Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-04


NEAR CHATTANOOGA, OCTOBER %, '68.
October was ushered into existence
amidst superhuOus shower of Natures
tears, and right tenaciously has the old
dame chung to her initiation, refusing to
be eomsOried, but palpably intent on send
ing the tenth born Of '63 to a flooded grsve,
Active military operations are partially
suspended in consequences of the almost
impossible condition Of the necessary
thOroughfsres that wind along the now
inundated valleys.
TIE POSITIONS.
Thomas situation is invulnerable What
nature did not do for the impregnsbility of
this place has been amply provided for BY
the unremitting efforts of our efficient Pi-
oneer Corps, who have grandly demon
strated the contested question, that the
spade and pick are inseparable auxiliaries
to the bayonet and cannon. Crest changes
have been wrought in the once lovely vale
Of Chattanooga during the past month.
Where, in whilOme days, beautiful gardens
bloomed and broad parks, studded over
with evergreens, invited the pleasure seek
er to sweet perfumes and shady walks,
now loom up numerous formidable en-
trenchments, which gird our entire en-
campment, sacrificing floral beauties to the
necessities of war. At short intervals, for
two miles, stand double parapeted forts
with heavy, eloquent mouthed artillery,
imperiOusly pesping through em6rssures
in an austere manner, which silently ban
ters the besiegers to the onset.
The heights of Lookout Mountain, over
shsdowing the town, we'e retaken on the
22i after brief, desperate contest, 1t being
defended by a small force only. There,
too, batteries have been erected that frOWn
down defsntly on the rebel camp, which
extends in q semi-circle around the be-
lsaguered city in close proximity to our
own lines, and parallel with them. Their
left is protected by Lookout Mountain, then
swinging across the valley the right
touches the Tennessee river two miles above
Main street. The pickets Of both armies
are SO contiguous TO each other that con-
versation is easily carried on, which is
often ludicrous. 1 will reproduce short
dialogue between an Ohio boy snd one Of
Longstreets men, on a recent rainy day
"Hello, Reb; how do you like this
storm ?"
"Tip top, Yank but amt you 'uns all
sfesrd that dog gOnned Rappahannock
will be up q bOOmin."
HOh no, Re-. This food will just float
our gunboats up that last ditch"
The Reb. passed on.
With the exception Of an occasional shot
that goes screeohing harmlessly above our
heads, quiet prevails, even to Potomac
monotony. Strange fatality, that thus
should be placed two implacable foes in
daily intercourse and in full view Of one
another, jealously eyeing every hostile
| movement and making prodigious prepa-
rstions for the inevitable struggle, each
coolly calculating the others destruction
and each ssnguine of victory.
CHANCE OF COMMANDERS.
General Roseerans has bid farewell IL
the army he go faithfully and successfully
commanded through twelve of the darkest
months of our nations life. He has left
us, but not his menory; that is too deeply
enshrined in the hearts of every officer and
soldier who, in bygone times, proudly
bailed him as their chief in adversely OF
success. Why he was relieved, or where
sent, is TO us wrapped in impenetrablt
mystery. But we cannot think that he
whose glowing genius and indomitsble
bravery mas been conspicuous on so many
ssngmnary fields, a beacon to so many vic
| tories, is curbed in his gallant course and
placed on footing with snubbed political
aspirants.
General Grant who succeeds Rosecrans,
comes TO us with a prestige that no other
military man of the day enjoys, and since
our old admired leader must be removed
an appointment more satisfactory than this
could not be made.
Thomas Immediately commands this
army. Heroic, modest Thomas has proved
bimselfeminently capable Of mastering the
responsibilities entrusted to his discretion
SCARCITY OF FORAGE.
| When Bragg's retreating forces passed
Southwark along the roads leading through
the various fertile valleys adjacent tC
| Chattanooga, which are largely inhabited
by thorough blOoded Union men, they
stripped the loyal farmers Of everything
edible, not leaving even bare morsel tt
sustain life.
Rosecrans' immediate re occupation o
the devastated and deserted country calleC
heavily upon the rebel citizens for forage
who, iu their turn, were compelled to fur
nisd it. So great has been the drain, tha
now tbs next to an impOssibility to Obtain
8 wagon load of corn nesrer than forty
miles. Our animals are getting in pitia
be condition for the want Of feed. How
ever, this serious obstacle will be sur
mounted, by the re.opening of Railroad
Communication with Bridgeport.
SUFFERING INEVITABLE.
Self-sacri6cing East Tennessee is des
olated waste. The presence Of invading
armies has swallowed up or tramplet
down every vestige Of subsistence, ant
the horrors Of starvation glare5 its hardy
devoted people in the face. The few tha
we're permitted to remain at home, unmo
Tested, had their riPening crops devoure'
without remuneration, and others tha
only found ssylums Of safety among tn
caves and dark recesses of the mountains
to avoid rebel prosecutions, returned +
their homes to find them inundated I
| fendish hatred. A few, perhaps, of thos
unfortunate wretches, may succeed II
reaching United States supply depots, bu
many will shiver beneath this winter
|