Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-11-28
Grand Results Of the Three Days
Battles,
Burnside Relieved!
Georgia and the Southwest Threa-
tened in the Rear!
Bragg in Pell-mell Retreat to DIAL
ton, Georgia, Holly Pursued
BY Sherman!
What Bragg Expected To Do!

The following satisfactory and graphic re-
port of the battles before Chattanooga has been
received at adauarters from Gen. Meigs:
HEADQUARTERS CHATTANOOGA, Nov. -,
1sS3-Hon. Ed,cin H. Stanton, Secretaryof War-
Sir: On the 23d instant, 1t l1.3U a. m, General
Grant ordered q demonstration against Mission
Ridge to develop the force holding it. The
troops marched out, formed in order, advanced
in line OF battle as if on parade. The rebels
watched the formation and movement from
their picket lines and rif1e-pits and from the
summits of Mission Ridge, 500 feet above us,
and thought it was a review and drill, so
speedy and deliberately, SO regular was it all
done, as the advanced line proceeded by skir-
Jnishers, and at two O'Clock p. m reached our
picket lines. They opened q rafting volley
upon the rebel pickets, who replied and run
into their advanced line Of rifle pits. After
them went our skirmishers and into them
along the center Of the line of $1,000 troops which
Gen. Thomas had so quickly displayed until
We opened fire. Prisoners assert that they
thought the whole movement was q review
and general drill, and that it was too late To
send to their camps for reinforcements, and
that they were over whelmed by force of mum.
bers. 1t was surprise in open daylight
at p. m. the important advanced position
Of Orchard Knob and the lines right and left
were in our possession, and arrangements were
ordered for holding them during the night.
The next day at daylight Gen. Thomas had
5000 men across the Tennessee and established
on its south bank, and commenced the con-
struotion of pontoon bridge about six miles
above Chattanooga. .
The rebel steamer Dunbar, repaired at the
right moment, rendered effective aid in this
crossing, carrying over 6.OOO men. BY night
fail Gen. Thomas had seized the extremity of
Mission Ridge nearest the river, and was en-
trenching himself. General Howard, with a
brigade, opened communication with him from
Chattanooga, on the south side OF the river.
Skirmishing and caDnonading continued all
the day on the left and center. Gen. Hooker
scaled the slopes of Lookout Mountain from
the Valley OF Lookout Greek, drove the rebels
around the point, captured some two thousand
prisoners, and established himself high up the
mountain side, in full view OF Chattanooga
This raised the blockade and steamers were or.
der d from Bridgeport to Chattanooga. They
mad been run only to Kelly's Ferry, whence ten
miles OF hauling over mountain roads and
twice across the Tennessee on pontoon bridges,
brought us our supplies. All night the point
OF Mission Ridge on the extreme left, ana the
side OF Lookout Mountain on the extreme
right blazed with the camp fires Of loyal troops
The day had been one Of dense mists and
rains, and much of Hooker's battle had been
fought above the clouds, which concealed him
from our view, but from which his musketry
was heard. Atnightfall the sky cleared.the full
moon, the traitors doom, shone upon the beau
uful scene, until a. m, twinkling sparks
upon the mountain side showed tina. picket
skrmishing was going on; then it ceased
brigade sent from Chattanooga crossed
the Chattanooga creek and opened communi-
cation with Hooker.
Gen. Grants headquarters the afternoon of
the I'D, and the day Of the aith, were in Woods
redoubt, except when, in the course of the dav.
he rode along the advanced line, VISITING tina
headquarters of the several commanders in
Chattanooga valley.
At daylight on the 25th the Stars and Stripes
were deserted on the peak OF Lookout The
rebels had evac uated the mountain, and striking
Mission Ridge at the Rossville Gap, to sweep
DO sides and on its summit The rebe,
troops were seen as soon as 1t was light enouvb
streaming by regiments and brig,sdes along the
narrow summit of Mission Ridge, either con.
ceniratng on the right TO Overwhelm Sherman
or marching for the railroad and raising the
siege. They had evacuated the Valley Of Chat
manga? The twenty Founders and four and
quarter rifles Of Woods redoubt opened on Mis-
sion Ridge. Orchard Knob sent its compliments
70 the Ridge, which with rified PARROTS an-
swered, and the cannonade thus commenced
continued all day. Shot and shell screamed
from Orchard Knob to Mission Ridge, from
Mission Ridge to Orchard Knob, and from
Woods redoubt, over the heads of Generals
Grant and Thomas and their STATS, who were
with as in the favorable position, whence the
whole battle could be seen, as in an amphithea-
ter. The headquarters were under FIRE all day
long. Cannonading and musketry were heard
rom Gen. Sherman. Gen. Howard marched
with the 18th corps 70 join him. Thomas sent
out skirmishers, who drove in the rebel pick
cts and chased them into their intrenchmeats,
and at the foot OF Mission Ridge Sherman made
an Assault! on Brasg's right, intrsncNed On .