The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1863-07-15

TULLAHoMA, July Al have had no
opportunity since the occupation of this
place to telegraph you. The wires are
now up to this point, and I send you
summary of our movements for the last
three days
Further developments proved the rebel
retreat from this place had not been as
clean as my first dispatch indicated. NV
haste to record the event induced me to
give but superficial examination. The
works are much stronger than supposed
Fort Rains, large bastion, is the center
of series or strong circle of outer works,
bearing upon every road and important
point in the vicinity The real weakness
of Bragg was in not holding Manchester
As soon as Rosecrans took Manchester
and advanced toward Winchester, he flank
ed an equal or inferior force at Tullahoma.
As soon as our head column got south of
Tullahoma, Bragg evacuated
Instead of one, we have four siege guns.
Instead of no stores, we have large
amount of meal and other provisions.
After finding ON the first instant that
Tuilahoma was evacuated, Rosecrans
threw forward his force in rapid pursuit
Thomas moving on the Manchester road
from Manchester, and McCook on the one
from Tullahoma. Thomas moved rapid
ly, in hopes of striking the enemy, moving
nearly due east, to get on the military road
built by Bragg parallel with and five
miles east of the railroad. This Thomas
failed to do until the enemy was well be-
yond Angle, and when he was crossing
Elk river the division of Gen. Negley en-
countered the rear Of Hardee at point
about four miles north of Elk river, and
skirmished with it all day, loosing four or
five men killed and wounded Among the
prisoners was Lieut.. Platt, 11th, Michi-
gan. The enemy's reer guard under
Wheeler made stubborn resistance, delay
ing Negley so that the rebel trains got
beyond the river during the night of the
first. The same process on the part Of
the rebels under Gen. Buckner, enabled
Bragg, with the reserve artillery Of twen-
ty-six pieces, to cross Elk river at Estill
Springs on the night of the first, and to
reach the mountains.
The enemy on both sides OF the roads
burned bridges, and their rear guard took
up positions in hastily built works on the
opposite side of the river.
1t was readily understood that this was
for the purpose of delaying our crossing
as long as possible, in order to enable their
inflntry and trains to get into the noun
tains. To aid them in this very heavy
rains came up, and the river rose very
high-natives say they never saw it SO
high as at present.
The situation on the night of the first
was, McCook at Estille Springs, with
Buckner on the opposite forks; Thomas at
a point two miles up the river, with the
enemy opposite. The main rebel army
was in the vicinity of Winchester. and
/ Dechard, in camp, ready to move on tht
second into the mountains.
/ Department headquarters were the same
night established at Tullahoma. Critten-
den, with a full corps, was sent by rapid
march to take possession of the road lead
ing from Decherd via Tracy city, to Chat
tanoonga. This was successful, and fore
ed the enemy to take the roads across the
mountains.
On the morning of the I'd, McCook
crossed at the mouth of Rock creek, below
the enemy's position in front of our right
and thus fanked the enemy, and with
the upper bridge where Negley was.
A similar maneuver was made with little
better success. Rousseau and Brannor
were sent to the upper crossing to come
down in the rear of the enemy, whom Neg,
ley was to detain, not drive 1t was
thought Rousseau could cross by 10 A
NJ, bat theswollen state of the river pre-
vented him, and only a few troops go
across in time. In the meantime caval
ry brigade came in upon the right flank o
the enemy.-The firing was mistaken fol-
that of Rousseau, and Negley opened with
two batteries on the rebel position ont
thousand yards distant. The first FIVE dis
mounted one guu and killed several rebe
gunners. They were taken completely BY
surprise, and made but few replies, re
treating precipitately.
In the meantime Turchin had engaged
the rebel right, and after fight of two
hours drove it and the entire rebel forct
from the field, killing thirty-fve of them
their battery escaped
principal fight was around the house
of Pennington, quartermaster of the rebe
! force engaged, and which was sacked b,
Turchins men.
The fight only ended at two P. NJ, anc
the troops were unable to cross until tn,
morning of the 3D.. They moved only
short distance, Negley eacamping on tn,
battle field, and Rousseau and Branno,
on the bank of the river. McCook in tht
meantime advanced and occupied Yin
chester, Decherd and Cowan. This NOR
ming the whole force advanced to the foe
of the mountain at Cowan, to find the enc
my gone.
We have lost not over noe thousant
men by casualties of all kinds. The troop.
) Suffered much from alternate heat ane
rain. The san is now shining brightly
in the midst of heavy rains.
! We have fifteen hundred to two thous
, and prisoners, many of them desertcrs.
The enemy is entirely out of Tennessee
and our communications intact. Th'
railroad will be in running order form
this point to- morrow.
FROM PORT ROYAL.