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104]
of
Captain Merril,
Chief Engineer of the Department of the Cumberland, who had just returned from
Geary's camp:
‘He says that Geary attempted to carry Mill Gap by assault, but was repulsed with a loss probably of two hundred to three hundred killed and wounded; that the enemy were still in force (only infantry), but strongly posted; that it is impossible to obtain possession of the gap by direct assault, or only at the expense of fearful loss; that Geary's last orders were to withdraw into the valley, and encamp beyond artillery range.
Geary was not making an attempt to turn the position.
The only way to do so is to get a force upon the mountain ‘somewhere’ where the enemy can not defend it so strongly.’
On the 10th he wrote from
Tunnel Hill to
General Thomas: ‘I think you are satisfied that your troops can not take
Rocky Face Ridge, and also the attempt to put our columns into the jaws of
Buzzard Roost would be fatal to us.’
And later in the same day:
‘I propose to leave hereabouts one of your corps, say Howard's, the cavalry of Colonel McCook, and the cavalry of General Stoneman, to keep up the feint of a direct attack on Dalton, through Buzzard Roost, as long as possible; and with all the remainder of the three armies to march to, and through, Snake Creek Gap, and to attack the enemy in force from that quarter. * * * * we will calculate all to go to Snake Creek and close up on General McPherson during the day after to-morrow.’
At 7 A. M. of the 10th this telegram was sent to
Halleck:
I am starting for the extreme front in Buzzard Roost Gap, and make this dispatch that you may understand Johnston acts purely on the defensive.
I am attacking him on his strongest fronts, viz.: west and north, till McPherson breaks his line at Resaca, when I will swing round through Snake Creek Gap and interpose between him and Georgia.
I am not driving things too fast, because I want two columns of cavalry that are rapidly coming up to me from the rear—Stoneman on my left and Garrard on my right, both due to-day.
‘Yesterday I pressed hard to prevent Johnston detaching against McPherson, but to-day I will be more easy, as I believe McPherson has destroyed Resaca, when he is ordered to fall back to the mouth of Snake Creek Gap, and act against Johnston's flank when he does start.
All are in good condition.’
On the 10th of May, for the first time, he notified General
