Milton Homer Cloud

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 16518

Notes:

On the morning of June 27, 1864, the men of McCook's Brigade found themselves across from Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia. The five Union Regiments of McCook's Brigade were formed in line of battle, one regiment stacked behind the other, the 86th Illinois third in line. It was hoped that this formation would allow the Union Brigade to punch a hole in the Confederate line, each regiment giving some protection to the regiment in back of it. When the signal gun fired, the men of the brigade stepped off and moved down a hill, crossed a small stream and then moved through a wheat field before beginning the climb up Cheatham Hill and the Confederate breastworks toward an angle in the Confederate line that was soon to be called "The Dead Angle." The following assault, which proved to be only partially successful, lasted less than 30 minutes. On the evening of June 27, 1864, Sgt. Levi A. Ross, a member of Co. K of the 86th, wrote the following of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. "Our forces rushed upon the rebels five lines deep and in fifteen minutes were hurled back, by them, leaving 2500 brave Union Soldiers dead within twenty feet of the Enemy's works. The loss in the 86th was 106 -- in our Brig. over 400."
As the men of McCook's Brigade fell back from the Confederate fortifications, they were forced to leave most of their dead and wounded behind. These bodies laid between the lines until the 29th when a truce was called so the Union could bury it's dead because the smell from the decomposing bodies became so horrible, that neither side could stand it any longer. Company G of the 86th had two men killed and eight men wounded during this 30 minute assault. Privates James Small & Amos Shreve were the two Co. G men killed. Their bodies were initially buried there on the field of battle.
On June 30, 1864, as the men of the 86th lay in the trenches not far from the Confederate lines, George W. Ferner, a Private in Co. G of the 86th, wrote the following in a letter home. "Our front lines of breast works is not more than 25 steps from the rebels, they are continually firing at each other, if one stands exposed or shows his head above the works he is sure to be shot at. Well, I must give you the number or loss in the fight that is reported at present. There were 480 killed, wounded and missing in our Bri. 98 in our Reg. and some 15 or twenty that are still able for duty. I got a slight wound in the little finger of the left hand. I will remain with the Co. We had two killed and four wounded in our Co. James Small, Amos Shreive killed. Both from Deer Creek. Geo. Holmes one thumb shot off and severely wounded in the hip. Milton Cloud shot in both legs, Will Criswell thumb shot off and slightly in the side. James Roberts in the head. L. S. North slightly in the face and ear. James Trowbridge slightly in the eye. Madison Corbin slightly in the thumb......"

Buried:
Glen Cemetery

Milton — Alice A Polhemus. Alice was born 26 Mar 1852, Butler, Ohio, USA; died 18 Oct 1916, Paxton, Ford, Illinois, USA; was buried , Paxton, Ford, Illinois, USA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 16520

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 16521

Notes:

Buried:
Glen Cemetery