Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-22

river, and giving strict srders that no man
shonld leave his place, build fire 10 cook by,
or make any unnecessary noise.
Between the river and the ridge which we
were behind there is q wide piece OF bottom
land. Over this no adyauce could be made
without coming in fulf view Of the rebels across
the river. SO our troops were formed entirely
behind the ridges, and about quarter of a
mile from the river bank.
AFTER having secretly examined the ground
and determined upon our pitns, the troops
were put into position to CONNIE nee operations:
One brigade was sent up the river, about half
d mile, to try TO cross on an old hsn dam by
Wading. Another was marched to the mouth
OF cfeeh, under cover OF the wood. strong
shIMish line formed right and left TO cover
tnelr movements when ordered forward. The
other three brigades were on the road, a little
to the rear, ready to push forward whenever
we were prepared for them. The pontoou train
was then got up and the pontoons made ready
TO launch in the creek Everything was then
ready to start, and only one word from the
General, and thousands OF men were to rush
headlong to death and destruction or victory;
for well know, had we failed, hardly a man
of us would be alive to-day. The brigade fur
thest up the river made the first advance.
Fifty strong hearts were chosen to lead the
skirmishers across the fish dam. In they
dashed up to their arms in the water, and away
for the other bank
"The enemy were completely taken by sur
prise, an fired but few shots. They evidently
were lot expecting the Yankees in any such
quarter, and as soon as they discharged their
loa ds ran for their lives. Consequently this
b iga6e crossed with little trouble. he prin-
al movement, however, WIS at the moath
u The creek, and over which the General was
person ally superntending As soon as W.
heard that the brigade above had started or
ders were given tor the skirnishers TO advance
across the bottom land and occupy the brush
en- the river bank, and Al the same time TO
launch the pontoons into the creek and rioat
them out into the river loaded with men TO Gro
over. AS quick as fash, without auy hesita
tion, Thousand men, as skirmishers, started
shn I'D 10 nirks no tk,a ffafu
pletely surprised the enemy again in this front.
Our men were on the river bank before the
emy seemed to know there was such a thing
Yankee around, and OF course gave us good
advantage. Volley after voley was exchanged.
The artillery Numbered forth with such rapid
ty that other sounds Were completely drowned.
The Rebels had but one gun, and when our
four or fve batteries opened they soon saw
there was no hope for them.
"Our pontoens put out as fast as they could
be loaded and poled across the river; and as
they landed on the other side, cheer upon cheer
would ring through the air, that made us III
feel that success was sure. As fast as they got
over, the men would form and charge up the
hill, and in less than an hour three brigades
had crossed and held the ridge above the river.
As soon as the crossing was secured the pom
toons were put down, and by midnight we had
two bridges over the river and our whole di-
vision behind breastworks, ready to hold
against any numbers our crossing OF the Chat
tahoochee
1.-THE result of the days work sums up
about thus: One 10.pounder brass gun cap
tured, turned Joe Johnston's flank, secured
crossing for the whole army over a river that
Johnston sand he never would cross, covered
ourselver all over with glory and, wha; was
best OF all, lost but very few men.
1--WE are now encamped on the south bank
OF the Chattahoochee and ha We the pleassntest
headquarters we have had since we first put
foot on Georgia soil.
"Last night we all took a Saturday nights
wash in the Chattahoochee. 1t was splendid,
for army use, though in civilization we would
call it abominable. Rather strong, rapid cur
rent, and one can't help being a little nervous
thinking of alligators. Still, after going un-
washed for two weeks, in this hot country too,
one would hardly have the heart to find fault
even with the alligators."