Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1865-03-15

eusmy were again approaching Resapa. Lieut.. Gen.
Polk arrived there 10 eevenfng with Lonngs OWL
sion, and was instructed to defend the Rlaee with
those troops and Cautys. The nsual skirnasnlng
Rocky Face mountain, and snake Creek gap, at Its
south end, completely covered for the enemy the op.
Grafton of turning Dalton. On the 18th, the Federal
armv covered by the mountain, moved by Suake
Creek gap towards Resaca. Major Gen. Wheeler
with twenty-five hundred of ours, attacked and de-
leated more than double that number OF Federal CIV
airy near Yarnell's station. At night our arnliely
and Infantry marched for Resaca. The cavalry fol-
lowed on the 18th. On that day, the enemy, aP-
preaching on the Snake Creek Gap road, was check
ed by I4orng's troops which gave time for the for
nation of Hardee's and Hoods corps, just arriving
As the enemy was formed, the LETT OF Folks corps
was on the Oossanaula and the right Of Hoods on the
Cennasauga. There was brisk skirmishing during
the afternoon on Folks front and llardee's left.
On the 18th, the enemy made several attacks, the
most vigorous on Hindmsn's division Hoods LETT
All were handsomely repnlsed. At 6 r NJ Hood
advanced with Stevenson's and Stewards divisions,
supported by two Of Walkers bigsdes, driving the
enemy from his ground before night. He was in-
structed to be ready to continue the offensive next
morning Ate P NJ, learned that Lieut.. General
Folks troops had lost q position commanding our
bridges and received from Maj Gen. Martin a re-
port that the Federal infantry was crossing the Cos
tanaula, near Calhoun, oea pontoon bridge. The
instructions to Lieut.. Gen. Hood were revoked, and
Walkers division sent to ths point named by N. jr
Gen. Martin. - e..
On the 10Th, there was severe diminishing on the
whole front. Major General Walker reported Nd
movement near Calhoun. Lieut. Gen. Hood was d.
rected to move forward his right leading supported
by two brigades from Folks and Harlee's corps
When be was about to move, information came from
Maj Gen Walker, that the Federal right was crossing
thor n TJanfG
Hoods attack was countermanded. Stewards divis-
ion not receiving the order from corps headquarters
In time, attacked unsuccessfully The army was Or
dered to cross the Oostanaula that night destroying
the bridges behind it,
On the 10th, the enemy crossed the Oostapaula.
Lieutenant General Hardee sklrmished with them
successfully Calhoun.
The fact that part of Folks troops were still in
the rear and the great numerical superiority of the
Federal army, made it expedient to risk battle only
when position or some bunder Of the enemy might
give US counterbaancing advantages, L. therefore,
determined to fall back slowly uulil circumstances
should put the chances of battle 10 favor keeping
the United States army to prevent Its send
ing renforcements to Grant and hoping by taking
advantage of positions and opportunities to reduce
the edds against us by partial engagements. l 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 re-ensted-
10 this way fell back to Cassvile 10 two marches
At Adairsvie, about midway, on the 9Th, Folks
cavalry, under Brigadier-Ge jackson, met the
enemy, aud Hardee, after severe skrmshing, check
ed them. At this point on the 18Th, Folks and
Hoods corps took the direct road to Cassvlle Har-
deeis that by Kingston. About half the Federal ar
my took each road.
Frenchs division having joinetl Folks corps the
18th, the morning Of the 10Th, when half the Fed
era army was near Kingston, the two corps at Glass;
vile ordered to advance against the troops that
had followed them from Adairsvie, Hood leading on
The right. When this corps had advanced some two
miles, Of his staff officers reported to Lieutenant
General Hood that the enemy was approaching on
the Canton road 10 rear of the right of our original
across that road When 1t was discovered that the
officer was mistaken, the opportunity had passed BY
the approach of the Federal afmys Ex pecting
to be attacked, Idsew up s traaps IN what scanned
to ME an excellent positiona bold ridge immedats-
ly in of Cassvile, With open valley before it,
The fire of the enemys artillery commenced soon
after the troops formed, and continued until
| night Seon after dark, Northumberland Polk
and Hood together, ex pressed to me decidedly the
opinion, formed upon the observation of the after
noon that the Federal artillery would render their po-
stons untenable the next dsS and urged to aban-
don the ground Immediately and cross the Etowah
Lieutenant General Hardee whose position thought
weakest, confident that lie could hold it. The
other two officers however, were earnest, and un-
willing to depend on the ability of their corps to de.
fend the ground, that yielded aud the army cross
ed the Etowah on the 20sh step which have re-
GREETED since. Wheelers cavalry was placed in
observation above and Jacksons below, the railroad
| On the 22d, Msj,r-Genersl Wheeler was sent
with all his troops not required for observation ia
the enemy's rear and the 24th beat brigade at
Cassville and tonk or burned two hundred and fifty
| loaded wagons. In the meantime, the euemy wa
! reported by Jackson troops moving down the Eto-
wah, as If to cross it Seboro, and crossing
/ the 23d. Ga the Oath, Folks and Hardee's corps
{ reached the road from Stilesboro to Atlanta few
| miles south of Dallas and Hoods, four miles from
! New Hope church, on the road from Alatoona On
the 25th, the enemy found to be ntrenched near
and east Of Dallas. Hoods corps was placed with
Its centre at New Hope church, and Folks and Har'
iees ordered etween 1t and the Atlanta road, which
| Hardee,s left to An hour before sunset
! Stewards division at New Hope church, was 6ercey
attacked by Hookers corps, which it repulsed afte'
( q hot engagement of two hours. Skrmishing wal
kept up on the 26th and 9th. At half-pa<t P. NJ.
on the 9th, Towards corps assaied Cleburnes d.
/ vision and was driven back about dark with greaI
slaughter In these two actions our troops were moi
| intrenched Our loss in each was about tour hun
bred and fifty 10 killed and wounded. On the 9th
the enemys deaf except those borne of, were count
at three thousand at least. 1t probably greater
on the 25tb, as we had larger force engaged then
both Of artillery and infantry.
The usual skirmishng was kept up on the 28th
Lieutenant General Hood was instructed to put hi:
corps IN position during the night to attack the
| enemy's left flank at dawn the next morning. the
rest Of the army to join in the action successfully
| from right to left
On the 29th.. Lieutenant General Hood, finding
the Federal left covered by division which had in
trenched itself in the night, thought it nexpedien
to attack, so reported and asked for instructions
As the resulting delay made the attack nexpedient
even if it had not been before, BY preventing tn
surprse-upon which success, in a great degree
dependable was recalled.
Skirmishing continued until the 4th Of June, tn
enemy gradually extending his intrenched line to
wards the railroad at Ackworth On the morning
Of the 9th, the army was formed. with its left a
Lost mountain, its centre near G'lgsth church, ant
its right near the railroad, On the 7th, the right
covered by MONDAY creek, was extended across tn
Ackwortl and Marietta road. The enemy ap
preached under cover Of successive lines Of in