"General Sherman, who was near us at Jonesboro, gives a graphic picture: that night, he says, he was so restless and impatient that he could not sleep. About midnight there arose, toward Atlanta, sounds of shells exploding and other sounds like that of musketry. He walked to the house of a farmer close by his bivouac, and called him out to listen. The farmer said, that these sounds were just like those of a battle. An interval of quiet then ensued, when again, about 4 A. M., arose another similar explosion. Sherman remained in doubt whether the enemy was engaged in blowing up his own magazines, or whether General Slocum had not felt forward and become engaged in a real battle. Finally a note from Slocum himself assured the anxious General of the facts. Then, as he turned back to take possession, Sherman sent Mr. Lincoln that memorable despatch: 'Atlanta is ours and fairly won.' "Probably no words uttered at this date could give to our children an idea of the joy and the assurance of hope that penetrated all classes of society when the proclamation was made at Washington and echoed through the North and West, 'Atlanta is won.' It meant that our glorious cause had prevailed. Rebellion, it is said, cannot last much longer. It spoke of the end of war, of the beginning of peace, glimpses of which were already seen from the hilltops of Georgia. It meant speedy emancipation to white men as well as to black. It spoke of happy homes soon to be visited, of lovely women and precious children who had long waited for such good news, and whose eyes were already sparkling with delight to welcome us home. "Yes, yes, 'Atlanta won' was indeed a bow of promise set in the clouds, though yet heavy; a bow of promise to America and to the world, that right and justice should prevail, and God's will be done sooner or later upon the earth." CHAPTER XXIII. PREPARING FOR THE MARCH. CONGRATULATIONS AND REJOICINGS--SHERMAN'S ADDRESS TO HIS ARMY-- INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN--APPEARANCE OF ATLANTA AND ITS ENVIRONS--HOOD'S NORTHWARD MARCH--HOW CORSE HELD THE FORT-- SHERMAN'S STERN WORK AT ATLANTA--EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS-- ORGANIZING FOR THE MARCH TO THE SEA--SKETCHES OF HOWARD AND SLOCUM--ORDERS FOR THE CAMPAIGN--CUTTING OFF ALL COMMUNICATION WITH THE NORTH--ATLANTA IN RUINS--MARCHING TOWARD THE SEA.