REPRODUCED FROM THE “MEMOIRS OF GENERAL WILLIAM T. SHERMAN” (NEW YORK: D. APPLETON & CO.). BY PERMISSION OF AUTHOR AND PUBLISHER.
GENERAL SHERMAN’S HEADQUARTERS AT THE HOWARD HOUSE, IN FRONT OF ATLANTA. FROM A SKETCH MADE AT THE TIME.
In his “Memoirs” General Sherman says that on July 21st (the day before General McPherson was killed), while he (Sherman) was at the head of Schofield’s troops, expecting that the enemy would evacuate, McPherson and his staff rode up. “We went back,” he says, “to the Howard House, a double frame-building with a porch, and sat on the steps discussing the chances of battle, and Hood’s general character. McPherson had also been of the same class at West Point with Hood, Schofield, and Sheridan. We agreed that we ought to be unusually cautious, and prepared at all times for sallies and for hard fighting, because Hood, though not deemed much of a scholar, or of great mental capacity, was undoubtedly a brave, determined, and rash man.”—EDITORS.
Our armies made a right wheel—Thomas, on the pivot, taking the shortest line to Atlanta; McPherson, on the outer flank, coming by Roswell to Decatur, with Schofield between.
As the several columns were crossing the famous Peach Tree Creek my corps was divided. I was sent, with Stanley and Wood, to connect with Schofield, causing a gap of two miles. Newton remained on Thomas’s left; on Newton’s right was Ward; next, Geary; then, Williams; last, Palmer’s corps; all, having crossed over, were stretched out along the creek. There was at that point but little open ground, mostly woodland, and very uneven with cross-ravines.
Just at this time, much to our comfort and to his surprise, Johnston was removed, and Hood placed in command of the Confederate army. Johnston had planned to attack Sherman at Peach Tree Creek, expecting just such a division between our wings as we made.
Hood endeavored to carry out the plan. A. P. Stewart now had Polk’s corps, and Cheatham took Hood’s. Hardee on the right and Stewart on his left, in lines that overlapped Newton’s position, at 3 o’clock of the 20th of July, struck the blow. They came surging on through the woods, down the gentle slope, with noise and fury like Stonewall Jackson’s men at Chancellorsville. As to our men, some of them were protected by piles of rails, but the most had not had time to barricade.
Stewart’s masses advanced successively from his right, so Newton was first assailed. His rifles and cannon, firing incessantly and with utmost steadiness, soon stopped and repulsed the front attack; but whole battalions went far east of him into the gap before described. Thomas, behind the creek, was watching; he turned some reserved batteries upon those Confederate battalions, and fired his shells into the thickets that bordered the deep creek, sweeping the creek’s valley as far as the cannon could reach. This was sufficient; in his own words, “it relieved the hitch.” The hostile flankers broke back in confusion. In succession, Ward, Geary, Williams, and Palmer received the on-coming waves, and though their ranks were shaken in places, they each made a strong resistance, and soon rolled the Confederates back, shattered and broken. Hardee would have resumed the assault, but an order from Hood took away a whole division (Cleburne’s), for McPherson was too rapidly approaching Cheatham and the defenses of Atlanta from the east.
The battle of the 20th did not end till Gresham’s division, on McPherson’s left, had gone diagonally toward Atlanta, sweeping the hostile cavalry of Wheeler before it past the Augusta railroad, and skirmishing up against an open knob denominated Bald Hill. General Gresham, a fine officer, was severely wounded during his brisk movement. Wheeler had made a desperate and successful stand here, and soon after, in the evening, the division (Cleburne’s) which was taken from Newton’s sorely handled front was brought hither and put into the trenches, in order to make secure the right of Hood’s line. The Bald Hill was an important outpost.
The 21st, a fearfully hot day, was spent by all in readjustment. Thomas brought his three corps forward, near to the enemy. The gap in my lines was closed as we neared the city. Schofield filled the space between the Fourth (mine) and Logan’s corps. McPherson, to get a better left, ordered Blair to seize Bald Hill. General Force, of Leggett’s division, supported by Giles A. Smith, who now had Gresham’s place, charged the hill and carried it, though with a heavy loss. No time ran to waste till this point was manned with batteries protected by thick parapets and well secured by infantry supports.
Atlanta appeared to us like a well-fortified citadel with outer and inner works. After Thomas had beaten him, Hood resolved to give up the Peach Tree line; so, after dark, he drew back two corps into those outer works.
Hardee, however, was destined to a special duty. About midnight he gathered his four divisions into Atlanta: Bate led the way; Walker came next; Cleburne, having now left the vicinity of Bald Hill (for he was soon to go beyond it), followed; then came Maney in rear. They pushed out far south and around Gresham’s sleeping soldiers; they kept on eastward till Hardee’s advance was within two miles of Decatur, and his rear was nearly past Sherman’s extreme left. There, facing north, he formed his battle front; then he halted on rough ground, mostly covered by forest and thicket. He had made a blind night-march of fifteen miles; so he rested his men for a sufficient time, when, slowly and confidently, the well-disciplined Confederates in line took up their forward movement. Success was never more assured, for was not Sherman’s cavalry well out of the way, breaking a railroad and burning bridges at and beyond Decatur? And thus far no Yankee except a chance prisoner had discovered this Jacksonian march! The morning showed us empty trenches from Bald Hill to the right of Thomas. We quickly closed again on Atlanta, skirmishing as we went. McPherson’s left was, however, near enough already, only a single valley lying between Blair’s position and the outer defensive works of the city. The Sixteenth Corps (Dodge), having sent a detachment under General Sprague to hold Decatur, to support the cavalry and take care of sundry army wagons,—a thing successfully accomplished,—had marched, on the 21st, toward Atlanta. Dodge remained for the night with head of column a mile or more in rear of Blair’s general line. Fuller’s division was nearest Blair’s left, and Sweeny’s not far from the Augusta railroad, farther to the north. McPherson spent the night with Sweeny. His hospitals and main supply trains were between Sweeny and the front. About midday McPherson, having determined to make a stronger left, had set Dodge’s men in motion. They marched, as usual, by fours, and were in long column pursuing their way nearly parallel to Hardee’s battle front, which was hidden by the thick trees. Now danger threatened: at the first skirmish shots Dodge’s troops halted and faced to the left and were in good line of battle. The Confederate divisions were advancing; fortunately for Dodge, after the firing began Hardee’s approaching lines nearing him had to cross some open fields. McPherson was then paying a brief visit to Sherman near the Howard house. The attack was sudden, but Dodge’s veterans, not much disturbed, went bravely to their work. It is easy to imagine the loud roar of artillery and the angry sounds of musketry that came to Sherman and McPherson when the sudden assault culminated and extended from Dodge to Blair’s left. McPherson mounted, and galloped off toward the firing. He first met Logan and Blair near the railway; then the three separated, each to hasten to his place on the battle-line. McPherson went at once to Dodge; saw matters going well there; sent off aides and orderlies with dispatches, till he had but a couple of men left with him. He then rode forward to pass to Blair’s left through the thick forest interval. Cheatham’s division was just approaching. The call was made, “Surrender!” But McPherson, probably without a thought save to escape from such a trap, turned his horse toward his command. He was instantly slain, and fell from his horse. One of his orderlies was wounded and captured; the other escaped to tell the sad news. Our reënforcements were on the way, so that Cheatham was beaten back. While the battle raged, McPherson’s body was brought to Sherman at the Howard house. I wrote next day: “We were all made sad yesterday by the death of General McPherson,—so young, so noble, so promising, already commanding a department!” I closed my re
port concerning him thus: “His death occasioned a profound sense of loss, a feeling that his place can never be completely filled. How valuable, how precious the country to us all, who have paid for its preservation such a price!” Logan immediately took the Army of the Tennessee, giving his corps to Morgan L. Smith. As soon as Hood, from a prominent point in front of Atlanta, beheld Hardee’s lines emerging from the thickets of Bald Hill, and knew by the smoke and sound that the battle was fully joined, he hurried forward Cheatham’s division to attack Logan all along the east front of Atlanta. At the time, I sat beside Schofield and Sherman near the Howard house, and we looked upon such parts of the battle as our glasses could compass. Before long we saw the line of Logan broken, with parts of two batteries in the enemy’s hands. Sherman put in a cross-fire of cannon, a dozen or more, and Logan organized an attacking force that swept away the bold Confederates by a charge in double-time. Blair’s soldiers repulsed the front attack of Cheatham’s and Maney’s divisions, and then, springing over their parapets, fought Bate’s and Maney’s men from the other side. The battle continued till night, when Hood again yielded the field to Sherman and withdrew. The losses on both sides in this battle of Atlanta were probably nearly even—about four thousand each. Our gain was in morale.
SCENE OF GENERAL MCPHERSON’S DEATH, ON THE BATTLE-FIELD OF JULY 22. FROM WAR-TIME PHOTOGRAPHS.
A 32-pounder cannon, set upon a granite block, now marks the spot of General McPherson’s death. A large pine stands within a few feet of the monument, which faces a partly improved roadway that is called McPherson Avenue.
MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES B. MCPHERSON, KILLED JULY 22, 1864. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.
BATTLE OF ATLANTA, JULY 22, 1864—THE CONTEST ON BALD HILL: FOURTH DIVISION, FIFTEENTH CORPS, IN THE FOREGROUND. FROM THE PANORAMA OF “ATLANTA.”
Sherman now drew his half-circle closer and closer, and began to manœuvre with a view to get upon the railways proceeding southward. The Army of the Tennessee (late McPherson’s) was assigned to me by the President, and I took command on the 27th of July, while it was marching around by the rear of Schofield and Thomas, in order to throw itself forward close to Atlanta on the south-west side, near Ezra Church. Skirmishing briskly, Dodge was first put into line facing the city; next Blair, beside him; last, Logan, on the right, making a large angle with Blair. He was not at night quite up to the crest of the ridge that he was to occupy. In the morning of the 28th he was moving slowly and steadily into position. About 8 o’clock Sherman was riding with me through the wooded region in rear of Logan’s forces, when the skirmishing began to increase, and an occasional shower of grape cut through the tree-tops and struck the ground beyond us. I said: “General, Hood will attack me here.” “I guess not—he will hardly try it again,” Sherman replied. I said that I had known Hood at West Point, and that he was indomitable. As the signs increased, Sherman went back to Thomas, where he could best help me should I need reënforcement. Logan halted his line, and the regiments hurriedly and partially covered their front with logs and rails, having only a small protection while kneeling or lying down. It was too late for intrenching. With a terrifying yell, Hood’s men charged through the forest. They were met steadily and repulsed. But in the impulse a few Confederate regiments passed beyond Logan’s extreme right. To withstand them four regiments came from Dodge; Inspector-General Strong led thither two from Blair, armed with repeating-rifles; and my chief-of-artillery placed several batteries so as to sweep that exposed flank. These were brought in at the exact moment, and after a few rapid discharges, the repeating-rifles being remarkable in their execution, all the groups of flankers were either cut down or had sought safety in flight. This battle was prolonged for hours. We expected help from Morgan’s division of Palmer’s corps, coming back from Turner’s Ferry; but the Confederate cavalry kept it in check. Our troops here exhibited nerve and persistency; Logan was cheerful and hearty and full of enthusiasm. He stopped stragglers and sent them back, and gave every needed order. Blair was watchful and helpful, and so was Dodge. After the last charge had been repelled I went along my lines, and felt proud and happy to be intrusted with such brave and efficient soldiers. Hood, having again lost three times as many as we, withdrew within his fortified lines. Our skirmishers cleared the field, and the battle of Ezra Church was won; and with this result I contented myself. One officer, who was a little panic-stricken, ran with the first stragglers to Sherman, and cried substantially, as I remember, “You’ve made a mistake in McPherson’s successor. Everything is going to pieces!” Sherman said, “Is General Howard there?” “Yes; I suppose he is.” “Well, I’ll wait before taking action till I hear from him!” So Sherman sustained and trusted me, and I was content. Of General Logan, who has so recently gone from us, I wrote, after this battle:
MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. LOGAN. FROM A PHOTOGRAPH.
“Major-General Logan was spirited and energetic, going at once to the point where he apprehended the slightest danger of the enemy’s success. His decision and resolution animated and encouraged his officers and men to hold on at all hazards.”
For a month Hood kept to a defensive attitude, and, like a long storm, the siege operations set in. Sherman worked his right, with block after block, eastward and southward. Schofield and part of Thomas’s command had passed beyond me, digging as they halted. Every new trench found a fresh one opposite. The lines were near together. Many officers and men were slain and many were wounded and sent back to the hospitals. Dodge, while reconnoitering, was badly hurt; T.E.G. Ransom took his corps, and J. M. Corse a division in it.
Hooker, already vexed at Sherman, was incensed at my assignment, resigned, and went home. Slocum came from Vicksburg to command the Twentieth Corps. Palmer, having a controversy concerning his seniority, left the Fourteenth Corps, and Jeff. C. Davis took his place. Hazen passed from a brigade in the Fourth (Stanley’s) to M. L. Smith’s division of Logan’s corps. F. P. Blair, in a report, condensed the work of his corps in these words: “The command was occupied for 28 days in making approaches, digging rifle-pits, and erecting batteries, being subjected day and night to a galling fire of artillery and musketry.”
Sherman now having his supplies well up, beginning on the night of the 25th of August, intrenched Slocum’s strong corps across his railroad communication to defend it; then made another grand wheel of his armies. Schofield this time clung to the pivot. My command described an arc of 25 miles radius aiming at Jonesboro’, while Thomas followed the middle course. Both southern railways were to be seized, and the stations and road destroyed.
THE BATTLE OF EZRA CHURCH, JULY 28, 1864. FROM A SKETCH MADE AT THE TIME.
Preceded by Kilpatrick, we made the march rapidly enough, considering the endless plague of the enemy’s horse artillery supported by Wheeler’s cavalry, and the time it took us to break up the West Point railroad. At Renfro Place we were to encamp on the night of the 30th of August. Finding no water there, and also hoping to secure the Flint River Bridge, six miles ahead, I called to Kilpatrick for a squadron. He sent me a most energetic young man, Captain Estes, and the horsemen needed. I asked Estes if he could keep the enemy in motion. He gave a sanguine reply, and galloped off at the head of his men. Wheeler’s rear-guard was surprised, and hurried toward the river. Hazen’s infantry followed, forgetting their fatigue in the excitement of pursuit. We reached the bridge as it was burning, extinguished the fire, crossed over in the dusk of the evening under an increasing fire from hostile cavalry and infantry, but did not stop till Logan had reached the wooded ridge beyond, near Jonesboro’. The command was soon put into position, and worked all night and during the next morning to intrench, and build the required bridges. Hood had sent Hardee by rail, with perhaps half of his command, to hold Jonesboro’. My Confederate classmate, S. D. Lee, who had had the immediate assault at Ezra Church, here appeared again, commanding Cheatham’s corps. At 3 P.M. on the 31st the Confederates came on with the usual vigor, but were met by Logan and Ransom, and thoroughly repulsed. Hood now aban
doned Atlanta, and united with Hardee in the vicinity of Jonesboro’, near Lovejoy’s Station. Thomas, joining my left flank, fought mainly the battle of September 1st. During the rest that followed, Blair and Logan went home on leave of absence; the field-force of the Army of the Tennessee was consolidated into two corps, Osterhaus temporarily commanding the Fifteenth, and Ransom the Seventeenth. Thomas went to Chattanooga to defend the communications with Sherman’s army. Wagner’s division was sent to Chattanooga, and Corse’s division to Rome. Colonel John E. Tourtellotte had a detachment garrisoning the works at Allatoona Pass.
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