SMYRNA CAMP GROUND, Engage ment at, in the Civil War. On the night of 2 July 1864, Gen. ,J.. E. Johnston abandoned Marietta for a new position 10 miles south, covering the railroad and his pontoon-bridges, with an advanced position at Smyrna Camp Ground, six miles below Marietta. Sherman pushed forward from Marietta on the morning of the 3d, hoping to catch Johnston before he could get his army across the Chattahoochee, and was much surprised when the head of Thomas' column ran up against strong works at Smyrna Camp Ground, covering the wagon road and railroad. The army was deployed, and there was heavy skirmishing. On the 4th General Dodge, commanding the 16th corps, moved out on the Ruff Station road and developed a Confederate position of two intrenched lines, strongly held. Dodge in trenched. At 4 P.M. a charge was made by three regiments of Veatch's division, under Col. E. F. Noyes, and three regiments of Sweeny's division, resulting in the capture of Johnston's first line of works and over 100 prisoners, with a Union loss of 140 killed and wounded, Noyes losing a leg. During the night Johnston aban
doned his advanced position and drew back all his army and trains to the intrenched line cov ering the railroad bridge. Sherman closed up against him and was met by a heavy and severe fire, then threw forward both flanks, and by morning of the 6th held possession of the river above for 18 miles, as far as Roswell, and 10 below to the mouth of the Sweet Water. On the 9th Sherman crossed a part of his army over the Chattahoochee, near Roswell, and that night Johnston abandoned his position, crossed to the south side of the Chattahoochee, burned the railroad bridge and his pontoon and trestle bridges and took position in the outer defenses of Atlanta. Consult 'Official Records> (Vol. XXXVIII).