"From Georgia." from the August 18, 1864 Door County Advocate
FROM GEORGIA.
———
NEAR ATLANTA, July 24.
Dear Father: Since my last letter to you we have made considerable, advance toward Atlanta. On the 15th last we left the Chattahoochie river on the right of our lines, and marched to Marietta; from there we went to Rossville, on the Chattahoochie, crossing the river the same night. On the 20th passed through Decatur, six miles east of Atlanta, on the railroad, and moved into position on the east side of Atlanta, about two miles from the city.
The next morning our forces made a charge on the enemy's lines in front of us, and carried part of them. Our regiment carried the works in front of them, and held them. Our company lost one man killed, one missing, and twelve wounded, the regiment losing one hundred and fifty-four, killed, wounded, and missing. JULE WARREN was wounded slightly in the leg by a buckshot. The next day, the 22d, the rebels made an attack on the front left flank, and rear of the 15th, 16th, and 17th Corps, about noon. The attack was so sudden and unexpected that at first our men were driven back in some places, but they rallied and in turn drove the rebels. The rebs kept charging till dark but was unable to drive our gallant boys from their works. The slaughter was immense, the rebels being swept down by hundreds, many of them in the ditches and on our breastworks, our forces lost heavily too, but not as much as the rebs.
Our company did not lose any, but the companies on our left lost quite heavily. I do not know the loss of the Reg't, but since the campaign opened, it is between 200 and 300.
Gen. Sherman says this is the key to Atlanta and we must hold it at all hazards. Gen. McPherson was killed on the 22d. I am well.
Yours in haste,
HARRY HARRIS.
Courtesy of the Door County Library Newspaper Archive
[It was acceptable at the time to spell the river’s name as Chattahoochie instead of Chattahoochee.]
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