The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-07-10

so great that | have no doubt Cen John
ston Anticipated such movement and
prepared for il. When the head of Gen
Rockers column reached Burnt Hickory
Il cavalryman from Gen. IohnstonS army
was captured and on his person was
found an order of Gen. Johnston dated
ut Allatoona for the movement of troops
in Il way that clearly showed he was
aware of Shcrman's thanking enterprise.
Consequently, when the fact became
known to Gen. Sherman that the Confed-
crate commander was informed of the
Union movement, there was necessarily
increased caution in the advance: but
there was no pause: the troops marched
eagerly to the front. Gen. Mcpherson.
in order to give ample room for the Army
of the Cumberland. directed the march of
the Army of the Tennessee upon Van
Vert, Il town some 10 miles northwest Of
Dallas As before stated. Gen. Jeff c.
Davis with his division was marching
from Rome to the same point. On May
- both armies were headed toward Dial
las and moving steadily forward. Gen.
Hardec had the advance of Gen. Johnston 5
Army Gen. Hooker had the advance of
Gen. Thomas's column. his three divisions
marching on separate roads. Gen. Soho
field with Army of th0 Ohio following to
the left and rear. He ,ker'S line of march
on the direct road To Dallas led him
across Pumpkin Vine Creek. another
tributary of the Etowah River. which
flows northeast along the southern base
of the Allatoona Range and when near
AllatoOna Pass curves suddenly to the
northwest and empticS into the Etowah
River four miles below Etowah Station
Upon reaching the bridge which SPAWNED
Pumpkin Vine Creek 1T Owens Mill. it
was discovered that it was guarded by n
body of the enemy's cavalry.
1t was Gen. Geary's Division that con-
fronted the rebel cavalry at this point
he had the center of the Twentieth Corps,
with Gen. WillamS's Division on his
right, and Gen. Buttertield's Division on
his left. These divisions were 10 cross
Pumpkin Vine Creek at other fords and
bridges. As soon as the rebel cavalry
were discovered. Il portion of Gen. Hook
er's cavalry escort forded the creek. de-
ployed advanced through the woods. and
attacked the Confederate outpost. which
was composed of only - men.
These Confederate troops no doubt had
warning of the approach of Geary's col
umn. for they had set fire to the bridge
and were ready to retire upon the appear
ance of Il large Union force. When at
tackled by Hooller's bodyguard they offer
ed but little resistance and retired east
ward. The fire was soon eNtinguished
and the bridge repaired.
changed the direction of his march from
south to east; he promptly crossed the
creek and moved out upon the road taken
by the enemyS cavalry. Geary had found
the enemy. and acting instantly upon the
true military instinct pursued him. The
rebel outpost. instead of retreating south
toward Dallas. withdrew to the east on
the direct road to Marietta. an important
town on the railroad % miles south of
In In tn-,t 70 bf
front Col. Candy's Brigade had the ad-
vance: the 18th Ohio We're deployed rs
skirmisherS. About Il mile and half out
from the bridge Candy's skirmishers be-
came engaged with the enemy. The Con
federate officer in command. instead of
parleying with this skirmish line. imme-
diateIy charged it with fury. the skirm-
ishers resisted with great gallantry. and
Candy without n moments delay deployed
the balance of the brigade forward into
line on the dOube-quick. and valian .ly
met and repulsed the rebel charge: ne
then reinforced his skirmish line with the
18th Pa. extending it across his front
for a mile. Col. Candy with the remain
ing four regiments of his brigade moved
forward in line Of battle supported by the
other two brigades of Gen. Geary's Divi-
sion, commanded respectively by Coils
Gotham and Lockman. About half a
mile to the front this column again en-
countered the enemy in considerable
force, and as the result of hard fighting
drove them steadily back for half mile
The prisoners captured stated that the
belonged to Gen. Hoods Corps. all of
which was near at hand. and that Gen
Hardee at the head Of his corps was some
miles away in the direction of Dallas
TIE FIGHT NEAR NFw HOPE CHURCH.
Cen Hookar accon,uaniad Con Caarv
in this movement. Gen. Sherman heard
the noise OF battle, FASTENED to the 'front.'
and sOou joined Hooker and Geary. Con-
sulting his map. he found that they were
close TO New Hope, the point where the
roads from AllatoOna Pass and Ackworth
TO Dallas intersect. They all realized the
Importance Of seizing these roads and
Gen. Sherman ordered Gen. Hooker to
secure the position that night if possible.
Gen. Hooker thought it advisable not to
make an attack until he could bring
up the divisions Of Gems. Butterfield ana
Williams. These divisions were about
five miles away. and were the nearest
troops that could be called upon TO sup
port Geary's Division. which was then
confronting Hoods entire corps. Gen.
Hooker at once ordered forward his other
two divisions, and Geary's three brigades
were posted on a ridge in the woods.
where they soon erected n defensive line
Of logs. Geary deploycd his skirmish line
10 still greater extent. and on the right
he posted considerable force TO the front
and at rlght-angle to the skirInish line.
The enemy charged the center of the
sklrmlsii line, expecting to drive il easily
before them: they We're met with firm re-
sIstance. When the charging line ap-
preached the angle they received Il heavy
IRE both upon their front and left flank:
this flank fire was n complete surprise to
them; they had not discovered this ad-
Sanced line in the woods and could not
stand the punishment they received ut its
hands. so they rctreated in disorder with
considerable loss. These Confederate
troops which were encountered Mt New
Hope Church were, like Rockers Corps.
marching toward Dallas. Dallas would
nave been the point at which the whole
OF Sherman's army would have concen-
trated. but for the encounter with the
Confederate outpost at the bridge over
RaccoOn Creek. This little circumstance
turned the tide of war. as far as the
Army of the Cumberland and the Army
of the Ohio were concerned eastward to
New Hope Church. where they struck n
heavy column of the rebel forces whose
destination was also changed by the
skirmish at the bridge. Gen. Hood fully
understood the importance of Selling and
holding the forks of the roads ut New
Hope Church quite as well as Gen. Sher-
man, Hooker and Geary, and made haste
to concentrate there his entire CORPS
Gen. Hood placed Gen. Stewards Divi-
sion in the center of his line with Gen
SteyensOn's Division on the right and
Gen. HIndmans Division on the left: the