The National tribune., 1897-05-13

EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: The march
from Chattanooga to Atlanta was one con-
tinuous battle. 1t might almost be said
that during those long months of combat
which eliminated in the capture of Atlanta
and northern Georgia, like the 1sraelites OF
old, we followed cloud by day and pillow
of flame by night.
For in that time Dalton, Resaca, Kenesaw,
New Hope Church, Pickett's Mills, Peach
Tree Creek, Jonesboro Altoona, and all
those other crimson names of battle, had
been traced bloodily into the history of our
devoted army. Every day had the smoke
cloud of battle kissed the heavens, and each
bent lights of our blazing guns, and we had
followed that smoke-cloud aud those blazing
guns over a hundred fields Of strife, until
the old flag foated in exultation over the
great Gate City" of the South.
i will begin my "reminiscences on July ~,
1864, when our army was in position on
Peach Tree Creek. The morning was
beautiful one the sun rising in cloudiess
sky. While riding along my lines 1 met
Col. Mackay, of Gen. Sherman's staff. l
he was well acquainted with Hood. He
said to me:
ave are going to have q hard battle to-
day"
/ asked him why he thought so, and he
replied:
Il have just seen an Atlanta paper which
contains an order placing Hood in COM
mand; and" said Mackay, "a man who will
bet thousand dollars without having a
pair in his hand will fight when he has the
troops with which to do it,"
Sure enough, about O'Clock that same
afternoon Hood moved his army out, as If
forming on parade, and when all was in
readiness let loose his :" dogs of war;"
The main portion Of his army was thrown
against our left his extreme right being
opposite to my left brigade, commanded by
that brave and gallant soldier, Col. A. q. Nc
Cook, of the I'd Ohio. Ny other brigades and
the two other divisions of the Fourteenth
Corns-Davie's and Baird's-were not en-
gagged
The assault was q desperate one and the
casualties great on both sides. Rockers
Corps, Immediately on my left, suffered
most heavily. Hood was finally repulsed
and fell back on his intrenchments. When
the smoke of battle had lifted, went over
TO see Hooker, and he said:
They put me in place where they sup
posed / would have no fighting. but Joe
Hooker cannot be kept out when fighting is
going on"
His loss was about fifteen hundred. In
this battle my loss was light, but my
Adjutant-General, Capt. E. 7. Wells, was
dangerously wounded. 1 had attached to
my division an Illinois battery, commanded
by Capt Dilger, an officer of the Prussian
army. 1t was said that he, in company
with another young Prussian officer, came
to this country to witness the war, and that
they might see both sides they cast lots for
choice. digger chose the Federal side and
his friend Joined the Confederatee.
Through certain influence he secured the
command of Battery G of Illinois artillery.
Dilger dressed in buckskin, and was known
throughout the army as Leather Brooches"
He was gallant fellow, and when an en-
gagement took place generally rushed his
battery out to the skirmish-line. / was in
constant fear that through bis rashness the
battery might be captured, so had him in
structed not TO 60 in front of the main line
unless ordered.
In the battle of the Doth, regardless of my
orders he moved forward to the front line,
and had several of his cannoneers killed by
tie enemy's sharpshooters. After the battle
sent for him, and said:
Capt Dilger, you violated my orders in
going too far to the front, and in doing SO
you have lost some of your men," To this
he replied: No, no, General. did not lose
any men,"
/ told him it had been reported to me
that several Of his men had been picked off
by the enemy's sharpshooters
"Oh, yes, said he; "mit dem leetle balls.n
Belonging to the artillery, he did not
count man killed unless by q cannon-ball
or shell. He did not again return to his
own country. but remained in the United
States. While Gen. Palmer was Governor
of Illinois Leather Breechesn was his
Adjutant General.
On July % Hood made another sortie,
this time striking our extreme left. Again
the losses We're heavy. 1t was on this occa-
sion that Mcpherson fell. AS soon as his
death was known Gen. John a. Logan took
command, and by his good Judgment showed
himself TO be a splendid soldier and an able
commander. a few days after this battle
Gen. o. o. Howard was assigned to the
command of McPherson's Army.
Sherman decided on the movement Of his
army to the right, and to effect this he or
dered Howard 10 move in rear of our lines
and take position on the right 1t seems
mat this movement was not known to
Hood On July % he moved out on the
Lick Skillet road to attack our right. Here
he encountered the same troops he had
fought on the 22d, and with about the same
result.
This was Towards first battle with his
lew command, and 80 well did he manage
il that his army was convinced that the
brave Mcpherson had worthy successor
Hood and his army were driven back into
Atlanta, and he sent telegram to Rich
mond, in which he said:
j have fought bloody battle on the
Lick Skillet road, but still hold the road. /"
True, he held the road, but j. was the end
OF il which was lost in the streets of At
lanta- This was bloody engagement. /
passed over the field before the dead were
buried, and could easily trace the line-of-
battle Of the Louisiana Tigers by the dead
OF that organization who fell in the line.
Inc losses did not seem near so great at any
other points of the battlefield 1t was here
that it was said a Federal officer called ont !.
Johnny, how many more men have
you?"
The answer came back:
Enough for one more killin'.r
To pass over a field after battle and then
visit the hospitals will convince anyone that,
refine war as much as possible, still il is cruel.
bloody work. After a few more nnimport-
ant engagements Hood evacuated Atlanta,
and our victorious army entered the city.
Here after Il hrief hrea lin, spel arv lar,fnnc