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June
1864 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry An American Civil War Regiment |
1st Lieutenant Eli P. Bicknell Company C, 80th Indiana Lieutenant Bicknell was the author of the letter shown below Photo and permission to use it courtesy of his Great Grandson Beach Hall Picture shown above has been electronically enhanced by Deep Vee Productions To view a larger copy of this and the original image, click HERE |
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"I expect ere this you have seen that the 80th has been in a fierce and destructive battle, killing and wounding many of the remainder of the old regiment... The loss the 80th sustained was about 130. There were but nine companies engaged and I think not quite 300 men... We lay between the contending armies from one o'clock till dark; so near together were they that the shells from both the enemy's and our own guns would burst directly over us." |
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--1st Lieut.
Eli P. Bicknell, Co. C, 80th Ind. |
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Also included below are quotes from primary and secondary sources that are intended to give insights into what the times, and the soldiers' lives, were like. These quotes have been entered on the date they were written or published (unless otherwise noted) and without changing the original grammar or spelling. Abbreviations used on this page include: Brig.=Brigade; Capt.=Captain; Co.=Company; C.S.A.=Confederate States of America; Div.=Division; Ga.=Georgia; Ind.=Indiana; Ky.=Kentucky; Lieut.=Lieutenant; Maj.=Major; Mus.=Musician; Pvt.=Private; Sergt.=Sergeant; U.S.=United States; and '64=1864. The 80th Indiana was formed in response to President Lincoln's call for 300,000 more volunteers for the Federal Army. The 80th left Indiana in September, 1862, and did not return until July, 1865. During that time it marched over 3,700 miles on foot and fought in the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, and North Carolina. Of the roughly 1,000 men who served in it, only 320 were still with the 80th when it came home. Sources: 80th Indiana Regimental and Company Order Books;
Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Indiana, Volumes III and
IV, 1861-1865 (Indianapolis, Indiana, 1866); personal diaries of 1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, 80th Ind., and Pvt. John K. King Co. A, 80th Ind.; and other items as noted. |
| Dates | Synopsis of 80th Service | Quotes |
June 1 Wednesday |
Guarding Supply Train. Moved about 1 mi. at dusk. Camped near Burnt Hickory, Ga. Command of Co. D officially transferred from Capt. John W. Clark to 1st Lieut. Isum Gwin. Commissioned as Co. I officer. 1st Lieut. Edward W. Slack as Capt. |
"We moved forward with fixed bayonets. When within 150 yards of the [enemy's breast]works, there opened on us a deadly volley of grape and canister and musketry which thinned our ranks so that by the time we were in 60 yards of the works, we saw it was useless to go farther and the whole line fell into a [creek] branch completely exhausted after running across a field 300 yards. We soon saw we were obliged to lie close to their works, they would shoot a man [at] that distance every time. I found it very unpleasant lying between two armies engaged at a short distance. Co. C went in with 33 men and came out with 11 untouched, or, I should say, unhurt, for almost all were shot through their clothes or shocked by [the explosion of] a shell. My clothes were shot in two places. [In Co. C, Pvt.] James T. Godwin, [Pvt.] William Journey, and [Pvt.] Isaac Herald [Herrel] were killed and [Pvt.] Thomas Gatlett mortally wounded. The balance will get well." --1st Lieut. Eli P. Bicknell, Co. C, 80th Ind., portion of a Jun. 1, '64, letter to his brother-in-law John T. Freeland, describing the May 14-15, '64, fighting at Resaca, Ga. |
June 2 Thursday |
Guarding Supply Train. Camped in the woods near Burnt Hickory, Ga. "...rained hard in the evening..." |
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June 3 Friday |
Guarding Supply Train. Marched in rear of the wagon train. Camped in abandoned Rebel entrenchments. "...cloudy and threatening rain in the evening..." |
"...in the evening moved out on the 2nd line in about 500 yards of the Rebs[.] at dark it was ascertained they had fallen back and our forces occupied their work[s.]" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 4, '64 Saturday |
Ordered to Second Brigade. 80th officially transferred from 1st to 2nd Brig. of 2nd Div., 23rd Corps. "A rainy morning..." Moved to front at Noon, 4 Co. assigned to skirmish line until relieved by Co. B at 9:00 PM. "...rained nearly all night." "...On the 4th of June rejoined the division. My regiment was here transferred from the First to the Second Brigade, commanded by Colonel Bond, One hundred and eleventh Ohio Volunteer Infantry..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
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June 5 Sunday |
Joined 2nd Brigade. Fell in with 2nd Brig. for first time. "Cloudy and rainy this morning..." |
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June 6 Monday |
Rest Day. In camp all day resting. 14th Corps moved past in the evening. "...no rain today." |
"I went with Showers after his brother [Capt. Russell J. Showers of Cynthiana, Ind.] and 5 of his men [believed to be Sergt. Thomas S. Craig of Cynthiana, Pvt. George Fehrenbacher of Haubstadt, Ind., Pvt. John F. Robinson of Owensville, Ind., Sergt. Ervin Rodgers of St. Wendell, Ind., and Cpl. Jesse T. M. Whiting of Cynthiana]. We only got as far as Ringold [Ringgold, Ga.] that night. 23 miles." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary, about the recovery of Co. A's dead from the Resaca battlefield, for reburial in Indiana. |
June 7 Tuesday |
New Hope Church. 80th moved 2 mi. to the left and camped at 9:00 PM at New Hope Church, Ga. |
"Arrived at Resaca at 9 A.M. Went out on the battlefield and got two bodies." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary, about the recovery of Co. A's dead from the Resaca battlefield, for reburial in Indiana. |
June 8 Wednesday |
New Hope Church. 80th in camp at New Hope Church, Ga. |
"Went out on the [Resaca] battlefield and got four boddies." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary, about the recovery of Co. A's dead from the Resaca battlefield, for reburial in Indiana. |
June 9 Thursday |
On a Reconnaisance. Departed camp around Noon and returned at sundown. Camped at New Hope Church, Ga. "...On the 9th of June a reconnaissance was ordered to be made in the direction of Lost Mountain, in which the Eightieth did its full share..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
"...found Reb[s] in about 4 miles rained didn't try to drive them from the works..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 10 Friday |
Lost Mountain. Ready to move at 6:00 AM. Ordered forward 3 mi. Skirmishing. "...rained very hard..." Camped under enemy fire in front of C.S.A. entrenchments near Lost Mountain, Ga. "...rained during the night." Died in hospital at Louisville, Ky., of wounds received in action. Pvt. Alexander M. Munford, Co. A "...On the 10th moved forward and took position to the left of Lost Mountain, within 500 yards of the enemy's works, continually skirmishing with the rebels until the 15th..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
"...a few shells fell in camp about dark..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 11 Saturday |
Lost Mountain. Remained camped in front of C.S.A. entrenchments near Lost Mountain, Ga. "...frequent showers and rain..." |
"...getting very muddy nothing of importance going on." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "They come. the Hoosier boys. Go fourth with Joy to meet them. And Sound the news with greate applause. With cheering Stranes go greet them. Adorn your Selves. The feast prepare. While Hoosier Strains are Swelling. They come in triumph through the air. To make this land their dwelling Triumphant Hoosiers. Lift your heads. Behold good times is comming. Now as a glorious conquering band. We ever will be honored." --1st Sergt. Samuel T. Reeves Co. C, part of a poem in a letter to his wife Huldah back in Edwardsport, Ind. |
June 12 Sunday |
Later Hill. Camped in front of C.S.A. entrenchments near Lost Mountain, Ga. "Still raining..." |
"...our camp is on a hill called Later Hill." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 13 Monday |
Lost Mountain. Sent out 1 Capt., 2 Lieut's., and 85 enlisted men on picket duty. Camped in front of C.S.A. entrenchments near Lost Mountain, Ga. "Still showers and any amount of mud..." Resignation from the Army accepted. Capt. John W. Clark, Co. D |
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June 14 Tuesday |
Lost Mountain. Light skirmishing. Camped under enemy fire in front of C.S.A. entrenchments near Lost Mountain, Ga. |
"About 11 O'clock AM bid the Capt [John W. Clark] good bie...went on the skirmish line...little firing on our line." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 15 Wednesday |
Drove Rebels Back. At 10:00 AM advanced and drove Rebels back 1.5 mi. Constructed breastworks and spent night in them. Died in hospital at Chattanooga, Tenn., of wounds received in action. Recruit John Pierson, Co. F "...an advance was ordered, and as I was in command of the skirmish line, I can tell nothing of the actions of the regiment that day, but know that it was all that could be expected..." --Official Report on the Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
"...few casualties but heavy fighting on the left..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin, Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 16 Thursday |
Guarding the Train. Skirmishing. Left breastworks about Noon and moved to the left. Sent in late evening to guard ammunition wagon train. "...Nothing of interest occurred from the 16th to the 22d..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
"...nothing but skirmishing in our front..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin, Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 17 Friday |
Rebels Retreat. 80th guarding ammunition train. Very heavy cannonading all evening. Camped in the field. "...commenced raining in the night." |
"the Rebbels fell back last night [the wagon] train moved forward passed the Reb strong works about 1 1/2 miles and camped..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 18 Saturday |
Stationary or Moveing Slow. 80th guarding ammunition train. Heavy cannonading all day. Camped in the field. "...rained nearly all day..." |
"...Army Stationary or moveing slow." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 19 Sunday |
Ordered Back to Brigade. Rejoined 2nd Brig. near Noyes Creek, Ga. Drew 3 days rations. Advanced 3 mi. and camped in line of battle. "...On the 19th, 20th, and 21st, the brigade lay near Noyes' Creek..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 15, '64, by Col. William E. Hobson, commanding 80th's brigade. |
"...moved forward wading a creek about waist deep roads very muddy..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin, Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 20 Monday |
Noyes' Creek. Remained in camp near Noyes' Creek, Ga. "...rained nearly all day..." Died at Marietta, Ga. Pvt. Hezekiah Blevens Co. C "Ga. fever" |
"...mud and water in abundance." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 21 Tuesday |
Noyes' Creek. Remained in camp near Noyes' Creek, Ga. |
"...nothing new or strange going on plenty of mud and rain." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 22 Wednesday |
Noyes' Creek. Remained in camp near Noyes' Creek, Ga. "...On the 22d I received orders to move the brigade forward, and advanced east about two and a half miles, and went into position on the right of the Second Division, and in front of the enemy some skirmishing occurred..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 15, '64, by Col. William E. Hobson commanding 80th's brigade. |
"In camp today still muddy." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin, Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 23 Thursday |
Entrenched Under Fire. Advanced and constructed breastworks while under attack. Camped in the works under enemy fire. "...On the 23d my regiment was ordered forward into position on the right of the Twentieth Corps. Here permit me to speak of the brave and gallant conduct of Capt. Jacob Ragle [ Jacob Ragle] (Company K) and D.C. Ashby, first lieutenant Company H, who had charge of my skirmishers, who bravely held the enemy in check until the regiment could get in position and throw up temporary breast-works..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
"moved this morning to the right crossed a creek and turned to the left just got in line when the 3rd Brigade and Hooker they were repulsed with loss built breastwork and waited for them to attack us." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 24 Friday |
Skirmishing. Spent day in breastworks under enemy fire. In late evening advanced 600 yards and constructed new entrenchments. Spent night in new works. Died a POW in Andersonville Prison, Ga. Mus. William P. Guthrey Co. C Commissioned as Co. F officer. Sergt. Thomas S. Craig as 1st Lieut. "...my regiment skirmished with the enemy up to the morning of the 26th..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
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June 25 Saturday |
Brisk Skirmish. 80th spent day in works, except for those assigned to brigade skirmish line. Regt. advanced at dark and dug rifle pits. Received orders to march tomorrow to Ackworth, Ga. Lay in line of battle overnight. "...On the 25th I ordered a skirmish line forward, composed of the different regiments, which soon engaged the enemy's skirmishers, driving them back, and taking possession of a ridge in front of my brigade..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 15, '64, by Col. William E. Hobson commanding 80th's brigade. |
"...advanced our skirmish line and had a brisk skirmish several wounded..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
June 26 Sunday |
Ackworth. Marched at daylight as guards for a wagon train bound for Ackworth, Ga. Reached there at dusk. Camped in woods near Ackworth, Ga. "...ordered to guard a supply train to Acworth [Ga.]. At Acworth, Big Shanty, and Marietta, I was retained on guard duty until the 15th of July..." --Official Report on Atlanta Campaign written Aug. 22, '64, by Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind. |
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June 27 Monday |
Guard Duty. Guarding a wagon train. Camped in woods near Ackworth, Ga. |
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June 28 Tuesday |
Guard Duty. Guarding a wagon train. Camped in woods near Ackworth, Ga. |
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June 29 Wednesday |
Big Shanty. Spent day guarding wagon train at Ackworth, Ga. Ordered to Big Shanty, Ga. Departed Ackworth at dark. Arrived at Midnight and went into camp at Big Shanty, Ga. |
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June 30 Thursday |
Loading Supplies. Transferred supplies from railroad to wagon train. Received orders to be ready to march at dawn. Camped at Big Shanty, Ga. |
"At noon moved on the RR [railroad and] got part of the [wagon] train loaded by dark..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. |
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