The National tribune., 1902-09-11

had so far during the movement against
Atlanta.
Gen. Geary's Division led the way for
the Twentieth Corps in crossing Peach
Tree Greek. AT daylight on July 10 Geary
advanced two miles to a hill overlooking
Howelrs Mill, where he found Gen.
Davis's Division skirmishing nobly with
the enemy across the creek. Gen. Geary
moved to the creek, about three quarters
of mile. into dense forest. There was
no road here leading to the creek. His
men were kept concealed in the timber,
and remained quiet. so as not to disclose
their presence to the Confederate troops
occupying fortified hill on the opposite
side. Gen. Hooker and Gen. Geary SUI
perintended the work of bringing forward
both batteries of the division and posting
them on points to command the hill held
By the enemy. Small epaulements of logs
were constructed for the protection of the
gunners. While these preparations were
going forward the Pioneer Corps was pre-
pairing timber for bridge.
AT o'clock p. m. everything was
ready. Suddenly Geary's artillerymen,
with II pieces, opened fire upon the hill.
while heavy line of skirmishers poured
forth furious musketry fire. Under
cover of this storm of iron and lead foot
bridge was constructed by the Pioneer
Corps, and Ireland's Brigade filed across
on the double-quick, promptly formed a
line, and charged and carried the hill.
capturing % prisoners and intrenching
tools. The two other brigades of Geary's
Division Immediately followed Ireland, and
formed on his right. Strong breastworks
were erected. During the night two more
bridges were built and roads were cut
to them for artillery and wagons.
On the morning Of July 10, Gen. How
ara with the Fourth Corps moved on three
roads toward Peach Tree Creek Gen
Wood with his division made a recon-
nOissance down the Buck Head and At
lanta road, reaching Peach Tree Greek at
6:30 a. m. The enemy's outposts were
driven in by Gen. Wood. They retired
across the creek and burned the bridge
The enemy with infantry and artillery
held n well-constructed bridge-head on the
high ground beyond the creek. Gen. Stan
drove the enemy's skirmishers, and seized
the bridge across the north fork Of Peach
Tree Greek and extinguished the fire set
by the retrcating foe. Gen. Newton push
ed out on an intermediate road to the
creek, and found that the bridge had been
destroyed and that the enemy was in con-
siderable force on the opposite side. Upon
being informed of these facts, Gen.
Thomas directed Gen. Howard to force a
passage of the creek.
Gen. Wood moved down the stream, and
effected a crossing beyond the enemy's
left flank. turned his position, forced him
from the bridgehead, and moved over two
brigades of his division to hold the points
gained. Gen. Newton with his division
moved in support of Wood. Gen. Stanley
repaired the bridge he had saved, built a
new ore, and moved across the North
Fork with his entire division and BIZ
vouacked for the night.
1t is seen that in the face Of strong and
determined opposition Gen. Thomas had
made great progress on July 10 in work
ing his way across Peach Tree Creek.
Two divisions Of the Fourth Corps, Wood
ard Stanley, were across and intrenched,
with Newton present ready to cross on
Woods brigades: Geary's Division
of the Twentieth Corps across and
roads for the passage OF Wards and Will
iams's Divisions; Davis and Baird, with
their division of the Fourteenth Corps on
the right, had crossed and were occupy
ing strong position, were intrenched, and
had bridges and roads for the prompt pas
sage Of the creek by Johnson's Division.
BATTLE OF PEACH TREE CREEK.
Gen. Hood had been kept as fully ad-
vised of the progress of events on July
10 as it was possible to be from what his
nghtlnS men saw OF the movements or
Sherman's army. Gen. Hood knew two
things: First, that Gen. Sherman was
pushing his whole army forward AGAINST
Atlanta, and that the nearer the forces ap-
preached the more compact would be their
line; second, that there was a broad in
terval between Thomas's and Schofield's s
armies. Gen. Hood decided to take ad-
vantage of this condition Of Sherman's s
line. He felt that 1t was impossible for
him to hold Atlanta without giving bat
tie; he decided to attack Thomas while he
was crossing Peach Tree Greek.
Gen. Hoods plan was to completely
isolate Gen. Thomas and to attack and
crush him before he had time to intrench.
To do this Cheatham was ordered to hold
his left on Peach Tree Creek between
Schofeld and Thomas, so as to prevent the
reinforcement Of Thomas, while Stewart
and Hardee fell upon Thomas.
Gen. Hoods order for battle was Is
sued on the morning Of July 20. The at
tack was to begin at o'clock p. m. of that
day, the formation to be by division in
echelon. the movement to be from the
right, at the distance Of about $50 yards.