The National tribune., 1902-09-04

until he reached a point to the left of Gen.
Howard below Soap Creek
Gen. Schofeld, after n careful examina-
tion of the river, reported to Gen. Sher-
man that he had found Il good place just
below the mouth of Soap Creek to lay
pOntoon bridges for crossing the river.
He was ordered to cross with the Twenty
| third Corps, select n good position for de-
fense, and thoroughly fortify it. The
manuvers of the Union forces had de-
celved Gen. Johnston as ID Gen. Sher-
mans real intention in regard to crossing
the river. Gen. Schofield on July 9 eff
fected 4 crossing near the mouth of Soap
Creek, captured the Confederate guard,
laid two pontOon bridges, moved his entire
| corps to the left bank of the river, Sc
lected high, defensible position and laid
off and threw up strong line Of intrench-
ments, all without opposition on the part
oE the enemy.
Gen. .Garrard at the same time also eff
fected 4 crossing with his cavalry at Ros-
well and attacked and drove away a de-
tachment of rebel cavalry that had been
watching him.
Gen. Newton with his division Of How
ards corps was hurried up to Roswell to
support Garrard. Newton followed Gar
rard across the river, and established a
defensive line. In the meantime Gen.
Dodge had been ordered to move from
the right wing Of the army with the Six
teenth Corps up to Roswell and cross the
river there. He arrived in good time and
relieved Gen. Newton. On the same day,
July 8, Gen. Thomas had a strong skir-
| mish line advanced to feel the enemy in
their works to ascertain if they were still
in force. No change was observed: the
whole line Of intrenchments was found
to be strongly occupied.
On the night Of July 8 Gen. Johnston
being apprised that large force Of Union
troops had effected q crossing Of the
ChattahOochce River above his fortified
position, withdrew his entire army across
the southeast side Of the river and burned
the railroad and wagon bridges.
The Union forces now controlled the
northwest side Of the Chattahoochee River.
This river was an important military ele-
ment in the struggle for mastery between
these two great armies. 1t is q large,
long stream. having its source in the north
east part of Georgia, in that high region
of country where the Savannah, the OcO-
nee and the Ocmulgee Rivers also take
their rise. 1t flows southwest. across the
State, when it turns south and forms the
dividing line between Georgia and Ala
bama. This river and the Flint unite and
form the Apalachicola River, which flows
across the State of Florida and empties
into bay Of the same name.
At the point where Gen. Johnston had
his fortified camp the Chattahoochee River
is about 1900 feet wide from bank to
bank, and is too deep to be fOrded. The
city OF Atlanta is about six miles south
OF this point. As result of the course
of the river point 20 miles above the
railroad crossing is nearly the same dis
tance north of Atlanta, while point 30
miles below the railroad crossing, although
some distance west Of Atlanta is at least
20 miles south of that city.
The armies now being on opposite sides
or this large stream, neither could attack
the other in force without building n num-
ber of bridges for the passage OF troops,
and this involved defensive works at the
crossings for the protection of the bridges
The Atlanta and West Point Railroad
runs southwest parallel with the river,
and but short distance from it. This
was really the vulnerable side for an at-
tack on Atlanta, but prudence controlled,
and Gen. Sherman decided to cross the
river above instead Of below the raidroad.
The question now was to make every
| needed preparation for safely crossing the
river with the whole army.
The railroad at Marietta and Vining's
Station had been repaired, and trains
loaded with provisions, clothing, forage.
and ammunition, came directly into Cen
Thomas's camp, which was made the tenn
porary base OF supplies. The whole army
| was at once fully supplied with every
thing needed for forward movement
AS soon as. it was known that Gen.
Johnston had withdrawn his army, orders
were issued for the following movements
Of troops:
On July 10 Gen. Howard was directed
to move Stanley's and Woods Divisions
to the bridges near Soap Creek to support
Schofeld. July II Stanley crossed the
river at daylight on Schofeld's bridges and
marched down the, river and secured the
nights, opposite Powers Ferry, SO as to
protect Col. Buell., who was charged with
the duty of laying pontoon bridges across
the river at that place.
at an carly hour the same morning Gen.