In his campaign in
Georgia in 1864,
General Sherman, instead of attacking
General Johnston at
Dalton, flanked him and caused him to leave
Dalton and take post at
Resaca, on the Oostenaula River, where the railway between
Chattanooga and
Atlanta crosses that stream.
In so doing,
General Thomas had quite a sharp
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Scene at the battle of Resaca. |
engagement at Buzzard's Roost Gap on May 7.
Meanwhile the Army of the Ohio (
Schofield) pressed heavily on
Johnston's right, and the Army of the Tennessee (
McPherson) appeared suddenly before the
Confederate works at
Resaca.
The latter were so strong that
McPherson fell back to Snake Creek Valley to await the arrival of the main army.
On May 11 the whole army was marching westward of Rocky-face Ridge for Snake Creek Gap and
Resaca.
Johnston, closely pursued by
Howard, had taken position behind a line of intrenchments at
Resaca.
From the
Gap,
McPherson, preceded by
Kilpatrick's cavalry, pushed towards the same place.
The latter was wounded in a skirmish.
McPherson drove in the
Confederate pickets, and took post on a ridge of bald hills, with his right on the Ooostenaula River and his left abreast the village.
Very soon the
Confederate intrenchments were confronted by other National troops.
On the 14th
Sherman ordered a pontoon bridge to be laid across the
Oostenaula at Lay's Ferry, and directed
Sweeny's division to cross and threaten
Calhoun, farther south.
At the same time
Garrard's cavalry moved towards
Rome.
Meanwhile
Sherman was severely pressing
Johnston at all points, and there was a general
battle at Resaca during the afternoon and evening of May 15, in which
Thomas,
Hooker, and
Schofield took a
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principal part.
Hooker drove the
Confederates from several strong positions and captured four guns and many prisoners.
That night
Johnston abandoned
Resaca, fled across the
Oostenaula, firing the bridges behind him, and leaving as spoils a 4-gun battery and a considerable amount of stores.
The
Nationals, after taking possession of
Resaca pushed on in pursuit.
After briefly resting at two or three places,
Johnston took a strong position at
Allatoona pass (q. v.).
