Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-07-06
Army Correspondence.

Army correspondence.
CAMP Doth o. V. l., BIG SHANTY
STATION, GA, June 18th, 1864.
EDS. CHRoNIcLE:-Thinking a letter
from the front might be interestiong to
your loyal readers, write again. The
larger portion of our corps, (l7th, COM
manded by Maj. Gen. F. P. Blair, left
Cairo, May llth, came to Clifton, Tenn,
by steamboat, rested the l4th and 18th.
On the 10th, we started on the long march
to find Gen. Sherman's main command.
We marched to this place via Huntsville
and Decatur, Ala, crossed two ranges Of
mountains this side of Decatur, forded
six large streams, and many small ones,
arriving at this Station, June 10th, rest
ing only four days during the whole time.
Distance from Clifton, 800 miles. The
health of the troops on this march, was
exceeding good. One cause of this was
the excellent springs in the southern part
of Tenn, and northern part of Ala, and
in this State we have the best water we
have ever found while in the South. l
will not trouble you with description of
the country, but there were may scenes
of interest, especially to the geologist.
all along the rout. On the morning of
the 10th of June, our corps on the left of
the whole army, advanced with the main
army from Acworth, miles from here,
came up with the enemy within three
miles of Lost Mountain. Skirmishers
were sent out and before dark the enemy
were driven back one mile, they having
great advantage in the ground. In the
morning our regiment was detailed to
guard the division train. At night the
teams were correlled within one mile of
the enemy's line, near the Station, at
which place we are now guarding the
correll and hospital department Of the
corps The Army of Tenn, that is on the
left of the R. R., and on the left of Sher-
mans command, consists of the 18th
corps on the left, commanded by Blair,
the 10th corps in the center, commanded
by Dodge, and the 18th corps on the
right, commanded by John A Logan; the
three commanded by Maj. Gen. McPher-
son. This wing of the army is working
against Lost Mountain. Since the morn
ing of the 11th, there has been almost
continued clatter of cannon and musket-
ry all along the line; nothing but heavy
rains and dark nights have kept from our
ears the noise of battle. Gradually adj
vancing our skirmish line, and building
earthworks, and occasionally charging,
having been the policy of our Generals.
For three successive nights since it has
been moonlight, about ten o'clock, des-
perate charges have been made, the re-
suit of which, has been to find our lines
farther advanced, three or four hundred
yards each time, and one thousand pris-
oners in our possession. The result of
the 7 days fighting in the Army of the
Tenn, our lines advanced three miles,
our men at the foot of Lott Mountain,
the capture of 1900 prisoners. The Army
of the Cumberland in the center, consists
of the 18th corps on the left, 4th corps
in the center, 20th corps on the right,
commanded by Major Gen. Thomas
This department has advanced finely, but
the obstacles to be overcome are not as
much and they are few hundred yards
ahead of Gen. Mcpherson. The Army OF
the Ohio, on the right, consists of but tone
very large corps, 1.-THE 2Sd, } and is com
manded by Gen. Schofeld. This depart.
ment, with Thomas regiment, have adj
vanced over Pine Mountain. Everything
is working finely, and in few days we
will be able to march over the Mountain
and into Marietta, and we believe there
is nothing to hinder our advance to At
lanta, when we are over these mountains
We are now "a miles from Atlanta by
dirt road, and % by R. R. You may
look for forward movement in a few
days. On the 10th of June, A. NJ, the
rebel train went out from this Station
Our men built very long bridge across
the Ettowah, near Gainesville, in foul
DAYS, and the 18th of June, 2, P. M, oul
train run into this Station, and from two
to four trains have come in daily. W.
have plenty Of rations, and get mail daily
All is quiet along the line, to-day, excep
once in a while the roar of the cannon i
heard. There has been torrents OF rair
pouring upon us since daybreak thi
morning. l weuld write more, but re
frain for various reasons. Address as above
but remember to direct to the Division
and Corps to which your letters are going
d G. J. BUSSEY.