I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this date. I have ordered the brigade of Garrard’s DIVISION now at the railroad bridge to Sweet Water Creek, instructing the commanding officer to receive orders from General Kilpatrick and notif
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 Oliver O. Howard – September 2, 1864
You know that General Garrard reports General Slocum in possession of Atlanta. I have sent couriers to learn the exact truth. If it be so, we don’t care about pushing the enemy any farther at this time. Had we prevented his making intrenchments it would h
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General John M. Schofield – September 2, 1864
I have your dispatch of 7.15 last evening, since which time you have a letter from me. I heard explosions and firing about Atlanta at 2 o’clock and at this moment I hear more seemingly nearer us, but due north; it must be Garrard, but what force he engage
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Oliver O. Howard – August 31, 1864
I have yours of 3 a. m. I am satisfied you have as many men as can operate at that point now. Let Kilpatrick reach well to the right, break the telegraph and take up a few rails, but I want you to get possession and fortify some one point of the road itse
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Oliver O. Howard – August 31, 1864
Your dispatch is received. Of course, now an attack by you on Jonesborough is out of the question, but you can make that position impregnable, and we can operate beyond. Baird is now moving toward the road four miles north of you, and Schofield about the
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick to Lieutenant David F. How – August 31, 1864
I have the honor to report that I forced a passage on the river half a mile below Jonesborough, drove in the enemy’s picket directly in his rear to a point within half a mile of the town, dismounted an entire brigade, sent the horses back across the river
Read MoreFrom Major General John M. Schofield to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – August 28, 1864
GENERAL: I send you a map showing my present position, and from which you can see what my probably movement till be to-morrow. General Thomas is now on the railroad about Red Oak, and General Howard has crossed it, between Red Oak and Fairburn. To-morrow
Read MoreFrom Major General John M. Schofield to Major General William T. Sherman – August 28, 1864
GENERAL: I occupy the works vacated by General Stanley, with my left resting at Mrs. Holbrook’s. The enemy made a demonstration upon Cox’s right about noon, but got back into his works as quickly as possible upon finding that we were in force. We then wit
Read MoreFrom Major General Oliver O. Howard to Major General William T. Sherman – August 27, 1864
GENERAL: I have complied with your directions. General Garrard was on his way some little time ago to Utoy and probably are this has reported to you. For the safety of our rear against small squads of the enemy and to keep us informed about larger bodies
Read MoreFrom Major General Oliver O. Howard to Major General John M. Schofield – August 20, 1864
The following just received from signal officer:
A train of fifteen freight cars just left Atlanta, loaded with troops inside and outside; tops of cars were crowded.
From Major General George H. Thomas to Major General William T. Sherman – August 20, 1864
General Stanley reports that the brigade started out on his left, drove back the enemy’s skirmishers one mile, and found the right of his infantry line, took 8 prisoners form Strahl’s brigade, who report that Ferguson’s brigade of cavalry left their right
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General John M. Schofield – August 19, 1864
According to the doctrine of chances, on the supposition that Kilpatrick breaks the road, of which, I think, there is no doubt, the enemy should try to break our center. Therefore, let orders be made that in case of any indications of such an event the wi
Read MoreFrom Major General Oliver O. Howard to Major General John M. Schofield – August 19, 1864
A long train of cars, loaded on top with troops, just moved down to the barracks, where it took on more troops and then moved south.
Read MoreFrom Major General Oliver O. Howard to Major General William T. Sherman – August 19, 1864
Train which left Atlanta at 9.35 returned at 11.35 empty. Know it is same train by peculiarity of one of the cars. Another train which left at 11.10 returned at 11.40 empty.
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – August 19, 1864
General Howard’s signal officer reports cars loaded with soldiers sent down the railroad. Of course Hood will try to defend that road at all cost, and we should take advantage of detachments made for that purpose. Better let all your line fell forward as
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – August 18, 1864
Hood may attempt to pass round our left flank to our, rear following the cavalry movement, in which even I will move General Schofield, and if need be General Howard, in that direction. Therefore ascertain as soon as possible if any infantry has passed ou
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Oliver O. Howard – August 17, 1864
Make preparations, but merely postpone. If the cavalry can do what we want, there is no need of moving the whole army.
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Generals Schofield and Howard – August 16, 1864
General Garrard is back; went seven miles; saw some horsemen and came back. General John E, Smith is at Resaca, and the enemy is at Spring Place. I think Generals Smith and Steedman can so manage that Wheeler will be driven north. Has General Schofield he
Read MoreFrom Major General John M. Schofield to Major General William T. Sherman – August 16, 1864
GENERAL: I respectfully suggest the following details in the execution of the plan proposed by you on the 13th instant:
First day. Twentieth Corps to take its position on the Chattahoochee and the Fourth Corps in rear of the Fourteenth, the trains whic
From Major General John M. Schofield to Major General William T. Sherman – August 14, 1864
GENERAL: In accordance with the desire expressed by you yesterday to General Thomas, General Howard, and myself, I have the honor to submit the following plan of operations, having for its object to compel the enemy to abandon his works about Atlanta and
Read MoreFrom James C. Van Duzer to Major T. T. Eckert – August 1, 1864
Our cavalry, under General McCook, reached the Macon road, burned a brigade, and destroyed railroad for twelve miles at thoroughly as possible. Burned several trains of wagons-500 in all-including 300 loads of clothing, and Hood’s headquarters train, but
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – August 1, 1864
General Howard reports an unusual movement of troops out of Atlanta to his right. I am very anxious to hear the substance of Colonel Brownlow’s story. I am told by General Barry’s aide that he saw Colonel Brownlow at your camp. I cannot understand Brownlo
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – July 31, 1864
I have your dispatch, which is most satisfactory. I think General Schofield, supported by General Davis and Ward, will reach the railroad. At all events, it is our true move. General Garrard’s cavalry can occupy General Schofield’s lines, and General Stan
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General Oliver O. Howard – July 31, 1864
General Garrard did not destroy any of the railroad. He was posted at Flat Rock by General Stoneman to occupy the attention of the enemy’s cavalry, which he (Stoneman) pressed to his rear and south. All we know to the Macon road is from a Colonel Garrard,
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Generals Thomas and Howard – July 31, 1864
A cavalryman, just in, says General Garrard is coming in by the Peach Tree road; had a small fight first day, none since. Says General Stoneman has gone on, so that branch of the raid seems to be doing well. I now want news of General McCook. As soon as G
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 John A. Logan to Major General William T. Sherman – July 24, 1864
I have the honor to state the brigade of cavalry from General Stoneman’s command, which, by information from you of last evening, was to report to me this morning, has not yet reported. It is necessary that trains with forage and rations should be brought
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 George H. Thomas – July 17, 1864
Commanding Army of the Cumberland:
GENERAL: General Schofield has just been here and describes his position as on Nancy’s Creek, his pickets on south side, near Cross Keys, about the lots 304, 315, and 316.
General McPherson is on the road from Rosw
From Major General William T. Sherman to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – July 9, 1864
It is reported from Acworth that the road is threatened by a regiment of Texans, 500 strong. As soon as you are strengthened by infantry, increase your force above Roswell at the upper bridge, to interpose between it and the bridge. This is the reason why
Read MoreFrom Major General Oliver O. Howard to Major General George H. Thomas – July 9, 1864
Captain Kirlin, my aide-de-camp, has just returned from Roswell Ferry. General Newton arrived there at 2 p.m., and he has crossed two brigades over the river. General Garrard crossed at 6 a.m.; had but little opposition. Lost no men. Captured a few.
Read MoreFrom Major General George H. Thomas to Major General Oliver O. Howard – July 9, 1864
GENERAL: The major-general commanding directs that at daylight you move a division for Roswell Factory to support and make sure of everything that may be gained by Garrard. Let it move without wagons and remain until relieved by General McPherson’s troops
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – July 8, 1864
General Garrard will effect a lodgment to-morrow morning at Roswell, and General Schofield about the mouth of Soap Creek. The moment I hear that General Garrard is successful I will send one of General McPherson’s corps up, but he is so far off that it ma
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General William D. Whipple to Major General Oliver O. Howard – July 8, 1864
GENERAL: Brigadier-General Garrard is to effect a lodgment at Roswell Factory to-morrow morning, and as soon as he reports himself successful General Sherman is to send a corps of the Army of the Tennessee to that point. General McPherson is, however, so
Read MoreFrom Major General George H. Thomas to Major General Oliver O. Howard – July 7, 1864
GENERAL: General Sherman has ordered Schofield to cross the river to-night at Roswell Factory, and secure a lodgment on the south side. To divert the enemy’s attention as much as possible from him I wish you to display a force in front of Pace’s Ferry, ab
Read MoreFrom Lieutenant David F. How to Brigadier General Edward M. McCook – July 5, 1864
GENERAL: The general commanding directs that you march with your command to the left and rear of the Army of the Cumberland. General Howard’s (Fourth) corps is on the left, with his right resting on the railroad. General Garrard’s division is on the extre
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Kenner Garrard to Brigadier General W. L. Elliott – July 4, 1864
GENERAL: I have the honor to report that I advanced on the Pace’s Ferry road about a mile and a half, driving the enemy’s pickets, crossing a creek and taking a range of hills on the south side. The enemy was strong, and being in front of the infantry, wh
Read MoreFrom Major General George H. Thomas to Major General Oliver O. Howard – June 13, 1864
GENERAL: Your note has been received. Should the enemy mean a night attack on you all that can be done is to hold yourself in readiness. Should he mean to attack McPherson’s left and get around his left flank at our wagon train, which is probably his othe
Read MoreFrom Major General James B. McPherson to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – June 13, 1864
GENERAL: Major-General Howard reports a movement of the enemy from the center toward our left. Look out for an attack, and also for an attack on our lines here about daylight. Should you hear sounds of heavy battle, move toward the firing.
Read MoreFrom 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 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 MoreReport from Major General Oliver O. Howard regarding General Garrard – May 9, 1864
General Garrard had just arrived at La Fayette, with horses fatigued and short of forage, and wished to remain there until his forage train came up from Chattanooga.
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