Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-08-06
THE WAR.

We are gradually learning the truth
about the recent contests at Atlanta. Cen
eral Shernan's attacks have not only been
repulsed but he has been compelled to fall
back Wednesday Of last week was the
first day of fighting. The Federal army
was in the ravine formed by Peach Tree
Greek. They assaulted the Confederate
works on the hills making the southern
slope of the ravine. The Federal, line
formed semi circle. The western flank
was three miles north of Atlanta; the east.
ern fiaQk was six miles east of Atlanta, at
Decatur. On Wednesday and Thursday,
Sherman assaulted the Confederate works,
but could do nothing. His attacks were
all rspulsed, and on Thursday night his
army was in the same position it occupied
before the battle began. None Of the Con-
fedefate works had been captured
On Thursday night, however, General
Hood began movement. Hardee with a
strong column was sent to attack the Fed
eral eastern flank at Decatur. Wheeler
with the Confederate cavalry accompanied
him. On Friday morning the new contest
began. Hardee surprised Blair and Lo.
gan, whose corps were at Decatur Wheel
er made detour and l,ot in their relr.---
The entire Coniedersta army III front OF
Atlanta at once began an attack upon ,A.
Federal centre anl western flank to pre-
vent aid being sent to Blair and Logan -
At noon on Friday, after severe battle,
Blair and Logan were compelled to aban-
don Decatur. They were driven from
their works and the Confederates occupied
them. Wheeler came upon their rear and
captured the greater part of their wagon
trains. The Federal troops retreated
across Peach Tree Creek. In this retreat
Mcpherson was killed, and the Confeder-
ales, besides many prisoners, captured six-
teen cannon and five hundred wagons.
AS soon as the Federal eastern flank
was broken, the Confederates attacked the
centre. A column under Cheatham began
an assault at four o'clock on Friday after.
noon. After severe contest the Federal
troops abandoned their works and retreat.
ed across Peach Tree Creek. They lost
six cannon on the retreat. On Friday
night the contest ceased. The losses on
neither side are reported. The Confeder-
ate General Hood in bis official report
states that he captured two thousand pr,s-
oners, twenty-five cannon and five hun
dred wagons. General Stoneman, with
the Federal cavalry, who was sent around
the west side Of Atlanta, to destroy tht
railroad leading to Macon, found the enc
my in too strong force to accomplish hi
purpose. The Coniederstes now hold thu
railroad running east from Atlanta to Au
gusta, and also the village of Decatur -
Every railroad running out of Atlanta, ,ex
cept the one north to Dalton, is now il
their possession. At last accounts the Fed
sral army, with the exception Of the west
era flank, was posted along Peach Tres
Greek. The western flank was on its south
srn bank. The Oonfederates now Oppose
the crossing of the creek, and the Fedora
line extends from point three miles nortl
Of Atlanta to point two miles north o
Decatur. Since Friday last, Gen. Sher-
man has acted on the defensive. Variou
Confederate attacks have been made upon
his position on the north bank of Peael
Tree Creek. They were feeble, however