The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1865-02-22


fcnsive with proper means, and to learn his views.
few days after, Brigadier-G General Pendleton ar
rived from Richmond to explain to me the Presi-
dents wishes on the subject. I explained to him
the modification Of the plan, communicated by &C.
neral Bragg, which seemed to me essential, which
required that the intended achievements should be
sent to Dalton. 1 urged that this should be done
without delay, because our present force was not
sufficient for defence, and to enable US to take
the offensive il the enemy did not.
On the LIST OF May, reported the enemy about
to advance. On the I'd, Brgadier-0eneral Mercer's
command arrived. about fourteen hundred effective
infantry. On the ith. expressed myself satisfied
that the enemy was about to attack with his united
forces. and again urged that part Of Lieutenant
General Folks troops should be put at my disposal.
was informed by General Bragg that orders to
that effect were given.
Major-General Martin, whose division of cavalry,
coming from East Tennessee, had been halted on.
the Etowah to recruit its horses, ordered with
it to observe the Oostanaula from Resaca to Rome;
and Brigadier-General Kelly was ordered with his
command from the ncighborhood Of Kesaca to re-
port to Major-Gcneral Wheeler.
The effective artillery and infantry Of the Army
of Tennessee, after the arrival of MERGERS brigade,
amounted to forty thousand nine hundred tho
effective cavalry to about four thousand. Major
General Sherman's army composed of that
OF Missionary Ridge then eighty thousand), in
creased by several thousand recruits; five thousand,
then under Iovey the Twenty-third corps (scho-
feld's), from Knoxville and two divisions OF the
Sixteenth, from North Alabama.
Maior-General Wheeler estimated the cavalry
of that army at fifteen thousand
On the 5th of May, this army was in line between
Ringgod and Tunnel Hill, and after skir1nishing on
that and the following day, on the 7th passed back
our advanced troops to Mill Greek gap. On the
same day Brisadier-Gcneral CAVITY reached kesaca
with his brigade, and was halted there.
On the Sth, at 1, Z. NJ, division of ITooker's
corps assaulted Dug gap, which was bravcy held by
two regiments Of Reynolds's Arkansas brigade and
Grigshy's brigade OF Kentucky cavalry, fighting on
foot until the arrival OF Northumberland Hardee
with Granbury's brigade, when the enemy was put
to flight.
On the 9th, five assaults were made on Lieutenant
General Hood troops, on Rocky Face mountain
All were reIulsed. In the afternoon, a report was
received that Logan's and Dodges divisions were in
Snake Creek gap. Three divisions, under Lieu
ca.
On the 10th, Lieutenant General Hood reported
the enemy retiring. Skirmishng. to our advantage.
continued all day near Dalton. Major-General
Bate repulsed vigorous attack at night.
On the 18th, Brigadier-General CAVITY reported
that the enemy were again approaching Resaca.
Lieutenant-General Polk arrived there in the eve
ming with Loring'S division, and was instructed to
defend the place with those troops and Canty's. The
usual skrmishinS continued near Dalton.
Rocky Face mountain, and Snake Creek gap, at
Its south end, completely covered for the enemy
the operation of turning Dalton. On the 18th, the
Federal army, covered by the mountain, moved by
Snake Creek gap towards Resaca. Major-General
Wheeler, with twenty-five hundred of ours at
tackled and defeated more than double that number
of Federal cavalry near Narnels station. At
night, artillery and infantry marched for Re-
SAGA. The cavalry followed on he13th. On that
day, the enemy, approaching on the Snake Creek
Gap road, was checked by IolinC's troops, which
gave time for the formation of Hardee's and Hoods
corps, just arriving AS the enemy was formed, the
left Of Folks corps was on the Oostanaua ana the
right of Hoods on the Con1Iasauga. There was
brisk skirnishing during the afternoon on Polk 5
front and lIardee's left.
On the l4th, the enemy made several attacks, the
most vigorous Hindman's division Hoods left
Ali were handsomely repulscd. AZ 6 7. NJ, Hood
advanced with Stevenson's and Stewarts divisions,
supported by two of Walkers brgades, driving the
enemy from his ground before night. He was in
strcted to be ready to continue the offensive next
morning. At 9 Z. NJ, learned that Lieutenant
General Folks troops had lost position command
ing our bridges; and received from Ma]or-Generai
Martin report that the Federal infantry was
crossing the Oostanauia, near Calhoun, on a pom
toon bridge. The instructions to Lleutenant-Gcne-
raj Hood were revoked, and Walkers division sent
to the point named by MAJ General Martin.
On the 18th, there was severe skirmishing on the
whole front. Maior-General Walker reported no
movement near Calhoun. Leutenaut-Gen Hood
was directed to prepare to move forward his right
leading, supported by two brisades from Folks and
Hardee's corps. When he was about to move, IN
formation came from Major-General Walker that
the Federal right was crossing the river. 10 meet
this movement, Northumberland Hoods attack
was countermanded. Stewards division, not re-
ceiYing the order from corps headquarters IN tame
attacked unsuccessf,,lly. The army ordered to
cross the Oostanaula that night, destroying the
bridges behind 1t.
On the 10th. the enemy crossed the Oostanaula
Northumberland Hardee sklrnshed With them
successfully near Calhoun.
The fact that part Of Folks troops were still IN
the rear, and the great numerical superiority OF the
Federal army made 1t expedlent to llsk battle only
when position some blunder OF the enemy might
give us counterbalancing advantages. l, therefore,
determined to fall back slowly until circumstances
should nut the chances of battle In our favor, keep
ing so near the United States army as to prevent It's
Grant:
taking advantage Of positions and opportunities TO
reduce the odds against us by partial engagements
also expect it to be materially reduced before the
end Of June by the expiration Of the terms of service
of many of the regiments which had not reenlist-
ed In this way We fell back to Cassvllle in two
marches At Adairsville, about midway, on the
18th Folks cavalry, under Brigadie General jack
son, met the enemy, and Hardee, after severe Skin
mishing, checked them. At this point, on the 18th,
Folks and Hoods corps took the direct road 70
Ca.svillc; Hardee's that by Kingston. About halt
the Federal army took each road.
French's division having joined Folks corps on
the 18th, on the morning OF the tpth, when half
the Federal army was near Kingston, the two corps
at Cassvillc were ordered to advance against the
troops that had followed them from Adairsyillc,
Hood leading on the right When this corps had
advanced some two miles, one Of his staff officers
reported to Lleutenant-Goneral Hood that the
enemy approaching on the Canton road, in rear
OF the right OF original position He drew back
his troops and formed them across that road
When it was discovered that the officer was msta-
ken the opportunity had passed by the near ap-
proach of the Federal army. Expecting to be at
tackled, drew up the troops in what seemed to me
an excellent position-a bold ridge Immediately i'll
rear of Cassville with an open valley before it..
The fire of the encmy's artillery commenced soon
after the troops were formed, and continued until
night. Soon after dark, Lieutenant-GeneralsP Polk
and Hood, together, expressed to me decidedly the
opinion, formed upon the observation Of the after
noon that the Federal artillery would render their
positions untenable the next day, and urged me to
abandon the ground Immediately and cross the
Etowah Northumberland Hardee, whose posi-
ton I thought weakest, confident that he could
hold it. The other two officers however, We're so
earnest, and unwilling to depend the ability OF
their corps to defend the ground, that Yielded
and the army crossed the Et0wah on the Goth; a
s4ox, xrh;nh have rc1rntfad ever since Wheeler'S