Feb. 8, 1820 - Feb. 14, 1891

  
     
   
  Maj-Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman  

THE ADVANCE UPON ATLANTA



One of the most difficult jobs in the art of war is the successful crossing of a river in the face of the enemy, most especially when a structure has to be constructed under the fire of the opposing party. After considerable skirmishing, two pontoons were swung across the Chattahoochee, on the night of the 16th, and on the evening of the 17th the entire army and its baggage had been safely lodged on the south bank of the stream.

The successful passage of the Chattahoochee River was effected as follows: Early in the week, the Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Twenty-third and Fourth Corps moved up the north bank of the river some fourteen miles, and crossed without opposition, leaving HOOKER and PALMER on the opposite bank, with the railroad dividing their two corps. At a proper time, HOWARD moved down to the right, to be in readiness to form a junction with the two corps, and to protect them while crossing, At noon on the 17th inst., PALMER's corps commenced crossing -- JEFF. C. DAVIS' division in the advance. Before dark the Twentieth and Fourteenth were across, with their ammunition and baggage trains. At 9 o'clock that night, Gen. SHERMAN's whole force was upon the Atlanta side of the Chattahoochee, Gen. PALMER's corps resting upon the river upon the right, near the mouth of Peach-tree Creek, and in close proximity to where the railroad bridge (destroyed) spanned the stream, with HOOKER next on the left, then HOWARD and SCHOFIELD, while MCPHERSON's three corps formed the left wing, resting upon the river some fourteen miles from the extreme right.

The skirmishing was quite lively all day and until the first division had effected a crossing, when the enemy's sharpshooters retired, leaving as in full possession of the territory bordering upon the river. The order of the line of battle maybe easily arrived at by glancing at a Georgia State map, and the reader may readily learn how handsomely the rebel works were avoided at the railroad crossing, and upon the lower bank of Peach-tree creek. From the river, of course, the direct route to Atlanta is by the railway and accompanying highway. Instead of advancing here, Gen. SHERMAN rests his extreme right at the crotchet formed by the river and the creek and extends his left northeast to a distance of more than fourteen miles, with the intention of cleaning out the enemy by swinging the left.

As soon as JEFF. C. DAVIS crossed, the rebels must have fled precipitately, as quite a considerable number of their dead and wounded were found upon the field. Our forces buried some twenty odd men, including two officers. The wounded included about the same number as the list of killed, and were the recipients of kind attention and medical treatment. One of the officers found and buried by the Sixty-ninth Ohio was labeled Major C.C. JAY, Thirteenth Mississippi. His pockets were turned inside out, and were bloody, giving one to understand that the surgeon had given him attention.

During this night (Sunday) the situation, at least for a non-combatant, was decidedly unpleasant. The lines were less than half a mile apart, our troops being engaged a portion of the night in erecting suitable defences. Occasionally the rebels would salute us with a hissing shell or a cracking round shot, which made me feel duced restless, especially when they would strike (spud) in the dirt at a "respectable" distance, or lodge (chuck) in a tree in close proximity to my canvas-clad habitation. I felt on the whole, however, quite safe, as I was located nearly three-quarters of a mile from our own skirmish line.

The whole line moves this morning upon the enemy, and it is believed that if he is not too strong upon Peae-three Creek, we shall have accomplished half the distance between this and Atlanta to-day.

We captured a half dozen prisoners in our advance yesterday, but they were all very sullen. They say that BRAGG is again in command, and that JOE JOHNSTON has been relieved for failing to cut up our rear.

MIDNIGHT

I have just arrived from HOOKER's and HOWARD's headquarters, but learn nothing of interest. The ammunition and supply trains are coming up, and will park for the night in the rear of their respective corps. The officers and soldiers of this army, although in ecstacies at their own successes, are much troubled in regard to the situation in the East, especially the raid. They are troubled lest while we capture their queen we may lose our castle.

A difference of opinion exists as to whether we are to take Atlanta with or without a battle. For my part, I think that point will be decided to-morrow. There are many rebel "ditches" in this locality, and the deuce may be to pay ere Atlanta falls. We may have to encounter strong opposition at the eastern extremity of Peach-tree Creek, yet; then there are two more ditches, and then, the defences of the city present themselves, and must be carried by flank or storm.


My Source: Book: The New York Times Complete Civil War 1861 - 1864