Dalton (May 5-11, 1864)
The 2nd Massachusetts Infantry (with its division) broke camp at Tullahoma on April 28th and hurried to rejoin the 20th Corps in the vicinity of Taylor's Ridge, just east of Ringgold, which lay about 20 miles southeast of Chattanooga. Along the way they passed by the old Chickamauga battlefield, and could only be thankful that they missed this shindy. "The dead were carelessly buried," Capt. Francis Cowninshield reported. "Legs and arms were sticking out of the ground in many instances."
It took them a week of hard marching to reach their objective. The thrice wounded Crowninshield assured his mother that his injuries did not slow him down. "I have stood the march well, nothing troubles me but my arm, and that does not inconvenience me a great deal, except when it is very hot. I generally carry it in a sling, and in the middle of the day, if necessary, I ride the Colonel's spare horse..."
As Sherman's relentless, 11-month campaign through Georgia to Atlanta commenced, the 20th Corps held the right of Thomas's Army. Johnston occupied a line running north and west of Dalton, 25 miles southeast of Chattanooga, where he reposed firmly in the belief that the nature of the terrain made his position strong enough to hold off any attack. To the west, Rocky Face Ridge rose 800 feet and ran southward almost to the Oostanaula River, and acted as a formidable barrier between the two armies.
The ridge could be crossed at three places--Mill Creek (Buzzard's Roost) Gap, Dug Gap (5 miles south), and Snake Creek Gap (which lay at the southern end of the ridge). Thomas proposed to take the Army of the Cumberland through Snake Creek Gap and around Johnston's flank with the intention of cutting him off from his supply lines. It was a sound plan and Sherman like it, but gave the assignment to McPherson's Army of Tennesse even thought it numbered less than half of that of Thomas, who was reduced to a secondary role of holding Johnston in position with a frontal attack, while Schofield threatened the enemy's northern/right flank. Thomas must have been furious, but like Grant before him, Sherman desired to give the Army of Tennessee and its commander (McPherson) every opportunity to shine. With its influx of Eastern soldiers, the Army of the Cumberland (which had unexpectedly stolen the show at Missionary Ridge) would always be the poor relation of Sherman's Army.
The action began on May 7th as the 14th Corps (Palmer) drove the enemy outposts from Tunnel Hill to Mill Creek Gap (aka Buzzard Roost).
The next day, while the attack continued against the main Confederate defenses at Buzzard Gap, the 20th Corps went to work at Dug Gap--where the LaFayette-Dalton Road crossed Rocky Face Ridge. The bulk of this fighting was done by Geary's 2nd Division. Ordered to make a strong feint up the steep ridge, Geary's men made three bloody attempts to gain a foothold on the virtually impregnable crest. Although scattered elements managed to reach the top, the frontal attacks were repulsed. Still, Hooker's Corps had accomplished its task in holding the enemy in place. The rest was up to McPherson.
It seemed as if the Federal maneuver could not fail, especially when McPherson found Snake Creek Gap undefended, save for a cavalry brigade, which he had no difficulty brushing aside. But when he got to the vicinity of Resaca on 9 May, he found it to be strongly held, McPherson grew cautious and withdrew to Snake Creek Gap and took up a defensive position. Thus was Johnston able to execute a strategic withdrawl from Dalton and establish a strong defensive line north and west of Resaca.
Sherman was clearly disappointed by both the lost opportunity and McPherson's performance, but was careful not to censure his favorite too harshly. One can only imagine the explosion had Hooker been in command! Looking at the bright side, Sherman could claim that Johnston had been forced to abandon Dalton. Sill confident of success, Sherman followed.
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