Litchfield enquirer., 1863-09-24
Tsae Battle ins Georgia.

We were waiting patiently the result of eYen,s in Charleston herbor, and watching the successive successful steps which the skilliul Gilmore is taking to put the vaunted strong hold of the rebellion under the loyal flag; and We were rejoicing ever the signal, though bloodless successes which the rapid Rosecrans was gaining every day over the flying cohorts of the redoubtable rebel Bragg, when, sudden ly, .he western skies are ilumined with the flame and fury of terrific battle, and, at the time we write, the issue still seems doubtful, whether Rosecrans, who never yet was beaten, holds his own, or has been forced to suc- cumb and retreat before overwhelming nun. bers. Still, while the issue of the battle, or rather, succession of battles, is doubtful, it is certain that even with the worst result our ar- mics at the West, have met with but tempora- " check, and not defeat. It will be impossible fer the enemy to recover what they have al= ready lost, and with Eastern Tennessee and Chattanooga still in our possession, base is secured from which new and stronger expedi- lions will be hurled forward for the release of Georgia. and chase of Bragg to the Gulf.
 It appears that Bragg had fallen back from Chattanooga to Rome, where he had taken up strong defensive position, which could not be immediately attacked by Rosecrans John- ston, who had been wandering around with his demoralized army since the fall of Vicks- burg, was ordered to join him, and one corps, if not more, of Lees army, were swiftly sent to his reinforcement These combinations rendered the enemy formidable, to say the least, and as it is clear that this was consider ed by them decisive point, we are not sur prised that desperate struggle is the result.
 We give such details of Saturdays and Sun- days battles as have reached us, elsewhere.
 The narration is conflicting, but the latest news that We have is encouraging, and we hope for the best. The battle has been terri be, and the number of killed and wounded said to be thirty Mousandi But in any event We cannot believe he final victory can be wres- ted from the Union armies un der the leader. ship of the gallant RosEcRANs.
 r. S.-Farther news of Sundays battle COZ, firms our impressions as stated above. If in- deed the technical victory on this hard-fought field rests with the rebels, which we are inclin- ed to doubt. it is to them but barren success Since Rosecrans has but to fall back on Chat tanooga, where with Burnside within supporting distance, he can readily hold his own, and with the arrival of endorsements from Grant and elsewhere he may assume the offensive at any moment with more certain means of success It is, at the worst, then, but check-not a | defeat.
 The following dispatch from Washington gives the view entertained there of the fight at Chattanooga, and contains hint to Meade: The general summing up is, that after two days of severe fighting, in which Gen. Rose crans, with greatly inferior forces, bore the SHOCK or one hundred and forty thousand rebels comprising the armies of Bragg and Johnston, half of Lees army, and ali of Pemberton' B scattered troops that could be gathered togeth- CT, he deemed it prudent to fall back upon Chattanooga, which he did in good order.
 At last accounts, he had established commu- nicatien with the cavalry of Gen. Burnside, who IS severely censured for not having arrived earlier. "s"
 Two of Rosecrans divisions are reported not to have behaved very we'll. It is believed that kcsecrans will soon be put in position to en- able him to resume the offensive. Meantime, he is thought to be strong enough to hold his ground.
 There is at least reason to believe that the attention of what remains of Lees army will soon be occupied.