The Washington herald., 1914-11-22

OF recruiting great armies from among
their populations, and OF crowning Con-
federate arms with victories that would
TO a successful close.
The capture OF Atlanta by Gen. Sher-
man, in September. had caused the ap-
proval OF Gen. Hoods plan by President
Davis, who hoped that II would result at
least in drawing Sherman back from
Georgia and the regaining of all the ter
ritory which had been lost by the Con-
federacy in the Atlanta campaign.
Hood had moved from near Atlanta
into Alabama. and there after a con-
ference with Gen. G. T. Beauregard.
nominally in command Of all Confederate
troops in the West, had set his army in
motion for the Tennessee River. He
proposed to cross II at Guntersville. TO
move at once upon the railroads in Md
north to Nashville.
Confederates Panic-stricken.
But a shortage OF provisions had
caused Hood to change his plans In
stead of crossing at the place agreed
Tuscumbia, and there halted until his
army was properly supplied. This un-
IOoked-for delay did not meet with Beau
regards approval, for It deprived the
movement OF the dash and momentum
which was relied upon to make it a sue
cess
Furthermore, II gave the FederaIs
ample time to prepare to meet il. Sher-
man had no desire to abandon Atlanta
Instead, he sent strong reinforcement
to Gen. George H. Thomas, at Nash
vile. so that he might cope with Hood
when he should come. Cutting his own
communications with the North, Sher-
man had then set out with 5000 men
upon a great march across Georgia to
the sea-
Sherman had moved out from Atlanta
on November Is. while Hood was stin
inactive at Tuscumbia. and fifty years
ago today was approaching MiIIedge-
vile. the capital Of Georgia. His move
ments had so deceived the Confederates
that the few troops in that State had
concentrated at Macon and Augusta,
leaving the way to Milledgeville wide
open.
All Georgia was wild with excitement
and alarm. The only regular Confed
crate troops in the State were some 5000
cavalry, under Gen. Joseph Wheeler. and
a few thousand men along the coast.
The latter could not be withdrawn TO
fight Sherman. for fear that the FEEDER
ais would swoop down upon Savannah
from the sea in their absence. In addi-
tion there was a force OF State militia.
perhaps 1000 men, under Gen. Howell
Cobb.
With this handful OF men no adequate
resistance could be offered Sherman. Gen.
Beauregard hurried east to take COM
mand in the field, and ordered Gen. Rich
ard Taylor to follow with available
forces in Mississippi and Alabama. But
he well knew that Taylor had no avail
able forces. The latter general came
alone to Macon.
A few troops We're hurried into the
State from the Carolinas. but these were
OF little avail. There were many proc
lamations issued, appeals made TO the
people. and orders sent hither and
thither, but there was nothing done.
There were no troops with which to do
anything.
The commander at Augusta reported
that he had only 1900 troops in the city
and that although he was trying to
they show little spirit" Gen W. D.
Hardee, in command at Charleston. was
given command of practically all OF
Georgia, and hurried to Macon. But Of
1cers alone could not stem the tide, and
there were not men enough to throw
into the breach. The last man Of the
Confederacy was under arms.
It is told that when some high Con-
federate official telegraphed to find out
what force was available to meet Sher-
man, he received the reply. Eight proc
lamations and ten generals
Call Citizens to Arms.
In desperation, Gen. Beauregard did the
only thing that there was left to do. On
November 1S he ordered Gen. Hood TO
sent troops to Georgia to take the Of
fensive Immediately. Two days later he
again ordered Hood to move his army
into Tennessee at once, and fifty years
ago today, Hood, in compliance, placed
his entire force in motion. Having
crossed the Tennessee River to Florence,
on the north bank. the Confederates be-
gan a march against Nashville.
1t was a forlorn hope, and It is doubt
full II even Gen. Hood had faith IN its
success. Certainly Gen. Beauregard did
not, but he grasped at 1t as a drowning
man at a straw, trusting that, though
Its object of regaining Tennessee could
not be realized. 1t might in some way
force Sherman to abandon his campaign
in Georgia
But Sherman, his communications cut
on. knew nothing of the movements Of
Cen Hood. His face was turned toward
the Atlantic, and he intended to reach
the coast before facing other problems.
Millsdgevills, his immediate objective.