The Portland daily press., 1863-10-08
Thursday Morning. October 8. 1868.
Affairs at Chattanooga,

Thursday Morning. October &. 1868.
Affairs at Chattanooga.
The special correspondent of the Cincin-
natl Times writes from Chattanooga on the
24th ult. regarding Gen. Rosecrans' position,
and the movements OF the enemy since our
forces re-occupied that place. The letter fur
nishes the latest intelligence by mail from the
army of the Cumberland:
CHANGE OF LINE OF POSITION.
From the superior force of the enemy in
our 'front.' and the great extent of line which
the Federals were necessarily forced to defend,
after holding the enemy at bay for forty
hours, our lines were withdrawn within the
support of the works which had been thrown
up by the enemy previous to their evacuation
of this place. The enemy having been so Sc
verely punished in the late conflict were slow
in following us to our present established line.
They no doubt claim a victory in the past Sc
we're engagement WE'LL we will have to con-
cede it to them thus far. They, with twice
the numbers of the Nationals, forced us from
aportion of our front lines, and, when falling
back for more advantageous position. the
original battle ground was left in the hands of
the enemy, with large portion of our killed
and wounded,
But with the terrible slaughter which the
rebels were forced to suffer, they will not
soon ask or covet another such case of sue
cess. Such victories are anything but fiatter-
ing to those who have partaken in the accom-
plishment. After our retiring within the rebel
works the enemy seemed to reluctantly follow.
They held back as if to give us full opportu-
nifty for successful recrossing of the Tennes-
see river. But Gen. Rosecrans did not see
proper to take advantage of these favorable
designs of the enemy. On retiring to Chatta-
nooga, instead of placing the Tennessee be-
-. f.. A. ~lx-I~ l..
Immediately called around him his generals,
and in a few words explained to them his fu-
ture intended plans.
"This place is to be held at all hazards; we
here make the big fight, be the strength of
the enemy what it may Beyond this point
the army of the Cumberl land will not retire
while there is a foe to menace itv Gen. st.
Clair Morton, chief of engineers, Immediately
set about to put the place in defensible con-
dition for warm welcome of the enemy.
OUR PRESENT POSITION
The Nationals at present occupy the works
previously constructed by the rebels to pre-
vent the approach of the Yankees. The for
mer strength of these works the enemy know
full we'll.
But they have now been made more COM
plete, enlarged and improved upon by those
for whose approach they were first intended
to resist; and should the enemy desire to learn
more of the Yankee improvements on the
plans OF others they have only so come for
ward and gain a more thorough knowledge by
actual observation.
THE MOVEMENTS OF THE ENEMY.
The enemy have been constantly moving
around us since our retirement to this place.
Large bodies of cavalry, infantry and artillery
are to be seen moving along the heights and
through the valleys and plains beyond our
present limits. They have been trying the
range of their guns upon our position, but
have not as yet succeeded in the accomplish
ment of any advantage to themselves or injury
to the Nationals. Their shot and shell have
all fallen harmless to the earth. They are dis
tinctly to be seen in very strong force, in sue
cessiye lines of battle, on the hillsides and in
the bottoms.
The dense woods in our immediate front
are also swarmed with them, but they thus
far have shown but little disposition to ad-
vance and again try their strength and for
tune with the little army of despised meniats
with which they are at present confronted.
OPENING UPON THE ENEMY.
On the 23d the enemy were observed in the
attempt of getting into position with their
batteries. From this the Federals opened up
on them with few of the guns of Gen. Neg
leys command, from their powerful and COM
manding "Star fort" the design and partial
erection Of the rebels, which work has been
fully completed and improved upon by the
Nationals. This Introductory soon had the
desired effect, the enemy withdrawing with
their pieces to more secure position. As the
enemy had been observed in taking up their
position in line of battle, a few shells were
thrown in among them to notify them of the
Yankee objection to their close proximity.
From these pesky annoyances they hastily re-
tired. Large bodies of the enemy were also
seen moving to our right, but feeling fully pre-
pared for them at all points, no diversion was
do from, tn aof fhn aIal
movements.
On the right some considerable picket firing
occurred with the enemy's skirmishers, but no
further aggressive movements were INDUCED
in. During the day some considerable enthu-
siasm was manifested along the rebel lines
Great cheering at the remarks of orators was
INDUCED in. At the outpost pickets they
were heard to exclaim, while harang guing the
soldiers, "that the fate and success of the
Southern Confederacy now depended upon
the crushing Of the present Army of the Cum
berland." But that they have found to be a
game that more than themselves can indulge
in. They are quite willing to acknowledge
that the Western boys of the Cumberland
army don't run worth cuss."
When they are supposed to have been de-
feated, they find on short advance that they
are still there, and again prepared to give them
battle. The day of the 23d closed with moth
ing of particular Importance Transporting
along the lines. Toward evening the "Stal
Spangled Banner" was raised to the top of o
long staff erected on the 'Star Fort" in hono
OF its completion, and expression of thanks tc
the enemy for their unintended favors in The
planning and labor bestowed upon this strong
work. The flag now floats where the enemies
OF their country can have plain and distinc
view OF its stars and stripes waving over thu
battlements of their former possessions.
OPERATIONS OF THE NIGHT.
Some considerable picket firing was in
dulged in during the night of the 23d. The
enemy seemed quite desirous of advancing
their lines under the cover of darkness, bu
they found the Unonists in sufficient fore,
and strength to successfully dispute any en-
croachments upon their established lines
From some hostile demonstration on our cen
tire, battery was opened upon the enemy
which soon made all quiet again in that quar-
ter. Rockets were to be seen in the air d vi
ing the night, with which the Federal picket
had been furnished, for the conveyance of in
formation, should the enemy make any dem
onstratlons OF advance or other movements.
Toward morning heavy fog hung over tn
ground in our front, completely screening tn
position of the enemy from view. In antici
patton of the rebels taking advantage of thi
circumstance to advance and post their bat
teries, fire was opened upon their lines. an
continued until all was known to be safe. TIL
enemy have not replied to our batteries for th
last two days. What may be their present q