The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-09
FROM ATLANTA TO THE SEA.
What Was Noted by a Union Man Who
Rode with General Sherman's Army.
Burning of the City Of Atlanta-Scenes by
the Way-At the Georgia Capital
Interesting Episodes.
PHILADELPHIA Times.

nave oceH TAKEN. All aVdldUte BoNefllueuS
stores, not absolutely necessary, which would
III any way impede the march of the army, have
been sent back to Chattanooga. The Western
& Atlantic railroad the great artery through
which the army has drawn its. sustenance, is
severed. All communication with home and
friends with government and with allied armies,
has been destroyed. The bridges behind have
all been burned. Thomas has been delegated to
look after Hood Atlanta has been evacuated
and the first startling scene of the great drama
is now being enacted Atlanta is in flames
The night of Nov. Is, 1864, will long be re-
membered by those who witnessed the destruc-
ton Of the Gate City. The scene was one Of
solemn grandeur. 1t was q beautiful night
clear and coudless. Occupying an elevation just
outside the city limits, / watched with sad in
terest the magnificent spectacle, and unused upon
the stern necessities of war. The flames spread
rapidly from house to house-columns of fame
shot high in the air. and each falling wall and
chimney sent myriads of brilliant sparks dancing
into the very heavens. The surrounding hills
and mountains were lit with brilliant glow,
and the outlines of their surfaces could be traced
distinctly as by the light of day The woods
of the autumn leaves were displayed with re-
markabe brilliancy and distinctness.
From Hunter street. for several squares below
Decatur street, Whitehall and Railroad streets
were solid mass Of flames. Fifty acres of the
young city were being consumed by fire. Bust
ness houses, depots, round houses, machine
shops, government shops and Offices were all in
Guided in the general ruin. Notwithstanding the
fact reward of $500 was offered for the apprehen
sion of any unauthorized person who should set
fire to any building, public or private, yet the
unlicensed torch was spread, and much useless
and wanton destruction followed. Strict orders
had been given, designating the property to be
destroyed, the manner of its destruction and the
persons to whom the work should be intrusted
Private dwellings schools and churches were to
be spared but from any position 1T was plain to
be seen that the Generals orders were being eX
tensively violated. The fame from many a
stately mansion helped to light up the brows of
the frowning mountains, and their ashes com
mingled in the general devastation. In sorrow
l turned from the scene and slowly took my way
back to where the army was encamped.
The troops were in excellent humor, and were
making merry over the contemplated march,
but could not share in the general rejoicing /
went from necessity, and not from choice. / be-
longed to Thomass army, and had been unable
to reach Chattanooga after the destruction of the
railroad. just before the evacuation Of Atlanta
l had been sent down from Chattanooga to look
after some government property which still re-
manned in the doomed city and while attending
to this duty the railroad was destroyed and all
communication with the North stopped. ] tried
to reach the Northern lines on foot, but found,
after walking forty miles, that it would be i'm
possible to do SO, owing to the country through
which would have to pass being filled with the
enemy.
Hence am / compelled to share the fate of
Sherman's army and march to the sea. My fam
lily suppose that am still in Chattanooga, from
which point last wrote. 1t may be months be-
fore they can know my fate. AS they were en-
tirely dependent on my salary for support, it
gives me great uneasiness to think to what hard
ship and priyations they may be subjected. If
they could only know that am here and in safe
ty it would be great relief both to them and to
me. AS it is they will simply hear that was sent
through the lines to Atlanta and should have re-
turned in two days, but have not been heard of
since But, such is the life of soldier, and his
family must train themselves to bear the uncer-
tainties and dangers to which he is constantly
exposed, am here, and shall make the best of
it. / have no change of clothing, am on foot and
without money but Captain johnson, who has
kindly invited me into his mess, has promised to
furnish me with horse and such other equip
ments as may need for the march.
The men of the army are jubiant over the
prospect of action. They have grown tired of
the monotony of camp lfe They want to move;
it makes little difference to them where. The
thought that they are in the heart of the rebel
lious South, surrounded by hostile people, cut
Off from every source OF succor, depending upon
the produce of an enemys country for daily life
hundreds of miles of weary marching ahead and
no chance for returning has no effect upon their
gay spirits. Around each campf fire resounds
the hearty laugh, and good spirits and fellowship
run high through the entire army Men were
never in better trim for fight or for march.
They want action. Let their great captain give
the word and they will follow, no matter where.
/ wonder if the General in his tent beyond
that quiet brook feels the same confidence in
himself that his 10000 soldiers feel in him.
wonder # his heart is not heavy with its weight
of responsibility. The world will call this cam
paign brilliant if it succeeds but it fails il will
say THE man was mad!"
The march has now commenced in earnest. At
A. NJ, on the 18th, the wagon train began to
move, taking an easterly direction from Atlanta
At A. NJ. we reached Llthonia, a station on the
Augusta railroad, where we cross to the north
ern side of the road. The country through
which we ARE now passing is much the same as
it has been all they way out from Atlanta The
soil is sandy and is generally unproductive. The
principal growth of timber is a scrub oak. There
are occasional chestnut trees, and pine thickets
are now and then to be seen. The cleared lands
and improvements lay principally along the
streams. The fields are sterile and filed with
growths Of sedge grass. The soil is washed from
the hills and great burrows cape in their sides
from top TO UOlCOIu. lnere Is llLCle or no IeQc-
ing, very few houses, and produce is exceedingly
scarce. We are evidently not in the land of
blooded horses yet.
About a mile beyond Lithonia we recross the
railroad. Some damage and considerable excite
ment were caused by teamsters racing for pre-
cedence at the crossing. A great train of army
wagons, each drawn by six mules, going at full
speed, pell-mell over an uneven country road
running over bushes and small trees stumps and
logs and crashing into each other in the anxiety
of their reckless drivers to pass each other, was
an exciting incident in the usually monotonous
toiling of an army train. Since the 10th in
slant the weather has been fine. The roads are
in excellent condition and are almost free from
dust. Such weather cannot be expected to con-
tinue long at this season of the year. No doubt
the army will long for dust before they see it
again.
A desultory firing of small arms is heard on
the left. 1t is no doubt our own men among the
poultry and pigs No opportunity is lost to sup
ply the mess with all the delicacies the country