From the Georgia front — latest by mail.
We are in receipt of Atlanta papers of the 13th and 14th, whose news has mainly been anticipated by the telegraph. The Register has the following relative to the situation:All quiet at the front. Sherman is evidently bent upon rebuilding the railroad bridge across the Chattahoochee before he makes a forward movement. The portion of Howard's 4th army corps which was on this side of the river have recrossed, having been relieved by two divisions of Dodge's 16th army corps.
One division of Schofield's 23d army corps are also on this side opposite Soap Ford.
Girard's division of cavalry are camped on this side about a mile from the river, on the Buckhead road, having thrown up a few rails, &c., as breastworks. They are said to be amusing themselves picking blackberries and frolicking around generally, but keeping a sharp lookout for our cavalry.
The enemy have sent a brigade of cavalry and a battery of artillery to the right, opposite Campbellton, evidently as a feint upon Newman or La Grange. They have thrown up fortifications, and are suspected of paying more attention to the rich oat fields in that section than anything else.
In the meantime we learn that the enemy are massing their troops upon our right, with an eye towards Stone Mountain.
Our army is in magnificent condition, well fed, and there never has been, since the war commenced, such perfect unity of feeling as now exists.
Expressing its fears that Sherman may retreat, the Register says:
‘ It is now feared that Sherman has abandoned his intention of crossing the Chattahoochee. Should he now fall back, and make good his retreat to some safe base of operations, it will certainly be a source to us of humiliating shame and mortification.
’ The loss of cotton and woolen mills, of valuable iron works and costly bridges, in the vast destruction of agricultural and mechanical interests, and in the desolation of homes and of hearts, the Sherman raid exceeds all that have occurred since the war began. The very audacity of it is absolutely astounding. When we look at the map of the old United States, and see how far into our very heart this master of invasion has penetrated, it would seem that nothing short of the entire annihilation of his army would atone for the sacrifice.
While we were living under an exciting apprehension of the issues of a daily impending battle, we had no time to consider the aspect of things which now thrusts itself upon us. But now that it is an accredited rumor that our enemy is about to retire, the hearts of our people will be touched with a goading humiliation. We know our inability to pursue him. He has but to burn and destroy the bridges behind him and go at his leisure, and at his pleasure make a wreck, a ruin, a desert waste of everything in his track.
If, however, these rumors are not true; if no is not retreating, but seeks to plan another flank movement on our left, we fondly hope there will yet be an opportunity to avenge the sacrificer. One more attempt to flank we earnestly pray for. Retreating is now at an end, and our soldiers are ready for the fight.
