Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-08
From the I4th Ohio Battery
CAMP l4rH Ono BATTERY,
MAR KINGSTON, GEORGIA, J
Nav 2lst. 1894.

EDS. CHRoSIcLE:-After a long and te-
dious march of better than 200 miles, the
Battery has halted, fatigued from the ex-
eessive duties of the past twenty days, in
good cheer, safe and sound, and ready for
farther participation in the exciting chase
of the rebel General Johnson's army,
which is now well on its way to Atlanta
st least such is the general impression
among the military. A brief sketch Of
our march from Decatur, Ala, which COM
menced on the lst inst, may not prove
uninteresting, as it was in connection with
the grand, and thus far successful cam
paign of Gen. Sherman. On the I'd we
reached Huntsville, one of the most beau
tiful county towns in the South, surround
ed by q fertile and rich country, and
shows less marks of wars desolation than
any | have thus far visited. At this point
We found General John A. Logan's 18th
army corps had taken the advance of us
for Chattanooga. At an early hour of the
Sd We were on the road, with excellent
weather for marching, fair roads for the
country, yet somewhat rough. On the
4th, at Woodville, the infantry of our
Division. 1.-THE 5th, 10th army corps, were
sent by rail t. Chattanooga, with one
battery. This left US with another bat
terry and an immense wagon train to wend
our way by land. Passing along the line
of the Memphis L charleston Railroad,
we touched at L~orkinsville, Scottsboro and
Bellefonse, the latter being n of desola-
ton. Before the war it had been the
county seat jackson county, with a pop
ulation of some 200, but now it contains
three or four families of Southern refu-
gees. Rebellion has left its mark there,
indelibly stamped. Some one of the boys
remarked that the place had found its
rights. The morning Of the 9th brought
US to Stevenson, and the evening of that
day found US at Bridgeport, but like ali
the other stations, most of the troops had
been drawn away to the front below Chat.
tanocga. The It'll wa consumed in trav'
ersing the rough and rocky army wagon
road which winds through and over the
mountains near the Tenn, river, past
Shell Mound, White Sides, Raocoon
Mountain and the valley bearing the same
queer name. Night brought US to the
foot of Lookout Mountain, in Lookout
Valley, where Hooker performed such
deeds of valor and won bright laurels.-
This was the most severe day. march that
the battery ever experienced, and both
man and beast welcomed the shades OF
evening. Early on the sth We passed
over the point of Lookout, which looms
up to the South. A good wagon road has
been constructed along its side, several
hundred feet above the river. As we
wound around it, the earthworks of the
enemy were to be met at every point,
from which they hurled shot and shell
among our forces when Chattanooga was
being besieged. We halted for a few
hours to the south of the town, where ra-
tons and forage were drawn to supply our
wants in making the trip TO the front
Here we met with our former townsmap
DR.. Woodwork, who appeared as good
natured as in years past. He is in charge
of the officers Hospital, which is situated
on the summit of Lookout-called Sum-
mertown, where he is engaged with his
duties. We were told the 24th were at
this place, but our stay would not admit
of a visit to their camp. Evening found
US at Rossville, six miles to the south of
Chattanooga, where we camped for the
night. Here we had a view of a portion
of Mission Ridge. l need not speak of
this ground and its surroundings, as they
are all fresh in the memory Of your read
ers. Daylight of the 9th found US bound
for the front, in company with other
troops. Crossing the battle field of Chik-
smauga, n can trace the lines Of the
SCARED timber from cannon and musket
shot. In places the battle must have
been terrible. Passing along, n notices
but few graves of our fallen heroes bear
ing any marks to designate who sleeps
there, a a broken limb or piece ofboard.
At one place, on 8 tree, the bark has been
removed, and some friend has written
with red chalk-"Here sleeps l9 of Indi-
ans's heroes" In most cases, the graves
of the enemy are marked by pieces Of
boards at the head, with name and rank
in pencil. With feeling of sadness we
pass to Gordon's Mills, where the battle
commenced, and on to the south through
a desolate country, oyer ridges of the
Mountains, difficult for artillery to trsv-
erse. Soon after noon we arrived beyond
where the camps of both armies have been
SO long maintained, and find the valley
in a high state of cultivation; wheat and
corn looking finely and in abundance
The scenery was beautiful along the line
Of march. the forests blooming in lowell
ness. with their rich foliage, presenting
such a landscape scene Is never found in
Northern forests. Eight o'clock at night
found US encamped on the east side of
Taylor's Ridge, but two miles from Hook.
er's Headquarters. We had travelled rap
idly, making rs miles, being in a region
where the euemy's cavalry were opera.
ting, having passed well to the right Of
Dalton, leaving the column of infantry
cavaral bours hahind Hara ua found our-
selves still some distance from the front,
only n mile from Gordon's Springs, in
times past a celebrated Southern Water
ing place, situated on the eastern slope of
Tayfor's Ridge. The buildings remain.
but look dilapidated. A few miles to our
left is the pass where General Geary's Di-
vision, Hooker's corps. was repulsed to-
day. 1t is called Dug Gap. In attempt