80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, May 1864 History

*Dates*	*Synopsis of 80th Service*	*Quotes*
May 1 Sunday	Fine Sword. Moved to new camp in a pine grove on bank of the Hewassa River at Charlestown, Tenn. "Clear day."	"The privates and non commissioned officers of the regiment presented Lieut. Col. Owen [Lieut. Col. Alfred Dale Owen F&S] with a fine sword which was received by him with thanks to us." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary. Owen was the 80th's commanding officer.
May 2 Monday	Marching Orders. Received orders to march at 6:00 A.M. tomorrow. Camped above Calhoun, Tenn., on the Tennessee River."Clear."	"...went to a house with Sergt. Porter [Sergt. John C. Porter Co. D] and made out muster rolls for the company. Rained some and turned cold and frosted during the night enough to bite all tender plants." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. Muster rolls listed the status of each soldier in a unit during the previous 2 months and were used to issue their pay. "All in camp resting. Just as I expected we received marching orders with three days rations." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 3 Tuesday	Marched 19 Miles. Reveille at 4:00 A.M. Departed at 5:00 A.M. Marched 14 mi. to Cleveland, Tenn., arriving about Noon and rested 1 hour. Marched 5 mi. out the Dalton Rd., and went into camp. "Clear."
May 4 Wednesday	Georgia. Left camp at 6:00 A.M. and marched much of the day. Left Tenn. behind. 80th assigned picket duty "2 miles over the line in Georgia." Went into camp at Red Clay, Ga. "Cloudy."	"...our march was slow and tedious..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "Passed through a long lane, 15 miles in length. It was a beautiful sight to watch the troops moving through. We camped at Red Hill... We were placed in the woods amoung the pines and rocks. Almost impossible to find a place to sleep." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 5 Thursday	Picket Duty. Remained camped at Red Clay, Ga. "Clear day."	"Not releived from picket. Boys washing and writing home. All quiet in front." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 6 Friday	Rations Issued. Remained on picket duty. Received orders to march tomorrow. Three days rations issued. Remained camped at Red Clay, Ga. "Clear and warm."	"...Duncan [Capt. William M. Duncan Co A], Bicknell [1st Lieut. Eli P. Bicknell Co. C], Melton [1st Lieut. John T. Melton Co. B], and Clements [1st Lieut. William H. Clements Co. G], and Sergt. Kirk [1st Sergt. Enos H. Kirk Co. E] returned from recruiting." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 7 Saturday	Atlanta Campaign Begins. Marched at 5:00 A.M. from Red Clay to near Tunnel Hill, Ga., where went into camp after covering 8 mi. "Warm." "On the 7th of May, in pursuance with orders, my regiment moved with brigade to within a few miles of Rocky Face Ridge, where we encamped for the night, the regiment being ordered to support the Thirteenth Kentucky Regiment, which guarded the pass between Rocky Face Valley and the valley in which the Twenty-third Army Corps was encamped. Nothing of interest occurred..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign
May 8 Sunday	Rocky Face Ridge. Camped on Rocky Face Ridge, Ga. "Warm." Discharged from the Army. Pvt. David McNealy, Co. H "...On the 8th we joined the division, passing through the gap. After arriving in open ground, we were formed in line of battle; in short time we again took up our line of march, and continued it until arriving in sight of Rocky Face Ridge, where each brigade was formed en masse, and an order announced General Grant's success in the Army of the Potomac. The same evening the skirmishers of our division gained Rocky Face Ridge, when my regiment accompanied the brigade to the top, and marched in rear of a brigade of the Fourth Army Corps. Here we encamped for the night, building works to protect our flank..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"Marched about three miles and encamped on the top of Rocky Face..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "We could scarcely find a place to lie down as the top of the mountain was a sheet of rock. There was skirmishing in our front near Buzzard's Roost all might. We could see the Rebel fortifications." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 9 Monday	Demonstration at Dalton. At 7:00 A.M. moved a short distance and halted. Built breastworks of rocks and logs, which was then taken over by 4th A.C. Arrived at foot of mountain at Noon. Co. A ordered forward to reinforce brigade skirmish line. 80th advanced 1 mi. At 4:00 P.M. Gen. Judah ordered brigade to charge the Rebel works. Heavy cannonading. Order to charge countermanded. Camped in woods in line of battle. "...About 11 a.m. of the 9th instant my regiment marched with the division into the valley southeast of Rocky Face Ridge, where we were formed in two lines of battle, my regiment being on the right of the front line of the First Brigade. Moving forward, the skirmishers were soon engaged; passing over perhaps a mile of ground, my regiment reached the crest of a hill within three-quarters of a mile of the rebel works, when I gave them orders to lie down. Here Sergeant [Albert] Pancake, Company H, and 3 others were slightly wounded, though none left the field. After remaining on the hill twenty minutes, I moved, in obedience to orders, by the right flank into the woods, and retook my position on the right and in the front line of the First Brigade, where we lay on our arms during the night..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"...Co A of the 80th was sent to reinforce the skirmish line. We moved on firing at them in return. We moved up a hill very slowly and when we reached the top we were in view of their works some 800 yards off... I could see the shells bursting in the fort and the Rebels hiding behind trees. We were shooting at them when they made their appearance. At dark all was quiet and we were relieved from the skirmish line and joined the regiment back in the woods, where we lay in line all night with our things on. Occasionally during the night musket firing was heard." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 10 Tuesday	In Reserve. Moved back from camp in woods 2 mi in line of battle. Stacked arms and spent day and night there. Could hear skirmishing in front."...very heavy rain in the night." "...On the morning of the 10th orders were issued to fall back. This was done in perfect order. Reaching a point on a line with the troops, we went into camp remaining until the 12th of May..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign "...At about 7 o'clock the next morning [May 10th] I was ordered to withdraw, which order I obeyed, the enemy not daring to follow, except at a very safe distance. We fell back to the gap, where we remained until the next day..." --U.S. Gen. N. C. McLean, 80th's brigade commander, May 22, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"Skirmishing resumed at daylight the Rebs shelled our batteries and we fell back near two miles and formed our line of battle very hard thunder and lightning..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 11 Wednesday	Commissions Received. Remained in line of battle all day. "Clear."	"In line of battle today but little firing near us[.] Received a commission as first Lt. of the Co today rained in the evening." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "Orderly Archer [1st Sergt. William Archer Co. A] and Lieut. Duncan [2nd Lieut. William M. Duncan Co. A] received their commissions, Archer as 1st Lieutenant and Duncan as Captain." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 12 Thursday	On The March. Marched 8 mi. "Heavy cannonading all day." At dark went into camp in a large orchard near Snake Creek Gap, Ga. "Warm." "...until the 12th of May; moving out at 4 o'clock on that morning with the corps, around Buzzard Roost and Tunnel Hill, and encamping within a few miles of Snake Creek Gap..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign
May 13 Friday	Snake Creek Gap. Reveille at 3:00 A.M. Advanced through Snake Creek Gap, Ga. Marched 12 mi. At 4:00 P.M. ordered to fix bayonets and advance in line through thick woods. At sundown halted in a field near Resaca, Ga. Ordered to lay down in line with "traps on." Co. G detailed to picket duty and exchanged fire with enemy pickets most of night. "Clear." "Resuming the march on May 13, we passed through the [Snake Creek] gap, and marched in a northwest direction toward the town of Resaca, on the railroad. Marching within four miles of that place, we bivouacked for the night, Company G, Captain Gladish [Jeremiah C. Gladish], being detached for picket duty; skirmishing was kept up all night, though resulting in nothing." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"...about 12 M [midday] went to the front made some coffee and rested...lay on our Arms during the night" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "We did not sleep much as there were two unnecessary alarms given during the night." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 14 Saturday	Battle of Resaca - Day One. 80th (except Co. G) took part in disastrous Federal assault on C.S.A. entrenchments and suffered 47% casualties (26 killed and 100 wounded). Killed in action at Resaca, Ga. (partial list). 1st Lieut. William Archer Co. A Pvt. Samuel H. Carithers Co. A 2nd Sergt. Thomas S. Craig Co. F Pvt. George Fehrenbacher Co. F Pvt. Thomas Gatlett Co. C "gunshot...left breast" Cpl. James L. Godwin Co. C "gunshot...Head" Pvt. Philip Halstead Co. K "gun shot" Pvt. Isaac Herald Co. C "gunshot...Lungs" Pvt. William Journey Co. C "gunshot...Bowels" 1st Sergt. John Keck Co. K "gun shot" Pvt. John F. Robinson Co. F "gun shot wounds" 1st Sergt. Ervin Rodgers Co. F Capt. Russell J. Showers Co. F Sergt. Jesse T. M. Whiting Co. F Recruit William Willis Co. H Sergt. John B. Wood Co. A "On May 14 we resumed our march in line of battle in the same direction; after passing over three miles of ground, driving the rebel skirmishers all the way, we were halted, and remained until nearly 1 p.m., when orders were issued to fix bayonets and move forward, my regiment being the center regiment of the front line of the First Brigade. Marching a short distance, we came in sight of the rebel works. Here I received orders to charge them. As the regiment started down the slope the enemy opened with both artillery and musketry, enfilading my line both ways 60 yards from the foot of the hill. Passed over the first ravine, causing a separation at several points in the line, but they pushed forward, joining again as they moved on at this point. My men were falling thick and fast, and reaching another ditch within 90 yards of the enemy's works they were compelled to seek shelter, as it was then nearly certain death either to move forward or back. I went into this fight 270 strong and lost 126; Company G being on the skirmish line it was not in the fight. After dusk my regiment was withdrawn and retook its place in the brigade. In this charge 3 of my best officers were killed, Capt. R. J. Showers, Company F; Capt. William S. Emery, Company I; and Lieut. William Archer, Company A; also 6 wounded; this out of 16 officers who went into the fight..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"A pretty fine morning firing of Artillery on the right[.] Prospects of a battle today[.] Co D 34 guns Regt 292 guns ordered to advance and charge the Rebble forts at 12 O'clock got in one hundred yards of the works remained until dark when I went to the Regt" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "...we moved in line of battle with fixed bayonets, through the woods, down in a deep hollow and up a steep hill. When we reached the top we could see what we had to do. The shells were bursting and whizzing all around us. We went down the hill, over a fence and were within 500 yards of the Rebel works when we were ordered to charge double quick, keeping up our line. When we got within 150 yards of the works, grape cannister and bullets came so thick we were compelled to halt and take care of ourselves. A large number of the regiment remained in a creek until dark... I with a number of others went to the hospital to see the wounded, dead and dying. It was a horrible sight to behold... The regiment numbers 390 and 360 of them were in the charge. The regiment lost 17 killed and 120 wounded." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary. "...was in the hotest of the Batel at Resaca, wher i was wounded on the 14 day of may, 1864. that ended my servic at the frunt, never seen the regment any more..." --Pvt. Elijah E. Richardson Co. H, 80th Ind., March 11, 1916 letter. A musket ball destroyed his elbow and shattered his hip.
May 15 Sunday	Battle of Resaca - Day Two. 80th not directly engaged in fighting. "Clear." "...We remained in line of battle in sight of the enemy's works until the afternoon of the 15th, when we again took up our line of march with the corps, marching to the left of our lines, where we encamped for the night within one-half mile of the railroad. During the night the enemy evacuated their works, moving south..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"Rested until after 12 [Noon] when the 23rd Corps move to the left where we camped for the night..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "At daylight the roar of muskets and cannon could be heard which kept up all day. At times hard fighting was going on. It did not appear like the Sabbath. At dark all was quiet until about 12 midnight when the Rebels made a charge on our men with heavy loss to them. For an hour nothing could be heard but the implements of war which send a death messenger to thousand[s] of men." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 16 Monday	Etowah River. Left Resaca. Pursued retreating C.S.A. troops over Etowah River. "...On the morning of the 16th of May starting in pursuit crossed the Etowah River..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign	"At daylight it was reported the Rebels were on the skedaddle [retreat] and all across the [Etowah] River. I and a number of others went out on the battle field which was a hard sight to see, so many good men lying dead, especially thouse of Co. A Lieut. Archer, [1st Lieut. William Archer], J.B. Woods [Cpl. John B. Woods] and S.H. Carithers [Pvt. Samuel H. Carithers], who were killed." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary. "About noon took up our march after the Rebs[.] crossed the Astonola River about 5 O'clock PM by wading" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 17 Tuesday	Blue Spring. Marched at 4:00 PM. Crossed Coosawattee River about sundown. Camped at "blue spring" about Midnight.
May 18 Wednesday	Carding Machine and Precinct. Departed Blue Spring. Camped at "carding machine and precinct."	"...bought some meat and bread 125 cents worht" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "A. S. Ford [Sergt. Alfred S. Ford Co. A], McMunford [Pvt. Alexander M. Munford Co. A], J. Marlett [Pvt. John Marlett Co. A], Theo Bucklin [Pvt. Theodore M. Bucklin Co. A], W. Lamon [Pvt. Wesley Lamon Co. A], G.C. Watt [believed to be Samuel D. Watt Co. A], H. Finney [Pvt. James H. Finney Co. A], and myself went to Resaca, three miles which was quite an undertaking for all of us." --Pvt. John K. King Co. A, diary.
May 19 Thursday	Cassville. Marched to and camped at Cassville, Ga., near Pettit's Creek. "...followed them, reaching Cassville, Cass County, Ga.. on 19th..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign
May 20 Friday	Pretty Little Town. Assigned to guard wagon train. Camped at Cassville, Ga., near Pettit's Creek. Died of wounds suffered in action May 14, '64 at Resaca, Ga. Color Sergt. Henry Cook Co. G	"...camped at Cassville in the afternoon saw some houses burning[.] Cassville is a pretty little town" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary. "The 80th regt was in the hottest of that days fight, and lost 134 men out of 330. Wm. Archer [1st Lieut. William Archer Co. A] was killed, Brown Woods [Cpl. John B. Woods Co. A] was killed and Sam H. Carithers [Pvt. Samuel H. Carithers Co. A] all killed dead on the field, and others will I fear die of their wounds. I here give you a list so far as I can remember of the wounded in Co A, Lieut. Duncan [2nd Lieut. William M. Duncan] in side, John Chestnut [Pvt. John Chesnut] thigh broke, Saml. D Watt [Pvt. Samuel D. Watt] slight wound in knee and side, Arch McCurdy [Pvt. Archibald McCurdy] thigh, Louis McManford [Pvt. Alexander M. Munford] in arm, Al Ford [Sergt. Alfred S. Ford] slightly struck with a spent piece of a shell, Bart Hollis [Pvt. Bartlett B. Hollis], and Moses Witherspoon [Pvt. Moses C. Witherspoon] is that I can recollect now... I think Johnsons [C.S.A Major General Joseph E. Johnston] army will soon play out from the numbers of prisoners we capture. We take them by the hundred every day and they say they are glad of it and that the rebellion is played out. They had a very strong position where the fight was, and if they could not hold that, they can not hold any place." --Pvt. Andrew J. Carithers Co. A, 80th Ind., letter to his wife, written "two miles south of Cassville Cass Co. Georgia"
May 21 Saturday	Cassville. Camped at Cassville, Ga., near Pettit's Creek.
May 22 Sunday	Cassville. Camped at Cassville, Ga., near Pettit's Creek.
May 23 Monday	80th Wagons Captured and Burned. Marched from Cassville at 8:00 AM. Went into camp near Etowah River. Wagons carrying 80th regimental and company descriptive books, muster rolls, monthly returns, and clothing accounts for Sept. '63 to May '64, and personal baggage of 80th officers captured and burned by C.S.A. Cavalry near Cassville, Ga.. "...being sick, I turned the command of my regiment over to Maj. John W. Tucker..." --Lieut. Col. Alfred D. Owen commanding 80th Ind., Sept. 9, '64, official report on opening phase of Atlanta Campaign "...On the morning of the 23d of May we struck tents at Cassville, Ga., and commenced the pursuit of [C.S.A. Gen. Joseph] Johnston's retreating forces..." --Maj. John W. Tucker, commanding 80th Ind., Aug. 22, '64, official report on the Atlanta Campaign	"...passed through a beautiful farming country very dry and dusty" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 24 Tuesday	Major Tucker in Command. Marched early in pursuit of retreating C.S.A. forces. Crossed Etowah River. Halted for 20th A.C. to move out of the way. Ordered to guard a road. Camped in the field. "...heavy rain with thunder after dark"
May 25 Wednesday	In Pursuit. Marched about 9:00 AM. Heavy cannonading and musketry to front in evening. Camped in the field. "...rained just after dark" Died of wounds suffered in action May 14, '64 at Resaca, Ga. Cpl. Archibald McCurdy Co. A "gunshot...right leg"	"...the road lay on a pine ridge..." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 26 Thursday	Near Dallas, Ga. Marched at 3:00 AM. Crossed a small river at daylight. Sharp skirmish in evening. Camped in the field. "On morning of the 26th the enemy was found in position about seven miles east of Dallas. The army was put in position. The First Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, was on the extreme left. We then moved forward about two miles, when our skirmishers met the enemy's skirmishers. A brisk firing commenced and continued for two hours, then a reconnaissance was ordered. The First Brigade then moved forward, driving the rebel skirmishers into their works. My regiment was in the second line, and only had a few men engaged on the skirmish line, but lay under a heavy fire from the rebels for two hours. Captain [William] Mosier and Private James Lavely, Company B, were wounded." --Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., Aug. 22, '64, official report on the Atlanta Campaign "I do hereby certify that I have carefully examined this officer, and find that he has received a severe shell wound (flesh) four (4) inches in length over the right scapala, at Resaca, Ga., May 15, '64 and that in consequence thereof, he is, in my opinion, unfit for duty. I further declare my belief that he will not be able to resume his duties in a less period than twenty (20) days." --Sur. J. L. Henry, Surgeon in Charge, Officer's Hospital, Nashville, Tenn., Medical Certificate on Capt. John T. Cochran Co. C, 80th Ind.
May 27 Friday	Under Artillery Fire. Camped in the field. Died at Knoxville, Tenn. Pvt. Stephen N. Miles Co. B "On the morning of the 27th the First Brigade was ordered to move to the left to support General Wood. We reached the position of General Wood's about 2 p.m. My regiment was ordered to take position on the right and rear of General Wood's to protect his flank. There I lay until 8 p.m., under a heavy fire from the enemy's guns. At 8 p.m. General Hazen relieved the First Brigade. General McLean, commanding First Brigade, fell back to the rear to replenish haversacks, as we had nothing to eat for twenty-four hours." --Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., Aug. 22, '64, official report on the Atlanta Campaign	"At about 6 O'clock AM the battle opened with artillery[.] heavy skirmishing all day[.] ...was shelled just before dark[.] marched back to camp at midnight and drew rations." --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 28 Saturday	Attempted Breakthrough. At 3 O'clock AM moved forward to help repulse enemy attack. Skirmished all day and into the night. Camped "in the field." Died of wounds received in action at Resaca, Ga. Capt. William S. Emery Co. I "...On the 28th, at 3 a.m., the enemy was found trying to break the lines between Generals Wood and Hascall. General McLean moved forward, attacked and drove the enemy back, closed up the gap, and took position in 500 yards of the enemy's works. Here my regiment skirmished with the enemy until the evening of the 29th..." --Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., Aug. 22, '64, official report on the Atlanta Campaign "I have the honor respectfully to request a leave of Absence with permission to go beyond the limits of the Department based on the accompanying Surgeon's Certificate of Disability. I am not a paroled prisoner." --Capt. John T. Cochran Co. C, 80th Ind., request for leave of absence, Officer's U.S. General Hospital, Nashville, Tenn.	"...moved up with breastworks near the Rebs lines ...we were in the front line" --1st Lieut. Isum Gwin Co. D, from his leather-bound pocket diary.
May 29 Sunday	To Burnt Hickory. Skirmished with the enemy during the day. Marched 8 mi. overnight to Burnt Hickory, Ga., to guard Army ammunition wagon train. "...the command was ordered to Burnt Hickory to protect a supply train that was threatened by rebel cavalry..." --Maj. John W. Tucker commanding 80th Ind., Aug. 22, '64, official report on the Atlanta Campaign
May 30 Monday	Guarding Supply Train. Remained camped at Burnt Hickory, Ga., guarding Army ammunition wagon train. Died at Cleveland, Tenn. Pvt. John R. Smith Co. G "fefer" (fever)
May 31 Tuesday	Guarding Supply Train. Remained camped at Burnt Hickory, Ga., guarding Army ammunition wagon train.

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	May 1864 80th Indiana Volunteer Infantry An American Civil War Regiment
U.S. Brig. Gen. Henry M. Judah, 80th's Div. Commander Dismissed for his handling of his division's disastrous attack at Resaca, Ga. Image taken by noted Civil War photographer Mathew Brady Digital ID: cwp 4a40304 Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Photograph has been cropped and electronically enhanced by Deep Vee Productions