Year: 1864

took them however on the 9TH of Jnly and
could decide the question for ourselves. Gen.
Howard drove the rear guard of Polk's Corps
tnow commanded by Stewartl across the riv-
er at PAGES Ferry and finally captured their
/ Pontoon-bridges from them after fighting
over it two or three days. But Hardee's
Corps held on obstinately in front of Palmer
and Hooker, on peninsula formed by the
winding course Of The river, occupying some
elaborate fortilcations there, stretching across
the Rail-Ro and which had evidently been
built at some time previous to their present
occupation. 1t was thought that part or
the whole of Hoods Corps was also in front
of Mcpherson farther down the river.


There two rebel corps were strongly posted
acrost the peninsula described and had bridges
enough in rear TO insure safe withdrawal
whenever it should become necessary. Gen.
Sherman is well aware that his troops have
had their strength severely taxed in this pro-
tracted campaign the men having been almost
without intermission in contact with the en-
emy and our numbers diminishing more or
less every day. And as now he had accom-.
plished what he was ordered to do by Grant
viz, force johnson across the Chattahoochee.
he could afford to be mole deliberate. But
Gen. Sherman is not a man to rest long while
there is anything to be done and as | have
said, portion of the rebel army was still
clinging to the north bank of the river
Therefore on the sth inst, the third day after
we crossed the Chattahoochee, Scofleld cross
ed at the mouth of Soap Greek five miles
east OF the railroad), and the next day New
tons Division, 4th Corps. (Howard's), crossed
still further up at Roswell Factory (ffteen
miles from the rairoadl, acting in support of
Goward's cavalry. The next day the remnant
OF the rebel army was all gone from the front
OF Hooker, Palmer and McPherson.


The other two divisions of the 4th corps
moved up in support of Scoheld and crossing
the river, took position on his right. From
the high hills on the banks of the Chattahoo-
chee the house tops OF Atlanta are visible. We
saw them first from a hill near the railroad on
the 9TH OF July, (the day we first struck the
riverl, at g distance Of about ten miles. Ii the
entire army crosses above, lie. East of the rail-
road and then makes a right wheel. approach.
ing Atlanta mainly from the northeast there
will be two or three creeks TO cross, and one
Peach Tree Crcek-oi some Importance.


There is ridge of high ground running
along the further bank of this creek favorable
for position, If Johnston chooses to dispute
our progress again this side of Atlanta. AL
ready We hear that the people are leaving At
ianta, and few believe that Johnston can cd
here what he has failed TO do in retreat of
more than hundred miles through defensi-
BILE country.


We will try to be temperate in our expecta-
tions, yet we can but feel assured that unless
we have incurred the special disiavor of the
Almighty, and consequently some unlocked
for disaster overtakes us, the National forces
will be in possession of Atlanta before many
weeks, and possibly the rebel army here will
be shattered. The cause which will operate
for the defeat and discontinue OF the rebel
army cannot at present be made public. We
VIII wait patiently for events to develope and
disclose them. Alma