The National tribune., 1906-05-10

the left flank and add to the right"
Thus was situated the Federal army |
at the close OF night on the 21st; ii was |
but partially intrenched; Schofield and |
Mcpherson were still separated from |
Thomas, and at such distance as to |
compel them to make 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 n 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 | should check
Immediately his operations in that di-
rection: otherwise Atlanta was doomed
to fall at a very early day. Although
| the attack of the 20th had caused Sher-
man to pause and reflect, | do not think
he would have desisted extending his
left toward our main line of communi-
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.-Gen. 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 I 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
| SO0n thereafter as possible. He was
! furnished guides from Wheeler's Cav
| airy, who were familiar with the vari-
! o,:s roads in that direction: was given
I clear and positive orders to detach his
! "orDs 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
! ram, who was in line of battle on the
right and around the city, was instruct
! el 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
ruon Peach Tree Creek, from right to
! left. Gen. G.. w. Smith would thereupOn
! iDn in the attack. Gen. Stewart. posted
nn the left, was instructed not only to
! occupy and keep "A strict watch upon
7 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 in driving the Federals down Peach
Tree Creek and near his right. Though
] the movement assigned Gen. Hardee on
MS occasion was very simple one, il
/ Is. as | have remarked in my reply to
i Cen. Johnston, rare to find one out of
| % brave division commanders who is
| capable of swinging away from the
7ain army and attacking in rear, as
-ackson did at Second Manassas and
! charlottesville. The march, however,
= = this instance was 50 short-Decatur
eng 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
i -0re So thoroughly familiar with the
| 'iffcrent routes, that | considered Har-
| 'ees move one merely within the lines
II our cavalry; that no special quality,