The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-06-19

Grant for all the armies to open hoStlll
ties.
That part of Gen. Sherman's army
which was to operate directly against Gen'
Johnsten's forces near Dalton. Ga, was
stretched out from Decatur Ala, through
Huntsville, Stevenson. Bridgeport, and
Chattanooga. to Knoxville. Gen. Sherman
issued his orders for the concentration of
his forces to begin May l at q O'Clock
a. m.+ At the appointed hour the move
ment began.
The Third Division. Fifteenth Corps,
Gen. John IL. Smith commanding. was as
signed the duty of guarding the Memphis
& Charleston Railroad from Decatur, "A
through Huntsville. BrownborO, Faint
Rock, Inrkinsville, Scottsboro to Mud
Greek. a short distance southwest of Stew
enson.
Gen. Smith kept his headquarters at
Huntsville / was ordered to hold the
railroad east from Brownsboro. which
place / then occupied with the 10th Mo-,
commanded by Col. L. C. Deimlins, who
was directed personally to remain with
a portion of his regiment at Brownsboro,
and place Lieut.- Col Happel with
strong force at Paint Rock. with interme-
diate stations. l established the head
quarters of the brigade at Larkinsyiie,
with the S0th Ohio. Lieut.-COl. Metham
commanding. The 18th Iowa, Col Clark
Il. Viewer commanding, was stationed ut
Scottsboro, and the 56th H., I.ieut.-Col:
Hall commanding, was stationed at Mud
Greek. '-&t
The three regiments which were to
move eastward from Huntsville were to
60 by rail- The seth III. was stationed
at Whitesbtirg, on the Tennessee River,
six miles south from Huntsville. fine
macadamized road connected the two
places, Whitesburg being the steamboat
landing for Huntsville. Col. Hall had as
l have heretofore stated. one of the hnest
encampments | ever saw. He was 70 be
relieved by a Wisconsin regiment, whose
Colonel had been informed by me of the
fine Winter quarters which had been
erected by the seth Ill. boys. He was
very anxious that everything should be
left in as perfect order as possible. To
secure this, l telegraphed Col. Hall to
have his men move out of their quarters
with their belongings without disturbing
anything, so that the relieving regiment
could move in. This was done, and was
told by the Colonel afterwards that his
regiment was delighted to find everything
in perfect order, ready for their occu-
pancy.
rode down to the railroad depot with
my staff at $50 a. IN. The trains were
being made up and were soon ready for
use. Precisely at o'clock Col. Hall
InaGcESN 1fitU t1e UepDl SIouHuS Ut tuc
head OF his regiment. The 18th Iowa
and S0th Ohio were already drawn up
ready to move. These troops all promptly
embarked on the cars, carrying with them
necessary camp eQuipage for temporary
use until the wagon train which took the
public road should reach them.
M'puERsoS's soLIcITUDE.
During this busy scene Gen. Mcpherson
Al "
with the prompt and active movements
which were going on before him. Gen.
Mcpherson engaged me in conversation
in regard to the Importance of the duty
assigned to my command. He pointed out
that the rebel forces would undoubtedly
undertake to destroy the railroad and
throw. trains from the track. He said
that the success Of the campaign depended
on maintaining this single line of railroad,
as we were compelled to rely on it to
transport food and ammunition to the
army.
/ assured Gen. Mcpherson that would
guard the railroad as thoroughly as it
could be done with the force in hand; that
/ would fortify all important points and
police the entire line under my control
every hour. day and night.
His last injunction to me was to pro-
hibit in orders citizens from approaching
same, except at stations, warning them
that they would be fired upon without
notice if found lettering along or upon
the railroad.
After this interview parted with Cen
MCPHERSON never to see him again. He
was killed July %. 1864. in the battle
of that date outside of Atlanta.
Oar trains moved out in good time and
proceeded eastward to their places of dis
frihutyOn We paSSed MANY regiments
marching toward Chattanooga. The
Spring was upon US. We were proceed
Eng through a well-impr0ved and beauti-
full country. Every soldier enjoyed the
change from camp life to the activities Of
the campaign. Their spirits were buoy
ant. they were full Of health and strength,
and ready to perform any military duty
that their great leader might enjoin upon
them.
Gen. Thomas was to occupy the center.
On May 4 he was at Ringgold, IS miles
from Chattanooga, his right at Leet's
lanyard and his left at Catoosa. Gen.
Schofeld had reached Red Clay, and was
closing up on Thomas's left, while Nc
Pherson's advance was near Gordon's
Mill, followed closely by the balance OF
the Army of the Tennessee.
THE ARMY MOVES SOUTH.
On May 5, the day set by Gen. Grant
to open the campaign, Gen. Sherman rode
out to Ringgold with his staff and body
guard. On May @, Mcpherson and Scho-
field took their positions connecting with
Gen. Thomas upon the right and left. On
May Gen. Thomas moved in force upon
Tunnel Hill, where he found simply a
picket guard of the enemy, which he
drove off and took possession of Tunnel
Hill and of the railroad tunnel, which
was left intact and uninjured.
From the top OF Tunnel Hill Gems.
Sherman and Thomas had a fine view
of the country south Of them. The gorge
down which Mill Creek flows, and through
which the railroad to Atlanta is built,
is known as BuZzard's Roost This
gorge passes through a gap in the noun
tain, with steep and rugged cliffs, and is
known as Rocky Face" Gen. Johnston
had thrown dam across this gorge max
ing a lake which effectually obstructed
the road. On each side he had placed
batteries on the cliffs, and had constructed
extensive works, which were occupied by
his army.
The position was naturally strong, and
when fortified, under the directions of a
man trained in the art of war as was
Gen. Johnston, it was practically i'm
pregnable.
Before moving to the front of Rocky
Face, Gen. Sherman foresaw that d.
rect attack would be impracticable. He
had therefore planned a movement to the
rear of Johnston's army. This movement
was entrusted to Mcpherson, who march
ed down through the country west of the