The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-12-11

early daw till dark, watching the progress made on
either flank and finally witnessing the charge upon
the centre. AS Ewing was discovered hard pressed
the second time General rant concluded the proper
time had arrived for a Simultaneous attack from
around the emit line in front. The arrangements
for this had b. en- quietly going on all day. divisions
and brigades had been filing across the plain in the
of cur advanced fOrticatiOns all day in every
d recton. Thew all gained their assigned positions
by O'Clock and forming in rear of our breastwOrks
remained quietly under arus, awaiting orders to
charge The pickets and the heavy reserve in their
rear had been previously inst ucted that. on given
signal they were to deploy as lite skrmishers, ds-
charge their pieces at The rebels and advance at a
run upon the rhe..pits At the same instant the
troops be hind the breastwOrks to start the
double quick from every int, and carry the rifle
pits at all yards 1t not thought expedient to
order charge up the front of the ridge in the face
of such fire as it was apparent the reb us held in
reserve for us. The refe pits near the base of
the ridge If the rebels were dispossessed of these
our men could lie under the very muzzles o. Rrage's
cannon with immunity. The opinion seemed to pre-
vail that It would be safer and surer to gallo complete
possess ion of the ridge by advancing Sherman and
HOOker's corps from the opposite extremtics than
to at empt the hazardous feat of carrying the Tor
midable works on top and in the centre by assault.
Division commanders We're especially instrucie ed to
make no attempt TO ascend the face of the ridge,
but to content theme with gaining the intrench
ed works below and protecting themselves in that
At 4 O'Clock the salvo of artillery that sgnaled the
charge, doomed across the plain, and armed men
literally sprang from the earth in response to the
call. A dash was made for the rebel works by the
skirmshers; the toops in the rear marched steadily
and rapidly to the attack, wi b mathematical pre-
cision never excelled livery piece of artillery along
the circuit of our line opened fire, and continued il
lncess tnty for thirty or forty minutes he rebel
batteries along the entire length of the ridge
brought into play instantly, and heaven and earth
trembled with the conclusion. Missiles of every
kind and calibre went vhizZn. and crashing in
every direction as far as the eye could reach. The
roaring of cannon, the bursting of Shells the deadly
deafenng, rafting report of musketry, were inces-
SAINT and grand beyond description AS our line
and a bayOnet charge made en- the instant. The
rebels seemed to have pre- eminent that he final
struggle was upon them and defeat and discOmft-
ure were certain. Our fire was returned with vigOr
and effect; but. as our long bristling line of cold
steel emerged from the brush into plain view, and
line mon line discovered in the rear at regul
Intervals, their courage fOrsOok Them and without
waiting Sec nd y0iley. for q close hand-tO-
hand contest for their offences they scrambled ont
of them in complete disorder and made no attempt
to reform till they had passed over the ridge in the
rear OF their heavy works. he cheering and yell
ing OF our men in the centre were taken up by the
whole army, and must have carried CONSERVATION TO
the rebel host In o the tches, over the breast
works and after the scattered, retreating rebels,
boys went sweeping everything before them. AT
one or two points along the line small detachments
of the enemy remained an instant in the vain hope
of checking our living avalanche of brave men but
they were scattered, trodden down and over,
without so m ch as leaving trace of their presence
behind. Many prisoners aud small arms were taken
with mall loss. Our men we're 30 inspirited with
the ease and brillancy o. the movement that their
officers were no longer able to restrain them, and
whole regiments began to dash up the slope Of the
ridge in positive disObedience to orders. Color Ser
geants were plainly discernible far in advance,
cOuraglng the men to follow. AS many regiments
were already near the top of the ridge and others
6rran1hnp IN hoir wal
thought better to advance the whole line than damp
en- the ardOr of the men by what they might con-
strue into retreat Accordingly at little after
O'Clock we had FORGET our line to the brow, and de-
ployng along the ridge charged to the very muzzles
of belching cannon, under combiued musketry fire.
and carried the entire centre by direct assault. Az
we ascended the ridge several batteries were ran OF
hastily and escaped capture but the most taken
where they stood, and their gunners killed or cap
tured
We had now he two TANKS and centre planted on
the heights, but etill the battle ragged The enemy
evacuated that portion between Gen. Hooker and
our centre, but fought for some time on Shermans
front before abandoning the field. Finding their
TANKS turned and Centre broken, they gave up the
trous retreat by way Of Chi kansuga Station. The
guard destroyed all the stores and ammunition
possible blew up many cassOns and Get fire to the
camps. But their time was too short to accomplish
titae Of the work. and the balance fell into pos
session.
Over thirty pieces of cannon and not less than five
thousand prisoners were captured within an hour.
1t was a noticeable fact that many of the men
evineed No great desire to escape. Wien drove out
of their ride pits many OF them shsmhled along
slowly till overtakeR by our advances and surrendered
O. very slight provoc-tion.
Generals Sherman and Hooker are both in pursuit,
and will undoubtedly harass the retreat greatly. II
they Go not compel Bragg to fight again in sef-de-
fence They also taking many prisoners and
the victory is swelling momentarily in its proper
tons.
The four weeks' campaign OF General Grant at
Chattanooga may justly be considered The most in
portant of the Its direct results may be partly
computed by ALL but time will prove it's remote
sequences to have been incaculable. In purely
military point Of view it will 60 down to history
one of the greatest achievements of the times 1t
has been no unsatisfying consummation-n0 partial
accomplishment of a great plan-nO doubtful advan-
tage bought with the hearts-bOod of gallant army.
The enemy was Outgeneraled at every point their
strategic positions wreste from them one by one;
then boldly assaulted in their intrenched works;
routed in confusion everywhere. like leaves by a
whirlwind; and are being pursued impetuOusly. The
rebels fought Obslinaely: were defeated badly: and
lost immensely. We ATTACKED them gallanty; ma
novered admiralty; lost lightly; and gained every
thing.
The victory is glorious and complete in every par
ticular. &. CADWALLADER.