CommandingOfficer，UnitedStatesForces，Allatoona:
Ihaveplacedtheforcesundermycommandinsuchpositionsthatyouaresurrounded，andtoavoidaneedlesseffusionofbloodI
callonyoutosurrenderyourforcesatonce，andunconditionally。
Fiveminuteswillbeallowedyoutodecide。Shouldyouaccedetothis，youwillbetreatedinthemosthonorablemannerasprisonersofwar。
Ihavethehonortobe，veryrespectfullyyours，S。G。FRENCH，Major—GeneralcommandingforcesConfederateStates。
GeneralCorseansweredimmediately:
HEADQUARTERSFOURTHDIVISION，FIFTEENTHCORPS
ALLATOONA，GEORGIA，October5，1864。
Major—GeneralS。G。FRENCH，ConfederateStates，etc:
YourcommunicationdemandingsurrenderofmycommandIacknowledgereceiptof，andrespectfullyreplythatwearepreparedforthe\"needlesseffusionofblood\"wheneveritisagreeabletoyou。
Iam，veryrespectfully，yourobedientservant，JOHNM。CORSE，Brigadier—GeneralcommandingforcesUnitedStates。
Ofcoursetheattackbeganatonce，comingfromfront，flank，andrear。Thereweretwosmallredoubts，withslightparapetsandditches，oneoneachsideofthedeeprailroad—cut。TheseredoubtshadbeenlocatedbyColonelPoe，UnitedStatesEngineers，atthetimeofouradvanceonKenesaw，thepreviousJane。Eachredoubtoverlookedthestorehousesclosebytherailroad，andeachcouldaidtheotherdefensivelybycatchinginflanktheattackingforceoftheother。Ourtroopsatfirstendeavoredtoholdsomegroundoutsidetheredoubts，butweresoondriveninside，whentheenemymaderepeatedassaults，butwerealwaysdrivenback。About11a。m。，ColonelRedfield，oftheThirty—ninthIowa，waskilled，andColonelRowettwaswounded，butneverceasedtofightandencouragehismen。ColonelTourtellottewasshotthroughthehips，butcontinuedtocommand。GeneralCorsewas，at1p。m。，shotacrosstheface，theballcuttinghisear，whichstunnedhim，buthecontinuedtoencouragehismenandtogiveorders。Theenemy（about1。30p。m。
madealastanddesperateefforttocarryoneoftheredoubts，butwasbadlycuttopiecesbytheartilleryandinfantryfirefromtheother，whenhebegantodrawoff，leavinghisdeadandwoundedontheground。
Beforefinallywithdrawing，GeneralFrenchconvergedaheavyfireofhiscannonontheblock—houseatAllatoonaCreek，abouttwomilesfromthedepot，setitonfire，andcaptureditsgarrison，consistingoffourofficersandeighty—fivemen。By4p。m。hewasinfullretreatsouth，ontheDallasroad，andgotbybeforetheheadofGeneralCox’scolumnhadreachedit;stillseveralambulancesandstragglerswerepickedupbythiscommandonthatroad。GeneralCorsereportedtwohundredandthirty—onerebeldead，fourhundredandelevenprisoners，threeregimentalcolors，andeighthundredmusketscaptured。
AmongtheprisonerswasaBrigadier—GeneralYoung，whothoughtthatFrench’saggregatelosswouldreadhtwothousand。ColonelTourtellottesaysthat，fordaysafterGeneralCorsehadreturnedtoRome，hismenfoundandburiedatleastahundredmoredeadrebels，whohaddoubtlessbeenwounded，anddiedinthewoodsnearAllatoona。IknowthatwhenIreachedAllatoona，onthe9th，Isawagoodmanydeadmen，whichhadbeencollectedforburial。
Corse’sentireloss，officiallyreported，was:
Killed。Wounded。Missing。Total。
142353212707
IesteemedthisdefenseofAllatoonasohandsomeandimportant，thatImadeitthesubjectofageneralorder，viz。，No。86，ofOctober7，1864:
Thegeneralcommandingavailshimselfoftheopportunity，inthehandsomedefensemadeofAllatoona，toillustratethemostimportantprincipleinwar，thatfortifiedpostsshouldbedefendedtothelast，regardlessoftherelativenumbersofthepartyattackingandattacked……ThethanksofthisarmyaredueandareherebyaccordedtoGeneralCorse，ColonelTourtellotte，ColonelRowett，officers，andmen，fortheirdeterminedandgallantdefenseofAllatoona，anditismadeanexampletoillustratetheimportanceofpreparingintime，andmeetingthedanger，whenpresent，boldly，manfully，andwell。
Commandersandgarrisonsofthepostsalongourrailroadareherebyinstructedthattheymustholdtheirpoststothelastminute，surethatthetimegainedisvaluableandnecessarytotheircomradesatthefront。
ByorderofMajor—GeneralW。T。Sherman，L。M。DAYTON，Aide—A—Camp。
Therebelshadstruckourrailroadaheavyblow，burningeverytie，bendingtherailsforeightmiles，fromBigShantytoaboveAcworth，sothattheestimateforrepairscalledforthirty—fivethousandnewties，andsixmilesofiron。Tenthousandmenweredistributedalongthebreaktoreplacetheties，andtopreparetheroad—bed，whiletheregularrepair—party，underColonelW。W。
Wright，camedownfromChattanoogawithiron，spikes，etc。，andinaboutsevendaystheroadwasallrightagain。Itwasbysuchactsofextraordinaryenergythatwediscouragedouradversaries，fortherebelsoldiersfeltthatitwasawasteoflaborforthemtomarchhurriedly，onwidecircuits，dayandnight，toburnabridgeandtearupamileorsooftrack，whentheyknewthatwecouldlayitbacksoquickly。Theysupposedthatwehadmenandmoneywithoutlimit，andthatwealwayskeptonhand，distributedalongtheroad，duplicatesofeverybridgeandculvertofanyimportance。
AgoodstoryistoldofonewhowasonKenesawMountainduringouradvanceinthepreviousJuneorJuly。Agroupofrebelslayintheshadeofatree，onehotday，overlookingourcampsaboutBigShanty。Onesoldierremarkedtohisfellows:
\"Well，theYankswillhavetogitupandgitnow，forIheardGeneralJohnstonhimselfsaythatGeneralWheelerhadblownupthetunnelnearDalton，andthattheYankswouldhavetoretreat，becausetheycouldgetnomorerations。\"
\"Oh，hell！\"saidalistener，\"don’tyouknowthatoldShermancarriesaduplicatetunnelalong？\"
Afterthewarwasover，GeneralJohnstoninquiredofmewhowasourchiefrailroad—engineer。WhenItoldhimthatitwasColonelW。W。
Wright，acivilian，hewasmuchsurprised，saidthatourfeatsofbridge—buildingandrepairsofroadshadexcitedhisadmiration;
andheinstancedtheoccasionatKenesawinJune，whenanofficerfromWheeler’scavalryhadreportedtohiminpersonthathehadcomefromGeneralWheeler，whohadmadeabadbreakinourroadaboutTritonStation，whichhesaidwouldtakeatleastafortnighttorepair;and，whiletheyweretalking，atrainwasseencomingdowntheroadwhichhadpassedthatverybreak，andhadreachedmeatBigShantyassoonasthefleethorsemanhadreachedhim（GeneralJohnston）atMariettaIdoubtwhetherthehistoryofwarcanfurnishmoreexamplesofskillandbraverythanattendedthedefenseoftherailroadfromNashvilletoAtlantaduringtheyear1864。
InpersonIreachedAllatoonaonthe9thofOctober，stillindoubtastoHood’simmediateintentions。OurcavalrycoulddolittleagainsthisinfantryintheroughandwoodedcountryaboutDallas，whichmaskedtheenemy’smovements;butGeneralCorse，atRome，withSpencer’sFirstAlabamaCavalryandamountedregimentofIllinoisInfantry，couldfeelthecountrysouthofRomeaboutCedartownandVillaRica;andreportedtheenemytobeinforceatbothplaces。Onthe9thItelegraphedtoGeneralThomas，atNashville，asfollows:
Icameupheretorelieveourroad。TheTwentiethCorpsremainsatAtlanta。HoodreachedtheroadandbrokeitupbetweenBigShantyandAcworth。HeattackedAllatoona，butwasrepulsed。Wehaveplentyofbreadandmeat，butforageisscarce。IwanttodestroyalltheroadbelowChattanooga，includingAtlanta，andtomakeforthesea—coaSt。Wecannotdefendthislonglineofroad。
AndonthesamedayItelegraphedtoGeneralGrant，atCityPoint:
Itwillbeaphysicalimpossibilitytoprotecttheroads，nowthatHood，Forrest，Wheeler，andthewholebatchofdevils，areturnedloosewithouthomeorhabitation。IthinkHood’smovementsindicateadiversiontotheendoftheSelma&Talladegaroad，atBlueMountain，aboutsixtymilessouthwestofRome，fromwhichhewillthreatenKingston，Bridgeport，andDecatur，Alabama。I
proposethatwebreakuptherailroadfromOhattanoogaforward，andthatwestrikeoutwithourwagonsforMilledgeville，Millen，andSavannah。UntilwecanrepopulateGeorgia，itisuselessforustooccupyit;buttheutterdestructionofitsroads，houses，andpeople，willcrippletheirmilitaryresources。Byattemptingtoholdtheroads，wewillloseathousandmeneachmonth，andwillgainnoresult。Icanmakethismarch，andmakeGeorgiahowl！Wehaveonhandovereightthousandheadofcattleandthreemillionrationsofbread，butnocorn。WecanfindplentyofforageintheinterioroftheState。
MeantimetherebelGeneralForresthadmadeaboldcircuitinMiddleTennessee，avoidingallfortifiedpoints，andbreakinguptherailroadatseveralplaces;but，asusual，hedidhisworksohastilyandcarelesslythatourengineerssoonrepairedthedamage——then，retreatingbeforeGeneralRousseau，helefttheStateofTennessee，crossingtherivernearFlorence，Alabama，andgotoffunharmed。
Onthe10thofOctobertheenemyappearedsouthoftheEtowahRiveratRome，whenIorderedallthearmiestomarchtoKingston，rodemyselftoCartersvillewiththeTwenty—thirdCorps（GeneralCox），andtelegraphedfromtheretoGeneralThomasatNashville:
ItlookstomeasthoughHoodwasboundforTuscumbia。HeisnowcrossingtheCoosaRiverbelowRome，lookingweSt。LetmeknowifyoucanholdhimwithyourforcesnowinTennesseeandtheexpectedreenforeements，as，inthatevent，youknowwhatIproposetodo。
IwillbeatKingstonto—morrow。IthinkRomeisstrongenoughtoresistanyattack，andtheriversareallhigh。IfheturnsupbySummerville，Iwillgetinbehindhim。
AndonthesamedaytoGeneralGrant，atCityPoint:
HoodisnowcrossingtheCoosa，twelvemilesbelowRome，boundweSt。IfhepassesovertotheMobile&OhioRailroad，hadInotbetterexecutetheplanofmylettersentyoubyColonelPorter，andleaveGeneralThomas，withthetroopsnowinTennessee，todefendtheState？HewillhaveanampleforcewhenthereenforcementsorderedreachNashville。
IfoundGeneralJohnE。SmithatCartersville，andonthe11throdeontoKingston，whereIhadtelegraphiccommunicationsinalldirections。
>FromGeneralCorse，atRome，IlearnedthatHood’sarmyhaddisappeared，butinwhatdirectionhewasstillindoubt;andIwassostronglyconvincedofthewisdomofmypropositiontochangethewholetacticsofthecampaign，toleaveHoodtoGeneralThomas，andtomarchacrossGeorgiaforSavannahorCharleston，thatIagaintelegraphedtoGeneralGrant:
Wecannotnowremainonthedefensive。Withtwenty—fivethousandinfantryandtheboldcavalryhehas，Hoodcanconstantlybreakmyroad。IwouldinfinitelyprefertomakeawreckoftheroadandofthecountryfromChattanoogatoAtlanta，includingthelattercity;
sendbackallmywoundedandunserviceablemen，andwithmyeffectivearmymovethroughGeorgia，smashingthingstothesea。
HoodmayturnintoTennesseeandKentucky，butIbelievehewillbeforcedtofollowme。Insteadofbeingonthedefensive，Iwillbeontheoffensive。Insteadofmyguessingatwhathemeanstodo，hewillhavetoguessatmyplans。Thedifferenceinwarwouldbefullytwenty—fiveperpent。IcanmakeSavannah，Charleston，orthemonthoftheChattahoochee（Appalachicola）。Answerquick，asI
knowwewillnothavethetelegraphlong。
Ireceivednoanswertothisatthetime，andthenextdaywentontoRome，wherethenewscamethatHoodhadmadehisappearanceatResaca，andhaddemandedthesurrenderoftheplace，whichwascommandedbyColonelWeaver，reenforcedbyBrevetBrigadier—GeneralRaum。GeneralHoodhadevidentlymarchedwithrapidityuptheChattoogaValley，bySummerville，Lafayette，Ship’sGap，andSnake—CreekGap，andhadwithhimhiswholearmy，exceptasmallforceleftbehindtowatchRome。IorderedResacatobefurtherreenforcedbyrailfromKingston，andorderedGeneralCoxtomakeaboldreconnoissancedowntheCoosaValley，whichcapturedandbroughtintoRomesomecavalrymenandacoupleoffield—guns，withtheirhorsesandmen。AtfirstIthoughtofinterposingmywholearmyintheChattoogaValley，soastopreventHood’sescapesouth;
butIsawataglancethathedidnotmeantofight，andinthatevent，afterdamagingtheroadallhecould，hewouldbelikelytoretreateastwardbySpringPlace，whichIdidnotwanthimtodo;
and，hearingfromGeneralRaumthathestillheldResacasafe，andthatGeneralEdwardMcCookhadalsogottherewithsomecavalryreenforcements，IturnedalltheheadsofcolumnsforResaca，viz。，GeneralCox’s，fromRome;GeneralStanley’s，fromMcGuire’s;andGeneralHoward’s，fromKingston。WeallreachedResacaduringthatnight，andthenextmorning（13th）learnedthatHood’swholearmyhadpassedupthevalleytowardDalton，burningtherailroadanddoingallthedamagepossible。
Onthe12thhehaddemandedthesurrenderofResacainthefollowingletterHEADQUARTERSARMYOFTENNESSEE
INTHEFIELD，October12，1861。
TotheofficercommandingtheUnitedStalesForcesatResaca，Georgia。
SIR:Idemandtheimmediateandunconditionalsurrenderofthepostandgarrisonunderyourcommand，and，shouldthisbeaccededto，allwhiteofficersandsoldierswillbeparolledinafewdays。Iftheplaceiscarriedbyassault，noprisonerswillbetaken。Mostrespectfully，yourobedientservant，J。B。HOOD，General。
TothisColonelWeaver，thenincommand，replied:
HEADQUARTERSSECONDBRIGADE，THIRDDIVISION，FIFTEENTHCORPS
RESACA，GEORGIA，October12，1884。
ToGeneralJ。B。HOOD
Yourcommunicationofthisdatejustreceived。Inreply，IhavetostatethatIamsomewhatsurprisedattheconcludingparagraph，totheeffectthat，iftheplaceiscarriedbyassault，noprisonerswillbetaken。InmyopinionIcanholdthispoSt。Ifyouwantit，comeandtakeit。
Iam，general，veryrespectfully，yourmostobedientservant，CLARKR。WEAVER，CommandingOfficer。
Thisbrigadewasverysmall，andasHood’sinvestmentextendedonlyfromtheOostenaula，belowthetown，totheConnesaugaabove，heleftopentheapproachfromthesouth，whichenabledGeneralRaumandthecavalryofGeneralsMcCookandWatkinstoreenforcefromKingston。Infact，Hood，admonishedbyhislossesatAllatoona，didnotattemptanassaultatall，butlimitedhisattacktotheabovethreat，andtosolveskirmishing，givinghisattentionchieflytothedestructionoftherailroad，whichheaccomplishedallthewayuptoTunnelHill，nearlytwentymiles，capturingenroutetheregimentofblacktroopsatDalton（Johnson’sForty—fourthUnitedStatescolored）。Onthe14th，I
turnedGeneralHowardthroughSnake—CreekGap，andsentGeneralStanleyaroundbyTilton，withorderstocrossthemountaintothewest，soastocapture，ifpossible，theforceleftbytheenemyinSnake—CreekGap。Wefoundthisgapverybadlyobstructedbyfallentimber，butgotthroughthatnight，andthenextdaythemainarmywasatVillanow。Onthemorningofthe16th，theleadingdivisionofGeneralHoward’scolumn，commandedbyGeneralCharlesR。Woods，carriedShip’sGap，takingprisonerspartoftheTwenty—fourthSouthCarolinaRegiment，whichhadbeenlefttheretoholdusincheck。
ThebestinformationthereobtainedlocatedHood’sarmyatLafayette，nearwhichplaceIhopedtocatchhimandforcehimtobattle;but，bythetimewehadgotenoughtroopsacrossthemountainatShip’sGap，HoodhadescapeddownthevalleyoftheChattooga，andallwecoulddowastofollowhimascloselyaspossible。FromShip’sGapIdispatchedcourierstoChattanooga，andreceivedwordbackthatGeneralSchofieldwasthere，endeavoringtocooperatewithme，butHoodhadbrokenupthetelegraph，andthushadpreventedquickcommunication。GeneralSchofielddidnotreachmetillthearmyhadgotdowntoGaylesville，aboutthe21stofOctober。
ItwasatShip’sGapthatacourierbroughtmetheciphermessagefromGeneralHalleckwhichintimatedthattheauthoritiesinWashingtonwerewillingIshouldundertakethemarchacrossGeorgiatothesea。Thetranslateddispatchnamed\"Horse—i—barSound\"asthepointwherethefleetwouldawaitmyarrival。AftermuchtimeIconstruedittomean，\"OssabawSound，\"belowSavannah，whichwascorrect。
Onthe16thItelegraphedtoGeneralThomas，atNashville:
SendmeMorgan’sandNewton’solddivisions。Reestablishtheroad，andIwillfollowHoodwhereverhemaygo。IthinkhewillmovetoBlueMountain。Wecanmaintainourmenandanimalsonthecountry。
GeneralThomas’sreplywas:
NASHVILLE，October17，1864——10。30a。m。
Major—GeneralSHERMAN:
YourdispatchfromShip’sGap，5p。m。ofthe16th，justreceived。
Schofield，whomIplacedincommandofthetwodivisions（Wagner’sandMorgan’s），wastomoveupLookoutValleythisA。M。，tointerceptHood，shouldhebemarchingforBridgeport。Iwillorderhimtojoinyouwiththetwodivisions，andwillreconstructtheroadassoonaspossible。Willalsoreorganizetheguardsforpostsandblock—houses……MowerandWilsonhavearrived，andareontheirwaytojoinyou。IhopeyouwilladoptGrant’sideaofturningWilsonloose，ratherthanundertaketheplanofamarchwiththewholeforcethroughGeorgiatothesea，inasmuchasGeneralGrantcannotcooperatewithyouasatfirstarranged。
GEORGEH。THOMAS，Major—General。
SoitisclearthatatthatdateneitherGeneralGrantnorGeneralThomasheartilyfavoredmyproposedplanofcampaign。Onthesameday，IwrotetoGeneralSchofieldatChattanooga:
HoodisnotatDearHeadCove。WeoccupyShip’sGapandLafayette。
HoodismovingsouthviaSummerville，Alpine，andGadsden。IfheentersTennessee，itwillbetothewestofHuntsville，butIthinkhehasgivenupallsuchidea。IwanttheroadrepairedtoAtlanta;thesickandwoundedmensentnorthoftheTennessee;myarmyrecomposed;andIwillthenmaketheinteriorofGeorgiafeeltheweightofwar。Itisfollyforustobemovingourarmiesonthereportsofscoutsandcitizens。Wemustmaintaintheoffensive。YourfirstmoveonTrentonandValleyHeadwasright—
—themovetodefendCaperton’sFerryiswrong。NotifyGeneralThomasofthesemyviews。WemustfollowHoodtillheisbeyoudthereachofmischief，andthenresumetheoffensive。
ThecorrespondencebetweenmeandtheauthoritiesatWashington，aswellaswiththeseveralarmycommanders，givenatlengthinthereportoftheCommitteeontheConductoftheWar，isfullonallthesepoints。
AfterstrikingourroadatDalton，HoodwascompelledtogoontoChattanoogaandBridgeport，ortopassaroundbyDecaturandabandonaltogetherhisattempttomakeusletgoourholdofAtlantabyattackingourcommunications。Itwascleartomethathehadnointentiontomeetusinopenbattle，andthelightnessandcelerityofhisarmyconvincedmethatIcouldnotpossiblycatchhimonastern—chase。WethereforequietlyfollowedhimdowntheChattoogaValleytotheneighborhoodofGadsden，buthaltedthemainarmiesneartheCoosaRiver，atthemouthoftheChattooga，drawingoursuppliesofcornandmeatfromthefarmsofthatcomparativelyrichvalleyandoftheneighborhood。
GeneralSlocum，inAtlanta，hadlikewisesentout，understrongescort，largetrainsofwagonstotheeast，andbroughtbackcorn，bacon，andallkindsofprovisions，sothatHood’seffortstocutoffoursuppliesonlyreactedonhisownpeople。Solongastherailroadswereingoodorder，oursuppliescamefullandregularfromtheNorth;butwhentheenemybrokeourrailroadswewereperfectlyjustifiedinstrippingtheinhabitantsofalltheyhad。
Irememberwelltheappealofaveryrespectablefarmeragainstourmendrivingawayhisfineflockofsheep。IexplainedtohimthatGeneralHoodhadbrokenourrailroad;thatwewereastrong，hungrycrowd，andneededplentyoffood;thatUncleSamwasdeeplyinterestedinourcontinuedhealthandwouldsoonrepairtheseroads，butmeantimewemusteat;wepreferredIllinoisbeef，butmuttonwouldhavetoanswer。Poorfellow！Idon’tbelievehewasconvincedofthewisdomorwitofmyexplanation。VerysoonafterreachingLafayetteweorganizedalineofsupplyfromChattanoogatoRinggoldbyrail，andthencebywagonstoourcampsaboutGaylesville。Meantime，also，HoodhadreachedtheneighborhoodofGadsden，anddrewhissuppliesfromtherailroadatBlueMountain。
Onthe19thofOctoberItelegraphedtoGeneralHalleck，atWashington:
Hoodhasretreatedrapidlybyalltheroadsleadingsouth。OuradvancecolumnsarenowatAlpineandMelvillePost—Office。I
shallpursuehimasfarasGaylesville。TheenemywillnotventuretowardTennesseeexceptaroundbyDecatur。IproposetosendtheFourthCorpsbacktoGeneralThomas，andleavehim，withthatcorps，thegarrisons，andnewtroops，todefendthelineoftheTennesseeRiver;andwiththerestIwillpushintotheheartofGeorgiaandcomeoutatSavannah，destroyingalltherailroadsoftheState。ThebreakinourrailroadatBigShantyisalmostrepaired，andthataboutDaltonshouldbedoneintendays。Wefindabundanceofforageinthecountry。
OnthesamedayItelegraphedtoGeneralL。C。Easton，chief—quartermaster，whohadbeenabsentonavisittoMissouri，buthadgotbacktoChattanooga:
Goinpersontosuperintendtherepairsoftherailroad，andmakeallordersinmynamethatwillexpediteitscompletion。Iwantitfinished，tobringbackfromAtlantatoChattanoogathesickandwoundedmenandsurplusstores。Onthe1stofNovemberIwantnothinginfrontofChattanoogaexceptwhatwecanuseasfoodandclothingandhaulinourwagons。Thereisplentyofcorninthecountry，andweonlywantforagefortheposts。Iallowtendaysforallthistobedone，bywhichtimeIexpecttobeatornearAtlanta。
ItelegraphedalsotoGeneralAmosBeckwith，chief—commissaryinAtlanta，whowasactingaschief—quartermasterduringtheabsenceofGeneralEaston:
Hoodwillescapeme。Iwanttoprepareformybigraid。Onthe1stofNovemberIwantnothinginAtlantabutwhatisnecessaryforwar。Sendalltrashtotherearatonce，andhaveonhandthirtydays’foodandbutlittleforage。IproposetoabandonAtlanta，andtherailroadbacktoChattanooga，tosallyforthtoruinGeorgiaandbringupontheseashore。Makealldispositionsaccordingly。IwillgodowntheCoosauntilIamsurethatHoodhasgonetoBlueMountain。
Onthe21stofOctoberIreachedGaylesville，hadmybivouacinanopenfieldbackofthevillage，andremainedtheretillthe28th。
DuringthattimeGeneralSchofieldarrived，withthetwodivisionsofGeneralsWagner（formerlyNewton’s）andMorgan，whichwerereturnedtotheirrespectivecorps（theFourthandFourteenth），andGeneralSchofieldresumedhisowncommandoftheArmyoftheOhio，thenontheCoosaRiver，nearCedarBluff。GeneralJosephA。Moweralsoarrived，andwasassignedtocommandadivisionintheSeventeenthCorps;andGeneralJ。H。Wilsoncame，havingbeensentfromVirginiabyGeneralGrant，forthepurposeofcommandingallmycavalry。Ifirstintendedtoorganizethiscavalryintoacorpsofthreesmalldivisions，tobecommandedbyGeneralWilson;butthehorseswerewellrundown，and，atWilson’sinstance，I
concludedtoretainonlyonedivisionoffourthousandfivehundredmen，withselectedhorses，underGeneralKilpatrick，andtosendGeneralWilsonbackwithalltheresttoNashville，tobereorganizedandtoactunderGeneralThomasinthedefenseofTennessee。Orderstothiseffectweremadeonthe24thofOctober。
GeneralGrant，indesignatingGeneralWilsontocommandmycavalry，predictedthathewould，byhispersonalactivity，increasetheeffectofthatarm\"fiftypercent。，\"andheadvisedthatheshouldbesentsouth，toaccomplishallthatIhadproposedtodowiththemainarmy;butIhadnotsomuchfaithincavalryashehad，andpreferredtoadheretomyoriginalintentionofgoingmyselfwithacompetentforce。
AboutthistimeIlearnedthatGeneralBeauregardhadreachedHood’sarmyatGadsden;that，withoutassumingdirectcommandofthatarmy，hehadauthorityfromtheConfederateGovernmenttodirectallitsmovements，andtocalltohisassistancethewholestrengthoftheSouth。Hisorders，onassumingcommand，werefullofalarmanddesperation，dated:
HEADQUARTERSMILITARYDIVISIONOFTHEWEST
October17，1864
Inassumingcommand，atthiscriticaljuncture，oftheMilitaryDivisionoftheWest，Iappealtomycountrymen，ofallclassesandsections，fortheirgeneroussupport。Inassigningmetothisresponsibleposition，thePresidentoftheConfederateStateshasextendedtometheassuranceofhisearnestsupport。TheExecutivesofyourStatesmeetmewithsimilarexpressionsoftheirdevotiontoourcause。Thenoblearmyinthefield，composedofbravemenandgallantofficers，arestrangerstome，butIknowtheywilldoallthatpatriotscanachieve……
ThearmyofShermanstilldefiantlyholdsAtlanta。Hecanandmustbedrivenfromit。ItisonlyforthegoodpeopleofGeorgiaandsurroundingstatestospeaktheword，andtheworkisdone，wehaveabundantprovisions。Therearemenenoughinthecountry，liabletoandableforservice，toaccomplishtheresult……
Mycountrymen，respondtothiscallasyouhavedoneindaysthatarepast，and，withtheblessingofakindandoverrulingProvidence，theenemyshallbedrivenfromyoursoil。Thesecurityofyourwivesanddaughtersfromtheinsultsandoutragesofabrutalfoeshallbeestablishedsoon，andbefollowedbya，permanentandhonorablepeace。Theclaimsofhomeandcountry，wifeandchildren，unitingwiththedemandsofhonorandpatriotism，summonustothefield。Wecannot，darenot，willnotfailtorespond。Fullofhopeandconfidence，Icometojoinyouinyourstruggles，sharingyourprivations，and，withyourbraveandtruemen，tostriketheblowthatshallbringsuccesstoour，arms，triumphtoourcause，andpeacetoourcountry！……
G。T。BEAUREGARD，General。
Notwithstandingthissomewhatboastfulorderorappeal，GeneralBeauregarddidnotactuallyaccompanyGeneralHoodonhisdisastrousmarchtoNashville，buttookpostatCorinth，Mississippi，tocontrolthemovementofhissuppliesandtowatchme。
AtGaylesvillethepursuitofHoodbythearmyundermyimmediatecommandmaybesaidtohaveceased。Duringthispursuit，theFifteenthCorpswascommandedbyitsseniormajor—generalpresent，P。J。Osterhaus，intheabsenceofGeneralJohnA。Logan;andtheSeventeenthCorpswascommandedbyBrigadier—GeneralT。E。G。
Ransom，theseniorofficerpresent，intheabsenceofGeneralFrankP。Blair。
GeneralRansomwasayoung，mostgallant，andpromisingofficer，sonoftheColonelRansomwhowaskilledatChapultepec，intheMexicanWar。HehadservedwiththeArmyoftheTennesseein1862
and1863，atVicksburg，wherehewasseverelywounded。HewasnotwellatthetimewestartedfromAtlanta，butheinsistedongoingalongwithhiscommand。Hissymptomsbecamemoreaggravatedonthemarch，andwhenwewereencampednearGaylesville，IvisitedhimincompanywithSurgeonJohnMoors，UnitedStatesArmy，whosaidthatthecasewasoneoftyphoidfever，whichwouldlikelyprovefatal。
Afewdaysafter，viz。，the28th，hewasbeingcarriedonalittertowardRome;andasIrodefromGaylesvilletoRome，Ipassedhimbytheway，stopped，andspokewithhim，butdidnotthensupposehewassonearhisend。Thenextday，however，hisescortreachedRome，bearinghisdeadbody。Theofficerinchargereportedthat，shortlyafterIhadpassed，hissymptomsbecamesomuchworsethattheystoppedatafarmhousebytheroad—side，wherehediedthatevening。HisbodywasatoncesenttoChicagoforburial，andamonumenthasbeenorderedbytheSocietyoftheArmyoftheTennesseetobeerectedinhismemory。
Onthe26thofOctoberIlearnedthatHood’swholearmyhadmadeitsappearanceaboutDecatur，Alabama，andatoncecausedastrongreconnoissancetobemadedowntheCoosatonearGadsden，whichrevealedthetruththattheenemywasgoneexceptasmallforceofcavalry，commandedbyGeneralWheeler，whichhadbeenlefttowatchus。Ithenfinallyresolvedonmyfuturecourse，whichwastoleaveHoodtobeencounteredbyGeneralThomas，whileIshouldcarryintofulleffectthelong—contemplatedprojectofmarchingforthesea—coast，andthencetooperatetowardRichmond。Butitwasall—importanttomeandtoourcausethatGeneralThomasshouldhaveanampleforce，equaltoanyandeveryemergency。
HethenhadatNashvilleabouteightortenthousandnewtroops，andasmanymorecivilemploysoftheQuartermaster’sDepartment，whichwerenotsuitedfarthefield，butwouldbemostusefulinmanningtheexcellentfortsthatalreadycoveredNashville。AtChattanooga，hehadGeneralSteedman’sdivision，aboutfivethousandmen，besidesgarrisonsforChattanooga，Bridgeport，andStevenson;atMurfreesboro’healsohadGeneralRousseau’sdivision，whichwasfullfivethousandstrong，independentofthenecessarygarrisonsfortherailroad。AtDecaturandHuntsville，Alabama，wastheinfantrydivisionofGeneralR。S。Granger，estimatedatfourthousand;andnearFlorence，Alabama。，watchingthecrossingsoftheTennessee，wereGeneralEdwardHatch’sdivisionofcavalry，fourthousand;GeneralCroxton’sbrigade，twenty—fivehundred;andColonelCapron’sbrigade，twelvehundred;
besideswhich，GeneralJ。H。WilsonhadcollectedinNashvilleabouttenthousanddismountedcavalry，forwhichhewasrapidlycollectingthenecessaryhorsesforaremount。Alltheseaggregatedaboutforty—fivethousandmen。GeneralA。J。SmithatthattimewasinMissouri，withthetwodivisionsoftheSixteenthCorpswhichhadbeendivertedtothatquartertoassistGeneralRosecransindrivingtherebelGeneralPriceoutofMissouri。Thisobjecthadbeenaccomplished，andthesetroops，numberingfromeighttotenthousand，hadbeenorderedtoNashville。TotheseI
proposedatfirsttoaddonlytheFourthCorps（GeneralStanley），fifteenthousand;andthatcorpswasorderedfromGaylesville~tomarchtoChattanooga，andthencereportfororderstoGeneralThomas;butsubsequently，onthe30thofOctober，atRome，Georgia，learningfromGeneralThomasthatthenewtroopspromisedbyGeneralGrantwerecomingforwardvery，slowly，IconcludedtofurtherreenforcehimbyGeneralSchofield’scorps（Twenty—third），twelvethousand，whichcorpsaccordinglymarchedforResaca，andtheretookthecarsforChattanooga。IthenknewthatGeneralThomaswouldhaveanampleforcewithwhichtoencounterGeneralHoodanywhereintheopenfield，besidesgarrisonstosecuretherailroadtohisrearandasfarforwardasChattanooga。And，moreover，Iwasmorethanconvincedthathewouldhaveampletimeforpreparation;for，onthatveryday，GeneralR。S。GrangerhadtelegraphedmefromDecatur，Alabama:
IomittedtomentionanotherreasonwhyHoodwillgotoTusomnbiabeforecrossingtheTennesseeRiver。Hewasevidentlyoutofsupplies。Hismenwereallgrumbling;thefirstthingtheprisonersaskedforwassomethingtoeat。HoodcouldnotgetanythingifheshouldcrossthissideofRogersville。
IknewthatthecountryaboutDecaturandTuscumbia，Alabama，wasbareofprovisions，andinferredthatGeneralHoodwouldhavetodrawhissupplies，notonlyoffood，butofstores，clothing，andammunition，fromMobile，Montgomery，andSelma，Alabama，bytherailroadaroundbyMeridianandCorinth，Mississippi，whichwehadmosteffectuallydisabledthepreviouswinter。