American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-09-21

l4th were ON the move in the same direc-
tion the enemy took, the 23d and 4th
marching on the left of the railroad, and
the Army of the Tennessee on the right
Meanwhile brigade of pioneers were set
to work destroying the railroad, and see
they have done their work most efectu-
ally.
As our army passed through the woe
begone village of Jonesboro itwas ANUS
ing to witness the vague curiosity of the
few remaining citizens. They seem to
think sure enough we were marching by
Kingdoms They cursed Hood for having
made them believe lie, and admitted
that the rebel army was, to say the least,
terribly demoralized One old lady de-
clared as our flag passed by her door, it
was the first time in, her life she had ever
seen the Stars and Stripes. Another ex-
pressed great surprise at being able to un-
derstand the Yankee tongue-she had
been pursuaded that the Northern army
was made upentirely offoreigners. Poor,
deuded people, | hope this broad streak
we are making through their country will
let a little light into their benighted un-
derstandings,
About two o'clock this afternoon the
advance of the 18th Corps came up with
the enemys rearguard A half an hour
later and this corps was, together with one
brigade of the 10th, drawn up in line of
battle, in an opening ON the right of the
railroad, and preparations were being made
to charge line of works which the enc
my occupied on the brow of an uneven
ridge half mile beyond. A short ad-
vance was made, which served to fully
develope the enemy's position and force,
but it was found we could not afford to
take the works at the sacrifice it would
cost, so we simply held our advanced posi-
tion in the center, and kept up desul-
tory fire to hold the enemy's attention
Meanwhile the 4th Corps was brought
up in line of battle on the left of the rail
road, and ordered to advance ON the enc
my's right in order to develope his posi-
ton.
Newton's division, occupying the right,
rested on the road, while Woods in the
center and Kimball's on the left swung
round on the rebel flank. About four
o'clock, Kneffer's brigade of Woods, and
Gross of KimbalPs division, made a
charge on the outer lines Of the enemy's
works. Unfortunately, however, the
ground, ,over which they had to pass was
very broken, and in some places swampy
and thickly wooded. Owing to this our
line was thrown into disorder; Kneffer
advanced too far, and receiving the brunt
of the enemy's fire, was compelled to fall
back with considerable loss, especially in
officers. Gross held his position until it
was fully ascertained that the enemy was
in force on this side of Gaines Greek; ;
and the object of the movement being at
tanned the whole line was gradually drawn
back. The fact was established also that
Hood, with Stewards corps and the re-
mainder of his demoralized militia, had
already joined on IIardees right
During the engagement Gen. Wood
was wounded while riding along the line
All this time our artillery were playing
on the'enemy's position, and keeping up
that internal roaring which gives more
dignity to the assailant than danger to the
assailed.
Darkeess has already set in, but those
deepmouthed dogs of war are still howl
ing, and their sulphurous breath hangs in
wreaths over the opposing armies.
Though the work of this afternoon has
seemingly been only feeler," yet we
have added large number to our list of
prisoners, which will bring it up to about
three thousand. Sragglers and deser
ters are being brought in every hour.
Our firing tonight is what the enemys
was last-a ruse The expedition has at
length reached its ultima Huie. The
campaign is closed in its results, the most
momentous of the war Hood, the cock
ney " Field Marshal" instead of holding
Atlanta "at all hazards, has not only
evacuated the place, but what is by far
more important, has his, army cut in two,
and stampeding in different directions.
The following special order by General
Sherman has just been read to the yari-
Gus commands:
"The General commanding announces
with great pleasure thst our troops, under
Major General Slocum, occupied Atlanta
! yesterday at II o'clock A. NJ, the enemy
having evacuated the night before, des-
troyng vast magazines and stores, and
blowing up among other things eighty car
loads Of ammunition, which accounts for
the sounds heard by us on the night of
the lst inst; our present task is therefore
well done, and all work of destruction on
the railroad will cease"
As this order was read to the troops
cheer after cheer rolled up along the lines,
and the boys, although marching or fight
ing almost constantly the last five days,
were in better spirits and seemingly less
fatigued than on the day we started.
ATLANTA, September 4.
Just four days ago, when twenty-five
miles from Atlanta, on the Macon rail-
road we heard rumbling noise-like
vollies of artillery, if such a thing is con-
ceivable, and all eyes were turned back
toward the Gate City of the South. The
truth Immediately flashed upon us that
it was an explosion of ammunition, and
we knew that it meant no harm for us.
The next day Gen Sherman received of
fetal information that Hood had eyacua-
a. Al oz...s.,