Numbers 407.
Report of Colonel Charles B. Seidel, Third Ohio Cavalry.

HDQRS. THIRD OHIO VETERAN VOLUNTEER VA.,
Near Cross Keys, Ga., September 11, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to submit the following report of operations of Third Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry during the campaign just closed:
The regiment left Columbia, Tenn., on the 22nd day of May, 1864, and proceeded to Decatur, Ala., where we arrived on the 26th, and were sent out same day in pursuit of a portion of General Roddey’s command (rebel), and skirmished with them, driving them six miles, their wagon train being captured by another portion of the brigade. May 27, proceeded to Courtland, skirmishing slightly in the advance along the route. 28th, marched through Moulton, toward Somerville, and camped three miles beyond, and were attacked in our camp at 4 a. m., 29th, by Confederate force under General Roddey. After an hour and a half of fighting we drove them, aiding to capture 2 field officers, 4 line officers, and a number of enlisted men. The enemy retired to Moulton, leaving 11 killed on the field. Our loss, 1 killed and 2 wounded. Same day marched forty miles, camping ten miles southeast from Somerville, in the rear of the Seventeenth Corps, with which we marched to Rome, Ga., where we arrived on the 4th day of June. From there we proceeded to join the division (Second Cavalry), which we did on the 7th of June, near Etowah, Ga. Marched to the left of the army near Noonday Creek, and on the 11th the regiment was sent on a reconnaissance to Noonday Creek, and had an engagement with Iverson’s brigade of cavalry, being repulsed with a loss of 14 killed, wounded, and missing. We fought again on the 15th, without gaining any advantage and with no loss. On the 23rd advanced across Noonday Creek; had a skirmish with the enemy, and returned with loss of 2 wounded. No other operations until the 3rd of July, when we advanced, following the enemy on their retreat from Kenesaw Mountain. The 4th of July skirmished most of the day; loss, 1 man killed. The 14th of July the regiment left camp near Roswell, and marched to Cumming, Ga., where we arrived at 4 a. m. the 15th, but found no enemy in force; captured a large amount of tobacco and number of horses and mules, and returned to camp same day. The 16th crossed the Chattahoochee River at McAfee’s Bridge, and went into camp one mile and half from it. 19th, marched to the Georgia Railroad, near Stone Mountain, Ga., and assisted in destroying the road for several miles, and returned to camp. 21st, marched to Yellow River; next day to Covington, Ga., on the Georgia Railroad, fifty miles east of Atlanta, where we destroyed the road for a distance of ten miles; met no enemy in force. 23rd and 24th, returned to Decatur, having destroyed a large amount of cotton, captured a number of prisoners, contrabands, horses, and mules. 27th, left camp and marched to Flat Rock, where the division was attacked on the 28th by a superior force and nearly surrounded. The enemy was repulsed, and we returned to Latimar’s Cornrer’s where we remained two days, then marched around Stone Mountain to the rear of our army in front of Atlanta.
On the 18th of August started, under command of General Kilpatrick, for the expedition to the rear of Atlanta. Left Sandtown at sundown, on the 18th, and marched all night, skirmishing most of the time. 19th, fought all day and got possession of the Macon railroad at Jonesborough, at 4 p. m.; burnt the public buildings and destroyed the railroad for a distance of two miles. Left Jonesborough at 3 a. m. of the 20th, and marched to Lovejoy’s Station, having a brisk skirmish in the rear on the route. At Lovejoy’s met the enemy in large force, cavalry, artillery, and infantry. After fighting an hour we formed in advance for brigade and charged in column of fours on the enemy in our rear, scattering them badly, and causing them to abandon one piece of artillery, which was brought off the field by our brigade (Second Cavalry); also captured a number of prisoners. The regiment was detailed for rear guard, the column marching toward McDonough, and was attacked by one division of rebel infantry. After fighting them an hour, losing 8 men killed, 30 wounded, and 4 missing, was relieved by a portion of the First Brigade, Second Cavalry Division. 21st, marched to Lithonia, being closely followed by the enemy until we crossed South River, where we burned the bridge, thus stopping their advance. 22d, returned to camp at Buck Head, and remained until the 25th, when we left camp and marched to Vining’s Station and bivouacked. 26th, marched to a point on the Chattahoochee River opposite Sandtown.
27th, marched a short distance to the left of the army; regiment placed on picket; had a slight skirmish on the 28th; no loss; relieved at 2.30 p. m. by battalion of mounted infantry. Remained in camp until the 30th. At 3 p. m. left camp and marched to the La Grange railroad, and camped five miles from East Point and ten from Jonesborough.
September 1, marched to Macon railroad, at Rough and Ready, eleven miles from Atlanta. The regiment was sent out reconnoitering, and went five miles in direction of McDonough, but found no large body of the enemy’s troops. September 4, moved camp to Mount Zion Church, on the left of the army, where we remained until the 7th, when we came to our present camp, near Cross Keys, Ga., where we arrived September 10, 1864.
The aggregate loss during the campaign is as follows: Killed, or died of wounds received in action, 1 commissioned officer, 20 men; wounded, 1 field officer, 60 men; missing in action, 2 commissioned officers, 20 men; total loss, 4 commissioned officers, 100 men.
Total number of miles traveled during the campaign, 1,021.
Believing the above to be essentially correct, I am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. B SEIDEL,
Colonel, Commanding Third Ohio Veteran Volunteer Cavalry.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
Military Division of the Mississippi.