NEAR RESACA, GA., May 14, 1864-8 p. m.
(Received 11.45 a. m. 15th.)
Major General H. W. HALLECK,
Washington, D. C.:
We have had hard fighting all day. Johnston purely on the defensive. The place has small detached redoubts, and in immense amount of rifle trenches. We have close the enemy well in, gaining ground slowly but securely all day. The country is very rough and woody. I will renew the attack at all points to-morrow, and continue till Johnston retreats, and then shall follow. General Sweeny’s division, Sixteenth Corps, with a pontoon train, tried to cross the Oostanaula at Lay’s Ferry, below Calhoun, but was stoutly opposed by a heavy force in the dense timber on the opposite bank. General Howard’s corps followed the enemy down from Dalton, and his right now joins to our main line, and my forces are all united, the line extending from the Oostanaula above to below the town. General Stoneman’s cavalry division is on the east of the river, and General Garrard’s division of cavalry is sent around by the right to cross the Oostanaula, above Rome, if possible, and break the railroad north of Kingston.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.