Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-05-26
THE WAR IN GEORGIA.
GEN. sHERMAN's CAMPAIGN.
THE CAPTURE OF REsACA.
Bloody and Obstinate Battle,


campaign in Georgia, and the public general
" are but partially informed in regard to it.
Cen SHERMAN has a chronic dislike of cor
respondents and so very few letters with re-
gard to his operations have come North and
been published. The Cincinnati Con1m1erc5@,
however, has an elaborate and highly inter
esting account Of his movements up to the
18th Of NAV, which we should like to pub
lish if we could possibly find room for 1t. For
the information of our readers, however, we
prepare brief summary.
About thhe first of May general concen-
tlation of troops in the Department OF the
Cumberland began, and a stripping of the ar
nv for the march and the fight Baggage
and tents were discarded, and little but am
munition and supplies carried in the trains.
May Sd was principally passed in concen-
trating the 4th Army Corps, Maj. Gen. How
ard, which was stretched along the railroad,
the left resting at Cleveland, and the right
at Ooltawah, ten miles below. The troops
were wild with enthusiasm, and the roads su-
perb There was abundance of excellent wa
ter on the road, and the march to Red Clay
was easily made.
May 18th, by tedious, but not lengthy
march, Catoosa Springs, former noted
Southern summer watering place was reach
ed Some slight skirmishes with rebel cav
airy took place on the way.
Thursday and Friday, the 9TH and 9th, the
army, or at least the 9Th, 18th and 23d corps,
which had arrived at advanced positions, re-
manned in its position Of Wednesday, awaiting
the arrival of Gen. Hooker's and Gen. Nc
Pherson's corps, who marched around to our
right, preparatory to flank movement upon
the enemy's left, for the purpose OF turning It,.
Saturday. May 18th, the 4th Corps, encamp-
cd in the hills about Catoosa Springs, moved
east, Stanley taking the lead followed by
Generals Newton and Wood. Extensive pre-
parations were made to carry the enemy's po-
sition at Tunnel Hill, but by flank move
ment and some slight skirmishing, it was car
ried with loss of only ten men wounded
The line that night was established about "a
mile south of Tunnel Hill.
On Sunday, May Stb, Gen. Howard, who, in
the temporary absence of Gen. Thomas, com
manded the 18th and 23d Corps, ordered a
further advance, and by some skilfully plan
ned and well executed movements, made con
siderable progress toward Rocky Face. Gen.
Geary, of Hooker's Corps, had sharp fght
with the rebels under Gen John H. Morgan,
and failed TO carry Dug Gap, losing some $50
men. Meantime Schofeld's Corps was work
ing east of the rebel positions and Hooker
bearing southwest Of Dalton, while McPher-
son, with heavy force, was aiming at Resa-
ca in the rear of the rebels. Fitzpatrick
cavalry occupied our right ana Sherman's our
left
On Monday, May 9th, Rocky Face Greek
was crossed and considerable skirmishino and
artillery duelling took place At four
O'clock Gen. Howard ordered the divisions
of Stanley and Wood forward into the gaps
facing the enemy's brcast-works and fortifca-
tions to the right of Dalton. This compelled
the enemy to expose his batteries, and after
some heavy firing an advance was made far
up the slope of Rocky Face Ridge. Gen.
Schofeld, with his Corps, succeeded in gain
ing considerable ground on the left of Dalton.
During nearly the entire day. Gems Sher-
man, Thomas, Howard, Davis, Stanley, and
the other division commanders of the 4th
Corps, were under fire of the rebel sharp
shooters, far in advance, and had many mar
row escapes. Gen. Howard, accompanied by
Gems. Wood and Willich, assembled nearly
half way up Rocky Face, under heavy fire
Gems. Sherman, Thomas and Palmer, during
the day at various times, rode out to our ex-
IRENE front, but escaped the deadly aim of
the sharpshooters. During the day the rail
road was repaired up to the army and trains
commenced running with supplies.
At noon a dispatch was received from Gen.
Mcpherson that he had occupied Snake Gap
i'll Chattanooga mountains and was within six
miles of Resaca, directly on the enemy's flank
and 80 miles in the rear of Dalton. Our los
es in the days fighting were about 400.
On this day the correspondent says I" a bri-
gade of McCook's cavalry division, which has
been making demonstrations for some days
on Schofeld's left, engaged two rebel brigades
of infantry. The charge was led by Colonel
La Grange, of the lst Wisconsin cavalry, who.
every body agrees, is one of the bravest OF
the brave gadecommanders of cavalry
After frequent assaults upon the wall of rebel
infantry, our cavalry was repulsed, Col. La
Grange captured, after two horses were shot
under him, and 4 large portion of the com
mand wounded and captured, including Capt
Starr of the I'd Indiana who escaped from
his captors, and came in."
On Tuesday, May 10th, the weather was
very unfavorable, but the news of Grants
successes over Lee reused the troops to such
a pitch of enthusiasm that they were eager
to advance, and would doubtless have re-
peated Mission Ridge on grand scale but
Sherman and Thomas preferred to effect their
object by strategy, without such sacrifice of
lives as an assault would have involved
Skirmishing and artillery firing occupied the
day, with comparatively faint response from
the rebels Two prisoners were taken, one
very willing one who gave much valuable in
formation
Wednesday morning, the llth, was damp
and chilly, but it soon cleared up. Affairs
had come to dead lock, however. Through
a long line our forces were pushed close to
the enemy's entertainments, but he was Z" in
very devils nest" His position was said to
be the strongest in the Southwest Bluffs