| Head Qrs Geo State Line |
| Resaca Sept 13th 1863 |
| |
| His Excellency |
| Governor Brown |
| Marietta |
| |
| Governor, |
| I wrote you hastily yesterday
a pencil note giving you a general sketch of affairs in this quarter.
Today I have the opportunity of reporting officially. |
| On Sunday last the 6th at 1 P.
M. I was advised officially of M'Cooks pressure with three Divisions
of the enemy on the other side of the Lookout Range opposite to Alpine
and Monday morning received a note from Gen Wheeler informing me of
the danger to the Road {Western & Atlantic
RR}, and cautioning me to be on the alert. The bridge at
Etowahs being in good defence, I repaired to this place, examined the
works and condition of the garrison, and gave the necessary direction
in case of an attack. On Tuesday morning Capt Taylors Battalion of
Artillery, Confederate without horses, arrived in response to my
previous application to Gen Bragg for additional support at the Resaca
and Etowah bridges, and after posting 6 pieces in consultation with
Colonel Galt and Capt Taylor, I returned to Etowah bridge on special
train with Capt Taylor and 7 pieces instead of continuing on to
Catoosa, as had been my intention on leaving Cartersville. |
| Tuesday evening and Wednesday
were passed in posting Capt Taylors pieces at Etowah and in
strengthening the works. Thursday afternoon I received a note from Lt
Col Evans reporting that Genl Buckners Corps had moved to the left
from Graysville, and that as the enemy was coming down in some force,
he having only about two hundred men had fallen back to Catoosa
Platform the Head Quarters of his Regiment bringing off everything. I
had a note from Col Wilson commanding the 2nd Regt reporting that as
the enemy were coming down the road in force, and having no support in
his neighborhood, he was retiring to this place, bringing off his
tents and stores, as I had directed him to do in such an event. He
will make a written report of his movements which when received will
be forwarded to you. On this information I took the train immediately
for this place, and at Kingston was informed that Genl Bragg had
determined to take the line of the Kingston and Rome Road {Rome
RR} and was throwing all his supplies behind it. The appearance
of the Road from Dalton seemed to sustain this statement. On arrival
at this place 3 P. M. Colonel Galt informed me that Dalton was to be
evacuated, and that orders had been given not to run the trains higher
than Calhoun and that the enemy in force was coming down the road
Forrest skirmishing with them, and that Bushrod Johnston's Brigade
Infantry was at Dalton covering the evacuation. As I heard nothing
from Gen Bragg since Tuesday, I sent off by courier the note of which
a copy is enclosed, marked 1 and saw the place put in condition of
defence, guns ready for action and garrison on the alert. At 9 1/2 P.
M. Johnstons Brigade passed down to Kingston followed by eight or nine
trains of stores. As this left us the only Infantry troops in the
front, and the enemy coming down from all reports, both of citizens
and soldiers Gen Forrest skirmishing in his front a dispatch of which
a copy marked 2 is enclosed was sent to E B Walker at Atlanta, that we
might be prepared for any contingency. My intention was to await Genl
Forrest and support him in the event of his being forced this far, and
then to consult with him as to the future movements of our troops.
Yesterday all reports agreed up to the afternoon that Genl Forrest had
fallen back from Dalton. But in the afternoon I was officially
notified that he was still at Tunnel Hill had been reinforced and was
pressing he enemy back. In the morning at eleven, a dispatch came to
me from Genl Bragg for McNarirs & Ectors Brigades to come
immediately to this point. |
| The dispatch was sent and a
portion of the troops McNairs Brigade arrived at 6 1/2 A. M. today. Mr
Codry Genl Bragg's telegraph operator has opened his office here, and
orders have been given to make this the supply for the army, for the
present. Subsistence and other stores are now going out to the army by
wagon trains. |
| On receiving Colonel Caldwells
and Major Hills telegraphs on Sunday, and Genl Wheelers note on
Monday, I decided that the 6-months contingent troops ordered to
assemble at Kingston, should report at this place or Cartersville as
might be most convenient which was fortunate for two reasons, one that
Colonel Garland Confederate Commander at Kingston, wrote me a letter
declining to have any thing to do with the troops you ordered there,
regarding them as State Troops. And because the mounted men at this
point are of the greatest importance, as couriers, in communicating
with Genl Bragg, as important dispatches are constantly coming, and
without them we should not have had the means of ready and rapid
communication with Genl Bragg. Expecting to see you Wednesday or
Thursday I did not send Col Garlands letter to you. It is now at
Cartersville. On Friday I had your letter, and it will give me
pleasure to have Genl Jacksons assistance. Your Excellency must pardon
me however for not writing to the General, as it was impossible for me
or for others whose aid I called in to decipher his address as
written. I met Genl Capus on the train and have him with me here. Your
dispatch was received last evening and answered. "All night, I am
in communication with Genl Bragg" ??? will do our best and the
two regiments are eager for a chance. |
| Very Respectfully |
| Your obt Sevt |
| H ? W |
| {On back of letter} |
| Genl H C Wayne |
|