The National tribune., 1891-10-22
BATTLE OF ATLANTA.
Why the SiHieenth Corps did not Fill the Gap July
D. 1854

--s 1871.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUSE: Comrade G.
7. Hull Of the Itch Iowa, in your issue Of Aug.
%. gives an interesting account Of the battle
OF Atlanta, July p 1854. but in bis wind-up ="
uses the following language: "Tell me, in the
name of all the brave who persisted there, and
OF those who suffered worse than torture in
Southern prisons. why the Sixteenth Corps. in
forming on our left, did not close up to US, but
LETT a wide gap through which the rebel column
passed and then swung around in our rear,
and into which Gen. Mcpherson rode to his
death2"
Now, Il Comrade Hull had posted himself, no
might have known the cause of the gap"
without implying any neglect of duty on the
part of the Sixteenth Corps or its commander.
But four hrigades Of the Sixteenth Corps were
at the front lBaness Third Brigade, Second
Division, being at Rome. and one Brigade Of
Fourth Division back from the field Sprague's
Brigade, of the Fourth Division, had been sent
To Decatur TO guard McPhersOn'5 trains, leav-
ing but FHller's Brigade of the Fourth, and
Riee's First and Mersey's Second Brigade OF
Second Division present.
now quote from Memoirs Of Gen. Vim. T.
Sherman" edition 1871 written by Gen.
Sherman, Vol. ii. page "a:
During the night t2lst) I had full reports
from all parts Of our line. Finding that Nc
PhersOn Was stretching out too much on his
left flank, wrote him note early in the
morning not TO extend so much by his ie!t. In
that letter ordered Mcpherson not to extend
any farther TO the lett, but TO employ Gen.
DOdge's Sixteenth Corps then forced out of
position" between the Fifteenth and Twenty
third Corps.-W. +. N. Ito destroy every rail
and tie Of the railroad from Decatur up TO his
skrmish-liue, and ] wanted him (MePhersOnl
TO be ready 10 move to the extreme right OF
Thomas. Mcpherson came over purpOsely 10
see me about the order had given him to nse
DOdge's Corps TO break up the railroad saying
he could put all his Pioneers TO work aud do
with them in the time indicated all had pro-
posed 10 do with Gen. Dodges two divisions.
of course | assented at Ouce. We heard
occasional gun back toward Decatur. i asked
him what il meant We became satisfied that
the firing was too far 20 orr left rear to be ex-
planned by known facts and he hastily called
for his horse, his staif, and his Orderlies. He
had ridden rapidly across to the railroad, had
reached the head Of Dodge's Corps and had
ordered it TO hurry forward Ito join Giles 4.
Smiths DivisiOn.-W. T.. NJ, then
almost IL not entirely alone; had dis
appeared in the woods, doubtless with sense
OF absolute security. The sound OF musketry
was heard, and McPhersnn's horse como back
bleeding, wounded, and riderless. The right of
this rebel line struck DOdEe's troops in mo-
ton; but fortunately this corps lSixteenth1
had only 10 halt. face 10 the left, and was in
line Of battle; aud this corps not only held in
check the enemy. but drove him back through
the woods. The enemy attacked boldly and
repeatedly the whole Of this flank, but met an
equally-herce resistance. Meantime Col.
Sprague IN Decatur, had got his teams har-
messed up and safely conducted his train TO the
rear of Scbofeid's position, holding in check
Wheeler's cavalry tall he had got off all his
trains, with the exception Of three or four
wagons"
Gen. r. p. Blair In his official report says:
II started To 20 back to my command aud wit
messed the FIRST furious assault made on the
Sixteenth Corps and its prompt and gallant re-
pulse by that command. IL was a most fOTtu-
nate circumstance for the whole army that the
Sixteenth Corps occupied the position ] have
attempted 10 describe at the moment Of the at
tack. and although it does not belong to me to
report upon the bearing and conduct Of the
officers and men Of that corps, still / cannot
withhold my expression of admiration for the
manner IN which this command met aud re-
pulsed the repeated and persistent attacks OF
the enemy"
Gen. M. ID. Leggett, commanding the Third
Division, Seventeenth Corps, said: ''The Six
teonth Corps met this second assault splendidly.
These conflicts between Fuller's and Sweeny's
Divisions OF Gen. Dodge's Sixteenth Corps aud
Bates's and Walkers Divisions OF Hardee's
Corps were among the few engagements where
the opposing forces met in open field with no
works to protect or shield on either side"
Briefly, then. Gen. Dodge's three brigades,
the First and Second Of the Second Division,
and Fuller's, OF the Fourth Division, were in
rear Of the Seventeenth Corps on the morning
OF the 22d. under McPherson's orders, waiting
to take position on tho left flank. Sherman's
letter to Mcpherson caused a halt until Me
PheTson went over to see about employing the
Pioneers Instead Of the Sixteenth Corps to de-
stroy the railroad. The rebels attacked before
lie returned with results known to all, and any
error Of position cannot be justly placed upon
the Sixteenth Corps or its commander. Gen.
Dodge.-W. L. MCCEEAEY. Slst Ohio. Second
Brigade, Second Division, Sixteenth Corps,
EmpoTiA. Kan.