KOLB'S FARM, Engagement at. After the action at Pine Mountain (q.v.), 15 June 1864, General Sherman closed in on the Con federate army defending Marietta and the rail road south to the Chattahoochee, and began the extension of his lines to the right. The Con federates made a corresponding move to the left, and on the night of the 21st Hood's corps of two divisions, Hindman's and Stevenson's, moved from the right, near the railroad north of Mariettta, to the Marietta and Powder Springs road, near Zion Church, about four miles southwest of Marietta and a mile east of Kolb's farm. Hood now occupied the extreme left of the Confederate line, and had been in structed by Gen. J. E. Johnston to endeavor to prevent any progress of Sherman's right toward the railroad, the course of which was nearly parallel to the Confederate left and centre, and which was seriously menaced by Hooker's and Schofield's corps. On the morn ing of the 22d Schofield had advanced one division, Hascall's, on the road from Powder Springs Church to Marietta, with orders to take position on Hooker's right, near Kolb's house. Hooker, in going to the right and for ward, reached to the Marietta road at Kolb's, and made connection with Hascall's division. Williams' division, massed by brigades, held Hooker's right, Geary's division was on the left of Williams and Butterfield's division was further to the left on the line of Howard's Fourth corps. Williams and Hascall had very
sharp skirmishing in getting into position, and from prisoners taken of Hood's corps it was learned that Hood, supported by Hardee, was about to attack, upon which both Williams and Hascall were ordered to deploy their divisions, and they threw up breastworks, Hascall in heavy woods and Williams, for the greater part, on open, commanding ground, giving good positions for artillery. The deployment had not been completed and but few breastworks had been thrown up when, about 5 P.M., Hood made his attack. As he advanced from the woods which had sheltered him and concealed his line, his right was met by a terrific fire of shell, case-sliot and canister that tore great gaps in the line and partially broke up his formation; but he pressed on and, coming under still closer canister fire and deadly volleys of musketry, was repulsed after a most desperate struggle of less than an hour. The attack fell upon the divisions of Williams and Hascall, Williams losing only 130 killed and wounded and Has call a less number. Hood's loss was 1,012 killed and wounded and about 100 missing. Consult 'Official Records' (Vol. XXXVIII) ; Cox, J. D., 'Atlanta' (New York 1882) ; John ston, J. E.., 'Narrative of Military Operations' (New York 1874).