away the
coals and ashes and slept on the warm ground between the two fires.
January 1st, while at Blains Crossroads, northeast of Knoxville, the
regiment veteranized or re-enlisted and was ordered home on thirty days'
furlough. We marched to Chattanooga, arriving on the 18th, completed our
papers and were mustered January 21, starting home by freight soon
afterward.

We left Columbus, Ohio, on our return to the front, about March 4th,
joining our brigade at Charleston, Tennessee, about March 15th. In April
we moved to Cleveland, Tennessee, and from there started on the Atlanta
campaign, May 3rd, and came under the fire of the enemy's guns May 7th,
and remained in hearing of their guns and under fire until September
5th--at least over one hundred days under fire. We (our brigade) advanced
along the Eastern slope and near the summit of Rocky Face Ridge,
supporting Harken's brigade, moving along the summit, assaulting the main
line of works. We came under the direct fire from their main line, but
were restrained from assaulting. We held this position until Sherman's
entire army (except part of the cavalry and our 4th corps), had moved
south along the west base of the ridge to Snake Creek Gap and through it
to near Resaca, when Johnson abandoned his fortified position at Rocky
Face and hastily retreated, we following on the direct line of his retreat
and on arrival joining at once in the battle of Resaca, driving the
enemy's lines into their fortifications. We built a temporary line of
works within 200 yards of theirs, holding this position until they again
retreated. The night of May 15, bridges were floated and the Oostanaula
River crossed, the 4th corps taking the advance, driving Johnston's rear
guard. On the 17th, our division (Newton now commanding, Sheridan having
been ordered to the Eastern department) was in the advance. One brigade
deployed. In the evening two brigades were deployed and the enemy's lines
driven until a line of works was developed. Artillery was freely used, the
26th Ohio losing over twenty men. Darkness closed the fighting and in the
morning their works were abandoned, we following, bivouacking the night of
the 18th near Kingston, Ga. The 19th we advanced on Cassville, the enemy
stubbornly resisting, and in the evening a general line of battle was
formed. They were again fortified and as before, during the night,
abandoned them and crossed the Etowah River. Here we were delayed until
the railroad