The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-11-18

,July 1.-The month is uShered i'm with
two great armies confronting each otiiei
the lines in many places being ieSS IMAM
100 wards apart, and yet, after an ardu-
oue camnaign of two months. no decisive
battle has been fought. Although we have
abandoned one strong position alter an
other. and have been retreating since the
eth OF Nav. the morale OF the army rs eX
celent and was never IN better CONDITION
for battle. Skirm !ShIng has been quite
lively al day. both sides reinforcing TO
such an. extent that on many parts OF the
line il was scarcely less than battle
July Aroused al daylight by very
heavy firing Immediately in our front, 1t re
uuired but moment for those who were
not already in the bitches To take thelr
places and be ready Tor the supposed al
tack but it continued without any az
vance. The bullets unfolding themselves in
our breastworl<s and singing their little
songs over our heads. and finally dwindled
donn 10 a regular picket fight lnterSperSed
occasionally with a few rounds from the
artillery. This was kept up all DAY, ana
We had to stay in the ditch or run the rlSk
of being plugged by stray bullet or piece
OF shell.
The weather has been oppressively
warm, but late in the afternoon refresh
ing shower fell and cooled the atmOSneTe
A short while back we had ram almost IN
cessantly for weeks, and hardly thought
we would welcome il again IN Such
short time.
The enemy is thanking us on the left
and everything indicates another retro
grade movement and unless we can spare
enough men from the bitches to meet and
drive back that column We viii be com
PEELED TO evacuate and place our army be
tween the enemy and Atlanta.
Sunday, July 3.-As anticipated, early
last night the artillery wheels were wrap
ped with blankets and rolled away by
hand, then The infantry began TO move, and
kenesaw Mountain was abandoned. Inc
two lines being so close 10 each other. 1t
required great secrecy 10 Withdraw without
being discovered. but it was accomplished
successfully, our regiment being the last
To leave the bitches. and we telt the neces-
Sitv of keeping very quiet, even more than
those in front, for any intimation to the
enemy that we were evacuaung would m
wife an attack. for which we were wholly
unprepared The night was very dark, and
we had a tiresome march all night TIL DAY
light
July found us still moving toward
Atlanta. At 10 a. m. formed Ilne-oI-
battle seven miles south of Marietta. The
Ianks were right ION our heels. and by
the tive we had our line established, the
skirmishers were engaged. They drove IN
our skirmishers and advancing line OF
infantry. charged our brigade and CAVITY 5.
Canty'S men gave way, but seeing us
holding our ground they rallied and raising
yell charged the enemy and recovered
their old position. This was quite sharp
little fight, lasting about three-quarters OF an
hour and we lost several men in the regl-
ment. Capt Thompson, OF our company,
was shot in the heel. which will disable
him for sometime. After the battle We got
picks and spades and went TO work, know
ing that the quicker we got into the ground
the safer we would be.
Fourth of July.-Memorable day. Our
fOTefathers fought seven years for indie
dependence. and we have only fought
three. Can we stand ii the other four? Yes;
we VIII never give up as long as we can
sustain an army, but we hope that long
before the end of seven years our enemy
viii withdraw from our country and leave
us i'm ihe enjoyment Of our liberties under
a Government OF our own.
The enemy has been very noisy all day
Celebrating the Fourth, but ii brings only
sad membranes to us. One year ago to
cay We were near Nicksburg, expecting to
attack Grant in the rear and relieve the
garrison i'm the beieaguered city, but the
brave defenders were at that very moment
in the act of captivating, though we were
not informed of it till the morning Of the 9th,
when with heavy hearts we began the re-
treat TO Jackson
July Our friends, the enemy, had a
hilarious time last night. They played
Yankee Doodle, Star Spanged Ban err
made speeches, and hurrahed themselves
hoarse until late in the night; in fact, we
left them at IL O'Clock still enjoying them
selves.
We had another all-night's march and
halted this morning at Chattahoochee
River where we formed line and began
throwing up breastwOrks to protect the
railroad bridge. Have had a very quiet
time to-day, scarcely gun can be heard
except an occasional boom Of cannon in
the distance. Got another big ration of
coffee (65 grains eacf).
Chatahoochee River July 6.-We have
very good bitches ready now but the enemy
has not put I'M an appearance, and we enjoy
the recess from the popping OF guns and
the kissing OF mimic balls.
Thursday. July 7.-Enemy moved up in
our front last night and we have had
lively sklrmshing To day. One OF our com
pany severely wounded. In the afternoon
we were relieved and moved back in re
serve, where we began TO f0rtify. as usual.
Friday, July S.-Cannonading was heavy
last night; and we slept in the bitches. At
daylight We moved back TO the front line
and had several skirmishes during the
day
Saturday, July Crossed the Chatta-
hoOchee and rested in the woods till after
noon, when we began TO fortify again.
Having the river between the two armies
now, what viii be the next move? We
can't retreat much farther without giving
up Atlanta, which certainly will not be
done without desperate struggle. so we
may look out Tor some hard fighting within
the next month, and although still largely
OutnumbeTed, we hope to be successful and
drive Sherman and his hosts back 10 the
Tennessee River.
ChattahOOchee River Ga. Sunday July
10. lS33-SOme might say that il would
have been better TO leave this Sabbath :
experience unr2c0fded. but as / started
out Ia 1851 10 keen Il diary Of the principal
events of my soldie. life will keep moth
ing back and offer no excuse for my desc
Grafton 81 the holy Sabbath. as Will ap-
pear farther on.
bivouackcd in the woods and had "A qliie
might rest, as the ChaUtahoochee was be
tweea Us and the enemy, but at daylight
were awakened by the burning If tn,
bridge, which the last Of our troops set OF
fire.
During the morning Sherman moved uI
on the opposite side and began his usua
pastlmc of Smelling the woods. but die
not disturb US very much as we wer,
safely situated on the southern s,ope of ;
high bill. which protected US from IN,
shells. Not so, however, with an old gentle
man who lived just in the rear of our line
man who lived Just in TIE rear of oar line
on an elevated place and in range of tn.
shells, which began bursting around him
Scarcely had the report of the first shell
died away, when everything around tha
home was in confusion, niggers cattle
horses and mules. all ready To stamDede
but II did not take long for the old man L
oectue what course to pursue. lie wa