CHAPTER XIX.
Siege of Atlanta—The Capitulation—General Sherman's Report.
July 21st, heavy skirmishing on our right. 22d, we
moved forward in pursuit of the retreating rebels. 23d,
we are now strongly intrenched, within two miles of
Atlanta, Georgia; lively skirmishing much of the time.
24th, shelling and picket firing to-day; rebels charged
our line but were repulsed. 25th, brisk firing all day.
26th, advanced our line forty rods. 27th, quiet along
the lines. 28th, heavy firing on our right; the rebels
are repulsed. 29th and 30th, fighting continues.
August 2st to 3d, hot firing all the time. 4th, National Thanksgiving Day; fighting on our right; rebels driven back; skirmishing every day—all the time; getting monotonous. 25th, left our works and fell back to the Chattahoochie river, near Vining station; marched all night. 27th, Major-general W. H. Slocum assumed command of the Twentieth army corps.
September 4th, moved forward to Atlanta, which we reached about 2 o'clock P. M.; marched through the city and went into camp about one and one-half miles west of the city. 6th, received an order from General Sherman that the campaign was ended, and that the troops are to have a full month's rest; that our task was not only done, but well done. 12th, the citizens of Atlanta were moved south to-day; from this date we lay in camp with little to mar our happiness till November 1st, when we received orders to send all our baggage to the rear and put ourselves in light marching order.
