The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1895-04-17
THE TURNING POINT.
BATTLE OF EZRA CHURCH.
Asked a Favor of Grant-Death Of
General Badeau.

The battle OF Ezra Church was turning
point in the Atlanta campaign. Hood was
very naturally sore after his three terrific
though ineffective blows; the first delivered
at Peachtree Greek, the second against Nc
Pherson the 22d of July, and the third at
Ezra Church the 2stb. These we're so dis
astrous that he determined, for q season NJ
least, TO keep his main body on the defens-
i've.
sherman, too. though comparatively sue
cessf4il In the issue OF these engagements, was
made more cautious by considerable losses
aud Hoods boldness Kenesaw had taught
its dreadful lesson. and Sherman had become
unwilling TO attack thoroughly-pre lines
Of intrcnchment. He had by experience
learned how to interpret JOS Johnston, but
be felt remarkably uncertain rs to what the
peculiar Hood would undertake next.
When my command, the Army Of the Ten
nes-e. moved around to tho west Of Atlanta
with view OF getting possession OF those
railroads leading out OF tho city southward,
our General had In his mind n conjoint action
OF his cavalry, which indeed ought to have
teen more successful. He then led three
cavalry divisions OF considerable strength
Ed. McCook's. $500 electives, at the time Mt
Turner's Ferry. when the Chattahoochee was
bridged; Stoneman's. $500, and Garrards,
4,00U, AZ or near Decatur, on his right.
Here is what was in Shernan's mind prior
TO Ezra Church, expressed In his own words.
"My plan faction was TO move to the Army
OF the tennessee to the right rapidly and
boldly against the railroad below Atlanta,
and nj the same time to send all the cavalry
aroun1 by the right and left to make u lodg-
ment on the Macon Railroad about Jones'
boro."
We have seen how the army OF the Tenn
essee marched and fought at Ezra Church
without reaching the Macon Railroad. The
cavalry, except Gnrrard's had received Its
orders and set forth to carry them out. Sher-
sherman now for three or four days strength
ened his right flank by putting two infantry
divisions OF Thomas's (Baird's md Davis's.
Of Palmer's Corps in rear OF my right flank
for a reserve. Perhaps he hoped Hood would
come ou again and attack us; but Sherman
was manly waiting for ''the effect OF this
cavalry movement against the railroad about
| Jonesboro."
The first report that came to him, Aug. 1,
to the effect that Ed. McCook's Division had
been DEBATED and captured, he stoutly dis.
| credited and disbelieved; yet he took promp,
action in view Of the possibility OF such a dis.
aster. He put all the garrisons guarding
| our depots and communications ON the qui
vive, brought scholields troops around &c
and beyond my right, and had Thomas send
there also the whole Of Palmer's Fourteenth
| Corps, Garrard doing what he could with hi.
| left near Atlanta.
| Ed. McCook had done we'll at the first onset
| He struck the railroad and did much damage
and finding no cooperation from Stoneman,
| drlfted bnck with over 400 prisoners to New.
nan. Thence Confederate Wheeler's dis.
patch, doubtless under the excitement slightly
exaggerated, tells the story Of McCook's de.
feat 1t reads:
1--WE have just completed the killing, cap
turing and breaking up OF the entire raiding
| party under Gen. McCook; some $50 pris'
oners two pieces Of artillery and 1900 hor-
ses and equipments captured"
| McCook here lost his captured Confeder.
ates, but reported from Turner's Ferry to
| Sherman a loss to himself Of but 6O0
| Gen. Stoneman for some unaccountable
reason did not carry out Sherman's instruc.
tons as they were given. Coming from De-
catur, he did not meet McCook near Jones.
boro. Instead OF that. he passed of behind
| the Ocmulgee and went down on the eastern
bank.
Another recorded Confederate dispatch
from Macon shows the result Of this raid:
"Gen. Stoneman, after having his force
routed, yesterday surrendered with 800 men
the rest OF his men are scattered aud dyinp
toward Eatonton. Many have been already
killed and captured"
Col Adams with but small loss came back
to us from Stoneman, but Col. Capron's
Brigade suffered more, was scattered. and re
turned TO Sherman In fragments. Hood was
not long In repairing the damage done by
our cavalry General Howard in National
Tribune.