Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/102

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At an early hour on the morning of May 16th we pushed rapidly forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. At 9 o'clock A. M. we came into line on the bank of the Coosa river, near the railroad bridge, which our cavalry had prevented the rebels from burning, though they had made repeated efforts to do so. The enemy's flight was so rapid that he had not even time to seriously impair the railroad track. Our locomotives, with trains of surplies, soon came in sight. We now advanced across the river and encamped for the night.

At 12 M. on May 17th, the general forward movement of our army was resumed. The Twenty-ninth regiment was the advance guard of its division, and assisted in driving the rebels from the little village of Calhoun, where we halt for the night. At 5 o'clock on the following morning we again moved forward in the direction of Rome, Georgia. At Rome cross-roads the rebels were met and promptly engaged by the Fourth corps; a lively fight ensued, resulting in slight losses on both sides. The enemy retreated, and we continued the pursuit until 9 o'clock P. M., when we encamped for the night.

On the next morning at early dawn we pushed forward, continuing until 3 o'clock P. M., when we halt and form line near Kingston, Georgia. The whole force of the enemy are immediately on our front, and the Fourth corps promptly open fire upon them, which resulted in a further movement of the chivalry to the rear.

We remain here until the morning of May 23d when we move about daylight via Cassville and Cass station to the Etowah river, which is crossed on pontoons, and a halt for the night made on its opposite bank. The next morning we resume the weary march, coming into line of battle at about 9 A. M. We advanced in this