The American Civil War - This Mighty Scourge of War

284 The American Civil War

ABOVE After some difficult service in Missouri, John M.

Schofield served as head of the Department of the Ohio.

He commanded the X Corps in Sherman's army in the

Atlanta campaign. At Franklin, he repulsed a vicious

Confederate assault and his men proved critical in the flank

attack at Nashville on the first day. Late in the war Schofield

commanded the expedition that seized Wilmington, and at

Goldsboro his command of 40.000 united with Sherman

for the final push against Johnston. (Library of Congress)

RIGHT This ts a sketch by artist William Ward, who

accompanied Sherman's army, of part of Logans XV Corps

as it waded across the Little Salkahatchie River in

South Carolina in February 1865. Sherman's soldiers

endured considerable hardships, like wading a swamp

and a river in wintertime, during the Carolinas campaign.

The sketch was published in Harper's Weekly, 8 April 1865.

{Author's collection)

Wilson's cavalry crushed or completely
bypassed the Rebel left. Then, late in the
afternoon, Thomas hurled Schofield's men
into the fight, and a massive Union assault
compelled Hood's army to abandon the field.
The Rebels fell back to a new, more
defensible position, but when Thomas
attacked the next afternoon, the results proved
even more disastrous for Hood. Once again,
Thomas struck the Rebel right first, and with
Rebel attention riveted there, Union infantry
and cavalry swamped the left. As Federal
infantry and dismounted horsemen penetrated
into Hood's rear, the Rebel line crumbled, and
the rout was on. Thousands of Johnny Rebs
surrendered. One Confederate described the

flight as a 'stampede' and 'a sad, shocking

sight to behold.' Unlike the last Confederate

disaster, Wilson ordered his men back to get

their mounts, and the Yankees, both cavalry

and infantry, pursued with vigor.

During the two-day battle, Thomas's men

took nearly 4,500 prisoners, including four

generals. Wilson's pursuit snared another

3,200, of whom nearh 2,000 were wounded

men at Franklin. Through Christmas Day

1864, Federal cavalry pressed the retreating

Confederates. Not until Rebels crossed the

Tennessee River, and Forrest assumed

command of the rear guard, did Wilson ease

up. Union infantry kept pace for a while, but

by 22 December, Thomas had directed them