Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-06-29
From the 14th Ohio Battery

1 CAMP l4TH OHIO BATTERY, June 4th,
MILES NORTH OF DALLAS, Ga.
DEAR OLD GHRoNIcE:-After thirteen
days of wandering and toll in the wilds of
Georgia, am allowed the privilege of a
moments rest, in which | propose to
hastily glance over our recent marches.
etc. CoDveniencies are limited for wri
ting, as our extra baggage, desks, etc.
were sent to the rear from Kingston, be-
fore advancing from that point. This is
written under difficulties, being seated in
chair, with but small book for table,
surrounded by troops of all branches of
the service, and am almost discouraged
before commencing.
As had anticipated in my last, the army
advanced from Kingston on the 2Sd ult.,
moving in several columns 10 the south;
that of the extreme right, in which we
hold place, moving a little southwest,
some distance from the railroad. think
most Of our forces moved on the west side
of the road, the left reaching out to the
east as far as Marietta, station on the
road from Chattanooga to Atlanta-2O
miles from the latter place, where spir-
tied little fight took place, in which the
20th corps is reported to have done some
excellent fighting. Our route was thro'
portion of the country where the Union
forces had not before visited. Before
reaching the first range of the Altoona
mountains after leaving Kingston, we pass
ed thro' truly fertile valley, wheat, corn
and oats being abundant. The wheat and
oats were in full head, but many fields
served as pasture for the weary army hors-
es and mules, who have been placed on
short rations. l noticed several abandon
fed on our approach, leaving nothing but
few decrepid negroes to look after their
interests. One or two of these were
homes of luxury, surrounded by all that
comfort requires, yet the owners had left
their furniture, clothing, ETC., so hasty
had been their fight. Had they remain
been disturbed, but the cavalry had made
fair distribution of the articles, appro-
priating them TO their own use. How
very different here than in Northern Ala
bama or Southern Tennessee, where fences
and out-buildings are undisturbed But
let brigade or division of our troops
camp for the night, and these disappear
as if by magic.
The column under General Mcpherson.
composed of the 18th corps, and General
Dodge's forces from the 18th, met with no
opposition worthy ofnote until they reach
ed Dallas, on the 26th ult. Our march
occupied most Of the time, both day and
night, from the 23d to the 26th. We
passed, on the 26th, neat little town,
the county-seato of Polk, called Van Vert.
Out of some 1900 inhabitants, not single
able bodied man was left, so thorough
and relentless had been the Southern
conscription. In conversing with lady,
one of more than usual accomplishments,
in this wooden country, found she had
not given credence to the many absurd
stories circulated as to the intentions of
the Yankees, las the people all term US,
and concluded to remain amid the scenes
of her early youth. Her quiet, lady-like
appearance and conduct toward our
troops. wss q sufficient safeguard to her
property, and it was left unmolested.-
Usually, however, the few citizens left,
are very vindictive, and favors of any
kind, very few to our troops.
Since the 26th ult., the army has made
but very little advance, the enemy hold
ing a strong position along the line of
ridges composing the Altoona mountains.
and they seem disposed to make stand
here. At present the army is shifting to
the north and east, closing up to the left
of our lines, where there seems good
prospect of warm work soon. We are
now on the extreme right of the line, and
while ! write, the skirmisher's muskets
can be plainly heard. For three days our
position would signify little else than a
lookout, from which to observe the move
ments ofthe enemy, who are active and
careful to avoid anything that locks like
a yankee trick.
We remained in line of battle at Dallas,
from the 26th of May until the evening of
the 3Ist, when we moved to the left, re-
lieving portion of the l4th corps, Our
position to the east of Dallas was along a
series Of ridges, the enemy in our imme-
diate front, on more elevated ground
During that time it was constant Skin
mishing by the advanced line, and on the
evening of the 2sth they attempted to
drive us from the hills by desperate
series of charges; but our troops did not
drive well, and after an hours bloody
work they withdrew under cover Of the
darkness to their works which lined the
hills in our front. We had not been idle
at night before tins, and were protected
by earth-works, which afforded natural
protection from their bullets. The Bat
tery made some mnsic for them, as we
threw one hundred rounds into their
ranks during the battle The FIRE of our
artillery and infantry was very effective,
las the loss to the enemy fully showed,
they leaving their dead and wounded on