The daily Green Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-05
MONTPELIER VIZ
How Missionary Ridge was Carried.

SN
Precisely at 8 o'clock the signal communicated
by Gen. Grant TO the corps, division, and brigad,
commanders for an advance along the whole line
was given. 1t was the firing in quick and regu
lar succession, OF SIX guns from the point occupied
by Zen Orant. The order WIS that the skirmish
ers, with certain supports, should move forward
and take the cond line OF rebel rife pits Hard
ly had the roar of signal guns ceased, when the
cracking OF musketry commenced and vibrateC
up and down the line, which extended in an IN
broken chain quite two miles. The artillery sta
toned along the crest of Missionary Ridge opened
vigorc usy, raining down on our men perfect
shower of shot and shell. To their fire our ar.
tillery replied no less vigorously, and the attack
ing column moved forward TO the music of more
than hundred guns
The distance between the rihe-pits and our
skirmishers was probably not to exceed 300
yards In less than ten minutes the rebels began
to leave and climb the abrupt slope of the hill,
IN desperate eagerheSs to take shelter in the
main hne-Hardees corpS-on the top. Cheer
on cheer now go up from the attacking columns,
and CALLING hire is poured into the fleeing rebels,
But not all escape, far 80 sudden was the advance
mat many prisoners were taken in the pits Not
wlthstandlug the order was to halt at the rifle
pits, 10 the eagtrness ef the pursuit it seems to
be forgotten, and the chase is kept up with eager
ness Seeing tins, Gen. Grant, contrary to his
original intention, directs the supporting column
at once TO advance, and along toe entire line
black masses IN regua columns move forward to
The grant assault. La the centre, where Woods
division IS advancing, some cf his men are already
nall way dp the rugged steep. The elevation is
almost three hundred feet. CHANGING up and
down the ridges slope, you see score of battle
tags, some further advanced than Others one or
Two SO lar ahead OF the supports, save a few i'm
petnous spirits "So seem determined to scale the
night nrst, mat e Nttempt seems mere haIdi-
hood. From the crest of the Ridga the ret
artillery now belch forth more furousy than
ever, and rain the iron hail on the masses below.
Ana yet there is 10 waverlng or sign of it. Cheer
on cheer roll 10 waves up AID down the advap-
cling line. The right, the centre, the left now
go forward in order, to the support of those who
seem to have pushed too daringly to the assault.
IN the determination to be first to make the as-
cent where tire foe was in force. The battle
flags are now seen everywhere, and those that
have been carried with so much daring almost to
the crest now receive savos of cheers. 10 the
centre, the 9th Ohio regiment, Llazen's brigade,
Woods division, has from the first been ahead
the object OF special interest, and those who have
watched their progress, while they have admired
their bravery, have almost regretted their mpet.
uosity; Tor 1t can scarcely be otherwise than that
they will be hurled back by an overwhelming op-
posing force the moment they reach the top 10
The tl2ht OF this regiment Is the Sth Kansas,
sharp competitors IN the race, whose colors have
oten carried 50 uefanlly ahead.
VolIeys OF musketry are poured Gown upon the
column OF attack, which makes no reply but Keeps
right on. The progress IS slow, for the ascent is
steep. Away oft tn the left WHERE the ntrepd
Howard has during The afternoon had sharp work,
his troops move forward IN perfect order, should
or to shoulder with the supports of Baird. In The
center, Granger's impetuosity, and w Gods zeal
have been communicated TO the men. On the
right Palmer is moving on steady, the dashng
Sheridan, with coat off and h IN hand, leading
the way.
Scarcely have we time to take this rapid survey
OF the columns moving to the grand assault when
cheer on cheer comes rolling down TO Us from the
summit OF the ridge. The gallant Ohio4ns have
made the ascent. The rebels flee before them,
and they rest on the nights they have gained so
quickly. But the utreid Maj. Irwin has fallen.
Now, from the right to the LETT of the whole line
cheer on cheer announce that other regiments |
have gained the summit, and that the rebels flee.
In the next half hour the crest of the ridge from
right to left, is swarming tn our men. And now
gallop we to the hight tht has been gained
SO precipitatey had the rebels fallen back that
from forty 10 J1ty pieces of artillery and from
three TO fve thousand prisoners fell into our hands,
The guns were Immediately turned on the Zoe, |
for, taking up positions for which the ound was
favorable, the rebels opened vigorous lire of
msskery. Gen. Grant was the first to reach the |
summit after it tad been carried. BY bis direc
ton our men were formed ana placed 90 as to re-
sst any attempt that might be made to regain
Their ground. 1t was not long before most the
entire force of Gen. Thomas was on the ridge
From 1t they could not be Gslod- ed
Hooker had been laundering on the rebel
Hank coming up from the direction of Rossville.
ne comes IN good Time, makes Captures OF men
ana guns, and torn a junction with The man
column.
Thus the Ridge, the portion which might have
0eeh maze lmpregn'be, and so important 10
bragg, mas been Carried with 80 little serious fight
ing with loss so inslgnIhc ut and in every res.
pect SO easily, that 1t is difficult to comprehend the
plan of the enemy. suspect th.t Bragg could
not help it; that undertaking. TO defend himself
against Sherman, he lost all IN another direction
ln taci he was clrcumvented, out generated. lie
was not equal to the strateg, with which he had
TO contend.
The assault of Missionary K dsc was an under. I
taking before which another army woulo have
quaira' 10 give the order our no common
nsftt, and IT shows the manner vi man OF Zen !
Grant. lie had n" rght to expect the enemy