Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-08-06

,.itv of Atlanta. This is of course measured
from the railroad bridge. The river runs
generally southwest. Our army was advanc
Ing along the line of the Atlanta & Western
Railroad, in southeast direction. little
north Of east from the city, fifteen miles in
straight line, is Stone Mountain, near the
base of which rises stream called Peach
Tree Greek, deep and difficult to cross. The
general direction Of-this creek is west, it
eutering the ChattahoOchee just above the
railroad bridge The creek forms nearly a
right angle with the river, anc within that
angle lies Atlanta. The city then was de-
tended by the ChattahoOchee on the west and
the Peach Tree Greek on the north. This
peculiar conformation of the streams was ia
ken advantage of by the rebel leaders; and
when they fell back across the ChattahoOchee,
they arranged their lines along the two sides
Of this angle. The apex of the angle Is at
the railroad bridge. From that point the re-
bel line ran southwest along the Atlanta side of
the river, and directly east and west along
the Peach Tree Creek.
The problem now presented to our COM
mauders was this: Ought they to force a
passage across the river, in the face of the
enemy, at some point or points south of the
railroad bridge, and advance upon Atlanta
from the west and south-upOn which sides,
~ Fiuer being crossed, il was comparatively
defenseless; or should they throw their
troops over the river north of the bridge,
where thew were likely to meet with little or
no opposition, and thence march upon the
rebel defences south of Peach Tree Greek /?
Taking the first course was to perform what
! always considered one of the most difficult
achievements in warfare, namely, TO cross a
yrsQt riuer Ia The face Of a foe. The second
course involved another exceedingly danger
ous undertaking-tEe fighting Of a great battle
eth riUeT Just ~ The rear. 1t was finally
concluded, however, to risk the second alter
native-a conclusion which reflects great
honor upon our generalship, and was fully
justified BY two considerations: First, our
superiority in numbers over the enemy made
the danger of fighting, with the river in our
rear, much less than ordinary, under similar
circumstances; and second, glance at the
map will show that by crossing the Chatta-
hoOchee south of the railroad bridge, we ex-
posed our line of communications whereas,
jv crossing north of it we kept this line COM
pletely covered.
The last of the army, except such portions
a. we're destined to hold our line of commu-
ucatiOns, went over early on the morning of
the 18th of July. 1t was a.very wise arrange
mcnt TO throw the left wing over first; be-
cause the higher UP the river the crossing
.iuy formidable attack from the enemy; and
il was matter of the first Importance to
lave a strong force on the other side, to as
sist, if necessary, the right wing, which was
compelled TO cross much nearer the rebels,
and near the great angle in their lines which
have already described. Besides as we
should, after getting over the river, be Oblig-
ed TO face 20 the right, in order 10 march
southwark upon the rebel works along Peach
Tree Greek, the left wing would be compelled
10 move much further than the right; and
this was an additional reason for its be-
ing first thrown across. The weather was
very fine for military operations, it being
only moderately warm, and refreshing show
ers falling almost every day. For the first
four miles on the southeast side of the Chat
lahoOchee, the country was exceedingly rough
and broken, consisting of hills, ridges and
r4viues, covered with oaks and pines, the
whole resembling the AlatOOna Mountains.
Before any portion of the Army of the
Cumberland Except Towards Corpse had
reached the southwest side of the ChattahoO-
chee, Mcpherson had made a material add
vance, moving his extreme left along a road
which runs from Marietta direct to Stone
Mountain, over a branch of Peach Tree
creek, named Nancy Greek, through the
small village of Cross Keys, and forward SO
a. to threaten seriously the line of the Geor-
gia Tor Augusta) Railroad. SchOfield, next
10 McPhersOn's troops on the right, and How
ard, on Sehofeld's right, made corresponding
movements. BY 10 a. m. on the 18th, Hook
er and Palmer being then over, all portions
of the line advanced, almost everywhere en-
cOuutering the enemy's skirmishers, (princi-
paly dismOunted cayalry,) and everywhere
driving them back. Portions of Stanley's
u
Iinguished themselves during this movement.
and by night of the 10th nearly the whole
army had crossed to the sOuth-side of Peach
Tree Creek.
L0gan's corps, the 18th, moved over to the
left of the Army OF the Tennessee, and add
vancing with rapidity and energy, its left
flank well covered by Garrard's cavalry d.
vision, il struck the Augusta railroad at a
point about two and half miles west of
Stone Mountain, and Immediately commenced
tearing up the track This brilliant achieve
ment, in connection with Rousseau's remark
able and daring raid upon the Atlanta and
West Point (MObile) road, must haze greatly
alarmedThe enemy, and probably determined
him to make, the next day, desperate effort
% drive US back.
On Wednesday morning then, behold our
entire army. south of Peach Tree Greek, on a
Lut IuuuluS nearly east anu west, anu COll-
fronting the rebel battaliOns, who occupied
strong works just before them. Day had
scarcely dawned when the left wing of the
army was I'm motion. The 18th Corps (Blair's)
passed to the extreme left, while the 10Th
lLOgan's) marched westward along the Au-
gusta Railroad, tearing up the track as it
went, until il reached Decatur, eight miles
from Stone Mountain. Schofeld advanced
toward Atlanta, connecting with General
DOdge's division of McPhersOn's army, on the
left Howard, marching by the left flank,
formed junction with SChOfield; and Hook
er, marching by the right flank, filed up the
interval between Howard and Palmer.
By noon of the goth, the whole army was
in line of battle, nearly in the following or
def:E Tue 18th Corps (Palmer's) on. the gex-
IRENE right; the 10th, (HoOker's), next; the
4th, (HOward's), next; the 23d. (SchOfeld's),
next; 10th, (D0dge's), next, although partly
in reserve the 18th, UOgan's), next; and
18th, (Blair'sl, on the extreme right. Gar
rard's cavalry division covered our right
flank, while General Ed. McCOok's held the
ferries along the river.
During the afternoon of the 10th, the whole
left wing of the army advanced, driving the
enemy before them in a series of sharp and
brilliant skirmishes which, occurring between
mall armies, would be called battles 1t was
IN one of these that Gen. Gresham, command
ing the right division of the 18th corps, re-
ceived a severe if not dangerous wound. By
aightfall our extreme left had advancednear-
ly ten miles south of the Augusta railroad,
and rested at point which was little south
of east from Atlanta.