Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-09-08
THE STRATEGY OF GEN. SHERMAN.

The events Immediately preceding the occupation of
Atlanta may be stated thus:
Sherman, on the night Of the Goth utmo raised the
siege of Atlanta aud moved from his position in front of it
to draw Hood from his defences and force fight IN the
open field, which would give him the benefit of his old
troops aud necessarily rob Hood Of the service Of his recent
reinorcements of militia Tor these, though effective enough
n the position at Atlanta, would be useless in
open battle. One corps Of Shermsns army-the Twen-
tietb, under Gen H. w. Slocumwas left the Chata-
hooche to hold Shermans line Of communication. With
the rest this entepsng commander turned Hoods left,
fanked the important strategic point where the Mongom
cry and Macon roads to Atlanta unite and marched for
Jonesboroa point the Macon road twenty miles south
of Atlanta This movement of course cut Hoods line Of
communication and broke up The dead lock at Atlanta by
compelling Hood to out and fight just Grant has
lately compelled Lee to do on the Weldon road The
suit of this sraegcal the fall of Atlanta and
its occupation by the Twentieth Corps under Gen Socum
Sherman engaged Hood East Pont-the junction of
raroadsaud reported to have cut the rebel army
in two. The enemy's loss is said to be very heavy.
From the Chicago Tribune.
We have known for several days that Gen. Sherman
was making preparations for this great and bold
ment but did not feel at liberty make it public lest it
might premsturely give information to the enemy Gen.
Sherman has stated his officers within fortnight that
the campaign would be ended within twenty days by the
destruction Of Hoods army would last till Christmas
if Hood escaped him. This bold movement will bring
matters to crisis We make the following extract from
a private letter dated Chattanooga, August % h:
oGen Shermsn cut loose from bis railroad communica
tons last Thursday August 25h aud moved in light fight
log trim to Jonesboro the Macon railroad, twenty-five
miles south Of Atlanta He will throw his army the
rebel line of supplies aud force Hood to evacuate Atlanta,
come and fight him. submit to siege and speedy
starvation Hood is believed to have NOT more than
weeks ratons in Atlanta. The oss OF b- baggage tram
which Gen Stonernans raid destroyed hve bundled and
eighty wagons with all the mules and the c0nttn ns OF the
trap1 will him from subsstng MS army IN Atlanta
or of marching north any considerable distance over
countrv strpppd of food for and beast Gen. Sher
man can subsst his troops from the products OF the
trv in his rear There abundancs of cattle, aud
vegetables which his large cavalry force will enable him to
collect"
We may look for exciting from Shermans army at
any moment. This audacous movement worthy Of the
daring aud genius Of Napoleon may eventate IN the cap
ture or destruction Of Hoods army by of the acc
dents of war; in disaster TO Gen. Sherman He has re-
solved bring matters to head and orco speedy solu
ton of the problem
We now begin to understand the motive that prompted
Gen Grant TO seizo the Weldon railroad and hold il with
such tenacy and the that caused the rebels to
make such terrible efforts that ne That road
is the direct line Of railway leading from Richmond to At
Iauta 1t by that route Lee renforce Hood and
throw force into the Of Sherman's position
soutn OF Atlanta.