The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1903-02-12


nm inferior force. Let them wipe out this
impression. The fact that single regi
ment went out today where a division Of
cavalry would not venture elected univer
sal remark today. / was asked by n hun
dred where our cavalry was, and why il
did not reconnoiter instead of men on foot
Hood cannot move his wagons or artillery
now, nor can we. Threaten roads soutl
of him and the Etowah and l will sc
threaten him with our infantry that he
Will be in tight place.
yours, w. T. SHERMAN,
"Major-Gcneral. Commanding"
Gen. Hoods cavalry kept him well ad
vised of the Union advance; they were ac
tive and enterprIsing, moving from point
to point to keep up suci. show as Il
create the impression that Gen. Hood was
likely to attempt the passage of the Etc
wah River and attack either Kingston OF
Rome, while, in fact, he was marching
directly to the Coosa River with the in.
tention of putting that stream between
him and the Union army.
Gen. Hood moved his army from the
line of Dallas and New Hope Church Oh
the morning of Oct. Z. He exhibited nc
haste. With an easy march he reached
Van Vert and went into camp.
Gen. Hood obviously invited pursuit
The Fall rains had been continuous and
heavy, swelling all streams, and making
the roads ALMOST impossible; the troops,
however, could move where wagons and
artillery would stall. Gen. Sherman fully
realized the difficulty of attacking Hood
army, with the roads in such bad condi-
ton, but he pressed forward and made
such disposition of his forces as to pre-
vent the Confederate commander crossing
Etowah Liver and striking the railroad
at and north OF Kingston.
1t was quite impossible for anyone to
definitely determine what course Gen.
Hood might or would pursue; lie was in a
position to move south, north, or west, as
he might deem it advantageous.
PLANS OUTLINED TO sLoCUN.
Gen. Sherman decided to hold firmly to
what he had gained, and, if possible, get
the army of his antagonist into a corner
and give it battle. On the morning of
Oct. Z he communicated with Gen. SlocuIn.
These dispatches give an outline of his
plans and also of the military situation.
They are given below:
Headquarters Military Division Of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"kenesaw, Oct. z, 1864.
'Gen. Slocnm, Atlanta:
Il was out all day yesterday, and from
and what l could see and
hear, AllatoOna is safe. The enemy were
repulsed with a loss of over 500. Our
loss was also severe. Road less damaged
than estimated. 1t may be four or six
miles to be rebuilt. Enemy on our ap-
proach fell back to Dallas, and at dark
We held Kenesaw, Pine Hill
and Lost Mountain; and Hoods camps
and point Is miles southwest of Lost
Mountain. The supposition is he has sent
his cavalry up toward Kingston, but
think the high water will bother him.
Yesterday it rained in torrents, and the
roads were awful. 1t is now bright and
clear, and l will get to work on the road,
and will watch Mr. Hood close. Make
Atlanta safe beyond risk, and spare bri-
gade or part of brigade to hold the old
rebel works on the west bank of the Chat
tahOOchee, especially down about Turner's
Ferry. That point is very strong, and es-
sential to the perfect covering of the
railroad and bridges. will go on to repair
our roads. Grass is good, and our old
volunteer corn, which is excellent fodder.
You can find the same down about Peach
Tree. Keep me well posted, though you
cannot count on finding me in these chest
nut woods until after night. Please an
;wer now, as my telegraph operator sends
his, and can hunt me up if answer is i'm
portant. w. T. SHERMAN,
major General, Commanding"
ATLANTA, Oct. Z. 1864.
"Maj.-Gen. Sherman: Everything is
quiet here. The bridge will be
inished tonight. Are you willing should
'end strong foraging party southeast? l
hink it can be done safely.
II. w. SLoCUM, MajOr-General."
Headquarters Military Division of the
Mississippi, in the Field,
"Kenesaw, Oct. Z, 1864.
Gen. Slocum, Atlanta:
Have official intelligence from Ala
coma. A very hard fight, but complete
success. COrse arrived from Rome that
morning just in time with reinforcements.
His loss fOOts up near 600, and he reports
l5O rebel dead buried by him, and $50
prisoners. All our cattle, 5000, are in ut
partly washed away, but will be done
loon. Don't hear of any enemy up the
Dad. The road is well torn up between
his and AllatOona, and l will get to work
o repair it. Put your men to work hard,
or Hood has gone off south and may
wing round on you, but will not learn
ill late tonight the exact route he took.
Dur cavalry is now at Powder Springs
ind New Hope Church and pushing to-
ward Dallas. w. L. SHERMAN,
"Major-General."
1t has been heretofore stated that Gen.
Sherman was not well satisfied with the
'esults of the operations of his cavalry.
Their raids against the railroads of the
enemy had not produced any serious dis
urbance to transportation, and in the
lighting, during those raids, the cavalry
llways got the worst of it.
1t is now well known that both sides
we're well prepared for the repair of rail-
Dad tracks and. that destroying three or
our miles of railroad caused but tenn
'orary disturbance; therefore mere raid
that is, a sudden and hasty passage of
lrmy, while exciting great interest, was
and severely dealt with. The
.avalry of the Union Army of Georgia
vas composed of as fine a body of men
IS could be found in the country, and were
ed by men Of proud courage and ability,
md when operating upon anything like
quail terms with the enemy they were
but they could not attack forti-
led works, nor cope with cavalry well
by infantry and artillery.
UNMERITED CENsURE OF CAVALRY COM
MANDERs.
Gen. Sherman had been somewhat free
n discussing their failures, all Of which
Don came to the notice Of the cavalry
and they felt considerably
Worried over it. Gen. Elliott, a most eff
lent officer, who commanded all the cav
Try, felt this censure keenly, as will be
cen from his dispatch to Capt. Dayton,
id-de-Ca to Gen. Sherman. given he-