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CHANGE OF COMMANDERS.

575

Sherman; McPherson taking the "Army of the Tennessee," and Schofield the "Army of the Ohio." Supplies in vast amounts were collected at Chattanooga, and everything done that could be to thoroughly equip the forces for what was hoped would prove the final campaign of the war. The South, too, realized the crisis, and notwithstanding the disasters of the year past, confronted us with a strength and determination worthy of a better Chief among the significant acts of preparation in the South was the appointment of Gen. Joe Johnston to command their Western army, a man equal, if not superior, to any officer in their service.

cause.

In our own part of the army important changes were made, some pleasing, others not so. The substitution of Gen. Howard for Gen. Granger, in command of the Fourth Corps, gave universal satisfaction, but the removal of Gen. Sheridan from the command of the Second Division to the head of the Cavalry on the Potomac, while highly honorable to him and serviceable to the country, was looked upon by all who had served under him as inflicting on us a loss which was simply irreparable. Perhaps we were in no humor to give any man who might take his place a perfectly fair judgment, but it is the truth to say that Gen. Newton never commanded the confidence of officers or men, and many a time when the division was placed in critical circumstances, the wish expressed by all was, "O, that Sheridan were here.'

Some changes also were made in the First Brigade, which was composed now of nine regiments, the 2nd and 15th Missouri, 24th Wisconsin, 28th Kentucky, 36th, 44th, 73rd, 74th and 88th Illinois, all under the command of Col. F. T. Sherman, of the 88th. In the regiment the only change to be noted was the absence through the campaign of Major Sherman, who was left

behind in Illinois in recruiting service, and on being relieved was appointed by Gen. Thomas Commandant of Military Prison at Nashville, which delicate and responsible post he filled with the commendation of the General.

The general plan adopted for the prosecution of the campaign, was for both armies, East and West, to move forward simultaneously against the enemy in their front, and press so vigorously and persistently as to allow no opportunity to the enemy to re-inforce in either direction. The 2nd of May was first designated by Gen. Grant for the united advance, which, however, was afterwards changed to the 5th. That we might be in time to take our place on that day, the Fourth Corps received orders on the morning of the 3rd to be ready to march at noon, and promptly at that hour we left camp and drew out on the road to Dalton. That our campaign was to be an earnest and vigorous one, was evident from the strict regulations in regard to camp equipage and transportation. To each regiment was allowed but one wagon and one ambulance, and one tent as an office. but as the wagon would only occasionally be with the regiment, each officer and soldier was required to carry on his horse or person, food and clothing enough for five days. A pack-horse was allowed to headquarters for forage, etc., and one for the officers of each company, so that it was common to see quite a number of packhorses or mules at the rear of each regiment. Gen. Sherman himself set the example of light marching, by having nothing but a tent-fly for his headquarters.

On the 3rd, we marched about fourteen miles, camping near Redclay, just across the Tennessee line, and next day arrived at Catoosa Springs, completing the concentration of the Army of the Cumberland.

Here are twenty-five different kinds of mineral waters, with a large hotel, and all the conveniences of a Southern watering

ENEMY'S FORTIFICATIONS.

577

place. The enemy had been using it, of late, as a hospital In this vicinity we remained until Saturday, the 7th, when at four o'clock A. M., we commenced the advance on Tunnel Hill, which, after a good deal of skirmishing and firing in front, we reached at about ten o'clock. Next day we moved out at nine o'clock, but halted frequently, while Harker's Brigade, of our division, pushed forward to Rocky Face Ridge, having a number killed and wounded, and at night we bivouaced on the same ground that we occupied in the morning. Here we learned of the successful movement of Grant's army in Virginia. Next day (the 9th) we ascended Rocky Face, in support of the troops already there, and from this point had a magnificent view of the country; of the enemy's position and our own. It is seldom indeed that so fine an opportunity is afforded for watching the operations of contending armies. Rocky Face Ridge is what its name imports; is of great height, and extends for many miles due south. About the centre is a gorge, through which flows Mill Creek, and also passes the railroad to Dalton. This gap has sharp, precipitous sides, which could only be approached from the ridge, and then, so defended was it by rocks and ledges, that men could not be massed in order, but must ascend in broken fragments. These palisades were crowned with batteries. This was Buzzard's Roost. On the east side of the ridge and in front of Dalton were the main fortifications, covering all the roads from the north and east. These were very strong-including all the defences of modern warfare-and in front were strong lines of sharpened stakes, leaning outwards, protected by a perfect labyrinth of fallen trees. By means of dams, also, the country round was flooded, so that every protection possible had been provided. The ascent to the ridge was the steepest we had ever known-in some places almost perpendicular, and the crest was but a few feet wide. As soon as we could take a view of the sit

uation, there was much speculation as to what the enemy would do, and we scanned the works in front of Dalton narrowly, te find if possible what men occupied them. But everything there was quiet, and not a man was to be seen. About noon, there broke on us a sight which none present can ever forget. The 23rd Corps, whom we had passed in the morning, had entered the valley round the northern point of the ridge, deployed across it, and were now marching in line of battle directly upon the fortifications. First, we could see the lines of skirmishers, moving steadily forward, reaching from one favorable cover to another, and firing at intervals, as they caught sight of the opposing skirmishers. Then came the line of battle in splendid order, the regimental flags glistening in the sun and appearing in beautiful contrast to the rich green of the trees and grass through which they were borne. On they went, driving in the enemy, until about four o'clock, when they came within range of the forts, and we were in momentary expectation of witnessing a bloody conflict. Gun after gun opened from the fort, and quick as thought, the top of the parapet seemed alive with men's heads, stretched up to see our advancing columns. Their curiosity had got the better of their judgment and orders, and we could see that their works swarmed with men. But the 23rd Corps halted, having evidently carried out their orders.

Late in the afternoon, Harker's Brigade made a direct assault on the south end of our ridge, while Wagner's Brigade did the same from the east side. The firing was tremendous for a little while, and the spent balls fell thickly where our brigade lay in

reserve, but the assaults were unsuccessful, and we lost quite a During the afternoon our mail arrived and

number of men.

was distributed.

At night our brigade was withdrawn from the

ridge and sent back about three miles to guard the roads and

NIGHT ON THE RIDGE.

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trains. Next morning we returned to the entrance of the valley, passing round the northern end of the ridge and up the eastern side, which was easier of ascent than the western. Despatches arrived announcing Grant's success on the Potomac. The Brigade was soon set to work building breastworks of the stones and timber which could be gathered, while the 23rd Corps retired to the mouth of the gap.

We now learned that the fighting of the previous day was simply to hold Johnston's army at Dalton, while McPherson siezed Snake Creek Gap and operated against the railroad at Resaca. Rain began to fall, and our preparations for the night were anything but inviting. The narrowness of the ridge prevented our selecting a level spot to lie down on. The sides were

rocks so thick

at an angle of about forty-five degrees, and the that it was extremely difficult to find a spot large enough or of such a shape as to admit a man sleeping with any comfort, but we put up shelters the best we could and lay down. During the night, however, there came up a furious storm of rain and wind, blowing down our coverings and drenching us through, so that with many of us the only way to pass the rest of the night was to sit up by the fire and take it as easy as possible. The next day the rain continued, but all was quiet, and with the exception of a slight change in position, no movement was made. The one bright spot of the day was the coming of the mail. Next day it was evident that our corps and the cavalry alone remained; that Schofield and the rest of the army had moved south to re-inforce McPherson, which they were well able to do without the knowledge of the enemy, for Rocky Face Ridge operated like an impenetrable curtain, behind which all our movements were hid. Near noon, however, our attention was attracted by the marching of a heavy column of infantry on the other side of the valley

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