The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-04-16
THE ADVANCE OF suERMAN's ARMY TOWARD MILLEDGEvLLE

preston that the Army. which was now
| west of the Ocmulgee River, had for its
objective the city of Macon, which is stu
ated on the west bank of that stream.
| The activity of Kilpatricks Cavalry
| cleared the enemy from our front. and the
Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps marched
forward without encountering opposition
On the night of the 10th the entire Fiji
teenth Corps was assembled around the
town of McDonough, the Third Division
having marched through Rough and Ready
and Stockbridge. The Seventeenth Corps
still retained its position on the left. the
two corps, however. marching in the same
direction and constantly in supporting dis
tance.
On the 18th the Fifteenth Corps moved
forward in one column tor Locust Grove,
where two columns were formed for the
march to Planters Factory. on the Ocmul-
gee River; Gems. Woods and HaZen. with
their divisions. marching via Indian
Springs and Gems Smith and Corse via
Jackson. Gen. Osterhaus pushed the 10Th
Mo. (mounted). commanded by Col. Joseph
S. Gage on duty at Corps Headquarters.
through to the river and secured both
banks for the pontoon bridges. The next
morning, Nov. IS. Lieut.-COl. William
Tweddale, LIST Mo. Engineers, began lay
ing the pOntoon bridges with his command.
His five companies of engineers knew their
business well; the work progressed with
great rapidity and soon the bridge was
completed. ..
THE THIRD DIVISION CROSSES THE
OCMULGEE RIVER.
When the bridge was laid Gen. Smith.
with the Third Division. marched over.
This was the first of the large streams the
army had to cross. We took a defensive
position some distance in front to protect
At - III xe,% nr al
army made the passage.
The balance of the Fifteenth Corps re-
manned in their camps.
As soon as the Third Division had
gained the east bank of the Ocmulgce
the Seventeenth Corps, led by Gen. Blair,
began crossing.
All night long these troops, with their
artillery and wagon trains. kept up their
| march across the bridge. 1t was not until
100 on the morning of the 10Th that they
had completed the passag Of the rive.
The Seventeenth Corps was thus given
the advance, with orders 10 move direct
upon Gordon. a town situated at the juno
ton of the MilIedgeville Branch OF the
Macon & Savannah Railroad.
Gems. HaZen and Woods. with their di-
visions of the Fifteenth COrps. immedi-
| ately followed the Seventeenth Corps
across the bridge, and marched toward
| Clinton, with Ger. Smiths Division in the
| advance, our troops taking the road to
| Clinton as soon as the Seventeenth Corps
| passed, and camped at HillsbOro that
night.
1t now became Gen. Kilpatrick's turn to
cross the river. He marched rapidly from
his reconnaissance against Forsyth.
reached the river as the troops of Hazcns
D:visiOn were completing the passage and.
h0rryiDg across the bridge with Col. At
kins's Brigade, pushed forward. marching
30 miles, and camped at Clinton for the
night. Col. Murray, with his brigade.
camped IA miles to he rear. but marched
into Clinton early the next day. leaving.
however, the I'd Ky. Cav. at the Ocmuigee
in charge of the division wagon train.
Gen. Corses Division now became the
real guard of the army. Iie was encum-
bered with 5000 head of beef cattle. 300
wagons belonging 10 the cavalry and the
pOntoon train, all in addition TO his own
wagon train.
Kilpatrick with his cavalry and
Osterhaus with three divisions of the
Fifteenth Corps, all now near Clinton.
were under orders TO demonstrate upon
Macon and to seize and destroy the rail
road so that it could not be used by the
enemy.
coSFEDERATEs WELL INFORMED REGARD
ING sIIERMAN's MOVEMENTS.
The Confederate cavalry and scouts had
kept close watch upon the Union army
and were abb, to keep the commanding
Generals ut distance well Informed as
to the position and movements of the diff
ferent columns from day to day.
The following dispatches from Beaure-
gard and Hardee show that they were
kept well informed Of the military situa-
ton:
"Corinth. Nov. 10. 1864.
Seen. s. Cooper. Adjutant and Inspector
General:
"Gen. Wheeler teiegraphs from Griffin.
on 18th, that enemy are turning their
columns on shortest route to Macon and
| scouts from enemy's rear report Four
teenth Corps crossing Chattahoochee to
join Sherman. giving him four corps. This
information has been communicated to
Gen. Hood.
1T is left optional with him to divide
and reinforce Cobb, or take the offensive
Immediately to relieve him.
&c. T.. BEAUREGARD.''
-, s.,T y. fMacon. Nov. 10. 1854. !,
"Hon. James A. Sedden, Secretary of
sMarse'..s' 49, - .yffa
There is great scarcity Of arms in Geergia
and South Carolina tn meet tho apamy II