The Ohio Democrat. [volume] (Canal Dover, Ohio) 1840-1900, 1863-10-09
THE BATTLES NEAR CHATTANOOGA.
PARTICULARS FTHE FIGHT,
THRILLING DESCRIPTION OF THE
ENGAGEMENT.
Stubborn Resistance of Our
Troops.
OPENING OF THE BATTLE SATURDAY

OPENING OF THE BATTLE SATURDAY.
The early forenoon passed away with
out forewarning Of the approaching con.
hict; but shortly before IL o'clock the
storm that had been brewing all the
morning on the rebel side burst forth in |
the expected direction, At that time
long mass of rebel infantryswas seen nd.
vancihg upon Brannan's division on the
extreme left 1t first came upon the
second brigade, Col. Croxton command
ing, and soon forced it back, despite its
determined resistance. The two other
5rigades of the division at once came to
its assistance, and succeeded in checking
the progress of the rebels and driving
them back but theft colunn being in
turn strongly reinforced, they advanced
again with wild yells. So powerful was
this assault that they pushed Braunan
back to and beyond his position in the
line, and thus uncovered the left of
Baird's division. Making prompt use
OF their advantage, they changed their
course TO the left, aud speedily envelop.
ed Scribnor's and Kings brigades-the
latter of regulars. They were almost
surrounded, but managed to disentangle
themselves after fearful loss.
The crushing rebel masses next came
upon Johnson's division, and rolled it
upon Reynolds, which also become
speedily involved in the desperate strug-
gle. The stubborn resistance of these
divisions, however, and the sweeping fire
of some batteries posted under the per.
sonal supervision of General Rosecrans,
arrested, at last their sweeping advance.
VICTORIOUS ADVANCE OF GEN. THOMAS
CORPS. ...
The divisions of Brannan and Baird
having been rallied, General Thomas or
dered general advance Of the right
and soon the tide of battle was decided
ly turned in our favor. With cheers oul
line advanced, halting only at times tc
shatter the enemy with musketry. Sew
eral times the latter's retreating lint
, stopped and vainly tried to retain thei
gained ground bat steadily they wer'
{ driven from position to position, and by
/ 4 o'clock all the ground lost was nearl,
4 recovered Several batteries belonging
to Generals Baird's and Branpan's divi
= sions, whose horses had been killed an
supports were swept away, were reta
, ken, and several hundred prisoners car
> tured. The enemy left all their deaf
, and nearly all their wounded, ON th
field. There were at least 500 of th
|, former. The rebel troops engagin
i Thomas belonged to Buckner's an
y Longstreet's commands.
p REBEL ATTACK ON OUR cENTER-THEI
II REPULsE.
le At the time the struggle was turnin
g in our favor on the left, Bragg's arm
p. proper consisting Of the corps Of Po
aud Hill, (formerly Hardee's,) moved
q most determined and well.execut'
attack upon Palmer's and'Van Clevt
ct divisions in the center. Its object W
I'd obviously to relieve the defeated reb
a. right Palmer and Van Cleve sot
TX found themselves overpowered and the
= divisions breaking. Their compile
ic rout was imminent, when Davis diyisi,
came to their support on Van Clev,
it right. The timely reinforcements
vs. first had the effect of checking the en-
y, my and restoring our line; but the rel
c., attack was speedily renewed with gret
it er numbers, and the center was aga
w. compelled to yield. Davis was fore
of to the right and Van Cleve to the le
and the enemy advanced through t
opening made in our. line, threateni
to take the center and right by th
tic tanks, as they had done on the left.
vi this critical juncture, Sheridan's divisi
appeared, and was at once thrown or
the enemy. 1t stood its ground 6
ar. lantly for a while, but becoming sc
On. exposed to a destructive flank fire, '
also compelled to fall back. Fortuna
ly, the divisions of Gems, Wood and N
=. lev, that had been early withdrawn fl
caN ga Gordon's Mills when the rebel attack
~ the left threatened to be successful, I
op' came to the rescue. After brief C
test, the rebels at last found themsel
matched, and commenced giving a,
,sn. in their turn, Reynolds having slsc slsc b B
Tow sent to assistance Of the center
rad After the repulse Of the rebel rgh
and advance was ordered, and the orig
lad. position regained about sunset.
'iue FINALE OF SATURDAYS BATTLE,
and About dark the enemy made ano
tied demonstration, with a heavy arti
pose and musketry fire upon the center,
IN eliciting o lively response, they t
abandoned this last effort Of the da
49,, Thus ended the battle Of the 10th.
Iecan e had been defensive one on our
nnet and although we lost no ground,
nceS probably less men and material thai
%VoJ % enemy, its results could hardly be cl
'hlun ns ed as q triumph Of Union arms.
uonS substantial advantage had been won
''"Nu'' large portion of the army was |
.r shattered. That the enemy, Will
!, more numerical superiority, would be al
- offer again battle on, the following
H. could we'll be supposed. General
o an Grams anticipated renewal Of the 8
that gle' Snu pfepSieu 'Dt ~
ty to cD THE WORK OF THE NIGHT.
al During the night the disposit
and our forces was changed. The lin
ittels, made to rest along crossroad ru
Q de. Northeast and Southwest, and col
,onnd 49,, ,kK QosevstIa ond T.aeaSaffh 4