The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-10-21

crossed the river go back upon the run, and
Sweeny hastens back a mile and a half
before he learns that it is a false report
Gen. Johnston learns that Gen. Sher-
mans troops are crossing at Lays Ferry,
and sends Martins Cavalry and Walkers
Division of Infantry 10 Calhoun 10 hold the
railroad Had not Sweeny FASTENED back,
but pushed on 10 the railroad, he might
possibly have seized il, bat ID is doubtful if
he could Lave held IT, Had he done SO il is
certain that there would have been a sudden
commotion in JohnstOns center al Resaca.
ON the evening of the 18th of May we see
Sweeny once more crossing the Oostanula
aud moving towards Calhoun, but he is not
now strong enough 10 take possession Of the
railroad.
At sunrise the following morning the
skrmshers are firing all along the line.
Gen. Sherman is intending TO make vigor-
Gus demonstration. During the night the
Fourteenth Corps has moved 10 the ground
occupied by Schoield, who in turn has moved
east, thus lengthening the line. Johnston
sees what is going on and withdraws por-
1ion OF Hardee's and POlk's troops to rein
force Hood.
Ii Is nast noon before the demonstration be-
gins. Butter6eld's Division Of Ho0keT's Corps
and StevcnsOns OF Hoods are the FIRST TO clash.
IA n
furious battle. Stevenson brings forward a
battery 10 a knoll, from which he VIII hurl a
storm of shells up0n the Union army, but the
sharpshooters In blue pick OF the gnuners, who
abandon their cannon. Through the afternoon
the uprosr goes on, the Union men gaining inch
by inch. driving Stevenson who is not able 10
withdraw the cannon. Col Fitzpatrick OF the
9th Ohio, watches his opportunity. His men
leap up the hill, seize the pieces aud make the
air ring with their hurrahs. There is a vigOr-
Gus cannOnade all along the line with severe
fighting on the part of the infantry here and
there. Night closes over the scene, and the
Union soldiers go 10 work with axes and shov
els making their lines very strong. Gen.
Sherman intends to make them so strong that
a few troops will be able TO hold them while he
withdraws the remainder of the army for the
movement by Lays Ferry TO gain Johnston's
rear
JOHNSTON MOVES AGAIN TO THE REAR.
Commanders of armies are often obliged TO
do things that are exceedingly distasteful.
Gen Johnston had been compelled to give up
lis strong position at Dalton because he left
door open at Snake Creek Gap by which Shor-
man outfanlled him. There were no mountain
passes around him al Resaca, but the OOstenaula
was nj his back, too deep 20 be forded. The
Union army was moving TO get in his rear, aud
there was but one course 10 pursue. lie must
retreat before Sherman can transfer his troops
be quick about il. He must abandon all the
lines Of breastworks which have been thrown
up aud find another position. He issues his
orders accordingly. Before the sun goes down
the wagon trains are ready TO move. As soon
as il is dark the troops begin 10 withdraw,
Polks Corps crossing the railroad bridge, Har-
dees Corps the bridge Immediately above it,
and Hoods Corps the bridge beyond the bend.
Morning dawns, but no Confederate troops are
at Resaca all have gone
The newspapers OF the South said that John
eton was falling back t6 get Sherman away
from his supplies, that he might utterly crush
him in a great battle that would soon be fought;
that Sherman would have fewer troops the
farther he advanced, because he would be
Obliged 10 detach large force 10 guard the rail-
road. Johnston, on the other hand, would be
getting nearer his base of supplies, while his
Rrmy would be growing stronger day by day.
Gov. Brown, of Georgia. had called out the
militia, which would guard the railroad, while
the Regular troops could all be employed
against Sherman A Confederate soldier gives
this picture of affairs:
:" We had stacked our arms and gone into
camp, and started TO build fires TO cook supper
j saw our cavalry falling back, j thought rather
hurredly. j ran TO the road aud asked them
what was the matter2 They answered, Mat
Ter enough; yOnder are the Yankees. Are you
inantry fellows going 30 make a stand here p
told Col. Field what had been told to me, and
he hootcd atthe idea; but balls that had shucks
tied 10 theirtails wore passing over and our
regiment was IN the rear of the whole army.
4 could hardly draw any ones attention TO the
fact that the cavalry had passed us, and that
we were on the outpost of the whole army,
when an order came for our regiment 10 20
forward as rapidly as possible and occupy an
Octagon house in our immediate front The
Yankees were about hundred yards from the
house on one side, and we were about hundred
yards on the other The race commenced as
20 which siae would get 10 the house first. We
reached il and had barely gotten in, when
they were bursting down the palng OF the yard
or the opposite side. The house was a fine
brick, Octagon in shape, aud as perfect fort as
could be desired. We ran to the windows, up
stairs, downstairs, and in the cellar. The
Yankees cheercd aud charged, and our boys
got happy. Col. Field told us he had orders TO
hold II until every man was killed, and never
20 surrender the house III was a forlOrn hope.
We felt we were gone fawn skins sure
enough. AT every discharge of our guns we
would hear Yankee squall. The boys raised
q tune
Use gwine TO iine the rebel band
lghiing FOR my home -
as they loaded and shot their guns Then the
tune Of
Cheer. boys, cheer, for swcethearts and our
wives!
Ahtefs huyh cheer. We u nODlg do our duty.
Aud give 10 the South our hearts, our arms, our
hScs."
"Our cartridges were almost gone. aud Lieut..
Joe Carney. Joe SeWell. aud Billy Carr voun-
teered 10 20 aud bring a box Of 900 cartridges.
They got out Of the back window, and through
lhat hail Of iron and lead made theirway back
with the box Of cartridges. Our ammunition
being renewed, the fight ragged on. Capt Joe
j.. Lee touched me on the shoulder and said
T" sam, please let me have your gun for one
shot" lie raised ID TO his shoulder aud pulled
down or nc-drcsscd cavalry officer, aud /
SAW that Yankee tumble. lie handed il back
o. me 10 reload. About ~ O'Clock, midnight
the l5lth Tenn. commanded by Col. McGeV-
ney, came 10 our relief
Tic firing had ceased and we abandonded
the 0rtagOn house. Our dead aud wounded
were there, 80 OF them, In strange contrast with
the furniture Of the house-fne chairs sofas
settocs, pianos and brussels carpeting being
made the doath-bed OF brave aud noble bows.
al saturated with blood; lne lace and dam
ask curtains. all blackencd by the smoke of
battle; line bureaus and looking -glasses aud
furniture being riddled by the rude missiles OF
War: beautiful pictures IN gilt frames, aud
library .! valuable hooks, all shot aud torn by
muslld and cannon balls. Such is war"
A STAND AT cAssVILLE
IL Is - miles due south from Resaca 20 King
st0n, where the railroad turns east toward the
little village Of Cassyille the place selected by
Johnston whore he would fight great battle
His engineers reported 20 him that that was
very strong position. lie issued an order 10
his army informing his soldiers that he should
rptf nn further aud ff,,t TO-, ,....,ll -.