Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-12-10

a general advance was ordered, and
strong line Of skirmishors, followed by q
deployed line Of battle, some two miles
in length. At the signal of leaden shots
from the headquarters on Orchard Knob,
the line moved rapidly and orderly for
ward. The rebel pickets discharged their
muskets and ran into their iae pits
Our Skirmishers followed close on their
heels.
The line Of battle was not far behind,
and we saw the grey back rebels swarm
out Of the ledge line Of rife pits, in mum.
bers which surprised us, and over the
base of the hill. A few turned and fired
their pieces, but the greater umber col.
lected into the many roads which cross.
ed obliquely up ite steep face, and went
on to their top. Some regiments press.
ed on and Swarmed up the steep sides Of
the ridge, and here and there color was
ad vanced beyond the lines The attempt
seemed most dangerous, but the advance
was supported, and the whole line was
ordered to storm the heights, upon which
not less than forty pieces Of artillery, and
no one knew now many muskcts, stood
ready to slaughter the assailants. With
cheers answering to cheers, the men
swarmed upwards. They gathered to the
point least difficulty Of ascent, and the
line vast broken. Color after color was
planted on the summit, while musket
and cannon vomited their thunder upon
them.
a well-directed shot from Orchard
Knob exploded rebel caisson on the
summit, and the gun was seen galloping
to the right, its driver lashing his horses.
A party of our men intercepted him, and
the gun was captured with cheers.
a fierce muskctry fight broke out on
the left, where between Thomas and
Sherman, mile or two of the ridge was
still occupied by the rebels.
Bragg left the house in which he held
his headquarters, and rode to the rear as
our troops crowded the hill on either side
OF him.
Gen. Grant proceeded to the summit,
and then did we only know its height.
Some ofthe captured artillery were put
into position. Artillerists were sent for
to work the guns. Caissons were search
ed for ammunition.
This rebel log eastworks were torn to
pieces and carried to the other side of the
ridge and used in forming barricade:
across.
A strong line of infantry was formed
in the rear of Baird's line. Holly en-
gagged in musketry contest with tn
rebels to the left, and a secure lodgemen
was soon effected.
The other assault to the right Of on
| center gained the summit, and the rebel
threw down their arms and skedaddled.
Hooker coming in favorable positio
S swep, the right Of the ridge and captur
, ed many prisoners.
Bragg's remaining troops left early i
the night, and the battle of Chattanooga
3 after three days man anoeuvering and fight
ing was won.
The strength Of the rebellion in tn
celter is broken. Burnside is relieve
from danger in east Tennessee. Kentuck
and Tennessee are rescued. Georgia an
the southeast are threatened in the rear
and another victory is added to "Uncon
ditional Surrender Grant"
To night the estimate captures is sew
eral thousands of prisoners and thirt,
pieces of artillery.
Our loss for SO great victory is no
severe.
Bragg is firing the railroad as he re
treats towards Dalton. Sherman is il
hot pursuit.
To day viewed the battle field, which
extends for six miles along Missionary
Ridge, and for several miles on Lookou
Mountain.
Probably not so well directed, SO wei
ordered battle has been delivered durin!
the war. But one assault was repulseC
but that assault, by calling to tina
point the rebel reserves, prevented then
; repulsing any of the others.
, A few days since Bragg sent to Gener
, al Grant flag of truce, advising him tha
!, it would be prudent to remove non com
: batants who were still in Chattanooga.
: No reply has been returned, but th
combattants having been removed fror
1 this vicinity, it is probable that non com
II batants can remain without imprudencC
Q NJ. G. MEIGS,
~ orp, for f,apora1