Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-12
EVACUATION OF DALTON.

6N&NDALADA " DALANAa
1 have just received intelligence from
the front, Of 6 highly important char
scter. Dalton has been evacuated 6y The
TebeLS. The movements which l detailed
you, some days since, we're delayed for Q
short time; but commenced on the after
noon Of the Sd instant and on the morn.
ing Of the 4th the whole army was in mo-
ton, but proceeded with great caution, in
order that no disaster might occur to ouT
advance and at night our forces encsmp-
ed in the vicinity Of Dalton, Georgia,
ready to commence battle the next day.
At that time there were q number OF
rebel pickets in front, but they we're eau
tously Withdrawn during the night, and
on the following day, the 9th, l. WAS dis
covered that the rebel works had been
abandoned, but 1t was uncertain whether
with view to concentration, or a retreat,
the entire day was consumed in reconnoi.
tering, as Was also the 9th. Our cavalry
frequently came in contact with small
bodies Of the enemy, and skirmishes en-
sued, and we captured few prisoners.
But nothing could be learned from these
relative to Joe Johnston's movements, save
that he is falling back They are under
the impression that he is retiring to At
lsnta, but that, they sllege, is mere CON
lecture, though founded upen rational
grounds.
l have, as yet, very few particulars Of
the movement Military men here are
reticent, even If they know what is going
on; but l am inclined to believe they are
not more conversant with the facts con-
nected with the rebel retreat and Sher-
mans advance, than am.
My information was derived from par
ties direct from Chattanooga and RineRold.
on the evening Of the 7th, and may be re-
lied upon as correct as far as it goes.
1t Is generally conceded that Joe Johns
ton had less than 10000 men; and that he
had no hope Of making g successful stand.
The peoply Of Georgia, lead by Governor
Brown, however, urged that he ought to
fight at Dalton; they told him II he could
not stand there, he could not stand any
where; aud that it was his duty to trv to
prevent the State from being Gover. run u
But these arguments had little effect; and
the people Of the Empire State Of the
South, must now feel the ravages of war,
as the Border States have done.
believe the rebels didn't anticipate an
advance from Chattanooga, until very re-
csntlyi and they therefore almost de-
nuded the State Of Georgia Of troops. Joe
Johnston hopes by 8 retreat to lengthen
our communications, and thereby embar-
rass us; but do not believe Sherman will
advance far beyond Dalton, till the trial
Of strength in Virginia has been decided.
During the last few days, extravagant
grapevine rumors have filled the town.
The rebels have had our forces defeated
several times, and they were jubiIant.
One rumor dying away, OF being denied.
caused long faces for a time; but soon a
new and equslly absurd one was sfoat;
and forgetting past experiences, they aided
to the best Of their abilities in giving it
currency. They had Hooker killed, I5.-
OOO Of our men put heTs du combat, 10000
taken prisoners, communications cut off.
etc, etc. a few arbitrary arrests u
would be decidedly wholesome, at this
point, just now.
am expecting fullaS particulars from
the front soon, ther5Fjre l shall not en-
large in my present letter; but, as 1 Get
further news, viii dispatch it with all
nAste' HANDEL.