The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1888-10-18
ENTERING ATLANTA.
The Gate City surrenders to Gen. Coburn.

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: When the other
corps Of Sherman's army moved to the right the
Twentieth Corps fell back TO occupy the cross
ings Of the Chattahooche. Coburn's Brigade
OF the Blue Starr" threw up works to protect
Turner's Ferry. The rebels finding our old
line abandoned, accommodated to the river,
where their skirmishers, stumbling upon a big
nest of blue-hued hornets, skedaddled on the
back track. During the night of Sept l. 1854,
We heard frequent heavy explosions from the
direction Of Atlanta, while broad, liVid glares
upon the sky told of destructive fires raging
there.
Gen. John Coburn started from the ferry at
o'clock next morning to see what was going
on. and took with him details from each of his
four regiments l33d and 18Th Ind, 18th Mich.
and 22d Wis., TO the number Of 900 men, to-
gether with an ambulance train, TO be prepared
for possibilities. 4 heavy skirmsh-line was de-
tailed and deplOyed, moving steadily forward
while the column followed after, resting at in
tervals 70 give them time TO advance Nearing
our abandoned works, shells were heard ex-
ploding and light smoke rose from rebel forts
on their line, while away to our left we saw
another accommodating force from troops of cur
corps. squad Of Confederate cavalry gallon
cd about in our front and one unluckv wight
fell from his horse and was captured From
him we learned that Hood had evacuated the
city, after destroying the rolling mills and other
pu6hc property, and that his regiment (the I'd
Ark. Cay.) were still in the city.
The skirmish-line advanced with caution
while successive reports Of shells from the
woods On our left suggested battery in action
upon the other party. Again advancing our
line, we entered upon the debated ground be-
tween our iunet-like ride-pts and the mar
row, continuous trench on the rebel side. Trees
and shrubs were torn By bullets, and several
small pines had been topped by the Hyinp lead
Another short II hrou 1t -
and through the broad, heavy main defenseg
Of the CITY having 70 make our way through
seven lines Of cheyaux-de- frise to reach the
works. From fort walled BY sand-flIed bags
clouds Of white smoke rose slowly, and fire.
queut explosions Of shells explained the war
like sounds we had heard. We began our
march for the city, when a report prevailed that
the enemy was in front in force The line was
hated along the rear works Of the enemy, and
details made 70 guard our rear against dash.
Our sklrmishers sent back squads of prisoners
and presently party, among whom was the
slAyoT OF Atlanta, came out and formally surren-
dered the city 10 Gen. COburn. Then we marched
down the road into street. proud, happy and
triumphant. TiiHid faces peered from doors
aJarf then haHg them open and silently review
60 onr rough -and-rcady, compact ranks Halt
Ing al the depot and stacking arms the men
scattered To forage, returning laden with boxes
OF plug-tobacco and matches that would not
lElite
A crash was heard from building block
away clouds OF white smoke belched from its
openings and with loud cries q crowd Of pilIa-
gers poured into the street. The Stars and
stripes were waved from the courthouse dome
amidst mighty shout of victory. Houses were
perforated BY shells; earth shelters were seen
near by, but the churches we're uninjured. Near
the depot stood huge grated building, across
whose 'front.' was a sign which read, Slave
Mart" the emblem of the Confederacv
Finally we fell in and marched after our
sklrmlshers, and bivouaclked behind the rebel
eastern line Of defense, to the left of the Au-
gQsta Railroad. a sack of cornmeal was onr
sole resource for rations, as we had left knap-
SACKS aud haYersacks at the river. In large
iron Kettle we put water to boil, stirred in the
meal, and this sailed mush was our supper. and
board lean-to's put up by the Johnnies. our
shelter from the falling rain.-W, II. McIN
TosH, 90. (, pa Wis, Auburn, Ind.