Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-21

ply and ammunition trains then enrouts
for Chattanooga. In one hour the whole
command was On their road, foundering
through mud and water, enjoying IS de-
lectable shower bath as the Forest City
could furnish. On we moved at 3 rapid
rate, till the gloomy blsckness Of that
temPestuous night prevented further sd
vance, and we bivouacked near Jasper.
Ere the morning star had oozed out half
its brillisncy we were again in motion
headed towards Anderson's Cross Roads,
where scouts reported the enemy 8 cavalry
lowering near and annoying our poorly
protected train, report that proved too
true. Wheeler had crossed the Tennessee
river at Hsrrison's Ferry with his entire
cavalry corps, including seventeen pieces
Of artillery, on Thursday, swallowing up
four companies of the 4th and two Of the
1st Ohio Cavalry, on duty at that point.
He swept over the mountain with unpre-
cedented CELEBRITY, falling upon our cum
brous trains parked at its western base
and after feeble resistance the made
quste escort were oVerpowered and the
whole train captured with slight loss to
| the enemy. Then commenced q scene of
uncurbed immolation and pillaging that
dehes the most vivacious Imagination to
describe. Indeed who can fully paint the
actions OF men that are subject to no law,
calloused to every virtue, goaded oD by
grim necessity and obdurate leaders, to
acts Of brutality that would disgrace bar
barisns. After Abstracting everything
portable Of value from the three hundred
and fifty government and twenty-five suit
lers wagons, the torch was applied and
soon the enormous train was mass Of
smoking cinders. The sufferings of the
poor mules were heart-rending, they being
attacked to the wagons when fired, were
cruelty burned alive or blown to pieces by
the exploding ammunition, others that
escaped the flames we're pitilessly msined
with buck shot to render them useless.
Altogether over five hundred animals were
destroyed. Little past five Saturday even
ing, just as the haEy twilight began to
peep over the hills and the crimson west
esn sky cast ruddy glow across the war
worn valley, Gen. Mitchell suddenly ap-
peared, hastily formed his troops in "bat-
tie array" charged the rebel line impet-
uously, and the chiVslry were vanquished
in less time than it takes to write it. Then
ensued running fight, lasting till the
gathering shadows Of night flung her
raven wing alike over the "pursuers and
pursued" The enemy left thirty-two dead
along the road and one hundred and sew
enty prisoners in our hands, including
two majors, three captains, and five lieu
tenants.
On Monday night, the 9th, Wheeler
quietly but expeditiously left Sequatchie
valley, tskicg the MeMinville road across
University Mountains, with the apparent
intention to surprise the diminuitive gar
rison at that place and obtain sustensnce
for his men and horses. Contrary TO his
expectations, however, the movement was
anticipated and everything put in readi-
ness TO give him the cordial reception he
got. His first and only charge was hand
somely repulsed by our gallant little band,
who killed, wounded and captured upwards
of four hundred Of the enemy.
Defeated at McMinVille, sorely pressed
by Mitchell in the rear-Butterield closing
around him in front-the willy rebels sit
ustion was becoming desperate and the
only alternative left him was TO divide his
corps into small detachments, which he
did, sending them to strike the Nashville
and Chattanooga Railroad at various
points. They succeeded in destroying a
portion Of Duck river bridge at Normandy
but otherwise doing no injury.
This army is being completely reOrgan-
ized. The following divisions, formerly |
constituting McCook's and Crittenden's
Corps, are consolidated into the 4th Corps,
commanded by Msjor-General Gordon |
Granger-SheridGn's Dsvis', Johnson's,
Palmer's, Van Cleve's, Stesdmsn's and |
REYNOLDS. General Thomas retains com
mand Of his old Corps, the 18th, to the in
tense qualification of all concerned.
The massive iron bridge over the Ten
nesses at Bridgeport is fast approaching |
completion, snd we earnestly expect to
greet the iron horse in few days and |
gladden. our stomschs with full rations.
D,W,S.