Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1871-10-19
From Georgia.
For the Fayetteville Observer.

ing rayetteVllle Oct. 1Itn, lay
over a: Decherd 8 hours, in Allan.
ia six hours; passing, of course,
over the most of the route from
Chattanooga to Atlanta in the
night. We arrived at ever memo
rable Chicamauga about twilight
on evening of the 10th, consequent
lily could not see much of our old
camping ground. The battle in
which we were almost mortally
wounded was fought southwest OF
this Chicamauga station, commenc-
ing on Saturday, Sept. 10, 1864.
"A younger brother now slumbers
meath the bowling pines of the
lonely forest Of this battlefield
He Tell on Saturday evening,
pierced in the neck from Yankee
missels. A notler boy never died.
Weexpect to visitthe battle-ground
before returning; if so, will give
you full particulars. After pass
ing Chicamauga, we could see but
little worthy of note till arriving
in tire surburbs of the great and
magnificent city of Atlanta, which
within itself is certainly a curios-
I ty when it is remembered that it
was left in ashes by Sherman in
1865. 1t is really wonderful 20
behold this city--as a stupendous
structure, it stands proudly in de.
fiance of the boasted conhagration
of Sherman. 1t is now far superb
or and wealth to its appearance
before the war. 1t certainly would
have been improved extensively
after the war, had Sherman Stared
is walls, but his lust for fire or his
instinct in his natural element,
was too great to forbear; his for.
bearance having ceased to be vir-
tuous when compared to the suf,
ferings of defenseless women and
children of the serried South.
1t would be probably better for
us, could we forget the past; but
bis memory will live when Allan
Ia and Columbia have ceased to
imp owe, and their people slumber
beneath their walls. The people
are outspoken and warm in their
sympathies for the suffering and
homeless people of Chicago, reeog-
nizing no North or South" but
think that their own sufferings
might have been greatly relieved
by Gen. Sherman, while that OF
Chicago is controlled by differ
ent power.
Many, many changes have trans
pired since / left here in 1860
The old citizens who are living,
look natural, but, "my little girls"
as | have so long and fondly called
them, are no longer ''little girls"
some are no more, others are wives
and mothers, still others have
merged into womanbood, yet all
the natural features are visible,
but IT Is so strange that none
of "my little girls" have made
their appearance. What a sad
reflection! They are all here,
but not as they were six years ago.
Still they are my little girls, and
will be as long as my heart is warm.
Their memory will long Irvine
around my heart, l assure you
During the darkest hours of our
noble South their devotion was
analysed by true patriotism and
hospitality. They will ever be
remembered by the wounded sol.
diers of my State, as being con-
genial, generous, hospitable and
kind. In reverting to our past
troubles and incidents Of the late
war, we don't remember to have
ever laughed SO much MS We did
last night. Indeed, l am almost
too sore to write to-day. Palmetto
wa, burned by Gen. Stoneman on
the night of the 2Sth of July,
1864, and in his retreat was cap.
tured by Gen. Raby at Newman,
II miles from here. Some very
amusing incidents occurred with
the writer during this excitement.
We were busy all day of the 28tb,
preparing to refugee with some
valuabies, and some negroes
Late in the evening our scouts
came rushing into Palmetto close
ly followed by the Yankees. Hav-
ing failed to get our negroes eff in
the proper time, we told them to
get away the best they could, but
to move directly and quickly in a
southern course. We mounted an
old grey mule which we pressed
from one Of them, and holding up
our feet to prevent them from
dragging, we were "off for Rich
mond," followed by one or two Of
the Yanks. Don't you reckon the
old mule had to act with caution
to conduct his retreat in a com.
mendable manner? At any rate