May 14, 1864 - Saturday - 160 years ago today

Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Howard's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade

General Howard issues orders for the disposition of his troops in front of Rocky Face Ridge.  They get into the position where they will remain as the rest of the army moves south to flank the Confederate left.  They will feign a direct attack, and should they be attacked by a superior force, the will move back to Ringgold, GA and defend the town.

 On the 12th, a Confederate raiding party moved toward General Newton's position but moved back eastward and no larger engagement occurred.  Further south, General Sherman issues orders to advance toward Resaca the next day.

On the 13th it is discovered that Johnston's Confederate army has evacuated Dalton, GA late on the 12th, and Howard's corps is able to enter the town early on the 13th.  General Howard throws troops and cavalry forward and searches for the rest of the army.  

By the 14th, Howard is south of Dalton and attempting to connect with Schofield's troops.  Howard orders a move to Tilton, GA early on the 14th.  In the evening of the 14th, Howard's left division is attacked, but after heavy fighting, all three of Howard's divisions are able to hold their positions, and is now on the left of the reunited army.

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Virginia Campaign

Lee is waiting for the Union troops at Spotsylvania Court House, and another large and bloody battle is fought on May 12th.  There are several thousand casualties on both sides.  An initial Union success was pushed back as Lee added troops to his lines.  A planned Union attack on the 14th does not occur, mostly due to heavy rains; as of the 14th, the armies remain in place near Spotsylvania.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 132-189.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 158-160.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 323-334.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 299-302
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 145-169.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 551-557.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 500-503.
  
• Events: 1864
  

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