The National tribune., 1900-03-29

stalled, and could not get out of the mire
without more help. We were nearly worr
ont with the constant hard usage anc
dangers and salt ratiOns; but Sherman
would not lie still and have us withcI
away in the trenches. so we slipped away
from the rebS. crawled out of the Wilder
ness. and started for new field of opera
tions. 1t was a dangerous move. and had
the rehS been aware of il, We might have
been damaged while on the move: but as 1t
is, everything has turned out all right so
far.
Gen. Hood was bewildercd by Sherman S
move, and thought we were retreating. and
for several days did not know whore we
were; he found us on his railroad, but
thought for some time il WAS only cavalry
raid. A day or so ago, the rchs took pos
session of Jonesboro in the morning and
attacked the Fifteenth Corps, but were
handsomely repuiscd: in the afternoon we
got in and finished them up.
Atlanta is reported ours for certain To-
day. No mistake this time. The TWCn-
tieth Corps has moved into the city from its
position back at the river. and Hood has
been out-generaled. There is fighting to-
day eight miles down the railroad. and it
may he that the army will have some hard
work yet.
This last move has BEEN a glorious one
for the health of the men of this army; We
have been moving through fine. open and
cultivated country, and have been living on
foraged corn, apples. sweet potatoes. etc.
Grant gets his sanitary supplies from
home. but we go and fight for them. 1t is
hard on the people here to have us foraginG
as we are compelled 10, but it will all have to
be charged up TO their army, who have been
fighting lis so yaliantly.
Sunday, Sept. 4.-It is Sunday evening
in JoneSboro; all is quiet in the army. and
we soldiers are enjoying ourselves in camp.
talking over the deeds of the week past and
of prospects for the future. We are all in
gay spirits at the successful closing of the
glorious and brilliant campaign. 1t is
generally understood We will go back 10
Atlanta. feel very thankful that | have
come safely through the campaign, as
many have fallen who had strong hopes
of seeing it through.
REBEL PRISONERS.
We took over a thousand prisoners in the
late battle here. 1t is an interesting sight
TO see these prisoners. as they are kept under
guard near Gen. Daviss headquarters.
They are the very cream of Southern fight
ing stock, brave, proud. desperate and pro-
less 10 be unconquerable many of them
have been rich and influential, but the war
has swept their homes and property away.
Many claim they have no homes, and don't
seem TO want any, and say they will claim
their graves rather than lose their iude-
pendence. Large crowds were around
questions Were put and forcibly handled by
both sides. When soldiers get to talking
with their Southern brethren, both learn
many things.
These prisoners all left this morning,
with another LOCO lot gathered up MAX
ing the biggest lot of prisoners ever saw
at one time.
JoNESBoRo AFTER THE BATTLE.
Jonesboro was once pleasant little town.
| would suppose; it is very beautifully
located in level country, and smooth
clean fields stretch away on every side
Many of the houses had been DESTROYED by
Kilpatrick's cavalry in his late raid around
Atlanta; the houses all over town are shot
through and through with cannon shot. as
our shells came into town during the battle
doing great damage. The people all left.
and our troops pillaged everything. Ii
was hard on the poor people. but il can not
be helped, as it would take more bother
than it is worth 10 stop the men from doing
these things.
To-day scores of women and children
are coming in TO reclaim their homes. It
must be a sad sight to these people to see
their streets filled with blue-coats. trains,
batteries and bands playing music and
many said they never expected to see Yam
KEGS away down here. They seem to be of
the opinion that something will turn up vet
In their favor, so it seems 10 be cur fate
to have to fight on. The music of the bands
puOulttS StfdIiBt 1teIftSS. and We are lone
some and anxious for news from home and
the North. Most of the trains are now
going back to Atlanta, and We EXPECT TO
follow soon.
We learn the Fourteenth Corps is to stay
in Atlanta, while the others are to be sta
toned at points around. Our men are
running loose over the country and bring
ing IN corn, apples, honey, fresh meat and
other delicacieS which we are SO much in
need of. We will 'go it while we can, not
knowing when we will have to go on another
campaign. We want TO know what the
people of the North think of Sherman now
BATTLE GROUND, ONE MILE NORTH OF
JONESBORO, GA. Tuesday. Sept. 4.
This morning We received orders 10 move
back to Atlanta, but owing to delay in get
ting the trains out of the way, we have only
come one mile and have halted in line on the
OLD battle-ground. : 1t is a big Job for the
army tomove, either backwards or forwards;
the Twenty-third Corps is over on our right.
the Fourth and our own on this road along
the railroad, while the Army of the Tennes-
see IS over on a road TO our left
The Fourth Corps began passing this
morning. They were wet and muddy from
the storm last might and plodded along
the railroad track. stumbling over burnt
ties and twisted rails, and We're mad. We
We're sitting by our fires driving ourselves
and would be asked by the Fourth Corps
men what troops we were? Being told
the Fourteenth Corps, they "lit in to us
heavy, calling us Thomas pets" as they
think Gen. Thomas faYors us, as he used
to command our corps.
Ia the forenoon Gems. Sherman, Thomas.
Stanley and others came along with their
staffs; they got OFF their horses and took
split-bottomed chairs and spent an hour
talking and smoking; all seemed in good
humor, and looked as though they had
nothing particular to do or to think about
Tonight We are out OF town, as said be-
fore. and am writing in the second story
OF a Lighthouse, lying on the floor. with
candle burning; down in the yard of this
house our Admtant, Reeves, is buried;
poor fellow, he and L stood by the tree be-
fore the battle, and he little thought he
would find his grave there.
ATLANTA GA