Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-07-15
thoughts suggested by Ny diary.

in connection with anniversaries of
stirring events in war times. The
month of June was lively one about
Kenesaw Mountain in 1864 This
mountain, nearly 20 miles north of At
lanta, Georgia, was strongly fortified
in defence of the city against which
General sherman was directing his
energies in that strenuous summer
campaign Of 1864
1t must have been about the goth
Of June when in the night the enemy
evacuated his line il front Of Big
Shanty and retired to the Kenesaw
Range, about three miles to The south.
This range is perhaps about five miles
in length. At the northeastern extrem-
ity it terminates in bold peak ris-
ing abruptly about 700 feet above the
surrounding country Being only a
peak, it was not a very favorable
place for the posting of large bodies
of troops; yet few men up there
could easily repel the attack of
large force. To the southwest there
is another dome in this range, not so
high, but about thousand feet long.
This was then called Little Kenesaw,
the other Big Kenesaw. The smaller
mill was a capital place for the plant
ing of guns and the enemy had it
well fortified with cannon. On the
whole, the range was a stronghold of
no little consequence A mile to tie
north, and almost parallel with the
eastern extremity of the range, there
is a lower ridge then called Brush
mountain. When the enemy left our
front az Big Shanty we advanced and
took position along the crest of this
Brush Mountain A deep valley separ-
ates the two ranges, and along this
valley the railroad had been built
northward from Marietta towards
Chattanooga.
The generl situation at this time
was summarized by General Sherman
as follows, in letter written to Cen
eral Halleck:
we continue to press forward on
the principal of an advance against
fortified positions. The whole coun-
try is one vast fort, and Johnston
must have at least fifty miles of con
nected trenches with abatis and fin
ished batteries. We gain ground
daily, fighting all the time. Our
lines are now in close contact. ana
the fighting is incessant, with a good
deal of artillery fire. AS fast as we
gain one position the enemy has an
other all ready but I think he will
soon have to let Kenesaw go, which
is the key to the whole country. The
weather is now better, and the roads
are dry!n Cup fast"
will here ave list of the battles
fought from June Is to June 81.
It may be .een that We had, in
deed, one long battle around old
kenesaw:
June IS, MONDAY Creek, Pine Noun.
tain and Gilgal
June II, Mud Creek.
June Is, Kenesaw Mountain.
June 20, Kenesaw Mountain-to the
southwest.
June 20, Kenesaw Mountain-cav-
airy battle.
June 81. Kenesaw Mountain-to the
southwest.
June p. Kulp's Farm.
June "A, Kenesaw Mountain.
June "a, Kenesaw Mountain.
June q, Kenesaw Mountain-the
great battle.
Twelve battles in twelve daysi
cannot speak further of these strug-
giles between the two great armies. 7
will take the spat only to say that
tne great battle of the 9th was on
both sides most stubbornly contest
ed fight. Sherman undertook that day
to drive the enemy from the Kenesaw
mills, but was unable to do so, and the
rebels scored a victory.
Our regiment, being on the extreme
left of our line, was not brought into
the heaviest of any of this fighting.
On the morning of the 9th we were
ordered into line, and were told that
IN an hour we were TO charge against
Big Kenesaw. As we stood looking IN
at that frowning height we did not feel
very happy for it was understood
that the enemy was TO defend him
self there by rolling big stones down
upon our charging column. We felt.
somehow, as if we'd rather face can
non than boulders. 1t was a common
saying with us boys that we hadn't
gone to war to be kicked to death by
mule, and we felt that morning like
adding nor to be mashed fiat Nv roll.
ing stones. Yet for all that. we tried
to prepare ourselves for climbing the
mountain at the end of the hour
There was, in the meantime. a con-
slant roll of musketry. and a boom,
boom. boom' of cannon OF At our
right.
When the hour was half gone Ser.
geant Jem McVey said, BOYS. I'm
ready TO go. and now the sooner the
better; I don't want to wait another
minute. I don't care now what is TO
TO be done; I'm ready for it." In
the meantime the est of us
were trying our best to work cur.
selves into the same state of mind
with Jem. I remember that one Of US
found it no Easy 70 do so.
B}-and-by it was announced BIZ
cur officers that We we're not. after
to make the assault The reaction
geant Jem's mind produced a
% brain storm He cessd hardly