The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1864-08-26
Interesting Letter.


A letter has been received from Gen. Halcn
now serving under Sherman at Atlanta. by
friend, who furnishes portions Of 1t for publ
cation. We extract few passages:
"will thepeople keep up their pluck and hGh'
| the thing out II all depends upon their steadi,
ness Of purpose. II Richmond does not fai
soon, the army Of the West will finally make
its way to the back door. II none OF the east
| ern rebel army comes here, We will wear thu
one out before the close of the season. and II u
but q matter Of time when the entire forcc o.
the enemy NUT waste away. Will the people
hold out!
Johnston's veteran army, by his official re.
port, June rs, contained 40. 62s arms.bearlnn
! men, including GG3l Of Wheeler's cavalry
They have lost since that time 5000 prisoners
and In their three assaults upon our WORKS
since arriving in front Of this place OF least ~.
600 men They have received from Mississippi
$500, and are receiving from Governor browns
proclamation about 5000 militia. This gives
them to-day an army of about $4,000 veterans
and 5000 militia-23, 900 in all.
These figures are substantially correct. The
hope of being reinforced by Kirby Smith Is at
last given up. Af,er exhausting the militia OF
Alabama aud Eastern Mississippi. which may
amount to 10, 900 more. If they have the power
to force them out, cannot for my life see how
the enemy can make up the wastase OF their
army.
know the rebel army when II was joined by
Polk. just before the fight at Resaca, was sew
enty lone thousand strong. Thisincluded Polk
and besides the additions before mentioned 1t
has received brigade (IIarting's) Of ut least
three thousand from Mobile. This gires The
enormous loss 10 them since the campaign Of
ftiy.ttco thousand men. WhoipossiHc chance
Is there for these hirty-thrse thousand now be-
fore usy These figures may seem exaggcri..
tions, but they are not-they are realities and
when il is remembered that We have taken
twelve thousand prisoners, have had no less
than twelve engagements, where from one 10
three corps have been in battle, with the ordin-
AIRY dcsertions and losses from disease. the fifty:
two thousand is readily made up. What will
hinder the daily attrition OF the next three
months from completing the overthrow OF the
foe before us?
You will say, perhaps. why not assault so
contemplate q foe and put him out of his mir
cry at once The art of war here is no longer
chance matter. Both armies convey full
supply Of intrcnchng tools, and no forces on
either side ever rest till they have before them
complete liLe of works strong enough to re-
sist the heaviest field ordnance, with obstruc-
tions in the front in the way OF abattis, pals.
AIDES and ntrcnchments, that puts the matter OF
an assault quite out of the question. think
the battle of Chcamauga on the left taught
both armies the value OF these works. No as
sault by either side in this campaign has been
successful. II would surprise you to see how
quickly and willingly these men construct their
works. None appreciate their value more truly.
We arc losing some good officers, and of
course some men but wish all could under
stand how vitality this campaign is striking the
rebellion. Did you read Gov. Browns procla-
nation calling out the militia and detailed men
There was no blossoming palmetto about that,
hut plain and open groan, showing clearly
how deep the travel OF our army is moving
down upon the tender places OF the confeder-
acy.
The greatest victory for them-greater than
fly Manassases. and tho only one that can
give them particle of hopc-will be to defeat
the war party at the incoming campaign. IL
they can by any possibility keep their army in
the field, no matter whether victorious or not,
and little before election place q strong army
upon the soil of a free State, with fair show
of sharp diplomacy upon their part, carelessly
met by us, then let the question go Hat before
the peOple-"peice" or "war"-dnd rho cdn
tell what piA be The result Of our last three
years of blood and riciory? fear nothing in
Ohio. Our first great baiiie must be at The bal.
lot Dor, and the irar porer must be sustained at
all hd=ards."