Today in History:

145 Series I Volume XXXVIII-I Serial 72 - The Atlanta Campaign Part I

Page 145 Chapter L. REPORTS, ETC.- ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.

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 has 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 skirmishing 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,

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-General, U. S. Volunteers, Commanding.

Lieutenant Colonel R. M. SAWYER,

Asst. Adjt. General, Mil. Div. of the Mississippi.

[Inclosure Numbers 1.]

List of casualties in the Army of the Cumberland during the month of May.

Killed. Wounded. Missing.

Corps. Offic Men. Offic Men. Offic Men. Aggre

ers. ers. ers. gate.

Fourteenth 14 210 54 1,100 2 75 1,455

Army Corps

Twentieth 22 387 127 2,880 2 499 3,917

Army Corps

Fourth Army 30 493 120 2,471 4 284 3,402

Corps

Total 66 1,090 301 6,451 8 858 8,774

10 R R - VOL XXXVIII, PT I


Page 145 Chapter L. REPORTS, ETC.- ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.