The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1863-12-04

fortified The assault was calamity made.
They reached the edge Of the crest, and held
their ground, for it seemed to me, an hour,
but were bloodly repulsed by the reserves.
A general advance was ordered, and
strong line Of skirmishers followed by de-
ployed line of battle some ten miles in length.
AT the signal Of the leader (shots from the
headquarters on Orchard Knob they moved
rapidly aud orderly forward.
The rebel pickets discharged their muskets
and ran into their riAe-pits. Our skirmish-
ers followed on their heels. The line Of bat
tie was not far behind, and we saw the gray
rebels swarm out of the ledge line of the rife
pits in numbers which surprised us, and over
the base of the hill few turned and fired
their pieces; but the greater number collected
into the many roads which cross obliquely up
its steep face and went on to the top.
Some regiments pressed on and swarmed
up the steep sides of the river. Here and
there a color was advanced beyond the lines.
The attempt appeared to be most dangerous,
but the advance was supported, and the whole
line ordered to storm the heights upon which
not less than forty pieces of artillery, and no
one knew how many muskets, stood ready to
slaughter the assailants.
With cheers answering cheers the men
swarmed upwards. They gathered to the
points least difficult of ascent, and the line
was broken. Color after color was planted
on the summit, whilst musket and cannon
vomited their thunder upon them.
A well-drected shell from Orchard Knob
exploded a rebel caisson on the summit, and
the gun was seen galioping to the right, its
driver lashing his horses. A party Of our
soldiers intercepted them, and the gun was
captured with cheers.
A fierce musketry fire broke ont to the left,
where, between Generals Thomas and Sher-
man, mile or two of the ridge was still oc-
cupied by the rebels.
Bragg left the house in which he had held
his headquarters, and rode to the rear as our
troops crowded the hill on either side of him.
General Grant proceeded to the summit,
and only then did we know its height. Some
of the captured artillery was put into posi-
ton, artillerists were sent for to work the
guns, and caissons were searched for ammu-
milton.
The rebel log breastworks were torn to
pieces and carried to the other side of the
ridge, and used in forming barbados.
A strong line of infantry was Termed in
the rear of Baird's line, who was hotly en-
gagged in musketry contest with the rebels,
to the left, and a secure Judgment was soon
effected.
The ether assault, to the right of our CEN
tire, gained the summit, and the rebels threw
down their arms and fed General Hooker,
coming into a favorable position, swept the
right Of t ridge and captured many prison.
ers.
Braggs remaining troops left early in the
night. and the battle OF Chattanooga, after
three days Of man@uvering and lighting, was
won. The strength of the rebellion in the |
centre was broken Burnside relieved from
danger, East Tennessee. Kentucky and Ten
nessee rescued, Georgia and the Southwest |
threatened in the rear, and another victory
added to the chapter of Unconditional SUE
. render Grant"
To night the estimate of captures is several
thousand prisoners and thirty pieces of artil-
lery. The loss for so great victory is not
severe. a*tst .t
Bragg is firing the railroad as he retreats
towards Dalton. Sherman is in hot pursuit.
To-day viewed the battlefield, which ex-
tends for six miles on Lookout Mountain.
Probably not so well-directed or so well-or-
dered battle has been delivered during the
war. But assault was repulsed, but that
assault, by calling to that point the rebel re-
serves, prevented them repulsng any of the
Others.
A few days since Gen. Bragg sent to Gen.
Grant flag of truce, advising him that it
would be prudent to remove any non-eombat-
ants who might still be in Chattanooga.
No reply has been returned, but the com
batants having removed from this vicinity, it
probable that non-combatants can remain
without imprudence. M. G. MEIGs
Quartermaster General
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