The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-06-01

Watanga Bridge, at which place we met thu
enemy in strong force, and repused him with
heavy loss. We then commenced to fortify
the bridge.
AT this time dispatch reached our Com
mander that reverse had befallen our arms
below Chattanooga, wtereupon the whole
army WAS counter-marched to Knoxville. W,
did not remain long at this place, however
but were again ordered to the 'front.' and COM
menced to re-march up the HolstOn Valley
the same route We had just passed over,
diminishing and fighting our way the en-.
tire distance from Strawberry Plains to
the Bridge spanning the llolston river
Again we CouRter-marched to Strawberry
Plains and again we were ordered TIE same
tortuous, toilsome line Of march up the Val.
ley-thus virtually making four long march.
es and counter-marches of over q hundred
miles each trip, part of the time without
food, and most Of the men thinly clad,- the
weather at the time being intensely cold.
Untold suffering was experienced by our
troops in these movements of the army, un-
til the hospitals at Knoxville were filled
to overaOwing with the wounded, sick and
dying.
In the meantime Longstreet commenced NOV
ing against Knoxville from the West with a
heavy force, thus threatening this stronghold.
Gen. Burnside, seeing his great danger, im-
mediatey concentrated his forces at that city,
and commenced fortiiying, but soon the sound
of the enemy's guns came booming from be-
low, and the seige Began.
Our regiment at this trying time occupied
a position to the East of the City, near the
Fair Ground, and teok a prominent part in
the defense of the place. With the history OF
the sege and Longstreets repulse and re-
treat, the country is perfectly familiar, and re-
quires no remarks upon my part to establish
the bravery and patriotism of all its noble
defenders. Suffice it to say that the Tennes-
see troops within the Notifications did their
duty as become true aud valiant soldiers, and
their names will go down to posterity along
with ,,others Of East TennesSeeS brave defer
ders reyered and hOnored through all time
to come.
On the first of May 1864, orders were re-
ceived for us to proceed at once to Charleston,
Tennessee, where we remained several days.
Again we received marching orders, and pro-
ceedad 10 tho front in Georgia. On the 9th
we reached Buzzard Roost, skirmishing then
going on between the contendng forces. On
the 9th our regiment was ordered into line
Of battle and was among the troops who made
the gallant charge upon that immense strong
hold, capturing it, and planting the star
spangled banner on its battlements, thus
teaching the enemy that no position had they
vet secured SO strongly fortified which was
impregnable to the mooted Yankee army. 1t
was at this rock of Gibralter that they learn
ed the true metal of those against whom they
contended.
On the 10th we pursued the retreating and
discomftted rebels to their next strong
hold At Resacca, where they made another
desperate stand. Four days were thus pass
ed in skirmishing and fOrtifying positions
On the evening OF the l4th, the grand Strug-
gle for the mastery took place, the final re-
suit of which is we'll known. Our division
occupied a positin or the left wing, and
scarcely an hour passed but found ours along
with the Third, Fifth and Sixth Tennessee
Regiments in the skirmish line, and under a
heavy FIRE. The Third and Fifth regiments
suffered the most severely-losing nearly one
third Of their entire number.
Again the "invIncible Joe. Johnson COM
manding the rebels, was compelled to re-
treat before the advancing victorsi who drove
them back upon their next fortified position
at Pumpkin Vine, heavy skirmishing going on
which lasted several weeks.
On the 18th Of June occurred the battle Of
Pumpkin Vine, where another great victory
to the Uniou arms was won, but not until
many brave soldier yielded up his life for
his country.
Again the foe was driven back to Bent
Hickory, and again was another victory won,
and the rebel army caused to retreat in con-
fusion to Kennesaw Mountain, which after a
series Of battles were fought, commencing on
the 26th and ending on the 3Oth, the enemy
was completely aanked and out'generaIed,
and made to leave bis immense line OF FORTH
Gcations and seek refuge behind the Chatta-
boochie. Il was the Twenty-third Corps that
made the flank movement on the right
of our army, and which done such gallant
fighting.
Their position on the South back Of the
was soon turned, and they re-
tired within their entrenchments in and
around Atlanta, where the rebel commander
johnson was superseded by Hood.
During the march and engagements which
took place between Kennesaw mountain and
Atlanta, our corps was moved from the right
to the left Of our line but sner reaching
the rebel redoubls stretching round Atlanta,
and amer the battle In which Gen. hePher-
son was killed, our corps was once more Or
g. ~.