ILLINOIS NINETY-SECOND INFANTRY (Three Years)

Ninety-second Infantry. Col., Smith D. Atkins; Lieut.Cols., Benjamin F. Sheets, Mathew Van Buskirk; Majs., John H. Bohn, Albert Woodcock. This regiment, composed of five companies from Ogle three from Stephenson, and two from Carroll counties, was mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 4. 1862, at Rockford, where it remained in comfortable barracks drilling until Oct. 10, when it was ordered to Cincinnati, and participated in the movements that protected that city. In November the regiment was ordered to Danville, Ky., and on the way drove the rear-guard of Bragg's army out of Camp Dick Robinson, capturing 800 barrels of pork, 500 stands of small arms, and a 12-pound brass cannon. In March, 1863, it participated in the movement that drove Van Dorn south of Columbia, Tenn. In July a detachment of 200 of the regiment joined an expedition to scout the country for horses, and within four days captured 1,700 head of horses and mules and 800 colored men, who were mustered into a colored regiment, while the 92nd received horses sufficient to mount the entire regiment. In September it re-crossed the mountains, crossed the Tennessee river at Bridgeport, a detail climbed up Lookout mountain on the west side by Nickajack trace, pushed the enemy off the mountain. and brought the first authentic intelligence to Gen. Rosecrans that Bragg's army had evacuated Chattanooga. On Sept. 9 the regiment led the advance driving the enemy from Lookout mountain, and it was the first of the Federal troops to enter Chattanooga. Two days later it struck the enemy a mile north of Ringgold and was furiously assaulted by Forrest, but it held him in check until Wilder came up with the rest of the brigade, when the Confederates were pushed back through Ringgold gap. In Jan., 1864, the regiment marched with the brigade through Athens to Shoal creek to intercept a Confederate raid from the south of the Tennessee, and met the first Confederate column at Shoal creek, turning it back across the Tennessee river. Two miles further west it met the second Confederate column, and after hard fighting turned it back, killing the officer in command and capturing many prisoners, and the "orders" showing that the defeated column was to be joined by another at Athens the next morning. The brigade returned to Athens in the night in time to turn back across the Tennessee river the third Confederate column, defeating the combined Confederate movement. At daylight on April 23, the enemy attacked the 92nd's pickets, 8 miles from camp, guarding a trace over Walden's ridge. In overwhelming force the Confederates surrounded the pickets and 33 out of 62 were killed, captured or wounded. The regiment participated in all the movements of Kilpatrick's cavalry, in the long campaign that resulted in the capture of Atlanta, and covered the left of Sherman's army when it withdrew from Jonesboro. On Oct. 1 it marched with its division to uncover the movements of Hood's army, struck his rear at noon of the following day, and captured some of the Confederate infantry. In November Kilpatrick's division was reorganized, the 92nd was assigned to Atkins' brigade, and participated in all the cavalry battles on the march through Georgia and the capture of Savannah. It also participated in all the cavalry fighting on Sherman's march through the Carolinas and against Johnston's Confederate army in North Carolina until the close of the war. It was mustered out at Concord, N. C., and paid and discharged from the service at Chicago, Ill., July 10, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Chickamagua after battle report: Reports of Col. Smith D. Atkins, Ninety-second Illinois (Mounted Infantry. HDQRS. NINETY-SECOND ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS, Pond Spring, Ga., September 16, 1863. CAPT.: By command of Col. Wilder to report the movements of my regiment since I was first detached from the brigade, I have the honor to submit the following: That on September 7, at 10 a. m., agreeably to orders I received at Poe's Tavern, I reported to Maj.-Gen. Thomas, with my regiment, at the foot of Raccoon Mountain, and was ordered by him to report to Maj.-Gen. Reynolds Trenton, which I did at 11 a. m. same day. On September 8, by order of Maj.-Gen. Reynolds, Companies F and G made a reconnaissance on Lookout Mountain. Company E, Capt. Van Buskirk, went to near Summertown, finding no enemy, and returned at 9 p.m. On September 9, at 3 a. m., by order of Maj.-Gen. Reynolds, I proceeded with my regiment to Chattanooga, passing many troops on the road, and taking the advance. Three miles on the west side of Lookout Mountain we drove the enemy's pickets in, and had sharp skirmishing with them in crossing the head of Lookout Mountain, but without loss on our side. At about 9.30 a. m. my advance, under Capt. Dunham, entered Chattanooga, but, under my order, did not push up to the river bank, but followed the retreating enemy by Rossville on the La Fayette road 4 or 5 miles, but, owing to the jaded condition of his horses, could not overtake them. I followed with my regiment down the mountain, and immediately sent out scouting parties southward, knowing it to be the line of the enemy's retreat from the columns of dust plainly visible as I came down the mountain. I then went on with my regiment to the railroad depot in Chattanooga, and at 10 a. m. my regimental colors were planted on the third story of the Crutchfield House, the first to float over the evacuated town. I sent one company to patrol the town and reconnoiter, and learned that some of the enemy's forces had retreated up the river toward Harrison when we entered the other side of the town. At the depot I waited until 1 p. m., when Col. Wilder ordered me to proceed up the river to cover the crossing of the remainder of his brigade at Chickamauga, which I did, capturing a few of the stragglers of the enemy and firing on his rear guard. We found the brigade already crossing the river on arriving at the ford. On the 10th Col. Wilder ordered me to proceed with the brigade, which I did, marching to within 5 miles of Ringgold with it. On the morning of the 11th September received orders to report to Maj.-Gen. Reynolds at La Fayette, Ga., and with my regiment and two mountain howitzers started to Ringgold in advance of the brigade. Two miles out drove in the enemy's pickets, and when within 1 mile of Ringgold dismounted Company E, Capt. Van Buskirk, and steadily pushed the enemy. I sent Company G, Capt. Schermerhorn, to protect the right flank, mounted. Company E skirmished briskly, and rapidly advanced down the road driving the enemy; and Capt. Dunham advanced mounted and deployed as skirmishers over an open corn-field on their left to the foot of a heavily wooded hill, drawing the enemy's fire, and defeating the enemy flanking my advance, which was evidently his intention. Capt. Dunham having lost 6 horses, dismounted and joined the line of skirmishers, pushing the enemy through the woods. Col. Wilder had just previously arrived and took command, and ordered me to protect the right, which I did by ordering up all my regiment except one company, but finding the right protected by the Chickamauga, Lieut.-Col. Sheets ordered them to re-enforce Companies E and F on the left of the road. The firing was brisk and lasted about twenty minutes. We were opposed by an entire brigade of Forrest's cavalry. My loss was 6 horses and 3 men wounded, all of Company F; Capt. Dunham, Sergt. H. Ferrin, and Corporal Winslow severely, and Private Marl slightly. Private Petermier, Company F, had his horse shot under him and killed, the butt of his rifle shot away, and his pantaloons and coat flap and coat collar torn by bullets and coolly remarked, "Now, I am tired to death running after them." The enemy's loss was 13 killed, left on the ground, they taking off their wounded in their retreat. Officers and men behaved with courage and coolness. At Ringgold I left the brigade, continuing my march to La Fayette, but by order of Col. Wilder proceeded via Rossville. About 8 miles out my advance was fired upon. I rode to the foot of the hill with Capt. Van Buskirk, in command of the advance guard, and again drew their fire over our heads, and discovered the enemy were on a cross-road south of and leading into the road I was traveling. I ordered three companies forward dismounted, and one along the hill southward mounted. These dispositions were not completed when I discovered a wagon train approaching on our road from the direction of Rossville, and the rebels about 30 or 40 strong charging on to it with a yell as it crossed the intersecting point of the roads. My dismounted companies pressed rapidly forward over the open field to cut them off, but they discovered the movement, left the train, and retreated, receiving a volley from us as they passed. I ordered them followed by one company, Capt. Hawk, who followed them 3 miles, but could not overtake them. Capt. Preston sent to the left at first, reported seeing about 600 who all retreated on the return of the party that charged the train. We marched to Rossville that night. On the 12th, after receiving orders through Gen. Garfield, I started with my regiment to report temporarily to Gen. Crittenden, at Gordon's Mills, but 7 miles out was overtaken by a courier with orders for me to countermarched and go via Summertown. I immediately countermarched, and reported in person at department headquarters and was ordered to establish a courier line from Summertown to Maj.-Gen. Thomas' headquarters at Stevens' Gap. I left Summertown with my regiment after dark and marched along the top of Lookout Mountain, 20 miles, establishing a courier line, and reaching Gen. Thomas' headquarters at Stevens' Gap. I left Summertown with my regiment after dark and marched along the top of Lookout Mountain, 20 miles, establishing a courier line, and reaching Gen. Thomas' headquarters at 4 a.m. September 13. September 14, by order Maj.-Gen. Reynolds, I marched with balance of my command (seven companies) to Gordon's Mills, and opened communication with Gen. Crittenden. I returned through the ridges of Mission Ridge, reaching Pond Spring at night, scouting the country well north and west of Chickamauga River, between Gordon's Mills and Pond Spring. I sent a large party of scouts toward Wicker's Gap, who drove in the enemy's pickets on the road from Gordon's Mills to La Fayette. My scouts were fired upon by the pickets of the enemy, at a bridge over the Chickamauga, 4 miles down from Pond Spring, and reported all the pickets of the enemy withdrawn across the Chickamauga from Gordon's Mills to Pond Spring. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, SMITH D. ATKINS, Col. Ninety-second Illinois Volunteers. Capt. ALEXANDER A. RICE, Assistant Adjutant-Gen. ----HDQRS. NINETY-SECOND ILL. VOL. (MOUNTED) INFTY., Harrison's Landing, Tenn., September 27, 1863. CAPT.: I have the honor, in continuation of my report, to state that on the 17th instant, while in camp at Pond Spring, Ga., I was ordered by Maj.-Gen. Reynolds to send a company to report to Gen. Turchin, in front of Catlett's Gap. Company E, Capt. Van Buskirk, was sent forward. He had a sharp skirmish, losing 1 man killed, 1 wounded, and 1 taken prisoner. On the 18th I remained in camp at Pond Spring. On the 19th left camp at daylight and overtook Gen. Reynolds' division about 8 a. m. near Crawfish Spring, and was ordered to take position in rear of and support of Col. Wilder. At about noon was ordered to headquarters of Gen. Reynolds. At about 1 p. m. was ordered by Gen. Reynolds to hitch all my horses in the woods, which I did, and moved up to and on the right of a battery planted by Gen. Reynolds in reserve to King's brigade. Had just got into position when I was ordered by Gen. Reynolds to the support of Col. King's brigade, and immediately moved forward by the flank, a captain being sent to show me the way. He went to the road with me and told me to "keep down the road," when he left me. We were then moving by the right flank down the road in front of our first position, with timber and underbrush on the left of the road. King's brigade had already been pressed back, and the fire of the enemy was directly on my left flank from the timber; in front of me the enemy were pressing over the road. I ordered the head of my column to the right along a fence facing the timbered hollow, into which the enemy were pressing. When two companies had filed to the right some mounted officer rode up and ordered my regiment to "get out of the road," which the regiment did by a right flank, and under fire the regiment fell back over the open ground to its old position on the hill. Here we reformed our line, not without some difficulty, as the center of the regiment was crowded by the previous movements and some confusion was occasioned by the coming in of some of King's brigade, leading to the fear that we were firing on our own men. Order was soon restored, and my regiment lying down coolly received the fire of the enemy and returned it, gallantly maintaining our ground, until I perceived that the other regiment supporting the battery had given way, and men falling back from other regiments were taking our horses hitched in the rear, and that both batteries had limbered up and were leaving, while the enemy pressing up the wooded ravine to my right had completely flanked my regiment, subjecting it to an enfilading fire, when I ordered my regiment to fall back and mount their horses. The engagement lasted only a few minutes, and my loss was about 25 in killed and wounded, the names having been already furnished. To maneuver by the flank and to the rear under fire is ever attended with danger, and I am greatly indebted to all my officers for their heroic assistance in reforming our line. All did their duty manfully. Lieut. McCamman, Company G, and Lieut. Cox, Company A, were wounded while rallying their men. After we were mounted I soon met a lieutenant on the staff of Gen. Reynolds, and was informed that the general had not been seen recently, and supposing him killed or wounded, for I saw him in the thickest of the fight helping to rally the left of my regiment, I reported to Col. Wilder, and was ordered by him into position on the left of his brigade. I immediately took the position assigned, and during the night built a slight breastwork of logs and rails. At daylight on the 20th was ordered by Col. Wilder to the right of his brigade. On the withdrawal of his brigade, was ordered to deploy my regiment mounted, and hold the ground he had held until pressed back, when I was to form on the right of Wilder's brigade. Here I remained until about noon, when the enemy had completely flanked my left and were pressing up in front with their skirmishers, when I fell back, passing around a heavy force of the enemy half a mile in rear of my left. I formed three different times in falling back, and faced the enemy, but could not check his advance, and when I fell back to the position assigned on the right of Wilder's brigade it was to find the brigade already moved away. As soon as possible I dismounted, sending my horses to the rear, and going with my regiment to where I supposed Col. Wilder to be, but found him with his brigade falling back to mount. I immediately returned and mounted, and with the brigade marched to near Chattanooga, where we encamped. Early next morning was ordered by Col. Wilder with my regiment and Lilly's battery to take position and hold the McLemore's Cove and Summertown roads, but had not got into position when I was ordered to cross the river and proceed to Friar's Island. Four mountain howitzers of Lilly's battery were with me on the 19th, and placed in position by Gen. Reynolds, when I was ordered to dismount. The sergeant in command was wounded and I have no report, but cannot refrain from bearing testimony to the gallant manner in which their guns were manned, convincing me of their effectiveness at short range. One howitzer was left on the field. In the various engagements many of my horses were shot, but I have not yet the official report from my companies. I had during this time but eight companies, two of my companies being on courier duty, and remained so. Most respectfully, your obedient servant, SMITH D. ATKINS, Col. Ninety-second Illinois Volunteers. Capt. ALEXANDER A. RICE, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records PAGE 453-50 [CHAP. XIII. KY., SW. VA., TENN., MISS., N. ALA., AND N. GA. [Series I. Vol. 30. Part I, Reports. Serial No. 50.]

Illinois 92nd Volunteer Infantry (Union)

Related Records