s of success, on account of the smallness
of my reserve to push the advantage even if we should break the
line, when he at once replied that it was not intended that I should
make an attack in front, but to make a strong demonstration in my
front, and gain what advantage I could on the enemy's flank. During
the day Cox's division forced the passage of Olley's Creek and
secured a position on the head of Nickajack, which was spoken of
by Sherman as the only success of the day.

TENDENCY OF VETERAN TROOPS

There were doubtless many occasions in the Atlanta campaign when
the enemy's intrenchments could have been assaulted with success.
These were when the position had been but recently occupied and
the fortifications were very slight. After several days' occupation,
as at the points attacked by Thomas and McPherson, the lines became
impregnable. Frequent efforts were made, and by none more earnestly
than by General Sherman, to press the troops to a vigorous assault
of the enemy's position under the favorable circumstances above
referred to. But the general feeling of the army, including not
only privates, but officers of nearly all grades, was undoubtedly
opposed to such attacks. The notion was very prevalent that there
was no necessity of fighting the enemy on unequal terms. When
attacked, either with or without cover, the troops would fight with
the most determined valor, and almost invariably with success. So
when attacking the enemy in open ground there was no lack of energy
or pluck. But we lose one of the most important lessons of the
war if we fail to remember and appreciate the fact that our veteran
troops are very loath to make an attack where they believe they
have not a fair chance of success. This feeling must be attributed,
not to a lack of high soldierly qualities, but to intelligence and
good sense. The veteran American soldier fights very much as he
has been accustomed to work his farm or run his sawmill: He wants
to see a fair prospect that it is "going to pay." His loyalty,
discipline, and pluck will not allow him under any circumstances
to retreat without orders, much less to run away; but if he encounters
a resistance which he thinks he cannot overcome, or which he thinks
it would "cost too much" to overcome, he will lie down, cover
himself with a little parapet, and hold his ground against any
force that may attempt to drive him back. This