The National tribune., 1906-05-24


vantageous to prevent OF delay the ex-
tension of the enemy's right flank. This
| officer promptly obeyed orders, and
came unexpectedly in the afternoon in
| contact with the Federals in the vicinity
| of Ezra Church, where a spirited en-
gagement ensued. The enemy was al
ready in possession of a portion of the
ground Lee desired to occupy, and the
| struggle grew to such dimensions that
sent Lieut.-Gen. Stewart to his sup
port. The contest lasted till near sun
set without any material advantage
having been gained by either opponent
Our troops failed to dislodge the enc
my from their position, and the Fed
erals likewise to capture the position
occupied by the Colfederates. Although
the actual loss was small in proportion
to the numbers engaged, Gems. Stewart.
Brown, Loring and Johnson were slight
ly wounded. 1 desired of Lieut-Gen.
Lee an opinion as to the manner in
which our troops had conducted them
selves upon the field. In answer to my
request he replied that he could not
succeed in bringing about united action;
whilst one brigade fought gallantly, an
other failed to do its duty. 1 learned
afterwards that such indeed was the
case, Notwithstanding he had led one
or more to the attack, and had even
offered to lead others. Although this
affair occurred subsequent to the i'm
provement Of the morale of the army
and the check TO desertions, which had
resulted from the battles Of the 21st
and 22d, the lack of spirit manifested
in this inetarce will convey 1ust idea
of the Ets.ta of the army at this De-
riod.
In reference to the non-capture of
the position held by the enemy, he saws
in his official report:
IL am convinced that II all the troops
had displayed equal spirit, we would
have been successful, as the enemy's
works were slight, and, besides, they
had scarcely gotten into position when
we made the attack"
Wheeler After the Federal Cavalry.
Whilst these operations were in prog
ress, Wheeler and Jackson were in hot
pursuit of the Federal cavalry, Gen.
Lewis's infantry brigade having been
sent to Jonesboro, the point about which
supposed the raiders would strike our
communications.
AT an early hour on the 2sth dis
patches were received from various
points upon the Macon road to the ef-
feet that Gen. Wheeler had successfully
checked the enemy at Latimer's and
was quietly awaiting developments On
our left the Federals succeeded In elud-
ing with our main body. whilst their
main force moved round to the rear.
and cut the telegraph lines at Fairburn
and Palmetto. Gen. jackson, however
soon discovered the ruse. and marched
rapidly toward Fayetteville and Jones' |
boro, the direction in which the Fed |
erals had moved. The enemy succeed |
ed in destroying a wagon train st the
FORMER place, in capturing one or two
Quartermasters who afterwards made !
their escape, and in striking the Macon |
road about four miles below Jonesboro,
when the work of destruction was he
gun in earnest.
Gen: Lewis, within three hours after
receiving the order, had placed his men
on the cars, and was In Jonesboro with
ms brigade, ready for action. Mean |
time jackson was coming up with his
cavalry, when the Federais became
alarmed and abandoned their work. but
not without having destroyed about a |
M ihiIe ana half OF the road, which was
promptly repaired.
While Jackson followed in pursuit
ana Lewis returned to Atlanta. Wheel
er moved across from Latimer's with q |
poriloh or his command. in rear of this
body OF the enemy leaving Gen. Iver-
son TO pursue Gen. Stoneman. who |
aiter somewhat further damaging the
Augusta road, and burning the BRIDGES
ttcOnEe
River, had moved against Macon
Ihese operations had been ordered |
by Gen. sherman upon a grand scale.
picked men and horses had been placed |
under tho command of Gems. McCook
ana stoneman, with the purpose TO de-
stroy our sole line of communication
and to release, at Andersonville, "a 0OO |
Federal prisoners to ravage and piliage
the country.
Capture OF stoneman.
These raiders. under McCook. came
In contact with Gen. Roddy's Cavalry
at Newman, and were there held I'm |
check till Wheeler's and Jackson's
troops came up. whereupon the COM
bined FORCES. directed by Gen. Wheeler,
attacked the enemy with vigor ana de-
termination ana finally routed them.
whilst these operations were progress
Ing in tho vicinity of Newman, Gen.
Cobb was gallantIy repelling the as |
sauit ai stonemaa at Macon, When Iyer-