New-York daily tribune., 1863-12-29

and skiru,shed with them from that point the crest
of the hill slightly in his rear placing his right IN coh'
necnn with rnnDans division and portions oI Beatty
and Sanleys brigades of Ncgleys division which had
retired from the extreme left 70 that point rode to-
wnrd The crest of the bill when saw BODY ot our
tiOops assembled IN line OF battle. On tue way net
Gen. Wood Who confirmed me IN the opinion that the
troops advancing upon were the enemy although we
then ~ tie disaster 10 the center ana
right Of our army. | then directed him 10 place ls
division on tie proongation OF Brannan's, who had
ascertained from WOOD the top OF the hi! !abote
referred TO- and 10 resist the further advance oi inc
enemy I'd ioug. as possible. | sent nay alae. 'dp,i;
keiogg to notify Gen Reynolds that our right had
been turned ard that the enemy was in lls rear ia
force. Gen. wood barely had time TO dispose MS
troops the left of Blannan before another 9" those
fierce assaults similar 10 those made an the morning on
NY lines was made on him and Brannan combined. and
kept up by the enemy throwing in fresh troops as fast
rs those In their iIont were driven lack, unth near
nighti.
About tho time that Wood took up his position. Gen.
Gordon Granger appeared On ny eit ank at the head
of Steedman's division Of his corps. Immediately as
patched staff officer 10 hin with orders 10 push iof
ward and iasc position on Drannans right. Sf-I nracr
was complied with with the greatest pr0mpne's ahd
alacry stcclmou moving his troops into position win
almost much precision ii Oh III, and. lighting ms
way 10 the crest II the hi Brannans right moved
forward his artillery, driving tie enemy down the
southern slope Ilctng on Inn most terrible loh III
killed and wounded. This opportune arrival of fresh
troops revived the ngSlng spirits oi our men on the
riglt and Inspired them with more nrdor for the con,
test Every assault Of the enemy ron that iiue until
nghifI repGlscd IN the most gallant style by the
whole line. BY this time the ammunition III TIE boxes
Of the men was reduced average to two or three
rounds per man, and my ammunition trains havlhs
been unfortunately ordered to the rear by some autnuf
H person, should have been entirely Without am
muntion in a very short time had not small supply
come up with Gen. Steedman's con mand. This being
distributed among the troops gave them about ten
Gen Garfield. Chiefofstafo Of Gen. Roseorans, roece.
cd this position about p. m, in company with Col
Houston. OF McCooks staff and Cap,s Gaw and BAR
ker Of my stlif giving the iyst reliable information
that the center and right of army had been driven
Soon after received Gen. Rosecranss dispatch from
Chattanooga. directing me TO assume command oi al
the forces, and With Crittenden and AicC ooh take
strong position and assume threatening aitIiude at
Rossyc sending tho unorganizcd forces To ,hattanoo-
"a for reorganization stating that he would examine the
ground al Chattanooga and maze oil necessary dbposl,
tions for defense and then join me- also that ne hal
sent out raons and ammunition 10 meet me at Ross
Vile determined to hold the position until nightfal,
ii possilein Tie meantime sending tnpts Barker aLd
Kellogg 20 distribute the AMMUNITION, Major Lawrence,
my Chef OF Artillery, having been previously sent TO
notify the different commanders that ammunition would
be supplied 10 them shortly. As soon as they LAD
reported the distribution Of the ammunition,
directed Capt Willard inform the division com
maEders on the left TO withdraw th.ir commands
as soon t.ey received orders. At o.1J p N.
Capt. Barker, commanding my escort. Nas sent tc
notify Gen. Reynolds 10 commence the movement
and ilef the position behind Gen. Woods command 10
Rcy nod- and point out to him the position where
wished him tn form line to the retirement of the
other troops on the left In passing through an open
woods bordering tho State road and between ny Lest
and Reynolds position, was Cautioned Dy couple oI
soldiers who bad been 20 hunt water that there was
large Rebel force in these woods drawn mp in line and
adyucIug toward me. just az this time saw the head
OF Kyuo.dss column approaching, aud calling 10 the
General himself directed him 10 change the head Of his
column to the oft ald form line perpendicular to the
State road his night resting that road, and 10 charge
q enemy who were then IN bis lmu ediats front. This
movement made with the utmost pronp'fnde. and
hcing % the hight while oD the march. Iurchn threw
his brigade upon the Rebel force, routing ihom aud
driving thcm IN utter confusion entirely beyond Bards
LETT II this splendid advance more ttan two hundred
psoners captured aud sent to the rear. Col Rob
iuson. con mnIa!lg u Brigade. Reynolds Division.
followed closely upon Iurchin and posted him on sac
road leading through tho ridge % hold the ground While
moments Gen. " .ich commanding brig de OF John.
sons Division reported 70 me thai Bis brigade was IN
uo.itjon ON commanding piece Ot ground 10 the right
RofnolGs and assist IN covering the rcti' of our
troop Turchins Brigade. after driving the enemy Il
mile hnd hale was rcassembed and took It's position on
the ridge road with Robinson and " illich.
These dispositions being made. sent orders to Gems.
Wood. H.annnn aud Granger Ia withdraw from their
postions .IOAnsOn's and Kards divisions were -.
lacked At the moment OF retiring but by being prepared
retired without coniuson oi az! serious losses then
proceeded 10 RossYle, accompanied by Gems Granger
and Garfield and Immediately prepared TO place the
troops IN position at that point. one brigade of Neg
ley DIVISION posted IA tie Gap Oh Tie HuEgud
Road and two bi!gades on the top Of the ridge
10 the right of the road. adjoining tie brig.
ades N the road: Rcyuo.ds's Division on tie
right of Negcys and reaching TO the Dry Valley
Road Braunals Division in the rear of ReynOlis's
right as reserve; McCooks corps tie right OF DRY
Valley Road and stretching 10 the west his right reach
ing nearly 10 Chatiapnoga Creek. Crtendon's entire
corps posted on she hight 10 the left OF the Ring
gold Road ith Sccdmans Division Of Changers corps
as reserve behind his left Berds Division Ia reserve
and m supporting distance Of The brigade In the Gap
McCooks Brigade u Craugcrs Corps WIS also posted
reserve 10 the brgades " Neecys on the ridge to
the night OF the road. Alntys Brigade OF cavair was
d.
vance Of the gap.
About 10 a. H. on the 2st, receiving message from
MIniy that the enemy were adv anClns on him with
large force OF infantry and cavalry directed him 10
retire through tho Gap and post his command our
left flank and throw oGt strong rccOnnoiteIiug parties
across the ridge 20 observe and report any movements
OF the enemy our left front. From information
ceiyed from citizens | convinced that tie position
Hnenae in tho face Of such odds had opposed
10 ms the enemy could easily concentrate rig ght
flank which If driven would expose our center or l,it
to be cut entirely of from our communications l
therefore advised the General commanding 20 concer
fratc tie troops at thatianoOga. About the time |
made the suggestion. TO Withdraw, tie enemy made q
demonstration on the direct road. bnt were
pulsed In anticipation OF this order to concentrate at
cent for the corps commanders and gave
such general Instructions as would enable them 10 pre-
pare their commands Tor making the movement without
,oniu.uu All wagons. anbulnces and surplus eltii-
cry Carriages were sem 10 tho rear before ngAt Ihc
,rdcr for tne withdrawal beng receive about p H..
he movement commenced abonI 9p. H.. IN the follow
ug manner.
,aceTs thrown out 10 he front oi each di, ision
- cover their movement, with direction 10 retire 40
lay light dpoyed and IN supporting distance the whole
% b. suppo ted by the LIST Division itl Army Corps.
l. sisted b. Mniy's Brigade ot cavalry. when %
oLow ugfer the skrmishers Criftondens Corps 10
move om the hills to the left Of the road nj p fol-
owed b! Sio,dman's Division next Negleys Division
VAS to Withdraw at 40 F. m.' then c,nolds after.
Reynolds aud Mctook's Corps, by division. lett TO
light moving within supporting distance one after the
ther. Brmlans DIVISION was posted nj y. IN. on tie
nh I'm los ~
o cover the movement The troops were withdrawn in
quiet. orderly BANNER. without the loss OF single
nan and Is of the I'D were In the position in
ront of Chattanooga which had been assigned 10 them
..nI