Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-08-01
vQ|DBio Statesman,
2 PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY .sr
The Ohio Statesman Company,
MONDAY MORNING, = AUGUST l.
REBEL ACCOUNTS.

General Walker COnfirmed-tsene.
rails Smith, Gist and Mercer Wound
ed-Excitement and Reioicings i'm
HichmOnd-Genera raj Hardee Attack
ing the Federal Rear, &C. -..4L
from the Richmond Enquirer, July 25.l y
The glorious news from Northern Geor-
gia absorbed the public attention on Satur-
day and yesterday; the city was lively with
delightful excitement; and even the grim
savans, who affect to see an almost inter-
minable war, grew buoyant with hope
The tate of Sherman, and its bearing upon
the result of the general campaign and the
war, was literally discussed; and it was
! generally accepted that, should the effect of
Hoods initiatory engagements be sustain
ed, and culminate in a decisive victory, no
fears, not even doubts, need be entertained
as to the result of the campaign in Virgin
la. Grant, having expended the force of
numbers at his command in vain, strategic
force may then be employed by him to
about the same purpose. The following is
the official dispatch of Gen. Hood:
ATLANTA, July 22-10:3O P. NJ.
Hon. Secretary Of War: n
The army shifted its position fronting on
Peach Tree Creek last night, and Stewards
and Cheatham's corps formed line of battle
around the city. Hardee's corps made
night march and attacked the enemy's ex-
treme left to-day at one o'clock, and drove
him from his works, capturing sixteen
pieces of artillery and five stand of colors.
Cheatham attacked the enemy at four o'clock
2. M. with portion of his command, and
drove the enemy, capturing six pieces of
artillery. During the engagement we cap
tured about two thousand prisoners.
Wheeler's cavalry routed the enemy in
the neighborhoOd of Decatur, capturing his
camps. Our loss is not fully ascertained
Major General Walker, killed; Brigadier
Generals Smith, Gist and Mercer wounded.
Prisoners report Mcpherson killed. Our
troops fought with great gallantry. r.
j. B. HOOP, General.
THE PRESS DISPATCHES.
/, .... ATLANTA, July %, 1864.
About two o'clock this afternoon the en-
emy attacked our left, under Gen. Stewart,
with great vigor. They were received with
a calling fire from both artillery and in
fantry, which caused them to falter, when
the order was given to charge.
Among their killed is Gen. Mcpherson,
who was shot through the heart; Brigadier
General Giles A. Smith and (the Yankee)
General Hood. General Gresham lost leg.
Our troops left their breastworks and
charged with great rapidity, driving the
enemy from two lines of intrenchments and
inflicting great slaughter, capturing large
number of prisoners and twenty-five pieces
Of artillery. .'
General Hardee having passed around the
enemy's flank, is now in their rear, doing
great execution. ..
The fighting still continues. .. ..
SECOND DISPATCH.
ATLANTA, July %, 1864.
General Wheeler, last evening, attacked
the enemy's left, in the neighborhood of
Decatur, and drove them back, capturing
five hundred wagons with supplies, and a
large number of prisoners. He is still pur-
suing.
There was very little fighting after dark
yesterday.
Two thousand prisoners, including seven
ty-ive commissioned officers, twenty-five
pieces of artillery and seven stands of col
ors, have been brought in. .......
The losses on either side are not vet
known. Ours was severe in officers.
Comparative quiet reigns this morning.
There is some little skirmishing on our left.
EXCITEMENT IN RICHMOND.
IFrom The Richmond Enquirer, July 25.l
The news of the victory at Atlanta, which
the telegraph brought to Richmond on last
Saturday, delighted the public as much as
any that has been received during the war (:
1t caused a general joy throughout the city,
and will carry the same to all quarters of |
the country. General Hood has signaized
his acceptance of the command ofthe Army
of Tennessee with q brilliant victory, and
justified his selection by success, the highest
evidence of its propriety. The tide has
turned, the army has faced about, and the
strategy of advance takes the place over
that of retreat. The initiative of attack has
at last been taken by our army, and its pres
tige and morale wrested from the enemy.
General Hood has turned upon the enemy,
and been successful. 1t is impossible to
convey any idea of the qualification which
the news of this victory caused. The press
despatch was at tfirstdoubted. So often had
the community been elated by first news
from that army, only to be disappointed by |
subsequent intelligence, that men hesitated |
to believe what they read but soon the off, |
cial despatch of Gen. Hood dispelled all !
doubt, and the public felt that changehad |
not only taken place in commanders, but
that new policy had been successfully in
augurated, that may lead to recovery
of all that has been lost, and event.
ually carry our victorious banners into
the territories of our enemy. General Hood
was known to be man ever ready to fight
and his appointment was regarded as prac-
tical orders to take no steps backward. 1t
was felt that he might be defeated; but it
was believed that he would not retreat
without first trying the ordeal of battle
He has justified the confidence of the Pres
ident. He has fought a battle within the
first week of his command, and won an inn
portant victory. OF the completeness of |
this victory, at the time of writing, nothing
is known; but the army Is now, notwith-
standing its losses, much stronger than be-
fore it measured strength with its aiversa-,
ry. The attack was made. not received;
the enemy were driven, not repulsed. These
terms are now to be applied to the battles
of the Army of the Tennessee. General
Hood, we believe, Is not the man to rest
satisfied with even attacking and driving
the enemy. He will follow up his advan-
tages, and now, that he has broken up the
old policy of that army, he will, he must
press on, and cease not to drive the enemy
back and eventually out of Georgia. i
Light breaks from the only dark point in
our lines. Atlanta is. now felt to be safe, /
and Georgia will soon be free from the foe.
The central army Of the Confcderacy has
recovered Its prestige and defeated the ex-
ultant enemy. ss,a. ~ -, ,...,i /;
sKEToH OF THE REBEL GENERAL WALKER.
/ Major General VIM! H.. n. Walker was
an officer In the United States Ar
my, and was about fifty years of age. Hc
was bornin Georgia, entered the West Point /
Military Academy In 1888, and graduated
In 1887, standing nearly at the bottom Of his