. Henry Bremfoerder, and Privates Lewis Walker Company K, and Isaac N. Sliver, Company D, and other men of the Forty-seventh, with a few from the Fifty-third Ohio, I turned upon and served against them until they withdrew from range. In the third assault the regiment captured 17 prisoners of war. Capts. Charles N. Helmerich and Joseph L. Pinkerton and Lieut.'s Brachmann and Wetterer, the only commissioned Officers present with the regiment unhurt, rendered efficient aid in the various assaults. Owing to the reasons already stated, it was impossible to preserve organizations intact in such a rapid advance, and regiments were completely intermixed and mingled, but everywhere, on all sides, the men and officers exhibited the greatest gallantry and most daring courage, fighting in whatever organization they found themselves and doing their whole duty as soldiers and as American citizens.

From this time until the morning of the 27th we were engaged in skirmishing and destroying the railroad. At daylight on the 27th marched, in rear of the army, to the right, which point was reached on the morning of the 28th, when the division took up a position on a ridge near Ezra Chapel. At 10 a. m. of the 28th were ordered to support the Fifty-third Ohio in an attack upon a force of the enemy posted on the ridge in front of the one occupied by the division, and moved on the left of Fifty-third, and deployed Companies B, D, and K, as skirmishers, which advanced to the summit of the ridge. The enemy then moved in considerable force to the right and threatened that flank of the Fifty-third Ohio, when the remainder of my command moved to the right, deployed as skirmishers, and advanced to the Sandtown road. By this joint advance of the two regiments the enemy were driven from the greater portion of the ridge into the wood beyond. At 12 m. a column of the enemy moved from the wood, by the flank, across our front, as though designing to drive us back, but were easily repulsed by our fire. In about half an hour the enemy were discovered massing in the wood and moving to the right. In a brief space they advanced from it in line of battle, but, quickly breaking into columns, swept like an avalanche over the field, attempting by columns on the right and left, the heads of which were converging in a hollow in our rear, to completely envelop us, when, to avoid capture, Col. Jones ordered us to march in retreat, which movement we executed with the utmost dispatch, and in the best possIble manner. When the enemy perceived the movement, a body of cavalry, moving on their extreme left, also charged upon us. The fierceness and impetuosity of the charge of the column on the immediate left of the Fifty-third Ohio rendered it impossible for us to rejoin the line of the division, and we came into position a considerable distance therefrom on the right. Against this point the columns which had charged against us made a combined assault, driving us beyond the ridge, and occupying it. Halting again on the side of the ridge, were reformed, and with loud and prolonged huzzas advanced against the enemy, driving them more by noise than numbers from the ridge into the adjoining wood. Immediately upon gaining the hill, Col. Jones, of the Fifty-third Ohio, assumed command, and by his judicious orders the troops were most advantageously posted, and although many gaps intervened between regiments, the line of battle was so formed as to enable us to cover with our fire every inch of the ground in our front. Four times during the afternoon the enemy charged our line, and each time was repulsed with heavy loss. At 3.30 p.m. the Eighty-first Ohio relieved us, but at 5 p. m. we again entered the line. During the engagement there were no works of any description in front of my regiment, but the following night we assisted in the construction of an excellent line, which we completed on the 30th. At 11 a. m. of the 30th marched to the ridge occupied by regiment as skirmishers on the 28th, and relieved a division of the Twentieth Army Corps, and completed and strengthened the works.

The following days until August 2 were engaged in light skirmishing. On that day, at 3 a.m., we moved forward, occupied a new line, and constructed another line of works. August 3, five companies of the regiment were engaged in a very heavy skirmish incident to advancing the line and repelling the repeated attempts of the enemy to recapture their pits. The following day engaged in making demonstration. From this day until the morning of the 9th were occupied in constant skirmishing, when the regiment was ordered to take an advanced position, and complete a line of works. From this day until the 26th August remained in same works, occasionally making demonstrations and continually engaged in lively skirmishing. August 26, about 9 p.m. evacuated works and marched, via Sandtown road, crossing Utoy Creek, the north and south forks of Utoy, to the Fairburn road, and thence by neighborhood road to the West Point and Montgomery Railroad, and encamped near the road, on Camp Creek on the 28th, and held the left flank until a considerable distance of said road had been demolished. On the 30th moved from camp upon the Flat Shoals road, on which the column marched, until it intersected the Jonesborough and Fayetteville road, on which the column moved toward Jonesborough. During the morning the enemy appeared in considerable force and contested the advance. Three times during the morning the division was forced to deploy, and by regular line drive them back from our front. At about noon I was ordered to move forward and deploy on the right of said road, and was supported by the Thirty-seventh Ohio, two companies of which I caused to be deployed on the right flank; on the left I connected with the Eighty-third Indiana. We then advanced, driving the enemy steadily before us, until they had crossed Plain Creek, when they halted and opened a battery upon the line. We were then halted until a regiment was sent around in the right. When this was accomplished, the line again moved forward, driving them steadily back until they had crossed Flint River, when they attempted to make another stand; but the crossing being comparatively good, with the assistance of the cavalry a crossing was quickly effected, and the advance resumed. Again the enemy were compelled to retire, and when once started were driven steadily back until we had approached within half a mile of Jonesborough, when, night coming on, the darkness rendered it impracticable to proceed farther. During the afternoon the enemy were driven over seven miles. At 10 p.m. the regiment was relieved by the Thirtieth Ohio, and placed in reserve to the Second Brigade. At 10 a.m. of the 31st, on account of the movements of the enemy, the regiment was again ordered forward and placed into line on the left of the brigade. At 3 p.m. the columns of the enemy moved from the woods along the Jonesborough road, and made an impetuous assault upon our line. We reserved our fire until their columns were moving in the open field in front, to our right, when, at the command, an unceasing sheet of fire and lead was hurled to the right-oblique, with splendid effect, into their ranks. The force of the assault was broken in half an hour, but the firing was continued much longer, as they were in range during the entire line of retreat.

September 1, was occupied in skirmishing and making demonstrations to aid our left. During the night of the 1st the enemy retreated from Jonesborough, and in the morning were pursued to Lovejoy's Station, where they were found strongly fortified. Encamped a short distance northwest from the station, and remained in reserve until the afternoon of the 4th instant, when the regiment assisted in constructing a line of rifle-pits a short distance in the rear, which was occupied by the division on the night of the 5th instant. At 10 p. m. of the 5th the regiment marched to Jonesborough, at which place we remained throughout the 6th, and on the 7th marched, via Morrow's Mill, to Fast Point, at which place we arrived at 12 m. and encamped near the station on the Macon railway.

I herewith append a list of casualties of the regiment throughout the campaign in the operations hereinbefore specified.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

THOS. T. TAYLOR, Maj., Cmdg.

Capt. ARCHIE C. FISK, Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 2d Dir., 15th Army Corp's.

Following the Atlanta Campaign, the 47th remained at Atlanta for a few weeks before joining the Union’s pursuit of Confederate General John Bell Hood’s army, which was advancing through northern Georgia, northern Alabama, and southern Tennessee in the direction of Nashville. The regiment marched to Rome, Georgia, before returning to Atlanta.

On November 15, 1864, the 53rd Ohio joined General Sherman's "March to the Sea." The ultimate goal of this campaign was for the Union military to seize Savannah, Georgia. The regiment saw no combat until arriving at Savannah on December 10, 1864. The 47th joined the Union assault on Fort McAllister on December 13, 1864, driving the Southern defenders from the fortification at bayonet point. The Union military occupied Savannah on December 21, 1864, with the regiment entering camp in the city. After the "March to the Sea," the 47th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. FORTY-SEVENTH Regt. OHIO VET. VOL. INFTY., Savannah, Ga., January 4, 1865.

SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by the Forty-seventh Regt. Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry in the late expedition through the State of Georgia:

In accordance with orders from superior headquarters, I started with the regiment from camp near Atlanta, Ga., on the 15th day of November, 1864, having received, a few days previous, about 400 drafted men and substitutes, who performed their duties in the subsequent campaign to my entire satisfaction, and better than I had reason to expect. During the whole march nothing remarkable occurred in which the regiment bore a conspicuous part until the morning of the 13th of December, when the division was ordered to march to and assault Fort McAllister, on the Ogeechee River. This day my regiment had the advance, and in the afternoon, when orders for the assault were given, we had the honor to planting the first Stars and Stripes on the parapet of the doomed fort. Four days afterward we participated in the destruction of the Savannah, Gulf, and Albany Railroad. Returned from said expedition on the afternoon of the 21st, and entered the suburbs of the city of Savannah on the 2d of January, 1865.

Inclosed I append a list of casualties during the campaign.

I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

August C. PARRY, Col., Cmdg. Forty-seventh Regt. Ohio Vet. Vol. Infantry.

Capt. FRANK M. LEWIS, Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen., Second Brigade.

In January 1865, the 47th Ohio embarked upon General Sherman’s Carolinas Campaign. In South Carolina, the regiment participated in several skirmishes with Confederate forces. In early March 1865, the regiment entered North Carolina, arriving at Fayetteville in the middle of the month. The 47th participated in the Battle of Bentonville, North Carolina from March 19 to 21, 1865. Following this Union victory, the regiment moved to Goldsboro, North Carolina, before advancing to and entering camp at Raleigh, North Carolina. During this campaign, the 47th's commanding officer issued the following report:

HDQRS. FORTY-SEVENTH REGT. OHIO VOL. INFTY., In the Field, near Kingston, Ga., May 20, 1864.

SIR: Upon my return to the regiment, on the afternoon of May 11, I found it intrenched at or near Snake Creek Gap. We moved out of our intrenchments at 9 o'clock on the morning of the 12th, with the brigade, to the Calhoun Ferry road, where we remained in line of battle during the night. We moved forward on the morning of the 13th, having the advance of the brigade, throwing out skirmishers and flankers. Upon meeting the enemy in line of battle, we halted until the army was concentrated, when we again advanced in line of battle with our skirmishers in advance. We moved forward, continually skirmishing with the enemy, when, just at dusk, we were ordered to halt at the edge of a woods. Here we were exposed to a severe cross-fire, and in such a situation that we could not damage the enemy, and, after having 5 enlisted men wounded, we were ordered to fall back some thirty yards, where we found shelter and rested for the night. We were under arms on the 14th, and at 6.50 p. m. we moved across Camp Creek, with the rest of the brigade, to the support of the First Brigade, Second Division, Fifteenth Army Corps. We took position in line of battle in rear of the Fifty-fourth Regt. Ohio Volunteer Infantry, awaiting an attack from the enemy. At 10.20 the enemy, not showing a disposition to attack us at once, we commenced to throw up intrenchments. Before daylight our works were finished, and we placed in position as reserve of the brigade, where we remained during the day and night of the 15th. On the morning of the 16th we advanced our skirmishers and found that the enemy had retreated during the night, and we at once marched into the town of Resaca. At 9 a. m. we took up our march in pursuit, and camped for the night on the Calhoun road two miles east of the Oostenaula River. On the morning of the 17th, at 7 o'clock, we continued on our march, having the advance. Taking the Rome road we met the enemy at 4 p. m. near a small creek. We skirmished with them for some time, and after opening upon us with artillery, they were forced to retire, and we went into camp for the night upon the ground lately held by the rebels. On the 18th we were ordered to march in the rear of the corps train, and at 3.20 a. m. of the 19th we halted for a few hours, then rejoined the remainder of our division, and with them went into camp at 1 p. m. near Kingston, Ga., where we now remain.

Our total loss thus far is 8 enlisted men wounded.

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

A. C. PARRY, Col., Comdg. Forty-seventh Regt. Ohio Vol. Infty.

Capt. A. C. FISK, Asst. Adjt. Gen., 2d Brig., 2d Div., 15th Army Corps.

Following the surrender of General Joseph Johnston's Confederate army in late April 1865, the 47th marched to Washington, DC, where the organization participated in the Grand Review on May 24, 1865. The regiment proceeded to Little Rock, Arkansas, where the organization served as part of the Army of Occupation until August 11, 1865, when officials mustered the 47th out of service. These Ohioans then traveled to Camp Dennison in Ohio, where authorities discharged the men from duty on August 24, 1865, allowing the former soldiers to return to their homes.

During the 47th Ohio's term of service, eighty-two men, including two officers, died from wounds received on the battlefield. An additional 137 men, including one officer, died from disease or accidents.

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