Year: 1864




ed-its center on the railroad about
three miles irom the bridge, its RIGHT
and left swinging back and the cx
tremes resting on the river forming
formidable line something like q
half moon in shape--throwing up de.
fences, and planting their batteries in
such n manner as to convince us that
it was the work of finished engineer.


In this place, ar rather at this point
| anticipated bloody conflict. bat by
II series of flank movements Tan ex
Iplanation of which | have neither
time or paper TO give, he was ndu-
ced to abandon this position, and nc
cordingly yesterday morning when
day broke, our pickets were somewhat
taken abuck to find that they had
been keeping vigilant "watch and
ward" against empty rifle pits and de
serted camp fires. Our pickcts de
Iploycd MS sltirmishers and followed
to the river, and found the enemy in
position on the other side.


There seems to he n diversity of
opinion among our Generals as to the
probable duration of their stay in the
position they now occupy. | think
that when they have removed the gov
ernment property from Atlanta, they
will fall back to strong portion at
what is called Pine Mountain, some
10 miles { | believe) back of the city,
and there make a final stand.


This campaign has so far, been by
far the most stirring Of any that |
have taken part in since the break
ing out of the rebellion. 1t has been
one constant scene of excitement
from the first day of May up to this
date. Not n day has passed in quiet
since the eighth Of May. Either II
charge was made upon the enemy, or
or charge made by them on us. If
neither of these, then perhaps an ar
tillery duel between one, or II dozen
opposing batteries, filing the mir with
rearing, solid shot, or Kissing, burst.
ing shell that invariably sends the
boys "double quick" to the friendly
shelter of the breast works, where,
with their eyes fixed upon the works
of the enemy, they watch with eager
interest the effect of every discharge
from our guns upon the rebs: show
ing their appreciation of well planted
shell by cheers loud and long, and
their appreciation Of a badly aimed
shot from the enemy by derisive jeers
and shouts OF laughtir that can be
plainly heard in the lines OF the enc
my, often calling down upon us n
perfect avalanche Of shot and shell,
cutting short many wild yell in its
middle, its terminus being in low
tone of voice and in n horizontal po.
sition, hugging the works in loving
embrace never daring to raise n
head until the iron storm had passed,
then one by one heads would pop up
along the works like turtles on n log
until the works are blue with Yankees,
then puff of smoke from yonder hill
would, with magic like power cause
to vanish from mortal (rebel) view,
again to rise, again to sink, until wei
come night drew around us her sable
when, rs general rule, by
tacit consent hostilitics upon the
main line cease, and the soldier wea-
ry of the conflict, retires TO his blan-
kct to sleep-tc dream of mother,
wife, prattling children, home or per
chance of her who as yet, is neither
mother or wife, to be called from this
sweet dream Of peace, by the roar OF
the rattling Of mnsketry,
the groans Of the wounded and the
death rattle of the dying-it may be
never to dream again, never To real
ize fulflment of the visions ofpeace
and future quiet


when this cruel war s over"


Thus far had written
when an order came to be ready to
move in five minutes, and of course,
my writing was abruptly terminated
for the time being. Well, we moved
to the right about - miles, within | !
miles Of the river, in rear oil, and sup |
porting the 18th corps, they being
stretched along the river, pickcting
and patrolling the front. My com
pany was detailed about ten, last
nj hit, for picket duty, so here l am,
stretched out on II blanket, under the
shade Of friendly oak, with a KNAPP
sack for a writing desk, trying to do
two things at once, viz to keep the |
lies oil my nose and write an intelli
glble letter, and in trying to do both,
| think | shall accomplish neither.
We will probably remain here three
,r four days, and then the plan OF
.he campaign being decided upon we
will march-whero we are ordered 10
20, and you know rs much as l do
about that


Things must come to head here
soon, for no boiler can bear the pres
sure of steam that is up in this losa.- i
Ity, and somebody will soon lose Il
machine. | think Sherman can stand
The pressure. Inmy opinion the next
.en days will tell the story here.


/ suppose the political cauldron at
nome is seething and boiling 10y this
time. Watch it, for the scum will
rise to the surface. Very little is
,aid here on the subjective have
hat before us in palpable form
which will occupy all our time, with
1ut lighting an inoisiJls enemy, and
.hc country has many sailing under
,he colOrS of every party.