80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, July 1864 History

*Dates*	*Synopsis of 80th Service*	*Quotes*
July 1 Friday	Guard Duty. Commissioned as Co. A officer. Jonah G. Tichesor as 1st Lieut. Commissioned as Co. D officers. 1st Lieut. Isum Gwin as Capt. Sergt. Warner G. Smoot as 1st Lieut. Commissioned as Co. F officer. 1st Lieut. James S. Epperson as Capt.
July 2 Saturday	Guard Duty.
July 3 Sunday	Guard Duty.
July 4 Monday	Independence Day.	"...our Regiment is having a very quiet time now we are on the Rail Road about 3 miles from the top of Kinnesaw Mountain. We did expect to start for the front yesterday morning but the Rebble Army retreated from the Mountain and we are here yet. Nearly all of the Boys have been upon the Mountain. I went up on it yesterday evening and a more grand sight I never beheld. From the top of the Mountain the view is uninterrupted for forty miles or as far as the eye can see. Marietta is a considerable town South East of the Kinnesaw Mountain - away in the distance is Atlanta 22 miles. It looks like it is a considerable City. All we can see of it is a few little white specks dotted over the ground here and there. In a South East diriction is Stone Mountain 42 miles from Kennesaw looming up in grandeur above the hills and vallies like a big round knoll. Stone Mountain is the only Mountain visible in the South - but turn your eyes Northward and as far as the eye can see from East to West is a grand chain of Mountains which look like a barrier between us and home but not so bad as when [we were] at them -- to take it all in all the view from Kinnesaw top well pays for the walk up it..." --Capt. Isum Gwin Co. D, letter to his parents
July 5 Tuesday	Guard Duty.
July 6 Wednesday	Guard Duty.
July 7 Thursday	Guard Duty.
July 8 Friday	Guard Duty. Died at Chattanooga, Tenn. Pvt. Joseph P. Montgomery Co. H
July 9 Saturday	Guard Duty.
July 10 Sunday	Guard Duty.
July 11 Monday	Guard Duty.
July 12, '64 Tuesday	Guard Duty. Died a P.O.W. in Andersonville Prison, Ga. Pvt. Joseph Marlett Co. A "scorbutus" (scurvy)	" My regiment, the Eightieth Indiana, was the last of Sherman's army that marched through that place [Marietta, Ga.], having been detailed to guard supplies at Big Shanty for fully a week after the charge and evacuation of Kenesaw. When relieved we marched through Marietta, and went into camp immediately south of the town, and remained there five or six days. I was in town every day during that time, but saw no burned or burning homes, nor hear of any, nor smelled any. The only destruction of property of any kind I heard of from Dalton to Atlanta (and I was with the command every step of the way) was the burning of a couple of cotton factories, and our wagons brought the operatives or factory girls into Marietta, quartered them in vacated houses, and furnished them with an abundance of rations, "barin' the snuff."" --Recruit William H. Ray, Co. C, letter in the Feb. 22, '83, National Tribune newspaper, refuting the "damnable falsehood" that Union troops had burned the city of Marietta, Ga.
July 13 Wednesday	Guard Duty.
July 14 Thursday	Guard Duty.
July 15 Friday	Rejoined Brigade. Camped at mouth of Soap Creek, Ga. "...rejoined the brigade at the mouth of Soap Creek..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., written Aug. 22, '64. Died in hospital at Nashville, Tenn. Pvt. John Chesnut Co. A "wounds"	"The 80th participated in the unsuccessful effort to storm the rebel position on Kinesaw mountain, and the 80th suffered, perhaps, a heavier loss than any regiment in the charge..." -- interview with Col. Alfred D. Owen, 80th Ind., Evansville Journal newspaper, Evansville, Ind.
July 16 Saturday	Rest Day. Camped at mouth of Soap Creek, Ga. Died as prisoners of war in Andersonville Prison Camp, Ga. Pvt. Edward Monk Co. K "chronic direah" (diarrhea) Wagoner Moses Spencer Co. K "diereah" (diarrhea) Died at Madison, In. Recruit Harvey H. Farris Co. K "hemplega"
July 17 Sunday	Advance to Decatur. "...On the 17th an advance was ordered to move forward in direction of Decatur, met with no opposition except a few rebel cavalry..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., dated Aug. 22, '64. "...my brigade, with three days' rations, was on the march at the hour of 10, moving on the road leading to Cross Keys. Following said road about two miles, the brigade then changed direction to the right, taking a road leading to Atlanta. Marching about a mile, the brigade was then ordered into position on the left of General Coopers brigade..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, written Aug. 15, '64.
July 18 Monday	To Peach Tree Creek. "...On the 18th the brigade marched some six miles to Peach Tree Creek, going into position forming the reserve..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, written Aug. 15, '64. Died a prisoner of war in Andersonville Prison Camp, Ga. Pvt. John W. Hodgens Co. G "debilitas"
July 19 Tuesday	Attacked and Drove Them. Camped at junction of the Cross Keys, Decatur, and Atlanta roads. "...On the 19th met a heavy rebel force; attacked and drove them beyond Decatur, losing a few men wounded. Here I wish to speak of the efficient, brave, and gallant conduct of First Lieut. Isum Gwin, Company D, who had charge of the skirmish line of my regiment. He drove the rebels, having to advance through a field under a galling fire, yet with that courage rare and only belonging to the brave, led forward his men, being present at all times where most needed, steadily driving the enemy, killing and wounding many, proving himself on this occasion, as on every other, worthy of a better position..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., dated Aug. 22, '64. "On the 19th the brigade crossed Peach Tree Creek...marching on the road leading from Cross Keys to Decatur...my brigade changed direction to the right, moving on the road leading from Decatur to Atlanta, up to the junction of the Decatur road and the road leading from Pace's Ferry...General Hascall, commanding Second Division...ordered me to mass my brigade at the junction of the Cross Keys, Decatur, and Atlanta roads; remained there during the day and night..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, written Aug. 15, '64.
July 20 Wednesday	Skirmishing All Day. Camped in the field. "...On the 20th we moved to the right of Decatur, engaged the enemy, drove them about one mile and a half, skirmishing with them nearly all day. Here that brave and gallant officer, Captain [William] Mosier [Co. B], proved himself, as on all other occasions, an officer worthy of the name of a soldier. He commanded the skirmish line during the day, watched his position with zeal that is seldom found. Being present in front of the line at all times when most needed, exhibiting a courage rare when the rebels advanced in force against his weak line of skirmishers, he held them in check for some time. When compelled to fall back he did so exposing himself to the greatest danger, his line suffering severely in killed and wounded. Re-enforcements soon came up, then he soon regained his position and held it during the day..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., dated Aug. 22, '64. "...Major-General Schofield, commanding the [23rd] corps...ordered me to take a road leading to Pace's Ferry...Moving up said road the skirmish line struck the enemy's pickets which were posted near the junction of the road that I was to go to. Re-enforcing my skirmish line I ordered them to advance. They drove back the enemy's pickets, but were unable to compel the enemy to give up the junction of the roads, where he was in heavy force. I advanced my brigade in two lines of battle, engaged the enemy about eight minutes, driving him back in great confusion, taking possession of the junction of the roads. My brigade was ordered to make rail works as speedily as possible, for fear the enemy should reenforce his line that had been driven back and attempt to draw my brigade from that position. Late in the evening the enemy attacked me in position, but they were hurled back with heavy loss...I was ordered to remain in said position..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, written Aug. 15, '64.
July 21 Thursday	Skirmishing in Place. Camped in entrenchments under fire. "...On the 21st I remained in position; heavy skirmishing; several men killed and wounded..." -- Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, dated Aug. 15, '64. Killed in action near Atlanta, Ga. Recruit Francis M. Barrett Co. H
July 22 Friday	Before Atlanta. 80th's division now in front of the outer works around the city of Atlanta. "...On the morning of the 22d, at 3 a.m., it was found that the rebels had evacuated their works and retreated in the direction of Atlanta. Early the same morning I received orders to march in the direction of Atlanta; came up with the rebels about 10 a.m.; the army took position: my regiment in the reserve, where we lay, being exposed continually to the enemy's shells..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., dated Aug. 22, '64.
July 23 Saturday	Before Atlanta.
July 24 Sunday	Before Atlanta. "...In reserve 24th to 31st, only furnishing skirmishers during those days, who were continually skirmishing day and night. Men were either killed or wounded almost every day..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Col. William E. Hobson 80th's brigade commander, dated Aug. 15, '64.
July 25 Monday	Before Atlanta.
July 26 Tuesday	Before Atlanta. Transferred to V.R.C. Mus. Thomas Nichols Co. A
July 27 Wednesday	Before Atlanta.
July 28 Thursday	Gallant Conduct Recognized. "...On the 28th I was ordered to make a reconnaissance and ascertain their position and strength. I moved forward about one mile, attacked and drove in the rebel skirmishers, pressed close up to the works; found them strongly intrenched, receiving a heavy fire in front and from the right and left. I found that I could not live there, and having accomplished all that I was ordered, I gave orders to fall back. Here I wish to take this occasion to speak of the gallant conduct of Capt. J. C. Gladish, Company G, who had charge of the skirmish line, leading his men up against a heavy fire right to the rebel works. Especially I wish to notice the conduct of First Lieut. Bailey McConnell, Company K, who, on that occasion, as on every other, showed himself worthy of the commendation of his commanding officer. When the firing commenced the enemy poured a heavy cross-fire into my left, which for a moment caused some confusion, which might have proved serious, but that ever watchful, efficient, and brave officer, Lieutenant McConnell, Company K, like lightning sprung and met the shock, and with his assistance I soon restored order. I then sent him to Captain Gladish, where he remained until we reached our works, exposing himself to the greatest danger watching and keeping the men to their place, proving himself not only worthy, but really merits a better position..." --Official report on the Atlanta Campaign by Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., dated Aug. 22, '64.
July 29 Friday	Before Atlanta.
July 30 Saturday	Before Atlanta. Transferred to V.R.C. Pvt. Anthony Kirkey [No. 2] Co. G
July 31 Sunday	Before Atlanta. Died at Knoxville, Tenn. Recruit Tilford M. Brown Co. D Commissioned Co. I officer. Cpl. Charles L. Sellers as 1st Lieut.

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	July 1864 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry An American Civil War Regiment
Captain Isum Gwin of Company D Believed taken between September 1864 and early 1865 Shows him wearing the insignia ('shoulder straps') of a Captain Image and permission to use it courtesy of his Great Grandson Kenny Gwin Image above has been electronically enhanced by Deep Vee Productions To view enlarged copies of this and the original image, click HERE