The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-07


WASHINGTON, October I, 11'4O A. M
Maior-G General John A. Dix, New York In
a recent despatch it was mentioned that Gene
raj Sherman was taking measures to protect
his communications from the Rebel forces
operating against them.
Dispatches received last night show the
fulflment of this expectation.
Major-General George A. Thomas was sent
to Nashville to organize the troops in his dis
trict, and drive Forrest from our lines, while
the attention of General Sherman was directed
to the movements of the main Rebel army in
the vicinity of Atlanta.
On the 4th of October the Rebels had cap
tured Big Shanty, but were followed up closely
by Sherman.
On the 9Th a severe engagement was fought
by our forces, under General John E. Smith,
and the Rebel forces under General French,
in which the Rebels were driven from the
field with heavy loss, leaving their dead and
wounded in our hands.
Despatch from General Thomas.
The details are given in the following des-
patch from General Thomas:-
NASHVILLE, October 6, 1880 p. M.-Hon.
E, NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF Wharf.-The fol-
lowing telegram is just received from Chatta-
nooqa:-
General Smith, who left here yesterday
10Th instant), teegraphs that the enemy
retrcated last evening from Alatoona, moving
in the direction of Dallas, leaving his dead,
and from four to six hundred wounded in our
hands.
Our loss is about one hundred killed and
two hundred wounded
The railroad bridge near Ringgold was
washed away yesterday.
(Signed) s. B. MOORE, A. A. G.
The Resaca bridge viii be repaired by to-
morrow, and the trains viii be able to run as
far as Alatoona, going via Cleveland and
| Dalton.
Nothing further has been heard from Sher-
man since my despatch Of yesterday, but the
retreat of the enemy towards Dallas indicates
he was close upon their rear at Alatoona. Have
not heard from Generals Rousseau or Wash
burne, but presume they are pushing Forrest
| as rapidly as the condition of the roads will
admit. We have had heavy and continuou,
rains for the last five days, rendering the road
and streams impossible
have Just received the following despatcl
from General Granger, dated Huntsville
October G, 10 P. NJ
The courier reported drowned in crossing
Elk river is in. He lost the dispatches Will
crossing the river. He reports that two Rebel
were captured yesterday, who say that the
left Forrest at Lawrenceburg the night beior
crossing, going South. General Morgan's ad
vance was skirmishing with the enemy thi
morning on Shaw's creek, he being unable t
cfoss the creek on account of high wate
He hopes to be able TO cross by to-mOrro'
morning, when he win push them still furthe
on,
The Alabama railroad win be repaira
from here to Pulaski in one week.
(Signed) GEORGE II. THOMAS, Maj j-Gel
Another and unofficial despatch reports
follows:-
Telegraph repaired to AlatoOna to-da
The action yesterday was severe, Fren,
| attacking with his division 1000 strong, al
suffering heavily, and leaving his killed al
, wounded in our hands to the number of 100
while we lost only 300. The fight lasted s
l hours altogether"
e From Florence we hear that Morgan
Forrest cornered, has captured his transpC
tation, and that gunboats prevent all retire
. across the Tennessee.
Satisfactory reports of the operations
. progress before Richmond and Petersbu
h have been received, but their details are II
a at present proper for publication.
A despatch from General Stevenson repo
d an officer Of General Sherdan's staff il
IS arrived. General Sheridan was still at HI
risonburg.a His supply traius were going
all right, occasionally interrupted by gueri
g parties, the only force on the road. This ofiC
n brought in the remains Of Lieutenant John
Megs, of the Engineer Corps aud only son
g Brevet Major-General Meigs, Quartermast
General, who was killed by bushwhackers
= Monday last, while making military surv
In the death of this gallant officer {
Department has occasion to deplore no or
nary loss. Last year he graduated at I
y Military Academy, West Point, with the hil
at est honoTs, at the head of his class, comm
stoned as a Lieutenant Of Engineers, a
Immediately sent into the field.
- He performed meritorious and dang
i. Gus service during the last year