The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-24

the position of the smaller and weak CT force at Dalton. then coenpel the greater and stronger force to an as- sault. In that event successful resist arice blythe assaulted would. justify the proposed forward movement.
 General Sherman and General John ston had served for many years In the United States army, but had never seen each other. They never met until at Greensboro, N. G.. in April 1865. when the Army of Tennessee was to be surrendered. sherman. like Bragg, had resigned in the 50's and at the formation of the Copfedearcy. he was principal. of a military school in Louisi- ana. Johnston was Brigadier-Gen- eral and Quartermaster-G General of the army at that time.
 sherman had no difficulty in antici- pating sJohnston's plans. Dalton was well fortified. He was ready. May 1, to obey Grants order. He sent out force enough to drive Wheeler from Johnston's outpost at Tunnel Hiil, and to yamuse whatever infantry might be round there Clayton's brigade of Ala bama troops was supporting Wheeler. After some sharp fighting, the enemy having accomplished the purpose. rey tired. sherman's real purpose was to hold Johnston at Dalton with two of his armies while he threw McPherson off from shis right, tn rough a narrow de- file, called Snake Creek Gap. fifteen miles to Resaca, on the Georgia Rail road, in Johnston's rear. Had he sue ceeded as he once believed he had, the Army of Tennessee must have been utterly destroyed. General Willard Warner. later Senator from Alabama, was at that time on Sherman's stan. He has written of his observations at IA aft were at General Sherman's dinner ta- ble,. in camp. A courier from Mo- Pherson dashed up to the door and hurriedly delivered a message in writ ing to the General commanding, at dinner. I've got Joe Johnston deadl'' shouted the General, as he brought his clenched fist down heavily upon the table. Now we vii go and tell Tom" General Thonas-he continued. Mo- Emerson had reported his safe passage through Snake Creek Gap ana his ar rival in the plain where sat the little town Resaca. I-
 Just as McPherson formed his lines on the plain. for charging over the breastworks Johnston had put up at Resaca, Brigadier General James Cam tey arrived, with about 1,600 men, from Mobile. Cantey defended the works and checked McPherson. That night
  Mississippi. with Loring's division, 6,0O0 or 1000. McPherson failed to meet Sherman's expectations. He was & young officer of splendid appearance and great valor, but for some reason. never explained, he disappointed Sher- man in this instance. He withdrew, after fighting Loring, to the mouth of Snake Creek Gap and there awaited Shermans arrival with the remainder of the army.
 There Is a spur of the Cumberland Mountains, perhaps fifteen miles long, | immediately south of Dalton. running from west to east parallel with and some two to three miles distant from the railroad. The sides are precipit- ous and thickly wooded. On the far, or south side. of this mountain, was a narrow and rugged wagon road General Johnston had an accurate map of the mountains and the road. He knew how long any given body of l troops would require to march the length of that narrow road until it debouched in the plain. where set Resaca. He anticipated Serman's flank ing movement and had excellent wagon roads built from Dalton eastward to Resaca. so that when Sherman should get we'll of around the mountain out of sight he could by his own roads par allel. beat to Resaca.
 However, while Sherman was pre- pairing to make his first flank move ment of the historic campaign, he made lsheavy demonstrations on Johnston s right at Dalton. General Wheeler was relied on to check these movements and most gallantly and effectively did he | perform the important part assigned to him. On one occasion, Wheeler met some 1000 of Sherman's cavalry, sup | ported by infantry and artillery in the attempt to reach Johnstons rear. He put them to rout and so precipitous was their flight that they burned 400 loaded wagons that were unable to keep the pace. Here fell the gallant young Captain McElderry of Talladega. On the mountain, too, Johnston placed some troops to modest Sherman's march on the narrow road beneath. He and Hardee were both present with those troops when some sharp fighting was given them from the road. Sol- diera relate that as one of the enemy's shells came streaming along aimed at their elevation, all lodged but the general commanding. He stood erect and fixed as if he was aware of no | danger.
 On the night of May 12, at 1:3O a. m. the infantry and artillery evacu- | ated the works at Dalton. took up the
 march on the new roads to Resaca
 ana reached that point on the 18th in
 the afternoon. General Wheeler was
 left to occupy the Dalton works and
 deceive the enemy, who were awaiting
 in front of them. After dawn Wheel; CT followed the main army and was
 engaged all the forenoon fighting back
 the approaches of the enemy upon its
 rear.
 The fighting at Resaca was very se-
 were. The battle ragged between Polk
 Hardee and Hood and the whole oi
 Sermans army. Wheeler's cavalry
 participated, mostly dismounted. The
 conflict began on the afternoon of May
 18th. Friday, continued Saturday ant
 half of Sunday, when sherman with.
 drew to flank Johnston on the soutf
 side of the railroad and reach Cal.
 houn Station before him. In this> hV
 failed.
 Some interesting incidents marked tn,
 fighting at Resaca. General Hardet
 had carried to the army pair ot lD IT