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headquarters Army of the Cumberland, In the Field, near
Dallas, Ga.,
June
5, 1864
.
Colonel: I have the honor to report the operations of my command for the month of
May
as follows:
In obedience to instructions from the major-general commanding the military division, I got my command in
readiness for a forward movement on Dalt on, Ga., and was fully
prepared to move on the
2d of May
, as directed.
Major-General
Hooker
, commanding Twentieth Army Corps, was directed to move from
Lookout Valley, via
Lee
and Gordon's Mills, on East
Chickamauga Creek, to
Leet
's farm, on the road leading from the mills to Nickajack
Gap, the movement to commence on the
2d
.
Major-General
Palmer
, commanding the Fourteenth Army Corps, was to concentrate his
command at Ringgold, Ga., and
Major-General
Howard
, commanding the Fourth Army Corps, was to move from Cleveland,
East Tennessee, on the
3d
, and concentrate his command in the vicinity of Catoosa
Springs, about
three miles
east of Ringgold
;
McCook
's division of cavalry to move on
Howard
's left;
Kilpatrick
's division of cavalry was stationed at Ringgold,
picketing toward Tunnel Hill, and patrolling on
Palmer
's right flank;
Garrard
's division was detached and operating under instructions from
Major-General
McPherson
, commanding the Army of the Tennessee.
The army got into position by the 5th, and stood as above directed, communication having been fully established
from the right to the left of the whole command.
According to instructions given on the
6th
, the army moved on Tunnel Hill at daylight on the 7th in
three columns-Palmer's corps on the direct road from Ringgold,
Howard
's via Lee's house, and
Hooker
's via Nickajack Gap and Trickum.
The enemy made some show of resistance in
Palmer
's front, but evacuated Tunnel Hill on the appearance of
Howard
's column on his flank, and fled toward Buzzard
Roost, our troops occupying
Tunnel Hill Ridge.
Palmer
's command was then moved forward and took position on
Howard
's right along the ridge, and both corps remained there for the night.
Hooker
's column reached Trickum
Post-Office about 4
p. m. and camped for the night, picketing strongly the roads leading from Buzzard Roost and Dalton, as well as
the approaches from the direction of Villanow.
General
Kilpatrick
's division of cavalry took post at or near Gordon's Spring
to be in readiness to establish communication with the Army of
the Tennessee, which was expected at Villanow on the
8th
.
On the morning of the 8th
Harker
's brigade, of
Newton
's division,
Howard
's corps, was pushed along the crest of Rocky Face
Ridge to within half a mile of the rebels' signal station, where it came upon obstructions of too
formidable character to admit
of farther progress, except with very severe loss; it was instructed to hold the position.
Wood
's division, of the Fourth Corps;
Davis
' division, of the Fourteenth Corps, and
Butterfield
's division, of the Twentieth Corps, then pushed
forward a line of skirmishers and drove the enemy to his intrenchments, our men occupying the mouth of Buzzard Roost.
Geary
's division, of the Twentieth Corps, made a
reconnaissance well up the side of Chattoogata Mountain (a high
and precipitous ridge running due south from Buzzard Roost).
Geary
's men fought their way well up to the enemy's intrenchments on the crest, but with considerable loss and
without being able
to gain possession of Mill Gap.
The troops were then withdrawn to a, position in the valley out of reach of the enemy's guns;
Kilpatrick
's communicated with
General
McPherson
's command at Villanow, and then returned to
Trickum.
Brig. Gen.
Ed.
McCook
was ordered to concentrate his cavalry division and
take post on the left of
General
Schofield
until
General
Stoneman
's cavalry could arrive and relieve him. From a prisoner captured at Buzzard Roost we learned that the force defending the passage of the gap amounted
to 11,000 men, comprising
Stewart
's and
Bate
's divisions, being supported by
Hindman
's and Stevenson's divisions, numbering 10,000 more.
They had considerable artillery, but none heavier than 10-pounder caliber.
The enemy was fortifying all night of the 7th and had masked batteries at points all through the pass.
Heavy skirmishing was kept up along the whole line during the 9th and 10th with considerable loss in wounded,
and but few killed.
General
Hooker
was directed on the 10th to send one division from his command to the support of
General
McPherson
at Snake Creek Gap, to enable the latter to operate more freely from
danger to his rear.
Kilpatrick
's cavalry was also ordered to report to
General
McPherson
.
McCook
's division of cavalry, posted on the left of
General
Schofield
's command, had a heavy skirmish with three brigades of the enemy's cavalry on the road leading
to Varnell's Station, resulting in our driving the rebels to their
intrenchments on Poplar Creek
Hill
, where they opened on
McCook
's troops with two pieces of artillery.
Our loss was 136 men and 15 officers killed, wounded, and missing; among the latter
Colonel
La Grange
, of the First Wisconsin, who was captured.
The enemy's loss was greater than ours.
General
Hooker
was directed to send another division from his command to Snake Creek
Gap, with instructions to repair the road through the gap so as to facilitate the passage of infantry
and wagons.
On the
11th
it was decided to leave one corps (
Howard
's), supported by
Stoneman
's and
McCook
's divisions of cavalry, and move to Snake Creek Gap with
the balance of the army, attacking the enemy in force from that quarter, while
Howard
was keeping t p the impression of a direct attack on Buzzard
Roost.
This movement was to commence on the
12th
.
Instructions were given to corps commanders to provide their commands with ten days rations and a good supply of
ammunition, sending all surplus wagons back to Ringgold.
At 9 a. m. on the
13th
General
Howard
's command occupied Dalton, it having been
evacuated by the enemy on the evening of the
12th
, concentrating his troops in Dalton.
General
Howard
pursued the enemy along the railroad in the direction of Resaca, capturing a considerable number of prisoners.
The concentration of the balance of the army in Snake Creek Gap having been
completed by the night of the
12th
, at 8 a. m. on the 13th
Hooker
's corps, preceded by
Kilpatrick
's cavalry, moved out on the Resaca road in
support of
McPherson
's troops, threatening Resaca.
Palmer
's corps moved out of Snake Creek Gap
two miles northeast of
Hooker
, and then took a course parallel with the Resaca road,
with orders to proceed as far as the railroad.
On reaching the neighborhood of the railroad his skirmishers encountered those of the enemy strongly posted on
the hills immediately
west of the railroad, and continued a fierce skirmish with them until night-fall.
Butterfield
's division, of
Hooker
's corps, moved up in support of
Palmer
's right.
About noon of the 14th
Schofield
's and
Palmer
's corps attacked the enemy's position on the hills bordering the railroad, meeting with very
heavy resistance.
General
Schofield
's left being threatened, and he having called on me for support, I directed
Newton
's division, of
Howard
's corps, which had just arrived from Dalton, to
move to
Schofield
's assistance, and subsequently the whole of
Howard
's corps took post on the left of
Schofield
.
During the afternoon Hooker's corps, which had been acting as support to
General
Mc-Pherson
, was shifted to the left of
Howard
's command, and
Williams
' division reached the position assigned him just in time to meet and repel a fierce attack of
the enemy who was endeavoring to turn
Howard
's left flank.
McCook
's division of cavalry took post on the left of
Hooker
to guard against any further attempt of the enemy in that direction.
The fighting in
Schofield
's and
Howard
's front was very severe, but we drove the enemy from the hills he had occupied and forced him into his
intrenchments beyond.
From prisoners captured we learned that
Johnston
's entire army was confronting us.
At daylight on the morning of the 15th our line stood nearly as follows:
Palmer
's corps on the right, connecting with the left of McPherson's
line, then
Schofield
,
Howard
, and
Hooker
, with Mc-
Cook
's cavalry on our extreme left.
Orders were issued during the night of the 14th for the whole line to advance at daylight on the
15th
, provision being made for the retirement of
Schofield
's troops from the position they then occupied, and directions having been given them to take post on the
left, where they
properly belonged, as soon as crowded out from the center of my line by the advance of
Palmer
and
Howard
.
About 11 a. m.
General
Butterfield
's division, of
Hooker
's corps, supported by
Williams
' and
Geary
's, of the same command, attacked and carried a series of hills strongly occupied by the enemy on the
eastern road leading
from Tilton to Resaca.
The rebels were driven for nearly a mile and a half, our forces capturing 4 guns and a number of prisoners.
Information was received by daylight on the 16th that
Johnston
had evacuated Resaca, and directions were immediately
given for the whole army to start in pursuit.
Our troops occupied the town about 9 a. m. and commenced repairing the bridge over the Oostenaula, which had
been partially burned by the enemy; a pontoon bridge was also thrown across above the railroad bridge, so that
by night
Howard
's corps had got across, and marched on Calhoun.
Hooker
's command crossed the Connesauga at Fite's Ferry and at a
ford in its vicinity, thence marching south across the Coosawattee toward Adairsville.
Palmer
's command was to follow after
Howard
's, except
Davis
' division, which was detached and sent toward Rome to the support of
Garrard
's cavalry, then acting under special instructions from the major-general commanding the
military division.
On the
17th
our advance skirmished with the enemy nearly the whole distance from Calhoun to within
two miles of Adairsville
, when a fierce skirmish ensued, completely checking our farther progress, and occasioning considerable
loss in wounded.
Information was brought in about dark that the whole of
Johnston
's army was at Adairsville.
The column was again set in motion on the morning of the
18th
, the enemy having left during the night.
Howard
's and
Palmer
's commands moved on the direct road and along the railroad toward Kingston, camping at a point three miles north of the latter place.
Hooker
's corps moved on a road running southeast from Adairsville, his instruction being to proceed as far as Cassville, and there await further orders.
General
Davis
' division, of the Fourteenth Corps, occupied Rome, capturing a large amount of commissary and quartermaster
stores, hospital supplies, &c., and all sorts of ammunition, enough
to supply his command for two weeks. The enemy tried to destroy the valuable iron-works at this place, but
failed to do them much injury.
Howard
's troops entered Kingston about 8 a. m. on the
19th
, skirmishing with the enemy on the southeastern side of the town.
The column started again about 11 a. m. and came up with what was reported to be
Cheatham
's and another division in line of battle on a hill about half way between Kingston and Cassville.
Howard
's troops shelled the enemy from this position, pushing on after him to within
two miles of Cassville
, skirmishing with his rear guard until dark, when the
command halted for the night.
Baird
's division, of
Palmer
's corps, was posted on the right of
Howard
's corps.
Hooker
's troops engaged the enemy on the road, leading direct from Adairsville to Cassville,
skirmishing with him and driving him into his works at the latter place.
At 10 p. m.
General
Hooker
reported the town in possession of his troops.
A deserter came into our lines with the information that
Johnston
received a re-enforcement of 6,000 men on the
19th
, and that his army was now estimated at 70,000 strong.
By direction of the major-general commanding the military division the whole command rested until the morning of
the 23d.
In the mean time, the railroad having been placed in running order as far as Cassville Depot, twenty days rations and forage were issued to the troops.
Rosaca was directed to be strongly held and made a depot of supplies, only such stores and provisions to be
brought forward
to Kingston and Rome as could be moved by the wagons present with the army.
My directions were to move my army at daylight on the morning of the 23d on Dallas, by Euharlee and Stilesborough; the division of
Brig. Gen.
Jeff.
C.
Davis
, at Rome, as soon as relieved by troops from
General
McPherson
's army, to march direct on Dallas, by way of
Van Wert.
The advance guard of
Mc-Cook
's division of cavalry reached Stilesborough on the afternoon of the
23d
, and found the place occupied by a strong force of the enemy's cavalry, supported by infantry, which
resisted his farther
advance, skirmishing with him until dark.
The commands of
Major-Generals
Hooker
,
Howard
, and
Palmer
camped on the south side of Euharlee Creek, in accordance
with my directions.
General
Hooker
was directed to send one division of his command at daylight on the morning of the 24th to push the
enemy across Raccoon Creek toward Allatoona, on the Alabama road, and
hold him in that position until relieved by the Army of the
Ohio, covering the movements of the balance of the Twentieth
Corps, directly through Stilesborough, upon Burnt Hickory, at which
latter place his whole command was to encamp.
McCook
's division of cavalry was to precede the Twentieth
Corps in the movement upon Burnt Hickory, and then take up a
position toward Allatoona, picketing the roads strongly, and
covering the movements of the army.
The Fourth Corps followed the Twentieth Corps, camping on its right, and the Fourteenth Corps, not being able to reach Burnt
Hickory on account of the crowded state of the roads and the difficult nature of the ground passed
over, camped at a point on Allatoona Ridge, about half way between
Stilesborough and Burnt Hickory.
McCook
reached Burnt Hickory about 2 p. m., after skirmishing with the
enemy about four miles. He captured a rebel courier, bearing a dispatch to the rebel
General
Jackson
, commanding a division of cavalry, with instructions from
General
Johnston
to observe our movements toward Burnt Hickory, and stating that
Johnston
was moving in the direction of Dallas and Powder Springs.
General
Garrard
, commanding Second Cavalry Division, informed me that he was camped on
Pumpkin Vine Creek, about
three miles from Dallas
, and that in moving on that place, and when within a quarter of a mile from it, he was attacked by what
was reported by prisoners to be
Bate
's division, the advance of
Hardee
's corps.
Garrard
repulsed this force and drove it back toward Dallas.
On the
25th
the First Division of Cavalry (
McCook
's) moved on the road leading to Golgotha, preceding
Butterfield
's division, of the Twentieth Corps.
The balance of
General
Hooker
's command advanced on the road leading to Dallas
running south of the one used by
Butterfield
's division.
Howard
's corps followed
Hooker
's, and in rear of
Howard
,
Palmer
's. About 11 a. m.
General
Geary
's division, of the Twentieth Corps, being in advance,
came upon the enemy in considerable force at a point about
four and a half miles from Dallas
, the country on both sides of the road being thickly wooded and covered with undergrowth.
Geary
skirmished heavily with the enemy, slowly driving him, until
Butterfield
's and Williar is' divisions came up and relieved
Geary
's troops.
Soon after the arrival of
Williams
, about 3 p. m., the column was again put in motion,
Williams
' division in advance, and, although heavily engaged, drove the enemy steadily before it into
his intrenchments.
Our loss was heavy, but it is believed that the loss of the enemy was much greater.
Shortly after 3 p. m. the head of
Howard
's column got within supporting distance of
Hooker
's corps, and
Newton
's division was placed in position on
Hooker
's left about
6 p. in., and by morning the whole of
Howard
's corps was in position on the left of
Hooker
.
The roads were so full of wagons that
Palmer
's corps could not get into position by night of the
25th
, but on the morning of the 26th
Johnson
's division, of the Fourteenth Corps, was moved up to
within a short distance of
Hooker
's and
Howard
's commands, and was posted in reserve.
Davis
' division, Fourteenth Corps, which had reported back
to its command (it having been relieved at Rome by troops from
the Army of the Tennessee), was sent by
General
Palmer
to move on Dallas by the most direct road from where he
then was to support
General
McPherson
's command, and communicate with the right of
General
Hooker
.
Baird
's division, of the Fourteenth Corps, was left at
Burnt Hickory to protect the trains at that point and the rear of the army.
McCook
's division of cavalry met the enemy's cavalry on the road leading from Burnt Hickory to Marietta near its intersection
with the lower Dallas and
Allatoona road
.
McCook
's troops skirmished heavily with the force opposing them, inflicting on them considerable loss and
capturing 52 prisoners, from whom it was ascertained that the whole of
Wheeler
's cavalry was posted on the right of the rebel army.
The left of
General
Howard
's corps was swung around to the right, occupying a line of hills running nearly perpendicular
to the line occupied by
Hooker
on the
25th
, thereby threatening the enemy's right.
The Twentythird Army Corps,
Major-General
Schofield
commanding, was posted on the left of my command,
Schofield
's left extending to and covering the road leading from Allatoona to Dallas, via New Hope Church.
There was light skirmishing all day while
Howard
and
Schofield
were working into position, and at dark on the 26th
Howard
's left connected with
Schofield
's right.
In the mean time trains were brought up and rations and ammunition issued where practicable.
Strong breast-works were thrown up all along the line, the men working cheerfully and prepared to resist any
attack the enemy
might see fit to make.
On the
27th
, in accordance with instructions given by the majorgeneral commanding the Military Division of the Mississippi,
Hooker
's and
Howard
's corps pressed the enemy, supported by considerable artillery firing.
Wood
's division, of
Howard
's corps, supported by
Johnson
's division, of
Palmer
's corps, was moved to the left of
Schofield
's line and swung around toward the right, attacking the enemy's right flank and driving him into his
rifle-pits, with considerable
loss, however, to our troops.
Our men had to contend with an almost hidden foe, the ground being cut up into ravines and covered by a dense
forest filled
with undergrowth; but notwithstanding all the difficulties of the country both officers and men did their work
nobly, and
having assumed a position were not to be moved from it. The enemy came out of his works in front of
Newton
's division, of
Howard
's corps, attacking
Wagner
's and
Kimball
's brigades, but was driven back after a short and warm contest.
General
Davis
occupied Dallas with his division on the afternoon of the
27th
, skirmishing with the enemy and driving him as far as he could without losing his connection with
General
McPherson
.
Davis
reported that after skirmishing all the afternoon he developed the enemy in force and strongly posted in
front of his (
Davis
') left, with a battery in position on a hill commanding the road between him and
General
Hooker
.
Davis
had, however, cut a road through the forest to his rear, by which he could communicate safely with
Hooker
.
During the night of the 27th the enemy attacked
Davis
and was repulsed after a sharp fight, leaving behind him a few wounded and 27 prisoners, belonging
mostly to
Polk
's corps.
By this time it had been ascertained beyond a doubt that
Johnston
had his whole army with him, strengthened by
Polk
's command and detachments sent from various points to re-enforce him. He had taken up a strong
position, which he was steadily strengthening
with earth-works, evidently with the determination to make a firm stand where he then was.
On the
28th
our line stood as follows:
Hooker
's corps (Twentieth) on the right, with
Davis
' division, of
Palmer
's corps, still on his right, but acting as a support to the Army of the Tennessee; two
divisions of
Howard
's corps (Fourth) on the left of
Hooker
; then the Army of the Ohio,
Major-General
Schofield
commanding.
Wood
's division, of
Howard
's corps, on the left of
Schofield
's command, with
Johnson
's division, of
Palmer
's corps, on the left of
Wood
;
Stoneman
's division of cavalry holding a hill to the left of
Johnson
, and then
McCook
's division of cavalry holding the road leading from Burnt Church to Marietta, via Golgotha, and guarding the left of the army.
During the 28th there was considerable artillery firing, with skirmishing at intervals during the day and night.
During the night of the 29th the enemy felt our line at several points, without making a serious attack at any
one place.
They found our men vigilant and fully prepared for them.
Owing to the close proximity of the enemy's lines to the right of ours, neither
McPherson
nor
Davis
could withdraw from their positions without being attacked and forced to return, so that the project of
using their commands
to relieve
Hooker
,
Howard
, and
Schofield
, allowing these latter to take post on the left of the line, could not be carried out, although three
attempts at a withdrawal were made by
McPherson
and
Davis
on the nights of the 29th, 30th, and 31st.
In the meanwhile, the position of the army remained unchanged up to the 31st, our skirmishers and those of the
enemy exchanging occasional shots.
The detailed reports of the subordinate commanders will be forwarded as soon as handed in.
I have the honor to forward herewith a consolidated return of casualties for the month, as also a return of
prisoners captured,
and a list of captured property and ammunition expended.
I am, colonel, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Lieut. Col. R. M. Sawyer .
Asst. Adjt. Gen., Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.
List of casualties in the Army of the Cumberland
during the month of
May
.
Corps.
Killed.
Wounded.
Missing.
Aggregate.
Officers.
Men
Officers.
Men
Officers.
Men
Fourteenth Army Corps
14
210
54
1,100
2
75
1,455
Twentieth Army Corps
22
387
127
2,880
2
499
3,917
Fourth Army Corps
30
493
120
2,471
4
284
3,402
Total
66
1,090
301
6,451
8
858
8,774
The report of the Fourth Army Corps is to June 5 . Of the 284 missing, 255 are from General Wood 's division and were lost at Pickett's Mills, May 27 . General Wood says: I am fully satisfied that nearly the whole of them were either killed outright on the field, or were wounded and could not be brought away, and fell into the hands of the enemy.
Geo. H. Thomas, Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.