The Twentieth Corps now occupies Atlanta and the Chattahoochee bridges. The main army is now here, grouped below Jonesborough. The enemy holds a line facing us, with front well covered by parapets, and flanks by Walnut Creek on the right and a confluent o
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – September 3, 1864
Major General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:
As already reported, the army drew from about Atlanta, and on the 30th had made a good break of the West Point road and reached a good position from which to strike the Macon railroad, the right (General
From Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 22, 1864
General Kilpatrick is back. He had pretty hard fighting with a division of infantry and three brigades of cavalry. He broke the cavalry into disorder and captured a battery, which he destroyed, except one gun, which he brought in in addition to all his ow
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 20, 1864
General Kilpatrick is out yet, and I infer has broken the Macon road, because three trains of cars left Atlanta and returned, backing the trains. Our infantry to-day was on the West Point road at Red Oak, five miles below East Point. General Lightburn was
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 19, 1864
I have Secretary Stanton’s dispatch announcing the promotion of Colonel Long, a hard-working and worthy cavalry officer. We have had heavy demonstrations all day, especially on our flanks, to hold the enemy while our cavalry is out after the Macon road. I
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 7, 1864
GENERAL: In order that you may have a proper understanding of the recent cavalry operations form this army that terminated somewhat unsuccessfully, I will explain. On the 25th of July I had driven the enemy to his inner intrenchments of Atlanta, and had b
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 6, 1864
We have now developed our line along with the enemy from the Augusta railroad, on our left, to Utoy Post-Office, on our right, and the enemy faces us in force at all points with equal force and superior works. General Schofield tried to break through at a
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 3, 1864
In order to make my campaign collusive I should have a large cavalry force. We find great difficulty in procuring horses. I understand there are 2,000 at Saint Louis. Can I not have them? Recruits also should be sent to Nashville, and sent forward daily,
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 3, 1864
Richmond Dispatch to-day contains the following:
MACON, August 1, 1864-6 p. m.
Our cavalry under General Iverson attacked the enemy yesterday near Clinton. The Yankees, commanded by General Stoneman, routed, and Stoneman, 25 officers, about 500 pris
From Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 1, 1864
Colonel Brownlow is here and reports that General McCook proceeded according to his orders, and reached the Macon railroad and destroyed twelve miles and a bridge over a branch of White Water, which he says, is as long as that over Chattahoochee. He also
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – August 1, 1864
Colonel Brownlow reports from Marietta that he has just reached there, having escaped from a disaster that overtook General McCook’s cavalry expedition at Newnan. He reports the expedition reached the railroad and destroyed more road than the rebels can r
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 30, 1864
No change since my last. Weather has been intensely hot, and to-day it is raining hard. General Garrard’s cavalry is back. General Stoneman placed it at Flat Rock to cover his movement south. General Garrard reports the enemy’s cavalry all round him for t
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 27, 1864
My two cavalry expeditions are off to make a wide circuit and reach the Macon road well to the southeast of Atlanta, and the Army of the Tennessee is shifted to the extreme right, reaching well toward the railroad, so that I think to-morrow must develop s
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 25, 1864
GENERAL: I find it difficult to make prompt report of results coupled with some data or information without occasionally making some mistakes. General McPherson’s sudden death, and General Logan succeeding to the command, as it were, in the midst of battl
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 24, 1864
On making up retorts and examining the field, I find the result of Hood’s attack on our left more disastrous to the enemy than I reported. Our loss will not foot up 2,000 killed and wounded, whereas we have found over 1,000 rebels dead, which will make wi
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 23, 1864
General Rousseau reports from Marietta yesterday his safe return from Opelika, having destroyed that depot 30 miles of railroad toward Montgomery, 3 miles toward Columbus, and 2 toward West Point. His entire loss 12 killed and 30 wounded. He brings in 400
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 23, 1864
Yesterday morning the enemy fell back to the entrenchments proper of the city of Atlanta, which are in a general circle of a radius of one mile and a half we closed in. While we were forming our lines and selecting positions for batteries, the enemy appea
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 21, 1864
GENERAL: Yesterday at 4 p. m. the enemy sallied from his entrenchments and fell suddenly and heavily on our line in the direction of Buck Head. The blow fell upon General Newton’s division, of General Howard’s corps, and on General Ward’s, Geary’s, and Wi
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 20, 1864
GENERAL: I have a dispatch from General Grant. Answer him in my name that Major General Smith has the very orders he suggests, viz, to hang on the Forrest and prevent his coming to Tennessee. I will, however, renew the order. I advanced from the Chattahoo
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 18, 1864
We moved to-day rapidly and General McPherson reached the Atlanta and Augusta road at a point seven miles east of Decatur and four miles from Stone Mountain. General Garrard’s cavalry at once set to work to break up road and was re-enforced by Brigadier G
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Lieutenant General U.S. Grant – July 12, 1864
DEAR GENERAL: I have written you but once since the opening of the campaign, but I report by telegraph to Halleck daily, and he furnishes you copy. My progress was slower than I calculated, from two chief causes, an uninterrupted rain from June 2 to about
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – July 8, 1864
I have been to our extreme right and all well. Be active at daylight to-morrow to draw attention as far down the river as possible. The moment I hear you have made a lodgment on the south bank I will send a division up to re-enforce you, and it will be fo
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 7, 1864
General Garrard reports to me that he is in possession of Roswell, where were several valuable cotton and woolen factories in full operation, also paper-mills, all of which, by my order, he destroyed by fire. They had been for years engaged exclusively at
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 5, 1864
On the 3rd we pursued the enemy by all the roads south till we found him in an intrenched position which had been prepared in advance, its salient on the main Marietta and Atlanta road about five miles south of Marietta, and the wings behind the Nickajack
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – July 3, 1864
The movement on our right caused the enemy to evacuate. We occupied Kenesaw at daylight and Marietta at 8.30 a.m. Thomas is moving down the main road, toward the Chattahoochee; McPherson toward the mouth of Nickajack on the Sandtown road. Our cavalry is o
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to General U. S. Grant – June 18, 1864
DEAR GENERAL: I have the doubt you want me to write your occasionally letters not purely official, but which will admit of a little more latitude than such documents possess. I have daily sent to Halleck telegraphs which I asked him to report to you, and
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to J. C. Van Duzer – June 3, 1864
Both armies remain as at last advices by telegraph. Blair not at Rome yet. Stoneman and Garrard with cavalry occupy Allatoona Mountain, and trains and telegraph will reach Carter’s Station to-morrow. Who is General Grant?
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 Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – May 14, 1864
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
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Henry W. Halleck – May 10, 1864
I am starting for the extreme front in Buzzard Roost Gap, and write this dispatch that you may understand. Johnston acts purely on the defensive. I am attacking him on his strongest fronts, viz, west and north, till McPherson breaks his line at Resaca, wh
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