The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-05-22
SEEN IN THE SIEGE.
The Inside of Atlanta During a
Fight at the Front.
"A BLOOD RED JULY DAY.
Shot and Shell Without and Terror
Within.
Second Article.

founded population OF Atlanta lhto inc uepths
Of despair, a sleepless night followed.
The streets resounded with the ominous
rumble of army wagons, and the hurried
marching and counter-marohing of thousands
of men made the sultry air thick with dust
Many of the merchants had moved their
stocks of merchandise days before, but humid
reds had been unable to obtain transportation,
and were therefore compelled TO remain. The
government stores were still in the city, and
the immense workshops continuedin iull BLAST
1t was out of the question TO transfer such
mass OF material in the course Of few days.
The citizens were unable to fullyunderstond
the situation. The movements of troops had
but little significance TO them, because they
knew nothing OF what was transpiring beyond
the breastworks. 1t was impossible for a civil
ian TO obtain Trustworthy information. That
fierce fighter, Hood, was in command, and the
non-combatant who dared TO question him ran
considerable risk of being hustled oil TO inc
trenches. The subordinate officers and soldiers
had but one reply to make to all questions.
They said that the policy of falling back had
been abandoned. Sherman had been drawn
far enough into the interior, and his men were
TO be slaughtered like sheep as they threw
themselves upon the impregnable delenses Of
the gate city.
The next day people felt more hopeful. The
famous battle Of July 22d was raging just
southeast Of the town, but the dreaded shells
had ceased to fall. During the fight the rattle
OF small arms was heard so distinctly that tho
dwellers in the western part of tho city were
most OF the time firmly convinced that tleforces
were butchering each other on Whitehall
street. The officers and couriers who every
few moments rode fuiiously through the streets
wore bright exutant look, but they had no
time TO talk to the crowds on the street corners.
"Wevo got 'emi"
whipping them like hip
oven capture Sherman's whole armyV"
These were some Of the cxclamatons of the
courcrs as they dashed along, and their crude
bulletins were received with deafening cheers.
In front Of the present Kinoall house, at
that time the Atlanta hotol, there was n park
the pride of the Atlantese, although not a
little the worse for wear in those days. Near
the hotel during tho progress OF the battle
General Hood sat on his horse, surrounded by
bis staff, receiving messages every minute
from the scene Of action.
A few score citizens loungod about the place,
watching the iron face of the general in the
vain hope of reading his thoughts. Suddenly
the park was invaded by tho hospital corps.
Long tables were stretched out, and crowd
OF professional looking men in uniform took
charge OF them and commenced opening their
cases of instruments.
They were the surgeousl
1t was not long before ambulances and
wagons rolled into the park by the dozen, and
the wounded were hastily taken out and
placed upon the tables.
After that it was cut and slash, for the work
had TO be done in hurry. The green grass
took on a blood-red hue, and as the surgeons
saw crunched through the bones of tho unfor-
tunatos. hundreds of CORY arms and legs were
thrown into the baskets prepared TO receive
them.
This CHASTITY sight was too much for the citi-
yen tookers-on They had seen one phase of
the horrors OF war, and they cared to see no
more. One by one they disappeared, and soon
the park was given up TO the Surgeons and their
patients, tho grim general meanwhile awaiting
the returns few yards away.
With the history of the battle this chronicle
has nothing 20 do. That has been written
and rewritten many times. All TINT the writ
ter of these papers has in view is TO attempt
TO present the inside of Atlanta during those
stirring tines Che historians may take care
OF outside events.
w httA iAit ~ NdktlbAili WIS over tlH lltOllb
had very confused iden Of what had occur
red. They knew that tho city had not been
captured. They saw large squads of federal
prisoners marched in. They were told that
MCPHERSON had been killed. With these
facts TO guido them it is little wonder that
they jumped 30 the conclusion that the con-
federaies had won u big victory, and some of
the most sanguino predicted that Sherman
would beat a retreat
Perhaps for The first time since Johnston's
removal, lhe non-combatents felt thoroughly
satisfied with Hood. They had found out that
no would fight, and how could there be any
doubt as 10 tho result when the men in gray
We're plited against the mon in blue?
sass
The rattle Of musketry had died away. Tho
groauing wounded had been carried 70 the
hospitals, and the prisoners had been disposed
Of. Once moro the civil life of the city was
astir People crowded the stores, and the roar
OF battle gave place TO the hum of traffic Tho
prudent housekoepcrs, who had boon laying in
supplies OF provisions in anticipation of a
siege. continued their shopping.
Even on this opening day Of the siege many
things could still be had for the money. Cot
fee at 500 pound sugar at SIS; flour at $500
n barrel-thcse were still for sale, and there
were many other things at proportionate
pIioes No butter, however, no chickens. no
vegetables, and, in fact, nothing that would
tempt an cpicure. AT restaurant a guest
would get a plate OF ham and eggs
and cup OF coffee for twenty-five
dollars On this very day a young man stepped
into q clothing store and bought a felt hat
for $780, pair of shoes for 500, and sack
coat Of good durable cloth for 500. These
prices seemed reasonable enough TO him, be-
cause at the same place six months before he
had paid $500 Tor shawl.
Then. MS always, q daily newspaper was tho
cheapest thing in the market Fifty cents
would buy one, and II was richly worth the
money. The files OF the Atlanta war neNspa-
pers Will show degree Of courage. cheerful.
ness, military knowledge and insight into the
future moro rcmarkable uan the journalism Of
any country UPON the face Of the earth will
show.
\ crowd oi citizens collected around q vote
ran Journalist in one of the restaurants To heal
what he had 60 say about tho battle.
Il cannc, promise you jull "details tomor
row tNe editor Said "Thc fact is. NV raprt
Is couNVNcd hy sllo, ID SU.t1rst,ts b,,,.i,,..