This excerpt from the Civil War journal of Aaron Denton Riker (1830-1914) of the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry describes his regiment's role in the occupation of Atlanta in Georgia (account edited for spelling, punctuation, and consistency).
At that time in the fall of 1864, the regiment was part of the Army of the Cumberland, commanded by Maj. Gen. George Henry Thomas. The regiment (Lieut. Col. Eugene Powell) was in the first brigade (Col. Charles Candy) of the second division (Brig. Gen. John W. Geary) of the twentieth army corps (XX Corps), led by Gen. Henry W. Slocum,
Atlanta, Georgia, September-November 1864
The news of the capture of Atlanta reached us at 10 o’clock today. One brigade of the 3rd Division of 20th Corps were the first to enter the city… . We remained at Pace’s Ferry until Sunday morning, the 3rd of September, when we also took up the line of march for the city, at which place we arrived in the afternoon, camping in the west part of town.
I have been over a portion of the city today, which I find terribly torn up by our shells in the northern portion of town. From Main Street out, scarce a house is left whole. Many of them have been struck dozens of times and are literally torn to pieces.
Ruined buildings on Peachtree Street in Atlanta. Library of Congress
The fortifications around Atlanta are of the strongest that engineering skills could make them. The outer fortifications consist of a regular chain of forts of large size, linked together by a strong line of breastworks, all of which are guarded by abatis on the outer side.
Elaborate Confederate fortifications guarding Atlanta. Library of Congress
Inside of this main line, there are other forts and earthworks. At a distance of one hundred feet back from the main line, a regular line of pits are dug, where the machinery for heavy siege guns was erected, on which and extending a short distance above ground was mounted their heavy guns—64 pounders. These they were unable to get away. They burned the works on which they were mounted, spiked the guns, and left them. We find eight of these heavy guns.
On the surrender of the city, our forces found a large amount of stores of most every description. The boys have found large quantities of tobacco, which they have eagerly appropriated to their own use.
The city of Atlanta is built on very broken and […] soil. The streets are laid out very irregularly, so much so that some of our boys have remarked they could go to any portion of the city seemingly on the same street.
Panoramic view of the city of Atlanta, as photographed in October 1864 from the top of the Female Seminary, extending from the Atlanta Medical College on the southeast around by the south to a point on Peachtree Street a little north of west. Library of Congress
I have as yet failed to find the beautiful portion of Atlanta but for where we take private residences, some of which cannot be beat for beauty of architecture or situation. Most of these residences have the most beautiful lawns I have ever seen, with all kinds of the most beautiful shrubbery, some of which is now in full bloom. These lawns seem to have been cultivated with all the ingenuity of taste, reminding us of what we have read in legends of the fairies.
Union officers standing in front of the Atlanta house that had served as the headquarters of Confederate Gen. John B. Hood. Library of Congress
I notice some of the finest machine shops I have ever visited. The depot is very large, with three tracks running through. Three trains can be run in at one time. The engine house is built of bricks, covering near an acre of ground.
Railroad tracks and engine house in Atlanta. Library of Congress
There are also several large foundries, blacksmith and wagon shops; in fact, shops for the casting of all kinds of machinery, both for the army and for general use. Most of the machinery has been removed previous to the occupation of the city by our troops.
The wealth of Atlanta has been immense. Now, however, the city is a complete wreck, and years must elapse ere it will again revive and flourish as formerly. The machine shops are being fitted up for government use.
The society of Atlanta has been quite aristocratic. Here, like all other southern cities, the poorer class of both black and white have been the slaves of the rich. And we found, too, that all the white population of males have been or are now in the Southern army. Those who we now find living in the city have all been conscripted and have, in nine cases out of ten, been in arms against us.
Those who reside here now are all, or nearly so, of the wealthy class, who have remained behind to look after their property. As soon as General [William Tecumseh] Sherman announced the campaign over, he then issued an order to the effect that Atlanta was to be used strictly as a military post and that all citizens not in government employ would be required to leave the city between the 12th and 23rd of September.
Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman, leaning on the breach of a cannon, with members of his staff at a Union fort near Atlanta. Library of Congress
All who could prove their loyalty and choose to go north could do so. Those families having husbands and friends in the Rebel army must go south. A truce was entered into between Major General Sherman, commanding the Division of the Mississippi, and General [John Bell] Hood, commanding Rebel forces, for the purpose of the removal of all families and their effects going south.
Transportation is now being furnished to families going south. They are hauled in wagons to Rough and Ready, a point agreed upon being half way between the two armies, distant from here six miles. Our trains are there met by trains from the Rebel armies, and the goods transferred.
Refugee wagons near the Atlanta train depot. Library of Congress
No distinction is made between rich or poor. All must come under the same head. All share the same mode of conveyance and journey the same road, once more to try the fortunes of treason. Those whose loyalty is undoubted are furnished railroad transportation north of Nashville to try their fortunes in a land of plenty.
At the provost marshal's office, Atlanta citizens could obtain passes to go either north or south. Library of Congress
Some of the people are loud in their denunciation of this order, thinking great injustice is being done them in having to leave their once peaceful and quiet homes. They choose rather to seek protection under the flag of our Union (which they have tried to pull down), then to again launch out on the perilous seas of disunion. I believe the order just and proper, and it must and will be enforced.
There are [four] railroads centering in Atlanta: the Western & Atlantic Railroad [connecting north to Chattanooga, Tennessee], the Georgia Railroad [connecting east to Augusta, Georgia, and the Confederate Powderworks on the Savannah River], the Macon and Western Railroad [connecting south to Macon and Savannah, Georgia], and the Atlanta and West Point Railroad [connecting west to West Point, Georgia]. Then there are connections with these railroads leading over almost the entire south.
As a military point, it is second to none in the South. On the railroad leading east is where the Rebels destroyed their large rolling mill and eighty cars loaded with ammunition. This destruction of property took place half a mile from the city.
Ruins of railroad cars carrying ammunition and the Atlanta Rolling Mill, destroyed near Atlanta during the Confederate evacuation of the city. Library of Congress
. . .
October 1stThe truce entered into between Generals Sherman and Hood for the removal of families from Atlanta existed on the part of General Sherman, made and kept in good faith. But we have good reason to doubt [it] was most grossly violated on the part of Hood, the commander of the Rebel force.
It became known to Sherman about the time the truce ended that a large Rebel force had crossed the Chattahoochee River and was making for some point on our line of communication. We are well aware this force must have moved during the suspension of hostilities.
Thus again we see the utter failure of the Rebels to carry on a war as a Christian Nation. They have openly violated the most solemn pledge existing between armies during hostilities. The truce was accepted on their part in seeming good faith, but to their shame be it said has been most grossly violated.
When General Sherman became aware of this foul treachery, detachments from the Armies of the Tennessee and Cumberland were sent by rail to the rear to protect our communications. Major General [George Henry] Thomas went back also with the detachments.
We learn now that the main Rebel army have struck the railroad at Big Shanty, holding and destroying the same. With the exception of the 20th Corps, our army are under orders to move. Troops are being sent to the neighborhood of Marietta and Kennesaw Mountain.
Kennesaw Mountain, as seen from Big Shanty. Library of Congress
October 2nd
Troops are being sent back today as fast as possible. Fortunately, three of four trains of cars happen to be on this side of the break in the railroad.
October 4th
But little is known of the extent of damage being done to the railroad; there [are] no bridges in the vicinity of Big Shanty. General Sherman and staff left Atlanta this morning for the scene of our present difficulties, the general remarking as he rode away that he was going back to grind Hood to powder. At four o’clock this afternoon, his headquarters were in Marietta. General Thomas with his force is north of the Rebel force and, consequently, we have no communication with him. Our cavalry are reported in rear of the enemy.
October 5th
General Sherman moved with his army this morning from around Marietta. A battle is expected hourly. No communication with Thomas yet.
October 6th
We have no news since morning. Then a report was prevalent that yesterday fighting was going on at Allatoona. There does not seem to be any large force of the enemy left behind. One man was wounded prowling around our pickets on the night of the 4th. Since then all has been quiet.
Heavy details are at work fortifying the city on the east and south sides. The 20th Corps are charged with the defense and holding of Atlanta at all hazards. We are well supplied with all kinds of rations except salt meat. There is none for issue. Forage for animals is also very scarce.
Union soldiers at work refortifying a former Confederate fort. Library of Congress
We hope to have communication open again in a short time. The enemy are making a desperate effort to retake Atlanta. Time will show whether they are or have been successful with all their treachery. We feel confident we are fully able to hold the city, and we are willing to trust the matter of our communications with General Sherman.
October 7th
Official dispatches from General Sherman have been received here today stating the enemy were driven from the railroad and were severely repulsed in two successive charges made by them on our forces. Thirteen hundred prisoners are reported captured by our forces. Five miles of railroad has been effectively destroyed. Material is on hand for the repair of the railroad and communication will soon be open again by rail.
We begin to feel the need of having communication opened again. Our animals are suffering for want of forage. The ration for the troops still holds good with the exception of salt meat. That part of the ration has entirely run out. We are reduced also to half a pound of fresh beef per day. The ration of bread is now 1½ pounds per day. Double rations of vegetables are also allowed for the present.
The work on the fortifications progresses finely. Large details are kept busy day and night. The Rebel prisoners confined in the barracks here are marched out each morning armed with pick and shovel and set to work on the fortifications.
New fortifications constructed by Union forces in Atlanta. Library of Congress
I presume a great hue and cry will be raised against setting these prisoners to work. But we think their treachery deserves far worse punishment than this. There is nothing they will not stop to do in the treatment of the prisoners the fate of war has thrown in their hands, and we think a little work will not hurt them.
October 9th
A Sabbath stillness pervades Atlanta. The day is cool and very pleasant. I have felt that this is the Sabbath Day. All places of business have been closed. Both soldier and citizen seem to have that regard for the Sabbath they should. We have news of a fight at Allatoona, in which our forces were victorious. One hundred and fifty of the enemy were buried by our forces. We captured 450 prisoners; our loss reported at 600.
October 10th
Last night we received a dispatch announcing the capture of Richmond; no particulars given as yet. We also have a dispatch by signal that Sherman has defeated Hood at Lost Mountain. All quiet here.
October 11th
The election for state and county officers in the states of Ohio, Indiana, and Pennsylvania was held today. Ohio soldiers were the only soldiers that voted in 66th Regiment. Stands 163 Union votes; no opposition. News of the capture of Richmond contradicted; no new official [report] from General Sherman.
October 14th
Railroad again repaired. Received a very large mail today. No supplies coming yet by rail. A foraging expedition returned today having been out four days. They brought in six hundred wagonloads of forage. Weather very fine. Sherman on the move. Rebels making desperate efforts to cut our communications. All quiet around Atlanta.
October 16th
Our communications again cut. Fighting reported; no definite news. Railroad said to be badly damaged. An attack on Atlanta expected. Troops prepared for any emergency.
November 1st
But little has transpired of which we have an official notice since the 16th. The enemy has been driven back from our line of communication. They are now in Alabama. General Sherman has advanced his army 30 miles beyond Rome, where his is now preparing for a new campaign.
The 20th Corps have orders to prepare for a fifty-days campaign and to be ready by the 4th to enter upon the duties which may be assigned us. Our communications with Nashville are now open and trains are now running through. The weather is cold and rainy.
November 8th
We are still in Atlanta though we are expecting orders hourly to march. We are well aware that it is General Sherman’s intention to evacuate Atlanta. All is bustle and excitement here. Everything movable is being sent to the rear as fast as trains can carry it away. Citizens are going away as fast as they can get transportation. All is confusion with them; they do not like the idea of again falling into Rebel hands and yet transportation is very hard to get now owing to the crowded state of the cars.
The polls are open today, and the soldiers are voting for President of the United States. I feel today that the fate of our country hangs on this day’s vote, how important that every man should vote right.
November 9th
This morning at daylight, cannonading was heard to the east of us. At sunup, the Rebel cavalry, as it proved to be, shifted around to the south of us and made an attack on the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Corps. The cannonading and musketry was very brisk for half an hour, when the enemy fell back on the Sandtown Road in haste, leaving two killed, one mortally wounded, and one well prisoner in our hands. Our loss was one man killed.
The 66th Ohio Regiment was paid today, 7 months and a half’s pay. This brings our pay up to the 31st day of August. The election results stand 335 Lincoln votes and 131 McClellan, majority for Lincoln 204 votes. We have a dispatch this evening that Lincoln has carried every state except Kentucky and New Jersey.
The weather is warm and showery. The roads are getting muddy. I fear we shall have bad weather for campaigning as this is the season for rains in the South.
November 12th
This has been a very windy day. The roads are in very good condition; weather fair.
Last night was a very exciting night in the city. There seems to have been a concerted plan to burn the city without authority. The intention of the authorities has not been to burn the city and, even was that the intention, we were not ready for the conflagration.
Union efforts to blow up buildings of military significance before the evacuation of the city engulfed other buildings. Library of Congress
These were fired, and the flames spread rapidly to other buildings in the vicinity. The headquarters of the 66th Ohio [Regiment] were in a corner building fronting on Hunter and Forsythe Streets. On Forsythe Street running north are a row of one-story frame and brick buildings running to Alabama Street.
On the corner of Forsythe and Alabama Streets was a large two-story frame house. West of this house on Alabama Street stood another two-story frame house. Some rascal carried fire to this building. When the flames soon reached the corner building, guards were placed around other buildings nearby to prevent anyone from entering them.
There, fortunately for us, happened to be one vacant lot between the corner building and other buildings connecting with our headquarters, and these buildings were saved by the vigilance of Col. Powell, who acted on his own responsibility. No orders came to him during all this time, and he not knowing whether he was acting right or not, yet deeming his duty to be to arrest the progress of the flames, he acted according to his own judgement, which proved to be right as no authority was given to fire any building.
Fires in Atlanta. Library of Congress
There happened to be an engine in the city, which was brought out, and water was freely used on buildings that would have taken fire and done immense damage to the command here. The troops were ordered under arms and heavy patrols sent out over the city to arrest every man found on the streets without authority.
The fire of which I have spoken was not the only one in the city. Near General Slocum’s headquarters on Peachtree Street, a building was fired, and in the northeast part of the city several houses were fired and consumed. Then on Marietta Street in the northwest part of town, a dozen or so buildings were burned. In the south part of town, several buildings were fired but were found out in time to arrest the flames.
Who was the author of all this I have not learned. It is thought that some Rebel sympathizers were the chiefs, as men were seen in the vicinity of the fires dressed in citizen’s clothes and mounted on horseback. Our patrols could not get near enough to arrest them.
Had shells from the enemy’s batteries been thrown among us, they could not have created greater consternation. At midnight, the excitement had subsided and heavy patrols were out all night. This evening, the Michigan engineers are engaged in tearing down the Roundhouse. They have it about torn down at sundown. Details are also at work tearing up the railroads.
Ruins of the Atlanta Roundhouse (engine house). Library of Congress
November 13th
The work of tearing up and burning the railroad commenced early this morning. One building has been burned this morning near the Roundhouse. General Sherman has offered a reward of five hundred dollars for the evidence to lead to the conviction of those who were engaged in firing the city Saturday night.
Union soldiers tearing up railroad tracks. Library of Congress
The work of tearing up the railroad still goes on. This evening, most of the [public buildings] are torn down. Atlanta begins to wear a desolate and lonely appearance.
Atlanta train depot in ruins. Library of Congress
The last train of cars left for the North yesterday morning. We now are cut off from all communication with the North. What our fate must be, time will show. We are on the eve of an important move.
Thoughts of home, dear home, come up in my mind tonight. In imagination, I see happy faces seated around the fireside, chatting or singing the songs I love. I anticipate the happy time when I, too, can meet dear ones in my happy home.
See also "Aaron Riker at the Siege of Atlanta," "Aaron Riker at Cedar Mountain," "Aaron Riker in Dumfries," "Aaron Riker at Chancellorsville," and "Aaron Riker at Gettysburg."
Aaron Denton Riker (1830-1914) of Champaign County, Ohio, enlisted as a private in the 66th Ohio Volunteer Infantry on October 11, 1861. The regiment was mustered in for three years service on December 17, 1861, under the command of Colonel Charles Candy. In April 1862, while in Strasburg, Virginia, during the Shenandoah campaign, Riker was assigned to the commissary department, handling supplies for the troops. In October of that year, he found himself in charge of the regiment's commissary and subsequently attained the rank of sergeant while his regiment was stationed in Dumfries, Virginia.
Riker was mustered out of the regiment in 1865 as a first lieutenant.
Aaron D. Riker, Columbus, Ohio, July 27, 1865.
Riker kept a journal recounting his experiences during the Civil War. The journal is now housed at the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections and Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine. Journal. Transcript.
No comments:
Post a Comment