Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-28
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY
The Ohio Statesman Company.
SATURDAY MORNING, - MAY %.
SHE R M An S AR MY.
REBEL ACCOUNTOF THE GEORGIA CAMPAIGN.
Curious Rebel Account of Johnston's Retreat.
Highly Interesting from General
JOhnstOn's Army.
Full Rebel Details Of the
Battle Of ReSsacca.

tFrom the Charleston IS. c. Mercury. May lo.l
From our North Georgia exchanges we
get mass of interesting details OF the news
from General Johnston's army. 1t is evil
dent from all accounts that there has al
ready been much hard fighting, and that
there is to be great deal more before the
fight is over. Our loss is considerable and
that of the Yankees is very heavy.
About one thousand or fifteen hundred OF
our wounded from the late battles in front
reached Atlanta Monday afternoon. They
were promptly cared for. All the citizens
have been requested to send their men SER
wants to the Provost Marshal's Office every
morning.
Our army left Ressacca Monday morning
in good order and without any serious loss
of any kind. The railroad bridge over the
Oostanaula river was burned after our force s
were placed in position on the south side.
Our army retired to Calhoun without any
confusion or disorder, and General Johnston
still commands all the roads leading to At
lantd.
Only two divisions participated in the
late engagements. Lieutenant General
Hardee had his horse killed under him by a
shell. One of his staff was slightly wound
ed. Our line of battle now extends about
twenty-eight miles.
fortifying it rapidly. General Fitzpatrick,
the celebrated Yankee cavalry raider has
been mortally wounded. No one knows
what Gen. Johnston's future plans are. He
keeps them all to himself. His army has
the greatest confidence in him, and ,oiH fol-
lOI1 him dnylchere.
Reports were current in the streets of
Atlanta on Monday night that Federal
force advancing on Rome was repulsed by
force of Confederate cavalry stationed
there, or in tranSitu for some other point.
1t is stated that Gen. Forrest was at Chat
tanooga. This is rather improbable, al
though not impossible. At last accounts
Forrest was at Tupelo, Mississippi. In or
der to reach the place he is said to be in, he
must have made some extraordinary forced
marches.
The following account of the battle Of
Ressacca is from the COngederacy:
NEAR REssAccA, GA, May IA, 1864.
Yesterday was the most exciting day that
we have had since the enemy advanced up
OH our position. At fifteen minutes past
eight o'clock, on the 18th, the enemy entered
Dalton, our cdudlry, under Gen. Wheeler, re-
tiring slo,oly and sullenly before his masses Of
infantry. General Wheeler formed his line
of cavalry three miles this side of Dalton,
in a ridge, upon the Ressacca road, and gave
them very severe check, evidently infict-
ing heavy loss upon them. Confident in his
overwhelming columns, he still pressed,
and ne fell back again 10 take net1 position.
Our wagon train at Tilton was ordered to
move rapidly 20 Ressacca. 1t reached there
just in time to receive furious shelling
from the Yankees, who made the air hide
Gus with their Kissing missiles. Tedn,sters
and udgonS made better time through to,oR than
zoe hdue euer seen made before. Late yesterday
noon we had another severe engagement
with them, but lost none killed. The Yam
KEGS toere entirely around as at one time.
OUR POSITION SUNDAY.
Our usually well posted correspondent
Paxton" writes us Sunday morning from
Ressacca: "The left wing Of the enemy
rests near this place, while the right eX-
tends to the river. A reeonnoitering force
crossed the river Monday afternoon, but at
greatsacrifice. They recrossed it last night.
In Mondays fight we neither gained nor
lost ground-both Johnston and the enemy
occupy their same lines as iii the commence
ment of the engagement"
The same correspondent writes: sour loss
thus far is comparatively small. 1t is re-
ported that the enemy's loss is very heavy
in killed-but few were taken prisoners. II
Johnston succeeds IN turning their left ICING he
,UiH bag the ach0le Of them, as they will be
completely hemmed in by the river on one
flank and Johnston on the other
THE FIGHTING SUNDAY
was general along the lines all day, though
it could be scarcely considered a general
battle in which the results could have been
decisive. Our men were engaged repelling
the enemy at various points at Intervals.
With the exception of lull about nine
o'clock on Sunday morning (occasioned, it
was believed, by the fog and smoke), there
was running fire from sunrise until dark.
Bates and Cheatham's divisions were under
heavy fire during the day.
OUR POSITION ON TUESDAY.
Our lines Tuesday, according to the most
accurate information we can gather, extend
nearly parallel with the railroad, and our
troops are on both sides Of the Oostenaula,
the railroad bridge over which Is still in
our possession, Notwithstanding repeatd
efforts of the enemy to take it. The enemy
have also made frequent attempts to cross
the Oostenaula at ford, in order to reach
our rear, by Calhoun, but have every time
been repulsed.
We believe the enemy may attempt the
passage of this river at the old Indian ford,
about five miles below Calhoun, and that
they will mass their forces In Springtown
valley, where it is likely decisive battle
may occur. They have constantly attempt
ed to flank, and as constantly leave their
own flank exposed.
THE FIELD
is described by those who took part in the
action thereon, as very sim lIr to that of
Shiloh--a broad level, cut up into ravines
and thickly wooded at various points.
TheLa.tFirht Before Ressacca.