The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1863-12-09
\ HEADoU&RrERs CHArrANoocA,l
Thursday, Nov. 26, 1868.

SIR: On the 23l inst, at 1880 A. NJ. d,
Gen. Grant ordered demonstration against
aissi N Ridge, to develop the force holding
iit The troops marched out formed in or,
der, and advanced in line OF battle as il on
parade.
The rebels watched the formation and
movement from their picket lines and rife
pits, and from the SUBMITS oi Mission Ridge,
five hundred feet above Us, and though it was
a review and drill, so o enly and deliberate
~, so regular was IT all done.
The line advanced preceded by skirmish-
srs, and at two O'Clock P. NJ, reached our
picket lines and opened rattliDg voly upon
the rebel pickets, who replied and ran into
their advance line of rif, pits. After them
went our skirmishers, and into them. along
the center of the lines OF $4,000 troops
which Gen. Thomas bad 30 quickly display
! ed, until we opened fire. Prisoners Is ert
that they thought the whole movement was
q review and general drill, and that it was
TOO iaie to send to their camps for rein 'orce
ments and that they were overwhelmed by
furce OF numbers. 1t was surprise in open
daylight. .a
Al three P. M, the important advanced
position of Ore ard 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 five thousand men across
the Tennessee ami established on it's south
bank, and commenced the construction OF q
pontoon bridge about six miles above Chat
tanooga. ... ....... ..- -...
The rebel steamer Dunbar was repaired
at the right moment, and rendered effective
aid in this crossing, carry ing over six thou>
sand men. BY nightlall General Thomas
had seized the extremity Of Missionary
Ridge nearest the river, and was intrenching
himself General Howard, with, brigade,
opened communication with him from the
Sou sile On the river. Skirmishing and
cannonading continued all day on the left
and center. General Hooker scaled the
slopes Of Lookout Mountsin; and from the
vally Of Lookout Greek, drove the rebels
round the point, captured some two thousand
prisoners, and established himself high up
tbs mountain sds, in full view OF Chatta
snoogl. This raised the blockade, and now
steamers were ordered from Bridgeport to
Chattanooga, They had run only TO Kelly s
Ferry, whence ten miles OF hauling over
mountain roads, and twice across the Ten
nessee on poutoon bridges, brought US our
supplies.
All night the point of Missionary Ridge
ON the extreein left, and the side Of Looko t
Mountain on the extreme right, blazed with
the camp fires OF loyal troops. ...-
| The day had been one Of dense mists and
rams and much of General Hooker's battle
Was fought above the clouds, which conceal
Z nd n inn Grnt n,lr vi: hat Grnr "a
mnsketry was heard.
At nightfail the sky cleared, and the full
moon, "the traitors DOOM" shons upon the
beautiful scene until A. M, when twink>
ling sparks upon the mountain side showed
that picked sklrmishins was going on. Then
! it ceased, A brigade sent from Chatta noega
crossed the Chattanooga Greek and opened
communication with Hooker.
General Grants headquarters during the
afternoon Of the 23l, and the day OF the
23th, were insWood's redoubt except when
in the course of the day, he rode along the
advanced line, visiting the headquarters OF
several mmanders in Chattanooga Valley.
/ A daylight on the 25th. the stars and
stripes were described on the peak OF Look
out. The rebels had evacuated the noun.
tain. H
Hooker moved to descend the mountain,
and striking Mission Ridge at the Rossville
Gap, to sweep on both sides and on its sum
init.
The rebel troops were seen ~ soon as it
was light enough, streaming regiments and
brigades along the narrow summit Of Mis-
sion Ridge, either concentrating on the right
to overwhem Sherman or marching fer the
railroad and raising the seige, "-
Thcy had evacuated the Vally Of Chasta,
nooga; would the abandon that of Chlcka
msuga?
Th- 20 Founders and III inch rifles Of
Woods redopbts opened on Mission Ridge.
Orchard Knob sent its compliments to the
Ridge, which, with rifed Parrots, answered
and the canncnade thus commenced contin
ued all dsv. Shot and she'll screamed from
Orchard Knob to Missionary Ridge, and
from Missionary Ridge to Orchard Knob,
and from Woods Rsdouht over the heads OF
Gen. Grant ard Thomas, and their stats,
who we're with US IN this favorable position,
rom whencstthe whole battle could be seen
as 10 an amphitheater. The headquarter rs
were unde, fire all dly long.
Cannonsdiag and muskelry were heard
were heard from General Sherman, and
Gen Howard marched the Eleventh Corps
to join him a...t
General Thomas sent out skirmishsrs, who
drove in The enetny's pockets, and chased
them in o their intrenchments, and. OF the
loot of Mission Ridge, Sherman made an as
sault against Brsgss right, intrenched on a
high knob next to that on which Sherman
himself lay fortified, The assault was gal
antly made. lt-. .e& ..3.
Sherman reached the edge OF the crest
and held his ground for, it seemed to me,
an hour, but was oloodiy rspulsed by re
serves. . ... -.. .Hf ssa. gfr
| A general advance was ordered, and a
strong line Of skirmishsrs followed by de
ployed line Of battle, some two miles in
length. At the signal Of leaders shots from
the headquarters on Orchard Knob, the line
moved rapidly and orderly forward. The
rebel pickets discharged their muskets and
ran into their rifa pits. Our skirmlshers
followed on their heels. 9 .s
The line Of battle was net far behind, and
we saw the gray rebels swarm out of the
ledge line OF he pits in numbers which sur
prsed US, and over the base OF the hill. A
lew turned and fired their pieces, but the
greater number collected into The many
roads which cross obliquely up its steep lace,
and went on to their top. W fA .~"
Some regiments passed on and swarmed
up the steep sides OF the ridge, and here and
there color was advanced beyond the lines.
Tie attempt appeared most dang srous, but
{ he advance was supported, and the whole
line was ordered to Storm the nights, upon
which not less than Iorty pieces oiartiliery,
and no one knew how many muskets stood
ready to slaughter the assaiants. a
With cheers answering to cheers the men
swarned upward. They gathered to the
points less difficult Of ascent, and the line