Chapter IV

The Battle of Peachtree Creek

       This battle occured on July 20, 1864 approximately 2 1/2 miles from Atlanta. One might say that from that point on Capt. Noah H. Hart, staggered on to the end of his life. His health, his wrong politics and the country’s bad economic situation contributed to the hard times. Hart’s wife was killed in a train accident in 1884, he had a few strokes and there was no income for years. A nickle looked like a $100 bill to him. Except for the fact that my paternal grandfather would never have been born, it might be said that those who died at Peachtree Creek fared better than some who lived through it. After this battle Hart found himself collapsing whenever he tried to march along with his regiment. The moment he exerted himself or tried to march, perspiration rolled out in streams. A heavy headache would follow, something which Hart never suffered from before, then exhaustion would overtake him and he would be prostrated.

       Because the battle of Peachtree Creek changed Hart’s life almost totally, here is the story of that day in his own words.

       "The Sunday subsequent to the 13th, we moved up the river some three or four miles and crossed on a pontoon and soon came to the rebel skirmishes and commenced shelling them at night. We halted and built breastworks. The following day, we advanced about one and a half miles and again fortified. The next day the 19th and 10th Michigan were ordered to advance. At arrival at our skirmish line, 10 a.m., we met Gen. Morgan and he informed us that Gen. Davis had ordered him to take a hill just across Peachtree Creek, about sixty rods in front of us. At the place of crossing there was a grist mill and three or four outbuildings. We would have to ford that creek and climb the hill, which was almost perpendicular and on which side there were several lines of rebel rifle pits, and on the top, very strong rebel works. We looked that whole thing over and came to the conclusion that in the attempt to take the hill, the extermination of the 10th Michigan was inevitable. General Morgan, I am satisfied, was of the same opinion, from the fact that he did not order us to go ahead only in our own way. We picked out thirty of the best marksmen in the regiment and sent them ahead as skirmishers. After dark, Co "A" started out noiselessly, and reached the mill with the loss of one man wounded, Lieut. Walling. He was shot through the foot and was obliged to have it amputated at the instep. Co "A" got under the mill and fortified as best as they could, and then I moved out Co "F" and got behind a small house about four rods from the mill and commenced fortifying. Worked all night raising the earth immediately behind the house and extending works from each corner of the house to the rear to protect us from a cross fire. Co "D" soon followed and a portion took possession of a block house and soon dug rifle pits on the banks of the creek. This was the force it was thought prudent to advance that night. The front side of my house was open into the cellar so I put six men in there. At the break of day I took a survey of my situation. It was enough to make the heart sink in despair. The hill that we were to take was in such close proximity and so high that the enemy could look right down into our works. I immediatly started two men with canteens for water. One returned with three canteens amid a perfect hail of bullets. Just as soon as they could draw sight they opened up on us, and before I had time to think, Albert Watson was shot through the head. He never knew what hurt or killed him. He was killed instantly. About the same time, John Grinnel, a private, was shot through both legs. I packed all the boys close to the house and on our knees with spade and pick, we settled ourselves down so that the enemy’s rounds would go overhead. I dug a trench from the center of the house to the rear and laid the wounded man in it. I bound up his wounds with handkerchiefs as best I could and appropriated three canteens ofwater exclusively for his use, knowing that he would lie there eighteen hours at least, as no one could reach or leave us and live. Here we lived the day through, but our suffering and anxiety were greater than during the whole war. Not a drop of water to quench our parched throats, exposed to the rays of the burning sun and every man crouched on his knees and feet, and nothing to eat. I had my ration bag along, but it was set down a little to the rear of our works, consequently there was no way to get it, but when I came to examine its contents, I found my tin plate and tin sugar can perforated with holes, and sugar and coffee and hard bread all mixed together. Well, the three companies fired away the best they could all day. My men in the cellar did good execution. More than a thousand bullets riddled my house and as many more in my works, each side. There was not a moments cessation during the day. About sundown, theRebs ceased firing. We banged away, but could get no response. One man ventured out and no one fired upon him. Within twenty minutes we were in their breastworks on top of the hill. The Rebs had skeddadled. We found ten new graves. How many they took away killed and wounded we did not know. We were soon relieved by the 14th Michigan. Now for our casualties. The three companies lost that terrible day, 20 killed and 20 wounded. Lieut. Teal of Co "D" was shot through the head and killed instantly. I cannot give you the names of all. Besides the above names of my company, wounded was Sgt. Bradley, in the hip, Talmon C. Owen, private, in the arms, John Atwell, private, in the breast. I think the wounded will all recover if they have good care. I have not seen nor heard from any of them since the day they were taken to the rear during the fight to the general field hospital. Lieuts. Teal and Watson were buried the same evening side by side under a pine tree near the mill. All Watson’s effects were buried with him. This you will inform his friends and relatives. During the evening received orders to be ready to move at daylight. The next day our regiment was ordered to make reconnaissance to the front and ascertain the whereabouts of the enemy and its strength. That night Gen. Morgan came to the Colonel’s quarters and said he thought we would have a whole day’s rest but alas, how uncertain hopes and calculations of war. Within three hours the bugle sounded "Fall in" and the order was to go to Atlanta."

       Thus ended Hart’s description of the battle of Peachtree Creek.

       And although Capt. Hart was not wounded by the Confederate forces in this epic battle, it was obvious to him that he could no longer perform his duties. He therefore began preparations to resign his commission. His resignation was not accepted right away. He did some recruiting until his time was up in Feb. of 1865. He remained Company Commander of Co "B" until the time of his resignation. His inability and disenchantment with the war were obvious because after the battle of Peachtree Creek until his discharge, a period of seven months, I only have a total of eight letters he wrote to his wife. It was apparent that the day of July 20, 18614, with its intense heat and battle fatigue, had finally caused Hart to reach the limits of his endurance.

       The rest of his involvment and that of the 10th Regiment will conclude the three years he spent in preserving the Union. He spent 4 July 4th’s trying to put down a wicked rebellion and perpetuate the constitution.

Hart Family History

Introduction

Chapter I

Chapter II

Chapter III

Chapter IV

Chapter V

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