Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-07-28
THE ARMY IN GEORGIA.
s ss,--frsrgsns Eeseuas
Desperate Fighting be-
n fore Atlanta.
The First Hand to Hand Contest
Of the Campaign.
OUR LINES UNBRoKEN BY
M REPEATED ASSAULTS.
.e.T - 49, -..sr
Splendid Union Victory.
ATLANTA In OUR POSSESSION
Splendid Union Victory,
ATLANTA IN OUR POSSESSION!
F,s.iL Dispatch TO tn. Cincinnati Gazette.

of events for the past few days will not be
| uninteresting to your readers.
On July 18th, the last of our forces cress. |
ed the river Chsttahoechee, and nearly all
that day and the next were occupied by the
army in getting into line. Nothing more
serious than skirmishing occurred during
the 18th. The weather was very fine for
military operations it being only moderate
1 ly warm, and refreshing showers falling al
most every day. For the FIRST fsur miles on
the Southeast side of the Chsttshoochee,
the country was exceedingly rough aud
broken, consisting of bills, ridges and ra
vines, covered with oaks and pines, the
whole mbling the Alatoona Mountains.
Until the evening of the 18th. our sd-
vance wssresisted principally by dsmounted
cavalry firing from behind logs, rocks and
trees By the morning of the 10Th we had
reached the North bank OF Peach Tree
creek-a considerable stream running North
of Atlanta and Westward into the Chatta-
hoochee. The rebels were posted all aleng
the South bank OF this stream, and became
exceedingly sensitive to our further advance.
Parts of Scho6eld's and Howard's corps
crossed the creek, however, on the 10Th, and
established themselves on the South side.
Meantime our left wing. composed Of the
Army OF the Tennessee trOols, which first
crossed the Chattahoochee, bad swung
around until they had reached the Augusta
railroad, two miles West of Stone Mountain,
in conjunction with Gsrrard's cavalry di-
vision. They drove away the rebels who
were on this road, and tere up several miles
of track. Rousseau had seriously inierfer-
cd with communication along the Mobile
: railroad. if indeed he had not interrupted it
altogether. Only the Macon road was left
open to the rebels, and their situation began
, to grow desperate. On the 18th Of July,
Joe Johnston was relieved Of his command
,, Of the rebel army, and Hood appointed to
succeed him. As the rebel papers next
n morning made it evident that Hood was put
a in command on account OF his desperate
iously for y battle on the afternoon. On
the 18th. portions of Palmer's corps crossed
: Peach Tree creek. Dilworth's, formerly
e Dan. McCook' s brigade, of Davis division,
I. which, with the exception of MOrgan's bri-
A gade and some skirmlshers, was on the ex-
treme right of our line, was met by fierce
" opposition As it advanced toward high
ridge held by the rebels one regiment, the
SD Ohio, being somewhat ahead OF the
e others, was so furiou,ly asssied that it was
,e compelled to give way, and Its commanding
:, officer. Lieut.. Col. Clancy, was captured.
IL The integrity of the line, however, was
,. speedily restored, and the brigade fnall,
l. established South of the creek. Colone
h MitchelPs brigade was hurried down to th,
support Of Col. Dilworrh, and also crossed
the creek. Our loss in this affair was littl'
). short Of two hundred and fifty men.
On the morning of the 10Th, Gen. Hook
II er's corps crossed the creek to the left o
is Palmer's, and took position in some IoV
II. ground along the stream, without fOrtifying
=, Still further to the left Newton's division
W of Howard's corps had crossed, and movet
re out Of the bottom to higher ground-in
ed deed, upon a portion Of the same ridge be
fore spoken OF, as extending all along tn
South side of the creek, and occupied b
MS the rebels. Immediately upon advancin
m to this position, Gen Newton's men CON
~ ~ menced to tortify. They we're still engage
IRE the afternoon, they were assailed with de,
isr perate energy by Bates and Walkers d
re visions. of Hardee's corps. The rebe
,or ca ne up in some places in two lines, an
'e' some in three, and, in spite of the mo-
on fearful Losses, advanced repeatedly to will
in two or three reds of our lines. Kin
balls brigade was on the right of the divi
ion. and for q moment seemed to talter, b,
art fresh troops were hurried up to form q
~. Kimbalrs right, along Blake's front,
=, Bradley's extreme left. The entire divi
Oh ion stood as firm as rock. The stor
vn- which had struck Newton so fercely, role
TO over toward the lett of Hooker's corps.
art Gen. Wards division held the left Of Il
ubt o;mb. Ths ADVANCE of TIC rebel skjrmis
ut ers toward Hooker's lines indicated their
.e tention to attack; and his troops, in anti
nation of the same, were speedily broug
ary forward from the low ground alohg the Gre
- to higher ground. In front of this hi
nce ground they we're in line with Newton's
per vision on the left, and Johnson's division
der Palmer's corps on the right just as tn
,can had reached the crest of the ridge. witt
80. considerable stretch Of open ground
w@' front, they were met by the rebe! bait
tho ions, composed of Stewards and parts
Hoods old corps, also advancing hast
ers. three lines deep from the woods beyond
.hlv open ground For the first time in
' campaign. a fight took place with neitl
- party behind works. -
Almost the whole of Hooker's corps ,
iers struck simultaneously, although as
ID q wave of battle rolled from left to rig
bi,h Wards division was engaged minute
two sooner than the others. Face TO ia
"0'' the combatants stood, firing deadly vol
were into each others bos0ms. At times
vi.ii, lines we're not more than fifteen feet ap
!, of Oa Col. Harrison's front, hand to b,
"a, conflict actually took place, in which
sup Gers as well as men were engaged. On
with Colburn' center. the lines met each, OF
enter so furiousy that they passed one hey
"a nSi Ire other, and each changed front to rel
: ~. tf,e conflict. Frsm Col. Woods extr'
= INC left to Harrison's right Wards whole
Sho yisoiorf, except two regiments, was IN
front line, aud furiously engaged. g!
was involved moment afterward' and
rMr. ,;sms simultaneously with Geary. II
-. r. i.ft cf Gsary wsvered for moment VI
sst o' shs 6rst rude shock, it Was only to- !
'riday . .rs,s its discipline and excellence for
bayn. stsutly il rallied, reformed its line'
.sop. fought with rsdoublsd yigor.
A.. Gen. Williams division also sisria
nt" .H d;stinguished itself Kuipe's brigade
4 the rossd exclusively of Eastern troops,
pidiy, tended 10 patriotic and glorious rlvalry, 7,
!, ssy. Coi. Rabinsons, which are nearly all Y
slI he srn; while Rogers, made up from both
" tions, did its duty as well.