The National tribune., 1903-03-19

move through La Fayette and by the
direct road to Summervile, followed by
its ammunition train and ambulances.
I'll The Army of the Cumberland
will cross Ships Gap and take the road
to Summerville to the left and east of
that followed py the Army of the Ten
nessee. keeping abreast of and in commu-
nicatiOn with it.
iii. The Army of the Ohio will move
from Villanow down the Rome road,
across to Subligna, and thence by the
best road TO Summerville; it may take its
whole train.
''Iy. Gen. Garrard's cavalry will press
the rear of the enemy from the direction
of Dirt Town. and the brigade Of Col.
Watkins's cavalry will do the same from
the direction of La Fayette, each bear
ing in mind where their infantry sup
ports are. If possible the cavalry should
reach and destroy the wagon transpOrta-
ton of the enemy.
"V. The Armies Of the Cumberland
and Tennessee should have from three to
five days ratioEs in their haversacks and
beef on the hoof. and send their trains
down by way of Subligna and. Covers
Pass.
'yI. Rome will be our next point of
by order Of Maj-Gen. W. T. Sherman:
IL. NJ. DAYTON, Abide Camp"
SNAKE CREEK GAP.
On Oct. IA, while Gems. Stewart and
Cheatham were destroying the railroad
from Dalton to Tunnel Hill, Gen. Lee
with his corps took possession of Snake
Creek Gap, the great pass through the
Chat.oogata Mountain, northwest of
Resaca, and Gen: Hood crossed the noun
tain west of Dalton and established his
headquarters at Villanow, near the west
entrance Of Snake Creek Gap.
His plan was to hold Snake Creek
Gap against Sherman's army, so as to
give Stewart and Cheatham all the time
possible for the destruction of the railroad
before Sherman's army could attack them,
and time to cross the mountain from Dali
ton and Tunnel Hill into DOgwood Valley
and pass the west end Of the Gap.
This plan was carried out to the letter.
Gen. Stewart moved west from Dalton,
passed over the mountain into DogwOod
Valley, down this valley to Villanow,
thence west, crossing TaylOr's Ridge
through Ships Gap to La Fayette, thence
south on the Summerville road. Gen.
Cheatham marched southwest from Tun-
mel Hill crossed Taylors Ridge at Nicka-
jack Gap. and followed Gen. Stewart.
Gen. Hood removed his headquarters
on the 18th to the forks of the road about
nine miles south of La Fayette. where he
remained the 10th. When all Of these
troops were beyond danger Gen. Lee
moved out of the Gap and marched west
to Ships Gap, which he held for time.
ESCAPED PRISONERS SECURE IMPORTANT
INFORMATION.
On the night of the 18th / was able
to give Gen. Sherman information of the
movement of Gen. Stewards Corps which
l did by letter sent by a courier. Fol-
lowing is copy Of the letter:
| Headquarters Second Brigade, Third
Division, Fifteenth Corps.
"Resaca, Oct. 16. 1864: 6:30 u. IN.
| "Capt. L. NJ. Dayton. Abide Camp.
Captain: Two of the 18th Iowa pris-
oners bribed the guard last night between
8 and 8 o'clock some % miles from Coosa-
vile, Travelled all night, and arrived here
this p. IN. They report that Stewards
Corps. after leaving Dalton on the 14th
marched night and day, hurrying south
and would reach Coosaville tonight One
of the soldiers says he saw Stewart sew
eral times, and heard him tell Colonel
that two corps would go west from Tun.
mel Hill, his going south. The troops
were living on corn. After carefully
examining the men, / give it as my opin.
ion that they are not mistaken as tc
| SteWaTl SoTps, UeluS Will uiu WHeU tuey
escaped.
Every respectfully. your obedient ser
want, GREEN 3. RAUM,
| "Brevet Brigadier-G General"
On Oct II, the head of Gen. Sher
| mans great column Of troops passed
through Ships Gap. He hoped to over
take Gen. Hood at La Fayette, but Gen
Hood did not propose Mt this time and
place to risk general engagement. Or
the same day all Of his troops marched
south along all available roads. He went
down the Broomtown Valley road and
established his headquarters at a point
near Alpine. Gen. Sherman pursued with
his army, but with little prospect Of over.
taking his willy antagonist. Gen. Sherman
now had regular communication with Chat
tanooga by courier to Tunnel Hill, thence
by telegraph. On the 10Th Gen. Sher.
mans advance columns were at Alpine.
while Gen. Hood went into camp u few
miles from Gadsden, Ala. which place be
reached the next day, and remained there