Page:Journal history of the Twenty-ninth Ohio veteran volunteers, 1861-1865.djvu/116

 simultaneous fire on Little Kenesaw mountain. Directly in front of our regiment and across the creek, which flows along the base of the mountain, is level ground. At this point is situated a block-house and rifle-pits, the latter between the house and mountain, and both now held by rebel sharpshooters, who were continually picking off our cannoniers. General Geary, evidently contemplating an advance of his line, called for twenty volunteers from the Twenty-ninth regiment to dislodge these troublesome occupants of the block-house and rifle-pits. In response to this call two men from each company came quickly forward, and at once advanced across the creek and ravine. The rebels soon discovered the detachment; and opened fire upon it. Sergeant Griswold, of Company B, in command, rapidly advanced his men up the rise of open ground lying between him and the enemy, and with a rush amidst a perfect storm of bullets, closed on the rifle-pits, capturing all who remained in them.

We now approach the rear of the block-house and demand its surrender. The rebel lieutenant in command exclaimed from the window of the house: "You d—d yanks, take us if you can!" and immediately opened fire. The door of the house is soon battered down, and the rebels attempt to cut their way out. Finding themselves covered by nearly a score of rifles, aimed by determined men, all, with the exception of the rebel lieutenant and one other, threw down their arms and surrendered. The rebel officer fired on the captors and lost his life by his rashness. We had now a total of twenty-one prisoners. Several others were killed or badly wounded. The former were sent at once to the rear, and the little force deployed along the road to hold the position until reinforcements should arrive. How