The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-04-22


tion, and his cavalry appeared on the
west side of the Chattahoochee, toward
Powder Springs; thus, as it were, step
ping aside, and opening wide the door
for US to enter Central. Georgia. / in
ferred, however, that bis real purpose
was to assume the offensive against our
railroads, and on the cath a heavy force
of cavalry from Mississippi, under Gen.
Forrest, made its appearance at Athens,
Ala, and captured its garrison.
Gen. Newton's Division (of the Fourth
Corps, and Corse's (of the Seventeenth),
were sent back by rail, the former to
Chattanooga, and the latter to Rome
On the 18th l telegraphed to Gen. Hal
leck:
Hood seems to be moving. as it were. to the
Alabama line leaving open the road to Macon,
as also 30 Augusta; but his cavalry is busy on all
our roads. A force. number estimated as high as
5000. are reported 10 have captured Athens
Ala. and regiment Of $50 men sent to ats
relief. / have sent Newton's Division up TO
Chattanooga in cars, and will send another
division to Rome. If were sure that Savan-
nah would soon be in our possession, shouia
be tempted to march for MilledgeriiIe and
Augusta; but must first secure what nave.
JEFF Davis is at Macon.
W. t. SHERMAN. Major-General.
JEFF DAvIs's PLANS.
On the next day telegraphed fur
ther that Jeff Davis was with Hood at
Palmetto Station. One of our spies
was there at the time, who came in the
next night and reported to me the sub
stance of his speech to the soldiers. Lit
was a repetition of those he had made
at Columbia, S. c., and Macon, Ca, on
bis way out, which / had seen in the
newspapers. Davis seemed to be per-
fectly upset by the fall of Atlanta, and
TO have lost all sense and reason. de
denounced Gen. Jos. Johnston and Gov.
Brown as little better than traitors; at
tributed to them personally the many
misfortunes which had befallen their
cause, and informed the soldiers that
now the tables were to be turned; that
Gen. Forrest was already on our roads
in Middle Tennessee, and that Hoods
army would soon be there. He asserted
that the Yankee army would have to
retreat or starye, and that the retreat
would prove more disastrous than was
that of Napoleon from Moscow. de
promised his Tennessee and Kentucky
soldiers that their feet should soon tread
their "native SOIL" etc. He made no
concealment of these vainglorious boasts,
and thus gave us the full key to his
future designs. To he forewarned was
to be forearmed, and | think we took
full advantage of the occasion.
On the 26th / received this dispatch
CRY POINT Va. Sept. 26. 1864; 10 N.
Maj. Gen. SHERMAN, Atlanta:
1t will be better to drive Forrest out Of Mid
die Tennessee as first step, and do anything
else you may feel your force sufficient for.
When a movement is made oD anE part OF the
sea coast, will advise you. If Hood goes to
the Alabama line, will il not be impossible for
him to subsist his army?
u. s. GRANT, LieutenantG General.
Answer:
HEADo'Rs MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
MISSISSIPPI IN THE FIELD, ATLANTA, I
GA, Sept. 26, 1864.
GENERAL: have your dispatch OF to-day.
i have already sent one division fNewton's) to
Chattanooga, and another lCorse's) to Rome.
Our armies are much reduced, and if i send |
back any more will not be able 10 threaten !
Georgia much. There are men enough to the
rear to whip Forrest, but they are necessarily
scsttered TO defend the roads.
Can you expedite the sending to Nashville I
of the recruits that are in Indiana and Ohio? i
They could occupy the forts.
= H. IIae& int
miles south of this, and draws his supplies by |
that road Jefferson Davis is there to-day, and I!
superhuman efforts will be made to break my |
road
Forrest is now Lieutenant. General, and /
commands all the enemy's cavalry.
w. 7. SHERMAN, Major-Geperal
Gen. Grant frst thought | was in |
error in supposing that JEFF Davis was
at Macon and Palmetto, but on the |
9th l received printed copy Of his
speech made at Macon on the 22d,
which was so significant that ordered
It to be telegraphed entire as far as
louisville, TO be sent thence by mail
to Washington, and on the same day
received this dispatch:
WASHINGTON, ID. C.. Sept. @. 1864; Sam.
Major-Cienersl SHERMAN, Atlanta:
You say JEFF Davis is on visit TO Gen.
Hood. j jedge that Brown and Stephens are
the objects OF his visit.
Il. LTECoLS, President of the United States |
To which / replied:
EEADQ'Rs MILITARY DIVISION OF THE1
MISSISSIPPI, IS TEE FIELD, ATLANTA,
Ga, Sept. %, 1864.
President LINCOLN. Washington, d. C.:
! have positive knowledge that Dir. Davis
made speech at Macon, on the 22d, which /
mailed to Gen. Halleck yesterday. 1t was bit.
Ter against Gen. JOS Johnston and Gov. Brown !
The militia are on inrlough. Brown is at
Milledgeyille, trying TO get Legislature to
meet next month, but he is afraid TO act unless
in concert with other Governors Judge
Wright. OF Rome. has been here and Messrs.
Hill and Nelson, former membcrs Of Congress,
are here now, and viii go to meet Wright at
Rome, aud then 20 back to Madison and MIL
ledgeville.
Great efforts are being made to reinforce
Hoods army, and to break up my railroads,
and should have at once good reserve force
at Nashville. It wonld have bad effect. If /
were forced TO send back any considerable part
of my army to guard roads. so as to weaken me
20 an extent that IL could not act Extensively il
she occasion calls for il.
w. i. SHERMAN, Major General.
CONSIDERATION FOR TIRE PRISONERS AT
ANDERsoSVuLE.
y