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Re: Robert A. Merrill
In Response To: Robert A. Merrill ()

The last surviving Company H muster report for the period Jan & Feb, 1864 (their last) shows they were stationed near Dalton, Ga. It's somewhat rare to find burial records following events where the troops were rapidly moving.

Having receipted for an issue of clothing June 30, 1864, his death would have occurred later in the year.

Following is a report of their action July 28 for the Battle of Atlanta,.

Two other engagements that I'm aware that they took part in later in the year are August 31 at Jonesborough, also at Rough and Ready Station, Georgia, and Franklin, Tenn. on November 30.

Report of Lieut. Cal. James M Johnson, Thirtieth Mississippi
Infantry, commanding Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Mississippi
Infantry, of operations July 28.

HDQRS. TWENTY-NINTH AND THIRTIETH MISSISSIPPI,
In the Field, July 30, 1864.

CAPT.: In obedience to circular of this date from brigade headquarters,
I have the honor most respectfully to submit the following
report of the part this command took in the engagement of the 28th
instant:

On the morning of the 28th instant this command, with balance of
brigade, was in line of battle in rear of the works at Atlanta on the
left of the West Point and Atlanta Railroad. About 9 a. m. I received
orders to put my command under arms and be ready to move,
and in a few moments moved out of the fortifications, left in front,
with balance of brigade on the Baker's Ferry road to a point about
two miles and a half down that road, when I received orders to file
left off the road and form line of battle; which I did, my right resting
about 600 yards from the road. Agreeably to instructions of
the brigadier-general commanding, I threw out as flankers upon my
left flank twenty men, and then threw forward as skirmishers a
company and part of another, in all forty men and three officers,
under command of Capt. McCulloch, Company F, Thirtieth
Mississippi. This line of battle faced northwest. Immediately after
I threw forward as skirmishers the command to move forward in
line, guiding right, was given, and my command, with balance of
brigade, moved forward till we reached the field upon this side of
the Baker's Ferry road, where the command halted a moment and
rectified its alignment, and then moved forward until we encountered
the enemy's line, which was about 300 yards distant. We forced
the enemy back near 800 yards upon his first line of fortifications,
which we carried and held for a short time much weakened
in the advance and having no support, and the enemy being re-enforced
and charging us immediately, we were forced to retire a short distance,
where we formed and repulsed the charge and held them in
check, engaging the enemy at close quarters. The command remained
in this position, when the troops upon the right of us were
forced back, leaving our flank exposed, when we retired, and with
the balance of the brigade reformed and advanced again upon the
enemy, forcing him a second time, and engaged his main line at a
very short distance, but were held in check by his superior numbers
nearly an hour, when, under orders from the brigadier-general
commanding, I withdrew my command to a position near the road,
leaving skirmishers upon the line until new troops could be moved
up to occupy it. The line of battle during the greater part of the
engagement faced a little east of north. The command, with balance
of brigade, remained in this position about an hour, when it was
withdrawn to a position about a mile on the road to Atlanta, where
it constructed temporary works of rails. It remained in this position
about an hour, when, with balance of brigade, it moved by the right
flank and took position in a line on the right of the Baker's Ferry
road, and there constructed temporary works, remaining there until
after night, when, with balance of brigade, it was withdrawn to the
line it now occupies.

The total effective was 277 on the 28th instant, but owing to the
fact that those thrown forward as flankers and skirmishers were not
in the heat of the action, passing to my left flank when the direction
to the right was taken, only 207 muskets were actually engaged.
My skirmishers did good service in watching the movements of the
enemy on my left flank, which but for their presence would have
been uncovered.

My losses were 5 killed, 3 mortally wounded, 20 severely and
slightly wounded, and 1 missing. Of those heretofore reported
missing, 1 was killed, 1 wounded, and 1 has returned. The command
captured about 20 prisoners in its advances upon the enemy.

I am, captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. M. JOHNSON,
Lieut.-Col., Cmdg.

Capt. J. C. HARRISON,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-Gen.

Source: Official Records
PAGE 804-74 THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. [CHAP. L.
[Series I. Vol. 38. Part III, Reports. Serial No. 74.]

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Robert A. Merrill
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