The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1864-08-02
The Battle at Atlanta.

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BATTLE. riELD, MmEs FROM ATLANTA,
July II, VIA LOUISVILLE, July "A, 1864 !
Your correspondent has furnished
you with iull details oflhe movements
Of Sherman army up to the move.
ment Of yesterday afternoon, when
the dashing new rebel Commanding
General massed nearly his whole ar
my against our right--composed Of
the Twcnty-tourlh and Twentieth
Corps. and Newtons division Of the
Fourth Corps.
As your readers already know, our
whole army had effected the crossing
Of Peach Tree creek, small but diff
fieuit stream circlina Atlanta on the
north and partially on he east, the
crossing Of which was safely completed
-h5 tho morning Of the 30th. Our men
under McPhersoa reeted on the At
lanta aud Augusta railroad, south Of
Decatur, and five miles from Atlanta.
The Ah corps was on the extreme
right, near the mouth Of Peach Tree
creek. On the left Of the l4ih corps
was the 20th corps on the left Of the
latter, Newton's division q the 4rh
corps,
A gap had occurred in our lines for
three miles, which was covered on the
south bank of the creek by a portion
! of The pickets from Neaton's division
On the left OF the gap was concentra.
ted the rest Of our army, several di.
visions, originally on The right, having
been moved there early on the morn
ing otlhe goth, with view OF strength.
ening that wing, in the front OF which
the enemy made numerous feints, as
il about TO precipiiate his whole
strength against it. The enemy thus
being during the morning of the 20th
masked on our left, orders were issu-
Cd TO Newton, Hooker ard Palmer
on the right, to advance and close up
the gap OF three miles above referred
TO.
Newton, on the left, was ordered to
move first, prSecting the left flank by
the creeks successfully Hooker's and
Palmers we're 10 close upon Newton,
and establish new line as fast as
possible IN advance Of the trenches.
which they had constructed a halt
mile south of Peach Tree creek, i'm
mediaiely after crossing. According
ly, about o'clock r. ~, Newton de:
ployed five regiments as skirmishers,
and pushed forward, handsomely,
driving The enemy sharpshooters be-
for5 them, scattering their skirmishers
and reserves. BY 3 O'Clock P. H., he
had advanced three-quarters Of mile,
and carnsd prominent ridge ii
front, on which, after sending fresh
skjrmish lines forward, he proceeded
to establish his division. His troops
unaung knapsacks, stacked arms, and
fell 10 erecting a rail barricade with a
will
Hooker now advanced rom the
trenches utteriield's division (now
commanded by General Ward on
tile lett, Geary on the centre, and
Williams on the right. Palmer VAS
prepared to close up on Hooker when
ever tie latter should establish bis
new line, The country over which
the advance was progressing Is par
tally rolling and open, interseoted
with difficult creeks, and partially
covered with dense underground. In
the advance, prisoners we're captured
at different points along The Inc all Of
whom unanimously stated that TO
considerable body Of the rebels were
nearer than a mile and a half They
were, beyond doubt sent forward for
this purpose, n not less than one
quarter Of the entire rebel army were
considered within musket shot 81 our
skirmisheFs al the same time.
Al twenty minutes Of 4 P. ~, ard
with tie eeleFily Of lightning, the reb-
q host issued forth trom their con.
cealmenl, and massed 10 enormous
columns against Newton, coming on
without skirmishers, and Nah ye.is