Cherokee County AlArchives History .....General Sherman's Troops In Cherokee Co. 1864
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David Norton http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006057 June 4, 2008, 1:24 pm

 Gen. Sherman's Troops at Cedar Bluff, Gaylesville, Little River, Centre,
 Blue Pond, and Leesburg in Cherokee County Alabama, October 1864,
 (six National Forces Armies - 60,000 troops) 

By way of background, Sherman had decided in May 1864 that the way to
win the war was to occupy strategic points in Confederate territory. Atlanta
was the junction of four important railways and "full of foundries,
arsenals and machine shops" according to Sherman. Beginning on May 4 he
concentrated on this with 60,000 troops. President Jefferson Davis,
dissatisfied with Gen'l Johnston's tactics placed Gen'l J. B. Hood in command
of the Confederate forces (40,000 troops). Hood promptly fought three
battles before the end of July 1864 and lost all thus he evacuated Atlanta
on September 2, 1864. Hood marched to the northwest drawing Sherman in
pursuit. Hood was planning a campaign in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The reasons for the tactics or objectives---the when, as, and if, or the
what, when, and where---of these two commanders---the National Forces
under Sherman and the Confederate under Hood----as revealed by their orders
are too lengthy to recite.

It seems fair to say that President Lincoln, Secretary of War Stanton,
and Gen'l Grant were a bit apprehensive regarding Gen'l Sherman's bold
plans. They feared Gen'l Hood's venture into middle Tennessee and
possibly Kentucky as indicated in their letters. Further, they were
concerned should Sherman go ahead with his plans he might very well be
under heavy and constant attack by Confederate Gen'l Wheeler and Gen'l
Forrest's 30,000 mounted Cavalry on the Alabama side. Further, Gen'l
Hood could turn back and attack Sherman's rear with 40,000 troops.
However, due to Sherman's determination and many previous successful
campaigns he eventually won out in the exchange of words with his
superior commanding officers.

Confederate Gen'l Joseph Wheeler was reported to be in Cedar Bluff,
Cherokee County, Alabama, on October 6, 1864.  National Forces Gen'l
Raum reported to Sherman that it was believed Wheeler was going to
Blue Mountain (near present-day Anniston). Wheeler actually went
instead to Jacksonville, Alabama. Meanwhile, Sherman was at Cartersville,
Georgia.

Sherman reported to Gen'l Grant on October 10, 1864 that Gen'l Hood
as crossing the Coosa above Cedar Bluff (Cherokee County, Alabama)
bound west after leaving Atlanta.

Gen'l K. Garrard, commanding the U.S. Second Cavalry Division, on
October 12 advised Gen'l Elliott that he had secured a strong position
above Cedar Bluff, Ala., road (west of Rome, Georgia in Floyd County).

Sherman at Summerville, Georgia, on October 19, 1864 ordered all armies
to move on Gaylesville, Alabama. He personally arrived on October 20,
1864 and issued his first Special Field Orders No. 99 which were,
briefly, as follows:

1. Gen'l Cox to take a strong position at Cedar Bluff, Ala.
2. Maj. Gen'l Howard to take position at Blue Pond and Little River
(both in Cherokee County, Alabama).
3. Maj. Gen'l Stanley's corps and the 17 army corps under Maj. Gen'l
J.A. Mower to remain in position at Gaylesville, Alabama.
4. Brig. Gen'l Elliott, Dept. of the Cumberland (cavalry) to reconnoiter
road to Rome, Georgia, and well toward Gadsden, Alabama, through
Blue Pond.
5. All the armies to get up their trains and forage on the country
liberally.

In an aside summation, one can see from these directives that the National
Forces under Gen'l Sherman, six armes---60,000 troops, had entered
Alabama during October of 1864 and were encamped from Cedar Bluff to
Centre in Cherokee County, Alabama, whilest spread around in such places
as Gaylesville, Little River, Blue Pond and down to a place called Leesburg.
In addition, Sherman held in reserve at Chattanooga, Rome and Atlanta
an estimated additional 60,000 troops yet this reserve was along the
rail-heads continuing about 120 miles in total length. At or near
Atlanta, one finds about 10,000 to 20,000 of that reserve contingency during
this exact time period. Apparently, they were awaiting orders and doing
a mop-up after the battles around Atlanta, possibly including the
actions at Jonesboro south in Clayton County, Georgia, too. All major
troop movements for the south are shifting with Hood at this time, as
Hood moves northward toward Allatoona, then southward towards Cave Springs,
Georgia, then across into Alabama into present-day Piedmont, then Gadsden. 

Continuing, Sherman's second order of that day (recall Oct. 20, 1864) was
to forage for 1,500,000 rations of bread, coffee, sugar and salt, and
500,000 rations of salt and meat.

Maj.Gen'l Howard also reported on Oct., 20th that Gen'l Hood was moving
toward Gadsden, and Sherman began thinking about his move to the south
and on to Savannah.

Sherman at Gaylesville on October 22, 1864 advised Gen'l Grant at City
Point, Virginia, that he was "perfecting arrangements to hold Tennessee,
break all railroad in front of Dalton including Atlanta, and push into
Georgia, break all railroads, capture its horses...(etc.), make
desolation everywhere, destroy factories at Macon, Milledgeville and
Augusta and bring up with 60,000 men on the seashore about Savannah or
Charleston...I will subsist on the bountiful cornfields and potatoe [sic!]
patches as I am now doing luxuriously."  (End of Quotation)


Sherman at Gaylesville, Ala., on October 22 1864 ordered Gen'l Corse at Rome
to send him a pontoon bridge to Cedar Bluff "I want a good pontoon
bridge at Cedar Bluff (Ala.), and those at Rome will give me two good
crossing places on the Coosa. As soon as I get the pontoons I will
throw a few into Centre (Ala.)." Brig. Gen'l Corse advised Gen'l Sherman
from Rome on October 22 1864 that he was sending 16 pontoons to Cedar Bluff,
Ala., via the Coosa River with 300 mounted men to guard them. He further
vised they would cover 300 feet of water.

Sherman advised pontoons arrived at Cedar Bluff, Ala., at 3 A.M., October
24th (1864).

President Abraham Lincoln expressed concern for western Kentucky on
October 23, 1864. He feared raid by Gen'l Hood and Gen'l Forrest if Sherman
attempted his march to the sea.

On October 24, 1864 Sherman advised his Chief of Staff, Maj.Gen'l H.W.
Halleck at Nashville, that his forces have gathered 2,000 wagon loads
of corn and forage, and that his troops are "living high on the hog."
He also reported that he had laid the pontoon at Cedar Bluff (Ala.)
across the Coosa.  On learning that the pontoon bridge details were
not being handled to his satisfaction, Gen'l Sherman came to Cedar
Bluff (Ala.) himself personally to supervise the operation.

On October 24, 1864, Maj.Gen'l Schofield of the Army of the Ohio,
ordered Brig. Gen'l J.D. Cox "to move to Cedar Bluff in the morning
and thoroughly complete the destruction of the iron works near the
Chattooga River by throwing down the chimney, now standing, and
breaking down the arch, etc.," [Note: The town had already been burned.
Again they failed in their mission---they did dislodge about 6 to 8
feet of quarried rocks from the top of the Cornwall Furnance.]

Maj.Gen'l P.J. Osterhaus at Turkeytown (read: Ball Play in Etowah County,
Alabama) on October 25, 1864 advised Gen'l Sherman that he had engaged
Gen'l Wheeler and Gen'l Forrest has possibly 30,000 mounted cavalry to
oppose Gen'l Sherman on his proposed march to the sea. He also indicated
that he (Gen'l Osterhaus) would not pursue Gen. Hood further.

U.S. Gen. J.A. Rawlins, Chief of Staff, Cavalry Corps, Military Division of
the Mississippi, advised on October 26, 1864 at Gaylesville that Gen. Wheeler
and Gen. Forrest have up to 30,000 mounted cavalry to oppose Sherman. 

Gen'l Sherman at Gaylesville on October 26, 1864 ordered Gen'l Thomas
at Nashville to take command of all forces in his absence while pushing
for the heart of Georgia.  He assumed that Gen'l Hood was to attack
somewhere in Tennessee.

Special Field Order 140 confirms the Headquarters of the Army of the Ohio
to be at Cedar Bluff, Alabama, on October 26, 1864, Maj.Gen'l J.M.
Schofield, commanding.

Gen'l Sherman at Gaylesville (Ala.) on October 27, 1864 ordered Gen'l
Jeff C. Davis, commanding the U.S. 14th Corps, to march to Rome, Georgia
by October 30, 1864.

Sherman at Gaylesville on October 27, 1864 ordered Gen'l O.O. Howard,
commanding the Army of the Tennessee (National Forces), to move through
Cedar Bluff in the direction of Vann's Valley (an area that straddles
the state line between Alabama and Georgia).

On October 27, 1864 at Little River, Maj.Gen'l Osterhaus ordered the
U.S. 15th Army Corps to prepare for a long and severe march.

Gen'l Schofield, commanding the Army of the Ohio, was given the same
alert on October 27, 1864 at Cedar Bluff, Alabama.

Gen'l Sherman on October 28, 1864 in Special Field Orders No. 108
directed the Army of the Ohio to cross the Coosa at Cedar Bluff and
move to Rome. The Army of the Tennessee was ordered to cross the Coosa
at Cedar Bluff and move to Vann's Valley. The 14th Corps was ordered
to move via Gaylesville (Ala.), north of the Coosa, to Rome, Ga., and
destroy the pontoon bridges at Cedar Bluff, Ala., on October 29, 1864.

Gen'l Sherman moved his headquarters to Rome, Georgia, on October 29, 1864
and immediately concerned himself with the defense of Tennessee.

Gen'l Grant at City Point, Virginia, on November 1st, 1864 suggested
to Sherman that he consider again the destruction of Gen'l Hood's
army before embarking on his proposed campaign to the south.

Sherman at Rome on November 1st replied immediately to Gen'l Grant that
he believed Gen'l Thomas in Nashville could take care of Gen'l Hood
and outlined his plans "to use fire freely" to destroy Atlanta.

Gen'l Grant on November 2nd, 1864 wired Sherman in reply as follows:
"I say, then, go as you propose."

Sherman the same day advised Grant he was returning to Atlanta and
within a few days "would begin his destruction of Georgia."

Maj.Gen'l R.W. Halleck, Chief of Staff in Washington, on November 6,
1864 urged Grant to use caution in the proposed movements.

Sherman on November 6, 1864 in a very long letter to Grant reviews the
entire military situation in the deep south and boasts that he has
"out generaled Jeff Davis" and will move ahead. He also suggests that
he may be able to help Grant at Richmond (in Virginia).

Grant on November 7, 1864 wired Sherman that he saw no reason to change
any plans and wish him a "great good fortune."

Sherman on November 11, 1864 advised Gen'l Halleck that he had burned
all foundries, mills and shops, etc., at Rome and was on his way to
Atlanta which he proposed to dispose of in a similar manner and
would start on the 16th of November (1864) on the projected grand
raid.

This acknowledges the major thrusts of the National Forces in northeastern
Alabama. While it is certainly true that other expeditions or large raids
took place in Alabama, the very largest operations were in Cherokee County,
at Blakeley in Baldwin County and, at Girard in Russell County.
Further, it must be emphasized that major facts called attention to for
Cherokee County have been gleaned for the most part from Union or National
Forces records which were preserved while those few Confederate records that
were not outright destroyed do not give a complete picture of the
situation obtaining in this northeastern Alabama theatre of operations. 

The war was over by April 26, 1865.


Additional Comments:
This was written by the late Col. Rob't N. Mann of Cedar Bluff in Cherokee
County. It was appearing in the January 1977 issue of the Cherokee County
Historical Society, Inc.'s publication entitled: _Cherokee County Heritage_,
Vol. VI, No. 1. (Mann of "Mannsford" in Cedar Bluff) Mann wrote extensively
about Cherokee County, but this piece in particular speaks to Calhoun and
Etowah as well as Cherokee plus it covers an era that few folks in Cherokee
or even NE Alabama know anything about. 

I slightly edited Col Mann's work for clarity; Mann was from Virginia
(I think) and although he did a whale of a good job on the Sherman Oct 1864
foray into Cherokee, he ever so gently needed to illuminate a bit of the
detail a little more - there were also a couple of skirmishes at Goshen Valley
and in Etowah that he failed to mention.


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