Saturday, 3d.—Camped three miles south of McDonough. Am afraid our wounded were captured at Jonesboro.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
September 3d. Routed out very early this morning. On the march by daylight, moving slowly on towards Berryville. Reached the town at noon. Stop for rations. Sharp cannonading to the west, in the direction of Winchester. While waiting, orders came to camp on the west side of the town. Put up our shelter tents. Weather very cloudy and windy. While preparing rations orders came suddenly to strike tents immediately and get into line. Our pickets on the advance were attacked. A hot skirmish was on. After a hard run for about a mile, line was formed and we were in a hot engagement. Making a charge, orders came to halt. The battle continued until darkness, when we ceased firing, but the artillery kept up their work long after dark. Both lines are very near each other, while we are under arms, ready for a call at any moment. When the firing ceased it did not take us very long to drop off to sleep.
Saturday, 3d—A report[1] came in today that General Sherman has his headquarters in Atlanta, and that the rebel army is in retreat with our army after them.[2] News came also of the surrender of Fort Morgan at Mobile, Alabama; also that General Grant is shelling Petersburg with fifteen-inch shells. All things are quiet here at Rome, Georgia.
[1] The information was gathered from a poster or news sheet about four inches wide and twenty-two inches long, printed on one side and sold among the soldiers at the hospital. Mr. Downing purchased one, which he has preserved, and thinks he paid ten cents for it.—Ed.
[2] General Sherman finally took Atlanta by a bit of strategy. He withdrew his army from the rifle-pits in front of Atlanta, and placing the Twentieth Army Corps across the Chattahoochee river to protect his base of supplies at Marietta, moved with the remainder of the army in a wide circuit by his right flank and got into the rear of Hood’s army. It is said that when Sherman made this move, Hood, taking it for granted that Sherman had given up the siege, proclaimed the fact, and he and his army, together with the citizens of Atlanta, began celebrating the event with a great jollification. But when Hood, in the midst of their rejoicings, learned by courier the truth about Sherman’s move, and that the Union army was in his rear in full force, he sent orders throughout his camp and the city, calling every man to arms. He immediately began the evacuation of Atlanta, destroying the ammunition and all army supplies.—A. G. D.
Etowah Bridge, Saturday, Sept. 3. A hot, sultry morning. Severe storm of wind and rain in the afternoon, threatening to tear our quarters to pieces. Everything wet and damp. Sherman is fighting Hood southwest of Atlanta. 20th Army Corps is in possession of that coveted stronghold.
Saturday, September 3. — Heard news of a great victory in Atlanta. Five thousand prisoners captured, together with all the siege guns. Such news make a prisoner feel jolly. Had quite a heavy rain to-day. Five weeks since we were captured.
Charles Francis Adams, Jr., to his mother
H.Q. Cav’y Escort, A. of P.
Before Petersburg, Va., September 3, 1864
They say that we are receiving convalescents, recruits, etc. from the rear at the rate of about a thousand a day. If this be so we must, I should say, be just about holding our own in numbers, what with loss in battle, by expiration of service and sickness. This is unfortunate, for now I imagine reinforcements could be used with telling effect and 20,000 fresh troops would end the struggle in Virginia. However, we have taken Fort Morgan, which fact, I presume, has exercised a depressing effect upon the rebel cotton loan; and General Grant, I am told, declares that Sherman “is now engaged in executing the most daring move ever made in this or any other country,” having thrown his whole immense army off of its base of supplies, with a view of marching round to the rear of Atlanta, with rations for twenty days, and, during that twenty days, doing that to Hood which a year ago Grant did to Pemberton. So we may now look for news of decisive movement, for now Sherman’s guns will discuss most eloquent arguments in the Presidential issue, and, as the sound of his cannon advances or recedes, so will the hopes of Lincolnite and McClellanite rise and fall. Well, I cannot foresee results, or predict the fate of battles or the issues of campaigns. One thing only I know, and that is, I agree with Henry in his hope that this issue may result either wholly for us, or wholly against us. The country may yet be saved, I believe, whether in the hands of peace-men or war-men. It at least has a chance. But I can see only defeat and ruin impending if a close election leaves peace-men power to impede the course of war, or war-men power to prevent a peace. My next from Lookout.
3rd. Saturday. Soon after daylight moved out. Passed through Millwood and White Post, two miles, and returned to M. and camped. Rained. Moseby has gathered up quite a number of our men within a few days.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
Huntsville, Ala., Sat., Sept. 3, 1864—I have been knocking about considerably since I wrote to you last. Wednesday I got an order to concentrate my end of the regiment, except one company, at Woodville. That evening I started out with E and H, went four miles. The next morning took G and got to Woodville at noon. Soon after I and D arrived. I supposed we were on an expedition after Wheeler or some of these raiders who are playing smash in our rear; but when I got there I found dispatches from General Granger ordering me to come here and take command of the railroad and all of the troops on it from here to Stevenson, together with all of the troops at this place.
I came down here last evening on the cars, and sent back a special train and brought down the men this morning. I found Colonel Chapman here with A and B. K is at Whitesburg and C at Claysville. F is on the road here. The Adjutant, Jerry, and a good many men with the ague are at Claysville. General Granger is up the railroad somewhere at a threatened point and I have not seen him. I have sent for the Adjutant and Jerry.
We are cut off from Nashville and I don’t know when you will get this lettter. Wheeler has been in there and cut the railroads. I will write just the same. I have just issued an order assuming my command. The General in his order gives me power to move troops wherever I think they are needed, and orders me to meet the enemy wherever they make their appearance and ‘Strike to scatter and destroy.’
We shall have rooms for the present in one of the largest houses in town, owned and occupied by an old widow, Mrs. Rice.
September 3, 1864.
Rebels still here. Congratulatory order from Sherman commences, “Slocum occupied Atlanta yesterday at 11 a.m.” We can see nothing of our position here. I don’t know where the 23d and 14th are. Our line here is very crooked, but generally faces southeast. Commencing at our right our line runs 17th, 15th, 16th and 4th. Kilpatrick is on our right or in the enemy’s rear. Can’t hear a word of Hood’s or Polk’s old corps or the militia. Hardee is in our front, and they are the only Rebel troops I know aught of. Cheatham’s Division faces us, and a S. C. Brigade is opposite our brigade. Captain Wilkinson was wounded in the arm to-day.
by John Beauchamp Jones
SEPTEMBER 3D.—Slight rain in the morning.
There is an ugly rumor on the streets to-day—disaster to Gen. Hood, and the fall ofAtlanta. I cannot trace it to an authentic source; and, if true, the telegraph operatives must have divulged it.
A dispatch fromPetersburg states that there is much cheering in Grant’s army for McClellan, the nominee of the Chicago Convention for the Presidency.
I think the resolutions of the convention amount to a defiance of President Lincoln, and that their ratification meetings will inaugurate civil war.
The President has called upon the Governor of Alabama for the entire militia of the State, to be mustered into the service for the defense of the States. It is dated September 1st, and will include all exempted by the Conscription Bureau as farmers. Every farm has its exempted or detailed man under bonds to supply meat, etc.
I incline to the belief that Hood has met with disaster atAtlanta. If so, every able-bodied man in that State will be hunted up for its defense, unless, indeed, the Union party should be revived there.
There will be a new clamor against the President, for removing Johnston, and for not putting Beauregard in his place.
But we may get aid from the North, from their civil dissensions. If Lincoln could precipitate 500,000 additional men upon us now, we should be compelled to give back at all points. But this he cannot do. And the convention at Chicago did not adjourn sine die, and may be called again at any time to exercise other functions than the mere nomination of candidates, etc.
