CAPTAIN: I have the honor to submit the following report of the operations of my command during the recent campaign, commencing with the advance across Taylor’s Ridge and battle of Resaca, and ending with the defeat of the rebel army and fall of Atlanta:
Read MoreFrom Major William M. Wherry to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – August 30, 1864
GENERAL: The commanding general desires you to occupy, substantially, the present position occupied by his infantry, crossing the railroad and all roads to the left of it. Colonel Garrard will cover all roads between you and the infantry. The infantry wil
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Kenner Garrard to Brigadier General William D. Whipple – August 30, 1864
GENERAL: On leaving Decatur I was directed to send daily report to department headquarters under the impression that this was to notify the chief of cavalry of my station daily. The only day one of his staff officers has not been in my camp I reported by
Read MoreSpecial Field Orders from Major General John M. Schofield to Major John A. Campbell – August 30, 1864
I. The troops will move promptly at 4.30 a. m. to-morrow — early daylight — by the right flank, in their present order, on the road to Shoal Creek Church. The skirmish line will be kept out well to the left and will move parallel to the column. At Mrs
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General Kenner Garrard to Major General John M. Schofield – August 29, 1864
GENERAL: My headquarters are at Wait’s house, on the south side of Camp Creek, and my two brigades lie to the left, along the creek. I cover all the roads and ground from Mims’ around to the Sandtown road, a mile west of Patterson’s, and also picket to my
Read MoreSpecial Field Orders from Major General John M. Schofield to – August 29, 1864
I. The plan of operations for to-morrow is as follows: The Army of the Tennessee to move from Fairburn to Renfroe Place (near Jonesborough); the Army of the Cumberland, from Red Oak, via Shoal Creek Church, to Couch’s; the Army of the Ohio, via Red Oak an
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General John M. Schofield – August 28, 1864
GENERAL: You had better move your trains by the middle road of the three in front of Mount Gilead Church. It will come out at Red Oak where there are cleared fields on corn – this is the same by which General Thomas moved his trains, and they report it ve
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 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 David S. Stanley to Brigadier General William D. Whipple – August 20, 1864
GENERAL: The inclosed papers,* taken from a rebel scout killed near Decatur by Colonel Miller’s command this morning, show Hood is anxious to know the exact location of the left. Whether for curiosity, or because he thinks of an enterprise, it is hard to
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General James D. Morgan to Captain T. W. Morrison – August 20, 1864
CAPTAIN: I have the honor to report that in compliance with orders from division headquarters, my command moved early this morning to the right and in rear of trenches lately occupied by Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps. About 8.30 a. m. I receive
Read MoreFrom Major General Jefferson C. Davis to Major General John M. Schofield – August 20, 1864
GENERAL: A part of my troops have reached Red Oak and are tearing up the track at this time. I have ordered Morgan to return. They met but little resistance. All the rebel cavalry have gone to the rear in pursuit of Kilpatrick.
Read MoreFrom Major General John M. Schofield to Major General William T. Sherman – August 19, 1864
The large battery which we struck in the first move is, I believe, about the northeast corner of let 190, where two roads come into the Newman road. From that point the enemy’s lines seem to run southeast to the West Point railroad, striking it near Bacon
Read MoreFrom Brigadier General W. L. Elliott to Brigadier General Kenner Garrard – August 17, 1864
The major-general commanding directs me to inform you that he is in receipt of a report from Major-General Stanley of a movement on the part of the enemy on our left. He desires you to keep a strict lookout, and watch any movement that may be made by him,
Read MoreFrom Major General George H. Thomas to Major General William T. Sherman – August 17, 1864
Information from all scouts seems to confirm the report that Wheeler has taken off the greater part of his cavalry. I therefore think this will be as good a time as could be taken to make another raid on the Macon railroad, but if you send Kilpatrick I wo
Read MoreFrom Major General William T. Sherman to Major General George H. Thomas – August 17, 1864
I have a message from General Kilpatrick, inclosing a copy of his report to General Elliott.* He thinks it not only possible but comparatively easy to break the railroad to Macon effectually. I do not want to move this vast army and its paraphernalia roun
Read MoreSpecial Field Orders from Major General William T. Sherman to – August 16, 1864
In the Field, near Atlanta, August 16, 1864.
The movement of the army against the Macon railroad will begin Thursday night, August 18, and will be continued on the following general plan:
I. All army commanders will send across the Chattahoochee Riv