New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-07-21
Sherman acros. the Cha,tahooch

| Sherman Across the ChattahOOchce.
from Oar Special Correspondent. ~. r..
4 PHILIPS FORD, CHAITAHooCIEk RIVER VA
1 july (, ls64
The Union Army has crossed the Chatlahoo-
hee-not the whole army but much Of ii as secures
lac successful passage OF the remainder and between
Is and Atlanta is a days march. II is not strange that
uueh difficulty was looked for the crossing Of this
dyer-yes even in approaching it, and haG any proper
ose been made OF The stupendons works which were
but to defend H. our fullest apprehensions might have
been realized The Rubicon is crossed however, and
row, comparing the real opposition encountered with
that which was naturally expected the mind by naiu'
m law goes eagerly searching for an explanation OF the
cause Was il Strategy Was it the iuyncibe charac'
Ter Of the army led BY Gen. Sherman; Was II tie de-
noralntiou Of the enemy, or the execution OF some
seIaid plan for cntrapping and destroying rs when
&c are fairly caught with the river behind ~, and the
great Rebel host in font, with its Southern hear
fred 10 huri back the invaders Of their homes and IRE
sides - No matter The work is done. Let the future
| reveal tho low and why.
50 far "a am al present advised me sd Arpy Corps
str SctQfcd has me honor Of frs crossing tte magic
e-scm IT, however, il shall appear that some other
equally brave General is entitled tie honor no one vi
more cheerluy resign the distinction, which may wei
be coveted.
The final crossing so long associated in the mind Of
Tie Army with stern, perhaps bloody resistance
was after a achieved without loss, and with little ont
Of the ordinary routine 1t marks one Of the most in
portant episodes in the campaign. That We did not
lose man. have one wounded IS all tie more credit
able. and IS owing, unquestionaby, TO good manage
ment Let the Circumstance atone for any mischances
which may have oreriaRen heretofore in the con
Il D.. ~ .-rf t~r.Ir .ffrn If Z.
THE ADVANCE TO TIRE RIVER.
MCPHERSON and Logan took the right, passing the
sd Army Corps, which, after turning the enemy's left
and finally oustng him from Kenesaw hating TEN
pOrarly ON tie SardtowA Road. They took the road
which, few miles beyond forks toward Turner's and
Howells Ferries Thomas followed the direct Atlanta
roads in the ceuter SshoGeld crossing right angles
tie main line Of advance, on the Rufus Station Road,
crossed Nickaack Creek and the next day Ro'tenwood
Greeks, striking the river at Phillips Ford about
seven miles above Mont gomerys Ferry or the railroad
ORDER OF MARCH.
Gen schofeld on The night Of July ordered his
division commanders TO march at O'Clock the next
morning The object was 10 effect a crossing of the
Chattahoochee near the mouth of Soap Greek. The Sd
Division was in advance Gen. Harals artillery moving
near the head Of tho column 50 10 the crossing
the trains OF both divisions following the Of the
corps One brigade was to cross Soap Creek 1T the
Paper MIL about mile above It's month, moving down
the road toward the bank Of the river, keeping out Of
view from the opposite bank. \ strong line Of Skin
mishers with large reserves behind the ridge near the
river and party Of % good 10 lead the crossing
the features Of tic plan for making lodSmeni on
the opposite side All exposure Of the men or Of the
officers in groups as TO attract attention from TIE
enemy was forbidden. Gems Cox and Hsxal were 20
mass their divisions conveniently the IN or under
cover, aud select good positions for artillery 20 cover
the crossing The troops would clear the road for the
pontoon train which was 10 follow IN the immediate
rear Of the infantry. An noise building OF fires or
other demonstrations likely 90 give warning 10 the
enemy were 10 be avoided. The pontoon bridge was
intended 10 be laid at Ishan's Ferry, just below the
mouth Of Soap Creek and TO use The ford above Tor
crossing Infantry enough 10 cover the laying OIL the
bridge These were the main features Of the Plan DC
tails or devatons from the programme being et 20 the
Commanding g General who would be on the ground to
give further orders after full and careful Tcconnois-
sance
Two hundred men were detailed from the I'd Division
to man the lontoon boats.
TIE ENEHy DECEIVED.
With tie army Of Thomas and MoPhersOD massed
along the river IN mont OF the mann Crossings AZ lno
railroad and ferries and threatening 10 throw their col
umns across in the Of any opposition which threat
ened Them is it strange that Johnston should ha' lost
,gbt Of the crossings far above below and left that
mart Of tho line 10 be protected by comparatively small
force
FORMATION ALONG THE RIVER
The whole river in this region is fanked by ridge
N irregular formation from which spurs project toward
the stream aud terminate ut the border Of neryae
or bottom land from a quarter TO third Of nile in
width and forming the most productive lands in this
part Of the State These spurs by remarkable law Of
their origin terminate opDoSitss each other on the two
sides of the river their ends being bald knobs or cleared
fields furnishing excellent positions for artillery. But
nature never partial in heF gfS, has distributed these
song both sides Of the river that position be
selected on one side. that il not commanded by
equally advanta geons one the other. At this point
also the width Of the river gorge is not very long
tery range. On Of these knobs the enemy placed
battery a. 10 command The place selected for the
Iontoon bridge. But upon another and corresponding
hight, near the house Of DIR. Dana Soribner Capt
slieds 18Th Ohio and Capt. Paddooks rife batteries, Of
The I'd DJ son, posted to command the I;eb
q guns and they made but avery brief use Of them
There never was better yerifcaton Of tho maxim that
discretion Is the better part Of Vsor." The enemy
found impossible TO open his battery upon our pontoon
without drawing an instantane and annihAng OBJ
hque IRE from the opposite side Of the gorge.
Co Cameron. unoh,eryci by the erewy threw n