The Yankees were at that time twenty-five miles in our rear, "a hundred thousand strong," at a place called Jonesboro.

I do not know how it was found out that they were at Jonesboro, but anyhow, the news had come and Cheatham's corps had to go and see about it.
Stewart's corps must hold Atlanta, and Stephen D.Lee's corps must be stretched at proper distance, so that the word could be passed backward and forward as to how they were getting along.

As yet it is impossible to tell of the movements of the enemy, because our cannon balls had not come back and reported any movements to us.

We had always heard that cannon balls were blind, and we did not suppose they could see to find their way back.

Well, our corps made a forced march for a day and a night, and passed the word back that we had seen some signs of the Yankees being in that vicinity, and thought perhaps, a small portion-- about a hundred thousand--were nigh about there somewhere.