The National tribune., 1902-11-20

Headquarters Department of the Cum
in berland,
'.Aug. 16. 1864.
'Maj.-Gen. SHERMAN: The following
received from kilpatrick dated Aug. lo.
. p. N. near Camp Greek, en- route from
Fairburn: 4
"'1'hus far mytreconnaissance has been
success. I crossed the river at II a.
m.. and passett. out at once for Fairburn.
forced the enemy back into his camp
near railroad. five miles above the sta
| tion. Destroyed the station. public build
| ings, telegraph and railroad for about
| three miles. Jackson's Division of Cav
airy has thus far, refused to give me bat
/ tie. l rather expect an attempt Will he
made in the morning to prevent my re-
| turn. This will give me the opportunity
| | seek to destroy Jackson and his COM
mand, provided his cavalry meets me-
THE regiment from Garrards Division
sent after a party of rebel cavalry re-
ported as being near Vining Station. have
port all quiet. No sign of any rebels.
Nothing from Gen. Garrard's command.
"W. l.. ELLIOTT,
.Brigadier- General and Chief of Cav
airy"
Headquarters Third Cavalry Division,
'.SandtOwn, Ga. Aug. 16, 1864.
BRIG. Gen. Elliott, Chief of Cavalry, De-
partment of the Cumberland.
Generals: have the honor to report
| that L have returned to this point. ana
my command has gone into camp. l sue
ceeded in reaching and destroying the de-
pot and public buildings at Fairburn,
telegraph wire and railroad track for
about three miles. Drove Ross Brigade
| of JacksOn's Division out of his camp,
situated on Camp Greek. about three
miles from the railroad. and went into
! camp late last evening near that point.
I marched Mt an early honr this morning,
crossing Camp Creek. and moved to at
tack Jackson's Division. said to be sit
uated on Camp Greek near East Point,
but was unable to find any force of the
enemy. / secuted the entire country be-
tween Camp Greek and the railroad to
within one mile and half of East Point.
II was informed that the enemy had here
a considerable force of infantry, and
part of JacksOn's Division of Cavalry,
dismounted and in the trenches. The
enemy seemed to make but little or no
effort to prevent me from reaching the
railroad at any point below East Point
Station In infer from this that the road
is to be abandoned. The enemy's cav
airy has certainly all been withdrawn
from this portion of his line save two
brigades of Jackson's Division. which
force is not at all formidable. You will
see by the accompanying sketch that if
l :nn able TO maintain the line of pickets
Indicated, the enemy's lines will be very
much contracted and both railroads ex-
posed to raids from this point.
| II am, General, very respectfully, your
i#S"J. FITZPATRICK,
''Brigadief-General of Volunteers"
KILpATRIcK ORDERED TO DESTROY MACON
| cBAILROAD.
| After considering these reports Cen
Sherman wrote, the following letter to
Gen. Thomas aJ
Headquarters Military Division of the
| Mississippi, in the Field,
| '.Near ATLANTA, Aug. II, 1864.
"Gen. ThOnsasr / have a message from
Gen. Fitzpatrick. incIosing copy of his
report to Gen. Elliott. He thinks it not
only possible but comparatively easy to
break the railroad to Macon effectually.
l do not want TO move this vast army
and its parapherpalia around Atlanta I'M
less forced to do so, and it does seem the
enemy has offered us the very Opportuni-
Ity, we seek. 3 I'VE know positively that
Wheeler is above Dalton, and that he
must have taken the very flower of his
cavalry. He has, and may do us harm,
but that we cannot help. l do not think
he can carry any point of our road that
he can maintain, and his own necessities
will force him back soon with jaded and
worn-Out horses. Now, ours can be
quickly moved to Sandtown at walk,
and according to Gen. Fitzpatrick can
reach Red Oak or any point below the
can beat the remaining cavalry of the
Ienemy and break up many miles of that
railroad Gen. Garrard with one brigade
could amuse those on the east, and Gen.
Fitzpatrick with his own and the two
brigades of Gen. Garrard, under Col.
Long, could make in single move a
lbreak that would disturb Hood seriously.
The risk would be comparatively small.
as Gen. Schofeld can act in support with
his whole command. l am perfectly alive
to the fact that the loss of our cavalry
would be most serious, but l do think
such an opportunity if neglected will
never again appear. In this combination
would merely suspend the final execu-
ton of the movement of the whole army
till the result of this move is reached. /
think we could give Gen. Fitzpatrick such
orders that he would not be rash, and
Gen. Schofeld could move to his right a
couple of miles, and make it certain that
Hood would not attempt to use infantry
to interpose to the return of our cavalry.
Don't make any orders till you and |
have perfectly agreed on this plan. In
the meantime anything done toward the
movement of the whole army will not be
lost, as it simply amounts to sending to
the bridge all the loose ends. l have sent
. for Gen. Fitzpatrick to come up.
"W. Il. SHERMAN,
il "Major- General, Commanding"
Gen. Fitzpatrick had absolute confidence
in his ability with his cavalry to reach
and destroy the Macon Road He was
anxious to make the attempt. The ease
with which he struck the West Point
Road, when making his reconnaissance
embOldened him to attempt the Macon
Road. He sent copies of his report to
Gen. Elliott on his reconnaissance, to
army commanders, that they should all
, be Informed of his willingness to under
take the job of destroying the railroads
south Of Atlanta and save the trouble oil
purpose.
At the request of Gen. Sherman Gen
Fitzpatrick called at his headquarters
Upon a personal interview with Gen. Kill
, patrick Gen. sherman decided to have
, him attempt the destruction of the Macon
, Road with his cavalry.
Gen. SheynIaA decided to postpone the
; contemplated movement with the main
army against Hoods railroads until Gen
Fitzpatrick should try his hand at its de
struction. Accordingly orders were issued
to Gen. Fitzpatrick for the movement and
Gen. Garrard was directed to send two
, brigades ofa his division to reinforce Xii
patrick. s',toe
GRAND FLANK MOVEMENT POSTPONED.
Gen. Shetniah gave information of this
I.bo in Nj . 'nlunS hv rira To