Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1864-05-28
Bloody and Obstinate Battle.

campaign in Georgia, and the public general
ly are but partially informed in regard to 1t.
Gen. SHERMAN has chronic dislike of cor
respondents and so very few letters with re-
gard to his operations have come North and
been published. The Cincinnati Commercial,
however, has an elaborate and highly inter
esting account of his movements up to the
18th of Nav, which we should like to pub
ish if we could possibly find room for it. For
the information of our readers, however, we
prepare a brief summary.
About thhe first of May general cOncen-
tration of troops in the Department OF the
Cumberland began, and stripping of the ar
my for the march and the fight. Baggage
and tents were discarded, and little but am
munitiOn and supplies carried in the trains.
May Sd was principally passed in concen-
trating the 4th Army Corps, Maj. Gen. How
ard, which was stretched along the Railroad,
the left resting at Cleveland, and the right
at Ooltawah, ten miles below. The troops
were wild with enthusiasm, and the roads SUI
perb. There was abundance of excellent wa
ter on the road, and the march to Red Clay
was easily made.
May 4th, by tedious, but not lengthy
march, CatOosa Springs, a former noted
Southern summer watering place was reach
ed. Some slight skirmishes with rebel cav
airy took place on the way.
Thursday and Friday, the 9Th and 9th, the
Al Il "a anI y
which had arrived at advanced positions, re-
manned in its position OF Wednesday awaiting
the arrival of Gen. HOOker's and Gen. Nc
PhersOn's corps, who marched around to our
right, preparatory to a flank movement upon
the enemy's left, for the purpose of turning it.
Saturday, May 18th, the 4th Corps, encamp-
ed in the hills about CatoOsa Springs, moved
east, Stanley taking the lead, followed by
Generals Newton and Wood. Extensive pre-
partitions were made to carry the enemy's po-
sition at Tunnel Hill, but by a flank move
ment and some slight skirmishing, it was car
ried with a loss of only ten men wounded
The line that night was established about a
mile south of Tunnel HILL
On Sunday, May Sth, Gen. Howard, who, in
the temporary absence of Gen. Thomas, com
manded the l4th and Esd Corps, ordered a
further advance, and by some skilfully plan
ned and well executed movements, made con-
siderable progress toward Rocky Face. Gen.
Geary, of HoOker's Corps, had a sharp fight
with the rebels under Gen John ii. Morgan,
and failed to carry Dug Gap, losing some $50
men. Meantime Schofeld's Corps was work
ing east of the rebel positions and Hooker
bearing southwest of Dalton, while McPher-
son, with a heavy force, was aiming at Resa-
ca in the rear of the rebels Fitzpatrick
cavalry occupied our right and Sherman's our
left.
On Monday, May 9th, Rocky Face Creek
was crossed and considerable skirmishing and
artillery duelling took place. At four
o'clock, Gen. Howard ordered the divisions
of Stanley and Wood forward into the gaps
facing the enemy's breast-works aud fortifica-
tiOns to the right of Dalton. This compelled
the enemy to expose his batteries, and after
some heavy firing an advance was made far
up the slope of Rocky Face Ridge. Gen.
SchOield, with his Corps, succeeded in gain
ing considerable ground on the left of Dalton.
During nearly the entire day, Gems. Sher-
man, Thomas, Howard, Davis, Stanley and
the other division commanders of the 18th
Corps, were under fire of the rebel sharp
shooters, far in advance, and had many mar
row escapes. Gen. Howard, accompanied by
Gems. Wood and Which, assembled nearly
half way up Rocky Face, under heavy fire.
Gems. Sherman, Thomas and Palmer, during
the day at various times, rode out to our ex-
IRENE front, but escaped the deadly aim of
the sharpshOOters. During the day the rail-
road was repaired up TO the army and trains
commenced running with supplies.
At noon a dispatch was received from Gen.
Mcpherson that he had occupied Snake Gap
in Chattanooga mountains and was within six
and so miles in the rear of Dalton. Our los
es in the days fighting were about 400.
On this day the correspondent SAYS " a bri-
gade of McCOOk's cavalry division, which has
on Schofeld's left, engaged two rebel brigades
of infantry. The charge was led by Colonel
La Grange, of the lst Wisconsin cavalry, who,
every body agrees, is one of the bravest of
the brave brigade of cavalry
After frequent assaults upon the wall of rebel
infantry, our cavalry was repulsed, Col. La
Grange captured, after two horses were shot
under him, and large portion of the COM
mand wounded and captured. including Capt.
Starr of the I'd Indiana, who escaped from
his captOrs, and came in"
On Tuesday, May 10th, the weather was
very unfavOrable, but the news of Grants
successes over Lee reused the troops to such
pitch Of enthusiasm that they were eager
to advance, and would doubtless have re-
peated Mission Ridge on a grand scale, but
Sherman and Thomas preferred to effect their
object by strategy, without such sacrifice of
lives as an assault would have involved
Skirmishing and artillery firing occupied the
day, with comparatively faint response from
the rebels. Two prisoners were taken, one a
very willing one who gave much valuable in
formation.
Wednesday morning, the 18th, was damp
and chilly, but it soon cleared up. Affairs
had come to dead lock, however. Through
a long line our forces were pushed close to
the enemy's entertainments, but he was Gin