[584]
drove from the ground two divisions of the Seventeenth Corps, Federal infantry, commanded by General Mower, which had broken through the cavalry line which formed the left of the army, and had penetrated to within a few hundred yards of and were threatening the bridge over — Creek, near the village of Bentonville.
W. J. Hardee.
Agreeable to the direction of the general commanding, I have the honor to herewith submit the operations of the troops of my command since the 7th of May.
On that day Major-General Stewart, with his division, took position at Mill Creek Gap in Rocky Face Mountain, three miles northeast of Dalton, the enemy appearing in his immediate front.
In the afternoon Major-General Bate, with his division, reported to me, and was placed in position on the left of Stewart, and west of railroad.
On the 8th Major-General Cheatham, with his division, reported to me, one brigade of which was placed in position on the right of Stewart and along the crest of Rocky Face.
On the right the division of Major-General Stevenson was in position, extending across Crow Valley, General Hindman occupying the right of my line.
Some skirmishing took place along the line on the 8th, and on the 9th the enemy made five different attempts to gain the mountains, but were each time driven back, and foiled in all their designs.
After this nothing of very great importance occurred up to the time the army marched for Resaca.
On arriving there I took position on the right of the army, Hindman's division on my left, Stevenson's in the centre, and Stewart on the right.
On the 14th the enemy made repeated assaults on Hindman's left, but not in very heavy lines.
Walthall's brigade, occupying the left of Hindman, suffered severely from enfilade fire of the enemy's artillery, himself and men displaying conspicuous valor throughout under very adverse circumstances.
Brigadier-General Tucker, commanding brigade