[460]
Chapter 48:
- Assignment of General J. E. Johnston to the command of the army of Tennessee -- condition of his army -- an offensive campaign suggested -- proposed objects to be accomplished -- advance of Sherman -- strength of the Confederate position -- General Johnston Expects General Sherman to give battle at Dalton -- the enemy's flank movement via Snake -- Creek Gap to Resaca -- Johnston Falls back to Resaca -- further retreat to Adairsville -- retreat to Cassville -- projected engagement at Kingston frustrated -- retreat beyond the Etowha River -- engagements at New hope Church -- army takes position at Kenesaw -- death of Lieutenant General Polk -- battle at Kenesaw Mountain -- retreat beyond the Chattahoochee -- popular demand for removal of General Johnston -- assignment of General J. B. Hood to the command -- battle of Peachtree Creek -- death of General W. H. T. Walker -- Sherman's movement to Jonesboro -- defeat of Hardee -- evacuation of Atlanta -- Sherman's inhuman order -- visit to Georgia -- conference with Generals Beauregard, Hardee, and Cobb, at Augusta -- General Hood's movement against the enemy's communications -- partial successes -- withdrawal of the army to Gadsden and movement against Thomas -- Sherman Burns Atlanta and begins his March to the sea -- vandalism -- direction of his advance -- General Wheeler's opposition -- Sherman reaches Savannah -- General Hardee's command -- the defenses of the city -- assault and capture of Fort McAlister -- Hardee Evacuates Savannah.
On December 16, 1863, I directed General J. E. Johnston to transfer the command of the Department of Mississippi and East Louisiana to Lieutenant General Polk, and repair to Dalton, Georgia, to assume command of the Army of Tennessee, representing at that date an effective total of 43,094. My information led me to believe that the condition of that army, in all that constitutes efficiency, was satisfactory, and that the men were anxious for an opportunity to retrieve the loss of prestige sustained in the disastrous battle of Missionary Ridge. I was also informed that the enemy's forces, then occupying Chattanooga,
