Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-11-09
FROM THE ARMY OF TENNESSEE.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF TIE WIG
The BATTLE OF LOOKOUT VALLEY.
LocKoUf MOUNTAIN,
Army Of Tennessee, Oct. 20, 1868.

a strong detachment of the enemy was thrown across
the Tennessee Of ChAttanoe ga at point known
as Browns Ferry. Along the banks 1.-THE nVer, ior
distance of three four miles, we had scattered reg
ment of Alabamians who, picke, were expected 70
watch rather than defend The suddennes OF the Fed
e movement was such that before these could be con-
cep,rated for successful fight the enemy had effected
oothod on the eminence which borders the river and
strengthened themselves to the number as prsonerS
state, of six thousand While these forces were pour
log over brisk skirmish ensued, in which one OF the
regiments of Brgadier General Laws brigade behaved
handsomely while engaged; but by superior numbers
was subsequently compelled to retire. The Federais did
not follow but conentcd themselves with simply occu-
plying and fordfyiag the position.
1t was at fret supposed that the primary object OF the
demonstration was clear that locality Of our sharp
shooterp who had SO successfully bocka1ed the main
wagon road by which supplies were brought to Obata-
noops but il now appears that the design was more sig
nicunt aud prospective. Il was to pave the way for
the advance of column from Bridgeport, where it had
for some time been congregatDg, through Lookout VAL
ley towards and into Chattanooga Itmay be fortunate
for us that the enemy took the precauo for had Gen.
Law, with bis LITTLE command, attacked this force,
down upon his rear and between the two fires he might
have been cut to pieces and captured.
1t was not until the night of Tuesday that our COM
manders became satisfied Of the direction of the Fede
rails moving from Bridgeport and not until Wednesday
morning that they observable several miles up the
valley Il was soon ascertaned from scouts and pri-
sones that the column approaching was the 18th army
corps from Virginia, under command Of Gen. Howard
and that another the 18th army corps, under General
Slocum, was somewhere behind-thc &hoe force being
under the command Of Gen. Joe Hooker.
In ve& of these facts the reader will perceive how
hazardous it would have been for Gen. Bragg to have in
erposed any troops less than an army between the forces
above and those below for the purpose Of checking
further ADVANCE SINCE in the first place. both TANKS Of
the enemy were protected by mountairs; and in the
second place, we would have been compelled to fight
body 10 our rear constantly reinforced from the Yam,
kee army in Chattanooga.
word now in reference 10 the topography Gu the
opposite or western side of Lookout Mountain prepa
ratory to the evelts which followed Nearly in of
Oh attanooga is BfoWns Ferry where the Federals after
crossing the Tennessee at the edge of the town, pass
over a neck of land known 'the Moccasiu," and
again cross the river The ground along the margin
for three four miles ia Of elevated character and
admirably adapted to purposes Of offence defence
The situation occupied by the enemy was entrenched.
few hundred yards from the base of Lookout Noun
tain courses Lookout Creek. Across this runs the rail-
road to Bridgeport, and afterwards nearly parallel
portion of the way with the stream Opposite and pa.
alle to the Lookout range Is Rlccoon Mountain, and
the intervening valley is say from three to FIVE miles
in breadth Up this valley, in nOrthelly direction, the
Federal column advanced.
During the afternoon, it observed from Lookout
Peak-Genera Bragg, Longstreet and jenkins beirg
present that the enemy had succeeded in eecting
Junction with their comrades above, though as yet no
attempt was made to cross into Chattanooga | need
not attempt to describe to you the mpressivencss o.
the spectacle, but the coap doeN may be imagined by
painting an autumn picture wherein is interviewer eve
~ tint of crimson green and gold that fairy hands
weave into the gorgeous drapery of the dying season.
Then dot the hsdes and open fields with white pecss
of tents on the side, terminating with the ragged
edge of Missionary r dge, and the other with the
cain and shadowy Tennessee; checker the view with
roads running across the Chattanooga Valley in every
direction groups and clusters of men, Notifications and
lines of fresh earthworks aud you have the pre-
scented on the right or in front of Chattanooga.
Turn now to the left, and long, dark column Of
troops, cavalry, infantry and artillery, is moving
steadily up Lookout Valley. LIrgs' wagon trains
also visible at different intervals, while far to the
of the line the woods from which it emerged misty
with the smoke of bivOusc free
Al dark one whole corps bad passed 10 the local
iiy Of Browns Ferry aud could be there en-
camped. There still remained behind, however, con-
siderable body of the enemy aud a large number of
wagons apparently otionless. 1t was presumed the
forces around the latter were simply guard, number
ing cay 800 men.
.Under these circumstances, Gen. Longstreet deter
mined to attack during the night and, If possible cap
ture both train and escort To this end, Gen. Jenkins
commanding Hoods division, ordered to seld four
br gadcs across Lockout Creek-LsSs' (Alabamians),
Robertsons Te1ansl Benniugs (GeOrgiAns), aud his
own South Caroinans, under command of Col Bratton
Of the Ih Regiment Owing to the rugged nature Of
the ground is was impractcAble place these troops
in position until late hour in the night When done
the situation follows: The enemy occupied a
line of hills parallel with the river in the neghborhood
Of Browns Ferry Law and Robertson, the same line
of hills but to Lookout Mountain and Bennirg
position the left of the two last named being in
tended as a support to Col Bratlon. These three bTi
gades as Were covered the bridges Lookout
Creek, over which they had marched, and threatened
the line of the enemy at Browns Ferry Col. BrattOn,
with Jenkins brigade now moved over to the left,
mile or more up the Valley to attack the supposed
guard and capture the wagon train. skrmishers we're
thrown out, and about o'clock he became engaged
The enemy expecting an attack and consequently