New-York tribune., 1876-07-15
THE ATLANTA CAMP1iGN.

LITTER FROM EX-SENATOR WARNER.
DISPUTED POINTS " suERMA>s MEMOIRS GIN.
MpHEEsoN's FAILURE. Al sNAKG CREEK GAP
THE RATTLE OF AT,ANTA-GHN. SHERMAN ASD
GEN. THOMAS.
To me Ed,tor Of The Trfbun'.
SIR: have read with great interest Gen.
sberp,,n's Memoir, and some of Ire criticisms made
upon them and venture 10 give 'y testimony in erard to
some of q disputed points falling within my personal
knowledge ss OF interest possibly 20 some OF my com
radcs in arms II not to the general public and history
On tho 5th Of May, 1864, reported 10 Gen Sherman
at Rnggold, Ga, for duty ccor-General on bis
,taf The Gene;Il With Lis map before him. explained
the general Of his proposed campaign against
Gen. Johnston ending with the capture OF Atlanta
remember that lie had hs lat aud or and his slip
pers on When he had done with his explanations he
began walking the door OF the room smoking cigar
said TO him when he got to Atlanta he would be 400
miles his real base OF supplies, With one railroad "a
bis only of transportation, and every mile OF that
liable 70 be broken ny tho enemy, and that it would alt
sofb the whole of his army % hold Atlanta and protect
the road hnd asked him what he proposed 10 do
after the capture Of Atlanta stopping short in
his walk, aud swapping the ashes on his cigar
IN q quick nervous way, he replied In two words; {;
"EaIt water" did not comprehend his meaning, but
ftera lfe further examination Of the nap asked him
II LIE meant savannah Charleston, and he said Yes"
Again soo after the capture Of Atlanta, be called Col
Beckwith his Chief C0mmissaFy, and myself into bis
roorn IN Judge lyons house In Atlanta and locking tho
door, laid his map tho 1oOr and indicated his pro-
posed march Savannah. Col Beckwts first question
naturally was: "HoW about supplies T. The General
replied that there 100000 OF people ia Georgia,
and that where they could live his army would not
starve.
Before aud during the movement against Gen. john
cton OF Rocky Face, Sherman explained to me and
others Of Ns staff that the demonstrations Iohnsons
r,nt an! rght we're fens 10 and hide the reai
movement Of attack by Gen. McThersOn through Snake
Creek Gap In speaking Of the danger that Johnston
might f on Mcpherson with his whole force and crush
him before holp coud DO got to him, he said that the
$4,000 musket Of the Army Of the Tennessee could not
be run over by anybody IN hurry, an that the mo-
no nt Johnston LET go of Rocky Face ThoDa. and
schoeld would be his rear and thus place him be-
tween two fires when ruin would he On the night
OF MAY O. rs we we're supper 1T the brick house by tho
sprng near Tunnel Hin Station Ga letter brought
20 the General Reading il he Instantly left the table and
baie INC follow him. When had got little way from
the house he stopped short aud with vehement ges-
turo OF bis right hand ccnchet sid &C. have got 10
Johnston dead This letter is from Mcpherson. At
o'clock today he within and hAf miles - the
railroad lie must be on 1t ncw want 10 90 ovoI and
sec Tom meaning Gen. Thomas On the way he said
that Johnston would be compelled to abandon the rail-
Dad and most Of his artillery and train ard retreat to tho
east through the mountains pigeon Mountains think
they are called that he shcrman) would follow tie
railroad and beat Johnston TO Atlanta ArIv.
ing at Gen Thomas's headquarters we found him
at supper, and Gen. sherman repeated S him
the same expressions he Used 10 Gen.
Thomas was also greatly pleased aud my recollection
agreed thai johnson muss ct go ROcAy Face. and