The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-01-01
TERRITORY GAINED BY THE SUMNER OF HARD FIGHTING

east a strong detachment of Gen. Davis's
CORPS to feel for the railroad. Gen. Scho-
field was also ordered to move boldly for
ward and strike the railroad near Rough
and Ready.
"These movements were progressing
during the 31st, when the enemy came out
of his works at J0nesborO, and attacked
Gen. Howard in position, as described.
Gen. Howard was admirably situated to
receive him, and repulsed the attack thor
oughly. The enemy attacked with Lee
and Hardee's Corps, and after a contest
of over two hours withdrew, leaving over
400 dead on the ground, and his wounded,
of which about 300 were left in Jones'
boro, could not have been much less than
$500. Hearing the sounds Of battle at
JOnesborO about noon, orders were renew
ed to push the other movements on the
left and center, and about 4 p. m. the re-
ports arrived simultaneously that Gen.
Howard had thoroughly repulsed the
enemy at JonesborO; that Gen. Schoheld
had reached the railroad a mile below
Rough and Ready and was working up the
road, breaking it as he went, that Gen.
Stanley, of Gen. Thomas's army, had
also got tie road below Gen. Schofeld
and was destroying it, working south. and
that Gen. Baird, of Gen. Dayis's Corps,
had struck it still lower down within four
miles of JCnesboro.
Orders were at once given for all the
army to turn on Jonesboro, Gen. Howard
to keep the enemy busy while Gen.
Thomas should move down from the
north, with Gen. Schofeld on his left. l
also ordered the troops as they moved
down to continue the thorough destruction
Of the railroad, because we had it then,
and / did not know but that events might
divert our attention.
ssGau Cara rd' G cavalry was directed N
watch the roads to our rear and north.
Gen. Fitzpatrick was sent south down the
| west bank Of the Flint, with instructions
to attack or threaten the railroad below
JenesbOro. / expected the whole army
would close down ON Jonesboro by noon
of the LIST Of September. Gen. Davis's
Corps having the shorter distance to
| travel, was ON time, and deployed facing
south, his right in connection with Gen.
Howard and his left on the railroad. Gen.
Stanley and Gen. Schofeld were coming
down along the Rough and Ready Road
and along the railroad, breaking it as they
came. When Gen. Davis joined to Gen.
Howard, Gen. Blairs Corps. on Gen.
Towards left, was thrown in reserve, and
was Immediately sent well to the right be-
low Jonesboro to act against that flank,
About p. N. Gen. Davis was all ready
and assaulted the eaemy's lines across
open fields, carrying them very handsome
ly and taking as prisoners the greater
part of Govan's Brigade, including its
commander, with two 4-gun batteries.
Repeated orders were sent to Gems.
Stanley and SchOfield to hurry up. but
the difficult nature of the country and the
absence of roads are the reasons assigned
why these troops did not get well into
position for attack before night rendered
further operations impossible. OF course
the next morning the enemy was gone,
| and had retreated south.
About 2 o'clock that night the sounds
Of heavy explosions were heard in the d.
rection of Atlanta, distant about 20 miles,
| with a succession OF minor explosions and
what seemed like the rapid firing of cannon
and musketry. These continued about an
hour. and again about 4 a. m. occurred an
other series Of similar discharges appar-
ently near US, and these sounds could be
accounted for on no other hypothesis than
OF a night attack on Atlanta by Gen. Slo-
cum, or the blowing up Of the enemy's
magazines. Nevertheless, at daybreak, on
finding the enemy gone from his lines at
Jonesboro, ordered general pursuit
south, Gen. Thomas following to the left
Of the railroad, Gen. Howard on its right,
and Gen. Schofeid keeping off about two
miles to the east.
Eve overlook the enemy again near
Lovejoy Station IN strongly intrenched
position. with his TANKS well protected be-
hind branch of Walnut Greek to the right
and continent to the Flint River to his
left. We pushed close up and reconnoit-
cred the ground and found he had evil
IDENTIFY halted to cover his communication
with :Ee McDonough and Fayetteville
road.
| 'Rumors began to arrive, through pris-
oners captured, that Atlanta had been
abandoned during the night of Sept. 1;
that Hood had blown up his ammunition
trains, which accounted for the sounds so
plainly heard by us, and which were yet
unexplained; that Stewards Corps was
then retreating toward McDonough, and
that the militia had gone off toward Cow
ingtOn. 1t was then too late to inter-
pose and prevent their escape, and was
satisfied with the substantial success al
ready gained. Accordingly ordered the
work Of destroying the railroad to cease,
and the troops to be held in hand ready
| for any movement that further informa-
ton from Atlanta might warrant.