Our boys went in with a yell: At Peach Tree Creek with the 79th Ohio

Three months into the Atlanta campaign, Captain Abraham Botkins of the 79th Ohio noted with sadness that his company had shrunk to half the size it was at the beginning of the campaign. He lost 14 out of 37 men alone at Peach Tree Creek on July 20, 1864.

    “Company C is only a shadow of what it once was,” he commented. “When we marched from Wauhatchie on the 2nd of May, the company numbered 60 men present. Since then, it has received only two recruits and now there are only 31 present. We have had a hard, hot, and wearisome campaign and men naturally wear down. We have not been paid for seven months and many of us would be pleased to know whether there is yet such a thing as greenbacks.”

    Peach Tree Creek marked the 79th Ohio’s first open field fight and they had to respond quickly to meet the Confederate assault. Climbing atop a ridge, they arrived just before the gentlemen in gray. “A moment later and all would have been lost,” Botkin described. “Our boys poured a murderous fire into their ranks which checked them up and then commenced an open field fight in which our men acquitted themselves nobly. Not a man wavered, but seemingly all determined to conquer. And notwithstanding that the Rebels outnumbered us three to one, we hurled them back and held the field.”

    Captain Botkin’s account of Peach Tree Creek first appeared in the August 19, 1864, edition of the Clinton Republican. The 79th Ohio served in Colonel Benjamin Harrison’s First Brigade of General William T. Ward’s Third Division of the 20th Army Corps.

 

This beautiful example of the regimental reunion badge features not only the blue star representing the Third Division of the 20th Army Corps but a medallion of Colonel Azariah W. Doan. The 79th Ohio, raised in the southwestern corner of the state, mustered into service in October 1862 and spent its first 18 months on guard and garrison duty in Kentucky and Tennessee. Assigned to the 20th Corps in April 1864, the regiment would fight as part of Sherman's army through the end of the war. 

Near Atlanta, Georgia

August 1, 1864

    We crossed the river and went into position eight miles north of Atlanta on July 17th. On the 18th we moved south about three miles through a thick wood, most of the distance in line of battle and gained our objective point the Peach Tree road. Here we fortified and remained behind our works on the 19th. On the morning of July 20th, we again moved toward Atlanta and crossed Peach Tree Creek about noon and formed in line of battle at the base of a long, high ridge. Our skirmishers were sent out to drive the Rebel skirmishers from the top of the ridge but the Rebels held on to their position with great tenacity.

    Our men slowly advanced and about 4 p.m. gained the summit when heavy columns of Rebels were discovered to be moving upon us. We were in a critical position for it was absolutely necessary for us to have possession of that ridge and yet we had no orders to move forward. Every moment brought the Rebels closer and every moment was precious time to us. If the top of that hill was not gained, all was lost as far as we were concerned and in all human probability a disastrous defeat for our army. What was done must be done quickly and after a short consultation between our three brigade commanders, it was determined to move the division to the top of the ridge.

Lt. Col. Azariah W. Doan
79th O.V.I.

    Scarcely had the command forward been given when we could see our skirmishers running, being driven from their position all along the line. We were hurried to the top and took shelter behind a fence. Our boys went in with a yell. We were just in time for only a few yards in advance and hurrying forward were three lines of Rebels laboring for the position we had just gained. A moment later and all would have been lost. Our boys poured a murderous fire into their ranks which checked them up and then commenced an open field fight in which our men acquitted themselves nobly. Not a man wavered, but seemingly all determined to conquer. And notwithstanding that the Rebels outnumbered us three to one, we hurled them back and held the field.

    It was a victory, but one which cost dearly in Company C for she lost over one-third of her men. The company went in with 37 men and came out only with 23. When the smoke cleared away, I found that three had been killed and 11 slightly wounded. The thought to me was terrible and the tears gushed from my eyes when I ascertained the number and who my killed and wounded were. My company’s loss was one-fourth the loss in the whole regiment. Companies C, D, and H were more exposed than any other companies, consequently their loss was greater than others.

    Sergeant Morris McMillan was shot through the right thigh and was carried from the field only to die about two hours after receiving the wound. As he passed to the rear, I asked, “Morry, are you much hurt?” He said, “Oh yes, but never give up the field.” He was cheerful to the last and died as a true soldier would die: at his post nobly contending for the right. Sergeant John M. Botts received a severe wound in the breast and died shortly after being carried to the rear. He, too, died at his post and even held on to the colors after he was struck, as if determined that while life remained the banner of liberty should float in the very face of its enemies. I told him to sit down, which he did, then the colors fell. But quick as a thought, William H. Compton, one of the color guards, snatched them up and kept them during the fight. Sergeant Botts was carried to the rear and died in a short time. William Elster was shot through the head and was killed instantly. He was a noble soldier and died in the discharge of his duty and his memory, together with Sergeants McMillan and Botts, will live in the hearts of their comrades long after this rebellion is closed.

79th O.V.I. Reunion Badge

Still the battle raged and Geary was driven back and thus our right exposed.  Fortunately, the 102nd Illinois was on our right and with their Spencer rifles they poured in an enfilading fire into the Rebel ranks which checked them up. Geary then rallied his men and regained his position. This was the first open field fight we had been in and the 79th acquitted herself nobly. No troops fought with more firm determination than did those of our regiment, brigade, and division. General Hood had massed his forces for the purpose of breaking our lines and gaining a decisive victory, but he was woefully disappointed. The Rebel loss is officially stated as 5,603 and seven stands of colors; we lost 1,623.

Company C is only a shadow of what it once was. When we marched from Wauhatchie on the 2nd of May, the company numbered 60 men present. Since then, it has received only two recruits and now there are only 31 present. The absent, sick, and detached of the company number 38 men. We have had a hard, hot, and wearisome campaign and men naturally wear down. We have not been paid for seven months and many of us would be pleased to know whether there is yet such a thing as greenbacks.

 

Source:

Letter from Captain Abraham H. Botkin, Co. C, 79th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Clinton Republican (Ohio), August 19, 1864, pg. 1

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