Here's the receipt:
Headquarters Skirmish Link,
August 12th, 1864.
Received of Major Fitzgibbon, 14th Michigan Volunteers, $52.50, letters, picture and sundry papers and effects of Lieutenant Ross, 66th Georgia Regiment.
Arthur Shaaff,
Major C. S. A. Commanding Line.
The Confederates were very restless and seemingly ill at ease during the entire conversation. They wore their swords and sashes, some of them even so far forgetting the sacredness of the meeting as to carry their revolvers.
"Don't be alarmed, gentlemen," said Major Fitzgibbon, "we don't come here to hurt, harm or deceive you. If you be so anxious to see my works, (which was intended as a modest rebuke to their ogling toward our line) I will not only permit you to come and examine them, but guarantee you a safe return to your lines. 'Tis not on rotten logs or mud banks that we rely. On a Spartan rampart of brave hearts and God alone, is our trust." To this they all replied:
"O, no, sir; you are mistaken in us. We're not at all alarmed, and we assure you we're not trying to take advantage of this meeting." Thus ended our "parley."
Vis-a-vis again. Notwithstanding the "irrepressible conflict" that rages, the contradictory ideas that prevail in and govern these Federal and rebel armies under Sherman and Hood, we still "court their presence." Vainly have they accommodated our Yankee greed in yielding their camping grounds and territory to us, when we pushed them, in hopes of our "letting them alone," and abandoning "coercing” them to retreat to the Gulf. We confront them once again in front of the white walls of the "Gate City," and not to be behind them in politeness, we exchange salutations with 'em daily, hourly, momentarily, secondarily. Sensibly satirical was the remark of a soldier of the 1st Tennessee (rebel) Infantry, when hailing a Federal from the South bank of the Chattahoochie:
"Hello, Yank! Stop shooting over there; let us talk this thing over. What in hell is the use o' shooting all the time? For my part I can rest on this line if it takes all summer."
"Agreed."
"Don't you know that you Yanks will have to retreat right fast from here? It will be your turn to run next. We have now got you where we want to, and have been reinforced by two Corps, and a new commander this morning."
The Federal soldier not relishing the idea of the two corps addition to an army already the equal numerically of his own, asked: —
"What corps are they, and who commands them?"
"McPherson's and Schofield's corps are on our side this morning. General Sherman commands us, for whenever you receive orders from him to move, we move too."
And so will it continue to be, though it may cost us a few lives and guns, as in the case of General McPherson on the 21st.
On the afternoon of that day orders were issued to all Corps commanders to move their forces by the heads of columns to Atlanta, which was ours, (in a horn.) In compliance with this order every soldier in camp deemed it a patriotic duty to shout lustily; musical instruments were hurriedly scoured and polished, fifes were watered, drums tightly laced, banners— tattered and dusted — were unfurled and brushed, and all resumed their proper places at the heads and centres of brigades and regiments. Officers of the Beau Brummell School drew from their scented portmanteaus their cleanest clothes, virgin shirt collars, delicate kids, handkerchiefs perfumed with "Lubin's West End." Meerschaums elaborately wrought and ingeniously colored were brought forth, from which could be seen huge clouds of aromatic smoke that received a brilliant tinge from odoriferous cascarilla. All was intended to "take down" Atlantians, and impress the deluded inhabitants of that benighted region with the prowess, progress and potency of our great Yankee nation and notions. Thus did we jog carelessly but thoughtfully along, marveling to ourselves the happy morrow which would bring us the "freedom of the city," its saloons and segars, cocktails and pleasing bar-maids. Suddenly a change cometh over the spirit of our reveries belch! — belch! — belch! Go piece after piece of artillery. Word is brought to us on the right that McPherson "ran plumb against a rebel line," which fiercely charged upon his unguarded columns. The advance regiments were thrown into disorder by the unlooked for onslaught and ten pieces of artillery were abandoned in the melee. Soon our lines were formed, a counter charge was ordered, when the rebel lines were borne down, bleeding, broken and mangled. By this, we retook four of the ten pieces of artillery, nearly all our prisoners, many of the rebels, as also the body of General McPherson, who fell, alas! And alas! At the first fire, being riding at the head of his column accompanied only by his body guard.
The loss of this brave and skillful General is a serious loss not only to this army but to this nation. Next to General Thomas, he was considered the ablest and best commander in the great and unconquerable army of the West. We have dearly paid for Polk. A nation recognizing virtue and merit should mourn in tears of anguish and sorrow Major General James B. McPherson. He commanded the 15th, 16th and 17th Army Corps, known as the "Department of the Tennessee."
With the rebel dead and wounded who fell into our hands on the 21st, was a handsome young soldier in a neat gray jacket and pants. The soldier's leg was shattered, and amputation was deemed necessary. The noble youth was placed on the surgical table, when lo — it was a female! So many "tender youths" have been captured by us since the commencement of this campaign that but little notice was given her features, and a suspicion never rose in the minds of our Surgeons as to the sex of their patient till the "disrobement" of her pantaloons revealed the fact. She was too weak from the loss of blood to allow of any questions being asked, and being under the influence of chloroform, nothing was said to or by her. For all we or the world knows many of her kind may now be in Northern prisons suffering the penalties of patriotic delusion and folly.
The greater portion of the inhabitants of Atlanta have, in conformity with the orders and warnings of rebel commanders, abandoned their houses and homes, and gone — God only knows where. An intelligent citizen, named Myer, (a German,) who escaped the conscription by the fortunate loss of his right eye, informs me that, from Atlanta to Augusta, the road-sides are literally swarmed with refugees from Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and elsewhere, who are unable to proceed further. They have been reduced to abject poverty and want, and have to subsist on the charities of the rebel Government. Raised in the very lap of luxury, as many of them doubtless were, it is sorrowing to the human heart to contemplate their miserable condition, and to reflect upon the unknown horrors that cling to their destiny, cast thus: unpityingly between two great armies. Oh! it is sad, awfully, terribly sad, to reflect upon the condition of our unhappy country! Steeped in tears, and mourning-bowed down and sunk in the dust, like the daughter of Babylon — drunk with the blood of her best and bravest children — we seem destined to be the foot-ball of ill fate. In dealing with her children, whom she deludes, entices, and drives from their comfortable homes, Georgia has forgotten her motto of "Wisdom, justice and moderation."
I witnessed a strange, sad scene, yesterday, in front of Davis' Division, Fourteenth Corps, during the burial of the dead, who were killed in the terrific and disastrous charge on the 27th. Grouped together in seeming fraternal unity, were officers and men of both contending armies, who but five minutes before were engaged in the work of slaughter and of death! There were Generals Cleburne, Cheatham, Hindman and Maury, in busy converse with, as I subsequently learned, the officers of the 14th Michigan Infantry, who, it seemed, were well acquainted with the families of many of the Tennessee officers and soldiers in Cheatham's Division. Cheatham looked rugged and healthy, though seemingly sad and despondent. He wore his "fatigue" dress, a blue flannel shirt, black neck-tie, grey, homespun pantaloons, and slouch black hat. At first he was not disposed to be either inquisitive or communicative, but after putting himself outside a few heavy drinks of commissary whisky from the bottle of one of our officers, "he was himself again," and made many inquiries about Nashvillians and the Rock City. General Maury was less reserved. He was elegantl
y dressed, as were also Lieutenant Colonel House, Captains McLean and Atkeison. Captain Lee, from Columbia, being introduced to Captain Nixon, of the 14th Michigan, asked:
"Do you belong to Mizner's Regiment, for some time stationed at Franklin and Columbia?"
"Yes, sir; I do."
"Then you are the man who was Provost Marshal?"
"Yes, sir."
"It is well for you," said the coxcombish Captain Lee, "that we didn't get possession of that place and you— I would have hung you."
"No, you wouldn't," interposed a red-haired, red-eyed, Major Hawkins, (formerly Deputy Sheriff of Nashville), "for the boys say their folks were better treated by these Michigan men, than by any troops ever stationed there."
"That's so," said Major Vaulx, of Cheatham's staff, "boys, that's better whisky than we've got," (reaching for the ardent).
Colonel House was in charge of the burying party, and was courteous and affable, putting on his most insinuating smiles.
Being reminded of the antagonistic attitude of himself and his brother (Sam, of Franklin), who was. Reported as making “reconstruction speeches,” and being a loyal man, he remarked: "Well, Sam was always a conservative man, but I don't think he is very loyal" Colonel Cook, from Franklin, Tennessee, who was wounded a few days since, died yesterday. Colonel Clancy of the 52d Ohio, in talking to General Maury and Hindman, remarked that it was a sad state of affairs to witness human beings of a common origin and nationality dig two hours every day to bury the dead of twenty minutes' fighting. "Yes, yes, indeed," said one, "but if the settlement of this thing were left to our armies, there would be peace and good fellowship established in two hours." "General," said a Federal officer, addressing the long-haired Hindman, "what do you think of the result of this contest, were it left to your Division and ours in a fair field?" "I'd abide the result, and would as soon fight Davis' Division as any other," quoth Hindman. “I would want,” said General Maury, “that our force should be equalized. Davis' Division may be stronger than ours," "O, it matters little as to superiority of numbers on our side," said the Federal officer, “you can whip us one rebel to five Yankees." Maury, applying the flask to his mouth, and complimenting our Commissary Department, said: "Bosh! If any of our people ever believed that, I think by this time that idea is d — d well played out!" The Tennessee regiments are wo-fully decimated, suffering heavily in every skirmish and battle. Soon their anxious and distracted parents will have none to return and cheer their last days. They are filling unknown graves in the swamps and marshes of Georgia, to gratify the treachery of traitors to our country and their "cause." They are "very lone-some," they say, "and wish to God this thing was settled." They want to go home; they are tired of war and toiling.
During the "parley," I noticed General D. S. Stanley, of the Fourth Corps, sitting quietly on his entrenchments, smoking his pipe and observing the enemy's position.
On the right, in front of the Fourth Corps, I met General James D. Morgan, of the First Brigade, Davis’ Division, shovel in hand, aiding the men to bury the dead. The rebels never noticed him, as indeed few on either side could judge his true character or rank from his uniform. A soldier's blouse, pants and cap is his every day dress, and many and jocose and laughable are the mistakes and rebuffs they have led him into. Few officers in the army are superior to this same General Morgan, none are better liked by his men, and caring little about display or ostentation, he labors faithfully to do his duty to his country and his Brigade. He uses neither whisky or segars, and hence he is neglected by that class of unfledged literati, who measure men's merits by the strength and flavor of said articles.
CHAPTER IX.
The Pursuit of the Enemy — Lights and shadows of Campaigning — Operations of the Army — Coiling round Kenesew Mountain — Details of Skirmishers — The retreat of the Rebels.
Early on the morning of the 22d, orders from General Schofield's headquarters were issued, for the command to be in readiness to move. Soon after, General Cox's command was on the road, moving on the Sandtown road toward the Powder Springs and Marietta road. At the junction of these roads his troops were placed in position, occupying a ridge of some importance, and affording a strong line. Cavalry skirmishers were driven back, and the whole move was executed without any great resistance. The Second Division — General Hascall — moved over Nose Creek, and filing to the left, marched in a road which strikes the Powder Springs and Marietta road two miles from the position of General Cox, described above. The Sandtown road, with the Powder Springs and Marietta road, and the road on which General Hascall moved, forms an isosceles triangle. The Second Division, on reaching the Powder Springs and Marietta road, took up position on the right of General Williams' Division, of General Hooker's Corps.
These movements were executed with great rapidity, and, as was hoped, without the observation of the enemy. It was one of those bold movements for which General Sherman is noted, and one of those rapidly executed and cautious moves which have added to General Schofield's reputation as a soldier. The importance of the movement may be appreciated by your readers, when I say the line which we took up was directly South of Kenesaw, and but three miles from Marietta, thus completely threatening their line of retreat, and compelling them to extend their lines, and, as a necessity, weakening them. The move, on the part of Generals Cox and Hascall, was made through woods and behind hills, but the movements were anticipated, if not seen, from Kenesaw, and Hood's Corps, of the rebel army, was at once ordered to counteract the move. Immediately upon arriving on the ground. General Hascall, with true soldierly instincts, began throwing up barricades, and urged his men to work vigorously. General Hooker's skirmishers occupied a ridge in advance, of great strength, and suggested to General Hascall that he move forward a part of his force to occupy the ridge, and if gained, he proposed to move forward the whole of his force and fortify it. The 14th Kentucky, Colonel Gallup, seven hundred strong, moved forward. Skirmishers were deployed, and with banners flying, they moved forward in gallant style. They gained the crest, and at once began throwing up barricades. In the meantime it was determined to fortify the crest first reached, as it was believed the enemy were moving forward to drive us back. The wisdom of this conclusion was afterward demonstrated. In front of General Hooker's lines an open tract of land within range of artillery and small arms was found, through which the enemy would be obliged to move. In front of General Hascall's lines the woods were dense. In our front, however, an open field gave a fine sweep for artillery. Here Captain Shields posted his batteries. The work of defense had been energetically carried on, and when the sharp firing on the skirmish line told of the enemy's advance, the command was prepared for a stubborn resistance. As soon as it had been determined to hold the ridge first gained, Colonel Gallup was ordered to leave his skirmishers on the ridge he had gained, and move back with his regiment. Before he had begun his retrograde move the enemy were seen advancing, and he determined to remain and drive them back. On came the enemy's line, moving in fine array, and talking boastfully of how the Yankees would run. When within easy range, Colonel Gallup ordered his men to rise, and with deliberation those hardy men from the mountains of Eastern Kentucky, fired a volley that fairly swept from the ground the proud, defiant line of the enemy. Back in confusion they ran, only to be reformed and sent back with stronger force. Colonel Gallup, feeling that he had already exceeded his orders, now fell back.
In the meantime, the rebel line advanced again. The skirmishers on the right and left of this gallant regiment having been unsupported, fell back, and the 14th alone stood the brunt of this attack. Slowly they fell back to their position in line. The rebels, unconscious of our position, and flattering themselves that they had driven back our force, came confidently on until they reached the open field, when Captain Shields and Paddock, with their batteries, opened a murderous fire of case-shot and shell, which, in an incredibly short time, drove them in great confusion from our front. From General Hooker's front, the artillery poured in
such incessant volleys of shell and case-shot, which with the missiles from General Hascall's batteries, swept the woods and ridge they had hoped to hold, that, after a fearful loss of life, they fell back in great confusion. In the open fields in front of General Hooker's left, they were fearfully cut up by the fire from our guns, and it was entirely in vain that their officers endeavored, with great gallantry, to rally their men. The divisions of the enemy engaged were Hindman's and Stevenson's, of Hood's Corps. The prisoners captured by the 14th Kentucky, (twenty-three) were all of General Stevenson's Division, and say that they were told that we had but just arrived on the ground, had no works, and were in no great force. It is the second time they have been fearfully cut up in making charges, and they affirm that the men will never charge again. They of course will be made to charge whenever ordered, but they will assault with none of that impetuous bravery that once characterized Hood's troops. In this campaign, these men have never made a successful assault, while they have, on more than one occasion, been driven from positions by our troops.
What their losses were in this assault upon the Twentieth Corps and General Hascall's Division, is not known, though it is certain that if our reserves had been able to come up in time to follow up their repulse, it would have been a fearful charge for them. In front of the position so bravely held by the 14th Kentucky, twenty-seven dead bodies were found. The trees and houses about, showed how well our artillery had been served, and it is not possible that they retired without a heavy loss in wounded.
General Hascall issued an order complimenting Colonel Gallup and his regiment for their conduct, as well as the whole Division.
General Cox, hearing the sound of the battle, moved with promptness to the support of General Hascall, but did not arrive in season to witness the repulse. His troops were placed on the right of the line, and, for the night, everything was ready for any emergency.
Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas Page 10
