The National tribune., 1897-02-25


plies are ample.
During the 24th and 25th of June
Gen. Schofield extended his right as far
as prudent, so as to compel the enemy
to thin out his lines correspondingly,
with the intention to make two strong
assaults at points where success would
give us the greatest advantage. |
had consulted Gems. Thomas, McPher-
son, and Schofeld. and we all agreed
that we could not with prudence
stretch out any more, and therefore
there was no alternative but to at
tack " fortified lines" thing carefully
avoided up to that time. | reasoned,
if we could make a breach anywhere
near the rebel center, and thrust in a
strong head of column, that with the one
moiety of our army we could hold in
check the corresponding wing Of the
enemy, and with the other sweep in flank
and overwhelm the other halt.
THE ATTACK on KENEsAw.
The 9th of June was fixed as the day for
the attempt, and in order to oversee the
whole, and to be in close communication
with all parts of the army, | had place
cleared on the top of bill tn the rear of
Thomas's center, and had the telegraph
wires laid to it. The points of attack
were chosen, and the troops were all pre-
pared with as little demonstration as
possible. About 9 a. m. of the day APP
pointed, the troops moved to the assault,
and all along our lines for 10 miles
furious fire of artillery and musketry
was kept up. At all points the enemy
met us with determined courage and in
great force. McPherson's attacking col
umn fought up the face Of the lesser
Kenesaw, but could not reach the sum-
NIT. About a mile to the right { just
below the Dallas road Thomas's assault
ing column reached the parapet, where
Brighten. Harker was shot down, NOR
tally wounded, and Brig.-Gen. Daniel
McCook (my old law-partner was des-
perately wounded, from the effects of
which he afterward died By 11:30 the
assault was in fact over, and had failed.
We had not broken the rebel line at
either point, but our assaulting columns
held their ground within few yards of
the rebel trenches, and there covered
themselves with parapet. Mcpherson
lost about 800 men and several valuable
officers, and Thomas lost nearly 1000
men. This was the hardest fight of the
campaign up to that date, and it is we'll
described by Johnston in his Nara
tive" (paees 342, 343), where he adj
mits his loss in killed and wounded as
Men.
Hoods Corps (not reported). ;.
Hardse,s Ia; .1r,. Corps go 5o
~ Ni'
Total. sos
This NO donbt Is a true and fair state.
ment but AZ us,,al Johnston over-esti.
mates o,r loss uniting if at 6 600
whereas our entire loss was about 2 500
killed and wounded.
,y, =, -
n'ie 'ne ,'',''ie ""s ~ p,oSl0s az
lii0 eoh'o' 'oono'i0i" 'ioo7ou Ooy
Greek on the right, and gained posi-
fion threatening ,Johnston's line of re-
II n.
tieaI, ahu, W lhoieaso thS eAeC1,
ordered Stoneman's cavalry to proceed
ror;JI,. s+;I1 f.rtbor to +bo r;o,bt to Swoot
water. Catlsl1eu OF the DlOody cost OF
ATTACKING intranched lines | at once
A. LJ
0iiouSn. VI 'n0 "nOi0 am W
the railroad at point tfulton) about
10 miles below Marietta or tn tho
~ .Ic
I.i'er itseiI, u movement
similar to the one afterward so success
f,I11 nroot;ood or Atlanta All rho
i"i.J
orders were Issued TO DrlnS FORWARD sup
niles enouph to fill our wagons. intend
A. :I1 Ill =. All.
too,a and leave that Mace "a our denot
to be covered as we'll as possible by
Garrard's cavalry Gen. Thomas as
nsual shook his head deemino il risky
to leave the railroad. hut sometbino
had to he done and had resolved on
+his move ~ ranorted in INV disnotcb tn
Con Halleck on JuIv 1.
Gen scboield is now south of olley,s Creek