The National tribune., 1902-02-13

cning of our line. When this campaign
began, little more than three months
ago, our regiment numbered $40 present
for duty, and now we cannot muster half
that number.
Aug. y our division moved to the cS-
treme right and relieved Cox's Division
on the south bank of Utoy Greek, which
was sent still farther to the right to root
around in the underbrush and thickets for
an opening in the mud fence" but none
was found.
Three regiments of our brigade were
placed in the front line with the 18th ILL.,,
and my regiment in reserve. Found
works built on the crest of the hill just
above us. Skirmish line a short distance
advanced. Enemy close up. Constant fir
ing. Bullets flying overhead and striking
bark in rear of us, spent balls frequently
falling in our midst. A battery in front
opened and fired yiciCusly for u short time,
until silenccd by the concentrated fire Of
y of our guns near us. Notwithstanding
these adverse circumstances, we were di-
Iected TO clear up camping ground and
pitch tents, as if we expected TO remain
the balance of the Summer.
All of August up to the 18th was spent
in crOwding our line close up to the en-
emy's main line of works and extending
our right as far as the stretching process
NOillu permit IldNliiS ltfi'lttl OiI LlIllLs
apparently, by this method, we were not
surprised to learn that Sherman had
evolved a new plan, which we were or
dered to commence executing as soon as
darkness should hide our movement from
the enemy. All men unable to march
were sent 10 hospital, and tents and other
baggage packed on wagons ready to be
sent 10 the rear.
As we lay in line waiting for the order
e., wa Giscu.gal bn mt Viii u
busy tongues. Each had his opinion, but
all united in declaring that something ire
mendOus would happen. The most rclia-
bic report stated that the Twentieth Corps
would fall back 10 the north bank of the
ChattahoOchee River, with teams and bag
gage, while the remainder of the army
should sweep around Atlanta and destroy
all its communications.
We waited in vain: our movement as
outlined by Sherman's order was post
poncd to await the result Of cavalry
raid around Atlanta.
After midnight a staff officer brought
us an order 10 move in half an hour, and
at n. m, Aug. 10, our brigade, with only
arms. ammunition and ratious, proceeded
to relieve the other brigades and occupy
the line formerly held by the entire di-
vision. Our regiment was placed on the
right, and numbering but little more than
200 men. we were in reality only skir-
mish line. The other regiments were about
in the same condition, yet we were cX-
pected to maintain this line under all
hazards should il be assaulted by the on
emy's columns. We felt that the stretch
ing process had become quite serious, and
that another concentrated assault by Hood
upon our thin line might prove more sue
cessful than the last.
Our first and Third Brigades moved
away from US TO the right on the Sand
town road, and the same program being
followed throughout the corps, six bri-
gades were thus thrown to the right to
support SchOiield in advancing his line if
possible, TO the railroad in the vicinity Of
East Point. This movement did not re-
suit in Schoiieid reaching the railroad, but
one of his divisions was lodged at an i'm
poFtant crOssroad less than two miles from
East Point. after which our hrigades re-
turned TO their own intrenchments.
While this was in progress a noisy
demonstration was kept up along the en-
tire front of our line to our left.
The depicting of our line was repeated
Saturday, Aug. 20, and Schoiield gained
n little more ground south and west of
East Point, after which our brigade re-
turned as before.
On Sunday, Aug. 81, about the hour when
church bells summon worshipers to morn
ing service, we were treated to a round
of shot and shell from n battery IN front
of us; but the missiles few over our heads
to strike far in our rear, where teamsters
and ambulance drivers usually cOngregate
Our batteries replied, and the hubbub
spread along the line, exciting the pickets
to fire their muskets with unusual activity,