The National tribune., 1902-11-20
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 90 1902

tieth Corps occupy the Notifications
known as the ..Bridge-Head' for the
protection of the railroad bridge and such
supplies as might be stored there: and
to use the balance of the army to oper-
ate against the railroads and Hoods
army.
Gen Schofield. however. in his letter
of Aug. IA. proposed. amongst other
things. that the entire army should move
together against the Macon Railroad. This
involved the abandonment of the defen-
sive works mt the bridge. and left that
important structure without protection
Troops were to he assembled at Marietta
and reserve stores defended mt that point.
But in his letter of Ang. 16 Gen. Scho-
field confined his recommendations TO
methods for carrying out the plans out
tined by the General-in-Chief.
PREPARATIONS 20 MOVE AGAINST HOODS
LINE OF COMMUNICATIONS.
Early in the day on Aug. rs Gen.
Sherman telegraphed Gen. Thomas as fol-
lows:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi. in the Field,
"Near Atlanta. Aug. III. 1864.
Gen. Thomas: We will commence the
movement against the railroad about
Jonesb0ro Thursday night unless some
thing occurs in the meantime to mar the
plan. l will make my orders: and the
preliminary preparations may be begun.
If Wheeler interrupts our supplies, we
can surely cut off those of Hood, and see
who can stand it best.
''Major-GeneraI, Commanding"
Preparations were at once entered upon
to put the army in condition to break
away from its base, as it had done many
times before, and move against the
enemy's line of communications.
After duly considering the suggestions
of his army commanders, Gen. Sherman
issued the following order for his flank
movement:
"Headauarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, i'll the Field,
Near Atlanta, Aug. liz, 1861.
Especial Field Orders No. 81.
"Thc movement of the army against
the Macon Railroad will begin Thursday
night, Aug. IS, and will be continued on
the following general plan:
Il. All army commanders will send
across the ChattahoOchee River and with
in the old rebel works at the bridge and
down as far as Turner's Ferry all sur
plus wagons, horses, men and materials
not absolutely necessary to the success
of the expedition and will collect in their
wagons with best teams bread, meat, SUI
gar, coffee, etc, for is days after the
| 18th inst, and ammunition and park them
near Utoy Creek.
airy will move to Camp Greek; Gen. Scho-
field will cover the CampbelltOn Road,
and Cen Thomas will move one corps
Gen. Williams's) to the ChattahoOchee
bridge Capt. KOssak's s, at Turner's Ferry,
ready to be laid down if necessary. The
other corps. Gen. Stanley's, will move
south of ProctOr's Creek, to near the
Utoy, behind the right center of the Army
| of the Tennessee, prepared to cover the
Bells Ferry Road. Gen. Garrard's cav
airy will fall behind Peach Tree Creek
and act against the enemy should he
sally against Gen. Williams's or Gen.
Stanley's Corps during tile movement.
Second move. The Army of the Ten
nessee will withdraw, cross Utoy Greek,
and move by the most direct road toward
Fairburn, going as far as Stanley's and
Garrard's cavalry will join Gen. Thomas
by the most direct road or by way OF
Sandtown bridge, and act with him dur
| ing the rest of the move. Gen. Schoheld
will advance abreast of and in communl-
cation with the Army of the Tennessee as
far as Camp Creek.
ssThird move. The Armies of the Ohio
and Tennessee will move direct for the
West Point Road, aiming to strike it be-
tween Red Oak and Fairburn. Gen.
| Thomas will follow well closed up in two
columns, the train between. Gen. Xii
patrick will act as the advance, and Gen.
| Garrard will cover the rear, under direc-
ton of Gen. Thomas. The bridges ut
Sandtown will be kept and protected by
detachment of cavalry by Gen. Elliott
with a section of guns or four-gun bat
terry.
so. During the movement, and until
the army returns to the river, the utmost
care will be taken to expose as little as
possible the trains of cars and wagons.
The depots at the bridge. at AllatOOna,
and Marietta will be held against an!
attack. and communication kept up with
the army as far as possible by way OF
SandtOwn. On reaching any railroad, the
troops will at once be disposed for de.
lfense, and at least one-third put to work
to tear up track and destroy iron, ties
and all railroad materials.
s'By order of MaiOr-General Sherman.
81. NJ. DAYTON,
i ''Aid-de-Camp.'