American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-08-10

the march went rapidly on for about three
miles when it began to become apparent
that we were approaching the forces Of
/ the enemy. As early as 10 o'clock the
whole force of the 23d, was halted in the
road to prevent the advance from being
thrust into trap, while skirmish firing
was gradually growing more brisk and
| spiteful at a considerable distance on eth
er side of the road. 1t is no longer the
| fugacious cavalry, which had been before
them for the past few days, but the stub
born Rebel infantry who are enoireling
Atlanta, and propose to fight us face to
face.
The direction of the road where the
Rebels were first encountered was about
southwest; the Rebels appeared to have
their line formed running north and south,
consequently our skirmish line formed an
angle with the road about forty-fve de-
grees. The Rebels were formed first al
ong little ridge which ran about paral-
lei to their genial line, and from thisthey
were driven back, after a sharp contest,
down across n hollow and part way up a
slope Of another ridge about three quar-
ters of mile from the first This last.
ridge is probably TIE approach to the
somewhat elevated plateau on which the
city is built, is about three miles from the
centre of it, and was evidently considered
by the Rebels as of great Importance to
them, since they so obstinate il hold
ing it.
By retaining this, they keep us on a
lower level than they occupy, and can
employ artillery upon US with advantage.
Our cannon were brought up and got
into position rather leisurely, one section
after another, as it became apparently the
Rebels did not intend to fall back at once.
but still without any considerable effect
Their skirmish line was only driven back
little closer upon the reserve, enabling
us, in some places, to approach sufficient
ly near to discover a bristling line of ri
ile-pits. The great difficulty was to deter
mine their real strength-whether there
were heavy masses of men lurking be-
hind those pits or whether it was only
show and stratagem to gain time and
give us trouble.
The probable great importance to the
Rebels of this ridge, however, decided
our Generals that there were doubtless
too many men over there to render it adj
yisable to make a headlong charge on up
known ground. More artillery must be
employed, and their strength must be de-
yeloped if possible.
THE EXTREMI. LETT.
Occasional heavy discharges ofartillery
could be heard three or four miles down on
the left, which were without doubt, play
ingon the Rebels from thecJmmand off el.
Mcpherson. They did not indicate any
thing more serious than lively skirmish-
ing.
At ! o'clock, he reported by courier
that his command was driving everything
before it along the railroad and was with
in two miles and half Of Atlanta. This
brought him within range of the siege
guns, which, if we are to believe the re-
ports of desercers, scouts, and prisoners,
the Rebels have planted, commanding all
the approaches Of the city.
JUNCTION WITH THE RIGHT.
About noon Gen. Towards corps had
come up on the right so that it opened
communications with the 23d and soon
after, having gained partial possession of
the ridge spoken Of above, caused the
Rebels to abandon his front and turn their
attention toward the 23d.
BY this time the skiunish line was full
ly developed along the entire front Of the
two divisions Of which Gen Cox's was
on the right, and Gen Hascall's on the
left As it was advanced forward TO-
ward the ridge occupied by the Rebels,
the firing grew steadily in volume, and
continued until it formed one almost un-
broken rattle all along the line but par
ticularly in front of ca Cox's division.
and continued with little intermission all
through the bright moonlight of the
night. Our forces threw up works to
protect themselves from attack, as it had
become apparent that there would be no
further advance that day an d was well
known that the new Rebel commander.
Hood, was much more inclined to make
charges than his predecessor had been
LOSSES.
The losses for the day in the 23d Corps
may have amounted to 70 men. Among
them were Lieut.. Woodward of the 11th
Ohio, seriously wounded and Orderly
Sergeant Origin Adams, Campany d.
10th Ohio killed The loss of the lat
ter was deeply felt by his regiment, as
he had by his energy and good 'soldierly
qualities, steadily raised himself from the
ranks, and had become a universal favor
lite. His commission as Lieutenant had
been made out and forwarded, but he had
not yet arrived.
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HGg@ a Bedford county correspon-
dent writes us that the copperheads