The National tribune., 1902-12-11

| He started out at the appointed houl
with Lieut.. Hunter commanding the ad
vance. In the early morning | received q
dispatch from Gen. Steedman at Chatta
nooga. asking me il l could not send an
infantry force against the enemy at Holly
Greek. My cavalry then being on the
way TO Holly Greek. l decided that il
would lie impracticable to move with 4
| force of infantry. as l would not be able
to have the cooperation of the cavalry
therefore answered Gen. Steedman. and
wired Gen. Sherman as follows:
.'Resaca. Aug. 23. 1864: s a. Ill.
Maj. S. Il. Moe, Assistant Adjutant-Gen.
eral:
Cannot send an infantry force toward
Holly Greek without uncovering the bridge.
What squadron of cavalry can do to as
certain the strength. etc, of the enemy
will he done. Last night l advised Col.
Watkins. at Calhoun. to send cavalry
force down to Jasper to ascertain whether
the enemy was moving down in that di-
rectiOn. He might send part of his force
via this place to Holly Creek.
"GREEN Il. RAEM.
"Colonel. Commanding Brigade"
'Resaca. Aug. %. 1864.
Cant L. NJ. Dayton, Abide Camp:
'I have no further Information this
ward Holly Greek Mill at daylight:
Sc. 4. RAUM,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade"
brought rumors to the effect that the Con-
federate force was thought to he from 500
to 1000 men. placed but little conf
dence in these reports. knowing that the
Confederate commanders would exagSer-
ate their strength
Early in the afternoon Lieut.. Hunter
returned to Resaca and made this report.
which is embodied in the following dis
patch to Gen. Sherman:
''Resaca. Aug. 23. 1864; 1 p. m.
"(Received 3 p. m)
.sCart. T.. NJ. Dayton. Aid-de-C Camp:
"Lieut. Hunter. who had command Of
the advance guard of the sDuardGn sent
toward Holly Greek Mill. is just in. He
repOrts that one mile and half this side
of the mill Cant. Robinson. commanding
column. was attacked in the rear by IA
force estimated at 700. Lieut.. Hunter
went to the mill. crossed the creek. turned
west and reached TiltOn with the advance
guard Cant. Robinson and his men have
not reportpi. Citizens estimate the force
variously at from 500 to 1000.
SC. 3. RATM,
Colonel Commanding Brigade"
Later in the afternoon Cant. Robinson
returned. He was discreet officer in whom
had entire confidence. He was salts
fed that the strength Of the Confederate
raiders had been exaggerated. and now
that they were located. and knew that
they were located, he was of the opinion
that they could he easily driven away. The
following dispatch to Gen. ShermaD.s
Headquarters embodied Capt. RObinson's
rerort:
~: or mot IN, yy-Sth h..
out loss. He renOrts the enemy about 200
strong near Holly Greek Mill. and that
4OO canned last night on Holly Creek,
where the Federal road crosses. n" fur
ther news of the force reported passing
down the Westfield pike"
In few minutes I received the follow
ing dispatch from Gen. Sherman:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi. in the Field.
''Near Atlanta. Aug. 23. 1864: p. IN.
"COl. Ranm: Have You not force enough
to 20 ont TO Holly Greek by night and
bounce that party? 1t is there to cover
courier line back to Hood. 1 sun"ose Gen.
Steedman to he now rlD about Charleston
and Columbus. and that Wheeler must
go north or on into North Carolina.
'.W. r. SHERMAN,
"Major-General. Commanding.
In reply to Gen. Sherman's inquiry I
wired him the following statement OF my
fighting strength:
Maj Gen. Sherman: have 410
muskets besides 1tW cavalry. l can take
the cavalry and, say. 200 infantry. and
move ont within an horrr and see what can
be done for the fellows near Holly Creek
'sr'-:'- sc. r. RAUM.
"COlonel. Commanding Brigade
This did not include four pieces of artil-
lery in the fort and their complement of
men.
Upon this suggestion from Gen. Sher-
man l at once issued orders for move
mont against Hellv Creek to he composed
of 30 cavalry under Cant. Robinson and
300 infantry of the Goth Ohio under Col.
Prem. Metham. Our officers were nerfect-
ly familiar with the country. We eXnected
to strike the enemv's camD about midnight
and have it out with them.
RECALL OF EXPEDITION.
As soon as had marched ont from
Resa"a. Can't. McCammon. Of my staff.
sent the following dispatch to Capt. Day
tom
"Resaca, Aug. %, 1864: $40 u. m.
Cant. L. NJ. Dayton, Aid-de-Camp:
"Col. Raum has Just started for ~ lly
Spring Creek with 80 cavalry and 300 in
fantry.
"WM. w. McCAMMON.
"Acting Assistant Adjutant- General
To which Gen. Sherman replied as fol-
lows:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field.
Near Atlanta. Aug. %, 1864; G:30 p. III.
"COl. Raum, Rcsaca:
"Y0ur force is too small to venture
Make sure of Resaca and wait Gen. Stced-
mans action.
''W. T. SHERMAN.
"Major-General, Commanding.
UDon the receipt of this dispatch ut my
headquarters, Cant. McCammon mounted
He overlook us about five miles out and
delivering Gen. SherMan's dispatch. left
me no discretion but to return to Resaca,
which ! did without delay.
Upon my arrival. at p. H.. we inter
changed the following dispatches, which
closed this episode:
"Resaca, Aug. 23. 1864: 8 y. IN.
Capt. L. NJ. Dayton. Aid-de-Camp:
''fhe Generals dispatch of $50 D. NJ.
overlook me on the way to Holly Creek
think Resaca would have been safe.
have just returned. l will try to have 500
Of the dismounted cavalry at Calhoun
brought to this place, so that l can take
the offensive il necessary. The force near
Holly Creek, whatever it may be, has
made no offensive movement a9. t TO-DAY; 3 ay,,,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade"
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi. in the Field,
Near Atlanta. Aug. 23, 1864; ii 30 u. m
Commanding Officer, Resaca: