Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1863-08-31
ARMY OF THE CUMBERLAND.

Particulars Of she Cannonade of Chatta-
neoea-OHe steam boat Desroyed and
all Silenced-Bridse Burned Across the
Teunessee-Reported Arrival of John.
stem and r emeval Of Bragg.
fCorrespondence Cincinnati Gaxette.l
SrKvKHsoH, Ala, Aug. 24.-It was Col. J.
T. Wilder, the indefatgable leader Of the 18th
Indiana, and commander Of brigade in Glen
REYNOLDS division, who had the honor Of
giving Chattanooga the first hostile salute it
has received since Negley paid his respects to
1t, more than year ago.
On the evening Of August Goth, Col. Wilder's
mounted force, the advances OF the Army Of the
Cumberland, reached the east foot Of w alden q
Ridge, from the summit Of which they had
that morning surveyed, with astonishsd eyes,
the extensive valley Of the Tonnes
Early next morning, Col. Funkhouser of the
gsth 1Ilinsis, was sent with tWJ regimeu Is OF
mounted infantry and two pieces of rifed
cannon to reconnoiter the position OF the -ne-
my at Harrison, or Harrison's Landing. They
found the river guarded at this point by 8
brigade Of rebels with our pieces OF artiile v.
They were posted behind Notifications erected
upon three Of the neigh boring hills, and in rife
pits along the banks Of the stream
Two companies of men sent in another dire,-
ton found the enemy guarding the ford At the
mouth OF the Chicumanga above Harri -on s
Landing. Here also they had constructed rifle
pits.
W it'll the remainder of his command consist
ing perhaps OF 200 men and four pieces of ar
ilierS. Wilder boldly resolved to beard the
lion in his Gen, and accordingly SET out for
Chattanooga. rapid march down brought
him opposite the famous town. So utterly un-
looked for was his coming, that horse ferry
boat ply ing quietly back and forth over the
river, came within All ace Of falling into his
hands, his men getting within nifty yards of 1t
before they were discovered. When Wilder
first appeared the rebels had but three small
DJeceS of artillery position.
Unlimbering their guns in short order, our
artillerists opened upon the enemy in fine
upon the other side OF the river, one of which
was sunk, and the ether badly disabled by our
shells, Wi On the firing first commenced the
large boat made desperate efforts to get up
steam and clear out, but the terrible missiles
arrested her proceedings, and soon sent her te
rcpose quietly upon the bottom OF the Tenues.
see.
The cannonade commenced at about 10 m
and continued at in yais until in the after.
noon. Every piece from which the enemy
opened was eventually sil-nced, although the '
fred with no less than nineteen different guns
But few Of their shots. however, could reach
Colonel Wilders position, rs the pieces they
used were mostly . pound howitzers and s.
pound rifled. ha missiles from these in al
most every case tell short. Captain Iiliy's
Indiana battery did splendid execution agaIns
the rrbel works, frequently throwing she'll:
into the embras ures. and sending his rounc
shot bounding and ricochetting over the i'm
mense parapets, which seemed to be at Iaas
fifteen feet broad
At length the rebels got 2-pound rifle
cannon into position, and trained it agains
Lilly s guns. Most Of its shots fell far wide
OF the mark, hut one fired with m ore accurate
aim than the rest, struck plump into the mids
OF our artilerists. killed four of Liily's hor -es
and took off a leg of Abram McCook one o
his corporals This WAS the only casually
amongst Wilders men.
About I've the rnemy's firing seemed entire
ly TO cease, and after that everything was quie
upon the Chattanooga side, scarcely a reba
being seen. A pontoon bridge OF forty Sc yer
boats was stretched up the river, along tn,
eastern shore, ready TO be ung across Wild
er endeayored to get possession Of this, nut a
the river is only about 600 yards wide at THU
place, the attempt was frustrated by q line o
sharpshooters posted advantageously on tn,
river bank
The stories told Of the arrival of Johnston
| near Chattanooga, and the removal Of Bragg
are not think, credited at headquarters. New
erthelsss, both events may at any time taxi
place. The junction Of Johnstons forces will
the Army of Tennessee, can alone check tn
advance OF Rosecrans, and Bragg may at AM
time be sacrificed to appease the fierce resent
ment Of the rebel soldiery. Us.