Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-07-15
Correspondence of the Muscatine Journal
From Sherman's Army.

IIt ... tlf4l ''''--
Bold Dash of Rebel Cavaly IN Sser-
mans Rear Constant Fighting in
Front Our Lines ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
aging Prospects Of Success-PrOcld-
nation by The Governor of Georgia,
&C., &C., &c. 44
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, |
June 3Oth, 1864. +
Having just returned from the front l
propose to drop a few lines to your pa
per.
On last Friday 1 started for the front
on business for headquarters, I'd divis-
ion, 10Th army corps, and after consid-
erable delay l arrived at Big Shanty,
Ga. On Saturday last the rebel General
Wharton, with two thousand five hun
dred men, made raid ON the railroad
in Shermau's rear and interrupted for
the time his communications. Five
freight trains loaded with army supplies
were captured between RinggOld and
Dalton and destroyed The rebel cav
airy are very active and sometimes meet
with success. Their chief aim appears
to be to raid on the communications of
our army. ..e aE-.
About week ago Capt. Clover made
dash at the railroad, five miles from
Reseca, and succeeded in capturing and
destroying two trains loaded with pro-
visions. Sherman feels secure in his
position and his lines are steadily ad-
vancing. Fighting occurs every day.
The boom of cannon and the rattle OF
musketry are heard at the early dawn,
and the laundering echoes and bright
flashes make grand the twilight hours.
| The rebels hold their strongly fortified
position on the ChattahoOchie river.
Sherman will take Atlanta by a dex-
| trously executed flank movement, l
learn from gentleman that came up
| from the front on the same train that
did, and whose connection with the
arm y affords every facility to learn of its
movements.
He was in Atlanta one heek ago, and
states that the citizens of that place feel
insecure and are moving further South.
The Governor of Georgia is becoming
sensitive in regard to heinvasion of the
State. He has issued proclamation in
the Atlanta papers, warning the Confed-
crate authorities and Joe Johnston in
particular, not to attempt to destroy At
lanta or the railroads extending from
the city. He says that they are the
property of the State, and he will use
| every means in his power to preserve
| them for the State. If necessary he will
call out the militia and recall the Geor.
gia troops in the Confederate service, tC
| aid him in enforcing his proclamation
| This sounds much like "buncOmbe,' ,
and we presume it will be so regarded by
the Confederate authorities. My infor-
mant says that if Johnston is driven
from the Chattahoochie he will not at
tempt to make stand this side of At
lanta, or even at the city. Cedar Bluff
nine miles below Atlanta, has been
strongly fortified and is considered i'm
pregnable. Johnston will at once re-
treat to this position if forced from his
present stand, and will there offer battle
The Bluff can never be taken by assault
1t will require a long and tedious siege
to effect its DOWNFALL so says my infor.
mant. But l think that Gen. Sherman
has force enough to whip Johnston ou
of any position he has mind to get
For Sherman's army is as strong, and as
sound in health, as confident in heart as
the day it took the field.
! All the troops that saw at Big Shan
ty were fat, ragged and dirty, but were
in excellent spirits, and seemed to be
sure of success.
Yours, &C.,
w. B. COMPTON.
Co. II, I'd Iowa Infantry.