The National tribune., 1902-10-16

movement this corps drew out of its works
during the night of July 26, and moved to
and halted in the rear of the Fourth
Corps, the Second Brigade, Fourth Diyi-9
sion, covering the rear, and occupying
line of works near to and parallel with
the Decatur and Atlanta road until the
withdrawal was effected.
On the morning of July 81, the COM
mand pushed forward, passing in the rear
of the Army of the Cumberland, and cross
ed Proctor's Creek The Second Division,
then commanded by Brighten. John NJ.
Corse, was in the advance. Soon after
crossing Proctor's Creek, Gen. COrse de-
ployed his division in line of battle, and
moving forward encountered the enemy,
who had thrown out beyond their main
line of defense considerable body of
troops. This force was steadi. driven
back by Gen. Corse's Division: line was
selected facing due east, forming connec-
tion with the Army of the Cumberland.
Gen. Corse placed his division by success
sive brigades on this new line, ano imme-
diately began the work of intrenchment
Rrig.-Gen. Fuller, commanding the Fourth
Division, followed close upon Gen Corse
and formed upon his right. Gen. Dodge
saw to il that his line was protected by
the construction Of strong works for his
artillery, connecting them with substantial
intrenchments for the infantry.
Gen. Blair withdrew the Seventeenth
Corps from their works at O'Clock on the
morning of July q, and followed the Six
teenth Corps. This corps passed to the
rear of the Fifteenth, Twenty-third,
Fourth, Twentieth, Fourteenth and Six
teenth Corps, crossing Proctor's Creek en-
route, and formed on the right of the Six
teenth Corps, facing east, and at once in
trenched their position. Gen. Blair's right
rested near an old Westinghouse known as
Ezra Chapel, and not far from the Conn-
ty Poor House. Here there were some
large, open fields on road known as the
Lick Skillet Road, which leads to Bells
Ferry
1t will be recalled that on July % the
Fifteenth Corps occupied position across
the railroad and wagon-road between At
lanta and Decat,.r, close up to the enemy's
works, and to the left Of the Twenty-third
Corps. AS q matter of precantion, to
guard against sally by the enemy from
their works during the withdrawal of the
corps, Gen. Logan caused n new line OF
works to be constructed TO cover this
movement, and had these works occupied
by the First Division, then commanded by
Brig-Gen. Charles r. Woods during the
temporary absence Of Maj.-Gen. Oster
haus.
The withdrawal of the Fifteenth Corp.
began as soon as the Seventeenth Corp:
was out of the way. Brighten. Morgan
L. Smith, temporarily commanding thu
corps, superintended the movement. Th'
Second Division, temporarily commanded
by Brig.-Gen. Joseph A. J. Lightburn
had the advance, followed closely by th'
Fourth Division. commanded by Brig.
Gen. William Harrow. AS soon as tn,
Second and Fourth Divisions had marched
= past the works occupied by Gen. Woods
the First Division drew out and followed
the other troops.
Gen. Smith conducted the corps to TIL
point where it was TO bivouac for tn
night
BATTLE OF EZRA CHAPEL.
On TIE morning of July 2S. Gen. Logal
resumed command of the corps and Gen
Smith returned to the command of tn
Second Division.
Gen. Logan soon put his corps in motion
and reaching the rear of the position
was to occupy on the right of the Seven
teenth Corps deployed his command il
line of battle, with skirmishers we'll to tn
front, Gen. Smiths Second Division on tn
right, Gen. Harrow's Fourth Division i
the center, and Gen. Woods's First Div
sion on the left.
As the corps was moving forward in lin
OF battle, the skirmishers became actiyel
engaged; the line steadily advanced an
situated Ezra Chapel. The enemy wa
near at hand, and formed ready for bat
tie; he suddenly moved forward with grea
enthusiasm and impetuosity.
The assault fell upon the right and cen
ter, Smiths and Harrow's Divisions.
was fight on both sides without defen
sive cover. The Confederate assault wa
SO sudden that Logan's men had no tim
whatever to construct even the rudest de