The National tribune., 1900-03-01

rests. each flank on the river, and pro
tected against anything the enemy car
bring against it; our corps. the Fourteenth
| holding the center. as it generally does
| The sight of Atlanta is inspiring, too
nesting away over among the wooded
hills nine miles distant. We have an OBJ
| Servation-stand fixed up on Il tree, from
which many of the commanders take Il look
at our Richmond" The sight below
commences with our own lines, bordered
| by the skirmishers. who keep up per
| petual sharpShooting with those OF the
enemy. When l commenced this letter
by remarking that 'all was quiet along the
lines" did not recognize the skirmishing;
Tor, although such shots are constant, we do
not take them into consideration.
Opposing our lines. in good cannon shot
range, are those of the enemy, beyond which
are woods and some open country TO the
distance of one and half miles, where runs
the river. We can see the bridge. depot.
cars and forts of the enemy: beyond there
for seven miles is a rolling wooded country
rising gently, and in the extreme view we
get our first glimpse of Atlanta. We have
seen worse country than this at former
times, but we may find this next piece a
me as though it was the fall of n curtain in
some grand drama; the next scene will open
up with a move on the city.
Since the 1st of May We have fought and
marched or have been under fire for 42days,
marched exclusively for eight days, and
rested in all but Is of the IS days. or the
longest campaign We ever made. Sklmlsh
firing goes on all night, and We lay in our
blankets these warm moonlight nights
and are hummed 10 sleep by the shooting.
Lightning bugs have great deal to do
with this night firing;a sharpshooper sees a
glow over in the bushes, and amid the
general firing thinks il the flash of a gun,
"a N IS tn mi. MT N V
They have been so vexatious to the rebs,
and caused the loss Of so much ammuni-
ton. that their skirmishers hello ovor TO
our boys. and offer to go halves with them
to furnish ink to blacken every lightning
bug in Georgia.
The day we arrived here one Of our boys
found letter in the bushes addressed 10
the Ganks." It wanted to know how we
spent the Fourth" how We liked the road
to Atlanta especially Kenesaw;" that it
was yet nine miles to Atlanta and they
would be ready to exchange compliments in
bullets, and dig dirt, with their spades
right along with us all the way"
On the day we advanced here one of the
Co. B boys went across patch of corn to a
pile of logs for protection to shoot from.
When the first shot was fired, out came
a negro. He was greatly scared, and
Stammered out for protection to de black
man" The boys brought him hack, and
the rebel works in our front, and thus it was
we knew it was folly for a thin skrmish line
to charge them-where Sherman thought
10 men were stopping our division"
Monday, July 12.-Since | last wrote
we have been here at rest, and not much
doing On Saturday evening the enemy
opened up with battery OH our camp, and
we had Il lively time for a while at our old
trade Of "dodging shells" On Sunday the
enemy that have occupied their works on
this side Of the river withdrew to the other
side, burning the bridge after them. They
had expected to draw us into their trap,
but We were too wary for that, so they had
all their digging and elaborate works
for nothing, and when Gen Sherman saw
these works he pronounced them the strong
est he had seen. Gen. Sherman and Gen.
Davis rode down yesterday, and he very
justly gave Gen. Davis credit for his
caution. We now have all this side
of the river without further loss. The
weather is hot, and we are cooled every
half hour almost by copiOus showers.
July 16.-We move in the morning,
with guns. ammunition. picks and spades.
1t means fighting. and the final contest for
Atlanta is to begin. We expect obstinate
resistance but have faith in Sherman.
90 be continued.)