Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-08-03
new line. He is said to have beena brave

yards of the top of Kenesaw, where the
enemy had planted several batteries and
were vigorously Smelling our troops around
the base and back from it. Let me here
state that the mountain consists of two
prominent peaks, connected by = ridge of
about two-thirds theirheight. The point
called big Kenesaw, ranged to our imme-
date left in front of the 18th corps, al
though we could reach it very easily
with our guns. Some twenty pieces of
artillery opened on the two highest points
at almost the same moment, and the rain
ofiron was too much for the rebels, as they
ceased their fire. The night of the Goth
was occupied by both parties in erecting
earth-works, while the skirmish lines
were busy along the base of the mount
tain in holding their positions. We
could not advance from the nature of
the mountain side, which was lined with
loose rock, many of them having been
loosened by the rebels, to be rolled down
on our men. In this manner the time
passed till the morning of the27th, when
the assault along our entire line occurred,
which was only partially successful. Dur
ing the seven days the battery fred one
thousand rounds at the enemy and his
artillery. While firing on the 9th, a sad
accident occurred to Albert E. Griffin,
one of our cannoniers. He had just
pushed the charge home in No. 2 gun
when q premature discharge took place,
blowing his right hand off at the wrist
joint. His arm was amputated below
the elbow, and I learn he is now doing
well. He was sent to the Hospital at
Chattanooga. Alvs l.. Fitch. of the same
gun squad, who was engaged at the piece
suffered ftom the effects of the discharge,
having his left arm badly bruised, and
being stunned. He is now fully recover
ed and doing duty. 1t is almost miracu-
lous that no one was killed, and S few
injured. We held our position in front
of the mountain, but could not advance
with anything but our skirmish line, and
but a short distance with that. The 23d
corps, ON the right overlapped the rebels
left and they moved sufficiently to the
front to enflade the rebel works, thus
compelling them to fall back, giving the
4th and Doth corps a chance to advance,
while our forces from the left kept con-
stantly shifting towards the right, which
pressed the rebels back toward Marietta
and the river. We kept pounding away
at old Kenesaw, day and night, to attract
their attention. till July I'd, at midnight,
when our division, which had kept up
the line for better than a mile for three
days, movedlto the right and rear. Morn
ing dawned July Sd, with our forces in
possession of Kenesaw, the enemy hav-
ing left it, with the glorious old starry
banner Haunting its gracious folds amid
the cheers of many thousands OF loyal
lungs. So close was our advance on the
rear of the rebel column, that a severe
skirmish occurred near the little town OF
Marietta, which lay snug up to the east
ern slope of the mountain. The 10th
corps moved to the right of the 23d,
some l6 miles travel, when we b~ivouaced
for the night. On the right of the Odd
corps, is Gen. Cox's Division, which is
prospering and doing good work in the
cause. l cannot see that the Gen. has
grown old during his long and continued
campaign. He remains the same genial,
smiable man in military as he was in civ
il life,
July 4th, to many at home a day OF
merriment, but to many in this army a
day of sorrow. At an early hour we NOV
ed some three miles to the point, where
the rebel skirmishers were encountered
in good positions. The day was very hot
and sultry, yet it did not keep us from
work. Away to our left could be heard
the din of battle, while in our immediate
front there was a lively cracking of the
muskets. Rude works were hastily
thrown up and dispositions made for an
advance. Artillery was put in position.
and the woods shelled for a couple %
hours very lively in the afternoon. The
advance took place at 6 P. NJ, which re
suited in finding the enemy behind strong
earth-works. The rebel skirmish line
was mostly captured or killed. Our los
in the Division was about 100 during thu
day, among them Col. Noyes of the 39tl
. Ohio, who lost a leg. He was a bray,
and gallant officer, and his loss will b
severely felt in the regiment as well a
the Division. Everything was in readi
ness on the morning of the 5th, for al
assault on their main line, but daylight
revealed the fact that they had found an
other ditch farther to the rear. IvisiteC
their works in our front and to our left
. in front of the Goth and 14th corps, which
were the best field works | have eve
met with. In many places they were si1
foot high and ten foot thick, with al
abattis of slashed timber in front will
one and two rows of pickets set in tn,
ground to deter our advance. 1t is thi
gradual lanking process of Sherman
that force them from their works. o.
the evening of the 5th, we moved to tn
right and front 4 miles and camped
July 9th we broke camp at ga. NJ, ant
moved some two miles to the front, whel
the Division formed in line of battle
Here an order came for n section {
guns) of the battery to report to Gen
8 Stoneman's cavalry command. The lef
section, under Lieut.. Hurlburt, was sen
to fill the order, He marched some sE
miles to the right and engaged a rebe
battery across the river the same after
noon. At the same time st. Myers, witt
the ripht section engaged a rebel batter