The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-01-20

-
Phillips was severely wounded.
We drove the enemy rapidly before
us to Rome Crossroads, where | received
orders to advance upon Resaca, to pres
forward until / should succeed in de
veloping the enemy in ine-of-battle, OF
in his Notifications, but not to attack
him there without orders.
/ was also ordered to hold the Cal
houn and Dalton Crossroads, about two
miles west of Resaca, if | became pos
sessed of it, until the Fifteenth Corp.
arrived. These orders were obeyed, my
force skirmishing heavily the entire dis
tance TO the Calhoun Crossroads.
The enemy was discovered in line-of
battle on a bald hill, three-quarters OF
q mile west of Resaca, and also in bis
works at Resaca.
/ placed the Fourth Division at the
crossroads, formed the Second Division
in two lines, and carried the hill, and
holding there under instructions, awaited
my orders from Gen. Mcpherson, to
whom | had promptly reported, sending,
think, my staff officer Capt. Edward
Jonas telling Gen. Mcpherson that, il
we could make q prompt attack, we
could carry Resaca, as the enemy in my
front gave way readily, and that though
prisoners had reported the arrival of
Canty's Brigade, the night before, | did
not believe it, as no such force as a
division showed in our front.
Gen. Mcpherson soon came upon the
ground in person. He directed me to
send some mounted men up the Dalton
road to reconnoiter the country, and find
an approach to the railroad, while he
would go back and bring upthe Fifteenth
(Logan's) Corps.
Until that corps arrived, | was to hold
the bald hill indicated, and the Dalton
and Calhoun Crossroads. | sent all the
mounted men | had with me at the
time, IS in number (of the 9th Ill. }, un-
der Capt. Hughes. They proceeded
toward Dalton, struck the railroad
two miles south of Tilton, and found it
strongly patrolled by cavalry. They cut
the telegraph wires, burned q wood sta
ton, and reported to me again at dark.
MANUvERING FOR POSITIONS.
Meanwhile the enemy came marching
out OF Resaca up the Dalton Railroad,
and | ordered the Fourth Division to
march from Calhoun Crossroads and to
intercept them, and to take position on
the railroad north Of Resaca. This or
der was reported to Gen. Mcpherson
promptly; be replied that | must hold
the crossroads until relieved
1t was about o'clock when | finally
received from one of Gen. McPherson's
staff officers the information that the
Fifteenth Corps was closing up, and that
| was now at liberty to carry out my
movement against the railroad.
1t was intrusted by me to Gen.
Veatch, with Fuller's and Sprague's
Brigades of bis division (the Fourth.
The Second Division was stationed on
the bald hill | had occupied about
noon, and the left of this division was
now assailed with musketry, while the
marching division was fired upon as
they advanced in column in full view of
the enemy.
Fuller, in the advance, moved with
spirit across the west fork of Mill Creek,
crossed an open field, and the skirmish-
line was up to the timber skirting the
railroad, when another order came from
Gen. Mcpherson to look well to my
right, as the enemy was massing TO
strike me there. ] was with Fuller's
advance at this time. and the enemy
that had come out Of Resaca had opened
on Fuller's troops in the open field.
Nearby was good cover of woods on
the east side of the creek, to attain which
/ changed the direction of Fuller's col
umn more TO the north; his skirmish-
line took some prisoners; the morning
rumor was confirmed by them that
Canty's Brigade had arrived.
Fuller steadily advanced, however,
and as soon rs bis skirmish-lines
debouched from the woods, regiment
of the enemy's infantry and battery in
position opened directly upon his right
and front Another notice had been re-
ceived from Gen. Mcpherson. as we got
to the roads, that Sprague's Brigade was
not following US, having been arrested
by him to hold the lspace between the
Second and the advance of the Fourth
Division.
While Fuller was executing the move
ment to gain the railroad, final order
came TO me from Gen. Mcpherson to
halt the column, and to repair in person
to him back of the bald bill occupied
by the Second Division. There found
Gen. Mcpherson and Gen. Logan with
the advance Of Logan's Fifteenth Corps
They were discussing the propriety of an
attack upon Resaca. Gen. Logan asked
me what i thought of the situation, and
if we could carry the place. | replied
1 thought We could. Logan responded
that be was glad l had so much faith.
ORDERS TO RETURN
Mcpherson appeared to feel the re
eponsibility of his orders from the com
mander of the army, as well as the re
sponsibility of holding the gan We had