The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1906-04-05

, Gen. Hood then restated the reasons,
and said that Gen. Polk could not hold
his line an hour. Nor could he (Hood)
hold his two hours IL attacked in the
morning. Leut.-Gen. Polk again ex-
planned the facts as existed in refer
ence to his line. and stated his will
lngness to assume the offensive at any
time. then or in the morning, rather
than to await the attack Of the enemy
in his (Polks) present position. Upon
these points Lieut.-Gens Polk and
Hood entirely agreed, urging the Often
siVe rather than await the enemy.
Orders to Retreat.
"Lieut.-Gen. Hardee made but few,
II any, remarks that l heard. After a
few moments Gen. Johnston gave the
orders for the armies to move to the
south side Of the Etowah. I.ieut-Gen.
Polk called to his A. A. General to
Issue orders to his division command
ers. This was about 1890 or IL o'clock.
THE orders to Maj.-Gen. Loring,
Army OF Mississippi. were given me to
deliver; also one to him to order to re-
port to me an officer with 800 men to
occupy the exposed part Of Mai-Gen
French'S line, as soon as his command
was withdrawn.
Il was instructed by Gen. Polk to
place this detail along that part Of the
ilne' ana keep up such fires as would
indicate the presence OF the withdrawn
command, and to cut timber and drive
stakes to indicate that works were be-
ing thrown up, and to remain there
until daylight and observe the move
ments or the enemy before leaving. /
went at once to Gen. Loring's head
quarters on the left Of the Cassville
road, saw that General, and delivered
the orders; obtained the officer and de-
tail, and arrived at Gen. French's line
about 1880 o'clock. and found tina.
m n a rl1 To Hxr1 q
(midnigh) they had withdrawn and
the detail was posted with few men
out In front. 1t was a calm, clear,
starlight night. and the position Of the
enemy upon the opposite ridge was
clearly seen, without their fires. which
could be traced along their line, and
the cutting OF timber could be distinct
ly heard and located. In addition to
the enemy's location upon the crest Of
the ridge, and passing there or just in
front OF the town of Cassville and on
to the southwest, there were also strong
indications Of an advance line upon the
plane nearer to the foot OF the ridge
occupied by us, and their chopping and
driving rails was very distinct. and
their voices occasionally could be
heard.
1.-The work of the detail was kept up
through the night. At daylight I in
structed the officer to assemble his men
TO the rear. During this time Of pre-
pairing to leave the line I closely OBJ
served the enemy and his positions
through very strong field glass II
found that many OF their batteries |
along the ridge had been advanced,
and their principal and somewhat in
trenched line appeared to leave the |
ridge at q point about mile cast of |
Cassville. and passing to the southwest
fully half mile in front Of their lines
OF the previous afternoon. It appeared
that the enemy had been aware OF the |
movement OF the Confederate armies, |
and their line advanced during the |
night was now vacated, and there were
trains and artillery moving to the west |
upon the Kingston road and solid bod |
les OF infantry were moving In the same |
direction.
1.-THE detail having been assembled, |
placed them upon a by-road to Glass;
Vile Station on the main road to Car
tersville. ! instructed the officer to |
proceed to the south side OF the Etc. |
Wah River by way Of the Gainesville |
bridge. and to report back to his divi-
sion commander. I passed on to cross |
the river at the same point, arriving |
there about 1880 o'clock, and found |
the Army Of the Mississippi nearly over
to tho south side, which was completed |
by noon.
Very truly yours.
waiter ]. Morris, Late Captain, Engi-
neer Corps. G. s.. A.: Chief Engineer,
Army Of Mississippi.
IN. B-Inclosed herewith you viii |
md q map made by me from my notes /
taken at the time Of reconnaissance.
"Yours, etc., w. J. NJ"
Go be continusd.)