Appendix: journal of the Atlanta campaign, kept at headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps, by Lieut. Col. Joseph S. Fullerton, Assistant Adjutant General.1
May 3.-Major-General Schofield, with three divisions of the Twenty-third Army Corps, arrived at Cleveland, Tenn., from Charleston at 10.30 a. m.; the head of his column arrived at 10 a. m. He passed through Cleveland, and camped for the night in the vicinity of Blue Springs. Being ordered to start from Cleveland upon the arrival of General Schofield, the Third Division, Fourth Corps, left Widow Tucker's at 12 m., the Second Division left Cleveland, and the First left Blue Springs at the same hour. General Cruft's brigade (First Brigade, First Division), being posted at Ooltewah, marched at 12 m. to join the Third Division and to march with it to Catoosa Springs, where it would join General Stanley's command. It camped this evening with General Wood. The Third Division marched to the intersection of the old Alabama road with the road that runs from Red Clay to Ooltewah, and there camped for the night. Made headquarters of the corps with this division. Along this route the roads in very good condition, countrywell wooded, and plenty of water. The First Division (Stanley's), with the Second (Newton's) following, marched to Red Clay and encamped for the night. Colonel McCook, with one brigade of cavalry, marched with this column. The day was bright and warm; nothing of importance occurred during the march.May 4.-Broke up camp and marched at 5 a. m. Headquarters moved with General Wood's column on the road to Catoosa Springs via Salem Church. Arrived at this point at 9.30 a. m. The surrounding country was reconnoitered, and General Wood's division was placed in column on the right of the road on which he marched, his pickets extending so as to connect with those of our forces at Ringgold. Major-General Stanley's division and General Newton's broke camp at 5 a. m., moving from Red Clay down the road to Catoosa Springs via Ellidge's Mill, Colonel McCook's brigade of cavalry moving on a road to the right of the column, and arriving there at 10.30 a. m. Major-General Stanley's division was encamped on the left of the Salem Church and Catoosa Springs road, his right joining with General Wood's left, and one brigade of General Newton's division joining on General Stanley's left; the remaining two brigades of General Newton in reserve on our left. General Mc-Cook's brigade of cavalry encamped on the left and in advance of [839] [840] General Newton. The line faces southeast and is along a ridge which covers Catoosa Springs, the left is about one-half mile in a direct line west from Burke's Mill. McCook's cavalry is in that vicinity picketing the road toward Varnell's Station and Parker's Gap. The wagon train is at Salem Church; this is about two and a half miles from Parker's Gap. Such wagons as contained baggage, &c., necessary for present use, were brought forward to-day to the three divisions. The train will remain in park at the church until further orders. The road over which General Wood's column marched to-day was good and dry; but little water until Salem Church was reached; from that point to Catoosa Springs it is bad, and without being “worked” would be almost impassable in some places with heavy trains when muddy; it is also very narrow, small undergrowth of pine, &c., growing very close to it; with the exception of a few isolated places trains could not pass on this part of the road; it runs through a depression in the hills, and a small rill that courses along it would badly wash it after heavy rains. Opened communication from Catoosa Springs to Ringgold by signal. An aide-de-camp, staff of Major-General Thomas, reported from Ringgold at 3 p. n. Nothing of importance occurred during the day. The rebel outpost in one place, where it was observed, was watching our movements. Major Mohrhardt, chief topographical engineer of the corps, arrived this p. m. from Cleveland and reported for duty. Day clear and warm.
May 5.-Remained in camp. General Howard rode to Salem Church and vicinity to reconnoiter the country and examine the roads. Major-General Thomas arrived from Ringgold at 10 a. m. General Howard returned about 11 a. m. General Thomas gave instructions to be ready for orders to march toward the enemy with as little transportation as possible. Ordered corps, division, and brigade headquarters to move, when orders came, with one wagon each; divisions to take only enough wagons to carry two days rations and forage; to take ammunition wagons and wagons with tools. General Stanley, under this order, reports that he will require seventy-eight wagons. General Newton that he will require seventy, General Wood that he will require eighty-five. The rest of the train parked at Salem Church to proceed at the same time to Ringgold via Parker's Gap, fill up with rations and forage, and then wait for orders. One or two small squads of the enemy (scouts) have been seen in front of our left during the day. All quiet; nothing new. The day clear and very warm.
Ml2ay 6.-Remained in camp at Catoosa Springs. Major-General Howard started over to Ringgold at 8 a. m. to see Major-General Thomas, but on the way there he met Major-General Sherman coming to Catoosa Springs, and returned with him. Major-General Sherman arrived at headquarters Fourth Corps at about 9 a. m. Division commanders called to see him. He gave General Howard orders and instructions in reference to our movements-general orders and general instructions. At 12.30 p. m. received orders from Major-General Thomas, directing this corps to march to-morrow (7th) at daybreak on Tunnel Hill by the road from Lee's to that point, co-operating with Major-General Palmer, who would march direct on Tunnel Hill, the object being to drive the enemy from there should he be in force, this corps to take him in flank, while General Palmer would attack in front. Major-General Schofield has been ordered to march on Varnell's Station and to feel toward our left. Colonel McCook, commanding First Division Cavalry, [841] was also ordered to move under directions of Major-General Howard. At 2.30 p. m. Major-General Howard and staff rode to Doctor Lee's house and vicinity to reconnoiter the roads thereabouts, and to take a view of the Tunnel Hill range. Part of the staff returned at 4 p. ni., and the general and the rest of the staff rode to
