Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-07-28

,.;ett@M4 Reconnaissance on tie 4M-Neecs to
the 9Th.
Correspondence of the State Journal.
CAMP NEAR CHATTAHoOCHIE,l
July 9Th, 1864.
Since writing on the 26th of June, the
Sixteenth, as well as the rest of the grand
army, has been actively engaged with the
enemy every day. We are now driving
them across the river.
On the night of the Goth, the Third Divis-
ion was suddenly called up and advanced
about a mile to the South, close up to the
enemys works in front of Marietta At the
same time, the Fifteenth Corps left its place
in the line on our right, and marched around
the base of the mountain to the right, join
ing Gen. Hooker, who had been very quietly
making preparations to force back still fur
Their the rebel left.
Taking minute for breakfast at daylight
on the 9th, the division, in two lines, quick
ly moved upon the enemy's line of pickets,
who were posted on a ridge in rather open
piece of woods in rifle pits or rail pens,
faced with stone gathered on the face of the
ridge. Their position was very strong, and
from their concealed coverts they poured in
a destructive fire. Our skirmishers engaged
them very briskly, and were followed closely
by their reserves, who soon secured the
ridge. When the line came up, we found in
front large clearing, sloping from the edge
OF the wood southwark to little run, then
rising on the opposite side to a ridge higher
than the one on which we were posted Be
yond, the thicket again set in, and there, no
doubt, we would find the foe strongly en-
trenched and well supplied with artillery.
The fourth division Of our corps on our
in
strong skirmsh fire. From commanding po-
sitions in our rear our artillery was playing
upon the rebels, and they employed all the
time to annoy us on the advance, although
concealed from their view.
Our skirmisher8 were we'll up the ridge on
the opposite side of the field, and soon gain
ed the summit, where they screened them
selves as best they could and opened fire
After some little time spent in inspecting the
line it was found that the enemy's works
were more to the left. The LIST and ID brig
AIDES were therefore moved fun Their 20 the
left, while the I'd lay in reserve next TO the
4th division. Gen. Leggett had been very
actively engaged in making arrangements,
and now commanded the advance. The lines
moved steadily forward until near the crest
of the ridge, where the balls began to fall
pretty thick, when at the double quick they
crossed the ridge, and scarcely waiting to re-
ply to CALLING fire which met them, rushed
upon the rebel works, which they carried in
gallant style
Immediately beyond was another ridge and
another line of works more formidable still,
where were plainly seen the batteries which
were playing upon us, and also massed forces
of the rebel infantry. Our skirmisncrs were
Immediately pushed forward and ordered to
l..
brought up and opened on thens at short
range, and every preparation was made to
charge; at the same Clme our line was hid
from their artillery fire.
Our manmuvering could all be seen from the
rebel signal post on kcncsaw Mountain, and
so early and active movement III force slight
ly startled Gen. Johnston, and caused him to
mass heavily on his right and leave his left
corresp ondingly weak. This served Gen.
Shermans purpose well. A little before
noon, Hooker, with three corps at his com
mand, fell suddenly upon them. We had
made oold dash, been more successful than
was expected, and now the enemy had mass
ed an overwhelming force close upon us and
most likely had discovered our purpose and
weakness, and might rush on and crush U.s.
There was long opening in our line be-
tween us and the ID Division, and this they
could also see from their mountain look
out. Gen. Leggett was awake to the critical
position he occupied He selected the 10th
TO make show of filling the opening, and
made every demonstration of an intention to
continue to advance moving his force as if
to gain some advantage in position. He or
dered the 10th to move by the left flank into
a wood, and then back to the rear and along
the brow OF the first ridge we occupied in
% IN OH Nn1 Eoi
with admirable tact, conducted the regiment
unobserved to the post He then detached
three companies, deployed them as skirmish-
ers, and advanced them upon the rebel line,
filling up our broken line. By making thus a
strong show of fight, Gen. Leggett kept them
from assuming the offensive, and held his DO
sition until night, the attack on their left al
so relieving us somewhat. At night our
whole force withdrew to our former posi-
ton.
By our charge at that point we no doubt
contributed more to the success of Gen
Hooker's move, than if we had participated
in the action on the right The rebels seemed
to have particular spite at our Division after
this, and pressed our pickets continually
while we remained in their front. They prin-
cipally fought Hooker though, endeavoring
to hold him in check Toward morning of
the 29th, they made terrible assault Oh
him for the purpose of retaking the ground
they had lost on the 9th. They had however,
been closely watched, and made a signal fail
ure. In the afternoon Gen. Hooker noticed
some movements that put him on his guard.
W hen they made the attack he made but lit
tie show of resistance until they were close
10 his entertainments, then poured in deadly
Noneys IN quick succession. They fed pre-
10 o11 Al, IL.
capturing 10 cannon.
For two or three days after this, there
was continual cannonading and skirmishing,
rms army IS well supplied with the most i'm
proved cannon, among which the Rodman
and Parrot guns are deemed the most off.
cient. Handled by skillful artiIlarists these
could now she'll almost any battery Tho rohS
had opened, even on the highest noint of the
Mountain. Ihere were some signs of evac-
uation. To prevent this and cross tho rivar
ahead of Gen. Jonston, was now the nol;o1
of Gen Sherman. Accordingly on the n;rrL+
of the I'd of July, the whole left moved fro1,,
their position, marched around to the riobt
and at night of the Sd, encamped about o.
miles from the starting point. We were too
late however. The rebs had discovered our
movements and evacuated double quick
On the morning of the Sd, Gen. Thomas
entered Marietta unopposed
The rebels had not, however, all crossed
the river but fortified on the range of hills
on this side. Our line was formed the night
of the Sd, about five miles from the river.
On the morning of the 4th, to celebrate the
dav little, the 10th and 3lst Illinois were
ordered out on reconnaissance. Sklrmlsh
ers were thrown out from both regiments, ano
we marched in two lines, the 31st in advance
We started ont little to the south OF east
and soon found few cavalry scouts, who tel
hack faSt adx-a1,caG Grir,m hut little