General Johnston, pursued by
General Sherman, after evacuating Allatoona Pass, took a stand.
At his back were the
Big and Little Kenesaw mountains, within 3 miles of
Marietta.
With these lying close together, Lost and
Pine mountains formed a triangle.
Confederate batteries covered their summits, and on the top of each Confederate signal-stations were placed.
Thousands of men were busy in the forest casting up intrenchments from base to base of these rugged hills in preparation for a great struggle.
Sherman advanced to Big Shanty, and there made preparations to break through the
Confederate works between
Kenesaw and
Pine mountains.
Hooker was on the right and front of his line,
Howard was on the left and front, and
Palmer between it and the railway.
Under a heavy cannonade, the advance began, June 14, 1864.
The
Nationals pushed over the
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rough country, fighting at almost every step.
That night the
Confederates abandoned
Pine Mountain, and took position in the intrenchments between
Kenesaw and Lost mountains.
Upon the latter eminence the Nationals advanced in a heavy rain-storm, and on the 17th the
Confederates abandoned
Lost Mountain and the long line of intrenchments connecting it with
Kenesaw.
Sherman continually pressed them heavily, skirmishing in dense forests, furrowed with ravines and tangled with vines.
From the top of
Kenesaw Johnston could see the movements of the Nationals, and from batteries on its summit could hurl plunging shot.
The antagonists struggled on; and finally
General Hood sallied out of the
Confederate intrenchments with a strong force to break through
Sherman's line between
Thomas and
Schofield.
He was received with a terrible return blow, which made him recoil in great confusion, leaving, in his retreat, his killed, wounded, and many prisoners.
This struggle is known in history as the battle of the
Kulp House.
This repulse inspirited the Nationals.
On June 27 they made a furious assault on the
Confederate lines at two points south of
Kenesaw, to break them, separate their forces, and destroy their army.
The
Nationals were repulsed, with an aggregate loss of about 3,000 men. Among the killed were
Generals C. G. Harker and
D. McCook, and many valuable officers of lower grade were wounded.
The loss of the
Confederates, behind their breastworks, was slight.
Sherman now disposed his troops so as to seriously threaten
Johnston's rear.
Turner's Ferry across the
Chattahoochee was menaced, and the intended effect was instantaneous.
On the night of July 2
Johnston abandoned
Kenesaw and all his intrenchments, and when, at dawn (July 3), the Nationals stood on the crest of that mountain, they saw the
Confederates flying through and beyond
Marietta towards the
Chattahoochee, in the direction of
Atlanta.
