Hd. Qurs. 26th Regt. Wis. Vol. Inf.
Atlanta, Ga. Oct. 1, 1864
General Aug. Gaylord
Adj. General Wisconsin
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to transmit
to you supplement to the record of my regiment which I have sent you bringing
it down to the 25th of August. I trust you have received it but I have
not recd. any acknowledgement of receipt. In case you should not have received
it and it is not already too late, please advise me by telegraph and I
will send you a copy.
On the 25th of August
we were still in front of Atlanta close upon the evening's work but it
was evident to all observers that a new move was being inaugurated. In
this crowing effort of Genl. Sherman's strategy we however, have but a
very slender hold. At 8 o'clock at night we noiselessly withdrew from our
trenches and marched in a westerly direction some two miles and there made
a several hours halt. Then continued our march to Turners Ferry where a
pontoon bridge was thrown across the river. Here we went at work at once
to fortify a position to hold the ferry. On the 27th the evening made a
demonstration against us with artillery and dismounted cavalry but made
no attack on our works. Aug. 31, we detailed three officers and 70 men
from the regiment to take part in a reconnaissance towards Atlanta. The
party returned having found the enemy in the trenches so recently vacated
by our army. Early in the morning of Sept. 2 we made a similar detail.
A party of 600 men was sent out by our division and they were the first
to enter the city of Atlanta. We met no opposition there. A small detachment
of cavalry fled at their approach. In the evening of the same day we sent
another detail to Atlanta and on the 4th the balance of the regiment came
to the city and went into camp behind the old rebel works just south of
the city. And there we remain to the present day. We have suffered no casualties
during that time. It has been a period of rest to us, the whole distance
march being perhaps 17 miles.
Since Aug. 25th we have
received notice that 1st Lieut. Nicholas Vollimer, who was wounded in the
head on 20th July at the battle of Peach Tree Creek, died of his wound
at Nashville. August 21, 64, also that our absent enlisted men five (5)
have died of wounds, three (3) of diseases and four (4) been transferred
to Veterans Reserve Corps and one (1) discharged for physical disability.
Surgeon Francis Huebschurann
and Capt. Edward Crul Co. K have resigned and Lieut. Leopold Melchnor Co.
D has been dismissed the service by sentence of a General Court Marshall
have been intoxicated when in charge of a company of skirmishers in the
affair of the 19th of June. It was the only instance of misconduct of the
part of any of my line officers during the campaign.
I have the honor to be
General,
Your Obedient Servant,
Fred H. Winkler
Lt. Col. Com'd'g.
26th Regt. Wis. Vol.
Wisconsin Historical Society, 1200 Series, Box 128, Correspondence 1864
