The National tribune., 1903-02-19

celved. This was the message:
Rome. Ca, Oct. 10, 1864: 6:25 n. IN.
Maj. Gen. Sherman: Negro just from
COosaville reports Hood crossing his army
by pOntoon bridges to west bank of Coosa.
His pontOOn trains arrived there last night
about dark. Negro says infantry, artil-
lery and cavalry have all passed over it
during the night. He thinks, from what
he can learn, that they are coming to
Rome. The prisoners captured say they
are going to Kentucky, smashing our road
as they go.
John NJ. CoRsE, Brigader- General"
And following is Gen. Sherman's an
swer:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"AllatoOna, Oct. 10, 1864.
Gen. COrse, Rome:
~ All our armies are here ready to march
at an hours notice in case Hood crosses
the Etowah. Gems. Garrard and Kilpat-
rick are hanging about his rear, and in
the present stage of wafer l doubt if he
will attempt the Etowah, but he may.
Fight your men well behind parapets and
risk as few lives as possible. In case
he attacks l wish you to burn down every
house in Rome that interferes with your
range of fire. How far is it from Rome
to Cedartown? What kind of road?
"W. Il. SHERMAN, Major General"
All the information that was obtained
IN regard to Gen. Hoods movements came
to my headquarters at Gainesville Scout
ing parties We're sent out from Carriers
vile daily, accompanied by some of my
staff, so that we had as complete data as
any one upon which to form an opinion of
Gen. Hoods actual intentions. |. could
not conceive why he wished to capture
Rome; that place could not possibly be of
any military advantage to him, and to
cross the river to attack the place would
be too dangerous an experiment in the
face of an active enemy.
came to the conclusion that Gen. Hood
intended to strike our railroad higher up,
and that he would endeavor TO capture
Resaca. l reasoned that Gen. Hood
would cross the Coosa River and start
north near the Coosa and Ooostanaula and
suddenly strike Resaca, capture the gar
rlson, destroy the railroad bridge, fill his
wagons with rations, and break up as
much of the railroad as possible
l had already instructed Col. Viewer to
keep a sharp lookout, to strengthen his
works and call in the neighboring troops
if attacked.
On the morning of Oct. 10 1 sent to
Gen. Sherman's headquarters the follow
ing dispatch:
"Cartersville. Oct 10, 1864.
Capt L. NJ. Dayton. Abide Camp:
Il give it as my opinion that Hood in
tends to capture Resaca With bridges be-
ing gone from Rome, Gen. Corse is unable
TO scout the country west. The garrison
at Resaca is only 800, including all. Cav
airy troops could be sent there by railroad
today G. b. RAUM.
"Brevet Brigadier- General"
When the Confederate forces appeared
opposite Rome, the following telegraphic
communications passed between Gen.
Corse and Gen. Sherman:
'Rome, Ga, Oct. 10, 1864; / p. IN.
Maj .-Gen. Sherman: The enemy are
advancing on Rome on the Alabama road,
which runs parallel with the west bank
of the Coosa.
JOHN NJ. CoRsE, Brigadicr- G eneral."
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"Cartersville, Oct. 10, 1864.
Gen. Corse, Rome:
Telegram just received. Orders are all
out and troops marching for Rome, and
will make it in time if it is possible.
''W. T. SHERMAN,
Major General Commanding"
During the forenoon of Oct. 10 Gen.
Sherman rode up from Allatoona to Car.
tersyille and became guest at my head
quarters. His first inquiry was: "WelI,
what do you know" | replied that |
knew that Hood had crossed the COosa
River with his army on pontoon bridges
How do you know that!" was his next
question.
l then Informed him that 1 sent out
woman scout two days before; that she
had just returned, bringing the informa,
ton that she saw Gen. Hoods troops cross
the COOsa River. expressed to Gen.
of the woman, calling his attention to the
fact that she brought me information in
regard to the rebel movement against AL.
latoona. Gen. Sherman then very frankly
asked my opinion as to Gen. Hoods in.
tentions.
1 replied that I was decidedly of the
opinion that Gen. Hood would at once
move upon and try to capture Resaca
Gen. Sherman expressed an opinion t.
the contrary; he believed that Gen. Hood
would not venture so far north to his rear
l pointed out that the Oostanaula River
was at food tide, and would protect
pressed the opinion that if Gen. Sherman
would move rapidly upon Resaca he would
find Hood there and could probably bring
him to battle and have it out with him
But he decided that as Rome was being
threatened he would move to the relief OF
that place.
At Gainesville Gen. Sherman had the
following Geographic correspondence with
Gen. Corse:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"Cartersville, Oct. 10, 1864.
Gen. Corse, Rome:
Get your men into the strongest forts
and hold them. All my army is marching
hard straight for Rome. The Twenty
third Corps is now near Cassville, and |
will make the others march tonight. Il
not the Oostanaula too deep to be forded
doubt if Hood will put his army on this
side of the Oostanaula.
"W. T. SHERMAN,
"Major-G General Commanding"
Rome, Ga, Oct 10, 1864.
'Maj.-Gen. Sherman: My spies and de
serters report the following, which is cor
roborated in different ways: Hood ar
rived at CedartOwn yesterday morning
early and remained until IL M, cooking
two days rations. Commenced crossing
on two pontoon bridges at CoosavilIe al
daylight this morning. Wheeler crossed
one-half his forces first, followed by Lees
Corps and Hardees, leaving Stewards an(
the balance Of Wheeler's to cross to-mor
row morning. Their destination is Hunts
vile, etc. They are to attack Rome a
daylight, squelch me and get the stores
then continue the journey. | have haf
men and women in and through theil