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Numbers 490. Report of Colonel Clark R. Weaver, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, of
capture of train (July 5) near Tilton, Ga. LIEUTENANT: In compliance with orders from your headquarters, of date Resaca, Ga., July 11, 1864, I herewith submit the following statement in relation to the capture of the train on the evening of July 5, together with a copy of Lieutenant Colonel Archer's report of same (inclosed): Soon after sunset on the evening above mentioned, a list was discovered in the direction of Dalton. My attention was called to it. I was unable to determine whether it was a fire, or, as my officers supposed, "northern lights." Just at this time the patrol, which had been sent out at the usual hour, returned and reported that the rebels had captured and were burning a train. I immediately dispatched four companies, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Archer, to whose report I call your attention for further information. In reply to your questions I would state: First, that the train was captured about six miles north of Tilton, just before sunset. Second, I can form a idea of the loss sustained; was informed by the engineer that there were 16 cars, loaded with coffee and flour. The train was completely destroyed. Third, I have no means of estimating the amount of firing done. The engineer and his comrade (who was wounded) reported that as soon as the locomotive ran off the track the train was surrounded by from 200 to 300 men, who fired a volley or two into the train. My opinion is they were too badly scared to be able to fell whether there were 25 or 300 men in the band. The rebs. wore spurs. Fourth, it was fully two hours after the train was captured before my troops reached that point. The enemy, very likely, had possession all that time. Fifth, no firing was heard at Tilton. A detachment of Seventh Illinois Veteran Volunteers were stationed at a water-tank about one mile above where the train was captured. They were taken down by the train was captured. They were taken down by the train following. Sixth, I received information of the disaster shortly after, sunset, and immediately sent four companies, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Archer, to the spot. Very respectfully, C. R. WEAVER, Lieutenant
M. NICHELSON, COLONEL: I herewith submit the following report in relation to the disaster on the railroad on the evening of July 5, 1864: In accordance with your orders, at 7.30 p. m. of July 5, I took Companies C, H, I, and K and marched up the railroad, reaching the scene of the disaster at about 9 o'clock. Found no person with the cars, which were still burning. As no means were at hand to extinguish the fire and save the property not already consumed, I made a reconnaissance on each side of the road for a considerable distance, discovering no traces of the enemy. I then took the command to the water-tank, distant about one mile from the cars; reached there about 10 o'clock. Here I found a detachment of about ninety men of the Seventh Illinois Infantry encamped. The entire command were asleep except the pickets. Upon inquiry I learned the following facts (from a non-commissioned officer, as I saw no commissioned officer): The train which was behind the one destroyed backed down to the tank as soon as they discovered what was being enacted ahead. Reported to the officer in command of Seventeenth Illinois detachment, who sent fifty men down on the train. At about 150 yards from the rear of the train (or that portion of it which had broken loose from the rest of the train, viz, twelve cars) they stopped and the men got off. The rebels had just commenced firing that portion of the train. The detachment fired upon them (about twenty-five in number), when they immediately left the railroad, took to the woods, fired a volley, raised a yell, and left. Thinking that they designed flanking them or attacking the water-tank the detachment immediately got aboard the cars and went back to the tank, where I found them when I arrived. As nothing further could be done at this late hour I left my four companies in charge of Captain S. E. Hicks, Company K, and went up to Dalton for a construction train to repair the road and remove the rubbish, &c., from the track. With this train I came back in the morning and immediately returned to camp. The disaster occurred about six miles of Tilton at about 6 or 6.30 p. m. The above report embraces all the facts of consequence with which I am acquainted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, S. M. ARCHER, |