Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-25

but as the observer descends from this giddy
height and travels in the direction of either
point of the compass his progress is OBJ
structed by sharp "pitches" and narrow
''ravines," through many of which flow
small rivulets. To such an extent is this
the character of the surface, that scarcely
an acre of level ground can be found in the
limits of the city.
The soil, where there is any, is light and
sandy, with a substratum of red clay
Other portions are gravelly and sterile.
The most of the country is still covered
with heavy growth of timber. This de-
scription holds good until you pass few
miles north of Marietta. twenty-one miles
south of Atlanta, including Dallas, lying
little northwest of Marietta. A few miles
north of this run the Allatoona mountains.
North and parallel runs the Etowah river.
From there to Dallas the surface is less
broken, and constitutes tie best grain and
grazing portion of Georgia. Cass county is
said to be the wealthiest in the State.
When the writer passed through this
country no army had invaded it, yet it
looked desolate and forsaken. Not half the
land is under cultivation. Fences and
buildings are going to decay. In all the
little towns the stores and hotels are closed.
Travel from morning until night and you
will not see a man, save some grayheaded
grandfather. Husbands and sons have all
gone to the war. Nothing remains to be
seen but old women and children, many of
them ploughing in the field. and all fearful
that they shall not be able to harvest the
wheat they have planted. Most of their
servants had been run off since planting
time to Southwestern Georgia, for fear they
might, of their own accord, run the other
way. ] presume their crops ere this have
Ill l. yhot hn-
ston left Sherman has taken.
ATLANTA.
The city is laid out in circle. two miles
in diameter, in the center of which is the
passenger depot, from which radiate rail-
roads to every quarter of the Confederacy.
On the north side of the depot is park,
enclosed and ornamented with trees and
towering shrubs. Opposite the three va
cant sides are situated the three principal
hotels. In the business portion of the city
are many fine blocks of buildings. Before
the war these were mostly filled with con-
signments of goods from the large cities of
the North and Northwest for the supply of
the cotton regions. Now the city is one
vast government storehouse. Here are 10
Gated the machine shops of the principal
railroads; the most extensive rolling mill
in the South, pistol and tent factories, &C.,
&c. In addition, the government have
works for casting shot and shell, making
gun carriages, cartridges, caps, shoes, cloth
ing, &c, &c.
DEFENSES OF ATLANTA.
Encircling the city is a line of rifle pits
nine miles in length and about thirty inches
high, upon slight eminences. At nearly
regular intervals there are planted twelve
or fourteen batteries, said to be mounted
with condemned guns! The Notifications
were constructed as defense from raids,
and for the year past have been manned
with small force. 1t is not generally sup
posed that Johnston will attempt to make a
stand in the city.
CONDITION OF THE CITY.
In 1860 Atlanta contained fifteen thou
sand inhabitants, increased since by refu-
gees and government officials, to at least
twenty thousand. As the route from any
one point of the Confederacy to any other
naturally leads through Atlanta, its streets
are literally crammed with soldiers and
drays, Sundays not excepted. The only
exception was few weeks since, when
Gen. Johnston sent Gen. Wright, with two
regiments, down to ''clean them out."-
Those Wright did not getthe conscript Off
Ger took, including all males, without dis
tinction, from seventeen to fifty years of
age. He detailed some farmers, mechanics,
cripples and invalids to work their own
farms, provided they gave bonds and secu-
rity to give to the government certain
quantity of bacon to the hand, and to sell
all their surplus produce to the government
at a stipulated price; mechanics were to
work on the government contracts, or for
parties having contracts; cripples and in
valids for Quartermasters' clerks and guard
duty.
SUPPLIES AND MARKETS.
The planting of cotton is prohibited by
law, and on this cotton land they have rails
ed for the two years past unusually heavy
crops of corn. The slaves from all TIE ad-
joining States have been run into South
western Georgia and new land opened, of
which there is yet an endless tract, and the
quantity of corn raised has seemed to be
endless. Notwithstanding the supply was
abundant, there has been much suffering in
districts where crops were short for want
of transportation, and many from the |
northern sections of Georgia have taken |
their children and travelled south in search |
of food for fear of starving ere food could |
reach them at their homes. There is State |
and county fund for the support Of SOL |
diers' families, but 1t is inadequate for their |
support.
A shade of gloom seemed to pervade the |
hearts of all at the commencement of the |
war, doubtless springing from different
were formed, some one of which nearly all |
the ladies Joined. They fed, clothed, and
nursed the soldiers. Many have continued
to their posts to this day, with a
perseverance and devotion worthy better
cause. 1t is my opinion that If It had not |