The Portland daily press., 1863-11-30
Particulars IF The Batae at Cbsffouooyo.
HEADQUARTERS, CHATTANOOGA,

VI
rebels watched the formation and movement
from the summit OF Missionary Ridge, 800 feet
above US, and thought it was a review and
drill so openly and deliberately and so regu-
lar was il all done. The line advanced, pre-
coded by skirmislcrs, and at 2 II. NJ. reached
our picket lines and opened rafting volley
| upon The rebel pickets, who replied and retired
tother advanced line of rifle pits. After them
went our skirmshcrs and into them along the
the centre of the line of $4,000 troops, which
| Gen. Thomas had so finely deployed, until he
| opened fire.
| The next day at daylight Gen. Thomas had
1000 men across the Tennessee river, and es-
tablished on its south bank, commenced the
construction of a pontoon bridge about six
miles above Chattanooga. The rebel steamer
Dunbar was repaired at the right moment, and
rendered efficient aid in this crossing, carry
ing over 5000 men. By nightfall Gen. Thomas
had seized the extremity of Missionary Ridge
nearest the river, and was entrenchiDg him
SELF Gen. Howard, with brigade, opened
communication with him from Chattanooga TO
the south side Of the river. Skirmishing and
cannonading continued all day on the left and
centre. General Hooker scaled the slopes OF
Lookout Mountain, and from the Lookout
Valley Creek drove the rebels around the po-
sition. lie captured some 1000 prisoners and
established himself high up the mountain side,
in full view of Chattanooga. This raised the
blockade, and new 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 Tennessee river on potion bridges, brought
us our supplies. All night the point OF Mis-
sionary Ridge on the extreme left. and the side
of Lookout Mountain on the extreme right,
blazed with the camp fires of loyal troops.
The day had been one Of dense mist and
rain, and much of Gen. Hooker's battle was
fought above the clouds, which concealed him
from our view, but from which his musketry
was heard. AT nghtlall the sky cleared aud
the full moon shonc upon the beautiful scene
until | O'Clock a. NJ, when the twinkling
sparks upon the mountain side showed that
picket diminishing was going on.
\ brigade sent from Chattanooga, crossed
the Chattanooga Creek and opened communi-
cation with Gen. Hooker at daylight on the
18th. The stars and stripes were deserted on
the peak OF Lookout Mountain. The rebels
had evacuated the mountain. Gen. Hooker
moved to descend the mountain. and striking
Missionary Ridge at Rossvillc Gap, to sweep
on both sides and on its summit. The rebel
troops were seen as soon as twas light enough,
streaming regiments and brigades along the
narrow summit OF Missionary Ridge, either
concentrating on the right to oyerwhclm Sher-
man, or marching for the railroad and raising
the siege. They had evacuated the valley of
Chattanooga Would they abandon that of
Chickamauga? The 20-pounders and IA
inch rifles OF Gen. Woods redoubt opened on
Missionary Ridge. Orchard Knob sent its
compliments TO the Ridge, which, with the
yfed PARROTS answered, and the cannonade
thus commenced continued all day. The head
quarters were under fire.
All day long cannonading and musketry
were heard from Gen. Sherman, and Gen.
Howard marched the 18th corps to join him.
Gen Thomas sent out skrmishers, who drove
the rebel pickets and chased them into their
entertainments, and at the foot of Missionary
Ridge Gen. Sherman made an assault against
Bragg's right, entrenched on a high knob
neXtto that on which Gen. Sherman Himself
lay fortified. The assault was calamity made
Gen. Sherman reached the edge of the crest
and held his ground for, it seemed to me, an
hour, but was bloodily repulsed by the rebel
reserves.
a general advance was ordered and strong
line of skirnishers, followed by deployed
line of battle, some two miles in length At a
signal from headquarters, on Orchard Knob,
the line moved rapidly and orderly forward
The rebel pickets discharged their muskets
and retreated TO their rifle pits, and our skir-
mishers followed on their heels. The line of
battle was not far behind, and we saw the
grey rebels swarm on the ledge line of rifle
/ pits, in numbers which surprised us, and over
the base of the hill. A few turned and fired
their pieces, but the greater number collected
into the many roads which cross obliquely up
its steep face and went on to the top. Some
regulars passed up the steep sides of the ridge,
and here and there color was advanced be-
yond the lines. The attempt appeared most
dangerous, but the advance was supported and
the whole line was ordered to storm the
heights, upon which not less than forty pieces
of artillery and no one knew how many mus
kets, stood ready 10 slaughter the assailants.
With cheer answering cheer, the men advanced
upwards TO the points least difficult of ascent.
and the line was broken. Color after color
was planted upon the summit, while muskets
aud cannon vomited their fire upon them. y
well directed shot from Orchard Knob explod-
ed rebel eaisson on the summit, and the gun
was seen galloping to the right, its driver
lashing his horses. party of our soldiers in
tercepted them, and the gun was captured
with cheers.
A fierce musketry fight broke out to the
left where, between Thomas and Sherman.
mile or two Of the Ridge was occupied by the
rebels. Bragg left the house in which he had
held his headquarters and rode TO the rear, as
our troops crossed the hill on either side Of
him. Gen. Grant proceeded TO its summit,
and then only did we know its height.
Some of the captured artillery was now put
| in position and the cassions were searched for
ammunition. The rebel breastworks were torn
| to pieces and carried to the other side of the
Ridge and used in forming barbados A
strong line OF infantry was formed in the rear
Of Baird's line, holly engaged in musketry
contest with the rebels to the left, aud secure
lodging was soon effected. The other assault,
to the right of our center, gained the summit,
when the rebels threw down their arms and
fled. Hooker, coming into favorable posi-
ton, swept the right OF the Ridge and captured
many prisoners.
Bragg's remaining troops left early in the
night, and the battle ofChattanooga, after two
days oil mannuvring and fighting, was won.
The strength of the rebellion In the center
Is broken and Gen. Burnside is relieved from
danger, and East Tennessee Kentucky. and
Tennessee are secured, Georgia and the South
East are threatened in the rear and another
victory is added to the chapter of" Uncondi-
tional Surrender Grant"
Tonight the estimate of captures is several
thousand prisoners aud thirty pieces of artil-
lery. Our loss Tor so great a victory is not
severe.
Bragg is firing the railroad as he retreats
toward Dalton, Ga. Sherman is in hot pursuit
to-d0. ] reviewed the battlefield, which ex-
tends along Missionary Ridge for six miles aud
for several miles on Lookout Mountain.
Probably not SO well directed or well ordered
battle has been delivered during the war.
But one assault was repulsed.
\ few days since Bragg sent to Gen. Grant
flag of truce advising him that it would be
prudent to remove any non-combatants who
might be at Chattanooga No reply has been
returned. but the combatants having removed