Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-07-16
Gen. sherman's Advance.
Letter from the 10th Wisconsin.
Interesting Account of Operations.
Correspondents Of the State Journal. s !


berland. In the reorganization of the 18th
Army Corps, we we're placed in the lst Brig
ade. Gen. Force, and Sd Division, Gen. Leg
gett commanding We left Clifton, on the
Tennessee river, May 18th, for the front, and
we took.our position on the left of Gen.
Sherman's line at AckwOrth, the sth of June,
having march about 800 miles, crossed in our
route six distinct ranges of mountains, and
forded innumeTable rivers and creeks. Rest
ing one day at AckwOrth, on the 10th we
moved forward about eight miles, with light
skirmishing, driving the enemy's line before
us. until we discovered him in force in front
of high and much broken range of the Al
toona Mountains. About two miles from the
foot of thisGange Gen. Sherman formed his
line, the LIST Brigade on the extreme left. Our
line was formed in a dense underground OF
pine, hickory, oak, chestnut ard sassafras.
The general bearing of this mountain range
is from northeast to southwest. Our line
facing them followed the same parallel from
left 70 right. This range occupied by the
enemy consists of six or more high peaks,
the largest and most prominent of which is
called ''Lost Mountain" At its base and
along its side is the center of Gen. JohnstOn's
army. At the time our line was formed, his
right occupied three peaks to the northward;
his left as many southwark from the centre.
Now our Corps occupies two of these peaks
on his right, and our right has rolled back his
left, doubling his left and right up, back to
back along the railroad to Atlanta; each
flank protecting Marietta, which lies between
them in rear of Lost Mountain" and the
route to Atlanta. Gen. Sherman has kept
the railroad from Rome open, and gets his
supplies at Big Shanty Station, about FIVE
miles from Ackworth, from which station it
is only five or six miles to the right or left
of his army. Gen. Johnston gets his supplies
at Marietta, only miles from Big Shanty.
On the 18th, 18th and 18th, details were
regularly made from our regiment for pickets
and skirmishers A strong line was estab-
lished about so rods in front of our line, and
heavy skirmishing was commenced; and, as
the rebels held their line rather tenaciously,
it was kept up most of the time night and
day. The rebels had some little work or rifle
pit, and four or FIVE men on a post.
On the 18th the firing was more brisk than
usual Two batteries had been erected in
front of our line, little in rear of our Skin
mishers, and occasionally sent shell at some
Of their posts About noon eight of our
skirmishers suddenly charged on a rebel post
and captured four, the rest made their es-
cape Our men again deployed and took
their place in line. From near the point of
capture toward our left, our men commenced
advancing, driving back their right consider
able, and closing up along our whole brigade
At night Co. 6 was sent out as skirmishers
and a large working party detailed. The
Slst III. was ordered TO advance and support
the workmen. They advanced about three
fourths of mile, and before midniz hit had
breast work sufficient to cover a regiment
The 3lst rushed up and occupied them and
opened a heavy fire, which they kept up
most of the night. 1t was expected that if
their line had nOstrOng support near by, they
would take advantage of the darkness to re-
tire from place exposed as theirs was to our
fire, at short range, with no artillery TO aid
them. But in the morningthey still occupied
their little rifle pits and boldly aimed their
pieces About o'clock a. IN. the 10th we're
ordered to relieve the 5lst and sprang into
the works on the double quick, escaping the
rebel fire. Co. 6, commanded by Capt
Wheeler, were in our front, ensconsed in
some snug places or behind rocks, aud kept
up brisk fire in reply to the foe, doing some
execution, but keeping themselves well
screened. The difficulty of firing over the
heads of Co. G without endangering them.
prevented US from firing much. In the after
noon brigade from reserve division of the
18th Army Corps was ordered up on our left,
and preparations made to test the strength of
the force in front of US.
The ground we then occupied was a corn
field, and very much of the land in our front
was put in TO corn and wheat, but was rolling
and cut by various deep, rocky, bush-lined
ravines, running at different angles. No DO |
sitiOn could be secured from which 70 discov-
er what these contained. Back of these farm
lands Law H.vF ell
cealed by the thick wood. The brigade was
soon formed for the charge, and bore down in |
gallant STYLE They met a much heavier !
force than was observable, but made no de- |
lay, and soon completely routed them putting |
them 20 a confused hight. Co. G Joined in |
the rush for graybacks and butternuts. and |
with some more of the 10th, who were moved |
from the picket line ON the flank to the front, |
they captured about 40 prisoners. The whole |
regiment sent their compliments, but were
held by strict orders not to leave the breast
work. The force routed was a brigade COM
posed of the 21st, 10th, AID Alabama and the |
SD Virginia. The Colonel commanding and |
about 800 officers and men were captured. |
Their right was driven back rather further |
than the line in front of us, and we had ra- |
king FIRE, and if it had been considered pru- |
pent to allow US to move, we could no doubt |
have captured as many more prisoners, as
We could have got somewhat in their rear.
Many of the rebS from this brigade have at
various times deserted to US. A Captain and
some of his men came in the night of the
l4th. The night of the 18th, Lieutenant
and two men came in, having previously
made arrangements for his whole come in at |
a given signal. Sergt. Chas. Bowen, Co. c, |
10th reg ment, in command Of the post, al |
lowed the signal to be given, and a few came
in others we're restrained by their timidity. |
In this action understand these7th Indi-
ana, which led the charge, lost 4 killed and
20 wounded. We had only two wounded in |
the 10th and some clothes torn. Major Dawes |
had the honor of receiving compliment |
from them which cut pieces out of his coat |
and shirt sleeves, -
The rebs made quite display of force on
their right for a number of days after this re.
pulse; unmasked some heavy works and bat |
teries on the hills in our front, and finally on
the 10th and 18th giving US pretty brisk
Smelling. Our force, however, kept working
up to them, digging and fighting, until the |
10th, when having got the range so as to |
shell their works on the mountain, our corps |
and one division of the 18th were formed in |
linesin the open field, for another charge. Z, |
The desperate appearance of those solid |
lines of Yanks must have frightened some |
body, or else it rained so hard they feared |
they could not keep their powder dry, for |
when our men arrived at the top of the hill |
they met only a light parting salute, which |
they did not reply to. They secured the |
works the enemy had Just left, and could see /