, 1864-06-17
ATTAIN
Description Of the City and its
Surroundings.

VCat1 AplVu Va S~~ 3S~ ~T
Surroundings.
The Defenses-Johnston's Army-The
Markets = Crops fooial Life
Condition Of the Peopls-The
Hotels-Future Prospects.
I'VE have received the following facts rela:-
tive to Atlanta and the surrounding country,
from very Intelligent Northern gentleman,
who has lately made his escape from that
place. How he succeeded In getting through
the rebel lines It would be manifestly impo1-
itic to state, and the same reasons apply to
the suppression Of his name. His state
meuts may be implicitly relied upon, and we
give them as he has furnished them to us.
-EDs.l
DESCRIPTION OF A7LANrA.
As seen from Stone Mountain. vast ele-
vation Of granite sixteen miles northeast,
Atlanta appears situated upon large plain,
butas the observer descends from this giddy
height and travels in the direction Of either
point of the compass. his progress is OBJ
structed by sharp "pitches'' and narrow
"1avines," through many OF which flow
small 1ivn1ets. To such an extent Is this the
character of the surface, that scarcely an
acre OF level ground can be found in the lin.
its of the city.
The soil, where there Is any, is light and
sandy, with eubs-ratum Of red clay. Othe
portions are gravelly and sterile. The most
Of the country is still covered with heayy
growth Of timber. This description holds
good until you pass few miles north of
Marietta, twenty-one miles north Of Atlanta,
including Dallas, lying little northwest of
Marietta. A few miles north of this runs
the Alatoona Mountains. North and parallel
runs the ottawa River. From there to Dali
ton the surface Is less broken and constitutes
the best grim and grazing portion OF Geor-
gia. CaBs county Is said to be the wealthieBt
In the State.
When the writer passed through this conn
try no army had invaded 1t, yet It looked
desolate and forsaken. Not half the land is
under cultivation Fences and buildings are
going to decay. In all the little towns the
stores ind hotels are closed. Travel from
morning until night and you will not sec a
mnn, save some greyheaded grandfather.
Husband aud sons have all gone to tho war.
Nothing remains to be seen but old women
and children, many Of them plowing in the
field. and NIL fearful tbat they shall not be
able to harvest the wheat they have planted.
Most Of their servants had been run off since
planting time to southwestern Georgia for
fear they might, Of their own accord, run the
other wny, I presume their crops ere this
how n11 h0 lint
Johnston left Sherman has taken.
ATLANTA.
The city is laid out in circle, two miles
in diameter, In the center Of which is the
passenger depot, from which radiate rail-
roads to every quarter Of the Confederacy.
On the north side Of the depot Is park, en-
closed and ornamented with trees and flower
ing shrubs. Opposite the three vacant sides
are situated the three principal hotels. In
the business portion Of the city are many
1iue blocks Of buildings. Before the war
these were mostly filled with consignments
Of goods from the large cities Of the North
and Northwest for the supply Of the cotton
regions. Now the city Is one vast Govern
ment Btorehouse. Here are located the ma
chine shops OF the principal railroads; the
moet extensive rolling mill In the South,
foundries, pistol and tent factories, &C., &c.
In addition, the Government have works for
cartridges, caps, shoes, clothing, &C., &c.
DEFETsEs or ATLANTA.
EncfrclinC the city is line Of riae-pIts
nine miles In length and about thirty Inches
high, upon slight emiucnces. At nearly reg.
nlar intervals there nre planted twelve Or
fourteen batteries said to be mounted with
condemned guns! The Notifications were
constructed as defence from Tnids, and for
the year past have been manned With a small
F. = IT, t.1$ 15rr ~
Johnston WILL attempt to make stand In
the city.
CONDITION OF TIE CIT.
In 1850 Atlanta contained 5000 inhab1-
tants, increased since by refugees and Gov
ernment officials to at least 10000 As the
route from any one point Of the Confedcraey
to any other naturally leads through Atlanta,
diers and drays, Sundays not excepted. The
only exception vas few weeks since, when
Gen. Johnston sent Gen. Wright, with two
regiments, down to "clean them ont"
Those Wright did not get, the conscript
officer took, including all males without dis
tlnction from seventeen to fifty years Of age.
He detailed some farmers, mechanics, crip-
provided they gave bonds and security to
give to the Government a certain quantity
Of bacon to the hand, and to sell all their
surplus produce to the Government at q
stipulated price; mechanics were to work on
Government contracts or for parties having
contracts cripples and invalids for Quarter
masters clerks and guard duty.
SUPPLIES AND adARKETs.
The planting of cotton is prohibited by
law, and on this cotton land they have raised
for the two years past unusually heavy crops
Of corn. The slaves from all the adjoining
States have been run into Southwestern
Georgia and new land opened, ofwhich there
is Jet IN endless tract, and the quantity of
corn raised has seemed to be endless, Not
withstaoding the supply was abundant, there
hnR been much suffering in districts where
crops were short for want Of transportation,
and many from the northern sections Of
Georgia have taken their children and tray
eled south in search Of food for fear Of stary-
Ing ere food could reach them at their homes.
There is State aud county fund for the sup
port of soldiers families, but 1t il made
quate to their support.
The iaboring classes do not receive wages
IN proportion to the cost Of subsistence,
thus causlng much suffering.
The following is list of prices paid by
the writer for articles purchased in Apri1: