American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-09-21
THE FALA OFF ATLANTA.
DETAILED ACCOUNT.
OCCUPATION or THE CITY
NEAR JoNEsBoRoUGH,
Sept. 7, 1864.

sept. {; loOf.
The morning of the 31st found us well
prepared for any emergency. Formida-
bic works had been thrown up all along
the line during the night, and the boys
were wistfully peering over them for the
Johnnias. We had been feeling our way
along all the afternoon of the previous
day, and a collision was now hourly ex-
pected. Thus far the Rebels had main
tained a dogged silence; had kept care
fully out Of our reach-almost out of our
sight Was Hood intending to draw us
into trap, and then suddenly fall on us
right and left; or was he not yet apprised
of Sherman sreal intentions We could
not even provoke respectable skirmish
out of his cavalry. Such were our que
ries-and there was a consequent, almost
painful anxiety-wlen, at about ten o.
clock, in front of the 4th and l4th corps,
long gray column was seen moving, on
double qui ok, to our right, in the direc-
ton of Jonesboro We Immediately
opened battery onthe rebs, but received
no reply-only quickened their steps
This was Hardec, hurrying down to save
Jonesboro' from the army Of the Tennes-
see, to which we will look at present.
On the right Kilpatrick's cavalry had
crossed the Flint river The 10Th corps
had also crossed the river ON each side of
the Jonesboro road. BY noon the 18th
corps was across, and in position on the
left of the 18th Corse's division Of the
10th corps was also across, and on the
right of the 18th corps. The remainder
of the 10th Nas held in reserve on the
west side of the river.
Late in the forenoon, Fitzpatrick, also
withdrew to the west side of the river, to
cover the Jonesboro and Fayetteville road
maneuyering for
THE INIAToRY BATTLE
| was commenced.
At three O'Clock p m, Gen. Howard
ordered Gen. Blair to make reconnois-
ance to ascertain whether the enemy S
lines were continuous; Logan and Ran
som to cooperate the former by making
a demonstration in front, and the latter
| by feigning a movement on the right.
The movement was to begin at 4 clock,
but before that hour arrived the enemy
made an attack, beginning ON Logan 5
corps. The main body of Hardee' corps
moved round to gain our right and rear,
while Bates and Cheatham's old divisions
moved up the river and struck Corse 5 di-
vision of the 10th corps. and Claiborn S di-
vision (of Hardees corps) encountered
Fitzpatrick at the ford. S. d. Lees corps
came out direct from Jonesboro' and at
tackled Logan in front. TO do this the
inemy had to advance through an open
field which exposed him to raking fire Of
musketry. Hemade two distinct assaults,
but was each time handsomely repulsed
with considerable loss. Fitzpatrick en-
gaged,Claiborn's division hotly on the right
and for a while it was hard to tell which
way the scale would turn, but the rebel
lines finally gave way, and our victory,
though comparatively small, was COM
plete.
Our entire loss in killed, wounded and
missing, will notamountt to over three humid
red; while the enemy dead alone, which
were left in our hands, sum up nearly two
hundred.
Among their killed was Maj. Gen. An
derson, whose body they have since OBJ
tanned under flag of truce. We also cap
tured number of prisoners, including a
score or more of line officers,
After the engagement, Gen. Howard is
sued the following congratulatory order tc
the Army of the Tennessee:
NEAR JoSEsBoRo. GA. Ang 81, 1864.
" The General Commanding congratu.
lates this army on the brilliant manner in
which Trey repulsed the attacks of the
enemy to-day, and announces to them that
while the enemy was throwing upon them
the greater portion of his force, General:
Schofeld and Stanley moved upon the
railroad two miles south of Rough and
Ready, headed off train of cars loaded
with troops going to the support of theil
repulsed columns, and are still ON the rail
road destroyingit.
"Thus we have whipped the enemy
cut his communications, divided his ar
my, and are now prepared to pursue and
destroy it.
'oMajor General Sherman desires tn,
General commanding to express his ap