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2 Late in the afternoon, the Federals, under McPherson, however, drove Polk’s advanced lines from the hill in front of his left, which commanded the Western & Atlantic railroad bridge over the Oostanaula. During the night, the Confederates, under the direction of General Prest man, the chief engineer, made a road, and placed a pontoon bridge across the river, about a mile above that com manded bv the Federal artillery. On the 15th, sharp skirmishing com menced early, along the whole line, and continued throughout the day. Several determined attacks were made upon Hindman’s position; in the last, especially, the assailants exhibited the utmost bravery, many of them reach ing the Confederate entrenchments. she Federals here charged across a broad meadow, from the cover of a - ■ A. . A.*. - A ’■ " ■; '■ /HA;-- - ’ .'"Wr. "A! M. . .. • . . 1 A' ihG ' yl - yfj 4r?fc.- < S4!»'Kw*&■■■ s^w- ,: 4Bfc‘- - ■ ?/••.**• '? ■ 4 .* / . »Jhbß ' - < fey- ’•-A.' i- ,\ v ■. aWBlK'■“/A .. i <3B ebSkSJWSsL "‘ ■. - '-■£? %/;•■■ la hrl T'yT. a JSSSRjfcy' ■’ \ '- O'-■ <' Hi Io •."'aM^/-' .r«l 'W f ysr .> -. '4W' •■ : ■-; ./ *m£ wooded ridge, and assaulted the Con federates on the opposite ridge; but. after a bloody struggle, were repulsed. Seeing that they would be subjected to a destructive fire, in crossing the valley again, a large portion of them took refuge behind the steep sides of a sort cf spur ridge in front of the main one, and there remained until after dark, before venturing back to their former positions. About nocn, a strong force of Fed eral cavalry captured the hospitals of Hoods corps, which were located east of the Connasauga river. Major- General Wheeler, with Allen’s and Hume’s brigades, madeagallant attack, and drove off the Federals, however. and pursued them two miles, capturing two standards and some prisoners. During the forenoon, Major-General Stevenson was directed by Lieutenant- General Hood to advance arid mask a four-gun battery some eight yards in front of his line of infantry, which was near the Western and Atlantic railroad, north of Resaca. Before Stevenson had arranged properly to support it, Gen eral Hood ordered him to open its fire. This was done, and a furious attack was immediately made upon it by Hooker’s corps, which was facing Hood’s at this point. The guns were abandoned by the Confederates, and a very spirited fight for their possession ! ensued, which resulted in the Federals being driven back from them by the fire of the Confederates; but they found | shelter in the neighoring ravine. From i this position, their musketry cors- BATTLE of RESACA, GA, AZEsiy IBtll, 1864, On the line of the Western and Atlantic Railroad. The attempt against Gen. Hindman’s position by a portion of the Army of the Cumberland. manded the location of the battery equally as well as did that of the Con federates. A very hot fire was kept up by both sides, which prevented either from removing the guns, and they were consequently left between the two armies until dark, and afterwards seized by the Federals. These were the only field trophies they captured during the entire cam paign to the Chattahoochee river. At about four p. m., General Stew art, whose division was on the Con federate right, was ordered to attack the Federals, and endeavor to force their line back. General Stevenson was to support him with his division. Hearing of the Lay’s Ferry movement, THE GREAT KENNESAW ROUTE GAZETTE. bv Sherman, however, General John ston revoked the order for this assault. I I'he last order did not reach Stewart in time. His troops left their en trenchments and dashed forward in the face of a terrible fire. Not being supported by Stevenson, who had re ceived General Johnston’s order, Stew art’s men were repulsed with loss. During the afternoon, General Johnston received notice that the Fed erals had secured possession of Lay’s I (or Tanner’s) Ferry, nearly three miles west of Calhoun, and were crossing the Oostanaula river in force. His communication with Atlanta, i therefore, being rendered too hazard ous Johnston evacuated Resaca during , the night. The Confederate army, in withdraw- I ing, crossed the river on the railroad i bridge and on the pontoon bridge one mile above it. General Stewart’s division covered the retreat, remaining in position after the retiring of the other troops on their left had opened I to the Federals the way to Resaca and their rear. General Stewart himself was the last man to cross the pontoon bridge, which was then destroyed. The movement which forced this action on Johnston’s part, resulted in a fight at Lay’s (or Tanner’s) Ferry, on May 14th, whereby the Fed erals secured a crossing; but took no further forward step. The course of the river almost paral lel to the Western and Atlantic rail road, protected this advance from Johnston’s power of discovery or su«- cessful resistance.* * There was a vigorous fight at Resaca between the Confederate calvary and the Federal garrison, October 12th, 1864. The Confederates were repulsed. The next day General Ilbod appeared with his army be : fore the town and demanded its surren ! der. The demand was refused, and, finding I an assault hazardous, Hood moved north i ward against Dalton. RESACA, GA. This is a flourishing little village* situated eighty-four miles from Atlanta on the Western and Atlantic railroad. At Resaca the Western and Atlantic railroad crosses the Oostanaula river. Only a few miles east of Resaca is the confluence of the Connassanga and the ; Coosawattee rivers, which two fonu I the Oostanaula river. The Coosawat- tee is navigable for some forty miW east of this point to the foot of the Blue Ridge mountains, and the entire val ley of this river abounds in magnificent farms. The head of navigation is Carter’s landing, right at the foot of the Blue Ridge, and at the mouth of Talking Rock creek. A good story is told of the govern ment officers who made the preliminary survey to examine as to the feasability of opening up the river for naviga tion. Coming up from Rome gradually te Carter s landing, they were entertained for dinner by Colonel Sam Cartex. lhe colonel was asking them what sue—