Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-28

dens in the mountan-side very suddenly
losing ali relish for the concert Of dealt
which so rudely distul bed the sunset hour.
At dawn on the morning Of the ID the Ell
envy opened heavy musketry fire along then
lines for miles, which again caused our bat
| teries and skirmishers a lively hours work
resulting in the rebels being silenced as
usual. During the day We made preparations
for moving, leaving all our leafy shades "
standing, so as to deceive the rebels as to
our whereabouts, and being relieved by
Wilder's cavalry at 10 o'clock P. NJ, We
babe adieu to kenesaw Mountain, and be-
gan to march toward the right, going several
miles III the dark, and hating near very
strong line OF rebel-built works, long captur.
cd by our forces. until daylight.
Before starting i'll the morning we were in
formed that the rebels had evacuated the
mountain, and fallen back to the river, where
they had very strong works. We marched
| all day, going some twelve or fourteen miles,
until we had passed to the right of all the
grand army, and then rested awhile. The
day had been very hot we had marched fast,
so that many men gave out along the road,
but the news that great many prisoners had
| been taken, and that the rebel army was re-
I treating in great haste and the order coming
to press them on all Sides" stimulated the
boys exceedingly, SO that they fell in for a
further advance with a good will, and moved
Oft, fully resolved to "do or die so that
| they might but whip the enemy. We halted
and drew one days rations of bareback, "
then forward again, filed to the left across
several fields and over several steep hills IN
til dark, when we were ordered back to
camp, mile to the rear, accompanied by two
or three shells sent by the rebels to look for
US, but which, happily for Us, " failed to con-
meet"
We passed most of the GLORIOUS 4th in
camp, resting from the fatigues of the day
| previous, drawing rations and preparing for
! further movements. About o'clock 2. NJ.
we fell in again, and marched away to the
right, along the road for some three miles at
a terrible rate, suddenly filing to the left, be-
hind fence, and forming line of battle,
expecting orders to advance every moment.
However, after moving down the fence far
Their, we made barricade Of fence rails and
slept behind it till morning.
Early in the dcy, of July 5th, we formed a
line-ot-battle in front of our lodgings, our
regiment being on the extreme left, covered
by Co. b Of "ours," and a company of the
SD Indiana as skirmishers, and advanced to
find foe. Over hills and hollows, fences
bles, tearing through or rushing over every
Obstacle-and they were as numerous as they
well could be-our line went forward as stead
lily as if impelled by the hand of fate. Sud
denly after marching some two miles in this
way, from right TO left for miles the skirmish-
ers opened fire, charging over everything
with thrilling cheers, and followed by the
whole line, IN grim and stern array. The reb
ell works, swarming with graybacks, appeared
on the crest of hill with a cheer that made
the welkin ring the line charged at double
quick, delivering its fire as it advanced, fore
ing passage through the felled and tangled
trees placed in its way, and planted the glo-
rious flag upon its crest, while the dense
woods resounded with the fleeing footsteps OF
the discounted rebels, who were changing
their base" with alarming rapioity. Guns
knapsacks letters, blankets, cartridge boxes
and corn-dodgers" were scattered around,
all showing that the rebels are firm believers
in that doctrine Of Satan, "skin for skim yea
all that man hath will he give for his life y
| Some OF the regiments on our right suffered
severely in this charge, we had one or two
wounded but none killed Our three regi-
mental flags looked well, waving over those
works, so lately covered by the Haunting flag
OF treason, and our boys felt justly proud OF
them, as they cleaned all glorious in the glow
OF victory, giving hope and courage, sure
| prestige OF greater triumphs still in store for
those who fight beneath their folds.
After resting awhile, the line was reformed,
and again advanced If anything the country
| grew rougher we proceeded, some of the
| hills being almost covered with fragments of
Mica, many Of them as large a persons
hand, and very bright and sparkling in the
sunshine. After going about a mile farther,
and scaling the crest of steep hill, the reb-
els opened fire with several pieces of artil-
lery and heavy musketry fire upon our Skin
mishers. We were ordered to lie down, an
order needing no repetition, as we could see
and hear the fragments of shells and bullets
cutting off leaves and branches, and striking
over US with great energy and violence, alto
| gether too close to be agreeable. Our batter
les, which were kept close to the line, in its
advance, replied with great effect, while we
laid "under the droopings" Of their " elo-
quent appeals" hugging the ground as closely
as possible, so as to be as far /" beneath their
notice" as possible.
About o'clock p. N. the line again ad-
vanced, crossing an open field at double quick
over thickly- wooded hill, through which we
| got glimpse of line of earth-works, wreath
| ed in sulpharous smoke, from which shells
came screaming over our heads in dangerous
proximity. Dashing across the hollow at its
foot we laid down again on the opposite hill
| SIDE in clearing, over which the shells flew
at a terrible rate. An order to charge the
| enemy's works was sent round to the brigade
commanders, but they, with the regimental
commanders, protested against it, as the
works in our front were exceedingly strong,
our advance would be for at least three
fourths Of mile across an open field, under
the cross-fire of about 20 guns placed in
| strong forts, with at least two lines of rifle
pits in advance, and a deep muddy creek
about half way there, without any means at
our command for crossing it, except by wad-
ing, which was not likely to be very easy
task, as the creek varied from to 10 feet
| in depth, and was very conveniently for the
rebels, at point blank range from their forts.
In consequence of its depth there was also a
strong probability of our cartridge-boxes get
ting wet, which, it was surmised would not
help the shooting qualities of any ammuni-
ton contained therein, therefore it was deem
ed expedient to adjourn for the present the
proposed charge. An order arrived at Divis,
ion Headquarters shortly after eountermand,
ing the charge, as it has been ascertained by
Gen. Mcpherson, that the position of the en-
envy was very much stronger than had been
anticipated. We accordingly went to work
building breastworks, and planting batteries,
so that now our line and the rebel line occu,
Ply opposite sides of deep, open valley,
about three fourths of mile wide, with the
creek and the respective skirmish lines be.
| tween us.
On the evening of the 9th inst, the rebels
suddenly opened about Is guns at us, and fol-
about an hour there was the sharpest artillery
fight ever witnessed One Of our batteries
having 4 twelve pound howitzers in position,
directly in front of our right, seemed to at
| tract especial attention, and certainly did its