Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1863-12-02

The object of the movement was not only TO
ascertain the strength of the enemy, but TO oc-
cupy the two bold knobs situated in front of
our left, half way between lines and lis
sioDary Ridge.
The troops moved out of their position just
before O'Clock, P. II. and remaiRed in line
for three quarters of an hour, in full view of
the enemy. AT last everything being ready,
Gen. Granger gave the order to advance and
Gems. HaZen and Willick rushed out simulta-
ueousiy.
The rebels watched the formation and move
ment from their picket lines and rife pits,
and from the summit of Missionary Ridge.
five hundred feet above us, and thought it was
review and drill :; openly, so deliberately
aud so regularly was it all done the line ad-
vanced, preceded by skirmiShers, and at 2
O'Clock, p. M, reached our picket lines.
They opened rattling volley upon the reb-
ell pickets, who returned it, and ran into their
advanced lines Of rifle pits. After them went
our skirmishers, into them, along the centre
OF the line OF $500 troops, which Gen. Thorn
as had 50 quietly displayed. until we opened
fire.
Prisoners assert that they thought the whole
movement was review aud general driil, aud
that it was too late to send To theic camps ine
reinforcemeDts, and that they were ovrr-
whe lined by force of numbers. 1t Was sur
prise in open daylight.
At 3 p. NJ, the important advanced position
of Orchard Knob. aud the lines rj-llt and left
were IN our possession, and arrangements
ordered for holding them during the
night.
On the oath, at daylight, Gen. Thomas had
5000 men across the Tennessee ami establish
ed on its south bank, and commenced The
construction of a ponfoon bridge about six
miles above Chattanooga.
The rebel steamer Dunbar, repaired al zke
right moment. rendered effective aid in this
crossing, carrying over 6 900 men.
By night fall Gen. Thomas had seized the
extremity of Missionary Ridge, nearest the
river, and was entreHching himself. Gen.
Howard with brigade opened communication
with him ftom Chattanooga 0n lire south side
of the river.
Skirmishing and cannonadinx contjnu ed all
the day on the LETT and centre
Gen. Hooker scaled The tops OF Lookout
Mountain from the Valley OF Look out Greek
drove the rebels around the Point. captured
some 1000 prisoners, aud established himself
high up the mountain side, in fu; view uI
Chattanooga.
fhia -ai~ei slIo bi"ckade, and Boy steamers
were ordered from Bridgeport to Chattanooga
They had before only run TO Kelley's Ford
whence ten miles ef hauling over the mount ain
roads, and twice across the Tennessee on hon
toeH bridges, brought our supplies.
All night the front OF Missionary idge. on
the extreme left, and the side of Lookout
mountain, on the extreme right, biaZed with
the camp fires of loyal troops.
Ihe day had been of dense mists and
rains, and much of General Hooker's battle
had been fought above the clouds, which con-
cealed him from our view, but from which his
muskctry heard.
At nightfall the sky cleared, and the fuR
moon (the' traitors doom) shoue upon the
beautiful Scene until I A. NJ. Twinkling
sparks upon the mountain side showed that
picket skirmishing was going on; then it
ceased.
a brigade sent from Chattanooga crossed
the Chattanooga Greek, and opened communi-
cation with Hooker.
Cen Grants headquarters during the after
noon OF the 23d and the day of the 24th were
in Woods redoubt, except when in the
course of the day, he rode along the advanced
line, visiting the headquarters of the several
commanders in the Chattanooga Valley.
At daylight on the 25th the stars and stripes
were deserted on the peak of Lookout The
rebels had evacuated the mountain. General
Hooker moved to descend the mountain and
striking Missionary Ridge at the RossviIle
Gap, to sweep on both sides and on its summit.
The rebel troops were seen as soon as il was
light enough, streaming by regiment and bri-
gade along the narrow summit OF NJ visionary
Ridge, either concentrating the right to
overwhelm Sherman or marching for the rail-
road and raising the siege.
They had evacuated the valley of Chatts-
nooga. " ould they abandon that of Chick
amauga? The twenty Founders and rihed-
guns of Woods redoubt opened on Missionary
Ridge. Orchard Knob sent its compliments
to the Ridge, which With rified PARROTS an
swered, and the cannoBade thus commenced
and continued day. Shetland she II screamed
from Orchard Knob to Missionary Ridge. and
from Missionary Ridge to Orchard KNOB and
from Woods RedoRbt over the head of Gems
f-Fln and f'fa.aFEa
us in this favorable position, where the whole
battle could be seen as in an smphtheatre
The headquarters were under fire all day
long. Cannonading and musketry were heard
from General Sherman. General Howard
marched the 18th Army Corps to ioin him.
Thomas. sent out skirmishers, who drove in
the rebel pickeis, and chased them into their
entrenchments, and at the foot of the Mission
AIRY Ridge General Sherman m ade an assault
against Bragg's right, entrenched on high
knob next TO that on which General Sherman
lay fortified.
The assault was gallantly made. They
reached the edge of the crest and hell their
ground, lot, IL seemed to me. an hour, but
were bloodily repulsed by the reserves.
A general advance was ordered ard a strong
line OF skIrmishers, followed by depIoyed
line of battle some two miles in length At
the slgnal OF nls laeden shots from the head
quarters on Orchard Knot, they moved rapid
ly and orderly forward. The rebel pickets
discharged their muskets and ran into their
rifle pits. Our skirm ishers followed On theft
heels. The line of battle was not far behind,
and we saw the gray rebels swarm out of the
ledge line OF rifle pits, in numbers which sur
prised US. and over the base of the hill
few turned their pieces. but the greater num-
Der collected into the many roads which cross
ooiquely up Its steep face, and went on to
the top.
Some regiments pressed in and swarmed M
the steep sides of the Ridge. Here and there
a color was advanced beyond the lines The
atf&mNt L ha dar,