"The echoes of the voice of God
Are Bounding in my soul."
And the beginning of the end is clearly seen.
SCENE IN A BATTLE-FIELD HOSPITAL.
The rebels use no cannon, our guns drive out their skirmishers and advance lines from their works, our advance rush in and take possession. By such slow means, and by flanking, do we advance. Almost hourly, small squads of prisoners are thus taken and brought in, and there is a constant stream of our wounded coming in by ambulances. In the house on the hill, last referred to, is the surgery of the Fifteenth Corps. Six surgeons are in attendance; they receive and operate upon each case upon the instant. A wound is dressed in from two to fifteen minutes. Amputations are performed in a trice, chloroform being administered. Pools of blood upon the floor are mixed up with the mud that is tracked in. The house, family, dining table makes a good dissecting bench. Drawers from a bureau are laid upon the floor, bottom up, for a couch to be spread. In a bed in one small room lay three terribly wounded men, side by side, the family bedding saturated with their blood. A lieutenant lies in a corner, dead—died before his wound could be dressed. A private sits upon a table, naked to the hips, a musket ball having passed through his body, from side to side, three inches below his arm-pits — he talks, is very pale and ghastly, but will live. Another sits on a chair, his leg cut off below the knee with a shell, as clean as with a knife. A Kentucky Captain, shot through the thigh, is seized with a spasm of pain while being taken from the ambulance into the house. He catches the sleeve of his coat near the shoulder with his teeth, and bites, as would a mad-dog. Such scenes I witnessed during an hour— and our army was only skirmishing.
In the terrific charge of the Fifteenth Corps on the rebel works, many grotesque scenes occurred. A few may be interesting to the reader. A member of the Chicago Irish regiment, after the charge, was seen making vigorous efforts to force a cartridge into his rifle, which had become “fouled,” I. e., the orifice had, by constant firing, become coated with powder, rendering the passage of the ball impossible. Addressing his commanding officer in an imploring tone, he cried:
"Shure, Colonel, I can't load my gun!"
"Try again," replied the Colonel, "try hard," He did try again and again, until the perspiration stood in beads on his face, and at last finding it impossible to force the cartridge home, drew himself up erect, and brought his piece to an "order arms," and with a defiant look, faced the enemy. "What are you doing?" ex-claimed the astonished Colonel. "Faith," replied the soldier, desperately, "I'm jist waiting for a Johnny to come up, till I can knock his brains out with me musket.” Whether his desire to annihilate the cerebral organ of some unfortunate "Greyback," was gratified, the Colonel did not remain to see.
Frequently the muskets of our men were swept from their grasp by the leaden rain which was poured upon them from the rebel line as they advanced, but, undaunted, they still pushed forward like a resistless torrent, using as their weapons, stones, broken guns, and every obtainable missile. Many who had no arms, were observed to scoop up handfuls of thick mud, and dash it into the faces of the men in the works, who, while endeavoring to remove it from their eyes, found themselves tightly grappled, and marching toward the rear. In surrendering, many of the rebel officers stood upon the punctilio of rank, arrogantly refusing to deliver their swords except to officers of equal rank. In the confusion and frenzy of the charge, but little attention was paid to these small matters of military etiquette, and rebel Captains, Majors and Colonels were frequently hurried unceremoniously to the rear by privates, half crazy with delight at their capture.
WE’LL RALLY ROUND THE FLAG.
During one of these eventful nights, when the troops lay in line of battle behind their temporary fortifications of dirt, logs and rails, the continuous crack of the sharp-shooters' rifle rolled along our front, a solitary voice struck up the patriotic song, "Rally round the flag, boys," and almost instantly thousands of the men, who seemed to have been waiting for something to dissipate the gloom which thoughts of the day's carnage had engendered, were shouting in a chorus which “shook the depth of the forest's gloom:”
"The Union forever, hurrah, boys, hurrah!
Down with the traitors, and up with the stars."
As down the line it went, the refrain swelled into one vast roar, exultant, triumphant, and breathing defiance to the wary enemy, whose only reply was the spiteful whiz of extra bullets from their skirmish line, whistling harmlessly by. This little episode tended greatly to inspire our troops, and could not but have equally irritated "Johnny Reb."
CHAPTER XII.
The Grand Flank Movement — Sherman's Strategy— Hood Outwitted — Battle of Jonesboro — The Fighting of several Divisions — Lost Guns Recovered by a Brigade of Davis' — Atlanta Ours and Fairly Won — The City — Its Desolation. — Correspondence between Sherman and Hood — The Pen Stronger than the Sword. — Scenes in the Hospitals — The Negro Prayer-meeting and the Negro Parson.
It is not often that the history of nations records a more brilliant and successful movement than that which Sherman planned and executed in the capture of the city of Atlanta. Where shines with greater brilliancy the glorious results of military valor, the management of a more dangerous and complicated scheme, the masterly strategy and the splendid soldiership, which gave the nation the possession of one of the most important cities of the South? Where can we, find so many and so striking examples of skill, of heroic endurance, than in the recorded actions of that man who is at once wise, discreet, liberal and patriotic, combining obedience to his superior officer, with devotion to his country's service? Great in adversity by his endurance; great in prosperity by his magnanimity to a conquered foe; great amid difficulties by his prudence, and great amid perils by his courage.
But in glancing over the events of his most splendid campaigning, we think that his military prowess shines forth with peculiar and commanding splendor in the grand flank movement in the rear of Atlanta, His triumphant march through Northern Georgia was similar in its advance to those active and hardy wild goats who spring from cliff to cliff; he is arrested neither by, precipices or mountains. In all the great revolutions, which have changed the destinies of nations and the politics of the world, the people have ever found a leader. Such a leader is Sherman. Advancing at first with an irresolute step, but still a bold one, he marched onward from victory to victory, from negotiation to negotiation, until at length, a nation struggling in the throes of a protracted rebellion, are thrilled with the terse, but inspiring, telegram: "Atlanta is ours and fairly won!"
We now approach the battle which crowned the loftiest aspirations of Sherman and his eager army.
Hood's line of battle extended from Decatur to East Point, a distance of sixteen miles. General Sherman now extended his line in the direction of the Macon road. The positions of the different Corps on the first of August, were as follows: The Army of the Tennessee, on the right of the line, between Fairborn and Jonesboro. Cox’s Division, of Schofield's Corps, a mile below Utoy Creek. Here was fought a severe battle, our loss being four hundred. The next day Schofield advanced his line towards the West Point or Macon Railroad. The Army of the Cumberland, General Thomas, was between Schofield and Howard. The Army of the Tennessee, the Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps, and Kilpatrick's cavalry, had quite a brush with the rebels, drawing them over Flint River towards Jonesboro.
The Fourth Corps, General Stanley, drew out of its lines, and was ordered to a position below Proctor's Creek. On the night of the 26th, Howard moved toward Sandtown, Thomas was to move below Utoy Creek, Schofield remaining where he was. The next move brought Howard on the West Point Railroad, Thomas to Red Oak and Schofield near Digs and Mims. Several miles of railroad were here destroyed. A simultaneous movement of the whole army, on the 29th, was made towards Jonesboro. Howard on the right, Thomas in the centre, by Shoal Creek Church, on the Decatur road, and Schofield on the left, near Morrow's Mills. Here he and Stanley struck the railroad some
five miles beyond the East Point Junction; Howard crossed Flint River, halting within a mile of Jonesboro, where he found the rebels strongly entrenched. Hardee's and Lee's Corps made a ferocious attack on Howard's position.
General Hazen, commanding the Second Division, of Logan's Corps, secured a prominent hill, which was the key to the enemy's position. General Hazen was conspicuous during this part of the day, in rallying his men. His famous division fought splendidly. The havoc made in the rebel ranks, at this time, is said to have been appalling. Hazen's artillery and musketry belching with double charges of grape and canister. As the rebels were in a mass, the execution can be imagined. The other divisions of the Fifteenth Corps were deployed, and the Sixteenth and Seventeenth were disposed on its flanks. The rebels fought with most reckless courage. They were mainly Georgians, and were it not that their efforts were expended in the cause of treason, Georgia would have reason to remember with lasting pride, the day upon which her sons fought at Jonesboro.
The Fourteenth Corps during the night were engaged in strengthening their works, and preparing for a renewal of the combat, the next morning. Early on the following day, the enemy made a steady, determined, deadly assault on the Fifteenth Corps. It was begun by Hardee, whose troops, maddened by previous losses, and eager to retrieve lost prestige, advanced and delivered a galling fire into our ranks. Logan's entire force responded with a charge that is memorable even beyond those made by them, on other well fought fields. It was desperation against desperation. The fire of the enemy was mingled with yells, pitched even above its clangor. They came on and on, while our troops, the, Fifteenth, and a part of the Sixteenth Corps, splendidly handled, stood unshaken to receive them. The fire with which they did receive them was so rapid and so thick as to envelope the ranks of its deliverers with a pall that shut them out from sight during the battle. The line scarcely flinched from its position during the conflict. Huge masses of rebel infantry threw themselves against it again and again in vain.
Back, as a ball hurled against a rock, these masses recoiled, and were reformed, to be hurled against it with a fierceness unfruitful of success—fruitful, of carnage, as before. The rebels lost several general officers, including Major General Anderson, Colonel Williams and Barlow, killed; five Colonels wounded and taken prisoners, and a thousand of the rank and file. This splendid triumph, fought through six weary hours, belonged to the noble Army of the Tennessee.
Next morning, the 1st of September, the Fourteenth Corps, Jeff. C. Davis', moved out along the Macon road, tearing up the railroad for several miles, and late in the afternoon took up position on the left of Logan's Corps, which was then in line of battle. The rebels were strongly entrenched, and the Fourteenth Corps was ordered to dislodge them. Davis' column moved out in splendid order to the fearful work. It re-advanced in the face of a terrible raking fire of artillery. They steadily advanced until they came up to the very edge of the line of smoke in front of the rebel infantry.
The First Division, of the Fourteenth Corps, Carlin commanding, was in the lead. Baird's Division supported Carlin, while Morgan's Division also advanced across a small creek, a branch of Flint River. The rebels opened a terribly destructive artillery fire on Morgan. The 5th Wisconsin Artillery did good execution, ably assisted by an Illinois battery. Our troops gradually gained on the enemy, till in many places a hand to hand contest raged for many minutes. Our artillery played upon the rebel columns with frightful result. The bravery of our men and the terror inspired by them were so great as to reduce numbers of the enemy to absolute cowardice. They fell upon their knees and faces, holding forward their guns, and begging for mercy, while their escaped comrades, panic stricken and utterly routed, rushed through the fields, over ditches.
Disordered, routed, whipped, confused, the whole rebel force retreated toward the Lovejoy Station. It was now night, the battle ceased, and the stillness of death ensued. In this straggle fell Adjutant Reeves, of the 98th Ohio, a high toned gentleman and accomplished soldier, he died on the field of honor. But the battle pauses not for a hero slain.
The rebel loss was great. We retook two batteries, one of them being Loomis' celebrated battery, which was lost at Chickamauga. The honor of the capture of these guns is justly due to the Second Brigade, Second Division, of the Fourteenth Corps. The regiments constituting the Brigade were the 78th Illinois, 98th, 121st, 113th Ohio, and 34th Illinois. Among the prisoners captured was General given, of Pat Cleburne's Division; General Cummings, of S. D. Lee's Corps, was mortally wounded. Eight hundred and eighty commissioned and non-commissioned officers and privates fell into our hands. On the morning of the 2nd of September, Sherman, finding that Hardee's and Lee's shattered remnants had left on the Macon road, put his whole army in motion, his object being to get between Hardee and Hood. Thomas pursued on the left of the railroad, Howard on the right, and Schofield two miles to the East. General Wood, of Stanley's Corps, arrived at the new position of the rebels, and was soon engaged in a desperate, but unequal fight. Wood, while gallantly assaulting the rebel works, was wounded.
The position of the enemy appearing too formidable to carry without great sacrifice, Sherman issued orders for the army to fall back on Atlanta, where the weary troops might rest for a few weeks. The terrible rout of Hood's decimated army, had a demoralizing effect on the remaining fragments. Hundreds of rebel soldiers and Joe Brown's militia deserted the dwindling banner of the South. General Slocum, who was guarding the bridge over the Chattahoochie, heard the explosion of ammunition and rightly understood the cause. Slocum sent forward immediately detachments of Ward's, Geary's and Williams' Divisions on a reconnaissance. These troops found the city deserted of rebel troops, and at about eleven o'clock, the Federal flag was floating from the Court House. A deputation, composed of the Mayor, High Sheriff and citizens, made a surrender of the town to General Ward.
CAPITULATION OF ATLANTA, GA., SEPT. 2d, 1864.
Brigadier General Ward, Commanding Third Division, Twentieth Army Carps;
"SIR — The fortunes of war have placed the city of Atlanta in your hands. As Mayor of the city, I ask protection for non-combatants and private property." (Signed,) James M. Calhoun
Mayor of Atlanta.
(Attest,)
William Scott, Captain A. D. C.
A. M. Lebbetts, Captain A. D. C.
S. B. Thompson, Lieut, and Provost Marshal.
The required protection was cheerfully given. Slocum soon followed. Four engines, eleven pieces of artillery, chiefly sixty-four pounders, and a large share of Government property, came into our possession. The news of the capture of the Gate City caused universal joy among the loyal millions of the North, and President Lincoln issued a special congratulatory order, recommending that the 11th of September should be observed as a day of grateful thanksgiving to God for this brilliant victory.
SKETCH OF THE GATE CITY.
Atlanta is the county-seat of Fulton; population before the war, eight thousand. Four important railroads meet here, bringing an immense travel, and heavy trade. It is also celebrated for its health, and the rapid increase of its population, commerce and manufactures. It had the largest and handsomest passenger depot in the South, and perhaps, in the country. It has a number of splendid churches and schools. It was laid out in 1845,—in 1860 it had a population of over nine thousand. Four of the principal railroads of the State form a junction here, and as the centre of the cotton and grain trade, it is also a centre of military operations in the cotton States. Eastward it has the Georgia railroad, extending to Augusta, on the Savannah River; South-eastward, the Macon and Western railroad, leads to Macon, Milledgeville, and Savannah; and South-westward, the La Grange railroad, goes to West Point, seventy-two miles distant, on the Alabama frontier. Atlanta is one hundred and one miles North-west of Macon, and one hundred and seventy-one, West of Augusta. The city of Atlanta is looked upon, in Europe, as the most important place in the possession of the rebels.
On the entrance of Sherman's army into the city
, they observed all along the sides of the several rail-roads, "bomb proofs," or gopher holes, dug into the ground, in which, for weeks, the inhabitants had dwelt. These holes were large enough, in many instances, for a fire-place or a stove, a table and beds. Many of the suburban residences were of palatial build and character, but nearly everyone was riddled or perforated with shells and balls. The loss in stores and ammunition to the enemy was very heavy. Some twenty heavy guns were left.
As General Sherman was riding through the streets of the Gate City, he was pointed out to a company of blacks, gathered on the corner. "Lord, massa, is dat General Sherman?" said one of the old men. "Why, bless your soul, dey tell us he' had long whiskers, way down to his knees. Dey told us he had big eyes and ears, and had horns. Why, Lord bless my heart, dat General Sherman? Why, all of us niggers used to run when dey holler Sherman. Why, all de white folks run. Lord, it made old Johnson run to hear of dat man. I'se glad I’se seen him, though I just wanted to see de man what made my old massa run."
Personal Recollections of Sherman's Campaigns in Georgia and the Carolinas Page 16
