Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 19

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294

USA > Georgia > Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I > Part 19

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In addition to these are the First Georgia cavalry, Col. Morrison; Second Georgia cavalry, Col. Ison; Third Georgia cavalry, Col. Thompson; Fourth Georgia cavalry, Col. Avery; Sixth Georgia cavalry, Col. Hart.

The general field of maneuvers for several days prior to the final clash of the bloody battle of Chickamauga spread over a vast extent of broken ground lying west of Ringgold, but the scene of conflict was at last compressed into the incarna- dined space enclosed within the tortuous windings of the Chickamauga creek and the adjacent mountain spurs. Rosecrans commanded the Union men and Bragg the Confederates. The right wing of the Federals was held by McCook, the center by Chittenden and the left by Thomas. On the right of the Confederate line stood the splendid corps of Polk, while Longstreet's command under Hood for the first day extended to the left. By wonderful sagacity Gen. Lawton, quartermaster- general at Richmond, had transported Longstreet's corps from the Rapidan in Virginia, a distance of 800 miles over worn railroads to Chickamauga in the nick of time to take a glorious part in the impending battle.

The great encounter opened during the morning of Saturday, Sept. 18, by a demonstration from the Federal side, which was promptly met by a most resolute attack led by Polk against the extreme left of the Federal army, commanded by Thomas. The ardent southerners poured en masse against their adversaries at this point, for the purpose of turning the left of Rosecrans and thus to beat an open way into Chattanooga. The assault was made with impetuous force, and repeated with unabated courage and with only the general result of forcing back the Federal line a mile or more. The Confederates pressed their stern antagonists hard all day, winning an advantage here and there, but still failing to break down the strong Federal lines which bore the brunt of the day's battle. Meanwhile Hood, with the divisions of Kershaw, Johnson, Cleburne, Stewart and Hindman, as well as his own, battered the right wing and center with many furious assaults that several times imperiled the Federal lines, but at the close of the horrible day the advantage appeared to rest with neither side.

Thomas spent the night in strengthening his breastworks, and placing his rein- forcements in position. Longstreet arrived in person, and having reported to Bragg, early next morning assumed the command of his old corps. Some slight changes were made along the position of both armies preparatory to the renewal of the struggle, and at dawn of day the two brave adverse lines of Americans rose up from troubled slumber, or laid down the pick and spade to engage again in deadly strife for the mastery of the already bloody field. Dispositions on Sunday morning showed the right wing of Bragg's army formed of divisions of Cleburne,' Breckinridge, Walker, and Cheatham, under Polk. The left wing with the com- mands of Johnston, Buckner, Hindman, Stewart, Kershaw, and Hood, under the

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MILITARY HISTORY.

direction of Longstreet. The general Federal alignment was nearly as on the day before. About 8 a. m. the Confederates moved against the center and left of the fortified Union lines, and the Federal left center became at once the theater of one of the most desperate fights of the war. Charge and countercharge distinguished the morning hours, and marked the spot for perpetual fame. Hood, called "The Paladin of the fight," flushed with victories won with his division, rode headlong in the successive charges until shot by a minie-ball he fell from his horse into the loving support of some soldiers of his old Texas brigade. With him went down hundreds of men on both sides equally brave. The crash and roar of artillery and musketry, with all the gory incidents of dreadful battle, swept up and down the entire field, but it was at the left wing where Thomas still stood on his fiercely debated ground that the heaviest and hottest fire raged. Hard pressed all the morning by the veteran divisions of Walker, Cleburne and Cheatham, and with difficulty maintaining his grim hold upon the line assigned him, Thomas called in the early afternoon for reinforcements, which were promptly sent. Van Cleve's and Negley's divisions were withdrawn by Rosecrans from McCook's and Crittenden's. corps for that purpose, but by a misunderstanding of orders a gap was left in the Federal lines near Davis' division. Longstreet saw the opportunity, and hurling his troops into the fissure, struck the opened Union flank and threw Davis' division into disorder and rout. Pressing their advantages the southern divisions mixed among the Federals at all angles, and charged wherever they found a foe. Sheri- dan was at this precise hour moving his command to the support of Thomas, but encountered the impetuous corps of Longstreet, which had penetrated the Federal lines, and after a brief, brave stand were driven back to Crawfish spring road. The flame of battle burned along Horseshoe battery, Mission and Snodgrass ridges, and victory seemed to be within the Confederate grasp. The commands of McCook and Crittenden, composing the entire Federal right, were broken and driven toward Chattanooga, pursued by Confederate infantry and artillery. Rose- crans himself hurried back amidst the retreating troops to make a stand and save his army, which now appeared to be threatened with complete destruction.

Sheridan and Davis, however, although driven to the rear, had eluded the dashing advance of the Confederates, who were pursuing Crittenden and McCook, and reforming their commands at Rossville, rallied to the support of Thomas, who still invincibly held his position, although bent to a semi-circle, with the flanks plunged deep into the spurs of a mountain. The succor was timely, for Longstreet had turned a part of his victorious column against Thomas, expecting to drive him from his line by debouching through a gap in the hills and descending upon this flank. It was a critical hour in this, the afterpart of the bloody day. Polk was pounding away with relentless force, and the infantry of Longstreet were pouring toward the gap, while field batteries were hurrying to the adjacent hills. The fighting became instantly desperate. On all sides the Confederates pushed their advantages with hot enthusiasm, but at the critical moment Gen. Granger, com- manding a body of reserves, hearing the firing near by and perceiving the danger, without waiting for orders, threw Steadman's cavalry into the coveted gap, placed artillery in commanding positions, and double-quicked his infantry to meet the Confederate onset. The fearful collision came on at once. Down into the gap rode the Michigan cavalry. The artillery poured a cataract of shot and shell upon the southern columns. The fresh infantry reserves thickened the air with minie- balls. Twice and thrice did Longstreet's men charge this fresh Federal opposition, and then even after dark made the final unavailing assault. Thomas, during all this crisis, when his whole command was environed with peril, withstood every attack,

I32

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

and as night came on to curtain the bloody scene from sight, he was left in possession of his well-earned position. But with battered troops, reduced in numbers and scarce of ammunition, he could not remain before the valiant foe, who would certainly attack and destroy him at dawn. Therefore under shelter of the night he safely transferred his weary, wounded, brave command to Rossville, and then to Chattanooga. Victory in this great national battle may be claimed for the Confederate side, but the triumph was only partial and produced no permanent result. The reports show that the Confederates captured thirty-six guns, 15,000 small arms, a large amount of accouterments and valuable stores, with 7,000 pris- oners. The battlefield became theirs by the retirement of Rosecrans to Chatta- nooga, but the frightful losses in killed and wounded on both sides attest the valor of all the troops and exhibit the consuming cost of war. The united nation has converted this historic spot into a national park, where patriotic Americans of the future ages will meet to observe with mutual pride the memorial monument of American valor.

After the battle of Chickamauga, the army of Rosecrans occupied the strong fortifications of Chattanooga, and Bragg, drawing his forces forward, erected works along Missionary ridge and Lookout mountain. Thus for about two months the Confederates held their opponents in siege. Longstreet's corps was now moved to east Tennessee to attack Burnside, and fought the battle of Knox- ville. Rosecrans was relieved Oct. 30 and Gen. Grant was assigned to the com- mand. Grant at once commenced an energetic organization of the army, and having reinforced his strength with the corps of Sherman and Hooker, the last week of November found him ready with a splendid army for the bold, aggressive action which characterized him as a military commander.

CHATTANOOGA.

Bragg's army now extended along the general crest of Missionary ridge, from McFarland's gap to the mouth of the Chickamauga creek, a distance of about six miles. Grant moved out of his trenches Nov. 23, and after two days' maneuvering for position, opened the attack on Bragg's line by massed columns directly driving against the opposing Confederate left flank. Har- dee's corps occupying that point met the assault of the morning with cour- ageous nerve, and the first Federal attempt ended in their repulse. Later, about noon, another charge was made with heavy infantry lines preceded and sustained by artillery by which the Union forces broke through a part of the Confederate lines, gained the crest, and turning squarely upon the disrupted ranks broke the brigades successively until the army of Bragg was forced to a full retreat. The day was lost to the Confederates. All the triumph of Chicka- mauga vanished at the instant the wedge of Grant drove into the Confederate position at the crest. Suddenly the whole southern army fell back, followed at first by their victorious foe, but at Taylor's ridge Cleburne turned upon the pursuers with such vigor as to win a splendid victory, capturing 250 prisoners and inflicting a heavy loss in killed and wounded, while so arresting pursuit as to permit Bragg to remove his army safely out of danger, and to bring the further operations of this patriotic body of troops upon the soil of Georgia. Notable changes in the command of both armies occurred in this juncture by the appointment of Grant as the commander-in-chief of the armies of the United States, who went at once to open the Virginia campaign against Lee, leaving Sherman in charge of the forces in Georgia. Bragg was relieved in December,

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MATTHEWS, NORTHAUP & CO., ART.PRINTING WORKS, BUFFALO, N. Y.

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Map showing positions of Confederate Armies May 19, 1864, under Gen. J. E. Johnston.

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GEN. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON.

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MILITARY HISTORY.

and Hardee was left in temporary command, but at his own request was retained in the command of his corps and Gen. Joseph E. Johnston was ordered, Dec. 27, to the command of the Confederate army.

CAMPAIGN AGAINST ATLANTA.

Two great commanders now confronted each other. Sherman, wily, aggressive, and skillful, had the advantage of greatly superior numbers and equipment. Johnston, the master of strategy, had an advantage in the privilege of selecting his ground and fighting in defense of the state against invasion. We will follow by only a general survey the deathless story which these two armies shall tell, with the thrilling tongue of many battles fought from Dalton to Atlanta, over a bloody course of 100 miles. Johnston established and fortified his line of battle in the vicinity of Dalton and Ringgold, over a broken country, where he secured a position of good defense against direct attack, but open to the objection that it could be turned without giving battle. In that position he addressed his remarkable military skill to the task of bringing the Confederate army into splendid fighting condition, with all the limited means which the state and the Confederacy were able to place at his disposal. His entire effective force (May . 6) was 42,856 men of all arms, comprising Hood's and Hardee's corps, and he was confronted by Sherman with a strength of 98,787. Sherman formed his line in Johnston's front, with the right on Mill creek gap, and the left near the Cleveland road, and commencing active operations attacked, with Schofield and Thomas, but at the same time marched McPherson's corps through Snake creek gap toward Resaca. This earliest flank movement, which foreshadowed the general Federal plan of invasion, caused Johnston to withdraw from Dalton and fortify at Resaca, where the southern force was augmented by the arrival of Cantly's division and Loring's division on May II to 55,248 of all arms.

Sherman kept close on to his retreating enemy, but cautiously entrenched at every advance. At Resaca the passage at arms between the two armies covered scarcely more than two days, the first of which was spent in desultory but sharp fighting. On the second day the engagement, although limited to a part of the line, was noted among the participants as one of the severest in their martial experience. Sherman's general line extended across the Western & Atlantic railroad, somewhat overlapping the Confederates. The first day passed in the maneuvering of the two commanders, and on the morning of May 16 both armies were ready for action. The battle was begun during the day by a general movement of the Federal forces against Johnston's breastworks at Resaca, which failed, and a simultaneous attempt to force a crossing at Tanner's Ferry, which succeeded, notwithstanding the stubborn resistance of Avery's brigade. It was in this action that the memorable charge of Stovall's Georgia brigade was made across an open field under galling and destructive fire in order to secure a position which was regarded as important and which the Federals were moving to occupy. It was a quick, sharp, gallant charge, in which the Forty-second Georgia, Col. Thomas commanding, was especially exposed and suffered severe loss. Colonel, afterward Gen. Henderson, bleeding from a wound in the face, continued to inspire his dauntless command. Hulsey was cut down in the thick of the fray and borne from the field severely wounded. Calhoun fell with a shot in his hip, at the moment of bitterest fire, and many a brave soldier on both sides surrendered his life. It is also a worthy incident of the battle of Resaca that the young cadets of the Georgia military institute, then located near Marietta, on one of the foothills of Kennesaw Mountain, received their first baptism of fire.

I34

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

The Georgia military institute, founded in 1857, was designed as an academy for military instruction and furnished the first military training of many young men who became conspicuous in the Confederate war. Among them were Hon. Gen. Pierce Young, Gen. George P. Harrison, Gen. Capers, Capt. E. P. Howell, and Capt. John Milledge. The institute continued its educational work through- out the first years of the war, and in the spring of 1864, when the campaign opened at Dalton, the cadets were eager to take an active part in the defense of the state. At length they were gratified by the "long roll' and the orders to take cars at once "for the front," then at Resaca. The gallant boys reached the field and took their place in the line of battle. . The battalion was commanded by Maj. Capers and consisted of Company A, Capt. Austin, and Company B, Capt. Manget. During the advance of the Federals the cadets encountered the Ninth mounted Illinois infantry and received their charge with well directed volleys and held the line until withdrawn by order. We shall have occasion to note the subsequent service thus gallantly begun by these boy soldiers in gray jeans in many a weary march and hard battle.

Sherman's success in the movement at Tanner's Ferry enabled him once more to turn the Confederate flank and put Johnston's army in peril. Yielding there- fore to necessity, the Confederate general retired from his entrenchment, and after two days of small affairs below Resaca, entered Cassville, May 18, about noon, and massed his command by brigades for a temporary bivouac. Next day a stirring announcement in general orders from headquarters informed the troops that battle would be given in this new position, and the announcement was received with enthusiasm by the gallant inen who desired to meet their valiant foe and drive them from the soil of the state. Line of battle was formed along a range of hills in the rear of the town with here and there an intervening depression. Accustomed to promptly fortify their position, the army quickly threw up the ordinary rude but serviceable breastworks, but they were scarcely ready before the alert Federal troops appeared upon the opposite ridges, placed their batteries, and opened fire on the corps of Hood and Polk, continuing the cannonading until dark. The Federals found an advantageous line along an extended range of hills, nearly covering the entire front of these two commands and about thirty to fifty feet higher than the ridges which they occupied. Bat- teries were accordingly posted at available positions where an enfilade would sweep the open ridges of Johnston's left wing with a plunging fire. Pickets advanced to the crest could not hold their positions in some of these exposed places on account of the heavy cross-firing along several hundred yards of the Confederate lines. Observing this dangerous defect in the location, a careful examination was made before nightfall and then a consultation was called at the headquarters of Polk, at which Hood and Polk advised Johnston either to assume the offensive next morning or to change the positions of their commands. These two officers were positive that neither would be able to hold his line the next day on account of the great exposure to enfilade by the Federal artillery. It seemed evident that Sherman would attack Johnston's right flank at this weak point by moving through the open country, instead of advancing against Hardee's stronger position directly across the valley in which the beautiful town was nestled. Report was also brought at the same time that Schofield's corps was moving to cross the Etowah, and threaten the southern connections.

Johnston, having the ultimate responsibility, yielded to the views of his lieu- tenant-generals and at once gave orders for his army to cross the Etowah river. The movement required the utmost secrecy and celerity, for the withdrawal must be made in the immediate presence of a watchful enemy. Accordingly details

I35

MILITARY HISTORY.

were made to be deployed along the main line with orders to keep fires burning, to cut trees and to make other demonstrations while the main army moved silently away. The night was calm, and alight with stars. The two lines of battle frowned upon each other that soft night in the middle of May from the opposing hilltops. Campfires threw their weird light against the sky and dappled the foliage of the trees. The strange, muffled hum made by armies at night preparing for to-morrow's battle extended along the Confederate line. The Federal general was preparing his flank movement from the left and the wary Confederate general was preparing to elude and disappoint him. The devoted Confederates, confiding in the masterful spirit of their leader, quietly drew out of their rifle pits, scarcely leaving a trace behind except their hastily constructed trenches. The Federals either suspecting retreat or determined on a quick assault at daylight, had almost as quickly extended and advanced their lines. It is probable if Johnston had resolved on a daybreak attack and moved out his troops for that purpose before dawn, both armies would have found themselves face to face, and not many yards apart. All night the subdued sounds of moving troops crossed from side to side, and when the sun had risen the main columns of the Confederates were all on the south side of the river. The details who had been left to make the show of a line had also withdrawn and were hurriedly crossing to rejoin the army, while at the same hour the Federal infantry, cavalry, artillery and wagon trains were in full motion on the roads toward Kingston. Before noon the whole of John- ston's army was across the river and safe from immediate attack.

Sherman, in following Johnston from Cassville, moved his columns toward Dallas in order to avoid the Altoona pass, and two weeks later the two armies again faced each other and fought the little brilliant battle of New Hope church. Johnston had rested the right of his infantry upon Little Pumpkin Vine creek, with Wheeler's cavalry prolonged as a protecting curtain, and while in this position Hooker's corps was thrown against Stewart's division near the church on May 25, but were gallantly repulsed with frightful slaughter. The following two days were spent in skirmishes between both cavalry and infantry almost without cessation, and as Sherman rapidly extended to the left so as to employ his usual flank movement, Hood found his right flank threatened seriously by Howard's corps. , Having secured Cleburne's division for his relief, he massed it in columns of brigades in the rear of his extreme right, with careful instructions to permit Howard to make the attack on them, and to quickly deploy into line so that the Federals would be suddenly faced by a solid line of infantry, where they expected only an open space upon the Confederate flank. Late in the afternoon (May 27) the anticipated attack was made, the cavalry pickets were brushed aside and Howard's corps came down upon Wheeler's dismounted men and Cleburne's ready division. The unexpected stubbornness of their reception caused a temporary recoil, but the attack was again renewed with chivalric vigor only to fail again. And thus the brilliant battle went on until the Confederates, taking the offensive at dark, made a gallant charge, forcing their opponents from the field and capturing 200 or 300 prisoners.

Encouraged by the successes of the two days, Johnston resolved on a general battle for May 29, but the Federals changed position during the night, drawing back across Pumpkin Vine creek, and quickly built a strong, fortified line. After these movements the two armies remained in threatening opposition for nearly a week, engaging in scattered contests every day. Sherman repeatedly assailed portions of the Confederate line, and was as often repulsed. All attempts to break over the rifle pits which Johnston's men had thrown up for protection were foiled, and the determined Federal commander again shifted his position

I36

MEMOIRS OF GEORGIA.

and overlapped Johnston so thoroughly as to compel him to drop to Marietta, and occupy a succession of hills, with his right on Kennesaw mountains, his left at Lost mountain and with Pine mountain at his center. On this new line the intrepid Hood was placed to command the right, Hardee, cool, resolute,. skillful, held the left, and brave-hearted Polk had charge of the center. Sherman, advancing his newly reinforced army, faced Johnston fully along the whole length of the field. McPherson, the idol of his corps, was assigned the Federal left over against Hood; Schofield, the match of Hardee, occupied the right, and the gallant Thomas, who had won imperishable fame at Chickamauga, confronted Polk in the center. At this date Johnston's effective force of all arms was less. than 60,000 men and Sherman's over 100,000.

Confident of his strength, the eager Federal general began on June 9 that remarkable series of assaults, feints, and general attacks which made this one of the most memorable struggles of the long campaign. For more than three weeks the deadly strife was protracted with thrilling incidents and frequent displays of sublime courage. These were no sham battles. The skirmishes were always hot, and now and then the scourge of battle reddened the entire lines with the blood of brave men. The first week had nearly gone when Pine mountain, standing out in dangerous salient at Johnston's center, drew the special attention of the Federal commander. It became also the object of Johnston's solicitude and began to be regarded as an untenable part of his line of defense. A council upon its brow, intended to devise a plan by which it could be strengthened, was therefore held, and it was that council which cost the life of the brave and good Lieut .- Gen. Polk. On June 14 a group of Confederate generals, composed of Johnston, Polk, Hardee, and the gallant cavalry general, Jackson, rode from the front of Bate's division to select an advance position for artillery. A lull occurring in the skirmishing, these officers dismounted and walked to the brow of the hill where, standing together, within 800 yards of the Federal guns, they examined the situation with such interest as to attract the special attention of their foes. Very soon a shell discharged from the nearest battery came hurtling toward the distinguished group and exploded over their heads. Presently another tore its way to the same spot, and crushing through the body of the brave Polk, robbed the world of as noble a knight as ever made honorable battle in a sacred cause. When the mangled hero fell Johnston bent over him in anguish, and, assisted by his comrades, bore the bloody form back to the rear. It is enough to say that the true men of both armies were saddened by the fall of Bishop-General Leonidas Polk. The grief is not outworn by the years that have elapsed, and as often as Kennesaw battle is named, the distinguishing event of the three weeks' contest is stated to be that Polk was killed.

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Memoirs of Georgia; containing historical accounts of the state's civil, military, industrial and professional interests, and personal sketches of many of its people. Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Publication date: 1859 Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association Number of Pages: 1294

Author:
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Atlanta, Ga., The Southern historicl association
Number of Pages: 1294