Volume 2 / Part 4 — CHAPTER XLVIII.
Reading edition
Assignment of General J. E. Johnston to the Command of the Army of Tennessee.—Condition of his Army.—An Offensive Campaign suggested.—Proposed Objects to be accomplished.—General Johnston's Plans.—Advance of Sherman.—The Strength of the Confederate Position.—General Johnston expects General Sherman to give Battle at Dalton.—The Enemy's Flank Movement via Snake Creek Gap to Resaca.—Johnston falls back to Resaca.—Further Retreat to Adairsville.—General Johnston's Reasons.—Retreat to Cassville.— Projected Engagement at Kingston frustrated.—Retreat beyond the Etowah River.—Strong Position at Alatoona abandoned.—Nature of the Country between Marietta and Dallas.—Engagements at New Hope Church.—Army takes Position at Kenesaw.—Senator Hill's Letter.— Death of Lieutenant-General Polk.—Battle at Kenesaw Mountain.— Retreat beyond the Chattahoochee.—Results reviewed.—Popular Demand for Removal of General Johnston.—Reluctance to remove him.— Reasons for Removal.—Assignment of General J. B. Hood to the Command.—He assumes the Offensive.—Battle of Peach-tree Creek.— Death of General W. H. T. Walker.—Sherman's Movement to Jonesboro.—Defeat of Hardee.—Evacuation of Atlanta.—Sherman's Inhuman Order.—Visit to Georgia.—Suggested Operations.—Want of coöperation by the Governor of Georgia.—Conference with Generals Beauregard, Hardee, and Cobb, at Augusta.—Departure from Original Plan.—General Hood's Movement against the Enemy's Communications.— Partial Successes.—Withdrawal of the Army to Gadsden and Movement against Thomas.—Sherman burns Atlanta and begins his March to the Sea.—Vandalism.—Direction of his Advance.—General Wheeler's Opposition.—His Valuable Service.—Sherman reaches Savannah.— General Hardee's Command.—The Defenses of the City.—Assault and Capture of Fort McAlister.—The Results.—Hardee evacuates Savannah.