The National tribune., 1902-01-30
SPECTACLES."

we did not reach it until noon. There
we stacked arms and waited for WoOd's
Division, which had crossed the river
seven miles above, TO come down tho
south bank and drive away the enemy
who was holding the bank opposite to rs.
1t was not until we heard the cracking
Of their muskets and saw them forcing
back the Confederate skirmishers, that a
pOntOOn bridge was laid and we crossed
over and marched along the road mile
toward Atlanta.
Morgans Brigade, ahead Of ours. soon
encountered strong opposition, and it be-
came necessary for our brigade to deplOy,
which we did on the crest OF n narrow
ridge, our regiment holding the right.
made a wide circuit through underbrush
up and down steep hills, and finally halt
ed for the night half a mile in advance
of our former position.
We found the country very bewilder,
ing, consisting of steep ridges running in
as many directions as there are points to
the compass, and covered with heavy tim
ber and thick undcrbrush
Our brigade spent most of the night in
building intrenchments.
July 16 we remained inactive until nf-
ter noon, then moved down TO a point
nearly opposite the railroad bridge, halt
ing at n large white house on the edge
Of large field, where preparations We're
made to encamp, and half the regiment
was placed on picket near the river; but
in a short time an order came for us to
cross Nancy Creek, so our pickcts rejoined
US and we crossed the creek and stopped
behind 4 steep hill a few yards in rear
of skiTmish line, where lively firing was
in progress and bullets skipped over our
heads. We improved the time while wait
ing further orders in gathering blackber-
ries, which were plentiful around u.s. At
p. m. we again moved off along the line
toward the left, and went into camp some
distance in rear OF Corps Headquarters.
-Four Of our companies were sent out
early the morning Of July 10 to reinforce
the skirmish line on our right. The bri-
gade remained inactive until p. m,
when we We're ordered to move out with
all possible speed 10 the support Of our
Third Brigade, which. in crossing Peach
Tree Creek, while pressing back the on
emy's line, had fallen into the snare and
was fighting desperately against fearful
odds.
Our brigade reached the creek and
plunged through it, under fire, just in time
to prevent further disaster, by charging
across n narrow stretch Of bottom land
and up steep hill to the crest, where
we helped to dislodge the enemy. Our
skirmshers were left in charge of the
crest while the brigade formed its lines
half way up. A portion OF the regiment
was sent out TO the skirmish line, where
sharp firing was kept up all evening. Por-
tlons of tire brigade were employed in
building bridges over the creek, which we
found TO be broad and deep, with muddy
banks.
Our regiment lost four wounded. n
small number considering our exposure.
The Third Brigade Dilworth'sj lost 300
prisoners, as well as large snumber
killed and wounded.
Baird's Division crossed the creek dur
ing the night on temporary bridges and
formed on our left
BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK.
We found as the result Of Sherman's
movement tc the left that our division
had become the extreme right of our
army, resting on the south bank of Peach
Tree Greek near its confluence with the
Chattnhoochee. Our order was TO stand
fast while the entire army, using our di-
vision as q pivot, should swing with
right wheel, enveloping and outllanking
the Confederate army to the east of At
lanta. While this movement was in nro-
gress the Confederate commander, Gen.
Hood, who had succeeded Johnston within
q few days, proceeded to execute his own
plan OF overpowering the columns Of our
left wing while necessarily isolated by the
broken nature of the country they had to
traverse.
About the middle Of the afternoon OF
Jn.y ~ the Confederates suddenly as
sailed the Fourth and Twentieth Corps.
and the battle ragged until nightfall, dur
Ing which time the enemy made repeat |
ed assaults, which Were In each case re-
PEELED.
The contest swept from left to right
until 1t reached Johnscn's Division Of our
corps, the Second Division to the left Of
ours, hut did not reach 10; IN fact, no a.