American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-05-25
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Gen. SherERanss Operations.

RESACCA, May II, lSO4.
A singular series of operations here
have just been completed, and the rebel
army retreated from the works around
Resacca. Presumingyou have intelligence
up to when the army left Buzzard Roost,
shall speak only Of what occurred sub
sequently to that time, and in as brief a
manner as possible.
On thursday, May 18th, nearly the
whole army was in motion towards Snake
Greek Gap, which lies about fifteen miles
south of Buzzard Roost, only Howard,
with Woods and Stanley divisions being
left to threaten the enemy in front of Dal-
ton. 1t should be observed, however,
that General Mcpherson, in crossing di-
rectly over from the hills, had passed
through Snake Creek Gap as early as
Monday, the 9th of May.
BY the morning of Friday, the 18th,
the bulk of our forces was assembled at
Sugar Valley, near the eastern mouth of
the gap, our cavalry covering the opera
tions Of the infantry. General kilpat-
rick was wounded while attending to this
work
During the 18th, the army was occupi-
ed in dcpoying from the gap and getting
into position. Heavy skirmishins took
place during the day.
Gen. Howard's division, of Logan's
corps, met with considerable loss BY
night the enemy's position was fully dis
covered.
Resacca is situated on a great bend of
the Oastanela river, at the convex portion
of the bend towards the east Across the
neck of the peninsula thus formed ex-
tends continuous lines of rebel works with
strong field Notifications, and partially
about the town. Both their fanks rested
on the river and the line of retreat was
completely protected by their Notifications.
BY the night of Friday, our army was
in position around the rebelworks, except
Howard division. Wood sand Stanley's,
which had occupied Dalton the day before,
were sweeping down the line of the Ala
bama and Western Railroad to form a
junction with the rest of the army
On Saturday, the 18th, skirmishing be-
gan early in the morning and continued
necessarily throughout the day all along
the line. About o'clock it was cspeci-
ally severe upon the left of the 18th corps,
many of our men being picked off by reb-
ell sharpshooters.
About noon General Howard effected a
junction with the rest of the army and our
whole force was there in line, Schofeld' S
coming next, Hooker's next, Palmer's
next, Logan's next, Wood, with two divis-
ions Of the Sixteenth corps, being on the
extreme right. Such dispositions and
changes were afterwards made as the
movements of the enemy or the execution
of our own plans required, but generally
the line remained as | have indicated.
About l o'clock p m. an attempt was
made to break the centre of the enemy's
line, or at least to capture his outer works
General Judah's division of Schofeld's
corps, and Newton's division Of Howard's
corps, moving over comparatively level
ground, succeeded, after desperate con-
fiict, in compelling the rebels to abandon
the position Of their outer line. Wedid
not continue to hold this, but our line be-
ing somewhat advanced, our artillery act
ing very effectively, we prevented the reb-
els from occupying it.
Further to onr right we were not so for
tunate Portions of Jameson's, Baird's
and Warren's divisions, of Palmer corps,
in attempting to toeharge the rebels in front,
were compelled to throw themselves down
an almost perpendicular bank, and wade
creek waist deep, which ran at the foot
of bluff, and then cross a valley filed
with bitches, fully exposed to fire from
the rebel works. Never did men go to
work more gallantly, or contend more no
bly,, but they could not accomplish impos-
sibilities, and after severe loss, were oblig-
ed to retreat.
1t was now discovered that the enemy
were moving heavy force up the Resacca
and Tilton road, with the obvious purpose
of turning our left. Hooker was imme-
diately sent to check mate this movement
Before he arrived, however, the rebels had
thrown themselves into immense masses
unon Croff's hrioade Of Stanler'a divie-