IN THE FIELD, Near Atlanta, Ga., July 30, 1864.
CAPT.: In regard to the part taken by the Twenty-fourth and
Twenty-seventh Mississippi Regiments in the action of July 28,1564,
I have the honor to submit the following report:
The line of battle of Hindman's division being formed at an acute
angle with the Lick Skillet road and to the south of it, these two
regiments, composing a portion of Walthall's brigade on the left of
this line, were in position about 300 yards from the -----house.
About 11 a. m. the command "forward, guide right," was given,
when the regiments moved steadily forward, conforming to the
right until within 200 yards of the -----house, when we received
the order to halt. Here we received the first fire from the enemy in
silence. In a short time the command "forward" was given again,
when the regiments advanced steadily and rapidly forward, driving
the enemy before them and gaining the summit of a hill about
half a mile beyond the ----house, from the possession of which
the enemy were handsomely beaten. Here the line halted, when
the command "move by the right flank," passed along the line, the
men obeying before the officers had time to attend to its proper execution.
During the execution of this movement and while gallantly
supervising it the gallant Col. R. P. McKelvaine received a severe,
and perhaps a mortal, wound in the left shoulder, and the enemy
charging at the same time created a temporary confusion in the line,
causing it to retire some fifty or sixty yards, when it was speedily
re-established and repulsed and checked the advance of the enemy.
While thus engaged in a sharp contest the order passed down the
line from the right to fall back, which we did to the ------house,
when the line was reformed.
Up to this point I have been compelled to report from the statements
of company officers, as I, in command of a picket detail, which
had only been relieved from the line on the right of the army at 10
a. m., had not reached the field until this moment, when I assumed
command of the regiments. The command "forward" was again
given, and the regiments obeyed with alacrity, moving forward in
good order until within about sixty yards of the summit of the hill
we had previously taken from the enemy, when we again engaged
them. In about half an hour the order was given to fall back to
the Lick Skillet road, which was done in comparative good order
and the line there re-established, where we remained about half an
hour, when we were moved to the right and occupied the remainder
of the evening in intrenching.
From the time I took command of the regiments officers and men
did their duty well; especially the officers, who displayed great coolness
and energy in conducting their men. Where all did so well
distinction would be invidious, but among the private soldiers I
take pleasure in bringing to your notice the case of Eddie Evans, of
Company L, Twenty-fourth Mississippi Regiment, a mere boy, who,
when the color-bearer was wounded, asked to be permitted to carry
the colors, and afterward bore them with such conspicuous coolness
and gallantry as to elicit the admiration of all. At one time he took
his stand in advance of the line without any protection in an open
field, distant from the enemy's line not more than fifty yards,
waving his colors defiantly, and called upon his comrades to rally to
the flag.
The loss of the two regiments was 11 killed, 67 wounded and
missing, out of an aggregate of about 430 with which we went into
battle.
I have the honor to be, captain, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,
W. L. LYLES,
Lieut. Cal., Comdg. 24th and 27th Mississippi Regiments.
Capt. J. C. HARRISON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
Source: Official Records
PAGE 800-74 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L.
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part III, Reports. Serial No. 74.]