Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1864-06-16
OF the Charles CITY Intelligence
Letter from " winfield"
HEADQUARTERs, DEPARTMENT AND
ARMY OF THE TENNESSEE,
Chattanooga, Tenn, June 3, 1864.

DEAR HILDRErH - rUfsai
On the morning of the 2sth Gen. McPher-
son, commanding the right wing of the grand
army, advanced and took possession of Dallas
and commenced throwing up Notifications in
Johnson's teeth. Ono of the rebel scouts re-
ported to the rebel General that Sherman had
sent one corps to join Grant. Acting upon
this intelligence, johnson massed his force
and made furious assault upon Mcpherson
In his Notifications. The attack commenced
at 4 O. clock in the afternoon, and at dusk the
rebels hauled off and remained passive until
another desperate attempt to force Mcpherson
! from his position. They came on in gallant
style; their lines as perfect as though upon
dress parade their men singing some south
ces They advanced without firing a gun !;
leaving every thing they could do to be done
with the bayonet. AS they came within
range, a red, vivid flash cleaned out in the
night, then came deafening report, a crash
ing sound, and the iron storm met them
They fell before it as falls the grass before the
scythe. But they closed up manfully and
fought with valor worthy of better cause.
But they could not Withstand that whitening
fire, and slowly fell back.
Our troops hardly thought the rebels would
repeat the attack, but as the first beams of the
sun came gloriously over the hills, the rebel
lines were seen advancing. 1t now seemed as
though they were an army Of ferds and not
men, so wild and loud were their demoniac
yells, and so desperate their assault.
Mcpherson determined to whip them this
time " for keeps" He ordered all his artille-
~, about eighty pieces, to concentrate upon
each wing and to load with double charges of
grape and canister. This done, he ordered
his entire centre to fall back As they did
this, the rebel columns swept over the fortif-
cations, and when they thought they were
grasping the victory our artillery opened upon
them. 1t is impossible for pen to describe the
effect produced by that volley Of death. 1t
opened streets through their crowded ranks
and piled up the dead in winnows! The enc
my could not advance In the face of such
fire, and they were unwilling to retreat.
The artillery fire ceased, and the centre, led
by Gen. Mcpherson in person, moved forward
at double quick" and hurled the rebels
back over the Notifications. The enemy then
broke and fed for their works, leaving over
900 dead and wounded on the field and 800
prisoners. McPherson's loss was nearly 900
killed and wounded and a few missing.
Thus ended the fight at Dallas. and our
Right now occupies the town, while our Left
rests on Pumpkinvine creek, SO called from
its excessive crookedness. .sa ...s
Gen. Sherman Is but one days march from
Atlanta. Rebel prisoners say that johnson will
not make determined stand at Atlanta, as he |
had trusted to his works at Altoona, which |
were fansed by Sherman.
Gen. Blair will be at Rome to-day, and
will at once proceed to join Gen. Mcpherson. |
An immense drove of cattle came through |
this morning, all in fine condition, the grass |
being excellent. Abundant supplies are sent |
TO the front for the army, and sanitary stores |
for the sick and wounded. 1t is amusing a.
we'll a. painful to witness the arrival of the /
train with our wounded from the trout The
boys are in excellent spirits and get of many
\ joke at each others expense. Such express
,ions are used as, johnson is getting warm
ID" How are you, Hardeei Bully for
Grant and Sherman" While their wrath is
expended upon Gen. Banks.
1t seems that Gen. Grant is completely out
"Lee the Great thiiis that
he conquest of Richmond is now q certainty.
As Gen. Grant has established his base ut the
White House, McClellans old battle-felds
nav once more resound to Federal cannon,
put not with the same purpose as before, for
Grant will fight for victory and Richmond,
while Mcclellan fought for safety and change
Of base
1t would be glorious anniversary for Gen.
Grant, il he should enter Richmond, as he
lid yicksburg, on the Fourth of July, and
witness the Old Flag once more waving over
a strong hold of the rebels upon Indepen-
lence day.
This will be the last letter shall write
rom these Headquarters. On the 9th inst. i
shall be mustered out of the service, having
served three years. / shall still keep with
he army for time, and will write you Is
usual.
I wish the Government to order Draft. i
confess that want President lincoln to issue
the papers at once. am willing to serve
three years more in the ranks if by draft
some of the venomous oopperhends and miser-
.ble towards at home in Floyd county can be
made to come to time, and wear Uncle Sans
clothing and eat his rations. am not given
10 much prayer, in sorrow confess it, but
have one prayer for all occasions. which is
- Oh, God make Lincoln Draft Draft
DRAn! ....-.rr# -.=sE WINFIELD.
Gen A. j. Smiths forces landed near CO.
lumbia, Ark, on Tuesday morning, and were
soon after attacked by Marmaduke. The reb-
els were repulsed with the loss Of 15G men,
the Union loss being 100. Marmaduke there
upon evacuated Columbia, which was burned