The National tribune., 1902-11-13
l. XVIH the WESTERN
WA >ARMY~
Wheelers Raid-C Continued.
Wheeler's aid-Continued.
Copyrighted 1901 by the publishers
By GEN. GREEN B. RAUM.

By GEN. GREEN B. RAUM.
hers of THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE.
II cannot communicate with Gen. Steed-
my arrival last night. 11:30 O'Clock, at
which time l sent cOuriers. Wheeler has
concentrated his forces. l think if he is
north l can accomplish what you desire
by moving to Spring Place. l have 200
men, five days supplies, and one section
artillery. Col. Raum will forward any
Communication you may have to make.
"JNO. l.. SMITH,
"Brigadier- General
Gen. Sherman promptly decided that it
would be unwise to attack Wheeler with
an inferior force, and gave expression to
his views in the following dispatch:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"Near Atlanta, Ga, Aug. 16, 1864.
Gen. John Il. Smith, Resaca:
! Il do not think you should attack
Wheeler in position with your force. Bet
ter wait until you act in concert with Gen.
Steedman, who can bring to Dalton from
the rear a good force that can do the thing
sure.
'.W. T. SHERMAN,
"MajOr-General, Commanding"
1t soon became obvious that while Gen.
Steedman and Smith were delayed 4 whole
day in communicating and arranging to
unite their forces against Gen. Wheeler.
that he was moving off to the northeast
OIL his mission of destruction.
We received a message from the opera
tor at Cleveland, Tenn, of rebel move
ments, which was reported by Gen. Smith
to Gen. Sherman. as follows:
''Resaca, Aug. 16, 1864; II m.
Maj j.-Gen. Sherman:
1.-The operators at Cleveland report the
enemy moving toward Charleston, having
passed within one mile of that place last
might. l have sent out cavalry in direc-
ton of Spring Place; have not heard from
them.
JOHN Z. SMITH,
"Brigadier-General."
l left Resaca in the forenoon, going
north on q locomotive, and spent the day
pushing the work of repairs. Two miles
of track had been completely destroyed,
the crosS-ties burnt and the rails bent or
twisted; 5000 new ties were required and
rails for two miles. The work was per-
formed with great energy. / returned TO
Resaca, and sent Gen. Sherman this dis
patch:
''Resaca, Aug 16, 1864; p. m.
Maj. Gen. Sherman:
Il am just from Tilton. The track
south of there will be repaired by IL
o'clock tonight.
"As soon as repaired will 60 by rail-
road to the break south of Dalton, take
with me the section men, and assist in
the repairs there. The telegraph, think,
can be repaired to Dalton tomorrow. l
will take any dispatch that you wish to
send
"GREEN B. RAUM,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade"
Gen. Wheeler inspired his command
with great activity and enterprise. While
he in person was before Dalton and Gen.
ing up the railroad south of the town,
Gen. Williams was dispatched with his
brigade further up the road. On the 10th
his force, estimated at 100 men, made
their way from the southeast into Park
er's Gap and drove out the scouts. Gen.
Steedman had already passed up on his
return from Dalton to Chattanooga, SO
force was conveyed to him at Chatta-
nooga by the following dispatches:
''Graysville, Aug 16, 1864.
maj. Moe, Assistant Adjutant- General:
"Rebels in force III Parker's Gap. They
have run our scouts into this post. They
are from 600 to 700 strong. l have sent
scouts out to feel the enemy.
IS. CRANE,
captain, Commanding"
"Block-House, Graysville,
"Aug. 16, 1864; Up. m.
MAI. Moe, Assistant Adjutant-General:
1--WE are attacked here, but still hold
the bridge. Scouts report heavy force of
the enemy. Answer.
as. CRANE,
captain, Commanding"
The outcome of this attack was that |
these rebel raiders tore up half a mile of
81 IA
rumored that the intention was to blow |
up the tunnel at Tunnel Hill, but the
forces there and at Ringgold We're not at |
tackled Graysyille is so miles north of
Acwerth. Thus in four days Wheeler had
destroyed portions of the railroad and tele- |
graph line in six places, first near Acworth |
and lastly near Graysville, more than 80
miles apart; and at the time he was ham
mering away destroying the railroad at
Graysville, with another strong force, he |
was threatening Cleveland on the road to-
wards Knoxville. The following dis
patches report him moving in that direc- |
ton:
cleveland, Aug. 16, 1864.
Brig. Gen. Ammen:
Of this place last night have turned to-
ward Charleston. They are $500 strong,
WIN anu n. &. GIBSON,
Colonel. I'd Ohio II. A."
'Loudon, Aug. 16, 1854.
Capt. w. P. Ammen,
Assistant Adjutant- General:
'The following letter just received from
Cleveland:
" sLieut.-Col. NJ. L. Patterson:
Twenty-Five hundred rebels, said to
be under Kirby Smith, encamped near
here last night, and went toward Charles
ton this morning; did not attack; are now
at least 400 at Benton, driving up stock.
"'H. G. GIBSON, Colonel
II have sent out scouts in direction of
Sweet Water, also ordered scouts to be
sent out from Kingston in the direction
of Charleston.
IN. L. PATTERSON,
'Iieutenant-C Colonel, Commanding"
NT oudon Aup 1e 1904