New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-12-12

the water for some Of them reported to have come
to the waters edge and holding torches alc 70 have
peered out upon the dark waters. They failed, bow
oons quietly aosted down to the point Where was
tended 10 construct bridge huggnR the west snofe ~
they passed the several pickestand Arrived Is the
Rebel side Hero. az great good luck the darkness.
ard Providence world have H. the cavalry picket OF the
Rebels found asleep and was captured without the
firing OF gun. Everything worked like CHARM AID
the Rebels Ind intiinaton OF the affair until broad
daylight, by which time the infantry Of the three d.
visions had ered and had securely intrenched
of C. furry observable IN the enemy's camps along
Missionary Ridge when 1t vas discovered that large
body OF Ysnks had actually crossed tho river daring
the night. and it long time before they appeared
TO have concluded to the proper to treat the In
truders Finally. however they commenced rushing
troops along the ridge to. meet the threatened attack
When this was noticed. river batteries opened on
them. The distance was too great for much execution
butstl noticed that several Of our best guns could
reach the crest n the ridge. and annoyed the enemy
considerably A battery ~ some description started
from depression in the ridge inst above tho railroad
tunnel anu partly down the bill, as II with the Inc
ten'lon vi sheing our men who were in the bottom be-
made these guns his target and with few weldirecte6
hhots drove them back to the top Of the ridge An effort
was thor made 20 throw out strong force Of shirmish
es into the bottom, bu; batteries this side u the
iiyer soon put qGietas on that movement. All thu
time the pontoo1 bridge WIS steadily aud rapidly pro-
gresslng. At 20 minutes past IL O'clock II was COM
fnttc1, Hli0sulWtY fierc;Ltfr al OF Slerhans
tery except tie batteso painted the west side -
siih , EIssEsr proportion on. q cavalry ,, Be-
brigadcs from the llth and lith Corps had estab
ished communication with and joined Gen. Sherman
by marching acng tie river bank up from Chattanooga
lie then extended LIS line across the north end Of the
ridge With Lido opposition, and the projecto o!
ffnng Braggs right faux was accomplished. N. l.
Smiths Division posted the extreme left extend
ing into the valley west Of Missionary Ridge j. Il,
n tpD
and Evings on tie right Tie Irigades II the hard
18th Corps were. believe. held reserve: In ths
came on, but brought little or no rest for men,
though they made stow Of biyorackng on the field.
When the fog rolled up asd oil the mountain side on
the ming OF the 2Jth the sight which greeted my
vision thrilling Our had during tie night ed.
yenced close upon tho Rebel works Both armies Lad
been preparing for the struggle which commenced.
ridge thus inpping it IN bloody embrace and lighting
commenced IN earnest. For long time could not see
that any particular advantage was gained on either
batteries were able, and consequently ari
!ery was Of con parntively little service.
lfy attention, about ~ o'clock In the morning wac
particularly attracted 10 marion hOuse-a hnelook'
ing buildDg-surOlnded By cluster VI outbouses, In
GLIDING large barn. situate short distance below fhs
mouth Of the tunnel the wcst side of tee mountains
the fields adjacent the lott wing met the enemy faeo
to face and for hour the conflict Was fierce In the
extreme. Here saw huudreas lail 70 rise no moro.
and in one instance saw mounted Rebel officer. proba-
bly, Colonel literally blogA thirty forty feet OF bis
horse by percussion shell. while be was galarty eI'
to rally his Finally the Rebels fell back
10 the houses Our nien got Into and behind the barn.
and for long time desultory fire was maintained.
lie Rebels eventually induced ~ abandon their
position here by movement which could not seq
&c adv ire from our men Som aer diseovered the
houses to DO in flames. and they burned until entirely
consumed. Then there was portertous lul IN the
storm during which both parties seemed 70 be concen
tra.ing for particular purpose w our side brigade
was marched o cleared field on the mountain
side, line parallel With the ridge, until they came
which the Rebels had formidable battery. This
brigade was then started sqUagely up the hn, and
was followed by brigade alter brigace. until tie
In the attempt 10 storm the pcsition. The con.
censration Of the Rebels this point was e2ual
If Eo, greater. They allowed our men TO get
witiin point range. aid then with guns double
sbottcd with grape and canister opened on them tire
hoh moved tIeil down like grass Vouey after voley
IF musketry succeeded and they had not 50 generally
have left that hill alive. As 1t wss, the assaulting
columns rceed feI back, returned to the charge wa
rered and fell back again in turns, until the enemy
lad competed his concentration, and poured down upon
hcrn In sweeping and overw he ming er-charge.
before which nothing could stand Our men scattered
Ged. but rallied again. and IN more cautious
manner resumed the assault. finally gaining gooopos
t!ors nom which oppose the working oi the battery
IL In tlis Temporary repulse VI Gen. S1ernaAs
troops that our principal casualties occurred and many
The day far spent before this thing occurred,
and the esrt made by the enemy to hold this single po
,tion though apparently successful proved fatal
Tor them. Gen. Grant perceivng that they had greatly
weakened their right and center ordered charge,
Shch resulted IN our occupation Of the ridge at half
lo1en commanding points with sruGll loss aud
s hen night again. decisive victory had unQues-
ionaby pcrched upon our banners. i frbear any do
cription OF these movements effected by Gen. ThoIlss
ommand. because know that my colleague has fully
reatcd Of the same matter.
During the night OF the 25lh the enemy commenced
retreat and our right len. aid center hot pnrsnit
The graph viii have fully eppised You Of the final
csult long before this gesoles you, well Of the
sturc aud extent Of casualties and captures Of
nd, arus,
On thing 81 prisoners. well their cartors
10 fully agreed Gen. Grants victory - complete
nd crushing Cre. and that Bragg should be able 70
lake ON effective stand at Atlanta anywhere else
eems utterly impossible. The army which could not
aintaa iiscIlin Bragg Positions vii. be easily driven
any other place. AID that can b kept together
zen !, extremely doubtful L. j. HENDERSON.