1
Company H 5
Company E 1
Company K 1
--
Total 16

The night after the battle of Jonesboro an explosion of a tremendous
character was heard in the direction of Atlanta, for the enemy were
evacuating it and burning their magazines.

The disheartened and disorganized forces of the enemy now exerted all
their energies to complete a successful withdrawal, and save themselves
from utter annihilation. One wing of Hood's army fled precipitately
down the Macon railroad, and the other retreated along the Augusta
road.

Thus was Atlanta evacuated on the night of the 1st of September, after
so long a period of time. Remaining a few days in the vicinity of
Jonesboro, the 3rd brigade was put in charge of the prisoners and sent
with them to Atlanta on the 4th. It kept a jealous eye to its charge,
conducting them to the desired place with undue rapidity. The day was
hot and water scarce. Many of the boys under their heavy loads gave out
and laid down to rest. Rebel and Yank laid down together, and as best
they could followed up after they had become rested.

The blame of this unmasterly march was laid to Colonel Langley, who was
then in command of the brigade, Colonel Dillworth having been wounded
in the late battle. When the command arrived in Atlanta, not more than
one-half the men were with it, being left tired and worn out along the
wayside. Many of the prisoners might have made their escape, for all
were huddled and mixed up in all manner of ways.

There was much sympathy expressed by the citizens of Atlanta towards
these prisoners as they were marched and counter-marched through
several of the principal streets of the city. Weeping and moaning and
lamentation was the principal order of the occasion. The prisoners were
finally put in the "bull-pen," and the brigade permitted to go into
camp. We were now in the great city for the first time, that place for
which we had so long fought and labored to possess. It had been much
impaired by the bombardment, the effects of our heavy guns being
discernible in various parts. Thus ended the great campaign against
Atlanta--the Gate City of the South--after one hundred and twenty days
of the most trying scenes through which an army ever passed. During
this time we were under the almost continual fire of the enemy,
amounting to little else than an incessant battle. The Eighty-sixth
Regiment was in eight reg