The National tribune., 1902-12-18


of the campaign remained to be accom-
plished-namely, the destruction OK the
Atlantis and Macon Railroad.
1t was known that the enemy held East
Point with a considerable force, but Gen.
Sherman was not advised as to Gen.
Hoods movements for the protection Of
his principal line OF communications,
namely the Macon Railroad. But Gen.
Sherman having six corps well in hand.
besides two divisions of cavalry, number
ing mere than 5000 men, he felt that this
force was equal to any demand that might
be made upon it.
On the morning Of Aug. 30 the direct
movement against the Macon Railroad be-
gan. This movement by the six corps
and two divisions Of cavalry present, and
in actual touch with each other. was in
the nature of grand left wheel. with the
Twenty-third Corps on the left as the
pivot; this corps, however, advancing
slightly, first to Red Oak Station on the
West Point Railroad, and thence along
the railroad eastward about one mile and
a half towards East Point, the junction
of the West Point and Macon railroads
to Atlanta. Here Gen. Schofield took and
intrenched strong position covering the
movements of the army and trains, and at
the same time threatening East Point,
which the enemy held in force.
In this movement the Army of the
Cumberland had the center, with the
Army of the Tennessee on the right, and
as just stated the Army of Ohio on the
left. Kilpatrick's cavalry habitually
moved with the right flank, = lille Gar
rard's cavalry moved with the left flank.
The Armies Of the Cumberland and Ten
nessee moved forward in four great col
umns on separate roads.
The Army Of the Tennessee was on the
Ottpr circip. itS ohiocfiyn pn;pf Tnpoc-
boro, % miles away from Fairburn. The
Army of the Cumberland had a shorter
line of march. Gen. Sherman marched
with Gen. Thomas. Gen. Thomas moved
forward with the Fourth Corps on the left
and the Fourteenth Corps on the right.
He encountered and skirmished with both
cavalry and infantry. When he reached
the Decatur and Fayetteville road he
halted, formed a line and went into camp.
and opened communication with Gen.
Howard on the right.
Gen. Howard pushed forward with
great energy, the Sixteenth Corps on the
right, the Fifteenth Corps on the left and
the Seventeenth Corps in the center. Gen
Fitzpatrick had the advance, and covered
the front and right flank. The enemy ap-
peared in his front. but there was but lit
tie skirmishing until they reached point
where Logan's and Ransom's roads inter
sected. Here two lines of rail barbados
had been thrown up, and the enemy held
them with determination. Two regiments
of infantry were thrown forward by Gen.
Ransom to reinforce Gen. Fitzpatrick,
while Logan sent Gen. Hazen with his
division upon their right flank. This COM
bined movement soon dislodged this force
and sent it rapidly to the rear.
Gen. Sherman had planned that the
Army OF the Tennessee should halt for
the night when Renfroe's Place was
reached. Upon arriving there it was
for the troops, and, further, that from the
information received it was deemed prac-
ticable by Gen. Howard to move at once
upon Jonesboro-the plan being to Sc
cure lodgment on the east bank Of Flint
River. After resting a short time the
two columns were put in motion again
Capt. Estes, Of Kilpatrfck's staff, with
squadron Of cavalry, led the way for
Gen. Logan's Corps, while Gen. Kilnat-
rick with the main body of his divis on
had the advance of the other column.
On reaching Flint River it was found
that the bridge had not been destroyed
but was being defended behind barricades
erected at the far end. Gen. Howard
directed that the bridge be carried.
Capt. Estes was reinforced by parts of
two cavalry regiments armed with Spen-
Ger rifles. These men were dismounted
and formed in open order
In their rear a strong skirmish line was
formed from Gen. HaZen's division. The
cavalrymen rushed forward to the river
bank and opened with their rapid-fi ing
guns, keeping up such fusillade as could
not be replied to by the enemy. Under
the cover Of this fire Hazen's skirmishers
rushed forward, crossed the bridge and
carried two lines Of barricades. The
enemy fell back to a third line; but the
skirmishers from the Fifteenth Corps now
had their blood up, and charging again
upon the enemy. drove them from their
third line Of barricades.
1t was now evident that the enemy was
close at hand and in considerable force
Gen. Logan pushed forward with the Fif-
teenth Corps, skirmishing with the enemy.
until he reached the high ground between
Flint River and the railroad. Here by
direction of Gen. Howard. he formed
line with Gen. Harrow's division on the
right, Gen. Hazen's division on the left.
and Gen. Osterhaus's division in reserve.
This movement was not completed un-
til dark, and although the men had
marched and skirmished all day, they coy-
cred their front with a strong line of
breastworks before resting.
The Sixteenth Corps was placed in posi-
tion west Of the Flint River, and soon in
trenched their line, facing SOUTH The
Seventeenth Corps did not arrive until the
early morning Of the 31st, when it was
also placed on the west side of the river,
establishing a line facing nol theast on the
left Of the Sixteenth Corps Each corps
erected bridge across Flint River.
The batteries were all brought up and
placed in position; Gen. Osterhaus locat-
ing battery supported br infantry bear
ing on the railroad, some 700 yards away.
On the night Of Aug. 30, upon being in
formed that Gen. Howard was in posi-
ton in front Of Jonesboro. Gen. Sherman
at once directed Gen. Thomas to dispatch
a division to Renfroe's Place to cover the
rear Of the Army Of the Tennessee; to
move Gen. Stanley's Fourth Corps in
connection with Gen. Schofield's command
forward to Rough and Ready; to send
Gen. Davis forward with the Fourteenth
Corps to feel for the railroad. and Gen.
Schofeld was ordered to move boldly for
ward and strike the railroad at Rough
and Ready; these orders to be executed
on the morning Of Aug. 81.
(To be continued)
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