Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-24

4
plies, railroad track depots, etc., besides
capturing several hundred prisoners
and large number of mules and horses
The reason of our not meeting more op
position in taking possession of Decatur
was accounted for in the desperate effort
of the Rebel General Hood (who had
Rebel army to defeat our right wing un-
der General Thomas, on the goth. The
result of this engagement is too well
known to your readers for me to re-
peat it. The glorious Hooker and How
ard with their veteran commands, had
repelled each assault, with heavy loss TO
the enemy. Morning of the 2ist found
US two miles west of Decatur, the I'd Div.
in front, while our 4th Division was in
reserve. Noon of that day we took din
ner in Decatur. Supper was also served
and we ate at the front again, being re-
lieved by another battery, which had
had in connection with Col. Sprague's
Brigade of our Division, been left to gar
rison the town and guard the transport
alton of our Tenn, army, which was well
up to the front, or on the return with ra-
tions and forage. During the day the
18th and II being South of the Augusta
Railroad, feeling their way cautiously
toward Atlanta. This brought them
within p miles of the city. Just before
dusk the left Division of the 18th corps
met with severe opposition and charged
the enemy successfully gaining an import
ant ridge, from which the city could be
plainly seen. The night was spent in
fortifying the different positions gained,
and posting artillery, yet very few of us
soldiers anticipated the desperate and
bloody struggle that the following day
unfolded, when we lay down for few
hours rest.
In giving you sketch of the sanguin-
ary conflict of the 22d of July, and the
part taken by the l4th Battery, will
state the situation and position of the
forces engaged. In closing upon the city
by our forces, the 23d corps occupied a
position which shortened the original line
considerably and crowded our 4th
Div. out connecting with the left of The
18th, which now held both sides of the
Railroad; the 18th being to the left of the
18th, with the 4th Division of that corps
slightly retired to obviate flank move
ment and protect its rear. The lines of
these three corps were formed on an ele-
waited ridge, cut up in the rear, by sever
al ravines, dotted here and there with an
open field or garden, the majority, of the
ground, however, being densely covered
with second growth timber and thickets
of scrub pine, oak and hickory. Early
in the morning the lst Brigade of our
Brig. Gen. Fuller, Commanding 4th Div,
had been sent tc the left of the 18th
corps, accompanied by Battery F. I'd U.
S. Artillery. Rumors were ahoat that the
enemy were evacuating the city, as well
as others to theeffect that they were NOV
ing heavy bodies of troops to our left.
1t was evident something was up, as staff
officers were seen fitting hither and thith-
er in every direction. Skirmishing was
brisk along the line, while, on the oppo-
site side of the city could be heard Gen.
Thomas cannon laundering away. Ours
were not idle at the front. 1t was ten
o'clock when orders came for the Battery
to report to Gen. Fuller, on the left
Moving from our biyouac of the night be-
fore, we had made bnt a short distance,
when the I'd Div. of our corps, which
was now on its way to the left, crowded
us from the road, and we followed them,
halting in the road for an hour, when
about one half the distance had been
reached. This doubtless, was a lucky
for the Battery, as, had it
been allowed to proceed unmolested,
would have shared the same fate as Bat
terry F. I'd o. S. which was captured while
in line of march, an hour later, along the
road over which it was necessary for us
to pass in reaching Gen. Fuller's position.
1t appears there was some break in the
line, orsat least, space not protected by
any force of our troops. Possibly it was
the intention of the authorities to cover
this space with the I'd Div, but at all
events, Maj. Gen. Mcpherson lost his val
liable life in this same road, while view
ing trs lines and situation, from force
of the enemy who were concealed in the
thick brush that lined the road, within a
few rods of the unfortunate Battery F.
More or less confusion existed at this
time, and the I'd Div. was hurried for
ward, taking position somewhat to the
rear and left of the 7th corps, the gap
still existing. Our Battery formed in
line with the I'd Div, covering ravine
through which the enemy were expected
to advance, into a strip of open ground of
growing corn, fronting to the South, sup
ported by the 8lst Ohio on our right and
the 7th Iowa to the left. Battery 81. lst
Mo. 1t. Artillery, was to our left fronting
East, covering an open field. Hardly had
the dispositions been made, when the de-
testable grey jackets came pouring up
through the ravine, deploying to our left,
when they were greeted with shower of
shell from our pieces; amoment later and
they came rolling up in our front and to
the right in three lines, when they receiv-
ed a like reception. At this moment,
critical moment it was, our right being