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.
September 2014
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.
Friday, 2d.—Atlanta has fallen. Started back at daylight in direction of McDonough. Reported Federals charged Hardee’s Corps yesterday, but were driven back at first, but finally massed heavy force in front of Govan’s Brigade, and, after desperate fighting, took part of the works and captured General Govan and good portion of his brigade.
September 2nd. A very pleasant morning. Now wondering why we still remain in the woods. Believe the enemy must be in this vicinity in a strong force. Wrote several letters to friends at home. Later a surprise came when orders came to fall in for pay, the Paymaster having shown up in our camp. Too much money for a fellow to carry while in front of the enemy. The Confeds liked to get hold of greenbacks. We usually sent money home by the Adams Express Company. The men with families were very anxious to send money home. All I send home is banked for me. Men of families often worry and wonder how they are getting along at home, as they must wait for the money, which comes very slow and not very much of it for men with families.
September 2d.—The battle has been raging at Atlanta,[1] and our fate hanging in the balance. Atlanta, indeed, is gone. Well, that agony is over. Like David, when the child was dead, I will get up from my knees, will wash my face and comb my hair. No hope; we will try to have no fear.
At the Prestons’ I found them drawn up in line of battle every moment looking for the Doctor on his way to Richmond. Now, to drown thought, for our day is done, read Dumas’s Maîtres d’Armes. Russia ought to sympathize with us. We are not as barbarous as this, even if Mrs. Stowe’s word be taken. Brutal men with unlimited power are the same all over the world. See Russell’s India—Bull Run Russell’s. They say General Morgan has been killed. We are hard as stones; we sit unmoved and hear any bad news chance may bring. Are we stupefied?
[1] After the battle, Atlanta was taken possession of and partly burned by the Federals.
Friday, 2d—Cloudy and warm—threatened rain. No news.[1] I wrote two letters today, one to Lewis Elseffer and one to Mrs. Mary Ham, Iowa City, Iowa.
[1] On this day John Hilton of Company E was severely wounded in the right side at Lovejoy Station. This was the last day’s fighting in the siege of Atlanta. Crocker’s Iowa Brigade had been under fire eighty-one days out of the eighty-seven days of the siege—from June to September.—A. G. D.
