The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-02-12

Major J. Z. Jcwett writes the follow
ing interesting letter to Colonel James
T. Holmes. formerly Of the Fifty-sec-
end Ohio:
Cadiz O., 81, 1904.
Ny Dear Colonel An article in, the
National Tribune September /, by
General Dodge, caused me 10 read
Van Horns history. On pages 2l0 and
l211 will be found General Thomass
plan to crush the rebel army at Dalton,
and on page 220 General Shcrmans
reason for moi adopting the plan. The
result was, as we know, Sherman Seut
half enough men for the work and 1T
was not done. Who was slow? Gen.
Dodge in his article says the battle TO
cross Feach Tree Creek commenced on
July 20, whereas you and | know and
Van Horn says. page 220. it commenc-
lea on the 19th You led the first
charge across the creek late that af-
;ernoon. General Raum briefly sketch
ed it i'm the National Tribune last year.
Dodge says Sherman urged Thomas
TO attack Atlanta on the 22d. a copy
Of Sherman's order on page 243, does
not show any such wish.
But General Sherman did urge
Thomas to attack on the 20th. after
taking two Of Thomas nine divisions
So that Thomas was left with seven
eighteenths of the army and met the
attack Of Hoods whole army. See
pages 24O-243 and Nevton'S state
mcnt and the order from Sherman to
Thomas TO press into Atlanta, as there
were no troops in his front. Now LEI
US ask General Dodge. why did not
Sherman with some part of the eleven
divisions attack Hoods right and rear
on that afternoon of July 20. 1854 !!
In Sherman's second volume he says
that he knew Hood meant fight.
l. i Iii.
airy on a Wiid-goose chase, and what
result would have followed If that
same cavalry, on McPherson'S right,
had struck Atlanta? Let any man
read Van Horns account, as reported
by Newton, of General Thomas that
afternoon OF July 20, and say who was
slow or sluggish. | Am surprised that
General Dodge should lend himself h
such erroneous statements.
Yours truly,
j. 3. JEWETT.
Niucty-cighth ONO.
Major Jewett, the writer, was the
son of Judge Thomas S. JcWett who
was tho first railroad magnatc OF east
eru Ohio. and was one of the best sol
diers which that State sent out. tie
keeps up "a deep interest in everything
relating to the war, more particularly
to tho Army Of the Cumberland, and
most particularly TO the Nincty-ciGhth
Ohio and the regiments Of his brigade.
Colonel J. r. Holmes, to whom he
writes. was another OF Ohio's excellent
soldiers. He went out in the Fifty
second Ohio, and several times COM
manded the regiment in some Of its
best achievements. General JET {.
Davis. commanding his division. says
of him at the opening of the Atlanta
campaign:
General Howard sent II force to|
operate on the north end of Tunnc!
Hill, while a strong line Of SirmiSher6
from McCook'S Brigade gallunt.y COM
handed by Major Holmes. Fitty-soc-
ond Ohio, attacked the cncmy's posi-
ton below the town near where the
road leading 10 Dalton crosses the hill.
These movements. assisted by the
action of the batteries. caused the
enemy TO withdraw from his position
and retreat toward Buzzard Roost
Col. James w. Langley. command
inS the brigade, says in reference tol
him AT Peach Tree Creek:
AT Peach Tree Creek the Fifty
second Ohio. commanded by Colonel
Clancy. with SkirmiShers, under COM
mand Of Major Holmes did nobly in
clearing the heights beyond tn" creek
and enabling the balance of the bril-
gadc 10 cross and form lines free from
TIL. cncmy'S fire. In the same engage
ment The Fifty-eighth Illinois. COM
mandcd by Major Rider advanced tol
within II few yards Of the enemys line,
but could not hold their position. The
loss to the regiment WAS heavy, but i'll
behaved manfully. The Twcuty-scc |
oId Indiana, commanded in the early
part OF this engagement by Major
Shea, stood, unsupported. the brunt oil
u heavy assault. and Welded only as
i was overroWered by superior num-
Iers. Major Shea was wounded and
the command fell 10 Captain Suod |
grass. Under whom il has been
most Of the time since. The conluct
OF this officer and his corn uand wa8l
all that could be asked in the late bat |
tie of Jonesboro, and as truly may |
say the same of the Fifty-second Ohio. .