Southern Historical Society Papers, Volume 9.
Reverend J. William Jones, Ed.

[511] Marietta from the north, and using his artillery freely, but will make his real attack at a point south and west of Kennesaw.

III.--Major-General Scofield will feel to his extreme right, and threaten that flank of the enemy with artillery and display, but attack some one point of the enemy's line as near the Marietta and Powder Spring road as he can with prospect of success. * * * *

V.--Each attacking column will endeavor to break a single point of the enemy's line, and make a secure lodgment beyond, and be prepared for following it up towards Marietta and the railroad in case of success.

By order of Major-General W. T. Sherman.

L. M. Dayton, Aid-de-Camp.

Headquarters Military division of the Mississippi in the field, June 27, 1864, 11:45 A. M.--General Schofield: Neither McPherson nor Thomas have succeeded in breaking through, but each has made substantial progress at some cost. Push your operations on the flank, and keep me advised.

W. T. Sherman, Major-General Commanding.

Headquarters Military division of the Mississippi in the field near Kennesaw, June 27, 1864, 11:45 A. M.--General Thomas: McPherson's column marched near the top of the hill, through very tangled brush, but was repulsed. It is found impossible to deploy, but they hold their ground. I wish you to study well the positions, and if it be possible, break through the lines to do it; it is easier now than it will be hereafter. I hear Leggett's guns well behind the mountain.

W. T. Sherman, Major-General Commanding.

As nothing decisive was obtained by Sherman's attack, the firing slackened, except on the skirmish line. After dark the enemy withdrew to their main trenches, the roar of guns died gradually away, and the morning of the 28th dawned on both armies in their former positions. The battle of Kennesaw, then, was a display of force and advance of troops by the enemy on the entire length of our line, that opened a furious fire of artillery and musketry, under cover of which two grand attacks were made by assaulting columns — the one on my line and the other on Cheatham's.