The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-16
Letter from Georgia.
Correspondents Of the cincinnsd \

OEDh5lAf q uut II TOUT.
We have advanced a little further
into Dixie, and fred little deeper in
to the Southern heart We are now
within thirteen or fourteen miles Of
Marietta, the front Of the 10Th corps
being on one of the principal roads
leading to that city, which at present
may be regarded as the base of rebel
supplies. We are in line of battle, and
continually under fire. Minnie balls,
grape and an occasional shell, whistle
and scream about, and over our heads
all the time. While partalking of our
hasty dinner to-day, the grape and
shell passed in very unpleasant prOxim-
ity, several shells falling very close to
US, threatening very short work of our
meal
The rebel picket lines and sharp
shooters have been slowly but steadily
driven back, though their main forces
are stubbornly contesting our advance
upon our front. Our advance lines are
only within few hundred yards Of the
enemy, and the rebel works can plainly
be seen. The front lines dare not show
their heads on account of the rebel
sharpshooters, whose advantageous po-
sitions enable them to pick our men off
without being seen themselves. Though
we have advanced but a short distances
indications are quite apparent that we
are approaching a more level country,
and region better adapted to offensive
warfare. The Georgia pineries and in
terminable abrupt hills are being grad
ually left behind, as we emerge to the
more open country. Yet the portion
occupied by the rebels on our front is
exceedingly hilly and densely wooded,
Just suited to the kind Of warfare which
they evidently propose to wage against
us. These positions once gained, the
last range Of hills will be virtually pass
ed, and the greatest obstacle to our
progress overcome.
1t rained very hard for several hours
this morning, considerably retarding
military movements; the heavens are
still overcast with dark and lowering
clouds, but active operations are 60
ing on.
Since my last I have few casualties
to mention. Yesterday Major Norton,
senior aid-de-camp to Gen Palmer and
Assistant Inspector General, when out
with the General received a musket
ball through his head, and was instantly
killed He originally belonged to the
Add Illinois infantry and was very
valuable Office. General Palmer him
self was under very close fire. Gen. R.
W. Johnson is recovering of his wound
and will soon be ready for active ser
vice. He was sitting at the foot Of a
tree, on the slope of the hill, on the
afternoon Of the engagement cf Gen
Woods Sd Division, with the enemy. A
rebel solid shot struck the ground near
where he was sitting, and glancing,
struck him in the side, knocking him
over, and rolling him down the hill.
The General secured the ball and is
going to take it home with him as a
souvenir of the AllatoOna hills.
Last night continuous night Skin
mishing was had throughout the entire
night, resulting, however, in no serious
losses to either side. The section of
Georgia through which this army
has passed is literally stripped of every
thing; what little the rebels left has
been absorbed by our forces. ! am
panied TO say that in many instances
property and household furniture have
been wantonly destroyed Great dis
tress is evidently entailed on what poor
families have been left behind by the
rebels, and who have fallen 10 the ten
der mercies of our armies. Their
houses are taken, their last morsel Of
provisions are appropriated, their little
household fixtures destroyed and the
inmates turned out into the pitiless
elements. ] witnessed sight yester-
day which pray | may never witness
again. nave seen death upon the
battlefield in all of its most horrid
forms; | have seen whole piatoons of
brave men melt away before the iron
storm Of battle, but was never so vivid
ly impressed with a free realization of
the horrors Of war as Twas yesterday
/ strolled far up a winding ravine be-
tween two range of hills. When a con-
siderable distance from camp, | came
upon about twenty women. girls and
children, huddled together, partakers
of each others Indebtedness, among
the hills, in a state of starvation Close
by was q rude, newly made grave, where
one of their number had been laid in the
ground, who they said had starred 70
death Such a group of misery never
saw before. No couch but the ground,
no shelter but the pitsless sky, and not
a morsel of food ! turned from the
scene sick at heart, that / could do
nothing for them, and to think that
their lawful protectors were just across
the hills, engaged in fierce battle for
the destruction of their country. Leav-
ing the spot, saw woman hurrying
across the field, wringing her hands in
state of despair, bordering on madness
But enough of this.
A few hours since the rebels with q
yell, which | plainly heard, charged
upon General NeSton's division on our
right. They were met by terrific dis
charges Of musketry, and quickly repuls
ed with loss. Our loss very light VIII
write again tomorrow.
L b.