Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-03-22

OWu SOO0 beuSe duu 4OicnASuS hoo
nearly wrecked his career. His opinion
had been asked as to how many SOL
diers would be needed to quell the
Confederacy In the southwest. he
said at least 100000 were necessary.
Grant alone had appreciated Sher-
mans prowess. and the two had work
ed side BY side In the subjugation OF
the southwest. So 1t was that Grant.
becoming commander in chief. early In
1864 not only gave Sherman command
of the army In the southwest. but
chose him for the hard task OF invad-
Ing Georgia. General Johmston's army
In that state aud Lees In Virginia
were the two most potent sources Of
strength now 10 the Confcdprary. So
while Grant attacked the latter he
sent Sherman to Subdup the former
and to take the all important provision
and military base of Atlanta. In April.
1861. Sherman left Chattanooga and
began the wonderful march which was
destined to live forever I'm song and
story.
His expedition consisted Of ab0nt
9y.OtN men and IA cannon. Against
him Johnston could oppose only 62.Hn
troops. hut the Confederate lender
had the advantage OF series of
strongly intrenchel positions behind
which To fight and was. moreover. In
his own territory. The rival forces
met first nj Dalton OH May IA. and
Johnston WAS driven back 10 Resara.
Attacked there OH May Ii. the Con-
fpdprateS withdrew To CaSSvilie. AT
every step ot their retreat Sherman
followed up the flying foe closely. 1t
pluugps. Johnston being ever beaten
farther and farther back. Sherman as
constantly advancing. with not Il sin.
gle rpul setback. BY force and 10y mil
itary Shrewduess the Union general
forced position after position OF the
Contedprates.
On July II the last obstacle was
passed and the direct attack upon At
lanta begun. The Confederate gov
eminent meantime had expressed II.
self dissatisfied with what it termed
"Johnston's retreating policy" and his
failure to arrest the advance OF the
enemy" So General Hood took his
place. Hood was defeated with even
greater ease and frequency than john
ston had been. Sherman brushed him
aside (after beating him In severe bat
ties at Peach Tree Greek. Ezra Church
and elsewhereI and on Sept. | forced
the Confederates to evacuate Atlanta.
ATLANTA Is ours and fairly won"
CURLY telegraphed the victor to rresi-
dent Lincoln.
Hood. having failed to stop the Union
march to Atlanta. tried a counter
move. He hurried into Tennessee 10
cut of Sherman's base OF communica-
tons. Sherman did not fall into the
trap. He did not turn back from his
course 10 pursue Hood. but marched
onward toward the sea. merely send
Ing General Thomas to the defense of
Tennessee Thomas and Hood met in
a terrific two day battle at Nashville
Dec. 1916. Hood was utterly routed.
Thomas pursued him night and day
until the whole fugitive Confederate
army was destroyed. Hoods action In
drawing OF his troops Into Tennessee
left Georgia almost without defense.
and the rest of Sherman's march to
the sea was literally triumphal prog
ress.
Through the conquered state passed
the victorious northern army. feeding
itself luxuriously from the produce of
the country along which 1t passed. At
Fort McAllister it was opposed. but
carried the place by storm. Sherman's