Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-08-13

We are permitted to extract from pri-
v2te letter, the following observations on
the Atlanta Campaign. The letter was
written with no view Of publication but
contains some important thoughts:
NEAR ATLANTA, Ga. / (
August 2. 1864 4
You are without doubt at home
as I would like to be for a short
1 time. The campaign is running into its
fourth month with scarcely day but q
large part Of the command is under fire,
/ My losses in killed or wounded are already
over thousand, but this is no fair propor-
tion of the losses of our army, as the fates
have as usual put Inc in warm places.
VIII the people keep up their pluck
and fight the thing OUT Itall depends
upon their steadfastness of purpose If
Richmond does not fall sooner, the army
Of the West will finally make its way to
the back door. Ifnone of the Eastern reb-
el army comes here, we will wear this one
out before the close of the season, and it is
but matter Of time when the entire force
ID
of the enemy must waste away. VIII the
people hold out Johnson's veteran army
by his official report June 25th contained
46,62s arms bearing men including 1881
of Wheelers Cavalry.
I They have lost since that time 5000
prisoners, and in their three assaults upon
our works since arriving in from of this
place at least 10000 men. They have re-
1
1 Stephen ID. Lee, and are receiving from
| Governer Browns proclamation, about g.,
600 militia. This gives them to-day an
army of about $4,000 veterans and 5000,
$4,000 in all -s rTs Ham 4
These figures are substantially correct.
The hope of being reinforced by Kirby
Smith, is at last given up, andafter exaust-
ing the militia of Alabama and eastern
Mississippi which may amount 10 ten
thousand more, if they have the power to
force them out. / cannot for my life Sc
how the enoIay5oan mako up the Vastago
of their army.
do not pretend to say what our losses
bave been since leaving OhattanoOga.
Probably from all causes not less
than - But l know the
rebel Army when it was joined by Polk
lust before the fight at Ressaca, was 1900
strong. This included Polk, and that, be-
side, the additions before mentioned, it has
received brigade (Hartings) of at least
1000 from Mobile. This gives the enor-
mous loss to them since the campaign of
$4,000 men. What possible chance is
there for these $4,000 now before US.
Thess figures may seem exaggerations, but
they are not, they are realities, and when
it is remembered $4,000 prisoners, have
) had no less than twelve engagements,
where from one to three corps have been
in battle with the ordinary desertions and
losses from disease the $4,000 is readily
made up. What will hinder the daily
attrition of the next three months from
completing the overthrow of the foe be-
{ fore us.
Yon will say, perhaps, why not assault
so contemplate a foe, and put him ont Of
his misery at once. The art of war here
: is no longer a chance matter. Both armies
convey full supply Of entrenching tools,
and no forces on either side ever rest tall
they have before them a complete line Of
works, strong enough to resist the heaviest
, field ordnance, with distractions in the
front In the way of abattis, palisades, and
entrenchments, that puts the matter of an
d assault quite ont ofthe question. l think
: the battle of Chicamauga on the left taught
= both armies the value Of these works.
. No assault by either side on this campaign
has been successful. 1t would surprise you
/ to see how quickly and willingly these men
construct their works. None appreciate
their value more truly.
: We are losing some good officers and
= Iuf course some men, but wish all could
? understand how vitally this campaign Is
: striking the Rebellion. Did you read
; Governor Browns proelamst,on, calling
f out the militia and detailed men. There
: was no b,ossoming palmetto about that
g hat plain and open groan. showing clear
e ly how deep the travel CfOur army is NOV
:, ing down upon the tender places Of the
y Cen federacy-
d You know, Of course, that johnson has
ls been relieved byHoOd, man Of just hal
Il bis ability. Gossip has it, that his Gov.
/ ernment was dissatisfied with his contiuec
e reTsating and sought man who believed
their army could check US. Hardee is said
ID to have been of JohnsOns opinion; that
5, the endeavor to hold Atlanta would be the
E destruction Of the army Hood was ther
/ profiered the command, and accepted the
st task L-is fs.IJ 20 aEIQL
8 He has commenced well has already
assaulted Us three times, we being behinC
g our works, and loosing in all $500, whil'
tthey are known TO have lost 10000.
have never believed that the abov'
i was any true reason for the change bu
that johnson was taken east TO assist il
planting column in Pennsylvania. H
S knows that country thoroughly. 1t is tn
ad- theatre of his first operations in 1861. Be
ab sides, next to Bragg, he is the first genera
1t in their army in point Of military ability
of The greatest victory for them-greate
K than fifty Mahhassases, and the only on
o that can give them particle of hope
on will be to defeat the war-party at the in
BY coming campaign. If they can, by an,
ar possibility, keep their army in the field
no matter whether victorious or not, and
b little before election place strong arm
3 upon the soil of a Free State, with fai
lw show of sharp diplomacy upon their par
P- csrelesslymet by us, then let the question G
nd fiat, before the people-"peace" or "wsr
.rd and who can tell what will be the re
ew suit of our last three years of blood an
on yietsry. I fear nothing in Ohio Gu
rs, first great battle must be at the ballot-bo,
20 and the war power must be sustained 9
2 al hazar1s : ~ i 4 VI i.-i}
rs r. Fifty-four workingmeh's clubs hav
=. been established in England the preseu
So yeaT, In addition to those already organ
81 izt51. II Pr i rr " lr -----a el-f