The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-08-18
THE SIEGE OF ATLANTA.


Eetter from General HRzen Severe
T,Osses Of the Rebel Nrmy--w why Atlanta
~ not Assaulted-smpOrtanC or Sher-
mans Campaign.
The following interesting letter from General
Hazen, brave and Intelligent officer, appears in
the Cleveland (Oho) Leader. It was written to
friend, who furnished portions Of il for publi-
eaticn
"NENR ATLANTA Ga, August ,, 1864. The
campaign is running to its fourth month, with
scarcely day but large portion Of the com-
mand is under fire. Ny losses in killed and
wounded are already over a thousand, but this is
no fair proportion Of the losses Of our army, as
the fates have, as usual, put me In warm places.
"Win the people keep up their pluck and fight
the thing out Il all depends upon their stead
fastness Of purpose. II Richmond does not fall
sooner, the army Of the West will finally make
its way 10 the back door. Ii none Of the eastern
Rebel army comes here, we will wear this one
out before the close OF the season, and 10 Is but
matter Of time when the entire force OF the
enemy must waste away. VIII the people hold
OUT
HEAVY losses or THE REBELS.
"Johnston's veteran army, by his Off 'ial report
June 2j, contained l6 CPS arns-bcarng men
including 6f3l Of NhcCler's Cavalry. They have
host since that time 5000 prisoners, and in their
three assaults upon our works. since arriving in
front Of this place, at least 10000 men. They
have received from Mississippi 5000, and are
receiving from Governor Browns proclamation
about 5000 militia. This gives them to-day an
army Of abou, 2jOOO veterans and 5000 militia
$4,000 in all.
"These figures are substantially correct The
hope of being reinforced by Kirby Smith is nc
last given up. Aiter exhaustng the militia of
Alabama and Eastern Mississippi, which may
amount TO ten thousand more, If they have the
power to force them out I cannot for my life
see how the enemy can make up the wastage Of
their army.
al know the Rcbe' army when it was joined by
Polk, Just before the light at Rcsaca, WAS
seyenty.One thousand strong. This included
Polk, and, beside the additions before mentioned
il has received brigade lIarting's) of at least
three thousand from Mobile. This gives the
enormous loss to them, since the camp tgn, OF
6fty-two thousand men. What possible chance is
there for these thirty. three thousand now before
us These figures may seem eNaggeratiOnS, but
they are not-they are realities; and when IL is
remembered that we have taken twelve thousand
prisoners, have had no less than twelve engage
ments, where from one to three corps have been
III battle, with the ordinary desertions and losses
from disease, the iitty-twO thousand is readily
made up. What will hinder the daily attrtOn Of
the next three months from completing the over
throw OF the foe before US
WHY ATLANTA Is NOT ASSAULTED.
'You will say, perhaps, why not assault so con-
temptbc foe and put him out of his misery 1t
once The art of war here is no longer a chance
matter. Both armies convey a full supply of
intrenching tools, and 10 forces on either side
ever rest till they have before them complete
line OF works strong enough to resist the heaviest
field ordnance, with distractions in the front in
the way of abatis, palisades, and iutrenchments,
that puts the matter Of an assault quito out OF the
question. l think the battle of Chickamauga on
the left taught both armies the value OF these
works. No assault by either side in this cam
paign has been successful. 1t would surprise you
TO see how quickly and willingly these men con-
struet their works. None appreciate their value
more truly.
IMPORTANCE or THE CAMPAIGN.
1--WE are losing some good officers and, Of
course, some men; but wish all could under
stand how vitally this campaign is striking the
Rebellion. Did you read Governor Browns pro-
clamatiOn calling ont the militia and detailed
men There was no bossoming palmetto about
that but plain and open groan, showing clearly
how deep the travel of our army is moving down
npon the tender places of the Confederacy.
"You know, OF course, that Johnston has been
relieved by Hood, man Of just half his ability.
Gossip has it that his GoyernmeH. was dissatisfied
with his continued retreating, and sought man
who believed their army could check us. HUrdce
is sad to have been of JOhnstons opinion; that
the endeayOr 10 hold Atlanta would be the de-
struction Of the army. Hood was then proilered
the command and accepted the task.
"He has commenced well has already assaulted
us three times, we being behind our works, and
losing in all nine thousand five hundred, while
they are known 70 have lost twenty thousand,
81 have never believed that the above was the
tue reason for the change, but that Johnston was
taken east to assist in planting a column in Penu-
sylvania. He knows that country thoroughly.
" is the theatre Of his first operations in 1861.
Besides, next to Bragg, he is the first general in
the army in point of military ability.
"The greatest victory for them-greater than
nifty Manassases, and the only one that can give
them particle Of hope-will be to defeat the
war party at the incoming campaign. Ii they
can by any possibility keep their army in the
field, no matter whether victorious or not, and
little before election place a strong army upon
the soil OF a free State, with fair sho Of diplo-
macy upon their part, carelessly met by us, then
let the question go flat before the people-'peaCe
or war and who can tell what will be the re-
suit Of last three years of blood aud victory
l fear hing in Ohio. Our first great battle
must t the ballot-bOX, and the war power
must sustained at all hazards"