few, if any, of the great military characters of ancient or modern history.

Grant was so confident of Sherman's ability to master the situations that might arise in his department that he forebore giving him detailed instructions, except as to the time of starting. He wanted Sherman to win a separate renown, because he thought he deserved it. Therefore after a long talk at Nashville, in the spring of 1864, and a full understanding of Grant's plans and purposes, Sherman was left to carry them out in his own way. Let us see how it all came about, for this is necessary in order to fully realize the comprehensive grasp and magnificent military skill of the LieutenantGeneral, and complete the wonderful picture of grand combinations and proud material results which appeared on the canvass of history.

The Confederate army under General Johnston lay at Dalton, just south of Chattanooga, whither it had retreated after the battle of Chattanooga. It numbered about sixty thousand effectives, and was strongly entrenched. Hardee, Polk, and Hood commanded its three corps, Wheeler its cavalry, and G. W. Smith a division of Georgia State troops.

Sherman engaged with spirit in the work of organizing his department and concentrating his forces. By May 1st, 1864, his forces were well in hand, in good condition, and under faithful and able officers. The Army of the Cumberland, under General George H. Thomas, was at Chattanooga and down along the railroad toward Dalton. It was composed of three corps, Howard's Fourth, Palmer's Fourteenth, and Hooker's Twentieth. The Army of the Tennessee, under General McPherson, was on Chickamauga creek. It was composed of Logan's Fifteenth Corps, Dodge's Sixteenth (part), and Blair's Seventeenth (part). The Army of the Ohio, under Schofield, had moved down from Knoxville to the

Georgia State line at Red Clay. It comprised part of the Twenty-third Corps and Stoneman's Cavalry.

Sherman was in motion promptly on the day designated by Grant, May 6th, 1864. Johnston's position at Dalton was found impregnable, and direct assault out of the question. All the region around is mountainous and difficult. Strategy must therefore be resorted to. Thomas was pushed to Tunnel Hill in the face of the enemy, with orders to demonstrate vigorously. Schofield was brought down close to Dalton, as a threat on the enemy's right. McPherson passed through the gaps with orders to strike and capture Resaca, on the railroad, eighteen miles south of Dalton and directly in Johnston's rear. Thomas' demonstrations became a series of savage assaults which resulted in the capture of some of the enemy's strongest outposts. But McPherson found Resaca too strong for attack. He was rapidly reinforced by Schofield and Thomas. But Johnston had, in the meantime, become alarmed at these rearward operations. He therefore evacuated Dalton and fell rapidly back to Resaca.

Sherman was close upon him. On May 12th he enveloped the Confederate works, and swung a strong column of infantry and cavalry to Calhoun, south and rearward of Johnston. By the 14th, his corps were all in position to attack, and a heavy battle ensued, which brought the Federals no results, except the capture of four guns and several hundred prisoners by Hooker. But Johnston became again fearful of the demon

stration in his rear and fell back, during the night, to Adairsville, followed closely by Thomas, while Jefferson C. Davis' Division made a diversion to Rome, capturing the place with ten large guns and a vast amount of supplies.

Thomas' pursuit was so close and persistent that Johnston did not stop at Adairsville, but kept on to Cassville, where he stopped and fortified. Here there was every indication of a general battle, but by the time his position was invested he retreated again beyond the Etowah, holding Allatoona pass as a cover. Sherman now boldly cut loose from his supplies, and crossed the Etowah to turn the position at Allatoona. He made Dallas his objective. Johnston anticipated the movement and, disposing himself accordingly, offered serious opposition. Hooker's attack on New Hope Church was repulsed with great loss, and McPherson fought a severe battle to retain his place in front of Dallas, in which the enemy were repelled with heavy losses. These delicate and dangerous operations in a hilly, densely wooded, and unknown country, consumed several days.

On June 1st, Sherman's cavalry captured Allatoona, and opened his communications northward. Sherman now engaged in a series of flanking manoeuvres, and a direct threat on Atlanta, in obedience to which Johnston gradually fell back, but all the while kept himself securely covered. By June 9th, Johnston was back to a strong position on Kenesaw and Lost Mountain, and covering Marietta, with Sherman close on his front. On the 11th, he sent word to Washington, "I will proceed with due caution, and try to make no mistake. One of my chief objects being to give full employment to Joe Johnston, it makes but little difference where he is, so he is not on his way to Virginia." How admirably the Western general was carrying out the spirit of Grant's instructions, and how much the campaign which was bearing Johnston southward resembled that which had, by this time, forced Lee from the

Rapidan to Cold Harbor! And Grant was not unmindful of Sherman's energy and persistency, for he had already recommended him for the rank of major-general in the regular army.

Sherman spent many days in reconnoitering Johnston's position at Kenesaw, and seeking a point to strike. On June 27th, he assaulted under McPherson and Thomas, at two places about a mile apart. It was terribly fatal to the Federal troops, who lost three thousand in killed and wounded, among them. Generals McCook and Harker.

The Confederate losses did not exceed five hundred. But the assault enabled the Federals to gain a close position under the enemy's elevated works, which they held till July 2d, when McPherson withdrew and made a flank movement, in connection with Stoneman's cavalry, toward the Chattahoochee. Johnston immediately fell back to Smyrna, five miles southwest of Marietta, pur

GEN. McCOOK.

sued by Thomas. Logan took possession of Marietta.

Again Johnston's position was turned, and by July 9th, both armies were across the Chattahoochee, Johnston covering the approaches to Atlanta, now only five miles distant, and which he was fortifying with all dispatch. Here both generals adopted a policy of great caution and strategy. Johnston's losses had been ten thousand in killed and wounded, and forty-seven hundred prisoners. His loss of ground, stores and prestige had been more disastrous. Atlanta, the stake of the campaign, must depend on the strength and skill of his next move. Sherman occupied a few days in perfecting his communications. His losses too had been great, but especially so by necessary

subtractions made to guard the long line of railroad back to Chattanooga, upon which he now depended for supplies.

Rousseau, with a cavalry force of two thousand men, was ordered from Decatur on July 10th, to cut Johnston's communications with the southwest. He marched to Talladega, and on the 16th, struck the railroad at Loachapoka. Moving thence to Opelika, he destroyed thirty-two miles of track. On the 22d, he reached Marietta, having lost only thirty men. On the 17th, Sherman began a flank and rearward movement, designed to capture Atlanta. At this juncture Johnston was removed, and General Hood given command of the Confederate army. Sad confession, indeed; for Johnston was a better tactician than even Lee, and as resolute a man as could be found in the Confederacy. He fell a victim to the narrow convictions and petty jealousies of Davis and his cabinet.

By July 20th, Sherman had his three armies well around Atlanta, with a gap between Schofield and Thomas, which Howard was directed to fill. Hood discovered this gap, and massed to take advantage of it and crush Thomas' right. He made what was described as "one of the most reckless, massive, and headlong charges of the war," under Bate and Walker, of Hardee's corps. Hooker's corps caught the brunt of it without cover and, aided by Newton and Johnson, he repulsed it with a loss to the enemy of nearly five thousand men, five hundred of whom were left dead on the field, together with one thousand wounded. Sherman's loss was five hundred.

Hood withdrew, on the night of the 21st, to the immediate defences of Atlanta, closely followed by Sherman's entire army, with Thomas on the right, Schofield in the centre, and McPherson on the left. On the 22d, McPherson found his left attacked with great fury by Hardee, who had made a night detour for the purpose. McPherson rushed to the endangered point, and was killed while rallying his men. Logan assumed command. Stewart's and Polk's corps were now attacking Logan in front.