The National tribune., 1902-11-13

Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
Near Atlanta, Aug. IL, 1864.
Gen. John r. Smith:
.! have your dispatch of this morning.
With yours and Gen. Steedman's forces
acting conformity you can whip all
Wheeler's cavalry. Don't depend on artil-
llery, but get to close quarters with the
small arms and shoot rebel cavalry horses
whenever you get chance.
"W. T. SHERMAN,
"A1ajor-General, Commanding"
| After spending short time at Resaca,
on the evening of the 10th | again went
up the road on an engine to the break. l
| found the work progressing satisfactorily.
Before midnight the track was completed.
l at once started to Dalton by rail. The
break in the road extended to point two
and half miles south of Dalton. l bor-
rOwed horse and rode up to the town,
where l found Gen. Steednlan making his
preparations to move against Spring Place.
We conferred fully in regard to the situa-
tiOn. Upon my return at Resaca l sent
Gen. Sherman the following dispatch:
| ''Resaca, Aug. II, 1864; a. m.
Gen. Sherman:
II left Dalton at 4 o'clock this morn
ing. Went by railroad within two miles
and half of that place; found nearly two
miles of road badly torn up and very small
i force at work.
81 will send $50 men with material,
which is being loaded. and will hasten re-
pairs. The telegraph should be restored
by noon. Gen. Steedman moves at G n. m.
with 800 men and three pieces of artil-
lery. Gen. Smith has already gone. They
aim to strike the enemy at Spring Place.
Our loss at Dalton was 10 killed and 80
wounded. The enemy lost 200 killed and
wounded. We captured two Surgeons and
IN xyal1plal 90 Con StnaIman
&c. B. RAUM,
Colonel, Commanding"
The following reply to the above dis
patch was promptly sent:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
Near Atlanta, Aug. IL, 1864.
'COl. Ramm. Resaca:
Your, report of this morning is received,
and is very satisfactory. l have no doubt
about the result of the move against
Spring Place. Martin will quit. l want
you to caution all posts below you towards
Kingston to be wide awake. All well here.
wv. T. SHERMAN,
'Ma jOr- General, Commanding"
In short time received the follow
ing dispatch:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"Near Atlanta, Aug. II, 1864.
"Col. Raum, Resaca:
II am making certain preparations, and
want you to give me the most minute
facts that ! may draw conclusions. / got
your dispatch about the cattle being re-
ported at FairmOunt and the scouts cross
ing at Fields Mill. / want to hear the
earliest possible news from Gen. Steed-
man and Smith.
wv. T. SHERMAN,
"Major-G General, Commanding"
1 was under orders to wire Gen. Sher
man all information obtained concerning
the enemy. so lie could form his plans for
his great flank movement. The following
dispatches were sent during Aug. II:
''Resaca, Aug. II, 1864; II a. m.
Maj Gen. Sherman:
"As small items are sometimes impOr-
tant / give you the following: A squad
of 9TH Ky. Cav. arrived at Calhoun this
four miles of Paramount. They heard
that rebels with captured cattle were i'll
town.
"They also heard of four rebel couriers,
who crossed at Fields Mill this morning.
inquiring the way to Spring Place.
"GREEN B. RAUM,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade"
"Resaca, Aug. II, 1864; 2:3O p. m.
Gen. Sherman:
II am just from Tilton. Your dispatch
of 1:4j p. m. received. A dispatch writ
ten at Tilton is my answer as follows:
The 18th Iowa prisoners, of whose
capture l advised you, were paroied by
Wheeler eight miles beyond and northeast
OF Spring Place last evening about sun
down.
"9They were escorted to that place and
reached here at noon. They report that
Wheeler had very heavy force-from
10000 to 1900. Before the prisoners
were paroled the entire force moved off
north on the Federal Road. Gen. Steed-
man obtained information that Wheeler
had divided his force, sending one column
against Cartersville, one against Cleve-
land, and one towards Chattanooga.
Gen. Steedman with his force has re
turned to Chattanooga. These facts l
learn from an officer from DaltCn. / have
sent a courier to Gen. Smith.
photographed Gen. SteedmaD via Dai
ton. Train now on way with message.
have advised post commanders. You shall
be in telegraphic communication with
put 300 men on the repairs of railroad, and
will work every hour until they are COM
pleted. Trains are at Resaca to convey
Gen. Smith in any direction. l think he
will return to Rcsaca tonight.
II will send you copy of Wheeler's let
ter to Gen. Steedman IN reference TO pa
rolling the prisoners. l ask that you or
der them on duty"
'.2:45 p. m.
"Since reaching the telegraph Office
have received the following letter from
Gen. Steedman, which shows that Capt.
Cilley, Captain and Assistant Adjutant
General, who gave me the information al
luded to. was mistaken:
Dalton, Aug. II, 1864.
"'Colonel: Please inform Gen. Smith
that the enemy has gone to East Tennes
see.
"'They report having captured Cieve
land, but do not credit the report. Push
the work on the railroad with all possi
BILE dispatch. Use the siding at Calhoun,
and, if necessary, send to Adairsville and
get all the iron you can. Col. Laiboldt
has sent small regiment to the bridge
two miles south of this point to protect
the working party. l have sent for ties
and iron, with which any sidings you may
take up can be replaced. Dispatch Gen.
Sherman that the enemy has gone to East
Tennessee, and l have returned to Chat
to protect the Chickamauga
bridges.
""The force of the enemy consists of at
least 5000, nine small brigades, and may