Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-07-27
TELEGRAPHIC NEWS.
THE ARMY GEORGIA.

The Desperate Fighting Before Atlanta
The First Hand to Hand Contest OF the
peated Assaults-A Splendid Union VIC
tory-Our Loss not over 1900.
Especial Dispatch to the Cincinnati Gazette,
ATLANTA, July %, (via Nashville, July 24.5
a glorious victory has been followed by our
occupation of this city. A brief resume Of events
for the past few days will not be uninteresting
to your readers.
On July 18th, the last Of our forces crossed
the river Chattahoochee, and nearly all that
day and the next were occupied by the army
in getting into line. Nothing more serious than
skirmishing occurred during the 18th. The
weather was very fine for military operations,
it being only moderately warm, and refresh.
ing showers falling almost every day For the
first four miles on the southeast side OF the
Chattahoochee, the country was exceedingly
rough and broken, consisting of hills, ridges
and ravines, covered with oaks and pines, the
whole resembling the Alatoona Mountains.
Until the evening of the 18th, our advance
was resisted principally by dismounted cavalry
firing from behind logs, rocks. and trees By
the morning of the 10Th we had reached the
north bank OF Peach Tree creek-a considerable
stream running north of Atlanta and westward
into the Chattahoochee. The rebels were posted
all along the south bank of this stream, and
became exceedingly sensitive TO our further
advance. Parts of SChofeld's and HoWards
corps crossed the creek, however, on the 10Th,
and established themselves ON the south side
Meantime our left wing, composed of Army of
Chattahoochee, had swung around until they
had reached the Augusta railroad, two miles
west OF Stone Mountain, in conjunction with
Gerrard's cavalry division. They drove away
the rebels who were on this road, and tore up
several miles of track Rousseau had seriously
inteTfered with communication along the Mo-
bile railroad, II indeed he had not interrupted
it altogether. Only the Macon road was left
open to the rebels, and their situation began to
grow desperate.
On the nth of July, Joe Johnston was re-
l0U0 nfh tic ora6 rNft tn
Hood appointed to succeed him. As the Rebel
papers next morning made 1t evident that Hood
was put in command on account of his des-
perate fighting qualities, we all began to look
anxiously for a battle on the afternoon On
the, 18th, portions of Palmer's corps crossed
Peach tree Creek Dnworths, formerly Dan
McCook's brigade, of Davis division, which,
with the exception of Morgan's brigade. and
some skirmishers, was on the extreme right Of
our line, was met by fierce opposition. AS it
advanced toward high ridge held by the rebels
one regiment, the sgd Ohio, being some what
ahead of the others. was furiousIy assailed
that it was compelled to give way, and its
commanding officer, Lit. Col. Clancy, was
captured. The integrity of the line, however,
was speedily restored, and the brigade finally
established south Of the creek. Col Mitchells
brigade was hurried down to the support of
COL Dilworth, and also crossed the creek. Our
loss in his affair was a little short of two hun
dred and fifty men.
On the morning of the Goth Gen. Rockers
corps crossed the creek to the left of Palmer's,
the stream, without fortifying.
Still further to the left, Nswton's di vision of
How ards corps had crossed and moved out OF
the bottom and to higher ground-indeed, upon
portion Of the same ridge before spoken OF as
extending all along the south side of the creek,
and occupied by the rebels. Immediately upon
advancing to this position Gen. Newton's men
commenced to fortify. They were still engaged
in this work, when, about halt. past three in
the afternoon, they were assailed with des-
perate energy by Bates and Walkers divisions
OF Hardee's corps. The rebels came up in some
spite OF the most fearful losses, advanced re-
peatediy to within two or three rods Of our
lines. Kimballs brigade was on the right of
the division, and for a moment seemed to fal-
ter, but fresh troops were hurried up TO form
on Kimbalrs right along Blake's front, to
Bradlev's extreme left. The entire division
stood as firm as rock. The storm which had
the left of Hooker's corps. Gen. Wards divi-
sion held the left of the corps, Geary the cen
ter, and Williams the right. IL
The advance Of the rebelskirmishers toward
Rockers lines indicate their intention TO 9.
tack; and his troops, In anticipation OF the
low ground along the creek to higher ground
In front of this high ground they were IN line
with Newton's division on the left, and John-
sons division OF Palmers corps on the right
Just as they had reached the crest OF the fldge.
with considerable stretch Of open GROUND
in front, they were met by the rebel 6attanons;
composed of Stewards and parts OF HOODS olo
corps also ad van cling three lines deep from the
woods beyond the open grouqd. fol Tue urs.
time in the campaign, q fight tooR plaza wan
neither party behind works ss5fsa sfsglIN II
Almost the Whole, Of Hookers corps was
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