The National tribune., 1903-02-26
CAPT, wEsrox's GALLANT EXPLOIT.

IdlteEHOOu SOue Ok tHe euet1y 5 SkffIutSneT!
took possession of this hill and opened
fire upon Col. Watkins's fort. This FIR,
became very annoying and finally l au
thorized Col. Watkins to send out storm
ing party and carry the hill. He entrust
ted this service to Capt. John F. Weston
Two companies were assigned to the duty
This force left the works and movet
forward briskly to the assault; reaching q
skirt of timber, they paused to re0rganizt
their line, when they rushed forward a
double quick across the level ground ani
up the slope, carrying the hill with &
shout; they at once opened fire to the righ
and left, and drove the Confederate fore,
from their position. This act of gallantry
was witnessed by our entire force anG
ELECTED great praise.
I at once caused the following letter Of
commentator to be sent to Col. Watkins
| Headquarters U. S. Forces,
| Resaca, Ca, Oct. 10, ga.
L. D. Watkins, Colonel, Commanding
Cavalry Brigade:
Colonel: The General Commanding
wishes you to convey to the brave mer
who have just charged and captured the
rebel skirmish line, which has been so an
nOying during the day, his high regards
for their daring and dashing conduct.
l am, Colonel, very respectfully, your
most obedient,
VIM w. MCCAMMoN, A. A. A. General.
This letter of commentator Col. Wat
kins at once had delivered TO Capt. West
on, after having placed thereon the fol-
lowing Endorsement:
Headquarters, Third Brigade, First Divi-
sion.
Resaca, Oct. IS, 1864.
Capt. John Weston, 4th Ky. Cav:
/ with great pleasure indorse Gen.
Raum's complimentary notice, and say
that the conduct of yourself and men de-
serve the highest praise.
LOUIS d. WATKINS,
Colonel, Commanding Brigade.
GENERAL M'COoK's IMPORTANT SERVICE.
A short time after the capture of the
hill Gen. McCook arrived with reinforce
ments, He brought 500 men by railroad.
These troops were Immediately moved out
to the hill, and occupied it, while the Con-
federate forces remained in front of Re-
SAGA.
The arrival of this force and their move
ments could be seen by the Confederates
and no doubt acted as q warning to Gen.
Lee, whose corps was in our front.
All day long Oct 13 artillery on both
sides was kept quite busy, and there was
active skirmishing, but the Confederate
forces did not venture to make an assault.
Our works were quite formidable, and
were well manned. Gen. Lees entire
corps could not have carried our position
by sudden charge. If such an attempt
had been made, the Confederate loss
would necessarily have been very large.
Gen. McCook had performed an i'm
portant service for the defense of Resaca.
When l parted with him at Resaca he
hurried the three trains down to Kings
ton, arriving there at 11:3O, and at once
tried to communicate with Gen. Sherman
at Rome, but failed to find the telegraph
operator. Again, at 3 o'clock, Gen. Nc
Cook was at the telegraph office. 1t was
through his energy that at $50 o'clock on
the morning of the 18th Gen. Sherman
was Informed of the attack upon Resaca.
GEN. RAUM ORDERED TO HOLD REsACA
TO THE DEATH.
The effect of this news upon the General
was electrical. He sent me the following
message, partly by wire, the rest Of the
way by train:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field.
Rome, Ga, Oct. ID, 1864.
"Gen. Raum, Resaca: Hold Resaca to
the death. l will send you achievements
by cars and will come up.
Also the following:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field.
Rome, Ga, Oct. ID, 1864.
Gen. Raum, Resaca: Have as many
bridges finished for our use as you can
by tomorrow morning; also gain all posi-
BILE intelligence of the movements of the
enemy; ascertain if Snake Greek Gap be
held in force or not, and generally every
thing that will enable me to arrive ut a
correct judgment. Try and get a mes
senger through the mountains with as
much verbal intelligence as possible of
our movements. will try and get through
today.
''W. T. SHERMAN,
"MajOr-General, Commanding"
Gen. Hood had manuvered his forces
with such skill that he had deceived Gen.
Sherman as to his intentions, and had
drawn the Union commander and his army
to Rome, while he with his whole force,
except brigade of cavalry, was moving
with great dispatch against Resaca and
points north of that place. Gen. Hood
thus gained three days time for his raid
in force against our railroads. Gen. Hood
had his three corps and Wheeler's Caval-
ry present with him. Gen. Lees Corps
operated against Resaca, Gen. Stewards
Corps against Tilton, and Gen. Cheat
points beyond. Gen. Hood had his head
quarters in Sugar Valley near Resaca du-
ring the 18th, but moved up to Dalton and
demanded the surrender of that post on
the 18th, while at the same time Gen.
Stewart demanded the surrender of the
post and garrison at Tilton.
GEN. SHERMAN HURRIEs FORWARD TROOPS
TO GEN. RAUM.
Upon receiving information that Hoods
army was on the railroad at Resaca, Gen.
Sherman took immediate steps to move
against him. Gen. Sherman issued the fol- |
lowing orders to Gems. Howard and STAN |
ley:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field.
Rome, Ca, Oct. IL, 1864.
Seen. Howard: Start at once for Re |
SAGA. l have word from Gen. Raum that |
he still holds the place, but needs help. !
He says you did not leave a brigade in |
in consequence of which he has |
not been reinforced.
wv. T. SHERMAN,
"Major-G General, COMMANDING"
Headquarters Military Division of the |
Mississippi.
Rome, Ga, Oct. ID, 1864.
"CReceived 2 p. M
'Gen. Stanley: March for Resaca at |
once, taking the road by McGuire's. III
have word from Gen. Raum that he holds |
the place.
'W. T. SHERMAN,
''Major-Gener
These orders covered the troops of the
Armies Of the Tennessee and Cumberland,