Newspaper Page Text
J. W. waJ&R»»♦ • - - Editor,
Saturday Morning, May 21, 1864,
From the Front.
The retreat of our army has stopped. “Old
Joe” has come far enough back to see that his
rear is all right, and issued his battle bulletin.
This means, “henceforward we will fight.”
Before these lines meet the reader’s eye, the
great battle will have been joined. We trust
and believe our heroif braves will make no
half-completed job of it. and weoxnect within
the neat 48 hours to report, that at least, one
Yankee army has been swept from the face of
the earth. We belie’c- thst Goi is with as
and so mils it.
• - • + —•
From Gen. Lopgstrcct.
We are permitted tc publish the following
diapatca froor. Gets. f.ong- trust -o his aocl<f in
tbis city .
Lyschbi'Ho. May 18th.
To Judge A. li. I.onffttlrcel: -My wound is
severe, but not dangerous. It is through the
ne -' 'ad -boulder. Jam improving.
T. LONGSTREET
Battle of Ooustauaula.
*Tb.e cor respondent of tlte Atlanta
Intelligencer, gives the annexed descrip
tion of the battle of Ooustanaula under
date of Calhoun, (la., May 16 :
The battle of Ooustanaula was fought
between the eutire Yankee army and the *
divisions of Hindman, Stevenson and
Stewart, of Hood's corps —these troops
composing the right wing of our army.
The enemy's force was reported to be the
corps of Hovey, Howard and Palmer,
comprising between and forty
thousand men, evidently the flower of the
Yankee army, as they were composed al
most entirely of Western troops, who, for
fighting, rank only second to our own, as
has been proven on many battle fields
diuiiig this war. . ‘ '
In the* morning our forces left their
works and took position about one mile
further and immediately erected new
breastworks on the ground they had cap
tured the night previous, and which the
enemy had not re>occupied. The object
of this advance was to prevent an enfilad
ing tire which had been obtained on our
line the day previous, and to find room j
for our artillery to play upon the enemy }
with effect. As soon as our men, com- L
posed of Stevenson's and Stewart’s divis- j
ions, advanced, a brisk fire ensued be
tween our skirmishers and those of the
Yankees, but it ceased on the arrival of
our column. The new works were prompt*
ly erected, and before ten o’clock every
thing was prepared for the anticipated
aggressive movements of the enemy,
whose manoeuvres the night previous, af*
ter they were driven from the ridges, in*
dicated that some plan was contemplated |
by them lor the regaining of the lost
ground 1
About twelve o’clock the iankee skir.-
mishers opened a heavy fire on cur pick
ets compelling iheiu to fall back behind
the entrench'.nents, and at •’■he same time
heavy columns were seen forming on the
right of Hindman's, Stevenson’s and
Stewart’s divisions. There were four
lines of b attle in depth and appeared to
number about eight thousand men, and
from the number massed in front of Ste
venson’s line it became apparent that his
division would have to stand the brunt of
the engagement. One hour passed off
slvwly to the gallant men who were gazing
over the works in anxious expectation for
the advance of the enemy, when, at about
ene o’clock, the Yankee line of battle
moved slowly forward in fine order. As
scon as they crossed a ravine which divid
ed the ridges held by our forces from
those occupied by them. Captain Cora
bitt’a battery of Georgia artillery was or
dered to advance outside of our lines and
about fifty yards from them and take up
a position which would have given us an
enfilading fire on the approaching columns.
The battery, consisting of four twelve
peundev Napoleons, moved out of the line
and took up position as ordered, but be
fore they could fire a gun or their infan
try support could come up the charge
was nmdo along the whole line. The
Yankees, had ercssed the ravine and. with
a loud cheer cashed on oar works Hind
man quickly repulsed them, but the
fighting oij Brown's line of Stevenson’s
and Stewart’s divisions was long and des
perate, C&pfc Corbett’s battery being
subjected to a fearful fire, the men left 1
their guns, but not before they had lost
thirty if their number in killed and woun
ded, and entered our line. No sooner did •
the Yankee perceive this than a fresh :
col urn:t of their troops was thro ~ a rapid* ;
ly for*md‘sad uniting with that which ;
had gi 'ij before, rushed on the abandon* j
ed guns with the hope of capturing them i
and carrying our line.
Their anticipations were, however, foil*
ed oy the gallantry of the third and
tweni-.efch Tennessee, Colonels Walker
and Stafford commanding. These* noble
men, perceiving the intention o? the ene
my withheld their fire until the Yankee
column had approached to almost an arms
length of the guar-, when a volley steady
and accurate was poured into the ranks
of the foremost column. It broke and
run having been fearfully cut up, The
second column advanced forward over the
bodies ji their comrades and endeavored
to achieve what they had failed to do
A second volley from the gallant Tenues*'
see ans filled the ground with dead and
wounded, and imitating fhs example of
those before them, they Sod, but not be
fore two fresh regiments had been thrown
forward under cover of their hre, and
made to Hi behind the four guns of Cor
bett's bat eery, at the same time planting
their echo,a - . rkes parapet of ike redoubt.
In t. ■ meantime the Yankees had
advar .ado s Stewart’s line, and made a
dosper te effort to take it by storm, Clay*
tea’s Baker’s brigades of Alabamians,
aide ’ >y S‘avail's and Gibson’s, received
them ..,’i gre 1 v’entry, : ooured in
a \enil e r ' Yankee advance,
;ed to move fora
w ‘ 4 ay n* 'the line,
avo them aiioth**
they fled down
1 out ol rangeof
our guns. This charge was desperately
made, and the masses of the enemy’s
dead that lay piled up before Gea. Stew
art’s line attested the courage and deter
mination of ou? forces.
A pause of nearly three quarters of aft hour
elapsed, broken only by the incessant fire of
the Yankee sharpshooters, who, mounted on
trees and other prominent positions, made it
dangerous for any one to walk erect along the
line. At the expiration of the time named, a
fresh column of Yankees advanced upon our
lines, and in a few seconds Hindman’s. Stev
enson’s and Stewart’s men were pouring in a
well directed fire. A second time they broke
and run, but still leaving the two regiments
mentioned before, which, being ensconsed be*
hind the redoubt, were safe from the volleys
poured on their comrades, although they suf
fered terribly from our sharpshooters.
Two charges had been repulsed wish heavy
loss to the enemy, and the ammunition of the
Twenty-Sixth Tennessee had keen half ex
j pended when fresh columns 6f Yankees were
; seen forming in line of battle opposite Brown s
1 works. The charges on Hindman and Stew
| art, who were on the right and left of Steven
| sou, had bee me feebler, while the movements
! Cl the Yankees notified the last named officer
| that hi? division would have to bear the brunt
iof the engagement. Reynold's brigade had
i been previously ordered up, and were lying
] on the ground about fifteen yards in rear of
j General Brown's iine. their officers with diffi
! culty iestraining the men from entering the
I breastworks before they were called for. The
| Yankee eolumu made the third charge, and
i were again repulsed (vith heavy loss. As rap-
I idly ag we can relate it, another fresh column
was thrown forward and made the fourth
charge, Several volleys were’ throw n into
their ranks by the brave Tennesseeans, and a
fourth time they broke and retreated in disor
der to the ridge on which their forces were
massed. . ' '
It was now past three o’clock in the after- .
noon, and in these two hours of fighting j
Brown’s brigade had expended forty rounds of!
ammunition, each man. Reynolds’ brigade
now ordered to relieve them, and giving a
veil the Fifty Fourth Virginia entered the
evacuated works, Fifty Eighth North Caroli
na and Sixty Third Virginia. Neither Hind
man nor Stewart had need of their reserves, as
the charges of the enemy though made witn
vigor and gallantly repulsed by these men,
were neither as numerous nor determined
and were intended to cover their design on
Stevenson and to prevent the reserves of these
divisions from being sent to his support. The
three regiments named above took their posi
tions on the line and Gen. Brown’s men re
tired about two hundred yards to the rear for
the purpose of receiving a fresh supply of am
munition. Gen. Pettus’ brigade of Alaba
mians had been ordered up a few minutes
before, Gen. Stevenson perceiving that the
enemy were determined in their purpose to
carry his line. The gallant brigade was form
ed in two lines of battle behind the Virginians
and North Carolinians about twenty yards
apart, and remained there, lying close to the
ground, for the moment the services were
wanted,
At a quarter from four o’clock, a fifth charge
was made, the enemy throwing forward fresh
troops every time. The charge was very heavy
and wii3 made with spirit. It was certain
from the large numbers of the enemy, that
this would be the heaviest charge yet made,
and extreme anxiety for success was manifest
ed. At last, with a prolonged cheer, they
rushed upon our works. A volley—a terrible,
death dealing volley, was poured into their
ranks and a loud and enthusiastic yell of defi
ance rang out from the lips of the \ irginians
and North Carolinians. This was more than
the men of Brown’s and Pettus’ brigades could
withstand, and though threatened with death
by their offices, numbers of the gallant Ten
nesseeans and Alabamians had entered the
pits to assist in repelling the charge. But
their services were not needed. Quickly an
other volley had been already poured into the
enemy’s iine of battle, and they turned and
retreated in disorder to the cover of their
ridge, followed by the decisive shouts of the
victors.
The fifth charge hud now bees, repulsed, but
still the enemy evinced neither- the desire nor
intention to abandon, their efforts to carry our
works. They had almost ceased their attacks
on Hindman, but continued to assault Steven
son's and Stewart's lines with the greatest fu
ry and determination possible. Stewart had
already repulsed them three times, and Ste
venson five. A fourth time the enemy essayed
to carry Stewart’s line of battle, and were re
pulsed with fe&rful loss. The carnage here
I Was dreadful, for the gallant men of Clayton’s
brigade withheld their fire until the enemy
had approached close to them, when they
poured in a terrible volley, breaking them and
forcing their massed columns to retire to their
lines badly scattered
We said that the enemy evinced neither the
desire nor intention to abandon his efforts,
and so it was, for within half an hour after
his fifth attack and repulse, three lines of bat
tle closely massed, were seen forming in front
of that portion of the line held by the Fifty-
Eighth North Carolina,. There was not much
time for reflection, for very soon a voice on
the right of the regiment exclaimed, “they are
coming!” and the first column was seen to
advance. “Withhold your fire until they come
close to you. and then aim low,” ordered the
ifflcers. On caaae the enemy, cheering loudly,
and confident that their superior numbers
j would insure them success. They approached
I within fifty yards of the line, firing rapidly !
' upon our men—a sheet of fire was the answer, i
! aud the dead and wounded lie piled up before j
| our works. This was more than human ec- j
! durance could command, and bewildered by j
| the fierceness Os our fire, they scattered |
j throughout the v/ooda, atid reached their line,
| our sharpshooters killing and woanding them |
j by dozens in their rout down the ridge.
This was the severest charge of the day. !
The Yankees advanced well and with spirit, j
but were forced to succumb to the fierce fire I
of our troops. To describe the scene would i
be almost an impossibility, for it beggars des- j
cription. The minnie balls of -the Yankees !
poured over our line in an unceasing stream, j
The sharp and musical whiz they emit was no j
longer heard ; it was an angry and discordant i
imitation of a peal of thunder rolling along !
the clouds, while the booming of the artillery j
and the bursting of the shells as they came j
flying over our line, formed a fire unequalled, \
perhaps, since nations first made war upon j
each other. But one thing saved us riom a .
fearful loss of-life, and it was that the Yan- j
kees fired entirely too high.
This sixth column was repulsed only a few j
minutes when the remaining two columns of j
Yankees marched forward, with the hope of !
reaching our line before our men could fire j
more than one volley, But their charge was j
ao t made with the same firrnnws as character- !
iaed that of the proceeding one, and two or j
three well aimed volleys from the Fifty-Eighth ;
North Carolina, assisted by a cross fire from ;
the Fifty-Fourth Virginia on the one wing, aud
the Sixty-Third on the other, routed the sev
enth attacking column of the enemy. They
; also ret’red to the ridge, and for a few min
utes only their sharpshooters could be seen,
their main body being no doubt engaged in
reforming their broken columns,
i it was now past six o’clock in the evening,
i but though night was fast approaching, the
j enemy still exhibited no disposition to cease
from his fruitless efforts to carry the right of
Gen, Stevenson’s line, and it was determined
to endeavor to turn his left wing, and force
him on his right. Accordingly Gen. Stewart
I was ordered to leave his works and drive the
enemy from his front, sweeping towards ilia
centre, wile Reynold’s brigade of Stevenson's
division, was ordered to advance at the same
time, for the purpose of forming a pivet to
Gen. Stewart, asd changing the liae of battle
obliquely to the left; thus flanking the enemy
and giving Gen. Hardee an opportunity to
advance and cut the enemy off fro-m Snake
Greek Gap, while Hood cut him off from the
Dalton road.
According to the order, Gen. Stewart advanc
ed on the enemy, but unfortunately obliqued
too much to the right, and destroyed all con
nection with Gen. Reynolds. He attacked the
enemy and drove him from his front until he
reached his lino of battle, when fresh troops
reinforcing the Yankees, they rallied, and mak
ing a stand, opened fire on our men. No soon
er had they fired the first volley, than one of
the brigades of Stewart’s division broke, com
pelling the others to fail back, which they did
in good order, although pressed by the enesay,
and regained their works without losing very
heavily. In this charge, Gen. Ciaytoa s brigade
distinguished itself above the balance of the
division, by its fine conduot Although these
men were subjeot to a fearful fire, from four
lines of battle of Yankees theyreceived it witn
praiseworthy firmness, and succeeded in driv
ing the enemy from their front, and regained
thi? works in safety. Baker’s brigade, aided
by Gibson, also behaved splendidly, and dis
tinguished themselves by their brave oonduct,
in fact they covered themselves with glory.
While Stewart was making this movement a
perempntory order reached Gen. Reynolds for
him to advance his command as a pivot. The
General opposed the movement unless Gen.
Stewart’? left wing formed a junction with his
right, but upon the order being repeated in a
mere peremptory manner the Fifty-Fourth
Virginia regiment was ordered to advance
from their line of works and carry the ridge
before them, while the other regiments were
directed to be ready to move at a moment’s no
tice for the purpose of making the pivot com
plete and thu; performing the work allotted to
them. The Fifty-Fourth leaped over the works
and with their gallant Colonel Rob't Trigg,
and Lieutenant Colonel John J. Wade in front,
moved forward. At this moment the enemy
was about to make another charge and were
pouring a heavy are over our works compell
ing the regiment to advance under a galling
fire. It, however, disregarded the storm of
shot and shell roared upon it, and drove the
charging column of lankees through the wood3
until it reached the open field, when, to the as
tonishment of the Colonel, it was discovered
that Stewart's division was not in sight and
consequently there was no connection with
the regiment.
This was most unfortunate, for the enemy
perceiving ihe regiment “solitary and alone”
in the open field, commenced pouring a gall
ing fire into their ranks ; but nothing daunted
by this, Colonels Trigg and Wade, waving
their swords, gave the order to charge. On
the men marched until they were not five pa
ces from the enemy’s line, when four distinct
lines of battle extending as far as the eye
could reach, were seen by this command, and
numbering over eight thousand men. The
Adjutant of the regiment, with pistol in hand,
rushed forward, and seizing the Yankee colors,
fired into their ranks, when a bullet pierced
his brain, and he fell dead across the enemy’s
works. His name was Hammet, and a braver
and nobler man never sacrified his life on the
altar os his country.
Col. Trigg, perceiving that his men were falling
fast from an enfilade fire, as well as a fire in front,
and observing them giving way in disorder, rallied,
them under a heavy fire, and in pretty good order
brought them back to our lines, when it was dis
covered that in ies3 than five minutes he had lost
over one hundred and fifty he had led to the charge.
Hi3 conduct, and that of Lieut. Col. Wade, is de
serving of the greatest praise; and we do not flat- !
ter when we assert, from our personal experience, i
being an eye-witness to their behavior, that braver j
and more gallant officers never existed than Col. j
Trigg and his Lieut, Colonel.
This engagement was emphatically that of Gen- j
erals Stevenson and Stewart’s divisions, for al
though Hindman was engaged, the part borne by
this division was insignificant, compared with that
of the other two. The two Major Generals be
haved with the utmost coolness during the engage
ment, and proved themselves to be abie officers.—
Generals Brown, Reynolds, Clayton, Baker, Gib
son, and Stovall exhibited the greatest amount of
heroism, but were, perhaps, a little too careless of
their persons, and exposed themselves without any
need." General Pettus, although his brigade was
not engaged, distinguished himself by the manner
he encouraged the troops in the works. General
Cumining’s brigade of Georgians, on the left of
Stevenson's division, were not charged, and had
no opportunity of giving the Yankees a lesson in
defence of their State. They were, however, ready
for any attempt the enemy may have made, and
would we feel certain, have displayed their usual
courage, had the Yankees charged their line.
Our total loss in this engagement could not have
exceeded two thousand, while that of the Yankees
is estimated at not less than six thousand, while
there are many prominent officers, who believe it
to reach double that number. One thing is cer
tain, that they were slaughtered by hundreds at
every charge, and must have suffered severely.
At ten o’clock last night, our enfro army left
the works aad proceeded to cross the Oostenaula
river. Before the rear had proceeded a mile from
the works a sharp fire was opened between our
pickets and those of the enemy, ours being driven
in. The enemy must have then advanced their
column for a night attack, as they opened a heavy
fire of musketry on the vacated lines, cheering vo
ciferously at the same time,
Our men were then marched rapidly forward
through Stewart’s division, which had formed in
line of battle across the railroad, for the purpose of
covering the retreat, which was not occasioned
from any fears that the Yankees would he able to
carry our line of works as the army felt confident,
of holdidg its position an indefinite period of time,
but because our stand at the Oosten&ula river, wa3
only to protect the- withdrawal of our large wagon
trains.
The Yankees followed our army closely, and
pressed us all the day, but Stewart’s division has
kept him at bay so far.
This evening there was sharp firing heard on
our light, but we have not learned what it was
caused from,
Our present position is around Calhoun, but tho
chances are that we will continue our retreat to
Adairsvilie, to-morrow. We may fight here, but
Ido not think it likely. la the meanwhile, the
Yankees are reported to be massing heavy columns
on our left with the view o? flanking us.. Let them
continue, it cannot last forever.
We are glad to say that the wound of Captain W
H Claiborne is not so severe as was first supposed,
aad-that it is mending rapidly. We trust that the
gallant Captain will soon be able to return to duty
as Inspector General of Reynold’s brigade, for his
services are very valuable,
Captain Wise, of General Stevenson’s staff, was
wounded oa yesterday, while accompanying the
64th Virginia in its charge on the enemy; Ills
wound is very painful, but is not severe, as the ball
injured no bones whatever, He is a nephew of
Governor Wise, of Virginia, and is a really brave
officer.
In my last, letter we omitted to mention a gal r
lant son of Georgia, we allude to Captain Jossio,
of Macon, This officer behaved with jpeat hero
ism in the battle of Saturday, aud received the
thanks and compliments of our General, The
Captain is, we regret to state, sick at present, but
we trust he will soon recover..
The army is still in fine spirits, retains unbound
ed confidence in General Johnston, and is eager to
meet the enemy. The Confederacy may depend
upon the Army of Tennessee,
/Tit© Front.
Parries by the morning train from above i
report fighting at Casaville, last evening.—
General Cleburne is said to have captured
twenty-two hundred prisoners Our army
headquarters were at Cassville, whioh is sit
uated near the State Railroad, 3ix miles this
side of Kingston, and the junction of the Jas
per wagon road and tho old Federal road.—
The Yankee force encountered by Gen. Cle
burne, is no doubt the column which was mar
ching by that route ir. conjunction with Sher
man’s column.
The advance of the enemy thus far, is char
acterised by those who have escaped from
their lines as the rush of an undisciplined
mob, drunk with excitement and baa whiskey.
One Confederate soldier who escaped them,
says he i3 indebted for his liberty, to an over
glass of old Bourbon, swallowed by the Yan
kee provost who had him in charge The
Federal troops had whiskey and bogus tele
graphic dispatches alternately issued to them.
They do not advance cautiously, but with the
recklessness and abandon of over-confidince.
In this fact lie3 our hope that a panic and rout
will ensue whenever Johnston hurls his forces
i upon, them
He also states that the Yankees for some
reason did not enter Rome, but commenced a
refcrogj&de movement, a short time after they
arrived ia front of the city. If this be true,
it would appear that there is something going
oa in Sherman’s rear which renders him un
easy.
P. S —Latbb. —Since the above was in
type, we are informed that the Major of the
57(h Georgia regiment, who accompanied hia
command to this city from the frent thistnor
ning, having been ordered back by General
Johnston, states that the enemy are tailing
back. —Southern Confederacy , 20/A.
saiacFßAPiio.
impart* of the Pies* AssMiatwa
Entered according to act of Gongrew in. the year
im, by J. S, T*rashbb ( in the ClerK a office ot
*b.e District 6ourt of the Confederate States tor
the Northern District of Georgia. -
Atlanta, May 20.—A Press Reporter who left
oass Station last night brings intelligence of
heavy skirmishing near that place which contin
ued till nigat.
Our loss was comparatively slight.
Cleburne’s division held the enemy in check.
Report says that “Fighting Jos Hooker" was
killed and hia body fell into our hands.
Gen. Johmtoa has issued his battle orders tell
ing the troops that our communication with the
rear ia now safe, and asked them to imitate their
brothers in Virginia and the Trans-Mississippi.
This was received with the wildest enthusiasm.
Our forces are in line' just beyond the Etowah
river, with the left wing-resting on that stream.
Atlanta, May 20.—The train which arrived
this evening brings no additional news more than
reports of fighting.
Richmond, May 20.—The Petersburg Express
of yesterday says that Gen. Ames wa3 killed in
the fight of Monday in Chesterfield.
Baldy Smith lost a foot.
Butler remained on board the Greyhound With
steam up to the top of the guage.
The Washington correspondent of the New York
News says that the simple truth is we have gained
no victory, and have suffered terrible loss in killed
and wounded.
Clinton, La., May 18.—The Memphis Bulletin
Bulletin of the 13th announces that Banks. has
been superseded by Maj. Gen. Carney.
Richmond, May 20.—The bridge across the
Staunton river, ou the Danville railroad has been
repaired.
The Piedmont Railroad, connecting Danviile
with Greensboro is completed. The train will
commence to run through to-morrow.
Meridian, May 20.—Little Rock papers of the
3rd inst. announce the return of Steele’s army to
that place followed by Price.
Thayer joiaed Steele at Arkadalphia.
The enemy are fortifying Little Rock and Pine
Bluff,
Richmond, May 20.—The Senate passed the
House bill authorizing Commiss3arie3 for regi
ments of cavalry; also the Senate bill providing
for the appointment of General officer*, instead of
assignment by the President to command any
farces in a district or department, but said officers
are to resume their original rank at the will of
the President.
In the House, Rives delivered argument in sup
port of the suspension of the writ of Habeas Cor
pus.
The galleries and aisles were crowded with Sen
ators, ladies and others. ■■
Baldwin continued tha debate on the other side.
The total number of seamen, landsmen and
boys in*ihe Federal navy, at present, is esti
mated at fifty thousand.
—
A Union convention made up of Beil, Breck
inridge, .and Dougins parties is to be held in
Louisville, May 25
Tflae Situation.,
A large amount of news, from all quarters,
continues to crowd upon us, but it is all of so
cheering a character that we bear the burthen
with exulting pleasure and sincerely hope it
may continue until the war closes. If we can
but secure a few more demolitions of the
Yankees during this campaign, we will be rid
of the war before the leaves of autumn fall.
Judging from present appearances, w© are in
•a fair way to communicate such a desirable
result. So great has been the effect of
their reverses on the North that gold, that
great vital principle of their existence as a
nation, has gone to over 200. Doubtless ere
this time it is much more. To us this condi
tion of their money market is the most cheer
ing sign of the times for in it is our strength
and their weakness.
FROM THE ARMY Os TENNEBBBE
Our accounts are still encouraging. The
loss of the enemy has been very large, whilst
ours has been very small in comparison, not
amounting, during the past tec. day’s success
ive fight, to 3,000 casualties.
The enemy occupied Rome on Wednesday
morning.
A friend whose veracity can be perfectly de
pended upon, hands U3 the following which
we take pleasure ia publishing;
“In Front, May 18.
“Gen. Johnston, made a stand yesterday at
Adairsvilie, and a heavy skirmish ensued, in
which Cheatham’s Division was principally
engaged. The enemy were repulsed with
heavy loss, while the loss op. our side was
small Gen. Johnston has his army well in
hand, and the spirits of the men are unflag -
ging. There is leas straggling than has ever
been known, during the war under like circum
stances.”
We have just learned from a positive source
that a large raidieg party of the enemy has
appeared within twenty miles to the right of
Cartersviile, evidently endeavoring to reach
the Etowah bridge, Captain Cowan who has
been, commanding a scouting party of 100
men was driven in from ths position named,
with the loss of his supply wagon. The Yan
kee raiders came on him suddenly.
One division of our army is in position to
intercept any of these demonstrations, and we
remain confident that we will thoroughly pro
tect ourselves against, the strategical move
ments now being made, We have an abiding
trust in the masterly generalship of General
Johnston, and are certain we will ere long
exhibit r. series of successes which will rank
favorably .with those so splendidly achieved
latterly in! Virginia.— Atlanta Intell. , 19^7.
i
Special €©rr esjpoiadeac« (totia©
ASBaata IrafeM!§renc©r,
Oartersyillk Georgia.
May 18, 1864 f
-OU?. ARMY.
Is now m lice of battle, extending from he
yound Casaville in the direction of Rome. It
is supposed by some that we will fight there,
but I learn from a reliable source that the
army will fall back towards the Etowah river
about two miles south of Cartersviile, where
a stand, temporary, I expect, is likely to be
made
SKIRMISHING.
i learn there was 3ome skirmishing this ev
ening between our rear guard, beyond King
ston, and the enemy The Yankees were driv
en back, and at the latest accounts, had cot
yet occupied that place. Boring’s division of
Polk’s corps covered the retreat of our forces,
and did effective service
GEN. JOHNSTON’S HSAOiiOARTBttS
Is a: Cassville to-night, about -7 miles from
this place What the intentions of the Gene
ral are, ao one knows, as he keeps his own
counsel, aad is not very apt to inform any one
of his plans
THB SBLIKE COMMITTEE ,
Or, rather a' portion of it was ordered to
Cass Station this evening, for the purpose, I
suppose of receiving the men wounded in the
skirmish mentioned above. There are now
at this place several committees waiting for
further developments ; among them, I noticed
two from Atlanta, one from Newnan and one
from Marietta. They are doing good service
and have already saved many men to our
army who would have died but for their valu
able assistance.
CITY HATTERS.
T. J. JACKSON,-.*....-... LOCAL EDITOR.
The Ladies Strawbkkkv Scpvmr.—This sup
per, like everything undertaken by our patriotic
and philanthropic women, was an elegant affair,
and added anew laurel to the wreath of fame*
which they so deservedly wear. The attendance
was not so large as we bad expected to aee, but
was sufficiently so to answer all practical purposes
as all the good things mysteriously disappeared
by eleven o’clock. The night was most lovely—
the place appropriate, and ail things conducive to
a pleasant hour’s enjoyment. We had everything
| to inspire love and poetry, except perhaps the pa
i triotic men now arrayed in line of battle in V ir
! ginia and North Georgia. There were “gentle
! words and loviug smiles’ ia profusion ; origut
i eyes and killing glances innumerable ; music and
i flowers in copious abundance, ;a prominent ingre
diem of love and peetry,) and any quantity of
| “moonshine,” another conspicuous element in the
j “tender passion." We had no silver lake, or rip"
| plii% streamlet, uo “sequestrated” bowers, or over
j hanging woodland arches; no sylvan retreats, or
matin lays of nature’s warblers, but we had the
j Court House grounds where thore is one of the
prettiest groves in tills vicinity, and one of the
: best “wells" of water extant, which though not
i possessed of the. properties of Lethe’s fabled stream
I answered admirably the purpose of allaying thirst.
Thou everything was tixed up with such admi
rable taste—cake and ham, and ham and cake, ou
i one side —towering pyramids of luscious straw
| berries in the centre —while on the right we see
i ice cream and flowers —all duly surrounded and in
| terspeaed with the fair sex—the crowning glory
| and beauty of the occasion. It is astonishing how
! these gentle croaturps understand the principles
;of traffic. They can get around and fleece a fel
i low before he knows what hurt him, and th ey
perform the operation itt such a graceful manner,
too, that a man is unconscious of the metamor
phose till he finds himself “dead broke.” Then,
true to theinstincts of human nature, these angelic
“Shylocks” leave one to his own reflections, and
go ia quest of anew victim.
This Local takes pleasure iu specially acknowl
edging the kindness of one lady, who appreciating
the mutual good understanding between the La
dies and Locals, “done the thing up about right,’»
in administering to our appetite for good things.
Ah ! those strawberries smothered in ice cream
touched us in a tender place, and called up a
long train of pleasant reminiscences of the days
when everybody could indulge in such dainties
for a quarter. The other ladies ware not alto
gether so compassionate and when forced to leave,
we left with a heavy heart at the visible lightness
of our head and pocket. Sut the cause is a good
one and the means justifiable, so go ahead, ladies,
in your labors of love.
3f*ew Advertisements*
Gunby & Cos. advertise oysters and flsk,
Win. H. Griswold gives notice that he will dis
tribute to the stockholders of the Planter's Salt
Company, on Wednesday, June Ist, 1 sack of salt
at 40 eents per pound per each share.
See advertisement of Georgia Insurance Com
pany, by John Mann, Agent..
The Clerk of Council giv«3 notice ta&t the city
tax book will be closed on the Ist July nest. Par
ties not giving in by that time will be double taxed*
See advertisement.
Ladins Rzlisf.—The following ia a Hat of
things deposited at Bradford & Snow’s, on Thurs
day, for the poor of the city, in pursu&uce of the
late call:
Mrs Patten, 19 lbs bacoa, 2 baskets vegetables.
Mrs J H Warner, 194 lbs bacon.
Mr Harris, 19 lbs Sous.
Mrs Strother. 5 lbs bacon, peck osea)., 18 lbs
flour, " '*
A Kaufman, yards stripes.
Mrs, Moise, half bushel green peas.
Towns D&wsoEj 2 bushels maal,
Mrs Joseph Wcolfelk, | bushel meal, 8 lbs flour,
Mary Hodges, basket vegetables, 8 lbs bacon.
A Veiati, lot of fine oaicas.
F W Dillard and othera, 24 bushels sneak
R W Jaques, 70 Lbs salt.
E A Faber, 153 lbs superior rioe.
F G Wilkins, 50 lbs salt.
T J Shivers, 20 lbs pork, 50 lbs flour
W P Turner, 25 lbs Sour.
S. R Hodgee, 20 lbs rice.
Mrs C C Cody, one bushel meal.
J H Hamilton, 25 lbs rice, on© bushel aaeu.
N N Curtis, 2 bushels meal.
Smith & Chaffin, 5 lbs sugar.
M P Ellis & Co B9 lbs salt.
Mrs Bedell, lot of vegetables,
J P Illgss, 2 bushels peas,
Howard Williams, 1 bushel oorn
W H H Phelps, 9 caps.
B Jackson, 29 lbs flour,
this list of articles, which as worth about
one thousand dollars, we anderstand that Mr Jn ©.
Hodges has a list of contributions worth S2OOO
which with the money realiaod at the supper, will
probably swell the poor fond, by this last effort of
‘•he ladies, to 6or 7009 dollars. Well done. Let
the good work go on
Sacrilege. — A gentleman informs aa that seme
impious scamp during the present week entered
his lot at the cemetery and purloined therefrom a
handsome granite flower vase, which, hia wife esti
mated very highly. How loDg 3hail we cave to
submit to such petty contemptible thieving. If
this act was committed by some ignorant fool who
knows cot its enormity, let him now learn that
stealing from a cemetery is the lowest down and
most unpardonable of all crimes, and if done
through maliciousness, ths offender should be
brought to condign punishment. The diabolical
tendencies that would lead a. villain to eater tho
sacred enclosure of the dead, and lead
him to the commission of any other outrage, how
ever deep the dye. Let the Sexton keep a sharp
lookout for such trash. If the vase be returned
to this office a liberal reward will be paid
A Mystesious Package. —A small contraband
plaoed on our desk during our absence yosterday,
a dubious looking package which our well known
timidity prevented us from examining for some
time, for fear it might prove an infernal machine
after the most improved fashion, but which after
cool reflection, wo ventured to approach, not how
ever without considerable misgiving. On it wa
found inscribed in bold hieroglyphics the words,
“For the Soldier's Wife with an awful temper.”—
Our oenfidence returned and within we found a
veritable, indubitable, aad unequivocal ginger
cak3 of huge proportions and conaeiy appearanee
We have borne it tenderly to its destination, and
have so doubt it will receive a moat hospitable
welcome. We return many thanks to tha un
known a oner, in the name of said good looking
soldier's wife with aa awful temper.
• — «—» »
Acknowledgements.—Miss G. will accept
many thanks for a beautiful btquet. May he
shadow never grew lei-s.
Consignees per & G. R. R. M • Lrs
Allen & Smith, Capts, Cbtbran, Cos , .
Thos H Dawson. C E .lohnsfr >*•
Factory, J 11 Herrin ton, . '
Dußose. Jos Far!', V.v i!,
! Butt, J Ennis A: Cos. Wi' i. J > <-• j
Stewart, A W bitten.
Major Dillard's Dspahthis?.—■ Ctei.-
tern»!ifs«ev’B Department of thi.? city is probably
the largest in the Confederacy south of Rich
mond. Its chief is Major Dillard', a gentleman of
splendid business capacity, and oeasek-ss onergj
aid activity. He has had charge of this depart
ment since its inception, smd from nothing h© has
organised a complete system of manufactures. AU
the hides from several stores aro nov. ur.ier hia
control, and ho has had detailed over ooe hundred
shoemakers who are constantly at work. He has
caused numbers of tanneries to ba established, and
given out numerous contracts for making -hoes
The clothing bureau affords subsistence to hun
dreds of poor women and covering to thousands
of soldiers.
The following exhibit will show the immense
amount of work which has, under hia supervision
been performed in Columbus alone sines -.ho first
of October. 1861.
Shoes, : -305,065
Jackets, * 263,922
Pants 290,092
Shirt-, 116,116
Drawers, 82,948
Caps, . ..122,4^1
also amount of leather received and disbursed
632,577 lbs.
In his career as au Excelsior Q. M., Major D»
has been greatly assisted by his ohief clerk, Mr*
Patten, who. a3 an accountant, has few equals.—
Major Vcrnoy, formerly the efficient eoinmisi-ar®
of Cantey'3 Brigade, is now ia the department—
The largest portion of the clerks are, and hava for
a long time, been discharged soldiers.— S*n
Last Issue Rome Courier, lit A.
THE ENEMY AT OUR DOORS.
Skirmishing at Former’s Bridge
At nine o’clock Sunday morning the enemy
j attacked our picket post at Farmer's bridge,
on the Summerville road, eight mile3 from.
Rome. They approached by the Floy springs
road, and numbered, as counted by one of
Col. Cameron’s scout3, 2.200. The post was
guarded by company G, 12th Ala. Cav. bat
talion, Capt. Wm. Lokey commanding Capt,
L. and his brave men behaved most gallantly,
holding the enemy in check two hours, or
until a courier could be sent to Rome and re
turn without reinforcements.
In the meantime, Capt, Lokev and private
Cull Porter, were killed, and privates Robert
son, Formby and two others, whose names we
Sailed to get, wounded. They then fell back
towards Rome, skirmishing for four miles
The enemy leaving about half of their force
advanced—pressing our pickets to A- R.
Smith’s place two and a half miles from town.
They planted a Battery on the hill where Rev.
Mr. Hillyer formerly lived, now owned by Mr.
A, Maupin. Our cavalry—and it may not be
prudent, iu extreme caution, to say how many
or what command—were out to meet them
They dismounted and formed a line about a,
half mile this side of Mr. Smith’s place, at <
right angles with the road. A battery was
put in position and some dozen shots fired at
the enemy. Our skirmishers also exchanged
a few musket shots with those of the Aboli
tionists, but there were no casualties on our
side after the skirmish at the bridge The
enemy continued ia line about an hour a ad.
then withdrew, falling back, pursued by our
men, to Farmer's Bridge, where they' were up
to a late hour Sunday night.
The enemy' probably found Rome in a bet
ter 3tafce of preparation to receive them than,
they anticipated. It is reported that a Yan
kee recruit to the 2d Georgia Cavalry deserted
on Friday night; and it is thought that he in
formed the enemy of the condition of affairs
in and about Rome when he left. Without
any intention, probably, on his part, he came
near leading them into a trap.
.Asa matter to be expected, there was con -
siderable excitement in tMs place, but there
was no panic or consternation. There were
services in two of the churches and many of
the ladies were on Court House Hill and oth
er prominent positions for the purpose of wit
nessing the expected fight.
Unless a much larger force of the enemy
comes, they will Sod the last mile or two be
fore they reach Rome an exceedingly rough
road for him to travel.
Great confidence is felt- in the ability of our
troops to hold the place.
TIE FiasiLfi#.
Ctcne&'al Eeilsw of it
The success which has attended the Confed
erate arms from the opening of the campaig
down. to the present time scarcely finds a par
allel ia the history of any oountry. The most
gigantic effort to “crush the rebellion;” but
ia spite of his mighty combinations, he b.as
been baffled and defeated at every point. He
has been defeated in Virginia, in North Car
olina, in Florida, in Alabama, in Louisiana,
sn Tennessee, and in Kentucky. Within the
last three months we have inflicted upon him
a loss of more than one hundred thousand
men, ae-i property to the amount of untold
millions, According to York Herald
and the Chicago Times, Grant had lost up ta
the 10th Inst., 27,000 men, and since that date
Lee aud Beauregard have added at least 20,000
to the number. Banks went up Red River
with 35,000 men, and came down it- with 5,000.
Forrest, Hoke and many others, Lave thrust
their sickles in the red harvest, and have
mowed clown whole ranks of the enemy. And;
the reaper are still in the field.*
NORM GEORGIA
At the present writing we have nothing new
from the Army of Tennessee. Tnsre are, as
usual, and number of rumors on the streets ,
but it is needless to repeat them.
•TKK YANKEES IN ROMS,
McPherson’s corps, numbering from 6,000 to
8,000 men, entered Rome about 7 o'clock on
the morning of the 16th, coming in by the Cal
houn road. The Appeal learns from a gentleman
who reached this city yesterday thaft soon after
neon cn Tuesday a fight ensued between the ene
my and our forces on the North side of the Oosta
aaula river, unde? Brigadier General H B David
son, of Ter.n., why displayed great daring, skill
and cool intrepidity on the field. We drove the
enemy back in handsome style for nearly a mile,
punishing them severely and sustaining but little
loss on our part. We occnpied the crest of the hill
one mile and a half beyond Rome, until after dark.
At midnight it was agreed to evacuate the town in
order to save the women and children, as the en
emy were marching in three columns, The citi
zso3 behaved gallantly, every one going into the
trenches and doing his whole duty,
GOOD IF THUS.
Since writing the above we have reerivea soma
rumors by the 10 o’clock train which, wear such
an inviting aspect, that we cannot resist the temp
tation to refer to them. It is said that Gen. Cle
burne struck a blow at the enemy yesterday with
his invincible division, capturing 2,200 of the ras
cals. It is said further that our artillery are mov
ing towards the front, that some of our forces are
in Sherman's rear, and that he seems hesitating
whether to advance and make a finish of General
Jchnsfon and his handful of ragged rebels, or go
back to Chattanooga and look after his commis
sary stores. Fears are entertained that he will
adopt the latter course.— Atlanta Reg. 20.
9T«—«■■■—■———■a— Ml IMlPiaßEnra
Attention, Theßpstn Battalion!
HsAaQ.UAaTBRs Thompson's Battalion,!
Columbus, Ga. s May 20, f
General Orders . 1
No. 2. J
The command officers of this Battalion will as
semble at the Opelika & West Point R. R. Depok
on Tuesday morning, 24th test,, prepared to tsk*
the train to Atlanta.
By order LIEUT. COL. THOMPSON.
V/. L. Salisbury, Adj’t,
Enrolling 001ee jR-gamovcd,
I THE Enrolling Office has been removed to th£
j t Lowell Warehouse, up i)/\viS
may 19 ts Capt, & Engroliing Officer.
&esiuine Coat’s TSaa-eafU
1 LL si7.es. at tho lowest market price, for sale
.1 wholesale and retail by
may 19 (it. H, FISH ACKER.