The National tribune., 1906-05-10

Accordingly Hardee's and Stewart's
Corps resumed their former positions.
Col. Freshman, Chief Engineer, was in
structed to examine at once the par
TALLY completed line of works toward
Peach Tree Creek. which Gen. Johnston
had ordered to he constructed for the
defense of Atlanta. and to report at the
earliest moment in regard to their fit
ness TO be occupied by Stewarts and
Cheatham's CORPS, together with the
Georgia State troops. under Gen. q. w.
Smith The report was received early
on the morning of the 21st, to the ef-
feet that the lines established by John
ston was not only too close to the city
and located upono too low ground. but
was totally inadequate for the purpose
designed: that Sheaman's line, which
extended from the vicinity of Decatur
almost to the Dalton Railroad, north Of
Atlanta. rendered necessary the con-
struction OF an entirely new line, and
upon more elevated ground.
The Chief Engineer was thereupon di-
rected to prepare and stake off new
line. and to employ his entire force, in
order that the troops might occupy the
works soon after dark on the night of
the 21st, and have time to aid in
strengthening their position before dawn
OF next morning. This task was soon
executed through the skill and energy
of Col Freshman and his assistants.
Gems. Stewart, Cheatham and Il. w.
Smith were instructed to order their
division and brigade commanders TO eX-
anime before dark the ground 10 be
occupied by their respective troops, so
as to avoid confusion or delay az tn"
time of the movement
Hardee Selected for the Chief Part
Gen. Hardee, who comman led the
,argest corps. and whose troops were
comparatively fresh, as they had taken
but little part in the attack of the pre-
vious day. was ordered to hold his
forces in readiness to move promptly at
dark that night-the 21St. / selected
Hardee for this duty, because Cheatham
had at that time but little experience
as q corps commander and Stewart had
been heavily engaged the day previous.
The position of the enemy during the
21st remained. | may say. u-c a1Se J.,
with the exception that Schofe'd and
Mcpherson had advanced slightly to-
ward Atlanta To transfer after dark
our entire line from the immediate
presence Of the enemy to another line
around Atlanta and to throw Eardee,
the same night. entirely to the rear and
flank of McPherson-as Jackson was
thrown in Il similar movement at Cham
Cc!lorsville and Sec ond ManaS 5as-and
t. initiate The offensive at daylight, re-
auired no small effort upon the part of
the men and officers. | hoped. however,
that the assault would result not only
in n general battle. but in a signal VIC
tory to our arms.
1t was absolutely necessary these op-
erations should be executed that same
night, since a delay Of even hours
would allow the enemy tine to fu =
ther intrerch. and afford Sherman a
chance To rectify IN measure his
strange blunder in separating Tromas
so far from Schoffel Id and McPhe"s2n.
Sherman evidently re.cCived his 'rror,
as the following extract from his Mem
oirs ConotcS:
There was quite gap between
Thomas and Schoheld. which I cav
ored 10 close by drawing two of H1w-
ards Divisions near ScIo-eld."
I well knew he vcu!d s ok to retrieve
his oversight at the earl st ossible
moment: therefore i determined to
/ forestall his attempt md TO make an
other effort tn defe;Bt the Federal ARM
| No time was to hef lost in tHk'rg I'D
vantage of this second uneypetc OPP
portunity To achieve victory and relieve
| Atlanta.
was convinced that Mcpherson and
Schofield intended to deSt~nv not
only the Georgia Railroad ut ikew sc
our main line nf' communicate the
| railroad to Macor. 1t is now evident
I the DlOW o.! -bin tiltckStl hiif itth-
I less manner OF moving whch had sc
| long been practicedn by the enemy, with
out fear of nfolestntion. during toe Dal-
touGAtIanta campaign. The rap ofewfa-n-
! ing receiv ed by tnh a,fIla 8 ION Peac'r Tree
| Creek must have indTced the Fcdera
, commander 10 alter his pan. He say;
| in relation thereto:
sherman More Cautia=s.
During the nieht (21sD l ad full
1 reports from all Tarts of our lin mo I
of which was partially intrenched a.
against a sally. and finding h't ~"
I Pherson was stretching out tor mu"f
/ on his left flank. | wrote him a
: early in the morning not 20 cXtc
! much by his left, for we had net
enough to completely invest the p'ac-
and | intended TO destroy utter'y fi
| parts of the Augusta Railroad to tn
east of Atlanta. then to withdraw from