May 22, 1864 - Sunday - 160 years ago today

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

On the 19th, the Union army enters Kingston, and the left at Cassville skirmishes with a Confederate corps identified as Hardee's.  Johnston stops at Cassville GA, regroups and turns to attack. General Hood with his corps is given the lead in the Confederate advance, and the attack is coordinated with the rest of the army.  Hood hesitates when he perceives a threat on his right; the timing, and the moment are lost.  Sherman continues to advance and flank the Confederates, so they begin to retreat again.

General Howard's corps is ordered to move toward Kingston on the 20th.  General Hooker's troops are ordered to Howard's left and to push toward Cassville.  This is mostly a day of rest for the army after the long advance and some intense fighting.  Newton's division (with the 40th Indiana) is not in the front line and finds a campsite near a creek to obtain a good supply of fresh water.

The 21st is a day of preparation in the Union army for another advance south.  The army will take provisions designed to last 20 days without replenishing from the railroad.  The initial target is Dallas, GA.  This is another attempt to pass the left flank of the Confederate army.

On the 22nd, as Sherman advances toward Dallas, GA, Johnston interposes, moving from Allatoona to Dallas and New Hope Church.  This is where the fighting will be concentrated for the next several days.

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Virginia Campaign

Grant's Union army, despite taking heavy casualties, continues south and east in an attempt to reach Richmond.  The armies meet again at a railroad junction near Hanover, VA, about 15 miles north of Richmond.

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Here is a map of the area in Georgia, Kingston and Cassville are near the top.  Dallas is bottom center, and New Hope Church is a few miles northeast of Dallas.

More Information:

• Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part IV, Correspondence, pp. 248-294.
  
• The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 161.
• The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 338-346.
• Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 302-305.
  
• Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 200-217.
• Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 562-564.
• Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 505-512.
  
• Events: 1864
  

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