The National tribune., 1906-05-10
TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON THURSDAY 1906
the left flank and add to the right"

the left flank and add to the right"
Thus was situated the Federal army
at the close OF night on the 21st; 1t was
but partially intrenched; Schofield and
Mcpherson were still separated from
Thomas, and at such distance as to
compel them to make a detour of about
IL miles in order to reach the latter
in time OF need.
The Confederate army occupied the
same position at dark as prior to the
attack Of the Goth. The new line
around the city. however. had been
chosen; each corps commander fully
advised Of the ground assigned to him,
and the special duty devolving upon
him: working parties had been detailed
In advance from the corps Of Stewart
and Cheatham and from the Georgia
State troops; rations and ammunition
had been issued, and Hardee's Corps
instructed to be in readiness to move
at a moments warning.
The demonstrations of the enemy
upon our right, and which threatened
to destroy the Macon Railroad-our
main line for receiving supplies-ren-
dered it imperative that l should check
Immediately his operations in that di-
rection: otherwise Atlanta was doomed
to fall at very early day. Although
the attack OF the goth had caused Sher-
man to pause and reflect. 1 do not think
he would have desisted extending his
left toward our main line Of commune
cation had not the events occurred
which / am about to narrate.
Plans for July 22.
AS already stated, every preparation
had been carefully made during the
day of the 21st. had summoned,
| moreover, to my headquarters the three
corps commanders, Hardee. Stewart
| and Cheatham. together with Maj. Gen.
Wheeler, commanding Cavalry Corps,
and Maj. G. w Smith, command
ing Georgia State troops The follow
ing minute instructions were given in
the presence of all assembled, in order
that each might understand not only
his own duty. but likewise that of his
brother corps commanders; by this
means l hoped each officer would know
what support to expect from his neigh
Dor in the hour of battle.
Stewart, Cheatham and G.. w. Smith
were ordered to occupy soon after dark
the positions assigned them in the new
line round the city. and to intrench as
| thoroughly as possible. Gen. Shoupe,
Chief of Artillery, was ordered to mass
artillery on our right. Gen. Hardee
was directed to put his corps in mo-
! ton soon after dusk: to move south on
the McDonough road across Entrench-
ment Creek, at Cobb's Mills. and to
completely turn the left of McPher-
sons army and attack at daylight, or as
soon thereafter as possible. He was
furnished guides from Wheeler's Cav
airy, who were familiar with the vari-
o,s roads in that directions: was given
clear and positive orders to detach his
corps. to swing away from the main
body of the army, and to march en-
tirely around and to the rear of Nc
pherson's left flank, even If he was
forced to go to Or beyond Decatur,
which is only about six miles from At
lanta.
Naj-Gen. Wheeler was ordered 10
! move on Hardee's right with all the
cavalry at his disposal, and to attack
with Hardee at daylight. Gen. Cheat
lam, who was i'm line of battle on the
right and around the city, was instruct
Ell to take up the movement from his
right as soon as Hardee succeeded in
forcing back or throwing into confu-
zion the Federal left, and to assist in
driving the enemy down and back
Upon Peach Tree Creek. from right to
/ left. Gen. G.. w. Smith would thereupon
| ioin in the attack. Gen. Stewart, posted
on the left. was instructed not only to
!! occupy and keep a strict watch upon
thomas, in order to prevent him from
! wing aid to Schofield and Mcpherson,
| hut to engage the enemy the instant
| the movement became general; j. e., as
| soon as Hardec and Cheatham succeed
ed i'm driving the Federals down Peach
/ rec creek ana near Ills T1Snt. In0uRn
! the movement assigned Gen. Hardee on
this occasion was a very simple one, it
| Is. as l have remarked In my reply to
| Cen: Johnston. rare to find one out of
| % brave division commanders who is
| capable Of swinging away from the
| ''ain army and attacking in rear, as
! 's,ckson did at Second Manassas and
! charlottesville. The march. however,
! \ this instance was so shOrt-Decatur
| eing only six miles from Atlanta, and
| 'ur cavalry had so often passed back
nd forth over the roads, day and night,
bringing dispatches from Wheeler to
my headquarters. and consequently
/ T"re so thoroughly familiar with the
| 'iffcrent routes. that / considered Har-
| 'ea's move one merely within the lines
| If our cavalry; that no special quality,