Barrycdog
Major
- Joined
- Jan 6, 2013
- Location
- Buford, Georgia
Sunny South, Feb. 24, 1894 -- page 10
RESACA
The Horse Shoe Lines of Joseph E. Johnston
General Sherman swung around our left at Dalton, Georgia. General Joseph E. Johnston with his splendid army, was prepared to meet the advance guard of Sherman's mighty host. on the 5th of May 1864 the whole Northern Sky was concealed in the dust of the marching corps of the Federal Army. Colonel Jack H. Sharps Mississippi regiment was heavily fortified on "pea Ridge" - half a mile in from the main line. About four 0'clock in the afternoon of May 5th, 1864 the skirmishers' rattling firing was heard. Sherman was upon us!. Soon the long defending roll of musketry comes up from General Hardee tried veterans on the left. Fighting continues along the lines far into the night.
Having been flanked by the left by overwhelming forces of the enemy, General Johnston without losing a gun, falls slowly back to Resaca; General hoods Corps, in the rear is caught in a terrible rain and thunder storm between Dalton and Resaca. Through th dreadful night on May 5th that gallant corps contended against the foes of men, lightning, rain, thunder, wind, etc. Drenched and appalled and weakened by the terrors of the night, Hods forces, with early day, push onward to Resaca, wear the deafening roar told of the suffering and death of war. Reaching the border of the battlefield, brigades and division are thrown forward in right and left and front, in the rub, to thier positions where brave men are falling like leaves. Walthall's Mississippi brigade is in the center of the horse shoe line of the Confederate Army. General Tucker's Mississippi brigade rushes forward and falls flat in the little valley, a few yards to Walthall's rear, under the galling artillery and musket fire. From early morning until night the fearful battle raged - rolling to and fro like sea waves, death riding monster exulting in human blood! Charge after Charge during the first day and second day, Upon Hood and Hardee and Stewart and Polk! Not a single point yield! Great gaps are made by exploding shells in the breastworks, but the breaches fill up instantly. General Joseph E. Johnston holds his lines with his well known tenacity and skill and bravery. In a desperate charge, General Tucker rushes to the front and calls to his brigade to follow him.
In a few minutes he is badly wounded and borne in a litter to the rear. Colonel J.H. Sharp quickly assumes charge of the brigade. This intelligent brave officer was soon made Brigadier General and commanded the brigade (Sharps) to close of war. He lives near Columbus Mississippi greatly loved by all. General Tuckers arm was resected above the elbow - he was put on the retired list.
Sharp's brigade of Mississippians never fired a shot on the first day of Resaca - supported Walthall's brigade and yet, the lost over one hundred men, killed and wounded, mostly by the frightful shelling of Federal batteries to the left which had dislodged our battery. Great shells and solid shot would plunge down into our ranks - where we lay without sign of breastworks, in full view of the enemy's batteries - tearing the poor gallant Southern Boys limb from limb!. the living held their places amid the dead and mangled and dying under the sultry head of a May sun!
The Southern Lines never wavered! nothing but flanking could dislodge them. Sherman speedily came to that conclusion, and again he swings around to our left. After tow or three days of severe fighting "Uncle Joe" eases us out right from under the enemy's rights - with muffled cannon wheels ( wrapped in sacks) - with guns lowered to "secure arms" to keep the moon from flashing along barrels - with orders to talk only in whispers, etc.
The Southern army wheels back and turns upon Sherman's front in a new line. That night of falling back to keep in Sherman's front! the dead boys, wrapped in their blankets were silently buried in the ditches right where they fought and fell! gallant fellows!, Darlings of Many Southern homes! God knows how gently rough, but brave hands of comrades lowered them into the ditches, now turned to be long, silent resting places.
General E.C. Walthall and General J.H. Sharpe commanded two splendid Mississippi brigades of Hindman's position. Fearless officers, they inspired their men with their force of character. they would not know - they did not know - the word "retreat" this strange inspiration of spirit , as it were, came down from T.C. Hindmin - rising still higher, from General john B. hood. Through all the brigades - divisions- of the entire corps, fighting becomes business, a lofty work, which we had to do for the south - our home. principle is worth dying for.
Sherman lost 12,000 men between Dalton adn Kennesaw Mountian. The slaughter of federals at Resaca was simply fearful! they came in desperate charges, in a few instances, within fifty to sixty yards of Johnston's lines. Officers behind them waving pistols and urging them onward to defeat and the grave! Foru of five miles to Hindman's right General A.P. Stewart charged from his trenches and his division drove the enemy and thereby relieved part of the line from dangerous pressure.
Glorious Names! Hood, Hindman, Tucker and Sharp! Generals who knew what it was to fight in the front lines with their men! generals who stood where their men fell the thickest! Proud names of the old Souths bravest sons! Around the bivouac of our gallant dead! under the shadow of lees statue, and Davis grave! Where Jackson and Stuart and the Johnstons sleep! The deeds of Southron's at Resaca shall live undying through the long years of history. The Mexican Resaca was only a type of the loftier glory of immortal heroism displayed in the field of the same name.
in the words of Leonidas, the hero of Thermopylae, the very dust of the Southern Soldiers cries out: " Tell it at Lacedaemon. (Richmond) that we died in defense of the law."
Mississippian
RESACA
The Horse Shoe Lines of Joseph E. Johnston
General Sherman swung around our left at Dalton, Georgia. General Joseph E. Johnston with his splendid army, was prepared to meet the advance guard of Sherman's mighty host. on the 5th of May 1864 the whole Northern Sky was concealed in the dust of the marching corps of the Federal Army. Colonel Jack H. Sharps Mississippi regiment was heavily fortified on "pea Ridge" - half a mile in from the main line. About four 0'clock in the afternoon of May 5th, 1864 the skirmishers' rattling firing was heard. Sherman was upon us!. Soon the long defending roll of musketry comes up from General Hardee tried veterans on the left. Fighting continues along the lines far into the night.
Having been flanked by the left by overwhelming forces of the enemy, General Johnston without losing a gun, falls slowly back to Resaca; General hoods Corps, in the rear is caught in a terrible rain and thunder storm between Dalton and Resaca. Through th dreadful night on May 5th that gallant corps contended against the foes of men, lightning, rain, thunder, wind, etc. Drenched and appalled and weakened by the terrors of the night, Hods forces, with early day, push onward to Resaca, wear the deafening roar told of the suffering and death of war. Reaching the border of the battlefield, brigades and division are thrown forward in right and left and front, in the rub, to thier positions where brave men are falling like leaves. Walthall's Mississippi brigade is in the center of the horse shoe line of the Confederate Army. General Tucker's Mississippi brigade rushes forward and falls flat in the little valley, a few yards to Walthall's rear, under the galling artillery and musket fire. From early morning until night the fearful battle raged - rolling to and fro like sea waves, death riding monster exulting in human blood! Charge after Charge during the first day and second day, Upon Hood and Hardee and Stewart and Polk! Not a single point yield! Great gaps are made by exploding shells in the breastworks, but the breaches fill up instantly. General Joseph E. Johnston holds his lines with his well known tenacity and skill and bravery. In a desperate charge, General Tucker rushes to the front and calls to his brigade to follow him.
In a few minutes he is badly wounded and borne in a litter to the rear. Colonel J.H. Sharp quickly assumes charge of the brigade. This intelligent brave officer was soon made Brigadier General and commanded the brigade (Sharps) to close of war. He lives near Columbus Mississippi greatly loved by all. General Tuckers arm was resected above the elbow - he was put on the retired list.
Sharp's brigade of Mississippians never fired a shot on the first day of Resaca - supported Walthall's brigade and yet, the lost over one hundred men, killed and wounded, mostly by the frightful shelling of Federal batteries to the left which had dislodged our battery. Great shells and solid shot would plunge down into our ranks - where we lay without sign of breastworks, in full view of the enemy's batteries - tearing the poor gallant Southern Boys limb from limb!. the living held their places amid the dead and mangled and dying under the sultry head of a May sun!
The Southern Lines never wavered! nothing but flanking could dislodge them. Sherman speedily came to that conclusion, and again he swings around to our left. After tow or three days of severe fighting "Uncle Joe" eases us out right from under the enemy's rights - with muffled cannon wheels ( wrapped in sacks) - with guns lowered to "secure arms" to keep the moon from flashing along barrels - with orders to talk only in whispers, etc.
The Southern army wheels back and turns upon Sherman's front in a new line. That night of falling back to keep in Sherman's front! the dead boys, wrapped in their blankets were silently buried in the ditches right where they fought and fell! gallant fellows!, Darlings of Many Southern homes! God knows how gently rough, but brave hands of comrades lowered them into the ditches, now turned to be long, silent resting places.
General E.C. Walthall and General J.H. Sharpe commanded two splendid Mississippi brigades of Hindman's position. Fearless officers, they inspired their men with their force of character. they would not know - they did not know - the word "retreat" this strange inspiration of spirit , as it were, came down from T.C. Hindmin - rising still higher, from General john B. hood. Through all the brigades - divisions- of the entire corps, fighting becomes business, a lofty work, which we had to do for the south - our home. principle is worth dying for.
Sherman lost 12,000 men between Dalton adn Kennesaw Mountian. The slaughter of federals at Resaca was simply fearful! they came in desperate charges, in a few instances, within fifty to sixty yards of Johnston's lines. Officers behind them waving pistols and urging them onward to defeat and the grave! Foru of five miles to Hindman's right General A.P. Stewart charged from his trenches and his division drove the enemy and thereby relieved part of the line from dangerous pressure.
Glorious Names! Hood, Hindman, Tucker and Sharp! Generals who knew what it was to fight in the front lines with their men! generals who stood where their men fell the thickest! Proud names of the old Souths bravest sons! Around the bivouac of our gallant dead! under the shadow of lees statue, and Davis grave! Where Jackson and Stuart and the Johnstons sleep! The deeds of Southron's at Resaca shall live undying through the long years of history. The Mexican Resaca was only a type of the loftier glory of immortal heroism displayed in the field of the same name.
in the words of Leonidas, the hero of Thermopylae, the very dust of the Southern Soldiers cries out: " Tell it at Lacedaemon. (Richmond) that we died in defense of the law."
Mississippian
Bringing the