The Defense of Atlanta

The Defense of Atlanta

Compiled by; Randy Maxfield

The state of the Army of Tennessee had degenerated to that of their captives, and it seemed that everyone from private to Corps commander despised Gen. Bragg for his failure to capitalize on the victory at Chickamauga.  Rain poured regularly and fraternization was commonplace.  Swapping . . . ."lies, canteens and tobacco", recorded Sam Watkins of the 1st Tn.  Matters became so bad,  that President Davis paid a visit to the Army of Tennessee to try resolving matters.  In a brief speech before the army he scolded them for criticizing their General. Following an awkward meeting with Bragg and all Corp.  commanders the enemies of Bragg were either demoted ar replaced.  Hardee, Breckenridge, and Longstreet remained.

On October 23, U.S. Grant arrived in Chattanooga and with Thomas developed a plan to lift the siege.  On the night of 10-28, 1500 federals floated down the river to Brown's Ferry and swept aside into a bridge.  This became the infamous "cracker line" of supplies.  By November 5,  Longstreets Corp. was pulled from the Army of Tennessee to deal with Burnside up at Knoxville.  Drag was left with two thirds the federal force under Grant.  On November 23, Orchard Knob was attacked and taken and on November 24, Lookout Mountain.  Bragg quickly moved the 8th Arkansas and Cleburnes entire division from Chickamauga Station (where they were to leave for Knockville) and moved them to Tunnel Hill where decisively held against Sherman's advance.  Cleburne strategically positioned the four 12 pound Napoleons of Lt. H. Shermon's battery.  The slope was steep and rugged and the men built breastworks of logs and stumps.  The Confederate right flank was soundly defended but the left collapsed and Grant quickly capitalized by attacking with the Union Army of the Cumberland.  Rebel organization fell apart and ran for its life- all but the division of Cleburnes to the north who were completely unaware of the turn of events until their Corp commander General Hardee brought news of the danger of their being flanked and ordering them to form as rear guard of  the army.  The army rallied at Chickamauga station and that night attempted reorganization but Federal General Hooker had been ordered to press the fleeing rebels.  On November 27, he caught up with Cleburne at Ringgold, Ga.  In a mountain pass Cleburne attacked and drove back Hooker gaining six hours for the retreating army; then quickly and quietly slipping away.  On November 28, Bragg requested relief from command and got it two days later.  General Jos. Johnson was soon placed at the head of the Army of Tennessee, now encamped at Dalton, Ga.  Here Cleburne made his infamous proposal to enlist blacks with emancipation as incentive. It proved to be a year ahead of its time and was left unaccented.

Sam Watkins viewed Jos. Johnson as "the very picture of a general"  and he wasted no time in rebuilding the Army of the Tennessee.  To recoup moral he proclaimed amnesty to the many deserters who would return and began a furlough system. However, the incorrigible were made to stand at the foot of a new grave . . . .  and shot dead in front of the whole army.  Two Corp were formed; one under the veteran Hardee (at 48 newly wed to a girl nearly half his age)  and schooled them relentlessly; mock battles were practiced with the public invited to view.  Shoes, extra food and even a whisky and tobacco issue were made twice a week.  The army began to resurge under the beloved "Old Joe".  On December 10, the 8th Arkansas was consolidated with the 19th Arkansas - lddill's brigade, Cleburne's division, Hardee's corp.  They again created a new Hardee's flag, this one emblazoned with their many battle credits.  On December 20, 18864 Daniel Govan (Col. of the 1st Arkansas replaced Liddell as brigade commander.

The army now stood at 45,000 strong, and Sam Hood began his secret correspondence / reporting to Richmond.  With less than half the troops Johnson's only hope and plan was a defensive one and to counter attack as situations developed.

Dug Gap was the only passage through Rocky Face Ridge defending Dalton.  The federal army soon flanked the position; forced a retreat.  And thus began six months of running battle.  At Resaca on May 14, and 15th the federals met the rebels in earthworks of red dirt and logs.  Sherman maneuvered around the position, but met the rebels again at kingston on the 19th.  Again Johnson retreated.  At New hope church less than a week later, Sherman was beat back in four days of heavy fighting.  The crescendo came in the evening during a spectacular thunderstorm.  At Pine Mountain Gen.Polk was killed by a direct artillery hit.  On May 27, at Picketts Mill, Cleburnes Division formed line of Battle and the 8th Arkansas Brigade probed for the Federal advance.  At Dallas a Union Picket yelled to his CS counterpart, "Hello Johnny, how far is it to Atlanta?"  "So damn for you'll never get there!" came the response.  "Yes we will get there, and we'll have a big dance with your sister!"  A hail of CS musketry ended the conversation.  Johnson reformed on Kennesaw Mountain in dense forest and one hundred degrees heat.  June 27, Sherman attacked up the slope to the entrenched division of Cleburne.  Two thousand five hundred Federals were slain before the attack was called off.  Still the far outnumbered rebels retreated south word.  Regarding the frantic clash, Sam Watkins recorded that his musket became so hot "that frequently the powder would flash become I could ram the ball."  President Davis promptly fired General Jos Johnson and placed J. B. Hood in his place (contrary to the outcry of the entire Army of Tennessee).  Hood would go on the offensive - and did at Peach tree Creek on July 19, and 20th., but then he too fell back, and was soon on the outskirts of Atlanta.  On July 22, the 8th Arkansas was ordered forward and captured a Federal battery of six napoleon guns.  Detachments of the 8th and 2nd Arkansas were captured by the 16th. Iowa., Infantry, disarmed the guarded.  Somehow they surprised and overcame their captures and returned to their lines Iowans in tow.

Atlanta lay under siege and Federal shelling.  Several clashes were hurled back from the city but on August 25, Sherman encircling (strangling) of the city.  Hardees division moved south along their only remaining Rail Road, to Johnsboro.  They formed a fishhook in. of defense astride the railroad tracks to shield Hoods remaining, retreating forces.  At the angle and across from the 8th Arkansas was the 10 Kentucky US) and 78 Indiana.  "We must hold till midnight," one wrote.  August 30 Sherman met Hardee and the final contest for Atlanta began.  A member of the 8th's brigade explained "We were in a single rank, one yard apart, engaged in an effort to cover Shermans front of 6 corps....

Wolverines, Hoosiers and Buckeyes charged up and over the works.  In desperate hand to hand fighting, the 8th and its brigade was overwhelmed by "sheer weight of the numbers",  largely taken prisoner, and  losing their battle flag to the 74 th. Indiana.

"Hoorah for Jeff Davis and the South Confederacy."  shouted one of the imprisoned.  A federal officer looked to shoot the rebel.  General Govan said "Men, you are P.O.W. and if you want to be treated as such, behave yourselves."  Within three weeks they were exchanged and returned to duty.

Sherman entered Atlanta on October 2.  The Colonel of the 5th Arkansas wrote the brigade had stood their ground," fighting the enemy with clubbed guns and at the point of the bayonet, and thus a great many lost the opportunity to escape.

The Army of Tennessee rallied at Lovejoy station.  Hood then resolved t  attack Shermans rail supply.  Sherman countered him and the Army of Tennessee limped into North East Alabama to lick her wounds and decide the next move.