Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-30
Fran the saa Regiment.

Sherman, Forced their Observation-Disclosures
Labor u. Vai,,- Wholesale assertions from,
tie Re5els-IHe Feeling IN 44tlanta--Depar-
hue of Col. 4Uaey-Aid cf hundred day
Men appreciated.
Correspondence o. State Journal.
NEAR CHArTAnoocHEER RIVER, CAL
July IL, 1864.
Arriving at our present camp five days
since, we have enjoyed a needed and pleasant
relaxation from the fatigue Of marching and
building of breastworks rest all the bet
ter from the uncertainty attending its dura-
ton.
Every day our picket lire has been adj
vanced without resistance, till it now lines
with the Chattahoochee, across which the
rebels hastily retreated yesterday morning,
burning the bridges and leaving their out
posts to swim the river or suffer capture.
Hundreds of strong, healthy rebels are de-
sorting to our lines, and they tell us that only
by regimental, brigade and division guards,
and cavalry scouts, Wholesale desertion is
prevented They have fought long enough,
and are willing to give up beaten.
Previous to the evacuation OF the rebel
works near Kenesaw, we were treated TO
heavy cannonadng along the line, while
strong bodies of troops Were moving to the
right, rendering Johnstons works untenable
From different papers We read of the de-
parture of national militia, and their ac-
counts of material, roadside ovations, march
es and other incidentals, strongly reminding
us of our primitive soldier days. May they
have no harder lot, and the expiration OF
their term mark the termination of the war.
We cannot but be grateful for their tempo
rary aid.
On the evening of July I'd Col. Utley call
ed the boys around him, and, briefly review
ing the past, wished them well in the future,
and babe them goodbye. He is succeeded
in command by Lieut.. Col Bloodgood.
Early on the morning of July Sd we moved
forward into the abandoned works of the en-
envy. A frame building on the rebel Skin
mish line was honeycombed by our balls, and
trees nearly cut off By our artillery fire.
Two common lines passed, and we came upon
perfect mesh of Obstacles: sharp-pointed
then mass of brush, crossed, brings US to
the earthworks, wide enough for wagon to
be driven along them, and behind these,
strong reGoubts for batteries. The bravest
men in heaviest masses could not hope to
charge such works with success, but the
flank movement gave bloodless victory
Shortly after crossing the fourth and last de-
fensive line. our advanced battery opened on
heavy columns of the retiring foe, while a
rebel battery quickly replied, sending the
SOLDERING, kissing shells among and around
us, and wounding badly few men. You
would have had one picture of war to have
seen those shells cracking overhead, and the
pieces propelled ahead, while the men lay
close to the earth, their knapsacks shining in
the sun like the backs of huge turtles. Oul
brigade was then sent forward to reeonnoitre
Companies A and F, as skirmishers, advanced
for miles, through rayines, woods and fields
driving the cavalry videttes before them, til
we came slap against rebel line of works
A scout riding close to us lost his horse, but
escaped with life. The rebels opened on oul
column with shell, at half mile distant
We threw up works and held them till re
lieved by the l4th corps. The movement
unsupported right or left so far to the front
endangered the brigade, and we owe it to the
enemy's ignorance of our force that we die
not suffer severely in consequence. Gen
Ward commanding, was responsible for the
blunder, and was deservedly severely repri
manded by Gen. Hooker.
independence day was celebrated by diff
ferent bands playing national airs, and con
tinued round of cannonading as our batterie.
shelled the works discovered in our yester
days advance. Towards evening the buglei
sounded, and head of column starts away
to the southwest. As it marches out, the
masses fall in, following the flags of brigades
till the field but just swarming with men j:
vacant, and traceless of our presence save by
the empty barrels which held our bacon, anc
the stragglers which no regulation can re
strain. The day closed with a scare; rebels
reported advancing in column; men ran tC
and fro; breastworks rose like enchantment
and when finished we learned that we haG
been alarmed by our own men, and had done
our work for nothing Sleep was none the
less sweet for our labor that afternoon.
The 9TH. found us in reserve, marching
leisurely with frequent halts Again We
come upon elaborate Notifications, trees fell
ed for hundred yards, the trunks adherins
to the stumps; then the sharpened outward
set fence of stakes, and the zigzag works
broad as railroad; a deep pit, a log above
to protect the head and arranged to roll bacl
harmlessly if struck by cannon, and thicl
shades to shield the men from the glare o
the sun. There were positions for cannon
the embrasures made of posts set deep ant
saplings braided in like the willows in bas
ket, horizontally. But all their labor, thank
to Sherman and the flank movement, PROVED
in vain.
Towards night the march quickens and W.
come upon high hills and deep ravines dense
ly wooded-up we toll and down we march
the sound of artillery nearer each moment
till we expect to be pushed into action, an,
just at evening halt Moving at noon mex
day we sweep around and march back toward
the right, but near the river and to our pres
ent position, passing the Sd and Goth Wis
consin who exchanged kindly greetings a
we now and then recognized an acquaint
ance. Trees were crashing down and breast
works on the crest of a steep hill went u
rapidly.
Our duty till the next movement, will con
sist in picketing and will be regarded as
relaxation. The picket lines are very heav
and well supported. Immediately after a
advance, shovels and spades are distributed
logs placed and pits dug along the line abou
three rods apart, and each holding four men
We have orders not to fire on the rebels ant
they do not disturb US. To the right an
left the rifles crack away singly and in VIC
leys, and the spiteful replies never fail +
come back humming through the air.
As evening comes sounds grow more dis
tinct. The rebels can be distinctly hear
laughing and talking on the ridge in our front
A battery, reported to be the 9th Wisconsin
came out on the skirmish line and fred
number of shots, each spinning through tn
embrazures of the rebel works and maxim
them hunt their holes Some of our men cal
to the rebels and are answered. Their re
| plies amount to nothing more thar the ques
| lions of trading coffee for tobacco.
Near the river they had worked till yestel
| day morning fortifying steep ridge. Log
| fourteen feet high and firmly set fenced U