The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-07-14
Battle Of Kennesaw Mountain.

~ hfc E"HoF ~ hte tffes.
The telegraph has given us some account
of the battle on the 20th ultimo, near Ken
nesaw NJ, but the Union losses were much
exaggerated, and the results moderated. 1t
appears that We succeeded in gaining a posi-
ton, which enabled us subsequently to dis
lodge the enemy from our font, and ultimate
ly to gain the possession OF Marietta and the
banks of the Chattahoochee.
From correspondent upon the staff OF
Gen. Howard | have been able to gather
some particulars OF the engagement. especial
~ Of the part taken by Howards 4th Corps.
PICKET FIRING.
In the forenoon of the Goth, our troops
were only skrmishing; e. the picket lines
In front Of the works of both armies were
trying to get any advantage possible, and
shooting at each other as briskly as they were
able-every man trying to get out OF sight
himself, but TO shoot one of the enemy II an
opportunity offered. Sometimes they get SO
interested in this engaging work, that they
think far less of covering themselves than
diScocei'ing the enemy, aud for this reason,
uiViO aic pioodVif shOl thau NOutu otneTWise
be the case.
THE ATTACK.
AT O'Clock p. NJ ScufIield on the extreme
right was ordered TO cross Moses Creek in
his front. The right Of Howard's Corps, as
also Hooker's Corps had gone across. The
rest OF the army was ordered to demonstrates
with artillery to attract the enemy's attention.
Howard took advantage of this demonstra-
ton, and ordered Gen. Stanley to take hill
in his front, held by the enemy. 1t was inn
portant, because liable to be oceupied by the
rebel artillery, and it was a commanding po-
sition. When our artillery had opened along
the whole length of the line. Whittaker's
Brigade charged up the hill, climbing crags
aud rocks, upon every one of which were
posted the enemy, driving the rebels, captur-
ing their rifle pits and many prisoners. Re-
Inducements from the 4th Corps were rapidly
pushed up, the hill was quickly fortified, so
that when the enemy had formed and made
counter charge with three lines. they were
hurled back with terrible slaughter by our
well directed and tremendous storm of rifle
and three times We're driven back with SINH.
lar results. My correspondent, who has been
in fifteen pitched battles, says he never heard
the rebels yell louder, charge more iuriously,
and never go tumbling back in greater confu-
sion, after the first charge. Another hill, not
20 high, on the left, was taken by Kirby's
Brigade OF Scoiield's Corps, but Kirby, not
being supported was forced to abandon his
position, but As the hill taken by Howard's
Corps commands il, we can render it too
warm for the rebels at any time. Ny cores
pondent was frequently 10 pretty warm places
and he says that the effect was rather demor-
dliziig, otherwise be received no harm.
LOSSES.
The entire loss OF Towards Corps will
not exceed 200, instead of 1000, as reported
10 the papers. Hooker's and Schoheld's loss
es will be proportionalely smaller than was
first supposed. The entire loss in killed
wounded and missing will not reach 900, of
which 400 are missing from Hookers Corps.
ARTILLERY.
The artillery lighting is described as truly
magnificent. When the rebel batteries upon
Kenaesaw aud the hills adjoining wonld open
upon our troops, Il Ulion guas would belch
out upon them in such style as to silence
them after two or three rounds. This en-
gagement took place about three miles from
Marietta, and the hills taken that day, render
ed ihe capture of that town practically GER
tain. From Mluettl, the road TO Atlanta
will probabl J be not SO "hard Y trabble."
July is, 1864. CAr.HASeF.