Part I - Don's Metal Detecting Forum

file:///I|/civil war books/war of rebellion/38a.txt
on the left and Hooker’s (Twentieth Army Corps) on the right. 8
p. in., received note from General Thomas, dated 6.30 p. in., stating
if we could get no farther to fortify where we are, &c. The hill
that our main line is now on is on the line of ridges that connects
Lost Mountain and Kenesaw, and from which the waters flow
toward the Chattahoochee. The country through which we moved
and skirmished was rough and rolling, and was covered with dense
woods and underbrush. Day bright and cool. About 45 killed
and wounded to-day in the corps; nearly all in Newton’s division,
0
‘I
C~. L] REPORTS, ETC.—ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND. 879
June 16.—i a. iii., received order from department headquarters
as follows:
Early to-morrow morning you will find as many positions as possible for batteries
to bear upon the enemy’s breast-works, and endeavor to destroy them or at least
render them untenable.
Opened artillery fire at 7 a. m. along our line. 11.45, received instructions
from Major-General Sherman to puTh out our forces and
occupy the ridge in our front, about 500 yards from our present
position. 12 in., ordered Newton to put a battery on said ridge and
support it with a brigade, and Grose to move out a brigade and
gradually occupy it; after this, our forces to occupy it in strength,
making it our main line. 6 p. in., General Stanley has taken possession
of the knoll intermediate between General Hooker and himself,
and has intrenched a battery and brigade; General Newton has
advanced a brigade and battery to his skirniish line on the left side,
and is already intrenched. Generals Stanley and Newton have been
ordered to connect their two points by their first line to-night;
some portion of the proposed line is yet in dispute. Our skirmishers
occupy only part of the ridge. Captaii’ Simonson killed while
establishing General Stanley’s battery on this line; he was Stanley’s
chief of artillery, and a superior officer. 8.30 p. in., sent General
Thomas a statement of the position we held, &c. Our advance
lines now about 200 paces from the enemy’s works. Not many casualties
to-day. Day clear and warm.
June 17.—4. 20 a. in., received reports from Generals Stanley and
Newton that the enemy had left their front and abandoned their
works. Orders were at once sent to division commanders to push
after them. 6 a. in., our skirmishers came up with the enemy about
two and a half miles from our position. It appears that he has only
swung around his left, taking up new lines. His lines now face
nearly west. His left appears not to be changed. 7.30, received
orders from Major-General Thomas to get the troops ready to follow
the enemy as soon as we could get or(lcrs from him as to the direction
of march, and sent word back at same time that the troops were
ready, and informing him of the enemy’s position. 9 p .m.,G eneral
Thomas requests (by Captain Pearson, who has been to him with a
message) General Howard to attack the enemy as soon as he can, if
his works are not too strong. 10.15 a. in., orders were given, and
Wood formed in line of battle, moving eastward (to develop the
enemy), working to the south, which would make his head of column
point that way; Newton to work in on his left and Stanley in reserve;
if the enemy is abandoning his position, then to move south by column,
Wood leading, then Newton, then Stanley, the column covered
by strong line of skirmishers. 1 p. in., heavy skirmishing in Wood’s
file:///I|/civil war books/war of rebellion/38a.txt (906 of 1051) [11/10/2003 4:37:04 PM]