The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1888-02-09


Looking over diary that kept during
the war, fnd the following, which Isend
you just as il was written ut the time, as
tribute to the gallantry of Gen. John A
Logan:
Ezra Chapel, @ IL miles south OF At
ania,) Ga. July 2s, 1864. This morning
orr division (Second Fifteenth Colps.l
began to move slowly to the southwest.
and took up position on the extreme
right, completing the formation OF our
lines shout noon in nm advantageous posi-
ton, with brisk skirmishing in front. The
Thirtieth Ohio was on the extreme right;
the One Hundred and Sixteenth III. next
on the left, along rail fence running near
y due east and west facing south. Our
regiment the Fifty fifth Illinois-formed
with our right resting on the left OF the
One Hundred aud Sixteenth at a right
angle, facing west; from our left the line
again running east and facing south.
About one o'clock our pickets came in
pell NELL Soon two Confederate lines
appeared, marching upon us in dress par
ale order, file colors with bayonets fixed,
a color bearer several yards in advance OF
the front line leaning forward as he proud
ly leads the desperate host, until he falls
pierced by huudreds OF balls. Bravely on
and on come the unfaltering lines under
CALLING fire from the One Hundred and
Sixteenth III. and Thirieth Ohio. while
ours is pouring in left oblique and final
ly an enfilading fire. Still they pushed on.
The crisis came; the line on our right is
pressed hard The boys look frightened
and as il they would give way. The sus
pense Is almost beyond endurance, for We
expect break on our right. Pen fails a
description here Of those awful moments
as they pass.
To our right, at the angle Of the Fifty
fifth and One Hundred and Sixteenth Ill.
a rustling in the leaves and firm step is
heard We anxiouily look in that direc
tion to see il our boys are running away,
But no. A whisper goes up the line 1T is
Gen. Logan On foot and alone, passing
quickly up the line, saying: Steady, boys;
hold themp Confidence is restored Ia
moment. The two lines that have merged
into one solid mass wavsr; confusion pre-
walls; they are running and are gone,
except the dead and dying. That deter
mined charge is repeated five times, and
repulsed as often with equal success.
The question may be asked: Did the
timely presence Of Gen. Logan save the
day aud the turning OF the flank OF his
army2 ! emphatically answer yes. The
enemy confronted us two TO one. Our
boys were good for one. but it required
the immediate presence OF Gen. Logan to
whip the two under equal advantages. Th
conflict lasted l-2 hours. our men aver
aging one hundred rounds fred each. Six
hundred aud sixty.two dead Confederates
were counted 10 front OF the Fifteenth
Corps, principally in front Of the Second
Division; two hundred directly 10 front of
the Fifty.fifth and One Hundred and Six
teenth Ill, and Thirtieth Ohio, We cap
tured near three hundred, seyenty-two OF
whom were wounded, aud three OF them
females. The Confederate loss wss esti-
mated at 6,00O. Their papers subsequent
ly admitted loss Of 200
The loss 10 the Fifteenth Corys was 6l
killed, 430 wounded (mostly slightly, and
50 missing total, 552 The Thirtieth
sustained the greatest loss Of any Que reg
iment, being the most exposed. We ask
ed the prisoners how many they had left
and they said about another killing
Hoods loss ailhin ten days was 22.0O0
rhey fought with unparalleled courage
and desperation. This may be CALLED M
open field 6gLt. but we had 3 decided ad-
vantage 10 the position chosen by the sag
acious Logan. We had no protection ex
ce1pt fence. u few trees and logs. but
most OF the old veterans made eyey shot
cNnut.
IL this, as 10 all other Of our battles.
g Logan was a conspicuous figure. and
yet have never seen this 6ght mentioned
in pitt - Gap. J. y. ,Reeieaoar. in Nsaiosai
Tribune