The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-09-29
NO Isl

/ $3.50 ~ q AAAaANf NHNn .Altc hOhNNklIo ROAD.
but the men must have done gallant
Lighting, or they would not have come
oifas well IS they did. In fact, wherever
Sheridan is, whether isolated or in com
pany, and whether the odds against him
be one or many, there is certain 10 be .
eight
II was about half past twelve, when,
hearing heavy cannonade open upon the
night gsiloped over in that direction 20
see what It might mean. A longitudinal
gap IN Missionary Ridge, admits thu
Rossville road into Chattanooga Valley.
snd skirts along large cornheld at the
gap. Looking across the cornfield from
the gap, you see thick woods upon the
other side. The cornfeld itself is q sort
of Cove" in the ridge, snd here were
numbers Of all sorts Of vehicles misgled
with the debris of dismautled aud dis.
comfited batteries. Fragments of Davis's
flying squsdrons had also lodged in this
field -. a
While | stood gazing upon this scene
from the summit of heridge, some rebel
skirmishers appeared in the skirts Of the
woods, opposite the gap have mention
ed, and flung perhaps dozen musket.
balls into the field. Instantly men, ami
mails, veiicles became mass of struggling,
shouting, heightened life. Everything
and every body appeared 30 rush head
long for the narrow gap, and men, horses,
mules, ambulances, baggage wagons,
ammunition wagons, artillery carriAgea
and caiss5ns were rolled and tumbled
together in a confused, inextricable and
ilnally motionless mass, completely
| hlpalfua. = a
Nearly al this booty subsequently fell
into the hands Of the enemy. Sickened
and disguised by the spectacle, turned
away to watch the operations Of Gen.
Thomas's corps, upon which alone de-
pended the safety of the army. ,1l ia
General Thomas had Withdrawn his
men almost entirely from the valley, and
taken up position on the side Of Mission
Ridge, His left still rested upon the
lafayette road, and his right upon the
ridge near the gap have already spoken
OF, Here were collected the shattered
remnants Of the powerful corps which
had so long breasted the fierce assaults
OF the enemy in the forenoon. Here was
johnson, who seems TO have done better
work to-day aud yesterday than ever
before. Here was the uncomfortable
Wood, with HarkeI's brigade, and here
were also such fragments of Crittenden's
corps, as could be induced TO venture up
on another stand. The whole were drawn
pin line forming 4 circular curve, ia
cling the southeast. A hill near the mid /.
die OF the curve was the key of the pc
siion, aud Harker's brigade was ap.
pointed TO defend the same. Soon after
the bill was occupied, n house upon its
summit was set on fire by the enemy's
shells, aud continued to burn for long
time with great fury. o., A.
Not long was the new line of battle
permitted TO remain idle. Cannon bel
lowed against it missiles Of every kind
were hurled into il; shells burst above
II; rlne- balls went tearing through IL;
and still il remained firm.
II was certain, however, as truth itself,
that unless assistance should reach IL
from some quarter, and that right speed
lily, it must at length succumb, for the
rebel leaders emboldened by the rout OF
MoyOok and Orttenden, were gathering
their hosts 10 hurl them In last mighty
effort against the feeble band that CON
fronted them. Whence should that sue
cor come?
Suddenly vast cloud of dest was
seen to rise above the trees, away 10 The
left, and few minutes afterward long
lines OF men emerged from the woods,
crossed the Lafayette road and began adj
vaneing toward us over the fields Their
discipline seemed very perfect, and IL
was an imposing pageant when, as they
came on, their bAnners huttored above
their heads and their glittering arms
flashed back the sunlight through the
thick clouds of dust. . boo 'a'a
Capt. johnson, Of Negley's staff, who.
on being severed from his own division
had Immediately reported TO Gen. Thorn
as for duty, had already, at great per-
sonal risk, ascertained that the adyan-
cling battalions were infantry, and now
the question arose, was il our own or the
enomy's Hope and fear alternately ag-
itaied our bosons until at last, looking
through our glasses, we could clearly
distinguish the fed and blue, with the
white crescent IL was the bAttlesfiag
Of General Granger, aud che iroops we
saw were two bugades, MitcLelps and
Whitaker's, Of Steadman's strong diyis-
ION. These were comparatively fresh
troops. True, they had marched some
w0ary miles over roads aukls deep with
dust True, they had hurled along rap
idly % Huccor their coprades aud parti-
oipate ia the fight. But they had not as
yet been engaged that day, aud hence
they could indeed be- considered help TO
tho balile-scarred veterans who held the
hill,
As soon as General Granger had re-
poried 10 General Thomas for dufv ne
was sent by the latter TO bring over an
ammunition train from tho Rossville
road The train had fallen into the
hands OF the enemy, bat the march la
search OF il brought Steadman At once
into contact with the rebels, and q d6s-
porAts conAiol Immediately sosued. Il
was now that the brilliant courage Of
Col, John G. Mitchell Commanding one
Of General Slesdman's bhgades, became
conspicuous, Now General Whitaker
had an opportunity Of baptzing intglo.
ry the star recenily placed upon his
shoulder AMI now the troops Of the re-
serve corps, comparatively unused 70 bat
tie, had an opportunity Of testing their
mettle Nobly did all pass through the
ordeal, and, although once thrown into
confusion by the concentrated fire from
; score'of rebel regiments aud half ~
} many batteries, they rallied under the
IRE, and drove the enemy from hill AL
} most "a formidable az tlat which form
d cd the key Of General Thomas position.
q l W.. v.I.I. v..H4 uua daauar ata eudaaVgr