The National tribune., 1902-02-20


because we did not change our 'positi'
nor did we see other troops changing p
sitions The usual amount of firing FRO
big and little guns on both sides, the f
miliar whistle of shells and bullets owe
head, and the occasional killing al
wOunding of men in our various cam
have been too common during four montl
to excite much interest now or to fu
nish us with lively subject of convers;
ton. But this evening the grapevine n
sumed business when some of our me
returned from visiting friends on the s.
treme left of our army and reported tina
the troops there were leaving their work
in front of the enemy and moving bach
with hospitals and trains, to the mort
bank of the ChattahOOchee River.
This revives Sherman's order of wee
ago, when he contemplated cutting loos
from our own line of communication an
hurting his entire army upon Johnston
only line Of communication, the railroad f
Macon. We all realize that this moyemen
Involves great risk, but we all say bette
this than another assault like KeneSaw
Gen. jeff G. Davis has succeeded Gen
Palmer in the command of our corps, ant
Gen. Morgan has succeeded Davis in com
mand of our division.
Aug. 26-We now know that ouI
"guard swing around Atlanta is in pro
Eress. The Twentieth Corps, under Gen
SlOcum, was retired TO the railroad cross
ing on the north bank of the Chattahoo
chez River, and our left wing has released
its grasp of the south bank and is stealing
by night marches toward our right. One
regiment after another is leaving its in
trenchments, to I've occupied by the enemy,
who, doubtless, think we are iretreating.
Our supply wagons, loaded with prOvi-
siORs and ammunition, are being placed
in the midst of our Army of the Cumber-
land for safe conduct, TO be protected as
the mother hen protects her helpless
brood; for if Wheeler should pounCe upon
them like a hawk our expedition must
prove failure, If not great disaster.
During the day the left of our cOTDs
began leaving the works. and Our brigade
remained under orders to be ready to move
at n moments notice.
Aug. 27.-More than half the night had
flown when we moved stealthily from our
works, leaving our pickets to follow us at
dayhreak this morning. When the latte
withdrew from their rifle-pits the Confed-
crates followed, and slight skirmishing en-
sued
We moved three miles, and waited for
our pickets to rejoin US.
Aug 2S-As soon as it was light enough
we moved forward toward the Atlanta &
West Point Railroad. and struck it
about p. IN. near Red Oak, when we AT
once began TO tear up the track, burning
the ties and twisting the heated rails
During the day our division led the
corps and did the skirmiShinC which was
not serious. The Fourth Corps followed
ours and also encampel in line across the
railroad facing east. in expectation of at
tack from that direction.
Aug. 30.-We spent the entire day of
the 29th in destroying the railroad track
but on the morning of the Goth our corps,
with the Fourth. moved toward the Ma
con Railroad. Our leading regiments skir-
mished slightly with the enemy as we ad-
vanccd, but the opposition was much
weaker than we had reason to expect We
did not reach the Macon Railroad during
this days march, but halted to form our
line in connection with the Fourth COrps
on our left, and the Army of the Tennes-
see, on our right.
Aug. 31.@tIen. Sherman ordered Thorn
as to send a strong detachment to feel
for the railroad and discover what dis
position Hood had made for its protec-
tion.
Baird's Division and our brigade were
selected for this duty. We met with but
little opposition, and soon reached a posi- |
tion within sight of the railroad and also |
of long line of wagons moving from At |
lanta to Jonesboro. One of our batteries |
was brought forward and began TO drop |
shells in the midst OF mules and wagons. |
which Immediately caused stampede and |
soon the road was deserted. We also |
learned from captured stragglers that the |
two corps Of Lee and Hardee had passed |
down from Atlanta to Jonesboro.
Although our expedition was merely n
reconnaissance, and our position involved |
a possibility of our being cut off from the |
main army, Gen. Baird determined to |
seize the railroad and hold it, since we
found il Unexpectedly within our grasD |
Accordingly he sent forward a regiment |
TO the track, which drove away a small
detachment Of cavalry, burned few cars
tore up few rails and retired a quarter
Of a mile to ridge of timber behind an
open field, where, being soon after rein
forced by a brigade, a stronger detach-
ment was sent TO the railroad and as il
was now dark, intrenchments were built
during the night.
The Fourth Corps also reached the rail
road a few miles north Of us.
In the meantime the two corps which
Hood had dispatched from Atlanta to
Jonesboro attacked the Army Of the Ten
nessee, but our men had the shelter Of
hastily-cOnstructed breastworks, and. as
usual, the assailants had the worst of it.
The attack was repulsed with heavy loss
TO the enemy.
FAIL OF ATLANTA
Sept. when Hood, who remained in
Atlanta with one corps, learned of the
failure Of the attack upon Howards army,
and that the railroad was in our posses
sion at two points between Atlanta and
JonesborO, he ordered the return Of Lees
Corps during the night, in apprehension
OF On attack upon the CITY
Sherman then ordered his entire force
to concentrate on Jonesboro, expecting 10
hnd two corps there intrenched: but IN
consequence Of the withdrawal of Lee only
one corps was there TO bear the weight Cf
the intended blow.
Our detachment under Raird HAVING 20
tanned its hold on the railroad, we were
reinforced eariy In the morning by the re-
n'ainder of our corps, after which we pro-
ceeded down the railroad toward Jones'
boro. four miles distant
When we came within one and n hgIf
miles Of the town we encountered the left
OF Howard's command in position, con
fronied by the heavy defenses of Jones
boro. There we halted, while Gen. Davis
sent one brigade of Carlin's Division 10
reconnOiter our front. This brigade after
severe skirmsh. fortunately secured nos
session Of q ridge which commanded n
view Of the encmy's intrenchments. mar
TALLY concealed by a strip of timber
crowning an opposite ridge.
Cen. Davis hBstened TO reinforce the
brigade on the ridge, and from that point
OF vantage studied the enemy's position
with his glass. He discovered that the
enemy's line Of intrenchments, which ran
north In front of Howard, turned south.
east In front CT US, thus presenting an
angle. which Davis belieTed could be as :
saulted with advantage. About this time