Barrycdog
Major
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Location
- Buford, Georgia
ON THIS DAY 150 Years Ago - Monday, July 11, 1864
NEAR CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER, GA., July 11, 1864: 7 a. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:
The enemy is now all beyond the Chattahoochee, having destroyed all his bridges. We occupy the west bank for thirty miles, and have two heads of columns across; one at the shallow ford at Roswell, and the other at the mouth of Soap Creek (Phillips'). At these we are making good pier bridges. Water is shallow, rock bottom, but strong and rapid current. I propose to have another of pontoons lower down, about the mouth of Rottenwood or Island Creeks. The last works abandoned by the enemy were the strongest of all, embracing two detached redoubts and extending along the river hills for about five miles, having in its whole extent finished abatis and parapet, with glacis obstructed with chevaux-de-frise, and all manner of impediments. But the moment Johnston detected that I had ignored his forts, and had secured two good lodgments above him on the east bank, at Roswell Factory and at Phillips', he drew his forces across and burned all his bridges, viz, one railroad, one trestle, and three pontoons. We now commence the real game for Atlanta, and I expect pretty sharp practice, but I think we have the advantage, and propose to keep it.
T. SHERMAN, Major-General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, near Chattahoochee River, July 11, 1864.
General THOMAS:
I have ordered General McPherson to send his pontoons here tomorrow. I will order them to Powers' Ferry, and I will want you to effect a lodgment there tomorrow night and next day. There is no enemy of any size to our immediate front, and General Dodge reports the enemy's cavalry alone above Peach Tree Creek at Buck Head. he says he has an Atlanta paper of the 10th, that all the wealthy people are leaving, and that a council of war was held, when it was decided to fight for Atlanta. General Rousseau telegraphs from Decatur on the 8th that he started that day and would be on the Montgomery and Opelika road in eight or nine days. I think we should as soon as possible secure the opposite bank from Roswell down to Peach Tree Creek. I think the bridge across the Peach Tree near the railroad bridge is still standing. I watched it close today and think I saw half a dozen men pass it, but with that exception there was no life visible. There was no danger in standing in full view in the redoubt today. I suppose Johnston will group his army about Atlanta, and wait for us to develop our game. I only await news from Stoneman to put General McPherson in motion.
T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding
Thomas ordered General Howard tomorrow morning, to move a brigade down the south bank of the river from Phillips' to Powers' Ferry, and move one of the pontoon bridges from the former point to the latter. The road at Phillips' is so narrow on each side that but one wagon can pass at a time, consequently there is use for but one bridge. The trestle bridge will not be completed for several days. Howard's whole corp is to be moved south of the river.
Moore, a scout we sent out on the 7th instant, has just returned, bringing the following information:
He left General Johnston's headquarters at 3 p. m. yesterday. General Johnston's headquarters are at a small white house three miles this side of Atlanta, on what is called the Atlanta and Marietta road. The railroad passes near it. General Stewart's headquarters are near General Johnston's. Stewart's corps, late Polk's, is still on the right of Johnston's army, with the right resting on the railroad, about two miles beyond Peach Tree Creek, going from here toward Atlanta. Moore says he heard the officers saying they were going to intrench a position with their right resting on the railroad and their left at Cedar Bluffs.
He says he was told that the principal part of the rebel wagon train had been moved beyond Atlanta toward Augusta; that a good deal of machinery had been moved from Atlanta in the same direction, and that the refugees, in great numbers, taking the negroes, &c., are also doing in the same direction. He heard officers say that they did not expect any general engagement would take place in the vicinity of Atlanta without they received re-enforcements. He heard a camp rumor that a part of Kirby Smith's force was on the way by rail to join Johnston's army, but he could not get this from any reliable source. He says the rumor was that this re-enforcement would be there today.
Moore says his impression is that the left of the rebel army rests at present on the river. Moore says he heard yesterday a report in the rebel camp that two of their corps are at Harper's Ferry. Early's corps is one, and he does not remember the other corps. He also heard a report that there had been a fight between Forrest and General Washburn. Moore says he saw Colonel Sherman at a distance, but did not have an opportunity to speak to him. He says Colonel Sherman has been forwarded to Andersonville. In returning, Moore came back by the way of Buck Head, entering our lines through General Dodge's command. He reported there early this morning. Moore says Wheeler's rebel cavalry lies between there and Buck Head. Moore says the Georgia State Troops, under General G. W. Smith, are on the left, under the general direction of General Hood.
McPherson Reports from the right:
I have the honor to inclose herewith report just received from Major-General Dodge. Everything along this part of the front has been very quiet to-day. I am having batteries erected on this side of the river at Turner's Ferry, and will have sixteen guns in position to-morrow morning to open on the enemy's redoubt on the opposite side, distant about 900 yards. Deserters state that the redoubt has six guns, two 20-pounder Parrotts and four 10-pounders. One brigade of Leggett's division is near Sandtown Ferry picketing the river, and I have one brigade of Morgan L. Smith's division near Widow Mitchell's and the other brigade at the intersection of the Sandtown and Alabama roads. Tomorrow morning De Gress will take his battery of 20-pounder Parrotts and go down to Sandtown Ferry and try to knock a small battery of the enemy's on the south side of the river to pieces. General Stoneman got off last night. No news from him today.
Dodge Reports from the left:
I arrived here yesterday at noon, the command crossed and the troops were all in position before night, and now have intrenchments up. I have over a mile of ford and bridges to cover, and cannot make a tete-de-pont very far out that will cover it. I have taken and extended the line selected by General Newton. Our trains are all on the north side of the river. The ford is very rough, but shallow, and the bridge we will have to build is 650 feet long and 14 feet high. I put a foot bridge across last night, so that troops can pass. It is very difficult for them to wade, the water is swift and bottom full of holes.
The enemy's pickets are near Buck Head, and men out of Atlanta today say that there is no infantry after you get four miles this side of Atlanta, and that Stewart is on their right. Johnston's headquarters are at a little house three miles this side of Atlanta, on the railroad. Atlanta papers of the 10th instant say that a council of war was held that day, and that it is rumored that Johnston would make a fight for the city. This would tend to show that it is not their intention. All trains belonging to the army have gone toward Augusta, and everybody fleeing. Eight miles up the river from here is a good bridge that is not destroyed. I will work hard on the bridge here and finish it as soon as possible. It is a big job as you will perceive from the length. Everything was burned up here that we could use – houses, mills, lumber, and all.
I Replied:
I know you have a big job, but that is nothing new for you. Tell General Newton that his corps is now up near General Schofield's crossing, and that all is quiet thereabouts. He might send down and move his camp to the proximity of his corps; but I think Roswell and Shallow Ford so important that I prefer him to be near you, until you are well fortified. If he needs rations tell him to get his wagons up, and I think you will be able to spare him day after tomorrow. I know the bridge at Roswell is important and you may destroy all Georgia to make it good and strong.
Dodge Responds:
All quiet this morning. I had no fear about being able to build the bridge, but thought you might expect it finished sooner than possible, as it was twice as long as I expected to find it, and twice as long as the river is wide down at Sandtown. I have over 1,000 men at work on it day and night, and it is already well under way. I have planking for floor now on the ground, and not one minute shall be lost in pushing it forward. Every man that can work on it shall be kept at it.
I Replied:
Your dispatch is received. Send me any Atlanta papers you get. I have no doubt you will have the bridge done in time. As soon as you can spare General Newton he should be relieved to join his corps where his camp equipage is. I rode along the river-bank to-day, and the force of the enemy seemed to be merely sharpshooters in small numbers in their forts. All well with us.
I Replied to Garrard. He asked yesterday about the bridge upstream of Roswell. Certainly, by all means we should save the bridge above Roswell. I asked Garrard to get me information of the lay of the country from it toward Stone Mountain.
I sent orders to Allatoona consolidating supplies in our rear. I ordered Wright, Superintendent of Railroads to set up a supply depot in Allatoona Pass where it could be easily defended. I will want an accumulation of stores in Allatoona Pass, and suggested that Wright lay down a side track between the bridge and Allatoona depot about where the old foundry was. The quartermaster can erect temporary sheds.
NEAR CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER, GA., July 11, 1864: 7 a. m.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, Washington, D. C.:
The enemy is now all beyond the Chattahoochee, having destroyed all his bridges. We occupy the west bank for thirty miles, and have two heads of columns across; one at the shallow ford at Roswell, and the other at the mouth of Soap Creek (Phillips'). At these we are making good pier bridges. Water is shallow, rock bottom, but strong and rapid current. I propose to have another of pontoons lower down, about the mouth of Rottenwood or Island Creeks. The last works abandoned by the enemy were the strongest of all, embracing two detached redoubts and extending along the river hills for about five miles, having in its whole extent finished abatis and parapet, with glacis obstructed with chevaux-de-frise, and all manner of impediments. But the moment Johnston detected that I had ignored his forts, and had secured two good lodgments above him on the east bank, at Roswell Factory and at Phillips', he drew his forces across and burned all his bridges, viz, one railroad, one trestle, and three pontoons. We now commence the real game for Atlanta, and I expect pretty sharp practice, but I think we have the advantage, and propose to keep it.
T. SHERMAN, Major-General.
HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI, In the Field, near Chattahoochee River, July 11, 1864.
General THOMAS:
I have ordered General McPherson to send his pontoons here tomorrow. I will order them to Powers' Ferry, and I will want you to effect a lodgment there tomorrow night and next day. There is no enemy of any size to our immediate front, and General Dodge reports the enemy's cavalry alone above Peach Tree Creek at Buck Head. he says he has an Atlanta paper of the 10th, that all the wealthy people are leaving, and that a council of war was held, when it was decided to fight for Atlanta. General Rousseau telegraphs from Decatur on the 8th that he started that day and would be on the Montgomery and Opelika road in eight or nine days. I think we should as soon as possible secure the opposite bank from Roswell down to Peach Tree Creek. I think the bridge across the Peach Tree near the railroad bridge is still standing. I watched it close today and think I saw half a dozen men pass it, but with that exception there was no life visible. There was no danger in standing in full view in the redoubt today. I suppose Johnston will group his army about Atlanta, and wait for us to develop our game. I only await news from Stoneman to put General McPherson in motion.
T. SHERMAN, Major-General, Commanding
Thomas ordered General Howard tomorrow morning, to move a brigade down the south bank of the river from Phillips' to Powers' Ferry, and move one of the pontoon bridges from the former point to the latter. The road at Phillips' is so narrow on each side that but one wagon can pass at a time, consequently there is use for but one bridge. The trestle bridge will not be completed for several days. Howard's whole corp is to be moved south of the river.
Moore, a scout we sent out on the 7th instant, has just returned, bringing the following information:
He left General Johnston's headquarters at 3 p. m. yesterday. General Johnston's headquarters are at a small white house three miles this side of Atlanta, on what is called the Atlanta and Marietta road. The railroad passes near it. General Stewart's headquarters are near General Johnston's. Stewart's corps, late Polk's, is still on the right of Johnston's army, with the right resting on the railroad, about two miles beyond Peach Tree Creek, going from here toward Atlanta. Moore says he heard the officers saying they were going to intrench a position with their right resting on the railroad and their left at Cedar Bluffs.
He says he was told that the principal part of the rebel wagon train had been moved beyond Atlanta toward Augusta; that a good deal of machinery had been moved from Atlanta in the same direction, and that the refugees, in great numbers, taking the negroes, &c., are also doing in the same direction. He heard officers say that they did not expect any general engagement would take place in the vicinity of Atlanta without they received re-enforcements. He heard a camp rumor that a part of Kirby Smith's force was on the way by rail to join Johnston's army, but he could not get this from any reliable source. He says the rumor was that this re-enforcement would be there today.
Moore says his impression is that the left of the rebel army rests at present on the river. Moore says he heard yesterday a report in the rebel camp that two of their corps are at Harper's Ferry. Early's corps is one, and he does not remember the other corps. He also heard a report that there had been a fight between Forrest and General Washburn. Moore says he saw Colonel Sherman at a distance, but did not have an opportunity to speak to him. He says Colonel Sherman has been forwarded to Andersonville. In returning, Moore came back by the way of Buck Head, entering our lines through General Dodge's command. He reported there early this morning. Moore says Wheeler's rebel cavalry lies between there and Buck Head. Moore says the Georgia State Troops, under General G. W. Smith, are on the left, under the general direction of General Hood.
McPherson Reports from the right:
I have the honor to inclose herewith report just received from Major-General Dodge. Everything along this part of the front has been very quiet to-day. I am having batteries erected on this side of the river at Turner's Ferry, and will have sixteen guns in position to-morrow morning to open on the enemy's redoubt on the opposite side, distant about 900 yards. Deserters state that the redoubt has six guns, two 20-pounder Parrotts and four 10-pounders. One brigade of Leggett's division is near Sandtown Ferry picketing the river, and I have one brigade of Morgan L. Smith's division near Widow Mitchell's and the other brigade at the intersection of the Sandtown and Alabama roads. Tomorrow morning De Gress will take his battery of 20-pounder Parrotts and go down to Sandtown Ferry and try to knock a small battery of the enemy's on the south side of the river to pieces. General Stoneman got off last night. No news from him today.
Dodge Reports from the left:
I arrived here yesterday at noon, the command crossed and the troops were all in position before night, and now have intrenchments up. I have over a mile of ford and bridges to cover, and cannot make a tete-de-pont very far out that will cover it. I have taken and extended the line selected by General Newton. Our trains are all on the north side of the river. The ford is very rough, but shallow, and the bridge we will have to build is 650 feet long and 14 feet high. I put a foot bridge across last night, so that troops can pass. It is very difficult for them to wade, the water is swift and bottom full of holes.
The enemy's pickets are near Buck Head, and men out of Atlanta today say that there is no infantry after you get four miles this side of Atlanta, and that Stewart is on their right. Johnston's headquarters are at a little house three miles this side of Atlanta, on the railroad. Atlanta papers of the 10th instant say that a council of war was held that day, and that it is rumored that Johnston would make a fight for the city. This would tend to show that it is not their intention. All trains belonging to the army have gone toward Augusta, and everybody fleeing. Eight miles up the river from here is a good bridge that is not destroyed. I will work hard on the bridge here and finish it as soon as possible. It is a big job as you will perceive from the length. Everything was burned up here that we could use – houses, mills, lumber, and all.
I Replied:
I know you have a big job, but that is nothing new for you. Tell General Newton that his corps is now up near General Schofield's crossing, and that all is quiet thereabouts. He might send down and move his camp to the proximity of his corps; but I think Roswell and Shallow Ford so important that I prefer him to be near you, until you are well fortified. If he needs rations tell him to get his wagons up, and I think you will be able to spare him day after tomorrow. I know the bridge at Roswell is important and you may destroy all Georgia to make it good and strong.
Dodge Responds:
All quiet this morning. I had no fear about being able to build the bridge, but thought you might expect it finished sooner than possible, as it was twice as long as I expected to find it, and twice as long as the river is wide down at Sandtown. I have over 1,000 men at work on it day and night, and it is already well under way. I have planking for floor now on the ground, and not one minute shall be lost in pushing it forward. Every man that can work on it shall be kept at it.
I Replied:
Your dispatch is received. Send me any Atlanta papers you get. I have no doubt you will have the bridge done in time. As soon as you can spare General Newton he should be relieved to join his corps where his camp equipage is. I rode along the river-bank to-day, and the force of the enemy seemed to be merely sharpshooters in small numbers in their forts. All well with us.
I Replied to Garrard. He asked yesterday about the bridge upstream of Roswell. Certainly, by all means we should save the bridge above Roswell. I asked Garrard to get me information of the lay of the country from it toward Stone Mountain.
I sent orders to Allatoona consolidating supplies in our rear. I ordered Wright, Superintendent of Railroads to set up a supply depot in Allatoona Pass where it could be easily defended. I will want an accumulation of stores in Allatoona Pass, and suggested that Wright lay down a side track between the bridge and Allatoona depot about where the old foundry was. The quartermaster can erect temporary sheds.
Bringing the