GENERAL: General Baird succeeded in advancing his lines within a short distance of the house he was firing at this morning, and has his skirmishers beyond. General Palmer’s chief engineer went into Acworth to-day about 11 a.m., capturing 1 or 2 of the ene
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General James B. McPherson – May 31, 1864
I sent you the orders of movement for to-morrow. I now send you a map which gives the best surveys, and I indicate the best points for your five divisions to cover the right flank. Our heaviest fighting will be still farther east than is given on this map
Read MoreSpecial Field Orders from Major General William T. Sherman to – May 30, 1864
In the Field, near Dallas, Ga., May 30, 1864.
The movements of the army during May 31 and June 1 will be as follows:
I. May 31, the lines will remain substantially as now, and a general activity will be kept up along the whole front. General McPhers
From Major General James B. McPherson to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – May 24, 1864
The main column is going into camp on this creek, where there is water. Camp your command in some good position for to-night on the road toward Dallas. Reconnoiter the roads thoroughly leading off to the southeast toward Pumpkin Vine and Villa Rica. Find
Read MoreFrom Major General James B. McPherson to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – May 24, 1864
Commanding Cavalry Division
The main column is going into camp on this creek, where there is water. Camp your command in some good position for to-night on the road toward Dallas. Reconnoiter the roads thoroughly leading off to the southeast toward
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Kenner Garrard to Captain L. M. Dayton – May 21, 1864
CAPTAIN: I send to the major-general commanding a citizen who has lived in this section of country and can give good information concerning the roads and country south of this. Last night
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 19, 1864
GENERAL: I am satisfied that if there be any force in front of you it is a division of Cheatham’s that said here last night. It should not escape. Garrard’s cavalry is now moving for the bridge across Etowah, with orders to hold it. Press down on that for
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 18, 1864
GENERAL: Until we know exactly the course taken by Johnston from Kingston I cannot make orders more exact than those already existing. You are now on the plain, well-marked trail of the enemy. You will, early in the morning, renew the pursuit, following t
Read MoreFrom Major General James B. McPherson to Major General William T. Sherman – May 18, 1864
GENERAL: We reached here at 6.30 p.m. found General Garrard here in accordance with instructions given him this morning. I inclose herewith his report, which will give you an idea of what his command has done to-day.* The report indicates that the enemy i
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 17, 1864
GENERAL: It is probable on reaching Adairsville in the early morning we will find the enemy has retreated via Cassville. If such be the case I want you to put your head of column after him as far as Cassville, when I will determine whether to continue the
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – May 16, 1864
Railroad track finished and cars in. Columns are well across Oostanaula, and I will aim to reach Kingston to-morrow, and the Etowah on the third day. I take it for granted Rome will fall as a consequence.
W. T. SHERMAN,
Major-General.
RESACA, GA.
From Brigadier General Jefferson C. Davis to Major General George H. Thomas – May 16, 1864
GENERAL: This will be handed you by a staff officer of General Garrard, who returns with information that no bridge exists across the Oostanaula below the pontoons until you reach Rome. He reports General Garrard returning to Resaca, to cross at the ponto
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 16, 1864
GENERAL: Dispatch a good division down the old Rome road which passes down the west of the Oostanaula, four miles west of this to Farmer’s Bridge, which is eight miles north of Rome. There will be found General Garrard’s train of artillery which he will l
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General James B. McPherson – May 16, 1864
GENERAL: I will attend General Thomas’ army to-morrow and hope to reach Adairsville. You had better mass your men a little in front of Calhoun, and when you know Thomas is advancing south of Calhoun keep abreast or a little ahead of him. I presume you are
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Jefferson C. Davis to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – May 16, 1864
GENERAL: I met your staff officer on his way to Resaca, he told me his business. The information he gave me concerning the bridges places [me] in some doubt as to what I had best do, and your intention to return to Ray’s [Lay’s] Ferry increases my perplex
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 13, 1864
I want the pontoon bridge laid at the best point near Ray’s [Lay’s] Ferry, near the mouth of Lick or Snake Creek. I inclose a sketch* made to-day by a seemingly intelligent officer. As soon as I know the pontoons have started down the road I will send all
Read MoreSpecial Field Orders from Major General William T. Sherman to – May 12, 1864
May 12, 1864.
The object of the movement for to-morrow is to interpose between the enemy and Resaca, and to break his communications.
I. Major-General McPherson will move his column directly on Resaca occupying in force the hills on this side of Cam
From Major General James B. McPherson to Major General George H. Thomas – May 11, 1864
Commanding Department of the Cumberland:
General Garrard has reported, and has been directed to remain at Villanow watching the road toward Rome and La Fayette until further orders.
JAS. B. McPHERSON,
Major-General, Commanding.
HDQ
Read MoreFrom Major General George H. Thomas to Major General James B. McPherson – May 11, 1864
Garrard at Villanow at 9 a. m. He is to report to you. Notify him of this fact, and notify me when he does so.
Read MoreFrom Captain L. M. Dayton to Major General George H. Thomas – May 10, 1864
GENERAL: By direction of the general commanding, you will please order Major-General Hooker to support General McPherson at Snake Creek Gap, directing your nest division to General Geary to watch the road Geary is occupying. The general directs me also to
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General W. L. Elliott to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – May 10, 1864
GENERAL: Major-General Sherman has directed Major-General Thomas to order your division to proceed without delay to Villanow, Ga. You will report receipt of these instructions and your arrival at Villanow.
I am, general, very respectfully, your obedien
From Brigadier General W. L. Elliott to Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick – May 10, 1864
You will proceed without delay and report with your division to Major-General McPherson. The inclosed instructions for General Garrard to march with hid division from La Fayette to Villanow you will forward to him by a force sufficient to make their recei
Read MoreFrom Captain L. M. Dayton to Major General George H. Thomas – May 9, 1864
GENERAL: The general commanding directs me to say to you that he has no instructions for to-day other than those agreed upon last night, except for you to cause to be extended signals to General McPherson, and to improve all possible means of watching the
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – May 4, 1864
Dodge’s two divisions are coming in by the cars. Logan’s three divisions are closed up on Geary, who is crossing the mountain at Whiteside’s. I will send General Corse down to-morrow to meet General Garrard, and lead him across by Whiteside’s, the Coal Mi
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Kenner Garrard to Brigadier General William D. Whipple – May 4, 1864
Please say to General Sherman and General Thomas that we are just passing through Decherd, and will commence the ascent of the mountain to-night. Our artillery and forage train were delayed one day by the rains and mud. I will reach Stevenson in the short
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