The Washington herald., 1914-07-28
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
Fifty Years Ago.
July e. 186The Defeat Of Conederates Under Hood
Ezra Church. Near Atlanta Vneaed the Judgment Of Gen Joseph
Johnston, Who Had Been Relieved Of Command Confederate
Army Because He Would Not Take the Offensive

Fifty years ago today the defeat OF the
Confederates under Hood in the battle of
Ezra Church. N front Of Atlanta, Ga.
Yindicated the Judgment OF Gen. Joseph
Z. Johnston. who less than two weeks
before had been relieved of command Of
the Confederate army by President Davis
because he refused to take the offensive
against the Federals under Sherman.
II is doubtful II any deposed leader in
history was so quickly and completely
indicated as was Gen. Johnston. He
had fought a mastery campaign against
great odds in numbers, and had been so
keen to take advantage OF every means
OF defense that he had won the admira-
ton of his enemies. He was, with the
possible exception Of Lee, the best de-
fensive fighter the war produced.
When by their greater strength the
Federals pressed back the Confederates
defending Atlanta to the very gates OF
the city. Johnston was urged to take the
offensive. He was not ready to do So.
He planned to wait until Gen. Sherman
should make a false step and then to
take advantage of it.
But Gen. Hood. who succeeded him in
command on July Il, was put in to fight,
and fight he did. He assaulted the Fed
erals outside Atlcnta on July 20 and again
on July p, and both times was bloodily
repulsed. He was not fully convinced
Of the useIessness of such attempts until
the defeat at Ezra Church.
When news OF the battle was received
in Richmond and the awful toll OF the
three battles was recorded there. Presi-
dent Davis realized the mistake he had
made in removing Johnston. On August
he teleGraphed Hood: The loss con-
sequent in attacking him Cthe enemy In
HE iptrapchnanfs reOufreS Won IN avoid
that il practical"
Howard Marches All Night.
The battle at Ezra Church was brought
about by a movement OF Gen. Sherman's
army from the east to the west side Of
Atlanta. Previous to July = the Fed
erals had gradually been extending their
lines on the east side OF the Confederates'
defenses so as to reacn the Augusta
Railroad. That had been accomplished
and the railroad had been so effectually
demolished that there was no danger Of
its being Of any use to the Confederates
for bringing up either supplies or re-en-
forcements.
With that road out of commission.
Sherman next turned his attention to
another line that ran to East Point, six
miles southwest of Atlanta, where II
forked, one branch leading down to Pen
sacola and Mobile, the other turning
more to the east to Macon and Savannah.
II that road could be cut. the Confed-
crates would be entirely without means
OF communication with their rear.
As the shortest way or reaching 1t was
from the west. II was determined by
Sherman to abandon the Augusta line
and to move the troops TO the other side
of the city. The movement began July q.
The first troops to move were those OF
the Army of the Tennessee, under Gen.
o. o. Howard. who were on the extreme
left of the army. On Towards right In
the center, was the Army of the Ohio,
while the Army of the Cumberland COM
pleted the line on the north Of the city.
Towards troops marched all day and
night on the 9th, and by the morning
of the 18th were in position on the right
of the Army of the Cumberland Their
new line faced Hoods defenses. west Of
Atlanta, and extended south to the vicin-
ity of Ezra Church. zen. G. NJ. Dodge's
corps connected with the Army Of the
Cumberland. Gen. F. p. Blair's corps
was next on the right. while Gen. John
A. Logan's corps was on the extreme
right. near the church.
The movement had not been unnoticed
by the Confederates. and Gen. Hood had
on the night OF the 17th ordered an at
tack on Towards army when It should
come into position in the morning OF the