The National tribune., 1902-01-30

July we learned Of still another re,
treat during the night. We started il
pursuit at sunrise. Three companies OF
our regiment were deployed as skirmish,
ers, and soon overlook the Confederate
rear-guard, which we pushed rapidly along
the main road toward the ChattahoOchee
River, and picked up considerable num-
Der Of prisoners.
We passed through a perfect network
Of Notifications facing front, flank and
rear, and of recent construction. Prison
ers say they are kept at work night and
day, their officers, like task-masters, urg-
ing them TO the utmost limit of human
endurance, an assertion fully proven by
the works we have seen. If we had not
the evidence before our eyes, we could
not believe that such elaborate works
could be constructed in such short periods
Of time and at the same time that these
same workmen should hold US at bay with
their muskets.
When we had come within three miles
of the river that portion of the regiment
not on the skirmish line was dispatched
across the country to open communication
with Baird's Division on the left, and
when that was accomplished We returned,
collected our skirmishers and moved for
ward to the junction of two roads less
than two miles from the river and nine
and a half miles from Atlanta.
There we found the enemy in strong
works on the north bank, their forts be
ing plainly in view. Sharp skirmishing
was in progress the entire length of our
line and random bullets occasionally
reached us, but we were not so much con-
cerned about the bullets as we were about
the heavy forts within easy range whose
wide, gaping embrasures suggested big
guns and wicked shells.
July 8 the greater part OF the regiment
were on picket. Convalescents We're or
dered out by the Colonel to dig intrench-
turned from outpost duty. They did ex-
ceedingly well, for sick men, because of
a personal interest In protective measures
suggested by the threatening look of the
forts over the way which may open on
us at any moment.
Our lines did not attempt to ndy8lce
but there was irregular 6krmiShing and
our batteries fred slowly but persistently
without eliciting any reply.
The spires Of Atlanta are dimly visible
over the tree-tOps.
July Z, 6 and were days Of rest In
our regiment, the more agreeable to us as
the weather was intolerably hot. There
was little skirmishing all along the line.
and our batteries fired slowly, but all this
did not disturb the serenity Of our camp.
AN INTERRUPTED sEREyADE.
Late the evening Of July 0 our Brigade
Band, encouraged by apparently peaceful
surroundings, came boldly TO the front and
began TO discourse sweet music in front
Of brigade headquarters, while soldiers
gathered around to enjoy the melody and
the refreshing air OF the evening But
bark, A heavy "boom," and the next mo-
ment the whistle OF solid shot skipping
close over our heads and thrasbiny
through the timber beyond us.
The musicians stopped In the middle Of
note and went through the first motions
Of breaking, for cover. Col. MITCHELL
stepped to the tent door and said HGo
selected new tune, raised their horns
to their lips, and sounded the first note,
when boom" "swlshr' came another
ball, still closer Col Mitchell called out,
Run for your holes, boys" and in an in
credlbly short time musicians, horns and
music were safely quartered below the
surface Of the earth in 4 ditch that sa-
gscity had provided for such an emer-
gency.
About dozen shots were fred across
our camp, little too high TO damage us.
We all predict another evacuation, be-
cause tomorrow will be Sunday, and these
are the parting shots always preceding
a retreat.
RETREAT ACROSS THE CHATTAHooCHEE.
As we fully expected, we found the Con-
federate works on the north bank of the
Chattshoochee River deserted the morn
Ing Of July 10. They had crossed to the
other bank during the night and occupied
Notifications there already prepared. and
much better suited for defense By reason
Of having the river In front.
We walked down to see tho abandoned
works, and found them stronger than any
yet encountered. The main read 10 tisnked