The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-02-03

! up to Johnston's line were swept down
at the very foot of the works and fell
| back to reform. Johnston thought Sher-
man lost almost as many thousands nj
Kennessaw on June n, as Grant lost
at Cold Harbor June 20.
| Immediately after his failure here, Gem
eral Sherman fanked and crossed the
Chattahooche. Johnston crossed after
Sherman.
Sherman crossed the Chattahooehe north
of the mouth of Peachtree creek. flow
ing from the east side Johnston crossed
south of the mouth of the creek ana
camped on a pleateau overlooking the
stream, about seven miles west of At
lanta.
AS soon as Sherman crossed tire chatta-
hooche with MePhersons and Sehonelds
troops he hurried them off aud went
with them in person fifteen miles hp the
Augusta railroad to tear Ii up to prevent
Lee sending troops suddenly upon his
rear
on July II Thomas crossed the Chat
tahooche and began TO lay pontoons to
cross Peachtree creek. Johnston was
thoroughly informed by Wheeler, lie is
sued orders at $3.50 that night 10 all his
corps commanders to sleep on their arms.
to be ready to form line of battle In
stantly. He intended to sweep down on
Thomas crossing the creek and wipe him
out before Sherman could get back from
Stone mountain with the other troops.
About an hour after he gave out the
order, that is about 1890 o'clock he re-
ceived n telegram from Secretary of War
Seldom ordering him to turn the army
over to Hood. Hood spent all day of the
18th trying to get Mr.. Davis to revoke the
order and trying to get General Johnston
to pocket 1t. Pay no attention to 1t ana
fight his battle.
Hood had no experience in high STRAIT
egg. He did not even now know where
Sherman's army was where Johnstons
army was. He did the best he could. 1t
was late the Afternoon of the Goth,
nearly three days after Johnston had
planned to strike and overwhelm Thomas,
before Hood got relay. About 4 o'clock
p. m. of the goth he struck Thomas, but
he was only able then to get Stewards
fPolks) corps into action Stewart
fought splendidly. but in the midst of the
battle Sherman arrived from Stone noun
tain with fresh troops Stewart got
bloody repulse.
General Sherman never did take At
lanta. The works Johnston threw up held
him off from July 20 to September l.
Hood marched out that day and Sherman
marched in unopposed.
General Sherman had never defeated
Johnston. He had made no impression
on the country more than dozen miles
on either side of the railroad. He could
never have run over Johnston and he
could never have got back to Chatta-
nooga with Johnston on his heels. His
great army was neutralzed for any eff
feet.
No commander was ever more trusted
and beloved by all ranks under him than
General Johnston. Generals Lee, Long
street, Polk, Hardee Hood, Hampton and
Wheeler adored him. The common soldiers
were almost In mutiny when he babe
them farewell.
He would have saved the army of Ten
nessee. If he saved the army Sherman
must have lost his. When Johnston left
Dalton he stood to Sherman as to IL;
when he was removed he stood Sherman
8 to II.
General Lee procured his restoration to
command in North Carolina. April % he
surrendered the small fragments of his