The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-12
A FUTILE COUNTERMOYE.
Copyrieht,.a. 1871 by the III

Copyrighttd 1901 by the publi
A FUTILE COUNTERMOVE.
Sherman Refuses to Be Drawn Back From
Misunderstanding His Communications.
1t is quite clear that Gen. Hood acted
with unusual caution.
On the night of Oct 4. while Gen
French with his division was marching
northeast upon Allatoona, Gen. Stewart
. with two divisions, the balance of his
corps. drew off from the railroad south OF
Allatoona and marched southwest 10 join
the main body of the army at Lost Noun
tain. On the morning of Oct. ., when
Gen. French was attacking Allatoona,
Gen. Stewart was going into camp in front
of Lost Mountain.
: On the night of Oct. 5 Gen. Hood had
full particulars of Gen. French's disaster,
and Immediately issued orders for the
day to Dallas. 1t is quite clear that Gen.
Hoods plan was to avoid general en-
gagement.
HOOD ABANDoNs LOST MOUNTAIN.
At an early hour on the morning of
Oct. 6 Gen. Hood abandoned his position
in front of Lost Mountain, and moving
westward established a line from Dallas
to New Hope Church. His army was
now back substantially upon the same
ground it had been forced to abandon on
July 4.
Their front then was toward the west,
from which point Gen. Sherman's army
was making its attack; now, however, the
front was toward the east. Gen. Hood
plan now was to draw Gen. Sherman af-
ter him, south of the Etowah River.
Gen. Sherman was anxious to bring
Gen. Hood to bay before lie could cross
Tho Etovah CnaSo Rivors Ho folf COR.
tain that if he could his willy antag-
onist into a position where he would be
compelled to give battle, that lie would
efectually, destroy his army. But Gen.
Hood had the option of giving or declin-
ing both; he had taken the offensive, and
it was for Gen. Sherman to do the guess
ing as to his intentions.
DEFENSE OF ATLANTA.
On Oct. 6 Gen. Sherman issued orders
to his commanders. He gave the follow
ing instructions to Gen. Slocum concern
ing the protection Of Atlanta:
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
Near Marietta, Oct. 6, 1864.
Gen. Slocum. Atlanta:
'TEe bridge and railroad is the part of
your task which l deem most important
Hood has no army on that side now that
can invest Atlanta. but he may dash at
exposed points. Keep q line of videts
along down the Turner's Ferry road south
of PrOctor's Creek. Keep an infantry
line on its north side, especially at the
bridge across PrOctor's Greek near its
mouth, where the river road crosses it.
l ordered so men there as / passed At
the bridge defenses you should have one
of your best Brigadiers, and the works
should be much strengthened with two bat
teries well supplied with ammunition. A
good line of pickets should hold the old
rebel line, with regiment on the ex-
IRENE left at Turner'S Ferry, guarding
the lower Nickajack Bridge, and a good
picket on the signal hill at Winnings. All
should on the approach of an enemy re-
sist as long as possible, and then rally at
the bridge head. l am not yet positive as
to the fate of Allatoona, but viii find out
today. w. 7. SHERMAN,
jor-General, Commanding"
. Following is Gen. Slocum's reply:
: ATLANTA, Ca, Oct. 6, 1864.
"Maj. Gen. Sherman, Marietta:
dispatch of this q. m. received and
obeyed. Perfectly quiet here; new line
done; our position very strong. Can do
anything to help you? can safely send
out brigade to destroy bridges.
"SLoCUM, Major-General."
The movements of the army were very
much imnadad NV tba hod ,nnJ;.;o,, ,e a..
roads. Leavv ra;rs h.S .aar,til, eau vi inc
that The Gods n,ara 0 .Iueen. .anen, ~
for n t;Ilarv ond r.ran. M iipassapie
vera nsaJ 70 ra;n onS ,nnJ 90 -. .op 20
forward bmt their odvanca AH wos sou nooa ~
sariiy SLOW az II .ros not COT. "a on ueNvs
for tho Confado-o, a @ SUI 1850; ~ enSU o;.t
ant art;lIerv Amy Az p''''ion Win
GEN. SHERMAN PLANS CAVALRY OPERA
TONS.
To Gen. Howard and n Can Gov Con
Sherman sent the following letters.
"tJ,.a.o-.. ,r:,:.. -.
aH nly Dxisi9n ot the
s'i' ssI IN lne Leiu, 800.
enssa"' oel. o. ioo7'
theceiveo o:oU a. m, Ith-l
Seen. Howard: Order Fitzpatrick il he
can cross Sweet Water to dash at Powder
Springs and then turn toward any or all
the roads leading south from Dallas.
Hood is about New Hone covering a arfv
of cavalry sent to cross the Etowah and
to act against orr roads there. I have
there, but Gen. Corse was wounded in the
face, losing cheek bone and an ear. II
want you to impress on fitzpatrick the i'm
portance of operating RAPIDLY and boldly
against the roads by, which Hood can
alone move south; not to attack infantry
In position, but to hang about them as
their cavalry does about MS and To nick
nm ennuyb r,;,onoro =. -,