Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-08-25
Letter from the 18th Wis. Reg.
IL THE FIELD TWO MILES FROM ATLANTA, GA, I
August 1st, 1864. (

august LIST. Icc9,
After very pleasant visit home, I
left Wisconsin on the 9Th of July, and
reached the Regiment on the 18th.
We had fine taste Of what was to come
in the journey [ am doing very well,
and endure the campaign much better
than I ever expected, and not ''blue"
or homesick or anything like it; vet
must confess to many pleasant recol-
lections Of mince pies and similar good
things, which does not sweeten particu-
larly our regular hard tack and salt
pork. | sometimes too, dream of com
fertable bed with white sheets, but
Mon t@1nd That such Visions make the
ground bsaesfs me softer. I am sure
though, f'-havt ape share of the spirit
prevailing everywhere in this army,
which would endure a redoubled dose
of what we have already, to whip the
rebels and get into Atlanta. AS YOU
will see by the date, we are within two
miles Of that promised city.
W hen | overlook the Regiment thew
had just crossed the Chattahoochie
From there to our present position, we
had constantly heavy skirmishing, but
no real battles. I wish I could rive
you some idea of the appearance Of
things about me. For the present we
are mostly out of musket range, though
occasionally stray minnie from the
sklrmish line comes rafting over. The
greatest danger is from shells, to protect
US against these we have burrows dug
into the side hills and covered with
logs, at the first sound of whistling
she'll, every one stakes to has hole." In
one Of these, seated q la tailor fashion,
| am writing. Since taking such pre-
caution we have not lost any men,
though previous to that many were
hurt in various ways.
AS to achen we will be in Atlanta it
is not safe to predict We are certain
of reaching there, but not so soon rs
the impotence Of newspaper cores
rondents will have it. | notice the
northern papers represent the country
between the river and town as open and
level the contrary is the truth. It
is succession Of hills and high ridges
covered with a heavy underground
which makes manmuyers very diff
cult. [ mention this to show how
easily a fortified enemy can obstruct our
progress.
While Johnston was in command of
the rebels, it was generally believed
they would evacuate. Prisoners report
Hood to have superseded him, with the
promise of holding on to the last
Hood has been relieved for allowing
himself to be SO badly whipped in the
late battles upon Mcpherson and New
ton, and that Johnston is back in his
old place. lie believes in saving his
army by abandoning the place; SO if it
be correct that he commands again.
there will not be much further resist
ance. Hood seems to have the opinion
that he can both save his army and
bold his position. If he persists in
this, our success may be deferred, but
it IS only c matter Of time, until we
shall have second Vicksburg's histo-
ry to record. A few days longer will
see the place completely beseiged. [
fear the works on our front are too
strong to be taken by assault, and the
starvation process will have to be re-
sorted to. Our army is capable Of ac-
complishing anything men can do. They
are well-fed, have full rations, are well
clothed and In excellent health The
communication with the rear and base
of supplies is as perfect as skill and
foresight can make it. Troops are so
disposed along the r. r. south of Chat
tanooga that it is patrolled its entire
length ecery half hour, thus affording
every precaution against guerilla-work.
You may hear at any day of hard fight
ing, Of heavy loss Of life, possibly Of
a repulse, for that is but the fortune of
war; but there will be no serious dis
asters-Shernoass luiU make no blun-
ders. In writing thus, I only give the
confidence Of every man in his army.
When we have such a leader, as the
management of this campaign has
proved him to be, they never dream Of
a future.
! As you may imagine, we are not
troubled with much baggage-hage not
even wagon with the Regiment. The
principal article Of my wardrobe is a
tooth brush. We are allowed one shell
ter tent to every two officers. These
we have to carry, and have the privil-
eye of packing as many other Injuries
on our own backs as we wish The
truth is, | am man Of frugal and
regular habits, rise at or before day-