The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-07-15
A GREAT ANN,yHRsARY.

4
ties in history. 1t will be celebrated b
unvailing at Chicago, ILL.,, a magnificen
monument to the leading figure in tina
battle; to the man who stands in til,
very front rank as a typical American
Volunteer Soldier; to one who did hi
duty splendidly in every rank in the
army, from that of private in the ranks
to that of Major-General commanding
an army, and who Immortality distin-
guished him self on that bloody day by
taking command of the Army of the
tennessee in the midst of the awful tur-
MOL after his superior officer had been
slain, and conducting the combat to
victory.
The battle of the 22d of July, 1864,
virtually settled the fate of Atlanta,
though the actual capture of the city did
not take place until nearly six weeks
after. From May Sherman's army
had steadily forced the rebel army back
toward Atlanta, until on July % the
Union forces lay within three miles of
the city. Something radically different
had TO be done if that important railway
and manufacturing center was to be
saved to the Southern Confederacy.
Gen. Joe Johnston, the commander of
the rebel army, whose admirable tactics
had only sufficed to embarrass and delay
Sherman's approach, was removed from
command, and replaced by Gen. John
b. Hood, who had earned the reputation
OF terrific aud dauntless fighter. The
strength of the Union army had been I
greatly depleted by the long advance
into the enemy's country, every step of |
which had to be strongly guarded. The
same cause operated to strengthen and
concentrate the rebel army, which be-
came more compact and dangerous the
farther it was pushed back into its own
country.
1t was confidently hoped at Rich
mond that the time had at last come
when the rebel army could assume the
offensive, and by series of heavy blows
rout the Union army and destroy it
before il could retreat to place of safety.
July % Gen. Hood started to carry
out this promising program. He gath
cred bis army well in hand, and struck
the Army of the Tennessee, which
formed the left of the Union line, with
fury that was never surpassed on the
field of battle
The battle that ensued is to the
eternal glory of the Union soldier, of
rSatever rank. 1t was splendid illus
ration of the natural, innate, unshaka-
Die courage of the American boy, whose
spirit rose higher the greater the perils
With which be was encompassed. Never .
II the annals Of warfare were men sub-
ected TO such trying tests, and never did
hey acquit themselves more gloriously. ,
struck in front, rear and on the TANKS
~ an outnumbering enemy, they stood
heir ground without a break, and by
lightfall had beaten off every attack.
md held the ground which the enemy L
lad been determined to wrest from
hem. Their beloved commander
daj.-Gen. James B. McPherson-was !
silled at the opening of the fight, and }
be command devolved upon Maj Gen.
Iohn A. Logan, who directed the
'attle with the utmost gaIlantry and {
bllity. He foresaw, with soldierly
enius, the points which from time
time became intensely critical, was $
here in advance of the danger. and {
made his presence felt everywhere from
ne end of the tornado of battle to the !;
Their. Although he had done splen- .
idly on many fields before, and did
nagnlfcently on fields thereafter, vet q
e rose to his greatest hight on the 22d
f July, 1864, before Atlanta. and
bowed himself rarely great soldier II
nd commander. c
The battle WAS a momentous one. be- d
ause ii destroyed the hopes of the rebels P
f being able to save Atlanta by apv T.
low no matter hove hold OIL