May 5, 1865.—I arrived at Newnan to-day at 11 A. M., having left Griffin yesterday. On the train to Atlanta I met my friend, Dr. Hughes, on his way to this place; also Dr. Archer. The latter had been an assistant surgeon in one of the hospitals at this post. He is from Maryland, and like many others, since our failure, does not relish the idea of going back.
Major Fleming, inspector of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, was on the train. He had left Mobile before the attack, on his way to Richmond, to collect some millions of dollars, which the government owed the railroad company. He turned back, as Richmond had fallen. He had just come from North Carolina, and informed us that Mrs. General J. E. Johnston and Mrs. Jeff. Davis had gone, under his charge, to ——, N. C. Mrs. Davis had her children with her; the youngest, an infant, some few months old. On arriving at —— every house was thrown open to receive Mrs. J., but he had gone from house to house with Mrs. D. and not one door would open to receive her; after awhile he prevailed on a Jewish lady to take her in. “Alas 1 how the mighty have fallen.” Does not this recital fill the mind with pity, for poor frail humanity? Scarcely one, in this whole town, brave enough to receive the wife of him who but a short time ago “all delighted to honor,” but now a houseless wanderer in the land which he has presided over with a wisdom, dignity, and statesmanship which has perhaps never been excelled.
Major F. also told us that it was believed President Davis, accompanied by a number of troops, was trying to make his escape, and cross the Mississippi, to join Kirby Smith’s army, who were in Louisiana. Many say, had the latter been on this side of the Mississippi, we should not be in the position in which we now are. From Jonesboro to Atlanta was one scene of desolation. There, day after day, the brave men of our army had struggled to maintain their rights, against overwhelming numbers. The woods showed how desperately each side had fought for mastery. Large oaks were riven asunder, their branches broken, and scattered all around. Ever and anon we saw the intrenchments which our brave fellows had thrown up; many a time working all night long, after fighting and marching.
We saw many a field hospital. The bunks, made of the branches of trees, were left standing where the poor sufferers had lain, and where numbers of them had breathed their last. Near the hospital, the graveyards were to be seen, where, side by side, lay friend and foe.
“And we can only dimly guess
What worlds of all this world’s distress,
What utter woe, despair, and dearth,
Their fate has brought to many a hearth.”
As we neared Atlanta, the scene was one of desolation and ruin. As far as the eye could reach, pile after pile of blackened brick could be seen, where once had stood stately mansions, that Atlanta was so large a place as it is. There being few or no buildings, trees, or any thing else left standing, we had a full view of its extent.
We had to remain in Atlanta all night, and as there were no hotels, stayed at the house of Dr. Powell, Mrs. Byrom’s brother; she had just arrived from a hospital in Macon. Mrs. Dr. P. had also just returned. She, like others, had been driven from her home by the remorseless Sherman. Their house had not been treated as badly as the others. It had been the head-quarters of one of the generals. The glorious star-spangled banner had been sketched on all its walls.
This morning, when we came down to the depot, it was almost impossible to find where it had been. I never expected to see such utter destruction as we there beheld. The meanest building on that street—the old Gate City Hospital—was left untouched. It served as a mark, to show us where we were. Opposite it, formerly the Front House, the Atlanta Hotel, the banks, and many other large buildings had stood, of which not one stone is now left upon another. In the front yard of where the Atlanta Hotel once stood were some graves.
My heart sickened as I looked around, for every thing bespoke the malignity of the foe. The modern Tartars had done their work well. They will reap their reward.
There had been no Federal troops there since Sherman left. A garrison of them had just arrived, and were about to plant the stars and stripes over the city, or rather the ruins.
There were many Confederate soldiers there, returning to their homes. They treated the Federals with perfect indifference.
At the depot we met Dr. Burks and Mr. Catlet. They were on their way to Kentucky. Both have suffered much. Dr. B. spent quite a fortune in the Confederate cause. Mr. C. told me that some of our men, on the trains to Atlanta, had quarreled with the Federals; and no wonder. I advised him, and all I saw, to treat them with perfect indifference, as we were in their power, and none but cowards would taunt a fallen foe. If we quarreled with them, we put ourselves on their level.
Mrs. B. came down to the depot with us. I felt sad at bidding her, and the rest of my friends good-by. We had been associated with each other through much tribulation, little thinking that it would amount to nothing.
On the road to Newnan the cars were densely crowded with our soldiers. I noticed Senators Clay and Wigfall. I had just read an article written by the latter, in defense of General Johnston, which I much admired.
I found my Newnan friends, Mr. D.’s family, well, with the exception of one, an old lady, who is supposed to be at the point of death.
