TELEGRAPHIC REPORTS OF THE PRESS ASSOCIATION.
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FROM GEORGIA.
ATLANTA, July 25.—The enemy made an attempt last night [July 24, 1864] to break the lines, but was repulsed by Cheatham after a conflict of one hour.
During the day quiet prevailed around the city, the only demonstration being occasional picket firing; but at midday to-day [July 25, 1864] the Yankees opened with shell again upon the city shelling it one hour with some vigour. No notice of his intention to shell the city was given to enable the women and children to be removed to places of safety. His barbarous violation of the usages of civilized warfare only enabled him to murder a few non-combatants.—Most of the shells come from 20-pounder Parrott guns in position on the line of the Western Atlantic railroad, with occasional missiles from another gun east of the city.
The gallant operations of Wednesday [July 20, 1864] and Friday [July 22, 1864] seem to have impressed the Yankees with a wholesome desire to strengthen their flanks, which they are now doing. 1 Their display of rocket signals has been brilliant, indicating some movement on their part.
The following address to the troops was read this morning.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,
In the Field, July 25.
SOLDIERS: Experience has proved to you that safety in time of battle consists in getting into close quarters with the enemy. Guns and colours are the only unerring indications of victory. The valour of troops is easily estimated, too, by the number of those received. If your enemy be allowed to continue the operation of flanking you out of position, our cause is in peril. Your recent brilliant success proves your ability to prevent it. You have but to will it and God will grant us the victory which your commander and your country so confidently expect.
(Signed.) J[ohn]. B[ell]. HOOD, General.
Brigadier-General F A Shoup has been appointed Chief of Staff of this army to-day [July 25, 1864].
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FROM PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.
PETERSBURG, July 25 [1864].—The enemy is reported to have crossed a portion of one corps to the north side of James river on Friday [July 22, 1864], near City Point, doubtless for the purpose of preventing our artillery firing upon their transports.2
To day [July 25, 1864] has been remarkably quiet. It seems now to be well ascertained that Grant is busily mining on our left, and strengthening his right, resting upon the Weldon road.3
A heavy rain storm, with a high wind, occurred last night [the night of July 24-25, 1864].
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PLANS OF THE ENEMY.
PETERSBURG July 25—The Philadelphia INQUIRER of the 22d [of July 1864] says that Canby is proceeding against the enemy, about Mobile, with a formidable force, and that the campaign on James river is about to start with a fresh impulse.4,5
SOPO Editor’s Note: This article was transcribed by Jackie Martin.
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Source/Notes:
- SOPO Editor’s Note: While the Union armies in the east under Grant were mining underneath Pegram’s Salient and prepping for the Third Offensive against Petersburg, John Bell Hood, new commander of the Confederate Army of Tennessee, launched attacks at the Battle of Peachtree Creek on July 20 and the Battle of Atlanta, or Bald Hill, on July 22, 1864. These attacks both failed costing Hood men he could ill afford to lose. On the Union side, Army of the Tennessee commander James B. McPherson was killed at Bald Hill. ↩
- SOPO Editor’s Note: A favorite past time of the Confederates north of the James River was to send artillery batteries out to show up unexpectedly on the river, unlimber, and fire into passing Union vessels. The Union Navy had its warships spread out all along the James from Trent’s Reach all the way back to Fort Monroe, but they were never enough. As for the Union corps moving to the north side of the James, this was somewhat correct. Rather than move opposite City Point, however, portions of the newly arriving Nineteenth Corps, fresh off of transports from New Orleans, had begun moving to Foster’s bridgehead at Deep Bottom, a little further up the James. This movement sparked a running series of skirmishes in the Deep Bottom area from July 21 all the way up to the First Deep Bottom Campaign, which kicked off on July 27. ↩
- SOPO Editor’s Note: As you can see, rumors of a mine or mines being dug under Confederate lines were prevalentin July 1864, just prior to the Battle of the Crater. Clearly, the secret couldn’t be kept as well as would have been liked. It is appearing here in a Confederate paper! ↩
- SOPO Editor’s Note: How right the Confederates were to follow the Philadelphia Inquirer! As civilians in the Confederate capital were reading these words, they probably also heard the rumblings of cannon to the southeast as the First Deep Bottom Campaign kicked off. ↩
- “Telegraphic Reports of the Press Association.” Richmond Examiner. July 27, 1864, p. 1 col. 5 ↩