The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-03-05


went to Chattanooga. The railroad was
destroyed from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, Il
distance of % miles, making, with the
road destroyed by Stewards Corps south
of AliatOona, 81 miles of road utterly dis
mantled. ties, cuverts and bridges burnt
and rails bent, besides all the railroad
material accumulated along the road de-
stroyed and all the stations burnt. To re-
place this track. with the sidings, required
at least 100000 cross-ties.
Steps were mt once taken to reconstruct
this road. Col. Wright who had charge
of railroad repairs. was at Chattanooga.
He comprehended the situation and with
out a moments delay made provision for
the railroad iron to lay the track.
Col Watkins's Brigade was placed upon
active duty. The 10th iii. rejoined the
Third Brigade of Gen. Fullers Division
when it reached Resaca, and the seth Ill.
returned to its duty at Calhoun and
Adairsville, guarding the railroad. Gen.
Slocum, anxious to hear the news from
our new front, telegraphed ME on the
evening of the 18th, and l replied. The
dispatches are given below:
I, Headquarters Twentieth Corps.
atlanta. Ga, Oct. 16. 1864; 6:30 p. m.
Commanding Officer, Resaca:
Can you give me any information as
to the operations of our army or Hoods,
and Of the amount of damage done to the
railroad from Resaea north?
III. w. SLoCUM,
"Major-General, Commanding"
"Resaca, Oct. 16, 1864.
"Gen. Siocunl, Atlanta: 1851
Hood went north from here to Tunnel
Hill with two corps. Captured the garri-
sons at Tilton and Dalton, and destroyed
railroad. Passed west through Buzzard
RQost, while Lee held Snake Greek Gap.
Lee moved west through Ships Gap; left
two brigades at Snake Greek Gap, which
retreated before the deliberate prepara-
lions to dislodge them. Before Gen. STAN
ley could reach their rear they crossed the
mountain north, along bride paths. Gen.
Sherman is at Snake Creek Gap. Head
of column near Villanow. Gen. SchO-
field is at Chattanooga with 5000 men.
All goes well. GREEN b. RAUM,
'.Brevet Brigadier-General."
1t is due to the men who defended Re-
SAGA that a clear account should be given
Of the splendid services performed ON that
occasion, when body of 1000 men, after
ward reinforced to $500. held at bay an
army corps of veteran troops led by so
distinguished a soldier as Lieut.-Gen.
Stephen ID. Lee. Col. Watkins and Col
TillsOn were. too much occupied later on
upon his immediate commanders to do JUS
tice to the S0th Ohio.
1t is proper to state that all of these
troops performed their duty with COM
mendable courage and fOrtitude. Col.
Viewer and Lieut.. Col. Hall have made re-
ports.
COL. VIEWERS REPORT ON DEFENSE OF
REsACA.
The following quotation is made from
the report of Col. Viewer:
II would state that in compliance with
orders from Bvt. Brighten. Green b.
Raum, assumed command Of the Second
Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Corps,
on the LIST instant, headquarters at Resaca,
Ga. The garrison at that post consisted
Of the S0th Ohio, Lieut.-COl. p. Metham;
two companies of the 10th Mo-, Capt. j.
w. Strong; two companies 9th Ky. Cav.
Capt. COffman, and Il garrison battery of
four guns, commanded by Lieut.. Samuel
Winsor and manned by details from the
brigade. The garrison at TiltOn. six miles
distant, was composed of the 18th Iowa,
commanded by Lieut. S. Nj. Archer,
and numbering 290 muskets. At point
midway two companies of the 10th Mo-,
guarding construction camp, occupied
small stockade. The seth ILL.,, Lieut.-Col.
]. =. Hall, were stationed at Calhoun and
Adairsville. From the date at which /
assumed command until the action on the
18th and 18th inst. information was re-
ceived daily from citizens and other
sources that Hoods army was moving
northward, and in anticipation of an at
tack either upon this point or some point
occupied and held by my command every
available means was made use Of to
our position, so as TO make the
most obstinate resistance possible with the
force at hand. At Resaca new riie-pits
were made. the old ones deepened and re-
pared, and rude palisades set around the
works until we considered them quite for
midable."
COL. HALLS REPORT.
1t will be recalled that Col. Hall was
directed to establish skirmish line west
of town. This he did. and met the ad-
vance of the enemy. 1t is at this point his
narrative is taken up. He says:
"At this time mounted force was
plainly seen in line along the road beyond
the creek. Twice they advanced, but were
as often repulsed by Cos. f and G, which
were now within 100 yards of the bridge.
/ again reported to Col. Viewer the condi-
the enemy were in force too
strong for me to safely venture farther
and were endangering my right and left
tanks. At the request of Capt Samuel