The Portland daily press., 1864-06-18
COMMUNICATIONS.

LETTER NO. 2.


LETTER NO. q
SHERMAS's ARMY,
In the Field, near Dallas, Ga, June 2, "a.
TO tAs Kdifor offAs Prsa
When the head OF column OF 4th corps again
struck the enemy In force at Kingston, on the
Atlanta railroad. Hooker was moving on a
parallel road 10 the leit, with Scoaeld on his
LEFT aud Stoneman TO the lefl OF seofeld. Nc
Pherson was on Howard's right, and Palmer
In rear. The enemy did not hGld out long at
Kingston, but about mile beyond, Howard's
advance ascending hill, came out 10 full view
Of large force Qt Afterwards proved TO be =
corpsl In the open fields, not two miles distant
In his front. His three divisions were hurried
Into position, and meanwhile his artillery piled
The rebel masses freely. We never had better
sport for our ariillerists. Gems. Thomas and
Sherman fast hAstened to the front, and Palmer
was ordered up on Howud's right. The reb-
els al first formed their lines and made a show
OF advancing against us. This made General
Thomas little cautious inasmuch as no con-
neeiion was formed either with Hooker on the
left or Mcpherson on the right. Soon Hook
er's guns were heard, and Kilpatrick's Caval-
ry was sent 10 open communication and effect
connection between Howard's left and Hook.
er. Hooker was evidently fighting. and the
4th corps moved forward la grand style, with
three divisions front, artillery and all. 1t was
an imposing sight, and resembled the advance
in front OF Chattanooga, in Grants great bat
lie more closely than any other movement we
have had in this campaign.
The rebels had began to run of their artil-
lery before the advance began, and had with
drawn one line OF their infantry. The other
lines drew Off rapidly aud retreated behind
their works at Cassyille. Howard's corps press
ed on until too dark to pursue further and un-
I'll his advance reached Cassville. Connection
was formed with Hooker, and the Army en-
camped before Cassyille, five miles from Kings
ton. Hooker had engaged the enemy with
one division. The following morning, May 20.
johnson was again not 10 be found, although
prisoners and the inhabitants say he published
an address saying, retreating was at an end,
and that he would fight there. he had strong
works; his left resting on the Etowah river
1t was necessary now for Sherman TO take a
day or two to get supplies especially as he de-
cided to leave the railroad, which had thus far
been readily repaired, in fact mysteriously left
almost uninjured by the enemy. The Etowah
river and the Alatoona mountains were be-
fore us. A narrow pass at Alatoona must be
hanked. A small force there could hold at
bay an entire army. Twenty days rations
were taken on the person and in wagons, and
on Monday, 23d May, the army moved south
ward, leaving Alatoona on the left, in front OF
which the enemy's attention was attracted by
Stoneman and Scofeld. The remainder of the
army crossed the Etowah at various bridges,
moving to Enharles Creek, thence to Stiles
boro and Burnt Hickory, aiming for Dallas
and finally Marietta. Gen. Hooker moving
from Burnt Hickory on one Of the roads that
lead into the Marietta and Dallas road, met
the enemy In force soon after crossing Pump
kin Vine Greek.
The 4th Corps moving on another road
towards Dallas and on the right was arrested
and turned of into the rear OF Hooker. As
soon as the 4th Corps came up Hooker ad-
vanced and they had a severe fight In the
woods that night, May 25th, forcing the ne
my back to their breastworks. His loss was
heavy. Next morning Howard took position
on Hooker's left and drove the enemy back
until their position was disclosed McPher-
son came up on road to the right and passed
Dallas. He was ordered to form connection
with Hooker's right. Davis Div, 14th Corps,
was with Mcpherson, having marched from
Howe whittier 1t moved from Resacca, drv-
ing Off one Of Folks Rebel Divisions which
had been there and capturing supplies, cotton,
and other valuable property. Mcpherson
found Hardee 10 his front at Dallas and failed
to effect junction with Hooker. lie had
several fights, one In the night. In every at
tack made by the enemy the latter got the
worst OF the matter and in the night fight was
severely punished, losing some four hundred
killed which Mcpherson buried on the next
day. Meanwhile on Friday 9th, Gen. How
ard held his front in face OF the enemy's
works with two Divisions, and with his 3D.,
Woods supported by Johnson's of the 14th
Corps temporarily attached to his command,
marched two miles to the.left passing the en-
emy's right. This was done through dense
woods. Woods course being governed only
by feeling the enemy on his right as he
marched. He moved with four regiments
front and six lines deep ready to meet any
assault which might be made. Johnson moved
with similar formation but on Woods left and
little retired. BY prisoners captured Gen
Howard ascertained that the enemy were
aware oil the flank movement and were hastily
preparing Tor it, he also drove 10 the Cavalry
pickets which would warn them of an ap
proach.
When he had reached the desired point, still
under cover Of the woods, while johnson was
moving up into position on Woods left, the
wheel to the right necessitating longer march
for him, Gen. Howard examined in person the
enemy's works. The rebels were as busy al
beavers digging in their trenches, extending
them to the right. While General Howarc
was thus reconnoitering, Capt. Harry NJ. Stin
son, his aid de camp, sitting near him, receiv
ed a bullet in his chest which passed entirel.
through the body, piercing the left lung. Th
surgeons spoke encouragingly of Capt. Stin
sons case. He has rallied from the nrst shocl
and there are good hopes that he will recover
He has been from the first remarkably cheer
fpl and uncomplaining. As soon as Johnso