The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-08-12
~ NEWS s' FROM ATLANTA.
The Situation and Prospect
Our Lines Gradually Tightening.
The City Under Bombardment.
Inc Enemy Will Fight to the Death.
correspondence Chicago Post.

| ", NEAR ATLANTA, July rs, 1854.
nor,n, "1,eom mat 80 sore and sudden disap-
enced nv mi; ,",is 70 persons as the one expe'i-
ence1 .. tnis army during the past week On
the I'D inst. when we ,trucL &c." g -. ~
victory OF the 10th, and took mn orr H., &c
march IN columns for Atlanta we oil ha,;ane N
that n'gnt would find us in the citv, Tr;un,nh
gratifcation and delight beamed from everv e,,s
aau e'oWeo upon inc faces of both officers and
monstrations would 90 up from the roni 10
| making the woods ring as our men fol, ,ho,
were about entering the city for which wa ~
been SO long and so fiercely contendnp. We
proceeded on in columns instead of in line
without skirmi:hers or pickets. when suddenly
reaching an en- inence. within about two miles
of the city the whistling of rebel bullets and
the bursting of shells showed them still in force
| upon our front. Since then We have advanced
Out little more than was necessary to form our
lines upon appropriate parallels in the invest
ment OF the rebel positions around Atlanta
The he wy engagement of McPherson's com
mird with the rebels on the left followed that
afternoon, since which time though there has
| been constant fighting, no general encounter
his been bad.
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE LATE BArrIrs
The battles of the Goth and ed were very sc.
we're, though both We re decided victories to us.
In the two engagements our loss will reach
nearly 600 in killed, wounded and missing.
hoaVV
near oo, OF their dead having been buried in
front OF Gen. LOgan's 18th corps alone. Their
loss will not fall far short of 9 900 men during
the two days work. Some of our regiments
were dreadfulIy cut up. The 104th Illinois lost
56 out OF few over 200 that went into the ac-
ton of the Goth. This regiment was command.
I'd by Col Hopeman, and was raised in Ottawa
| Illinois.
Besides Gen. Mcpherson we lost several 9TH
er very valuable general officers, among them
Gen. Force, of Ohio.
OUR PRESENT POSITION, ETC.
We are closely pressing in upon Atlanta, en-
circling the city in our embrace beyond the
possibility Of successful resistance. Our mill
tary radius now extends from the railroad east
OF the city. around to the railroad and q con-
siderable distance across it. on this side, be-
tween the town and the river. Thus our line,
to follow the curve of the radius, is several
| miles around, while the e1tremities face each
other, as they face also the city, not more than
hve miles apart. Our average advance may be
set down IS being within two miles of the city
| and closely pressing in upon it, The rebels
occupy radius line fronting ours but much
narrower, and more contracted, as it curves
around upon the city. They meet us at every
point. however. and manifest disposition to
| fight to the death for the city.
CUTTING OF REBEL COMMUNICATIONS.
We hold the railroad between Atlanta and
and ChattahOOchie river. Our cavalry have
also tapped the West Point railroad running
20 montgomery below Etstpurt. This leaves
the rebels but one road the Western and Ma
con. Measures that will insure success have
been matured which will place Eastport-the
place where the Western sAl Mae IN and the
West Point roads intersect-in our hands.
This will entirely deprive the rebels of all rail-
road communication with Atlanta and will, un-
less their army evacuates, establish state of
siege In the city.
FORMATION or OUR LfNE-REBEL WORKS EYG
Our extreme left. east Of Atlanta, il composed
OF the 18th and 18th corps; then follows Lo-
CANS 18th corps, which unites with the 23rd
corps. which connects with the 4th corps, and
this with Rockers Goth corps: Hooker ex-
tends to the right on to the railroad. where 1t
joins Painler's 18th corps, which is On the right
of inc railroad. Thus you perceive our left
! holds the railroad beyond Atlanta,
while our right 10 across the railroad
this side, our entire line coming around upon
~ closing IN its points, crushing the rebels as
1t contracts. Within this radius, and iron ing
US all around the curve is the last line of rebel
works, which are immensely strong. We can
see them from Our advanced batteries and sec
the troops that occupy them and their officers
as they roe along the lines. We accordingly
exchange shots and shells and from some point
or other around this radius, the war storm is
continually bursting.
SMELLING ATLANTA-THE CITY REACHED.
During the past two nights our batteries
have been laundering away in the direction Of
Atlanta. On the night of the oath, the can
nonading was very heavy. At ten o'clock the
horizon towards the city was REDEEMED, and
soon the light of burning buildings told tina
our firing was reaching the suburbs of the city,
where it was telling upon the houses Of the
residents Firing frcm artillery or mueketry
is continuous. and the smoke that has gather
ed about the hills makes it appear densely
cloudy, almost obscuring the light of the day.
PREMATURE.
Several premature publications have recently
been made concerning this army. 4 month
ago the papers gave Us Marietta, when really,
the rebels did not leave Kenesaw till the Sd
inst. Two weeks ago the telegraph sent us
across the ChattahoOchee river to the gates of
Atlanta. when the last of the rebels did not
cross TIL the 18th, and the main body of tnis
army followed on the 18Th On the 21st and
ga the papers again gave US possession of At
lanta, when we were fighting terrible battles
three miles and two miles off We are within
ABOUT two miles of Atlanta, with powerful
enemy confronting us. We intend to take the
city, we may enter it tomorrow, and the enc
my may stand q siege and delay the work
month. SURRY.
GENTLEMAN who, q few days ago, was wan
dering over the ground recently occupied by
portion of General EARLY's forces, engaged In