Page:History of Iowa From the Earliest Times to the Beginning of the Twentieth Century Volume 2.djvu/419

 which winds along the opening here called Buzzard’s Roost Gap. On the 7th of May the Army of the Cumberland took a position opposite the Gap on Tunnel Hill and two days later General Schofield moved down from the north close to Dalton. Demonstrations were made by Hooker and Howard and an engagement of some magnitude took place. General McPherson occupied a strong position in the mountains at Snake Gap. Leaving Howard’s Corps to watch the enemy in front of Buzzard’s Roost, General Sherman sent Hooker and Palmer with the Twentieth and Fourteenth Corps to Snake Gap where Schofield was directed to join them. On the 12th Sherman’s entire army with the exception of Howard’s Corps moved form the Gap into a more level country and marched in battle array toward Resaca, where General Johnston was found strongly intrenched on a line extending from the Oostanaula above, to the river below the town. Hood’s Corps held the right of his position, Hardee the center and Polk the left. McPherson was on the right wing of the Union army, Thomas, the center, and Schofield, the left. The battle opened on the morning of the 14th. Palmer with his Fourteen Corps on the left center made a powerful attack trying to force the enemy from his strong position. Schofield, with the divisions of Newton and Cox, made a vigorous advance further on the left, driving the Confederates from the works. Still further to the left Schofield in person led an attack supported by Howard who had followed the enemy from Dalton. They were repulsed with heavy loss at this point, retreating in confusion. But Hooker came to their aid and drove the Confederates back. Logan’s Fifteenth Corps on the right now made a successful charge and, crossing Camp Creek, drove the enemy from the rifle pits and gained a commanding position from which he opened an enfilading fire. A furious charge was made to drive him from his position but it was defeated with great slaughter. This ended the first day’s battle.

On the morning of the 15th Hooker made a fierce