The Atlanta (Georgia) Campaign: May 1 - September 8, 1864., Part I: General Report.
Maj. George B. Davis, Mr. Leslie J. Perry, Mr. Joseph W. Kirkley, Ed.

I have heretofore telegraphed you almost daily the progress of events in this quarter, ¹ and as I propose to delay here to-day and it may be to-morrow to afford time to repair railroad bridge across the Etowah and for other combinations at a distance, I propose now merely to report in general terms the state of affairs for the information of the lieutenant-general commanding the armies of the United States. Having made my orders at Nashville for the concentration of the Armies of the Cumberland, Ohio, and Tennessee at and near Chattanooga by May 5, according to the programme of Lieutenant-General Grant, I repaired to Chattanooga in person on the 29th of April, and remained there until May 6, by which date General Thomas had grouped his army at and about Ringgold, General Schofield his at and near Cleveland, and General McPherson at and near Gordon's Mills on the Chickamauga. May 6, all the armies moved forward, General Thomas on Tunnel Hill, a gravelly range of hills covering the mouth of the famous Buzzard Roost Pass through Rocky Face Ridge; General Schofield along the east of that range approaching Dalton from the north, and General Mc-

Pherson aiming for Resaca, eighteen miles south of Dalton, through Snake Creek Gap and Sugar Valley. The enemy lay at Dalton, holding the Buzzard Roost Pass, the line of Mill Creek to the north, and his line of railway back toward Atlanta. My purpose was that General McPherson should reach the railway at Resaca, destroy it to Johnston's rear, and then take up a strong defensive position near the mouth of the gap, and to operate on the flank of the enemy as he retreated. General McPherson reached Resaca with little difficulty but did not break the road. As soon as I learned this I left General Howard's corps (the Fourth) with cavalry to watch the Buzzard Roost Pass and moved the whole army to Resaca. From the Rocky Face Ridge the enemy had a full view of our movement and a shorter and better line to reach Resaca, so that when on the 13th May I reached Resaca the enemy had evacuated Dalton and occupied Resaca in force. I did not hesitate to attack him though strongly intrenched. Sending a division (General Sweeny's) of the Sixteenth Corps with a pontoon train to Lay's Ferry with orders to [60] cross the Oostenaula, there to threaten and if necessary attack the enemy's line at Calhoun, I gradually enveloped the enemy in Resaca, and pressed him so hard that he evacuated in the night of May 15 and retreated by the good roads south. He made a short stand at Adairsville and made extensive preparation at Cassville, but on our approach in strength he retreated south of the Etowah River by the Allatoona Pass. The country along the Etowah is rich in wheat fields and in minerals.

Occupying Rome and Kingston I delayed until the 23d of May to fill our wagons and replenish ammunition. I knew the strength of Allatoona Pass, having ridden through it twenty years ago, and knew it would reduce our strength by forcing us to operate by the head of a single column. I determined not to attempt it but to pass the range by other more devious and difficult natural roads that would admit of more equal terms with the enemy should he attempt to meet us. Accordingly, on the 23d, General Thomas was ordered to move via Euharlee, Stilesborough, and Burnt Hickory on Dallas; General Schofield to cross the Etowah higher up and keep on General Thomas' left, via Richland Creek and Huntsville, while Gen:eral McPherson crossed at the mouth of Connasene Creek and moved to the right of Dallas, via Van Wert. General Jeff. C. Davis' division, of General Thomas' army, had occupied Rome from Resaca, moving by the west of the Oostenaula. General McPherson was ordered to relieve General Davis by a brigade of his, and General Davis also marched from Rome via Van Wert. All the columns reached their destined points on the 25th, and we found the enemy in force onl all the roads occupying difficult ground, extending along the Dallas and Acworth road, beginning about two miles northeast of Dallas and extending full five miles. As soon as the head of General Thomas' column, General Hooker's corps, could be got well into position, I ordered it to attack violently and secure the position at New Hope Church, which would have broken the line of the enemy in two and given us great advantage. General Hooker attacked well and drove the enemy back to the very road, but a pitchy dark night set in and by the next day the enemy had strengthened his position by strong breast-works that were too serious to attempt. Accordingly I ordered the whole army to deploy forward, conforming our line substantially to that of the enemy, General McPherson and General Davis, who were at and in front of Dallas, to close to the left of General Hooker. The ground was very difficult, being densely wooded and composed of ridges and spurs of flinty ground, very barren as to forage and difficult for roads. It took us nearly a week to feel well up to the enemy, who continued, of course, to strengthen his position, so that by the 31st of May it became necessary for me to order the direct assault or to turn the enemy's works.. The railroad and main Georgia road being to our left, I resolved to pass the enemy's right flank and place the whole army in front of Allatoona Pass. General McPherson was ordered to draw off from Dallas and move up six miles and replace General Hooker on our right flank in front of New Hope Church, General Thomas and General Schofield to move to the left, making as much eastward as possible.