The Fall of Atlanta
Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, Sept. 28, 1864
Headquarters, 3d Brigade, 2d Division, 20th Army Corps, Atlanta City, Geo., September 3d, 1864
Dear Father, You probably will hear before this reaches you that the army is in Atlanta, and give the same credit to the report as of previous rumors concerning the occupying the city by our troops. Let me confirm this report by assuring you that I am writing this letter in the city, and in the very house that Gen. Hood occupied as his Headquarters on the night of the 1st inst., and left on the morning of the 2d.
I was among the first Yankees that entered the city. It was at 11 A.M. yesterday, at the head of about 500 men from our Brigade that were sent out from the Chattahoochee River early in the morning to reconnoiter in our front. We advanced cautiously until we came to the outer works of the enemy, finding nothing on the way except a few deserters that were straggling along to our lines.
The Mayor of the city came out and met us and surrendered the city to us, although there were two regiments of rebel cavalry that were inclined to dispute our entering. Skirmishers were sent in and as they advanced the cavalry withdrew. At 11 A.M. the detachment from 2d Brigade, under the command of Lieut. Col. Walker, 111th Penn. Vet. vols, marched through the streets with colors flying to the City Hall. Col. Walker had gone into the city just in rear of the skirmishers with the Mayor, and I being the only staff officer present, had the honor of leading the column through the city, and the shouts and cheers of the citizens that came pouring into the streets, bidding us welcome. Never did I before see so many smiling countenances as I did while passing through Mareitta street to the Hall. I halted the column in front of the Hall, stacked arms, and waited further orders. In the meantime the color sergeants of the 60th N.Y. and 111th Penn. Vol. started on a double quick, gained an entrance to the Hall, flew up the stairs, and in less time than it takes to write this the Stars and Stripes were floating where but a short time before the Stars and Bars were fluttering in the summer breeze. As soon as they made their appearance three hearty cheers where given for the good old flag, and three more for the gallant Col. Wallker, commanding the expedition. Citizens gathered around, and began the shaking the hands and telling of the risks they had run by staying in the city while we were hovering around it. The troops were then moved into the city Square and remained there during the day and all night. Gen. Slocum made his appearance about 1 P.M., and immediately ordered the balance of the corps that could be spared from the river, up to occupy the fortifications in and around the city. About 10 P.M. the rest of our Brigade came in and took up a position on White Hall street, about a mile and a half from city Hall. I must say I was greatly surprised to see what strong works had been evacuated by the rebels, and the number of citizens left in town, most of them Northern people, and how glad they were to see us. After I had the troops all right in camp at the Hall, I started out to reconnoiter the city and see if I could find any faces I knew. I enquired for Mrs. Fifer, she that was Miss Parks, and found her with very little trouble, living on Collins street. She was much pleased at seeing one from the North, especially anyone acquainted with her father. I gave her all the news I had heard from home. She said she was going to start for the north as soon as she could get transportation, and wished me to remember her to her father and friends at Norwich when I next wrote.
Atlanta was once a splendid city, but is now considerably damaged by shot and shell from our batteries; in the north and west part of the city hardly a home escaped without one or more shots.
Quite a number of large guns were spiked and left in the forts. Streets were literally covered with artillery and rifle ammunition, caissons left burning in the streets and small arms laying around loose. A great many prisoners and deserters were taken and are being picked up all around the city today. Almost every dooryard has a bomb proof in it, as the citizens call them. They are dug into the ground some like a cave and covered over with 4 or 5 feet of dirt, and as soon as our batteries would being to fire they would go into them for protection. Many deserters are found secreted in these bomb proofs, and have been hidden in them for two or three weeks.
I have enclosed to you three packages of rebel papers which I hope you will get. They are all just as they were printed, half sheets, and printed on one side. "The Southern Confederacy" of Sept. 1st, was the last paper printed in Atlanta, and then skedaddled for Macon or some other place. When you read them you can hand them to some of the editors at Norwich for samples, with my compliments, if you wish. I have sent quite a variety and the latest dates obtainable. Enclosed I send you maps of Atlanta and marked with red ink position of brigade headquarters, and where Mrs. Fifer lives. It is not a very plain map but very correct. This is my first copying. If I have the time I would like to put the position of our forces while besieging the city down, but I have not.
Gen. Hood has suffered a great loss to his army and a defeat. Gen. Sherman has again whipped him and scattered his forces terribly. The particulars of the fight I have not heard.
A train of ammunition was destroyed by the enemy, just below here the night before we came into the city, to prevent its falling into our hands, also a quantity of sugar and other stores.
I am well and in good health, and feel confident of great success to our arms during this campaign which is near a close. Give my love to all enquiring friends.
Your affectionate Son, Wm. A. Scofield, Lieut, and A.D.C.
Sept. 4th, Church bells are ringing, the first I have heard for over one year. About 200 ambulances and wagons from the main army with wounded have just passed our quarters, and as many as 2,000 prisoners captured on the last of August by Sherman. A great deal of excitement prevails throughout the whole army over the success of the last fights and capture of Atlanta. W.A.S.
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