HDQRS. 111TH PENNSYLVANIA VETERAN VOLUNTEERS,
Atlanta, Ga., September 6, 1864.
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report the details of the reconnaissance and occupation of Atlanta on the 2nd instant by the detachment under my command.
The detachment, consisting of the One hundred and eleventh Regiment Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Sixtieth New York Veteran Volunteers, and 50 men from each Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers and One hundred and second New York Veteran Volunteers, together with about 20 men of the Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, in all 400 infantry and 20 cavalry, moved on the road from Pace’s Ferry to Howell’s Mill at 6.45 a. m. Skirmishers were thrown to the front immediately after passing the pickets, but we advanced rapidly until after we crossed Nancy’s Creek and to where the road turns off to Buck Head. Here the track of a column (cavalry) that had very shortly before moved down the Buck Head road was discovered, and the command halted until the Sixtieth New York could be advanced down the Buck Head road to the junction of the road leading to Howell’s Mill. As soon as information was brought me of their having arrived at that point, they were ordered to move in the direction of Howell’s Mill and join us there. We here learned that General Ferguson’s brigade of cavalry, which had been encamped near the mill, had moved away a few hours before in the direction of Atlanta. Fording with our horses and passing the command over Peach Tree Creek on a log, we pushed on toward the city. At the outskirts of the town I met Colonel Coburn, of the Third Division, who had also preceded his column, and discovering that the city was evacuated (there being nothing but the brigade of cavalry before mention in the town), we agreed that the two columns should march into town together, when I withdrew my skirmish line and placed them in the column. The two columns were placed in position in the rifle-pits, when we went forward to the skirmish line passing through the city. When in the neighborhood of the City Hall, Colonel Coburn informed me that he had ordered his column to move into the city. I was chagrined at this avowal, that I thought to be in violation of our agreement to come in together, and directed Captain Lambert, Thirty-third New Jersey, of the general’s staff, to ride back and order my column in at once. I am happy to state that he did ride, and fast; arrived and by direction, placing the colors of the One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers and Sixtieth New York Volunteers at the head of the column, marched to the City Hall in the following order: One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Sixtieth New York Veteran Volunteers, detachment Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and detachment One hundred and second New York Veteran Volunteers, when the two colors were at the same time displayed from the roof of the City Hall, amid the cheers and congratulations of the column. Not being positive, I do not like to set the time of our arrival and entree, but thought it to be near 10 a. m. when we arrived, and in the neighborhood of noon that we marched into the city. I am sure it will be a satisfaction to the general to know officially that a column of his division was the first to march into the city, and that the colors of the One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers and Sixtieth New York Veteran Volunteers, Third Brigade of his division, were the first displayed over this stronghold. I am much indebted to Captain Lambert and Lieutenant Schilling, of the general’s, and Lieutenant Scofield, of Colonel Ireland’s, staff for the assistance rendered me, as I am also to Captain James M. Wells, One hundred and eleventh Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, Captain Elliott, Sixtieth New York Veteran Volunteers, Captain Van Buren, One hundred and second New York Veteran Volunteers, Lieutenant Shuster, Twenty-ninth Pennsylvania Veteran Volunteers, and Lieutenant —, Seventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, each in command of troops of their respective regiments.
Most respectfully, &c.,
THOS. M. WALKER,
Lieutenant Colonel 111th Pa. Vols., Commanding Reconnaissance.
Captain W. T. FORBES,
Actg. Asst. Adjt. General, Second Div., 20th Army Corps