Resaca - May 15, 1864

American Battlefield Trust’s map of the Battle of Resaca on May 15, 1864

Despite his failure to break Johnston’s line, May 14 had been a productive day for Sherman. Sweeny’s XVI Corps division had moved to Lay’s Ferry on the Oostanaula south of Johnston’s army (not shown on this map). While Sweeny built pontoon bridges for the crossing, Sherman ordered Thomas to assault the section of the Confederate line held by Hood. At 11:30, Hooker’s corps advanced astride the Dalton Road where they encountered the “Cherokee Battery” under Capt. Maximillian Van Den Corput. Hooker’s men drove off the gunners but were unable to take possession of the battery until later that evening. By then, Sweeny had successfully crossed the Oostanaula River. Realizing he had been flanked, Johnston began to withdraw his troops.