153                                HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT O.V.V.I.

fathers had been killed by the dogs or shot by the conscriptor. Some men we saw disabled for life in this way, and many had not yet recovered from wounds.

           The march was over the Sand and Lookout ranges of mountains, which many poor people inhabit in the most destitute condition. How they lived seemed a great mystery. The army passing was a great terror to them, and we regret to say, many of them were robbed and plundered of everything; but frequently many were fed and cared for. We witnessed many instances of poverty, destitution and distress that stirred all the tender sensibilities of humanity.

           When we reached the top of Sand mountains and gazed across to the Lookout range rising in the distance before us, mountain piled upon mountain; the majesty of the scene no pen can describe, no imagination can fully grasp its sublimity.

           When on the top of Lookout, we could hear the cannonading of the Army of the Tennessee, at a distance of seventy miles, then engaged in a severe battle near Lost Mountain.

           The march was well conducted by Generals Blair and Leggett, marching twelve thousand men over these mountains at the rate of fifteen or twenty miles per day, with all the artillery and trains, was certainly an exhibition of much energy and military ability.

           The Seventy-Eighth went through without loss, or scarcely a murmur. Seldom was one found in the ambulances.

           We arrived at Rome June 5th, where be begin to see some of the marks of war, and the nature of the campaign before us.

           Rome is situated on the Coosa river, and in the midst of a beautiful and rich country. Before the war it had a population of three thousand, but all the wealthy have fled before our army, leaving well situated and comfortable homes. This place was afterward chosen for general hospital of the Army of the Tennessee, on account of its healthy locality and excellent water, and the greater part of the sick and wounded were sent from the front to this place. Here was located a large armory, where was manufactured a large quantity of munitions of war; this the rebels burned when they evacuated the place. Much of the city was destroyed when General Sherman evacuated all these posts and commenced his march to the sea. It contained several beautiful churches, a court house and female seminary, also many fine dwellings and commodious business houses.

           We pushed on the next morning toward the front, which was then at Ackworth. The march was over one continuous battle-field. The country is deserted, the crops all destroyed and fine plantations dug over in the erection of fortifications by both armies. We reached Ackworth June 8th, where we took our position on the left, in our old place in the Army of Tennessee. We are now in battle line, ready to move upon the enemy.

           On the 10th we moved forward, the whole army advancing. We encountered the enemy's pickets at Big Shanty, where we commenced skirmishing with them. They fell back to the base of Kenesaw Mountains, and our troops immediately commenced building a parallel line of works.

           Day by day our forces advanced, taking the works of the enemy, until they were driven to the top of the mountains. The Seventeenth Corps soon took all the hills to the left of Mount Kenesaw. In the morning the enemy had them; by noon the Third Division under General Leggett had possession of them, and our skirmishers, under command of Captain Wallar, captured a wagon load of corn bread, which

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