The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-09-27
SHERMAN AT ATLANTA.
Scenes Along the Lines of Circum.
valuation in 1864.
PHILADELPHIA Times.1

philadelphia TimesJ
For many days the siege continued,
and it seemed as if there would be no
end. Men became very weary of it and
endured the cannonade as best they
could At daybreik, ordinarily, the
booming of cannon began and screech-
ing shells sailed through the air
with hideous noise. Not many soldiers
were hit with these missiles, but
they had the power of making men feel
more nervous than anything that could
be done to them. After the shells struck
the ground, unless they burst at once,
there was no great danger, as the sol
dlers got out OF the way or threw them
selves on the ground, and were measure
ably safe. The round shot did no par
tlcular damage and the artillerists re-
served their grape and canister for
closer quarters. Apparently the artn-
ferymen enjoyet' this, as it was tribute
to their skill, rgt nobody else was
specially elated and rather wished the
affair was ended. | could not see how
the Union troops were ever to get pos
session of this important place, so well
situated in the very heart of the Con-
federate states, and there was dull and
dangerous drag, day after day, with
very little to break the monotony or re-
lieve it of its tedium, so wearing upon
military men.
In order to ruin as much ammunition
as possible for the Confederates, our
commander gave orders that at certain
hour after dark the charge should be
sounded but the soldiers were to keep
well back and under cover, not showing
themselves to the enemy. They would
think of course that our whole line was
advancing directly upon them with fixed
bayonets, and i'll consequence expend
their ammunition in the most reckless
manner upon us. Everything was duly
prepared and all the necessary precau-
tions taken against the effect of their
shot and shell. The baggage wagons
were kept well to the rear, and all
horses, mules and draft animals so
placed that the shot would not reach
them. The cattle herd was driven to
secure place, as fresh beef was luxury
duly appreciated by us. The parapets
were strengthened where most needed
and the rifie-pits for the men deepened
SO as to afford good shelter.
On the night of Aug. Z, l think it
was, but am not positive, this scheme
was carried into effect and proved as
successful as could have been wished.
A short time after dark the drums
in every regiment were furiously beaten
and the bugles and trumpets sounded
the charge" There was deafening
din and a few moments afterward the
noise from the Confederate works ex-
ceeded anything that can be imagined.
Great guns and little guns flashed and
pealed from the Confederate earthworks,
and the United States army never rested
under more tremendous hail of shot,
shells aid bullets of every description.
1t was, an old soldier near me expressed
it, Gas if hell had broken loose and was
vomiting its contents upon u.s." The
noise was deafening, the roar tremendous
and the streams of fire through the air
sublime beyond description. There was
rain of leaden balls that droppedfreely
IN every direction, and woe unto any
luckless soldier who endeayored to stand
up against it.
OF course the Yankees laughed at this
effort on the part of the enemy, and felt
well satisfied at seeing them throw away
in this reckless manner the tons and TONS
of missiles which had taken them SO
long to manufacture and al such great
cost. As much ammunition was used as
would have been used in an ordinary
battle, the firing having been kept up
full hour. Many of the Confederates
themselves believed the Unionists had
advanced in force against them, and
were not undeceived until the following
morning. The greater portion of them,
however, soon became convinced as to
the way matters stood, and ceased firing
of their own accord. Their curses were
loud, deep, and long g-continued against
the Unionists for this new fashioned
scheme of deception that had been prac-
ticed upon them, and they did not soon
forget it.
Our men took good care to keep out of
the way for some time after the firing
ceased, though they laughed heartily at
the discontinue Of the enemy. The
Confederate batteries had been piled as
rapidly as possible, and the infantry
regiments seem to have We'd with each
other in seeing which could expend the
greatest amount of powder and lead.
From Decatur clear round to Ezra church
our people kept watch and ward, and all
understood the wonderful demonstra-
tions that took place on this historical
arena on the night described. But few
of our soldiers suffered from the
firing, though, of course, there
were some few whose curiosity got
the better of their Judgment,
and were stricken by the leaden down
fall. There was not true Union man
who did not rejoice at this fearful can
nonade, the armies of the Cumberland,
Tennessee and Ohio, forming the mill
tary division of the Mississippi, exulting
at it and wishing the Confederates had
thrown away even more shot than they
did. From the STRIPPING to the gray
beard they all realized that the Confed-
crates were getting rid of bullets, which,
if kept on hand, might find a lodgment
in their own bodies or those of their
friends. The Confederates felt rather
cheap over the affair, though we had no
chance to question them closely, as we
were not at that time very intimate with
them.
The Girl and the ROvin ..
Hartford Post
A young lady from New York, who is
visiting friends in Wethersfield, saw