Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-07-23
OROgsIEG THE CHAFTAHOOoHEE.
Graphic description Of the crossing of
General Cox Division.

A gentleman on the staff of General
Cox thus describes the crossing Of the
ChattahOOchse.
aAt three o'clock In the morning ouI
division was under arms, and before four
were moving past the cavalry on the fank
and making rapidly for the river. Scarce
ly sound was heard among the whole
5000 men, save the steady tramp, tramp.
We marched altogether out of sight
Whenever the road was at all exposed to
view we would turn of'through the woods.
So We marched for several hours until we
arrived behind the ridges running along
the river. Then we mAssed the troops
keeping them all the while out Of sight
from the other side Of the river, and CIV
INC strict orders that no man should leave
Ma place, build ire to cook by, or make
any unnecessary noise.
Between the river and the ridge which
we were behind there is a WIDE place Of
bottom-laud. Over this no advance could
be made without coming il full view Of
the Rebels across the river. So our troops
we're formed entirely behind the ridges,
and about q quarter Of mile frVm the
river bank.
"Atter having secretly examined the
ground and detsrIned upon our plans, the
troops were put into position to commence
operations. One brigade was sent up the
rlver, about halfs rniie, 10 try to GROSS on
an old iish-dam by wading. Another was
marched 20 the mouth OF creek, under |
cover Of tho wood. a strong skiralsb |
lIno formed right and left 70 cover their
movements when ordered forward. The |
other thres brigades were On the road, a |
little 10 the rear, ready 10 push forward
Whenever we were prepared for them.-
The pontoon tram was then got up and
the Poutoons made ready 10 launch In the
creek. Everything was then ready to
start, and only ons word from the General,
and thousands Of men We're TO rush head
long to death and destruction OF victory
for We'll know, had we Jailed, hardly q
nan OF Us would be alIvo to-day. The brig
age turthsst up the river made the inst
advance. Fifty strong hearts were chosen
% lead the Ellirmishers across the fsh-dsu.
In they dashed, up 10 their arms in water.
and away for the othsz bank. The enemy
Was completely taken by surprisez, ana
lred but few shots. They evidently |
were not expecting the Yankees in any
such quarter; ana, as soon Gs they dis
:harged their loads, ran for their lives.
consequently the brigade crossed with |
little trouble. ThS principal movement, I,
however, was at the mouth Of the creek
md which the General was personally 6
0Perintending. As soon as We heard that
he brigade above had started, orders were ;
,IVen 1or the skirmishers TO advance
cross the bottom-land and oooupy the !
rush on the river bank, aud at the sana ]
lLne 10 launch The pontoons into the creek
M noat them out INTO the river loaded
Win men 70 cross over. As quick as fash,
'lIhout any hesitation, thousand men,
: aklrnishers, started on the double quick c
cross the dsL and completely surprised y
as enemy again IN this ront. Our men
TeFs on the r7ver bank before the enemy :
semed to know there was such = thin, 4
yankee around, and this Of course Q
ave us good advantage. Volley after n
olley was exchanged in quick succession.
he artillery thundered forth with suchra-
idlty mat other sounds were completely j
rowned. The Rebels had one gun. aad a
hen our four or tive batteries opened b
ley soon saw there was no hope for them. :,
1r ponteons put out as fast as they could |
2 loaded and pOled across the river; and q
they landed on the other side, cheer up r
i cheer would ring through the air. that
ade US ali feel that success gas sura. As
st rs they got over, the men would form
"a enirS0 up the hill, and in less than an u
ouf lnreS Dflgades had crossed and held
&c rldge above the rver. as soon as the v
'ossIng was secured the poatoons were
Ut down, and by midnigbt we had two
-idgss over the river and our whole divis- |
behind breRstworks ready to bad 4
salnst any numbers our crossing of tha I,
The resnlt Of the DAYS work snms nm
'Out thus One lO-pounder brass gun
lpIuredi turned Joe Joh2stons hank. f
cured a crossing for the whole army
ier river that Joh1ston said we could 4,
sver cross, covered Ourselves all over With
Ory' ana, what was best Of al, lost but
Try lew men. q
I'VE are now encamped on tha South l,
INK OF the Ohattahoocnic and have the n
eassntest headquarters we have had since
9 4rSt put foot on Georgia soil.
Last night We all took 4 Satunlav t
1t ) wash IN the Chattahoochis, IL ,yns !
liendid, for army use though in ciyifixs-
pa We would call it aDominable. Rather
rong, rapid current, and one can't helm
AnS Little nervous thinking of sIlios- :
Is; eli, after going unwashed for Two
eeks, u this hot country, too, one would
lraiy have the heart to fud fault eve,
tn the alhgators'