lines and pull away from Resaca. Although Resaca was evacuated, the fighting for the 2nd Iowa was not over. On May 16, the soldiers began moving south towards Rome in pursuit of General Johnston. The 2nd Iowa was deployed as skirmishers and led a successful charge to capture an enemy artillery unit at Rome crossroads. After the conflict at Rome crossroads, the command of the Regiment was placed in the hands of Noel B. Howard because Colonel Weaver did not re-enlist with the rest of the regiment in late 1863. However, Lieutenant Colonel Howard was not immediately promoted to colonel, because the numbers of the 2nd Iowa at this time were lower than that required to make a full regiment, numbering approximately 500 men. The next engagement for the men of the 2nd Iowa would take place in Dallas, Georgia, on May 27–29. The men marched close to the enemy at dusk on the 27th and established trenches and spent the night on the front, preparing for battle the next day. On the 28th, the 2nd Iowa was engaged for a short period of time, holding strong in their positions. However, during the night on the 29th, the Confederate forces launched a surprise attack against the lines that the 2nd Iowa held. After two fierce hours of fighting in the dark, the Confederate forces were turned away, unsuccessful in their efforts. The next day, the 2nd Iowa was placed in the rear of their division and did not fight again until General Johnston was forced from Dallas and made his new line of defense by Kennesaw Mountain. Throughout this time the 2nd Iowa remained under General McPherson, and actively skirmished June 10–30 on the left of the Federal forces. Eventually, Johnston and his army were forced to retreat further south. The Federal forces continued to press him closer to Atlanta. The 2nd Iowa found themselves in front of Atlanta by the middle of July. On July 22, during a skirmish in which the 2nd Iowa captured twenty prisoners and an enemy's stand of colors, General McPherson was killed and Lieutenant Colonel Howard was injured, leaving the command of the regiment in the hands of Major Matthew G. Hamill. The 2nd Iowa's division was now in the command of General Oliver O. Howard. As the Federal forces began surrounding Atlanta, the 2nd Iowa took part in the famous advance on Jonesboro,