The New York herald., 1864-05-26
The Last Fight Before ressacca.
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
fLHom the Allanla Annaal !

lFrom the Atlanta Appeal
0u Thursday evening, May IL, the enemy began 10
move out OF Dalton towards Ressacca During the prev
night and throughout THE morning OF that day The
enemy had transferred his entire line with the exception
OF two dvis ions, which remained front OF the gaps
the right, making rendezvous Of snakeree Gap, and
massng n Suear valley General Johnston held his 90
sition until Il became evident 1Rht was 10 be OBJ
tanned 10 front OF Dalton. lie then caused
the eft u order to face columns OF sherman wnicn
were already pouring into the village Of Ressacca and
tifyng tho hills Of Dicks Ridge.
AZ sundown on Thursday the troops were In motion
They passed through Dalton with banners waving and
bands playing AZ each brigade moved by the headquar
ters Of the commanding general sent cheer after cheer
for General Johnston. All night the ransi, continued
and at dawn Friday, when the rear guard brought
up the line, not sraeger was to be seen. The most
chidke confidence pervaded tho ranks and colder
was TO be found who did not comprehend the wirdom OF
bis chief eve are not rereatipg" said tho mon sfor
stu keep the enemy before US We are marching out
70 fight" This was speedily proved TO bs true, for
hardly had lines reformed In the Reseacca works and
skfmshers and sharpshooers taken position than
Eated, doubtless, with fancied advantage he moved
up In handsome style and the 6ght, thus commenced,
lasted until DARK, being confined chiefly 10 our let bui
ranging along TO the centre guns Upon The heshs
near the river played upon the thick columns that came
down from Dicks Ridge was towards the close Of this
magnificent skrrh for position that the brave Stanton
FELL IIc was perced by MIME bail through the lungs
and heart The result OF the evening the rspulee
lines. ''' '' '''r'Ds'' T" ''s '''A'
On Saturday morning. al daylight the battle was 70.
newed uTou our left This portion or lines Is under
the mmeqate OF Lieut. Gen Pok no reosived the
advance OF the enemy with debeate tknl. He placed
his fkrmisnere 70 position, and for six hours held
every thing in check Meanwhile The enemy was mass-
ing on our right and centre, whore Hood and Hardcs
had disposed their troops 10 great advantage The battle
began two O'Clock simultaneous with furious cannon.
ade upon tho town Of Rcssacca and continued until
half past eight O'Clock The enemy were i've umcs
repulsed, With signal loss and total failure 10 reach
The railroad as base OF supply, cesrroy depot
In the village During the hours alter sundovn tbe
fight terrific, ana uled only IN obedience 20 the
laws OF nature and necessity
An effort was made during Saturday night TO throw
pontoon across the river at tanners Ferry but this
repnlscd, and ON Sunday morning tho lighting began
chiefly on the left In front OF the town OF Ressacca
We give these general points emitting Details because
OF the desire Of General Johnston for peculiar retcence
and because such mnutD cannot be verified 10 the tu
mutt Of prolonged conflict.
from the Atlanta Confederacy, May III
by the baDkIng movements Of Sherman, the two hos
tile armies IN our front are gradually shifting into new
oituatop By private dispatches We wero Monday morn
Ing informed OF The change Of the telegraph once from
Rcssacca 70 calhoun Our correspondent writes from
cainoun under date OF sunday that all the trains hos
pital and supples are being moved TO Croesvic; The
enemy are SIN attempting 70 flank, and u would DO DIM
Gu even TO where the next heavy encounter
msy take place. The impression universal that Cen.
Johnston has has ado ysdry c1ocy s posifiop dssio<d
Tor him Sherman evidently believes Johnston Ia run.
Line ana The alter knows precisely what the enemy and
bimfef are about.
or explanation were requisite 70 some, the
mysterious motives OF reticent Commander In Chief
IN shifting with the enemy " would be made patent 70
o simplest understanding that he desires the very de-
veopmens that arc now being made the part u the
spkoe General Every advance by the left flank exposes
The more the flank ana Of the Fvery ndy
wn',b " the road his been destroyed, would materially
incSnvenitnce the csrpsiFB 80 the nvad1g party. u
aL accepted principle IN military science that river IA
mech saicr ~ orcs front thar bs Wien the enemy