Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-24
From the I4fh Ohio BATTERY.

2 milesin front of Atlanta, Ga.
MILES IN FRONT OF ATLANTA, GA,
In the field, August 18th. 1864.
DEAR OLD CHRONICLE:
In my last note of wanderings. dated
at Rossville, on the Banks of the Chata
hoochee, l little anticipated that my
next would be of so late date; yet cir
cumstances which soldier cannot con-
troll, have prevented. Since that time
have been constantly at the front, where
incessant duties have been the order oi
the day The few days rest at the river
served materially to recruit the exhaust
ed energy of the troops, and when the or
der came TO advance on the 18th of July
everyone seemed ready, well knowing
that our destination was Atlanta-wards
at Rossville the 18th and 18th Corp:
crossed the river on the bridge, which
our (l6th) Corps had built, replacing
the one destroyed by the Rebels. Some
miles 10 the south, the 23d Corps had
crossed, and moved from the river in
cooperating distance with the three corps
composing the Army of the Tenn. Fur.
ther to the South, (down the river) NOV
ed across the 4th, Goth and l4th, the
Army of the Cumberland, cavalry ope-
rating on both tanks. To our immedi-
ate left were the 18th and 18th Corps,
moving on roads parallel with the one
on which the 10th was advancing. This
was the original order of the advance
from the river, as near as can ascertain,
covering distance of ffrom II to Is miles.
Our advance was but lightly resisted by
a body Of Rebel Cavalry, whose pickets
were met eight miles from the river.
They were there apparently to watch
our movements and delay the advance
as much as possible, affording the enemy
more time for completing the defenses
around the city, as was afterwards learn
ed from prisoners that were captured.
The evening of the 18th, just before 60
ing into camb, the Rebel Cavalry brought
two pieces of artillery to bear on our ad-
vance, when a section of the l4th replied
with few shots, when the Johnnies
drew of, and our lines were established
with no more trouble fer the night. The
18th was consumed In marching a dis
tance Of six miles, with now and then a
slllrnish between the cavalry and our
advanced Infantry, with the loss of few
men during the day. Here it was we
learned our cavalry and Division of the
18th Corps had been sent TO destroy the
Railroad leading to Augusta from Allan
ia, and judgding from the dense clouds
of smoke raising to the East of us, near
Stone Mountain, some ten miles distant,
they are doing their duty well. 1t must
have been surprise to the Rebels, and
we know it was a serious damage to
their communication. 1t rendered a di-
rect line with Richmond useless TO them.
But one line, via Macon, was left, which
was 10 miles further. Atfthe same time
the gallant little band of mounted men
under Gen. Rousseau, from Decatur, Ala.
were destroying the road leading West
from Atlanta to Montgomery, besides
the valuable stores that we're gathered
along the road for the use of the Rebel
Army. He accomplished his work most
successfully, and joined our right about
the Goth of last month. 1t was strange
our advance was not contested more
seriously, yet the events of the next
three days solved the mystery.
The 18th we moved south, being Kim
dered by both the 18th and 23d Corps,
whose roadswere shorter and led into the
one We occupied, near the little town of
Decatur, seven miles from Atlanta. The
23d took possession of the town, but as
General Dodge's 10th came up, they
withdrew to the west of the place. As
our 4th Division was passing through
the town, rebel battery opened from
the southwest, doing some damage to the
passing troops. Maj Stewart, Chief
Surgeon of the Div, receiving frsg-
ment of shell in his left hip resulting in
a serious wound, while several members
of the Gath ILL.,, were killed and wound
ed. Our battery was brought up on the
double quick and after a spirited little
artillery duel, our Rebel battery friends
decamped. This trouble resulted from care
tessness on the part of some one in the
2Sd Corps who failed to establish a
skirmish line to the South and West of
the town, yet they were allowed to pill
lage the place ofeVerything that a sol
der could use to advantage. We occu-
pied the town for the night and follow
ing day, the railroad being completely
destroyed, the ties burned and the rails
placed cross-Wise. How far toward the
East this continued 1 do not know, but
several miles were afterwards disposed
of in the same manner to the West.
The cavalry were at this date absent on
a raid to CoYington, 40 miles East ol