Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-24

$ mented by special orders from Brig. Gen
Barny, Chief Art Mil Div of the Miss.
of Gen. Sherman's staff
: At the same time, our ID Brig. unde
7 Col. Sprague, at Decatur, was attacked
by Wheeler's Div. of rebel cavalry anC
| mounted Infantry, who was compelled t.
: fall back from the town and cover the
wagon train, with supplies for the army
This he accomplished successfully, losing
some 200 men in the fight. In this gal
liant affair the Colonel caught star. Hi:
command consisted of the 63d Ohio, 35tl
New Jersey and Goth Wisconsin, with
one section of the 3d Michigan Battery
Colonel Rice, of the 7th Iowa, who COM
manded Brigade in the Cd Division, also
gained Brigadier Generals commission
1t is but due the gallant Colonel that the
public should know he entered the ser
vice of his country as private soldier,
carrying his musket for several months
Of the losses in the Battery, l am sor-
ry to announce the death of two of our
brother soldiers, Corporal Jasin NJ. Abbey,
and private Joseph Richards, who fell at
their posts. Both were truly good, ever
ready for duty. Abbey was a recruit in
1862, from Lake county, and an excellent
gunner. l doubt if there was better
shot in the entite army. Richards was a
member of the 18th Battery, and assign
ed to us Immediately after the battle of
Shiloh. The wounded were Corp. Aaron
P. Cox, of Mesopotamia, severe in the
foot. Privates Seymour P. Jones, of Ash
tabula Co., in leg, severe; Henry B. Lane,
of Ashtabula Co., leg amputated; Warren
S. Reynolds, Mesopotamia, leg and side,
severe. Corporal McCord was scratched
on the knee by passing ball, and private
Henry Everingham had a furious cut
through his hair, from the forehead to
the crown, which was certainly close
enough.
The enemy lost between six and seven
hundred in killed, which were buried, by
our men the next day, beside caring for
over three hundred,of their severely woun-
ded. We also captured about two hun
dred prisoners. The force opposed to US
were Walkers, Claibaume's and Bates
Divisions of Hardees corps, the object of
whom, prisoners state, was to capture our
transportation and turn the left of our
Iarmy. Had itnot been for the 10th corps
timely arrival and check of the Rebel
Column, think they would have been
successful, bringing untold advantages to
the enemy, and the capture of many of
the 18th corps, who were desperately en-
gagged in front, as well as the 18th corps.
1t was bloody day with the army of the
Tennessee, as the fighting continued in
front of the two latter named corps after
dark, of desperate nature.
We remained in our position till the
26th which was fortified the night after
the fight, when another flank movement
was commenced by the Tennessee army
to the right; as usual, our corps bringing
up the rear. 1t was successfully accom-
plished, and the night of the 17th found
us in line to the right of the Cumberland
army. Here the 18th and 18th corps
were delayed till the morning of the 28th;
when, on going into position toward the
Rail Road leading South from Atlanta,
they were met by heavy column of the
enemy, who charged our forces several
times, meeting with bloody repulses.-
Our forces held their ground and fortified
that night. The enemy are disputing
the possion of that road, but our lines are
gradually approaching it, as well as the
city, which is in our immediate 'front.'
In the encounteE of the Goth 22d & 2Sth
of July, the rebel loss is estimated at
10000 men. Hood has tried fighting
Johnson, that of retreating, and 1 think
another retreat will soon follow.
The enemy have excellent works around
the city, which must sooner or later give
way to our efforts, both of the musket
and spade. Their Notifications are
mounted with heavy artillery from which
they send US inch rihed shells in abun-
dance, doing very little damage, however.
Our shell reach the town from three diff
ferent directions, but they effect no ma
terial damage, so far as one can discern.
Our good people must be patient, trust
ing in the wisdom of Gen. Sherman and
his army of tired soldiers, and the end
will be satisfactory, and, l hope, not
distant of this campaign, which has now
reached ist one hundredth day.
/ The troops are in state of fair health,
! confident and anxious to enter the city,
which consummation Iexpect to be able
3 to announce in my next. The Battery
boys are feeling finely, only few being
on the sick list, and none ofthem serious
ly. A number of promotions have occur
ed in the Battery since my last, which l
will give you next time. The weather is
quite warm, yet we are favored with oc-
casional showers of refreshing rain, which
were thankfully received. The Rail Road
| is in repair to within half a mile of the
front, bringing supplies in good quantities.
This letter is already too lengthy, and l
will beg the pardon of both editor and
reader, whele 1 remain, Very Truly ect.
TYPO.
The Rebel Failure In Front of
4