Appendix: journal of the Atlanta campaign, kept at headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps, by Lieut. Col. Joseph S. Fullerton, Assistant Adjutant General.1
May 3.-
Major-General Schofield, with three divisions of the Twenty-third Army Corps, arrived at
Cleveland, Tenn., from
Charleston at 10.30 a. m.; the head of his column arrived at 10 a. m. He passed through
Cleveland, and camped for the night in the vicinity of
Blue Springs.
Being ordered to start from
Cleveland upon the arrival of
General Schofield, the Third Division, Fourth Corps, left
Widow Tucker's at 12 m., the Second Division left
Cleveland, and the First left
Blue Springs at the same hour.
General Cruft's brigade (First Brigade, First Division), being posted at
Ooltewah, marched at 12 m. to join the Third Division and to march with it to
Catoosa Springs, where it would join
General Stanley's command.
It camped this evening with
General Wood.
The Third Division marched to the intersection of the old Alabama road with the road that runs from
Red Clay to
Ooltewah, and there camped for the night.
Made headquarters of the corps with this division.
Along this route the roads in very good condition, countrywell wooded, and plenty of water.
The First Division (
Stanley's), with the Second (
Newton's) following, marched to
Red Clay and encamped for the night.
Colonel McCook, with one brigade of cavalry, marched with this column.
The day was bright and warm; nothing of importance occurred during the march.
May 4.-Broke up camp and marched at 5 a. m. Headquarters moved with
General Wood's column on the road to
Catoosa Springs via Salem Church.
Arrived at this point at 9.30 a. m. The surrounding country was reconnoitered, and
General Wood's division was placed in column on the right of the road on which he marched, his pickets extending so as to connect with those of our forces at
Ringgold.
Major-General Stanley's division and
General Newton's broke camp at 5 a. m., moving from
Red Clay down the road to
Catoosa Springs via Ellidge's Mill,
Colonel McCook's brigade of cavalry moving on a road to the right of the column, and arriving there at 10.30 a. m.
Major-General Stanley's division was encamped on the left of the Salem Church and Catoosa Springs road, his right joining with
General Wood's left, and one brigade of
General Newton's division joining on
General Stanley's left; the remaining two brigades of
General Newton in reserve on our left.
General Mc-
Cook's brigade of cavalry encamped on the left and in advance of
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General Newton.
The line faces southeast and is along a ridge which covers
Catoosa Springs, the left is about one-half mile in a direct line west from Burke's Mill.
McCook's cavalry is in that vicinity picketing the road toward Varnell's Station and Parker's Gap.
The wagon train is at Salem Church; this is about two and a half miles from Parker's Gap.
Such wagons as contained baggage, &c., necessary for present use, were brought forward to-day to the three divisions.
The train will remain in park at the church until further orders.
The road over which
General Wood's column marched to-day was good and dry; but little water until Salem Church was reached; from that point to
Catoosa Springs it is bad, and without being “worked” would be almost impassable in some places with heavy trains when muddy; it is also very narrow, small undergrowth of pine, &c., growing very close to it; with the exception of a few isolated places trains could not pass on this part of the road; it runs through a depression in the hills, and a small rill that courses along it would badly wash it after heavy rains.
Opened communication from
Catoosa Springs to
Ringgold by signal.
An
aide-de-camp, staff of
Major-General Thomas, reported from
Ringgold at 3 p. n. Nothing of importance occurred during the day. The rebel outpost in one place, where it was observed, was watching our movements.
Major Mohrhardt,
chief topographical engineer of the corps, arrived this p. m. from
Cleveland and reported for duty.
Day clear and warm.
May 5.-Remained in camp.
General Howard rode to Salem Church and vicinity to reconnoiter the country and examine the roads.
Major-General Thomas arrived from
Ringgold at 10 a. m.
General Howard returned about 11 a. m.
General Thomas gave instructions to be ready for orders to march toward the enemy with as little transportation as possible.
Ordered corps, division, and brigade headquarters to move, when orders came, with one wagon each; divisions to take only enough wagons to carry two days rations and forage; to take ammunition wagons and wagons with tools.
General Stanley, under this order, reports that he will require seventy-eight wagons.
General Newton that he will require seventy,
General Wood that he will require eighty-five.
The rest of the train parked at Salem Church to proceed at the same time to
Ringgold via Parker's Gap, fill up with rations and forage, and then wait for orders.
One or two small squads of the enemy (scouts) have been seen in front of our left during the day. All quiet; nothing new. The day clear and very warm.
Ml2ay 6.-Remained in camp at
Catoosa Springs.
Major-General Howard started over to
Ringgold at 8 a. m. to see
Major-General Thomas, but on the way there he met
Major-General Sherman coming to
Catoosa Springs, and returned with him.
Major-General Sherman arrived at headquarters Fourth Corps at about 9 a. m. Division commanders called to see him. He gave
General Howard orders and instructions in reference to our movements-general orders and general instructions.
At 12.30 p. m. received orders from
Major-General Thomas, directing this corps to march to-morrow (7th) at daybreak on
Tunnel Hill by the road from
Lee's to that point, co-operating with
Major-General Palmer, who would march direct on
Tunnel Hill, the object being to drive the enemy from there should he be in force, this corps to take him in flank, while
General Palmer would attack in front.
Major-General Schofield has been ordered to march on Varnell's Station and to feel toward our left.
Colonel McCook, commanding First Division Cavalry,
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was also ordered to move under directions of
Major-General Howard.
At 2.30 p. m.
Major-General Howard and staff rode to
Doctor Lee's house and vicinity to reconnoiter the roads thereabouts, and to take a view of the
Tunnel Hill range.
Part of the staff returned at 4 p. ni., and the general and the rest of the staff rode to
