near Wauhatchie, and with it crossed the creek about three miles above the point of Lookout Mountain. On the 24th, the Second Division having been selected to storm the rebel stronghold on the mountain, a line of battle was formed and the troops moved gallantly forward to the assault, which, after a terrible struggle, was entirely successful. Besides heavy loss in killed and wounded on the part of the enemy, one thousand nine hundred and forty prisoners were captured, together with nine battle flags, two pieces of artillery, forty thousand rations, two thousand stand of small arms and camp and garrison equipage sufficient for two Divisions. Among his killed was General J. H. Lane. This was the famous "Battle above the Clouds." Firing was kept up all night, during which the enemy fled from the mountain, and when, on the following morning, the smoke, mist and clouds arose above its summit, and it was gilded by the rays of the rising sun, the stars and stripes with the beautiful and well known flag of the White Star Division, were seen floating in the breeze from the beetling cliff of Point Lookout, by the Union forces at Chattanooga, they simultaneously sent up loud and repeated shouts that reverberated over the hills and through the valleys for miles around. General Hooker hastened to compliment the wearied troops for their gallant and glorious work.

November 25, the battle of Missionary Ridge was fought, the enemy defeated, and a large number of prisoners and three battle flags were captured by the Second Division. On the 26th the enemy was pursued through Chickamauga and Pea Vine Valleys, losing many prisoners, with cannon and wagons; and on the 27th was again defeated at the battle of Ringgold, where the Division captured three battle flags. In this latter conflict the regiment lost seven killed and twenty-seven wounded. Among the latter was First Lieutenant Peter Kahlor, of company F, a brave and gallant soldier, who had served in the Mexican War, and whose body bore marks of wounds received in several previous battles. He died soon after the fight, mourned by all his comrades. In his official report of these recent engagements, General Hooker, says: "It has never been my fortune to serve with more zealous and devoted troops." On the 29th, General Grant, declaring that he wished to see the troops that fought the battle of Lookout Mountain, reviewed General Geary's Division in Wauhatchie Valley, where it remained several days. He was accompanied by the members of his staff, and all the Generals of the combined Armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee. No troops could have been more highly complimented than were those of the Second Division on this occasion.

The campaign ended, the Division went into winter quarters at Bridgeport. In December the Twenty-eighth, with many other regiments, reenlisted for three more years, and soon after took their departure, on veteran furlough, for their distant homes. Upon the expiration of this time the command again concentrated at Bridgeport, whence it prodeeded on that long and toilsome march and unparalleled career of mili

tary brilliancy which terminated only with the overthrow of the rebel army and annihilation of the Southern Confederacy.

On the 18th of March, 1864, Colonel Ahl resigned and was mustered out of the service, and on the following day Lieutenant Colonel John Flynn was commissioned Colonel. In April, the Twenty-eighth formed part of an excursion down the Tennessee river in the steamboat Chickamauga, of which General Geary took charge in person, his force consisting of eight hundred men, with eight pieces of artillery. The rebels were met at Guntersville, where a contest took place, during which the town was partially burned and finally captured, the enemy retreating in confusion. The next day superior numbers were encountered and defeated near Triano, and after destroying forty-seven scows with which the rebel troops purposed to cross the river, the expedition returned to camp with but few and trifling casualties.

On the 4th of May, the Division marched twenty-two miles, the weather hot and sultry, through Whiteside and Lookout Valleys and over Lookout Mountain, encamping in Lookout Valley. On the 5th, the march was resumed and continued to the 8th, when it reached Mill Creek and Snake Creek gaps at the foot of the Chattanooga Ridge. Here the skirmishers came upon the rebel cavalry pickets, and drove them from the mountain crest by the Dalton road. The enemy was in sight in large force and strongly fortified on Chattoogata, otherwise known as Rocky Face Mountain. He was immediately attacked and the battle that ensued resulted in the capture of Snake Creek Gap, a formidable mountain barrier through which the entire Union army passed. He was again encountered on the 15th, strongly fortified on the Dalton road, near Resaca, and after a hard day's fight, was defeated, though his numbers and advantages were vastly superior. Four pieces of artillery were captured by the Division. On the 16th, it pressed vigorously forward towards Atlanta, marching daily until the 25th, when Pumpkin Vine Creek was reached just in time to extinguish the burning timbers of the bridge which the enemy had fired. The bridge was immediately repaired, and the Twenty-eighth, being deployed as skirmishers, pushed forward on the double quick, and encountered the enemy in strong force, who was driven, after a hard fight, from his position which was immediately occupied by the triumphant troops. On the same day an action commenced at New Hope Church, which continued for seven consecutive days, when the enemy was completely routed with heavy loss. During all this time the troops were under fire night and day, without an hour's relief. The contending lines were in close proximity, which fact, together with the uneven nature of the ground, demanded incessant watchfulness, no opportunity being afforded for proper shelter, rest or subsistence.

On the 14th of June, the Division, still advancing, participated in the fiercely contested battles of Pine Knob, Pine Hill and Lost Mountain, at the commencement of which the rebel General Polk was killed by a shell from one of the guns of Knap's Battery. Constant skirmishes occurred through the following day, and on the 16th the battle of Muddy Creek was

fought, on the 19th that of Noses Creek, 22d Kolb's Farm, 27th Kenesaw Mountain, July 3, Marietta, all of which resulted in defeat and loss to the enemy. In the interim skirmishes and slight battles occurred until the close of the month. In all these engagements the Twenty-eighth Regiment bore a distinguished part. Still pursuing, our troops passed over a succession of works, elaborate and strong, consisting of breastworks, bastions, rifle-pits, abattis and palisades, from which the enemy was driven, and on the 5th of July, came in sight of Atlanta, to the speedy possession of which the troops looked forward with confidence. On the 19th of July, preparations were quietly and quickly made at Peach Tree Creek, to surprise the enemy and drive him from a prominent hill on the opposite side, which he held in force, being well protected with rifle-pits and breast-works. The creek was bridged and crossed by the Second Division, which threw up an extended Tete-de-Pont and rested for the night. The day following, the furious battle of Peach Tree Creek occurred, commencing with a fierce charge upon the front of the Division, continuing with unusual violence for several hours, and ending with the enemy's defeat. In this brilliant engagement another brave young officer fell-Captain Thomas H. Elliott, Adjutant General on the staff of General Geary. He entered the service in the Twenty-eighth Regiment as First Lieutenant of Company H, and was promoted for meritorious conduct. He was a young man of fine literary attainments, a great favorite with his fellow-soldiers, fearless and courageous even to a fault. In his official report of this battle General Geary says:-"The appearance of the enemy as they charged upon our front across the cleared field was magnificent. Rarely has such a sight been presented in battle. Pouring out from the woods they advanced in immense gray masses (not lines), with flags and banners, many of them new and beautiful, while the General and Staff officers were in plain view, with drawn sabres flashing in the light, galloping here and there as they urged their troops on to the charge. The rebel troops also seemed to rush forward with more than customary nerve and heartiness to the attack. This grand charge was Hood's inaugural, and his army came upon us that day full of high hope, confident that the small force in their front could not withstand them, but their ardor and confidence were soon shaken." From this period until the 25th of August, when an engagement at Pace's Ferry resulted in another victory, and from that day to their victorious entry into Atlanta, the troops lay before that town, strengthening their defences, extending and advancing their pickets, receiving and returning the fire of the enemy's artillery, and punishing him severely in numerous battles and skirmishes. On September 2, completely exhausted and thoroughly beaten and disheartened, the enemy sullenly evacuated Atlanta, and the conquering forces took possession, marching joyfully in, with colors flying, to the inspiriting strains of patriotic music, the White Star Division having the advance. A brilliant summary of the "hundred days' fight" of this eventful campaign is given in the following extract from General Geary's official report:-"Thus

gloriously ended the campaign, unequalled for brilliant victories, over seemingly insurmountable difficulties, and unsurpassed in history-a campaign which will stand forever a monument of the valor, endurance and patriotism of the American soldier; four months of hard, constant labor, under the hot sun of a southern summer, scarce a day of which was passed out of the sound of the crash of musketry and roar of artillery; two hundred miles travelled through a country, in every mile of which nature and art seemed leagued for defence-mountains, rivers, lines of works-a campaign in which every march was a fight, in which battles followed in such rapid succession, and were so intimately connected by an unremitting series of skirmishes, that it may properly be regarded as one grand battle, which crowned with grander victory, attests the skill and patience of the hero who matured its plans and directed their execution."

From the date of its occupation until the 15th of November, the regiment remained at Atlanta, performing guard and fatigue duty, assisting to make reconnoissances, and taking part in foraging expeditions, the latter, not only feeding the garrison of Atlanta, but demonstrating the important fact that an army could move and subsist upon the resources of the country. On the 14th of November, the troops under General Iverson, supposing Atlanta to have been evacuated, made an attack upon the Union lines, near the Whitehall road (where the Twenty-eighth was stationed), and was repulsed with severe loss in killed and wounded and some prisoners.

November 15, the camp was broken up and Sherman's famous "March to the Sea" commenced. This bold undertaking was of such stupendous magnitude, and encircled with so many and such tremendous obstacles, as to astonish the entire country and to strike terror into the heart of the confederacy. Many regarded it as an act of madness, whilst few dared contemplate its successful termination. Unincumbered with any superfluity of tents, baggage or provision trains, the brave and well-tried army marched day after day, scarcely halting for needed rest and nutriment, through sunshine and storm, heat and cold, over hills, streams, swamps and morasses, bivouacking at night along the roads, and subsisting man and beast from the lands over which they passed, laying waste plantations of notorious rebel leaders and destroying immense depots of provisions intended for Lee's army, cotton, grain, cotton gins and mills and other rebel property, together with numerous bridges and many miles of railroad. Guerrilla bands and detachments of rebel cavalry that hovered about, were attacked and if not driven off, either captured or killed. The troops pushed forward with the utmost alacrity, enjoying the march as a grand triumphant passage through an enemy's country, rather than a severe and toilsome journey, full of privations, dangers and disasters. Onward they pressed regardless of labor, and in defiance of every obstacle, until, on the 10th of December, they approached the outer works of the enemy at Savannah, and encamped at a distance of three miles from the city, which was at once besieged. During the suc

ceeding ten days the time was chiefly occupied in throwing up breastworks and erecting fortifications, the troops being under fire from the enemy's batteries and a number of gun boats stationed in the river. Shot and shell were poured in upon them from sixty-four and thirtypounder siege guns and many pieces of light artillery. Still the work progressed steadily, the men laboring earnestly and with cheerfulness.

On the night of the 20th, General Geary discovered that the enemy was evacuating Savannah, and at one o'clock in the morning of the 21st, he pushed forward to intercept the retiring forces and take possession of the town. Just outside of the city limits, he was met at two o'clock, by the Mayor and a delegation of the Board of Aldermen, bearing a flag of truce, who formally surrendered to him the place, presenting him with the following document:

To General John W. Geary,

"Savannah, December 21, 1864.

Commanding U. S. Military Forces near Savannah:

Sir: The city of Savannah is being evacuated by the Confederate military and is now entirely defenceless.

As Chief Magistrate of the city, I respectfully request your protection of the lives and private property of the citizens, and of our women and children.

Trusting that this appeal to your generosity and humanity may favorably influence your action,

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,

R. D. ARNOLD, Mayor of Savannah."

General Geary accordingly entered the city with his command, and just as the sun first gilded the morning clouds, the national colors, side by side with the White Star standard, were unfurled from the dome of the Exchange, and over the United States Custom House. The part assigned the Twenty-eighth, was the capture and occupancy of Fort Jackson. In the afternoon, other troops began to enter the town. Immense piles of ectton and other property, as well as several gun-boats in the river, had been set on fire by the retreating rebels, to the extinguishment of which the troops early and industriously applied themselves. Millions of dollars worth of property and seven vessels were saved to the Government, by their persevering exertions, pursued whilst under continued fire from the rebel gun-boat Savannah, which was subsequently driven ashore and blown up. In consideration of the services of his division on this occasion, General Geary was appointed Military Governor of Savannah.

Being relieved by General Grover's Division, General Geary, on the 19th of January, 1865, received orders to join, with his command, the other divisions of Sherman's army, which had crossed the Savannah river and advanced to Perrysburg; but in consequence of a severe storm which