August 14, 1864
The Atlanta Journal Constitution Presents
The ATLANTA CENTURY
Vol. 5, No. 25 (234
Sunday, August 14, 1864
GEN. SHERMAN AND THE TEAMSTER
A story, possibly apocryphal, about Gen. W. T. Sherman's careless
dress is making the rounds of Atlanta.
It is said the General came upon a teamster beating a mule which had stumbled
into a ditch and lay there helpless. "Stop pounding that
mule!" Sherman shouted.
The soldier told him to mind his own business and the general repeated:
"I tell you again to stop! I am Gen. Sherman."
"That's played out," sneered the teamster. "Every man who
comes along here with an old brown coat and slouched hat claims to be Gen.
Sherman."
WHEELER HITS N. GEORGIA: THREATENS DALTON
Capturing CaDestroying Track, The Cavalry May Invade Tennessee.
DALTON, GEORGIA. -- Gen. Joseph Wheeler and 4500 cavalrymen are in this vicinity
threatening this major, federal-heldpoint on the railroad lines leading from
Nashville and Chattanooga to Atlanta, Gen. W. T. Sherman's present
base.
Gen. Wheeler assembled eight Confederate cavalry brigades at Covington, Ga.,
leaving that point Wednesday, or Orders of Gen. John B. Hood. The foray
planned by Hood, has Pres. Davis' approval.
The purpose of the raid is to get behind Sherman's lines, intercept his supplies
and force him to relieve pressure on Atlanta, which is under almost constant
bombardment. So far, the Wheeler raid has not forced Sherman to make any
withdrawal.
Wheeler struck the railroad north of Marietta first, capturing some 1,700 head
of cattle, shipping them to Atlanta, for use by the army, not
civilians.
Then, still moving north along the W. & A. Railroad, Wheeler's men hit the
line near Cassville, then at Calhoun, tearing up track at each place. At
Calhoun, Wheeler detached a brigade to convey the captured cattle and prisoners
to Hood.
Now, Wheeler has started destroying track south of Dalton, and threatens this
point.
It is believe that Wheeler will continue his raiding toward Knoxville or
Nashville, possibly to link up with Gen. N. B. Forrest's raid (now in progress)
which is focused on Tennessee from Forrest's Mississippi base.
While the Confederates - some 42,000 of them are outnumbered on the Atlanta
front by two-to-one, Hood's cavalry is believed to be more effective. Some
cavalry units remain south of Atlanta to protect Hood's flanks.
Sherman's use of cavalry in two raids several days ago--toward Macon and
Newnan--ended disastrously for the federals because of Wheeler's lightning-like
actions in those sectors. It is expected that Sherman will again strike
for the railroads south of Atlanta rather than make a frontal assault on the
city.
SPRING OF WATER APPEARS AT ANDERSONVILLE.
AMERICUS, Ga.--Friday night, during a heavy thunderstorm, a spring
appeared on the surface near the line of nearby Andersonville stockade. It
has been named "Providence Spring."
Fresh water has been a severe problem in the camp which contains more than
33,000 federal prisoners.
HEAVIEST SHELLING HITS ATLANTA
Tremendous artillery Duel Erupts on Tuesday; Fires Set, Buildings Toppled;
Casualties.
Atlanta suffered its heaviest bombardment Tuesday and hearses rolled. Yet,
yesterday, Gen. J. B. Hood impressed upon his outnumbered troops the absolute
necessity of holding the lines they occupy "to the very last...The destiny
of Atlanta hangs upon the issue."
And the commander, to force Gen. W. T. Sherman to relieve pressure on the
battered city, sent Gen. Joseph Wheeler with 4500 cavalrymen on a raid into
north Georgia (story above).
Picket firing was constant during the week, as was shellfire. Sherman
ordered two 30-pound Parrott guns sent down from Chattanooga and a major
artillery duel exploded Tuesday. (An estimated 5,000 shells hit the
city.) The Confederates made great use of an immense gun on Peachtree St.,
a gun so large it took three days for troops to drag it into position.
That day Atlanta was an inferno of noise, heightened by falling buildings.
Sherman reported to Washington: "Whether we get inside Atlanta... it
will be a used-up community when we are done with it." Hood, said
Sherman, "would hold fast even though every house in the town should be
battered down." The N. Y. Times on Friday called Hood "a
stubborn old stick (who) will not give up while a door is open for him to get
out.
The GREAT wonder here is that so few residents have been killed. while
many women and children have become expert at diving into gopher holes (bomb
shelters), others have not been quick enough. The well-known Negro barber,
SAM LUCKIE, was killed at Whitehall and Alabama Sts.; a woman ironing
clothes on N. Pryor was struck, as was a girl on her way to the car shed.
An officer, bidding farewell to a woman in her yard, was killed along with her
son on Forsyth St.
Shells struck MAJ. C. W. HUBNER'S telegraph center in the AMERICAN HOTEL
(Alabama and Pryor Sts.), set afire HOLLAND'S COTTON WAREHOUSE (on Alabama St.)
and other business structures on Marietta and Lloyd Sts., bringing out 500
firefighters who worked with meager equipment and the dwindling water supply as
federal gunners, attracted by the blazes, dropped shells around them.
Also hit: THE TROUT HOUSE, THE JOHN NEAL MANSION, THE RAILROAD BRIDGE ON
MARKET ST., several churches and various stores, including WOOD'S JEWELRY, on
Whitehall St. A block of buildings was destroyed by fire last night after
a shell struck the Biggers and Co. storehouse between Peachtree and St. Luke's
Episcopal Church.
Wednesday night, Gen. Hood and some 40 officers were presented to BISHOP LAY by
REV. L. QUINTARD (of St. LUKE'S) as a confirmation class. They went
through the ceremonies as shells fell about. Hood had told Rev. QUINTARD:
"I have two objects in life that engage my suprement regard. One is
to do all I can for my country. The other is to be ready and prepared for
death whenever God shall call me."
Other scenses" Asked what day it was, a Negro, observing the flight
of some residents, said it was "Runday"... Some 26 adults and children
protected inside a gopher hole since July 21, came out of it when federal troops
took the area west of Atlanta. The 26 were fed hard tack, bully beef
rations and coffee, then returned, uncomplaining, to their hideout of Willis
Mill Road... Some 1700 bellowing steers, captured by Gen. Wheeler, were driven
through the streets Friday, destined for the army...Soldiers held frontline
prayer meetings, despite the whine of bullets...The Intelligencer, and Atlanta
newspaper now publishing in Macon, found something to smile about. It
reported a soldier as walking with a sack of corn on his back when a shell hit
it, without injuring him. "A friend said that shell went against the
grain." The same paper reported a shortage of vegetables (mainly
corn) in Hood's army and complained of mail delivery ("outrageous
mismanagement").
30,000 Turn Out for McClellan.
NEW YORK -- An estimated 30,000 persons met in Union Square here
Wednesday night to urge Gen. G. B. McClellan as the Democratic Party's candidate
for the presidency. The party's convention is to be held in Chicago,
IL.
The Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer called it a "spontaneous protest of the
masses against the corruptions of Mr. Lincoln's administration... (a) wonderful
contrast to the leaden apathy which has marked every public gathering in the
interest of Mr. Lincoln.
The Chicago & Alton Railroad is offering tickets, at half-price, to those
attending the state Democratic convention at Springfield, Ill, on
Thursday.
FEDERALS TAKE MOBILE AND TWO FORTS.
Mobile, Ala.--This city, deep inside Mobile Bay, was occupied Monday
by forces under the overall of Rear Adm. D. G. Farragut, whose 18-vessel fleet
wond the battle of Mobile Bay the preceding Friday.
But one of the three forts which command the entrance to the bay remains in
Confederate hands. Ft. Gaines was invested by a land force under Gen.
Gordon Granger before the naval engagement opened, and Ft. Powell was abandoned
the night of Farragut's naval attack.
Ft. Gaines was finally surrendered Monday, along with 600 men, by its commander,
Col. C. D. Anderson, after little resistance. Since then, Granger, with
5,500 men, has moved to attack the 400-man Confederate garrison at Ft. Morgan,
the remaining Confederate bastion. On other secondary fronts:
KENTUCKY: Confederate guerrillas continue to plague various parts
of the state, seeking this week take Salem, but is was successfully
defended. But Tuesday, some 20 guerrillas attacked men driving 60 horses
to Gallatin from the Salt River. The guerrillas killed three men and took
42 horses. Guerrillas also plundered Westport yesterday.
ARKANSAS: A confederate force under Gen. Sterling Price, aimed at
invading Missouri, is marching north through Arkansas.
MISSISSIPPI: Gen. N. B. Forrest's cavalry is moving north toward
memphis, Tenn. evading a federal force under Gen. A. J. Smith. There was
skirmishing at various points along the Tallahatchie.
VIRGINIA: Near Snicker's Gap, yesterday, a clash left four federals
killed, 10 wounded, 200 missing; Confederates lost two killed and three
wounded.
THE WAR DIARY.
Washington -- Col. Lafayette Baker returned her Sunday from St. Louis,
bringing to prison 16 men charged with counterfeiting, and some of their alleged
tools...
LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The city started working on more fortifications
Monday.... CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. -- State legislatures have been visiting ruins
created by the recent Confederate raid... FIRE ISLAND, N. Y. -- Sixteen crewmen,
off six ships burned by the Confederate raider Tallahassee, reached her in a
yawl Friday.
BUFFALO. N. Y. -- It is widely rumored here that Southern agents will raid
this point from Canada....
ST. LOUIS, MO. -- Boilers at a carpentry shop here exploded Thursday, killing
one person, wounding several others and destroying the factory... CANTON, Ohio
-- The city council has appropriated $9,000 to pay $100 bounties to
recruits...
Montgomery, ALA -- A troop train ran into a landslide Monday night between here
and Pollards, killing 12 men and injuring 57.
INDIAN WAR: A general Indian conflict is expected in the West,
according to observers. Hostile tribes menance the 500-mile route from Ft.
Kearney to South Pass, committing outrages against traverlers, stock and trains
daily. Mail coaches reportedly are not molested. Tuesday night, some
Indians came within 100 yards of Ft. Kearney; a party of six whites were killed
at 32-miles Creek Monday and Indians have stolen all the stock at Cottonwood
Station, 90 miles west of Ft. Kearney.
MANCHESTER, N. H. -- The Amoskeag Co. here has built more than 100 steam
fire engines in the last year, including two for London, England, and one for
St. Petersburg, Russia...
PORTLAND, Me. - News executive met here Wednesday to map plans for a state associated press...
NEW YORK---Members of the Typographical Union here struck yesterday,
seeking higher pay for typesetting work at night.
Gen. Burnside Denies Any Fault In Disaster At Petersburg.
Washington -- The military commission appointed by Pres. Lincoln to
probe the causes of the failure of the federal assault following the mine
explosion at Petersburg was continued this week.
Gen. Ambrose Burnside, under whose general command the assault was launched,
claimed he carried out the orders of his superiors. Neither his officers
nor his troops are to blame for the disaster, he said.
Gen. Sherman Is Moving.
Diversion is Launched against Gen. Lee
Berryville, VA -- Having gathered and reorganized diverse units into an army
of 48,000 men with headquarters at Harper's Ferry, Gen. Philip Sheridan advanced
to this point Wednesday in a preliminary move to fulfill his assignment:
Rid the Shenandoah Valley of the Confederate raider, Gen. Jubal Early, who has
about 23,000 men.
As Sheridan advanced, however, Early fell back to Strasburg, awaiting added
reinforcements. (Sheridan's appointment by Gen. U. S. Grant, a few days
ago, as head of four combined military departments to assure coordination, has
won hearty public approval in Washington and a feeling of tranquility in
oft-raided Maryland and Pennsylvania.)
Last Sunday, gen. john McCausland, whose troops had raided and burned
Chambersburg, Pa., was surprised and defeated by the pursuit force under Gen. W.
W. Averell, at Moore filed, w. Va. In the Moore-field action, the federals
reported capturing 420 four guns and 400 horses. One of McCausland's
subordinates Gen. Bradley Johnson was captured, but escaped.
Meanwhile, a federal movement near Deep Bottom Run (in the petersburg area) was
launched last night, its apparent object being an advance through Four Mile
Creek and Chafin's Bluff toward Richmond. Grant planned the move based on
information that Lee's defenses at Deep Bottom Run (Bailey's Creek) north of the
James have been weakened by the shipment of forces to support Early, in northern
Virginia.
By his diversion, Grant hopes to prevent Lee from aiding Early. Lee, on
Thursday, named Gen. Wade Hampton as commander of the cavalry, sending him to
Culpeper.
As Grant's plan begins to mature, other forces under Gen. Benjamin Butler (A
grant subordinate in the Petersburg area) started digging a canal (Wednesday) at
Dutch Gap, where there is a neck of land 174 yards across. Purpose of the canal
would be to permit federal gunboats to pass up the James and thus attack
Chafin's and Drewry's Bluffs where Confederate batteries protect the approaches
to Richmond. Work on the canal is expected to take months.
Gen. R. E. Lee, meanwhile, started shelling Dutch Gap, and sent instructions to
Gen. R. H. Anderson at Culpeper (suggesting a demonstration against
Washington). To Pres. Davis, Lee complained Tuesday that the "soap
ration for this army has become a serious question." He asked for
supplies, saying the lack of cleanliness produces sickness and affects
"self-respect and morale."
Gen. Burnside Denies any Fault in Disaster At Petersburg.
Washington -- The military commission appointed by Pres. Lincoln to probe
the causes of the failure of the federal assault following the mine explosion at
Petersburg was continued this week.
Gen. Ambrose Burnside, under whose general command the assault was launched,
claimed he carried out the orders of his superiors. Neither his officers
nor his troops are to blame for the disaster, he said.
PHOTO CAPTION
Seventy men were killed and 130 persons were wounded Tuesday by the
explosion of a federal ammunition barge at City Point, Va., as detailed in an
artist's sketch based on eyewitness reports. Heavy damage has also been
done to warehouses and the supply depot is a mass of ruins. It is reported
that John Maxwell, a Confederate agent guided by R. K. Dillard,
managed to get an innocent dockhand to place a timed explosive inside the
vessel's hold and a horological device touched off powder at 11:40 a.m. Gen.
U. S. Grant has ordered a probe.
LINCOLN REELECTION CALLED DOUBTFUL
Dissident republicans Prefer Gen. u. S. Grant.
Washington--Informed sources here disclose a growing concern on Pres.
Lincoln's part that he will not be reelected this November. The severe cost of
prosecuting the war, and the military stalemates before Petersburg, VA., and
Atlanta, GA., support their view, these sources feel. There is disquiet in
the North. Two ex-Presidents, Millard Fillmore (the 13th Chief Executive)
and Franklin Pierce (the 14th) support a change in administrations.
republican powers in New York are urging that Lincoln be replaced with Gen. U.
S. Grant.
(Col. John Eaton was given a pass by Lincoln Friday to visit Gen. Grant at City
Point to learn, it is reported, whether Grant has presidential aspirations,
though Grant has assured Lincoln before that he has no such desire.)
Among the dissident Republicans are N. Y. Tribune editor Horace Greeley and New
York Mayor George Opdyke. Thurlow Weed predicted to the President this
week that his reelection is an impossibility. Northerners, said one
observer, are frantic for peace. The only cheerful note for Lincoln this
week came from Republican victory in Maine elections.
Not even the naval victory at Mobile, Ala., has seemed to stem the twin desire
for peace and the disposal of Lincoln. What the President seems to need is
a major conquest, e.g., the capture of Atlanta.
On Monday, Lincoln wired Greeley to come to Washington for a conference,
presumably about publication of their correspondence relative to the abortive
peace move involving Southern agents. Greeley replied Tuesday that "I
will gladly come...whenever you aprise me that my doing so may perhaps be of
use. But I fear that my chance for usefulness has passed."
On Tuesday, the President sent Greeley a copy of his (the President's)
correspondence as well as Greeley's letters, with passages the President wants
"suppressed" drawn through in red pencil because they "give too
gloomy an aspect to our cause." On Thursday, Greeley replied,
resisting the idea of publishing the letters as Lincoln suggested.
The President this week also intervened in a dispute between Gen. Benjamin
Butler and Gov. Pierpoint who are in disagreement over who shall govern Norfolk.
To Gen. S. G. Burbridge, in Kentucky, Lincoln sent this note Monday:
"Last December, Mrs. Emily T. Helm, half-sister of Mrs. Lincoln and widow
of the rebel Gen. Ben Hardin Helm, stopped here on her way from Georgia to
Kentucky, and I gave her a paper... to protect her against the mere fact of her
being Gen. Helm's widow. I hear rumor today that you recently sought to
arrest her but was prevented by her presenting the paper from me.
"I do not intend to protect her against the consequences of disloyal words
or acts, spoken or done by her since her return to Kentucky, and if the paper
given her by me can be construed to give her protection for such words or acts,
it is hereby revoked...Deal with her for current conduct, just as you would with
any other."
Presidential secretary John Hay was ordered Friday to Keoukuk, Iowa, on
an official mission.
A BIBLE IGNORED, BUT NEWSPAPERS ARE READ.
Saratoga, N.Y. -- A man here reports finding a Bible aboard one of the
lake steamers with this incription on the book's inside cover:
"This holy book, neglected, lies,
"No soul with it commune",
While scores of souls sit 'round about
"with Heralds and Tribunes"
|This is the entire front page of the August 14, 1864 Atlanta Century
Transcribed by: Brenda Pierce
All Rights Reserved.|