The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-01-14

while General MCPHERSON, commanding
the army Of Tennessee, was moving to
the South west, on the Georgia Rail
road, to Decatur, or near that point,
with q view OF turning the extreme
right flank of our army and cutting it's
communications.
Northumberland a. p. Stewards
corps and Hoods old corps (Cheatham
commanding) held the lines in front of
Atlanta, confronting Thomas and SEQ
field, while Lieutennnt-General Hardee
wns dispatched with his corps South Of
Atlanta on the night of the 2lst of July,
by the McDonough road, towards De-
catur. with instructions to completely
turn McPherson's left, even, if in order
to do SO, be was compelled 10 60 beyond
tue town OF Decatur. 10 this mCyo.
ment ho was assisted by Major. General
Wheeler, with the entire cavalry. The
plan Was most admirably devised, and
its proper execution would have de.
stroyed Sherman. Hnrdec and Wheel. r
on his right were to begin the attack on
Mcpherson at daylight Oh the 22l, or
as soon after rs practicable. As soon as
Hardee would succeed in forcing back
Mcpherson. Cheatham was 10 altuck ON
the right, and, continuing tho move
ment from tho right, force the enemy
from right TO left down Pouch Tree
Creek. Lieutenant.Gencra Stewart
was to follow up the movement with his
corps, in the same manner as Cheutham,
when the action bccnme general. Har-
dee failed to get in the position direct
ed-did not get far enough around: but
his troops fought with courage and i'm
petuosity, doubling McPherson's army
up. md jeopardizing it in the extreme
Cheatham moved forward to prevent u
concentration upon Harlee, and carried
tho enemy's works in his front, taking /,
large number Of prisoners, and captur-
ing n number of pieces Of artillery.
Stewart was unengaged. Hardee and
Cheatham captured upwards Of three
thousand prisoners, sixteen pieces Of
artillery and nineteen standards. Had
this attuck been followed up as directed,
Sherman's army must have succun bed,
or been crushed between Peach Tree
Greek and the Chattahoochic. AS it was,
its position was hazardous III tho OK.
treme. Tho Federal army was entirely
disorganized. Brigades melted into
squads, and regiments fell into inex.ri-
cable confusion. The army, on account
of its dispositions and the fearful and
unexpected attack of Hood, could not
be man9ivred for attack or retreat.
Like the snake in the circle of fire, it
must die there. It was one OF those oc-
casions where CONSERVATION seemed to
take hold of the army and parnlyze it
for the time. Officers and men gIared
dumbfonnded and with stony looks into
each others faces, and an impending
doom seemed to settle upon an army
which had hitherto borne it's hanshty
standard "full high advanced" and
faunted them in tho face of an army
compelled by a fatal policy to forego
the blow which its great martial heart
SO yearned to give before its strength
was impaired and its spirit humiliated.
But that fate which frowncd so darkiy
at times through the rifted folds of tho
checkered sky that bent above our
young Confederaoy. seemed to again
stretch forth its hands, aud stay our
proud army in the very Hush of victory,
and roll back onr hopes into the shad-
ows of despair. A.