The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1864-09-20

The Capture Of Atlanta.

PARTICULARS OF THE fINALATTACK.
The correspondent Of the New York Tri-
bune, with General Sherman's army. writing
from Atlanta, under date Of Sept. 4th, gives a
sketch of the movements and actions which
led TO It's evacuation, and at the close of his
letter thus describes the entrance ofour forces
into the captured city and the condition In
whchit was found - nataB
'After so long and wearisome campaign,
1t will not appear strange that there should
be general desire 20 zee and tread the streets
OF the city for the possession of which there
has been SO fierce and protracted struggle.
Sharing some what In this feeling, but chiefly
anxious TO promptly send forwardmy account
OF those recent brilliant events, your cores
pondent lett the front, some twenty-six miles
from Atlanta, at daylight yesterday, Sunday
morning, and after somewhat dusty march,
arrived at the Gate City about three O'Clock,
Pm Nearly the whole transportation of the
Army seemed to be moving the same way, all
the roads being filled with wagons hurrying
along. To the rebels who had not heard OF
the tall OF Atlanta, it might have heen--per-
haps was, taken for another OF Sherman's re-
treats fa tasassf 4F'
'.Fuieen hundred rebel prisonerss most of
them sent TO the rear by Gen. Davis, and By
the army OF the Tennessee, were also winding
their way northwardtos@d thecity they had
SO long defended, to pass through II as cap
tives. and still on over the route they have so
sturdily, yet SO fruitiessly fought TO protect
from the Army OF the Union. For men en-
gagged in any good cause, there could scarcely
= be situation demanding more commissera-
tion. The whole party was guarded BY the
125th Illinois Volunteers, In command of
Lient-Col Langley. There was among them
one Brigadier- General Govsn, several colonels
and other COMMISSIONED officers, mostly Ken
...s.eess..s.ns, q. as were inc privatss. They filed
the road for about mile, and seemed TO be
ebIects OF great curiosity or OF commiseration
10 the families. who, in spite of wars ravage,
continue 10 maintain aprecarious existence
along the road. They came out In groups TO
see the mournful procession, and In some
caser, offered them water and refreshments,
"Within three miles of the city, pursuing an
upward grade, along the line of the railroad,
one begins to meet deserted rebel camps, long
lines OF trenches and rifle pits, which skirt the
road, and many unfinished forts, which seems
70 have been commenced quite recently. A
particular description Of the main foFtifca-
lions protecting the city is not within the pos
sipIits Of THIS haTried letter. suiice Il tosay
that, taken together, they made Atlanta per
fec. SebastopoI, which never could have been
taEea by assault II adequately defended.
steeples of churches aud genteel residences,
ssen 1t the main entrance from the south, give
city-like aspect to the place. A large and
high bastion tort, with 6t-pounder mounted
en- barbttte, frown upon this avenue OF ap-
proach. The ramparts are Is feet high-the
ditch wide and deep, and Its embrasures are
placed TO sweep the whole country on three
sides. Passing this grim sentry, which de-
lends tie outer limits ,of, The city, there Is .
hard packed. road and fields Of scrub-oak
which cover the plains, and half conceal every
thing from view, wf TFrn
tls outskirts are made up OF poor class
OF residences, little better than shanties,
thrown together without order and often
found side by side with houses Of more com
fortable aspect IS ycu come nearer the centre
OF The city. There are few or no shade trees,
diIpinutlre, narrow, forest growth supplying
the only shade. Soldiers are making them-
selves comfortable in tents and huts. Wo-
men and children dressed in their clean
clothes, but the children generally barefooted,
are out TO see the new comers. 1t Is Tuesday,
and a regiment Is marching into the city on
the Marietta road, with music and banners.
The poor people, OF whom there are evident.
ly great many families left in the city, seem
rather pleased than Otherwise. Others leok
but only through closed blinds. The women
are out OF all proportion 10 the male inhabl-
ts1fs, Aud in this particular must resemble
Salt Lake City. Here the soldiers are charg-
Ing upon woman's grapery, which brings
her out OF her seciusion 70 remonstrste. IL
DOES VERY little good The male specimens
are mostly foreigners, or Jews aud blacks
There Is a larger number OF the latter left
heie than has been met with before during
our advance into Georgia. $500
The center of the city is compact, and
along Whitehall street the buildings are oi
brick and some three aud four stories. Here
the place bears 8 business aspect-at least the
signs OF former prosperity. Now, all the storel
are vacant, with very few exceptions, ih'
doors stand open, and The windows are smash
ed. A large hotel in the middle ofthe square
lately 10 use for rebel hospital, is to be sc
apart for soldiers home. Most Of the build
ings along this thoronghfAre have been strucl
BY our shot or shells. In some cases they have
badly shattered the buildings, but generally
have inflicted but little damage. Five thous
and dollars would repair all this class ofdama
pe 10 the town. The heaviest loss has beer
from fires, which have consumed several valtl
able stores, caused probably BY the burstln,
OF shells. The iron foundries, machine shops
and other buildings along the railroad leavin
northward out The city. have suffered mos
Here are whole Stacks OF chimneys knocke
down, aud holes as large as = barrel blow
ed from OF their hinges, and a wreck genera
ly made OF the works. Some Of the srna
houses still occupied by families show lare
holes through sides and roof
"0n the night OF the FIRST Of September A
lanta witnessed one Of the most terrific e,
plosions and confagratlons ever seen in I'll
history war. 8G
Eighty odd cars, nearly half OF which wei
loaded with iSed ammunition, We're set Q
fire, standing upon the track OF the August
Railroad, not mile from the heart ofthe cit,
The flames lit up the heavens, throwing its Il
rid light lar over the city and sIrroundin
country. The detonation of the bursting shel
shook the city to its foundations, and file
the air continually, for the space of sever
hours, with fragments and the debris of Il
general wreck. The explosions were hear
twenty-five miles from the city. Visiting tn
spot saw the naked trucks aud axels Of ca
for near half mile 10 extent, the ground /,
long distance on both sides of the track co
cred over with the evidences OF the terTt
agents which had been at work. A large
cpmotiVe had been thrown of the track at o
end by the explosions. Three locomotives q
said 70 have been captured In Running ord'
-Four field guns were living near the track
one place, and four 81 Founders In anoth
place The latter had but recently be
brought up for siege guns. A considerat
number of guns which the rebels could n
take away 10 their hurried fight from the 81
were buried, and head boards with lying el
taphs placed above them TO personste gras
OF old soldiers. Gen. Sherman states the nu
Ler Of guns captured as n: and seven loo
motives. The number OF prisoners taken,
cordlng 50 the same authonty,i- nearly thr
thousand, during the series OF engasamer
which preceded the fall of Atlanta.