The National tribune., 1906-05-31

view 70 cross the creek. % 10 ondan-
gered the safety Of his corps when he
placed 1t In the angle formed by this
stream and the Chattahoochee, and thus
isolated himself from Schofield and Nc
Phsrson. His right should have rested
In the vicinity Of and have covered the
ford nearest the mouth OF Peach Tree
Creek, with Q line OF skirmishers ex-
tending to the Chattahoochee. and bat
teries in position at proper intervals in
rear Of this line, and likewise on the
north side OF the river. SO as to thor
oughly command the approaches to the
railway bridge. His right being estab-
lished at this ford, his left should have
been thrown back north of Decatur. and
his entire line strongly fntrenched. From
this position Of perfect safety he could
have made constant demonstrations
against the city, whilst Mcpherson and
Schofield destroyed the road to Augusta.
At the same time, by use OF the bat
teries near the mouth Of Peach Tree
Creek. and OF those on the north bank
Of the river. near the railway bridge.
he could have easily thrown division
across the creek. and have established
strong tete-de-pont on the south bank
Of the river. / would thus have been
forced to form line Of battle facing
Peach Tree. with no possible chance II
successfully assaulting the enemy at any
point. His right and rear would have
been covered by a deep and muddy
stream; his front protected not only by
breastwOrks, but also by one OF the
branches Of Peach Tree Creek. I could
not have attacked either his left or Nc
Pherson and Schoield, without march
ing out Of Atlanta and exposing our left
flank to Thomas. I would have been
compelled to abide quietly the destruc-
ton of one of our principal roads, with
out the ability to strike a blow in its
defense.
Another Plan.
After my loss of the Augusta road,
Mcpherson and Schofield should have
marched by the right flank down Peach
Tree, in rear OF Thomas's line, until
their right rested on the Chattahoochee,
and then have halted. Gen. Sherman
having his army thus massed. and we'll
in hand. in rear Of Peach Tree Creek,
should have thrown across the Chatta-
hoochee sufficient number OF pontoon
bridges to allow the easy and rapid pas
sage OF his troops; have sent two corps
OF ThOmas's army across and down the
Chattahoochee, on the northwest side,
to favorable crossing just below Camp
Creek or one Of the deep ravines or
creeks, heading in the direction of East
Point, and running toward the river
upon the southwest side: have laid pom
toOns. crossed over, and strongly in
trenched. Whilst this move was in
progress the main body should have
made heavy demonstrations along the
line OF Peach Tree to the Augusta road,
which diversion would have held my
army in position on the north side of
Atlanta.
The two corps below Camp Creek
having their line and outposts estab-
lished sufficiently in advance to allow
Thomas should have left the division in
the tete-de-pont protected by ditch and
abatis. whilst another division, with dis
mounted cavalry, occupied his position
on Peach Tree Creek with cavalry on
their left, and a few batteries to sup
dusk, with the remainder Of Lis army to
join the two corps below Camp Creek,
followed by Schofield and Mcpherson.
The transportation of the Federal
army having been previously parked on
the north side OF the Chattahoochee.
Gen. Sherman could with entire safety
have massed his army in the space OF
river, below this creek, as the two d.
visions left on Peach Tree had secure
place Of refuge in the tete-de-pont in
the event / had moved out in that di-
rection.
These preparations completed. he
should on the morning Of the morrow
have ordered the divisions and cavalry
along this stream to make demonstra-
tions against the city whilst Thomas
pushed forward in the direction of East
Potnt-changing front forward on his
left-and formed line OF battle with his
left flank resting as high up on Camp
Creek as 1t would afford protection
against its being turned. and his right
extending to or across the West Point
Railway: have instructed Schofield and
Mcpherson to move rapidly. as they
had done upon Decatur and the Augusta
road, to deploy on Thomas's right along