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[217] proud of the division, and knows that he can depend upon it every time. Indeed, the whole corps, from Ringgold to Big Shanty, have covered themselves with glory. Colonel Vandeveer, commanding a brigade in the Third division, Fourteenth corps, is quite ill, but is recovering. General Cruft of Stanley's division, is also very ill, and his brigade is now commanded by Colonel Kirby, of the One hundred and First Ohio. Nothing of any moment was accomplished on the centre, or line of the Fourth and Fourteenth Corps to-day (sixteenth). Slight skirmishing has been progressing all day, with a gradual advance of our lines, but the loss was but fifteen or twenty. The batteries planted on our earth-works, thrown up on the night of the fifteenth, shelled the enemy's works quite vigorously, and inflicted quite a heavy loss upon him. Late in the afternoon, Kimball's brigade, of Newton's division, was thrown forward to an advanced position, and intrenched itself within three hundred yards of the enemy's main line of works, and toward evening the other brigade of Newton advanced and took position on the right and left. Artillery was placed in commanding position early in the evening, and opened upon the enemy, rendering his position quite uncomfortable. Stanley's division has skirmished all day with the enemy, and lost very lightly. Baird, of the Fourteenth corps, skirmished all day, but had but trifling loss in his division. Last night, at dark, when firing ceased on the centre, our lines were about four hundred yards in advance of the position of the morning. The enemy betrays unmistakable signs of uneasiness to-night, having been so closely pressed all day. To-day, Captain Simonson, formerly of the Fifth Indiana battery, and one of the best artillerists in the Fourth corps, who has been acting as Chief of Artillery for General Stanley, finding it impossible to tell where to direct his fire, went out on our advance skirmish line, where he took a position, and forming a chain line of men, passed back from one to another instructions to the batteries where to direct their fire. He was constantly exposed all the afternoon, to meet with instant death. At night, just before dark, while looking through an embrasure, he was struck in the head by a musket ball and instantly expired. No braver man ever sighted a gun; in social life he was universally beloved, not only for his military skill but also for his quiet, unassuming manner. His loss will be much felt in the corps. The Captain had a brother-in-law killed at Dallas, and on Tuesday, when his battery killed General Polk, he remarked that he had avenged his relative's death. Little did the brave Simonson then suppose that his days of usefulness were so nearly numbered. His many friends at home and in the army will have the satisfaction of knowing that Simonson died in harness, nobly battling for the overthrow of treason. May the brave soldier rest in peace. His body goes to Chattanooga to morrow, in charge of a brother officer. June 17, 5 A. M.--General Howard has just received a despatch from General Stanley, that the enemy had disappeared from the front, and that he entered his works at 3.30 this morning. Hooker also reports that he can find no enemy in his front. 6.53 A. M.--Ten prisoners just brought in from Stanley's front, report that the enemy has withdrawn his centre two miles, but still holds his old position at Kenesaw Mountain on our left, and Lost Mountain on our right. This seems to be confirmed by the fact that heavy firing has been heard all night and this morning in Schofield's front, and while I write, the enemy on the left centre are responding to Palmer's vigorous advance upon him, immediately to the right of Kenesaw. It is now nine A. M., and firing in the front of Palmer has nearly died away. Nothing is heard but occasional artillery and musketry reports on the extreme left of Palmer's corps, and on McPherson's right. The enemy has not yet been found on the centre, where Howard has been advancing with artillery and infantry through the deserted works of the enemy, which are very formidable in their appearance. Seventy-two prisoners, chiefly taken by Stanley, have been sent in to corps headquarters this morning. Hardee's is the corps that Howard and Palmer have been fighting for two days. General Loring is reported as General Polk's successor in command of the corps. A few deserters come to us, but it is generally on the retreat, when they fall behind purposely to be captured. At no other time is it safe to attempt to desert, especially as desertion is sure to be followed by a public shooting exhibition.
Van Nostrand. New York, New York. 1868.
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