Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1864-07-27
OF the state Journal


Since writing on the 26th of June, the
Sixteenth, as well as the rest of the grand
army, has been actively engaged with the
enemy every day We are now driving
hem across the river.
On the night of the goth, the Third Divis-
ION VS. suddenly called up and advanced
about mile TO the South, close up to the
enamy's works in front OF Marietta At the
same time the Fifteenth Corps left its place
ia the line right, ana marched around
the base of the mountain to the right, JOIN
ing Gen. Hooker, who had been very quietly
making preparations TO force back still fur
Their the rebel left.
Taking minute for breakfast at daylight
on the 9th, the division, IN two lines, quick
IL moved upon tie enemy's line of pickets,
Who were posted on a ridge In a rather open
piece of woods in rife pits or rail pens,
faced with stone gathered on the face OF the
ridge. Their position was very strong, and
from their concealed coyerts they poured in
a destructive fire. Our skirmishers engaged
them very briskly, and were followed closely
by their reserves, who soon secured the
ridge. When the line came up, We found IN
front large clearing, sloping from the edge
of the wood southwark TO a little run, then
rising on the opposite side to a ridge higher
than the one on which we were posted. Be
yond the thicket again set in and there, no
doubt, We would find the foe strongly en-
trenohed and well supplied with artillery.
The fourth division Of our corps or our
right was advancing in line, keeping up
strong skirmish fire From commanding pO-
sitions in our rear our artillery was playing
apon the rebels, and they employed all the
time to annoy Us on the advance, although
concealed from their view
Our skirmishers were well up the ridge on
The opposite side of the field, and soon gain
ed the summit, where they screened them
selves As best they could and opened fire
After some little time spent in inspecting the
lne il was found that the enemy's works
we're more TO the left. The lst and 2d brig
AIDES were therefore moved further 10 the
iefg while the I'd Law in reserve next to the
+th division. Gen. Leggctt had been very
actively engaged in making arrangements,
and now commanded the advance. The lines
moved steadily forward until near the crest
of the ridge, where the balls began to fall
pretty thck, when at the double quick they
crossed the ridge, and scarcely waiting to re
ply to a CALLING fire which met them, rushed
upon the rebel works, which they carried in
gallant style.
Immediately beyond vas another ridge and
another line Of works more formidable still,
where were plainly seen the batteries which
were playing upon Us, and also massed forces
Of the rebel infantry. Our skirmisaers were
Immediately pushed forward and ordered to
keep up q heavy FIRE Some artillery was
brought up and opened on them at short
range, and every preparation was made 70
yharge at the same time our line was hid
.aom their artillery fire.
Our manuauyering could all be seen from the
rebel signal post on kenesaw Mountain, and
So early and active movement in force slight
IN startled Gen Johnston, and caused him 10
mass heavily Ga bis right and leave his left
CORES oudingly weak. This served Gen.
Shernan's purpose well \ little before
noon Hooker, with three corps at his com
mand fell suddenly upon them. We had
made a Gold dash, been more successful than
was expected, and now t'ie enemy had mass
81 an overwhelming force close upon us and
most likely had discovered our purpose and
weakness, and might rush on and crush Us.
There was q long opening IN our line be-
tween us and the % Division, and this they
could also see from their mountain look
out Gen Leggett was awake to the critical
position lie occupied. He selected the 10th
10 make a show of filling the opening, aud
made every demonstration Of an intention to
Continue TO advance moving his & &c as if
"a gain some advantage in position. He or
dered the 10th To move by the left flank into
a wood, and then back to the rear and along
the brow of the first ridge We occupied in
the morning to the right. Col Fairchild,
with admirable tact, conducted the regiment
un0bserved TO the post. He then detached
three companies, deployed them as shirmlsh-
trs and advanced them upon the rebel line,
filling up our broken line By making thus
strong show Of fight, Gen. Leggett kept them
from assuming the offensive and held his po-
zltion until night, the attack on their left al
So relieving us somewhat At night our
whole force withdrew to our former posi-
ton.
b our charge st that point We no doubt
contributed more TO the success OF Gen.
Hooker's move, than If We had participated
in the action on the right. The rebels seemed
to have a particular spite at our Division after
this, and pressed our pickets continually
while we remained in their front. They prin-
ciuallv fought Hooker though, cudeayoring
90 hold him in check. Toward morning Of
tile Doth, they made terrible assault on
him for the purpose of retakinE tie ground
they had lost on the 9th. They had however,
been closely watched, and made signal fail
ure. In the afternoon Gen. Hooker noticed
some movements that pat him on his guard.
When they made the attack he made but lit
lle show of resistance until they were close
Ca his entertainments, then poured in deadly
ra..eYs il quick succession. They fled pre-
opitatelv. He followed them TO their works,
.4rturing 10 cannon
Dor two or three days after this, there
Ms continual CannonadinE and diminishing,
This army is well supplied with the most i'm
proved cannon, among which the ROdman
and Parrot guns are deemed the most eff
cleat- Handled By skiilful artillerists these
coald now shell almost any battery the rebs
h1d opened, even on the highest point OF the
Mountain There were some signs of evgc-
uation. To prevent this aud cross the river
thead Of Gen. Jouston. was now the policy
st gen. Sherman. Accordingly on the NIGHT
81 the I'd of July, the whole left moved from.
tHsir position, marched around TO the right
and at night of the Sd, encamped about %
niles from the starting point. We were too
.4ta however. The rebs had discovered oUf
.aevements and evacuated double quick,
On the morning of the Sd Gen. Thomas
atered Marietta uHopposed.
The rebels had not, however, ali crossed
Use river, bat fortified on the range of hills
this side. Our line was formed the night
rhe Sd, about five miles from the river.
Oh the morning Of the 4th. TO celebrate the
a little, the 9Th and 5Ist Illinois were
"siered ont On q reconnaissance. SkIrmish-
els were thrown out from both regiments, and
marched in two lines. the 5lst in advance.
started out s little TO the south of east,
= = FL