The Portland daily press., 1864-06-17
COMMUNICATIONS.
Letter from the Army of the Cumberland.

III Tue Ftciu, ucal Ddians, uuc os'
To the Editor Of the Press:
The campaign is by no means ended nor is
there really any pause in the grand operations
OF this army, but your correspondent hopes
for an uninterrupted hour; there is no confus-
ing sound Of cannon nor exciting musketry
this bright morning. Perhaps the writer can
recall some OF the more striking features Of the
campaign thus far. A complete detailed ac-
count unless drawn from diary faithfully
kept, would be next to impossible. The army
has been constantly in motion since May Sd.
Mcpherson with the Army of the Tennessee
began his march even earlier. Thomas Army
(of the Cumberland) embracing (Palmer'st
l4th, (Hooker's) 10th, and lHoward's) 4th
corps with scofeld's 23d corps and Stoneman's
Cavalry Division on its left, concentrated in
front Of Ringgold.
Mcpherson marched TO the right for an ex-
tensive flank movement on Resacca. His
movements seem to have been unknown to the
enemy until he reached Snake Gap whence he
easily drove out brigade OF Cavalry. having
Kilpatrick's Cavalry division to assist him.
May 7th, Gen. Thomas moved on Tunnel Hill
-.he 14th corps In center and front OF the Hill,
4Sh corps making a flank march and getting
possession OF the the northern end OF the ridge
Hooker in reserve. The enemy opposed
only with Artillery and Cavalry, and Stanley's
division 4th corps easily swept down the ridge
from the north, having turned the position.
His artillery got few shots at the rebels re-
firing through Mill Creek Gap or Buzzard
Roost, to Dalton miles distant.
This Gap is the only pass through Rocky
Face Ridge, except Snake Gap Is miles below
(south) and "Dug Gap" miles below, which
is really too difficult Of ascent TO be called
pass-being merely a rough mountain road
leading over at sag or depression in the ridge.
At this latter-"Dug Gap"-Hooker after
wards had stubborn fight A brigade wds
repulsed with great loss in attempting to gain
the summit. Thomas army took position ON
Tunnel Hill and on the northern side OF Rocky
Face Ridge. Hooker's brigade of Newton's
division, 4th corps, stormed and captured the
eastern end Of Rocky Face, attempting to get
possession Of that rugged height by the same
movement as that by which Howard had gain
ed Tunnel Hill with Stanley's division. Hook
or pushed the rebels along the narrow ridge
for mile and half lonly 10 feet wide In
places) that no line of battle Of any extent
could be formed, and coming to knoll in the
ridge higher than the rest and which the enc
my had fortified, he was compelled TO halt.
The men drew up two pieces Of artillery in the
night and drove the rebels still further next
day-secdring our line Of their breastworks-
but Hooker could not push further without
great loss, and was ordered to hold what he
had got.
Several reconnoisances in force were made
by Gen. Howard at Buzzard Roost, from the
sth TO the 18th OF May, disclosing always that
the enemy were still there in force. At any
appearance OF an attempt to press through,
the enemy would open from half dozen bat
teries, all concentrating upon that gorge
These demonstrations cost us some valuable
lives, but they revealed the fact that johnson
was still at Dalton and probably served to keep
him there. Mcpherson had now got In place
at Snake Gap, but failed to break the railroad
90 effectively as was expected. Sherman now
ION the 12thl moved all Of his army save 4th
corps with Stonemans and McCook's Cavalry
divisions, all under Gen. Howard, down to
Join Mcpherson. The enemy perceived this
movement from their lookout stations on
Rocky Face. and during the following night
withdrew from front of 4th corps and Dalton.
Alta NJ. Gen. Howard sent to his division
commanders to push on at early dawn.
Howley's Division entered Dalton soon af-
ter sunrise. They found II desolate enough.
There was a little skirmishing with the ene-
my's rear guard, and a citizen was shot acci-
dentally-he was Union man-all the prin-
myravaged towns Da.ton was the worst
have seen. Gen. Howard pressed hard upon
the enemy's rear guard, bringing McCook's
division OF cavalry over the mountain at "Dug
Gap" and keeping 1t on his right while Stone.
man covered his left, passing along the Rail
road. That night be formed junction on hii
right with the remainder of the army. Mex
day the whole army closed in around Resacca
taking mould of the enemy's front and meet
ing with stubborn resistance in some quarters
Sco6eld on Howards right, was severely han
dled--losing heavily in Judahs DIVISION
Woods division of Howard's corps, made gal
LIANT charge In conjunction with Hooker
brigade Of Newton's division. Their losse
were considerable. Gen. Which was severe
ly wounded. Gen. Hooker was also wound
ed, but not seriously. Hasker took one lin
Of the enemy's intrenchments. The move
ment was right wheel of the whole army an
therefore the right (14th and Goth corps) wer
not brought much in contact with the enem.
Howley's division 4th corps, on the extrem
left, found the ground sharply contested, an
just before sunset the enemy massed In heav
force against Stanley's left brigade, and dro,
back two regiments battery which Ge
Howard had posted to meet such an emergel
cy, opened with grape and canister in gallal
style, and checked the pursuit. This batter
10Th Ind.l at one time seemed in critical 81
uation, but Gen. Hooker had arrived on Il
ground just before the attack, and one of
divisions was at hand, and at the nome
when most needed brigade OF the old IL
corps (Robinson'sl filed in on the right a
left Of the battery, and presented fearl'
front to the encouraged foe. Gen. Howa
had asked Gen. Thomas for reinforcemel
for bis left, and Gen. Hooker had been dire