Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-06-07
QDglo Statesllran,
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY
The Ohio Statesman Compan,
MORNING, ---- JUNE7.
FROM SHERMAN'S ARMY.
Hard Fighting Near Dallas-.HOOl1er
and Hood at it--May 25th, e6th and
27th =. Details Of the Fight 90 From
Sherman to May 81.
Correspondents Cincinnati Commercially

lNOTTeSpOnuenc0 NlnclnnhJl COInneTclhl;I
Two MILES N. Z. OF DALLAS, Ga..t
ra,..aF s-4 s. May 28, 1884
The movements of this army have al
ready been chrOnicled up to and through
the battle of Resaca, and the precpitate re-
treat of the rebels through Kingston and
Cassville, upon EtOwah river, and ALA
toona Gap. At the two former places they
offered slight opposition to our advance,
which was quickly swept away, and the
pursuit continued to Cassville. Here the
army halted two days to recruit after its
late battles and marches, and then its inde-
tatigable leader gave orders to take twenty
days rations and set out on march, sup
posed to be flank movement on Atlanta.
The right of the army went by the way of
Rome, the center crossed the Etowah at
Gillum's Bridge, about twelve miles west
Of the railroad, while the LETT proceeded by
parallel (?) roads at supporting distance
from the center. Why the enemy did not
anticipate our crossing the river below, and
attempt to fOrestall it, is not clearly shown.
They did think of it, but too late. After
the army had safely crossed at Gillum's
Bridge, rebel bearer of dispatches was
captured, with an order from Johnston to
his cavalry leader to intercept us at the
bridge, as we would probably attempt to
cross it. General Thomas at once clad one
of his spies in rebel uniform, instructing
our pickets to fire at him lover his head, of
course,) and sent him through the lines
with dispatch to Joe Johnston that he
(Taylor) had done SO with a loss to us of
2000 or so, and many prisoners. 1t was Il
cruel joke upon the rebel, and procured for
the spy, besides, access to valuable inforna-
ton from pretty high rebel sources. The
army then marched quietly on toward Dali
las.
MAY 25.-The day passed off without in
cident of note, till about five o'clock in the
afternoon, when the sound of a brisk can
nonade in the advance discovered fight in
progress. Itproved to be General HOoker's
corps, which had held the advance on the
march, engaged with the rebel Gen. Hoods
corps. Early in the forenoon, while the
General and his staff were inspecting the
bridge over Pumpkin Vine Creek, about
halfway between Burnt Hickory and Dali
las, he was fired upon by a cavalry picket,
which then Immediately fled. After pro-
ceeding two or three miles beyond the
bridge, boldly in front of his entire force, his
escort became engaged with small body
calling themselves the Louisiana Sharp
shooters, and killed their Major and a few
WilliamsD which was leading the way, dis
covered that they had a considerable body
Of infantry before them, instead of the few
cavalry they had supposed. Skirmishing
Immediately began, the I'd Division driving
the enemy steadily from their first line of
works about two miles, entirely unsup-
ported. About five o'clock they came up
on stronger line, and, being fatigued, they
were relieved by the Sd and 1st Divisions,
Generals Butterfeld and Geary command
ing) The Sd divided, a brigade and regi-
ment going to the left, aud the remainder
to the right and the lst taking the place of
the I'd. After a short time the I'd was
brought up at an angle upon the right, and
took part in the remainder of the engage
ment.
Advancing under fire of musketry,
which those who witnessed it declare they
have seldom seen equaled in severity, they
proceeded to within forty yards of a con-
cealed battery, planted by sections, which
opened upon them sudden and murderous
discharge of grape and canister. One COM
pany of the 9th Ohio approached as near
annihilation as, perhaps, is ever witnessed.
A withering volley of grape from the bat
terry prostrated upon the ground nearly the
entire company, every man and file closer
in his place, and his face to the front, with al
most the regularity of a skirmish line. The
rebel firing was rapid and terrific At this
Patrick, fell mortally wounded at the head
of his regiment, and expired in few min
utes. He was struck on the leg by shell,
and died before an amputation could be
performed. The 1st Division suffered Sc
verely, losing near nine hundred men,
Some companies of the I'd Division fired
sixty rounds, and the Division, as whole,
maintained its position against the entire
rebel corps for some time, and till others
could be brought to its assistance. The
heavy losses of the lst Division were oc-
casioned by the destructive fire of the CEN
tral battery, and it is worthy of the great
est praise for the undaunted steadiness with
which it bore the fierce fire of the rebel
battery, until it was disabled by the loss of
all its horses, and many of its gunners
from the close volleys which were poured
into it. The 102 Illinois, armed with tho
Spencer rifle, claims the honor OF reducing
it to silence, though 1t was most efficiently
assisted by others to the right and left
The enemy were driven entirely away from
the pieces, yet we could not take them, ow-
ing to the proximity oftheir lines; and thus |
they remained on neutral ground, claimed |
by neither, and useless to both. The Goth
Illinois played Appointment part in unman-
ming and unhorsing another section of the
battery in the same manner. Their sharp
HHOOtCTS plChCu VI iUo
who had the temerity to elevate their
heads above the breastworks.
But to enumerate the instances of indi-
vidual heroism and good conduct, in this
brilliant episode, would be to introduce the
name and history of every man, and COM
pany, and regiment, in the Goth Corps. A
with so many chapters is impos-
sible. asked repeatedly for special in
stances of daring and merit, but could find
none, so admirable was the behavior of all
alike. 1t was special pleasure of the Off
GERS to speak of the magnificent enthusiasm
with which the men "went in," and the
steadiness they exhibited under the gall
ing fire which met them. Gen. Thomas
publicly declared that he had not, at any
time, seen men bear themselves more brave
ly than these. Let this verdict suffice for
every one who is anxious for the good name
of the Doth Corps. la;Iiqo 3.l Cgg sGht0l
Few prisoners were taken on either side.
Tho loss on our side was, probably, greater
than that of the enemy, amounting to about
1,5OO killed, wounded and missing. The
substantial fruits of the days work are q
gain of two miles of ground giving us al
favorable position, two pieces of artillery, /
and a better arrangement Of the line for
operations. Is 81 qao,l 1ngisil