The New York herald., 1864-05-25
Magnificent Fighting Of Gen.
Hooker's Corps.
Details Of tho Battles Of tho l4th
and 18th Instant.
THE REBEL RETREAT TO ETOWAH.
INCIDENTS OF THE CAMPAIGN.
ksS H.. -
Mr. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.

Mr. Thomas N. Cooks Despatch.
KINGSTON, Ca, May IT, 1854.
me earlier features OF the exciting campaign which
has brought the victorious army General Sherman TO
ths advanced point have detailed to you In the
volumnous dispatches OF MIR. Shanke which were trans
nitted several days since. The movements from that
Ome to the have been rapid succession of go
sous results In which the boastul rebel chefan Of the
West has been defeated every point and his dspred
army vanquished, broken routed Let il not be in
fsrred from this that the campaign Georgia is ended
by NO means. What would say Ia this thus far We
nave defeated the rebels at every point, twice having
PIT them to an inglorous retreat They have not
yet reached their last ditch but have n
single step remaining between them and Il. In the
mountains at Etowah which lie just In trent Of u.s. they
WIN make another desperate stand, as at Dalton and
Ressacca being driven fr that position tbey have
bean driven from equally strong positions above Atlanta
Sscomes their last resort and the intermnabIe fort
acations stretching along the OF lofty elevations
Nat surround That place the final struggle viii be fought
sHgRxAS's CAMPAIGN
Bhermaus plan for the present campaign was most
admirable one aud that any portion OF repel army
ssoceeded In escaping Its meshes not TO
mp aefect In the plan any lack Of enterprise or
ability on the part Of the subordinate generals OF his
army, but solely to the sagaciy and military skill OF bis
fAssGonisthe willy Johnstcn-who, by avoiding general
Astes succsedsd In withdrawing his forces before the
Union troops could completely envelop them
FORMER ACCOUNTS.
The Of operations In this quarter which have
sesn sent you bring the details Of movements down
70 the evacuation by tho rebels or Dalton-ao event
which occurred on tho 18th inst ard compelled by
General Shermans tactics massing the bulk OF his
army against Rossacca.
n station the Western and Atlantic Railroad seven
esen miles south Dalton. 10 located On the north
hank OF tho Oostcnaula river as the point where The
railroad crosses that stream. As = town, or even
station, II unimportant the esiy interest attaching 70
being tho railroad BRIDGE tho timely destruction OF
which would have severed Johnston's communication
With hs base, him OF from all supplies and driven
him 70 the alternative Of battle at all hazards and
- any disadvantages, inglorous precpltass
retreat As fresssiDg this. the rebel general had
taken advantage Of the natural position Of the place.
sAtsd the midst Of endless Of hills with
~ most commanding elevations Immediately surround
Ing the town, and had strongly fortified an the ap
DrOaches. and kept respectable garrison ON duty in
sAsss forsincatons.
DAlfoN WAS xvACuArrp.
General shermans 1rst demonstration against Ressacca
having failed because Of the OF the force
out and considering the importance, strategcay
consersd Of this postion General sherman had massed
his entire army in Snake Crock Gap, with the exception
q General Howards corps, with view Of making . de-
trmIDsd descent upon Rsssacca, occupying a al ha
sards and then nghtins the enemy from his rear.
yoAnstoa quickly discovered this Intention and . had
progressed far hs had other means Of preventing
shaa By abandoning Dalton and concentrating his entire
scs In front Of Rcssacca which done on the night
q the l2th. and the morning Of Friday the 18th
General Howard with his corps occupied Dalton wIthou,
resistance.