CHAP. XII. self rode off at a gallop to bring forward his

Aug.31,1864.

troops. Several chroniclers think it worthy of mention that this was the first time in the war that the ponderous and deliberate hero of Chickamauga was seen to move with such undignified haste; but the night came too quickly on, and Hardee made his escape.

Sherman had sent orders to Slocum to feel forward cautiously from the Chattahoochee to ascertain what Hood was doing at Atlanta. All night Sherman, unable to sleep, waited in restlessness and impatience for the dawn. About midnight he heard from the north sounds like distant detonations. Instead of asking one of the experienced officers of the staff his opinion as to these sounds, he took the characteristic course of waking up a farmer in the neighborhood and asking him what he thought of them. He replied with the positiveness derived from his summer's education

that it sounded like a battle at Atlanta, and Sherman could only wait for the morning to come to solve the doubt in his mind whether Hood was blowing up his own magazines or Slocum had reached forward and had engaged him in fight.

When morning came, it was ascertained that Hardee was gone, and Sherman starting after him in hot pursuit, came upon his lines at a point near Lovejoy's Station. Here, while feeling the new Confederate position, rumors began to arrive that Atlanta had fallen, and later in the day a letter from Slocum confirmed the momentous news. Slocum had heard the sounds which had so disturbed Sherman, and moving rapidly from the bridge at daylight had entered Atlanta without opposition.

Sherman sent the news to Thomas.

This imper- CHAP. XII.

Sherman,

Vol. II.,

p. 109.

Hood. "Advance and

Retreat,"

turbable soldier, who yesterday had for the first time galloped his horse, now, says Sherman, "Memoirs." "snapped his fingers, whistled, and almost danced." Hood saw there was no hope for Atlanta from the moment that Hardee was repulsed at Jonesboro. He says in his memoirs that, had it not been for the necessity of keeping his army between Sherman and the Andersonville prison, he would have met Sherman's bold movement by another far more bold—and it may be said, less judicious-that is, to move north across Peach Tree Creek and the Chattahoochee and take a position near the Alabama line across Sherman's line of supplies; but this plan never had a chance of realization. He stopped Lee's corps on its northward march near Rough-and-Ready, posted him so as to protect the Confederate left flank, marched out of Atlanta at five o'clock on the McDonough road, and concen- Sept. 1, 1864. trated his army at Lovejoy's Station. Sherman telegraphed on the 3d to Washington: "Atlanta is ours, and fairly won. . . Since the 5th of May we have been in one constant battle or skirmish, and need rest." He concluded to make no further pursuit from that point, but ordered his army back to Atlanta on the 5th of September.

Ungrudging honors were paid by the Government to Sherman and his troops for this magnificent achievement, one of the most important that the cause of the country had yet gained, not only in the value of its results, but in the skill and good conduct by which it was brought about. The President issued an order in these words: "The national thanks are tendered by the VOL. IX.-19

p. 207.

Report

Committee of the War,

on Conduct

1865-66. Supplement. Vol. I.,

p. 189.

Report Committee

1865-66.

CHAP. XII. President to Major-General W. T. Sherman, and the gallant officers and soldiers of his command before Atlanta, for the distinguished ability, courage, and perseverance displayed in the campaign in Georgia which, under Divine favor, has resulted in the capture of Atlanta. The marches, battles, sieges, and other military operations that have on Conduct signalized the campaign must render it famous in of the War, the annals of war, and have entitled those who have participated therein to the applause and thanks of the nation." Grant telegraphed Sherman from City Point, "In honor of your great victory, I have ordered a salute to be fired with shotted guns from every battery bearing upon the enemy. The salute will be fired within an hour amidst great rejoicing." Thus with the thunder of guns, with the ringing of bells, the tumultuous rejoicings of a great people, was celebrated this momentous victory.

Supplement, Vol. I., p. 191.

Ibid.