Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1864-07-14
From the Atlanta Intelligencer, July 9th.
THE POSITION IN GEORGIA.

}retrogade movement from the lines of
kennesaw mountain at midnight on Satur
day, and by rapid march retired on,
right to its presenr position on the Chatta-
hoochee. Our lefr fell back slowly before
the heavily massed force that Sherman had
placed on the Powder Spring and Sand
Town roads. Our retraced lines at day
! light were in entrenched position about
twelve miles north OF this city. The enc
my evinced no disposition to push rapidly
any advantages he gained, by giving bat
/ tie or pressing MS. The usual amount of
{ rapid skirmishing was kept up, and with
abouf the ordinary results. Both armies
proceeded to intrench on their chosen lines
on Sunday evening. The enemy occu-
pied Marietta early on Sunday morning.
We had removed everything OF value be~
fore the army marched through it. It is
reported by parties from the neigh5or-
hood OF SWeetWater that the factory at
that place was burned by the enemy i'm
mediateiy on their occupation. Doubt~
less, all other establishments of the kind
will share the same tate when they are
abandoned to the vandalism of the invad-
er.
During the night, heavy cannonading
was heard along the lett of our lines and
apparently on tie centre At an early
hour this morning the deep bellowines of
heavy artillery explosions awakened our
people to sense of the, reality that the
Yankees were much nearer to our doors.
We presume they were firing national
salute in honor OF Independence day.
l: may be that they are. SO thoroughly
inflated with the supreme confidence of
their invincibility, and that eternal victory
is their chosen inheritance, that they may
attempt tremendous movement on our
lines to-day. Our commanders and the
army are anxions to have Sherman ven-
ture the hazard Of battle. The spresept
open fair field presents one of the best To-
cations for general battle that the armies
can find.
ing, it is supposed, was intended to devel-
ope our lines. This proceeding is always
necessary to feel the location of an enemy
when new position has been taken.--
When it occurs so regular as it did to day
this object is evident.
Speculation was rite yesterday to establish
the reason Tor our retreat; to day it is
more eagerly agitated-what will we do
nexts Our street Generals have it that
we will be hanken to the Gulf and then
to Richmond.
1t is with unspeakable regret that we
see our fair country given over into the
occupation Of foe whose motto is des-
truction and whose action eradicates eve
ry industrial interest in the territory they
pass over.
The policy Of the campaign is to des-
troy eifectually. It has been effective
ly executed during Sherman's trlamphal
march. Impoverishment and dreary
waste lies in his rear He promises devas-
tation in his front. 1t is difficult to SUBJ
NIT to these things without murmuring i
but it it is written in the book of fate that |
we must suffer more, we can but sucenmb |
to it, for doubtless all things are rendered
by a wise administration OF the ways Of
Providence The unavoidable necessity
is on us to fight until we wiring from our
enemies terms of peace to which they will
be g lad to accede. It may be that the en-
tire face of our fair Southern land may be
desolated. Its homes may be destroyed
not vestage of its great mechanical and |
public interests remain. It may occur that /
naught but roofess cabins and nuts be lett I
us, yet we will defy the insolence OF the
tyrant and fly against the conqueror:, The
brutal malignity that our enemy exhibits
in destroying everything of value he meets
with in his track, should stimulate our
people to greater resistance and efforts for
revenge. The worm turns on the foot that |
treads on it. Strategy ends at the Allan
ia defences