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Chapter 37: Battle of Jonesboro
Sherman had three cavalry divisions of considerable strength-
Ed. McCook's, 3,500 effectives, at Turner's Ferry, where the
Chattahoochee was bridged;
Stoneman's, 2,500, and
Garrard's, 4,000, at or near
Decatur, Ga., on his left.
The cavalry, except
Garrard's, received its raiding orders and set forth to go south and carry them out.
Sherman now for three or four days strengthened his right flank by putting two infantry divisions of
Thomas in rear of my right for a reserve.
Sherman was mainly waiting for the effect of this cavalry movement against the railroad about
Jonesboro.
The first report that came to him, August 1st, to the effect that
Ed. McCook's division had been defeated and captured, he stoutly discredited and disbelieved; yet he took prompt action in view of the possibility of such a disaster.
He put all the garrisons guarding our depots and communications on the alert, brought
Schofield's troops around to and beyond my right, and had
Thomas send there also the whole of
Palmer's corps.
Ed. McCook had done well at the first onset.
He struck the railroad and did much damage, and finding no cooperation from
Stoneman, drifted back with over 400 prisoners to
Newnan.
Here
McCook was defeated
