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it has received a brigade (Harding's) of at least three thousand from Mobile.
This gives the enormous loss to them, since the campaign, of fifty-two thousand men. What possible chance is there for these thirty-three thousand now before us?
These figures may seem exaggerations, but they are not — they are realities; and when it is remembered that we have taken twelve thousand prisoners, have had no less than twelve engagements, where from one to three corps have been in battle, with the ordinary desertions and losses from disease, the fifty-two thousand is readily made up. What will hinder the daily attrition of the next three months from completing the overthrow of the foe before us?
We are losing some good officers, and, of course, some men, but I wish all could understand how vitally this campaign is striking the rebellion.
All must read Governor Brown's proclamations calling out the militia and detailed men?
There is no blossoming palmetto about that, but a plain and open groan, showing clearly how deep the travel of our army is moving down upon the tender places of the Confederacy.
in the field, two miles North of Atlanta, georgia, August 3--12 P. M.
At 10:30 o'clock this forenoon, General Logan ordered the Second division, commanded by Brigadier-General Lightburn, and the Fourth division, Brigadier-General Harrow commanding, to advance their lines, in order to support an infantry force which was to move out through an open field, and, if possible, drive the rebel skirmishers from a long line of rifle-pits.
From these ugly pits the treacherous sharp-shooters of the enemy controlled our lines, being situated only four hundred yards distant from our main line of works.
No sooner was a “Yankee” frontispiece displayed above what is called the, “head logs” --logs elevated at each end, so that musketry can be fired from a small aperture without exposing the head — than unceremonious shots whistle in profusion, and in disagreeable proximity to the heads of our men. Fortunately, but few of our soldiers were wounded or killed by these sharpshooters, many of their leaden messengers piercing the heavy logs with a dull heavy “thug,” oftentimes imbedding the bullet completely from view.
The object, therefore, of the movement of General Logan was to dislodge these fellows from their apparently snug position, for while they were left unmolested our men were subjected to a great many dead shots.
The line having been formed, for the rebel skirmish-line was a very strong one, three batteries, belonging to the Fifteenth Army Corps, were ordered to open upon the rebel rifle-pits.
Captain Frank De Grass' celebrated twenty-pound Parrott guns, battery H, Twelfth Illinois artillery, opened the soiree, sending his compliments in iron to Mr. Hindman's men. Then, in rapid succession, Griffin's battery and the Fourth Ohio battery belched out a few shots, in order to keep a spirit of unity, and as far as possible to harmonize the lively proceedings.
At a given signal, a few minutes before eleven o'clock, our ears were startled with one of those victorious Yankee shouts, and at the same time the eye was more than gratified to witness the intrepidity of the divisions as they bounded forth nimbly to the enemy's long line of rifle-pits, bent upon capturing them.
As our men dashed on, the rebels fled in the wildest confusion, firing random shots at our men, and crawling out of their well-formed pits more like frightened pigeons out of a crowded pigeoncoop than “Southern knights of chivalrous renown.”
The pits were in full possession of the assaulting party in less than ten minutes, with fifty prisoners, who were at once sent to the rear for safe-keeping, with a rebel flag which has been flung to the breeze for the last time.
Our troops were safely ensconced in their new. position for two hours, when suddenly an overwhelmingly superior force of the enemy was discovered emerging cautiously from the edge of woods in rear of their strong works, and were likewise advancing through a ravine just in front of the rebel rifle-pits occupied by our soldiers.
It was discovered, fortunately, at the same time, that the enemy were in force on General Lightburn's flank of the Second division.
The only alternative then left was for our troops to evacuate the rebel rifle-pits at the last moment, and then retire in good order to our first line of works, where General Logan was fully prepared and very anxious to receive such visitors with the most distinguished consideration.
After discharging their last shot, our men quietly and in excellent order took the new position assigned them.
At 4:30 o'clock General Logan had again prepared his lines to advance and retake the same line of rifle-pits which prudence obliged him to abandon temporarily.
With cheers the veterans pushed forward, after being thoroughly drenched with a pelting rain which descended in torrents for half an hour, and under a brisk musketry and artillery fire from the enemy's works, the pits were at once wrested from the enemy, together with fifty additional prisoners, including one or two commissioned officers.
These rifle-pits were some twelve hundred yards in length, and the capture of them is quite an important item for our future movements,
Our loss was small, not over seventy in killed and wounded.
I am unable to forward a complete list of the casualties in season for this letter, but, among the officers killed, was Major Brown, commanding the Seventieth Ohio, one of the most gallant patriots that ever wore the uniform of honor.
As an officer he was unexcelled.
Always at his post in the hour of danger, his presence inspired his men with renewed 