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33 With Sherman at Atlanta Albert G. Brackett, Colonel, Third U.S. Cavalry during the siege of Atlanta, many interesting things occurred that made a strong impression upon the actors and witnesses. There was a continual strain upon the nerves of everyone, which was trying enough to the men and must have been a thousand times more so to the women and children who remained in the city. The batteries used to begin firing in the morning, and after keeping it going two or three hours, would slacken up. This was the course pursued by the Unionists and Confederates,and the several battery commanders used their utmost skill in endeavoring to cripple and disable one another. The Union lines stretched in a semicircle roundAtlanta for a distance of ten or twelve miles,with a fair breastwork thrown up in front,and as fast as our people gained any ground they would at once throw up breastworks, along which logs were placed with spaces between them, where there was room enough to push the rifles through in case of an attack. The whole ground was covered with a dense woods, and there was no difficulty about obtaining timber. Very little could be seen except the Confederate works in front, and it was almost impossible to obtain a glimpse of any portion of the town from the place where the Union troops lay, excepting a few steeples and tall chimneys. For many days the siege continued, and it seemed as if there would be no end.Men became very weary of it and endured the cannonade as best they could. At daybreak, ordinarily, the booming of cannon began, and screeching shells sailed through the air with hideous noise.Not many soldiers were hit with these missiles, but they had the power of making men feel more nervous than anything that could be done to them.After the shells struck the ground,unless they burst at once there was no great danger, as the soldiers got out of the way or threw themselves on the ground and were measurably safe. The round shot did no particular damage, and the artillerists reserved their grape and canister for closer quarters. Apparently the artillerymen enjoyed this, as it was a tribute to their skills, but nobody else was especially elated and rather wished the affair was ended. I could not see how the Union troops were ever to get possession of this important place,so well situated in the very heart of the Confederate states, and there was a dull and dangerous drag, day after day, with very little to break the monotony or relieve it of its tedium, so wearing upon military men. In order to ruin as much ammunition as possible for the Confederates, our commander gave orders that a certain hour after dark the “charge” should be With Sherman at Atlanta • 431 06.381-464_Cozz 12/2/03, 8:56 AM 431 432 • part 6: the war in 1864 sounded, but the soldiers were to keep well back and under cover, not showing themselves to the enemy. They would think of course that our whole line was advancing directly upon them with fixed bayonets, and in consequence expend their ammunition in the most reckless manner upon us. Everything was duly prepared,and all the necessary precautions taken against the effects of their shot and shell. The baggage wagons were kept well to the rear, and all horses, mules, and draught animals so placed that the shot would not reach them. The cattle herd was driven to a secure place, as fresh beef was a luxury duly appreciated by us. The parapets were strengthened where most needed,and the rifle pits for the men deepened so as to afford good shelter. On the night of August 7, I think it was, but am not positive, this scheme was carried into effect and proved as successful as could have been wished. A short time after dark the drums in every regiment were furiously beaten and the bugles and trumpets sounded the charge. There was a deafening din, and a few minutes afterward the noise from the Confederate works exceeded anything that can be imagined. Great guns and little guns flashed and pealed from the Confederate earthworks, and the United States army never rested under a more tremendous hail of shot, shells, and bullets of every description. It was an old soldier near me who expressed it, “As if hell had broken loose...

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