I have ever thought that Sherman was a poor general, not to have captured Hood and his whole army at that time.
But it matters not what I thought, as I am not trying to tell the ifs and ands, but only of what I saw.

In a word, we had everything against us.
The soldiers distrusted everything.

They were broken down with their long days' hard marching--were almost dead with hunger and fatigue.
Every one was taking his own course, and wishing and praying to be captured.

Hard and senseless marching, with little sleep, half rations, and lice, had made their lives a misery.

Each one prayed that all this foolishness might end one way or the other.