New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-21
Crossing of the Chni,aboochee.
Extract from a Private Letter.


Crossing Of the Cbnt,aboochee.
Extract from Private Letter.
4 member of Gen. Coxs staff sd DIVISION,
29d Army Corps writing to his brother in this city
under date Of July TO- says:
Since my last, written upon the 4th' We have been
the move almost constantly. First fron the extreme
right Of the army 10 the extreme left We lay in camp
two days. On the sth Gen. sherman determined
TO effect crossing ii possible across the Chattahoo-
chez and from the whole army our division was the
chosen TO take the lead and force the river How
well we succeeded the story viii tell for. ITSELF
AT o'clock in the morning our division was under
arms. and before moving past the cavalry on the
flank, and making rapidly for the river. Scarcely a
sound was heard among the whole 5000 men, the
steady tramp, tramp We marched altogether out Of
sight. Whenever the road was ut all exposed view
we would turn OF through TIE woods. So marched
for several hours until We arrived behind the ridges
running along the river Then we massed the troops
keeping them al the while out Of sight from the other
side Of the river and giving strict orders that
should leave his place. build FIRE 10 cook by make
any unnecessary noise
Between the river and the ridge which were be-
hind there is a wide piece Of botomland Over this
advance could be made without coming in full view OF
the Rebels across the river. So troops formed
entirely behind the ridges, aud about quarter Of IL
mile from the river bank.
After having secretly examined the ground and de-
terinincd upon our plans, the troops were put into
position 70 commence operations. ono brigade was
sent I'D the river about half mile TO Try to cross on
an old fshdam by wading. Another was marched to
the mouth Of a creek under cover q wood.
strong skrmish line formed e aud left to cover their
movements when ordered forward. The other three
brigadcs were on the road e 10 tho rear ready TO
push forward whenever We were prepared fJr them.
Tie ponioon train was then got up and the ponoons
made ready to launch in the creek. Everything We
then ready TO start and only word from the Gen.
eral and thousands Of were 10 rush headlong 10
death and destruction OF victory; for well know had
we failed. hardly a Of would be alive today
The brigade furtlcst up the river made tie lrst
advance Fifty strong hearts were chosen 10 lead The
slirmshcrs across tho dam Ia they dashed up 10
tcr arms in the water ard aTay for the other bank
The enemy we're completely taken by surprise and fired
but few shots. They evidently not expecting tie
Yankees in any tucl quarter aud they dis
charged their loads ran for their lives Consequent!
tai. brigade crossed with llide trouble The pIinCip'
movement however was at i,e mouth % the creek ard
over which the General was personally experimenting
A. soon 90 We heard that tie gade above had started
orders were given for the krmshes 10 advance acros'
tie bottom Land and occupy the brush On the river
bank. and at the same tine 10 launch ne ponoons into
the creek and float ,hom out into Tie river loaded with
men 10 cross over As quick 49, FASH without any hes
tafou o Thousand inon akrinisAers started % thc
"dohblc quick across the hat. and completely suT
priscd the enemy again in this iront Our men were
on the river bank before the enemy seemed to know
s,r. fir- {. h. nd NJ
gave us good advantage. vo!ey after yoicy Vas q
changed The ar'll,Fy thuudercd forth with snch "a
pilty that other sounds were completely drowned The
Rebels Lad hut gun ard when oui four or Eve Bat
tere. opened they there hope for them.
Our pontoous put out A. iast they could be- loaded
and pooled across ihe river hud thoy landed on the
other side cheer upon cleeF would ring through ile
air that made Va III feel that sure A. inst
as they got over. the would form md charge up
the ILL., and IN less an hour three brigade. hid crossed
and held the ridge above the river As soon a. tie
crossing was secured the pontoons put down. and
by midnight We had two bridges over the river and or
whole division behind b.castwork. ready TO bold gast
any numbers our crossing Of the Chat,ahoochee.
"1ho result Of the days work sums up about thus
One iopouuder brass gun capinred turned Joe John
stons flank secured crossing for tie whole army
IN'f lIti douNrtNh ahi We htftf t"lu NI'N ''h'4'
ourselves all over with glory and. What was be'i Of All
lost but very few men.
we are now encamped Oh the srith bank OF he
Cha'ahoochee and have ,he pleasantest headquarters
we have lad since fret put foot on Georgia soil.
last night We al took Saturday nights wash in
the CLa,tahoochee. II Wa splendid. for army use
though IN civilization We would call II ahOmiDfblc
Rather strong rapid current ana one can't help being
f.
unRasbed for two weeks in fhls hot country too one
woud hardly have the heart 10 find fault with tie
alisators.T
The Passage Of the Cbntfsboos i,ee -- he tails
Of the Operations.