The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-11-27
Our Military Correspondent CO.
FROM TIE FORTY FIRST REGIMENT.

I.
CHATTANOOGA Tenn. Nov. oh. 1868
FRIEND CONVERSE AS We havo just re-.
turned from an important aud successful
expedition, thought perhaps an account of
the doings of the Forty. First. tor tho past
two weeks, might not be unin;eresting to
you and many of your readers. The fact
is, that rat;ons in Chattanooga, for man and
beast. were extremely scarce. and fast play.
ing OUT entirely; for the rebels hold posses.
ION of the railroad between here and B.idge
port. They also hold possession of this
mountain, which is very high. lofty moun.
tain ridge, terminating very abruptly near
the river, about three miles below Chatta.
nooga. The high point near the river is called
Point Lookout. THIS the Rebels have
strongly fortified, so that il was impossible
to bring rntions up tho river. The road run.
ming to Bridgeport. on the opposite side of
the river, runs 20 close to the river that The
Rebel sharp shooters would fro into our
| train. Some three weeks ago, thew fred
across the river. and killed over fifty mules
aud wounded several of the teamsters In
cOns' quence OF these various hndrances.
our train WAS obliged to tako road back
from the river, over mountain ridges, and
near double the distance. This road soon
became so nearly impossible that it was ion.
possible for our train to bring forward ra-
tions enough TO supply the army. TO say
nothing about ammunition and heavy guns.
which were very much needed 10 put upon
the various forts which have been recently
constructed. Soyou see that We were pretty
closely hemmed in. But Yankee ingenuity
and Yankee daring are not easily to be baf.
fled .,-.
On the 26th of October, one hundred and
nifty of the best and most able bodied men
in our Regiment were organized into squads
of twenty five men each. making in all six
squads, each company commanded by a
commissioned officer. Cos. B and G forming
one squad. under the crn,muud of Lieut..
Pierce, and the whole six companies placed
under the command Of Captain W. W.
Mum. The same thing was done with 9TH
er Regiments throughout this Brigade -
About eleven O'Clock that night, The remain
lug portion of the Brigade went down the
! river on the opposite shore. and encamped
about seven miles below here. At 2 o'clock
that night, we marched to tie river bauk.
without blankets or baggage OF any kind.
save our guns and sixty rounds OF cartridges.
Here we embarked IN fatboais, euoh boa,
holding one company OF twenty Eve men.
our whole Brigade occupying forty four
boats. These. under the command OF Gen.
Hazen, proceeded silently down the river.
the boats containing the Forty.Fiist Regi.
ment taking the lead. We were all aware
that we were embarked in hazardous and
dangerous enterprise one which mus. re-.
suit in complete success or total annihilation
or capture. But the right ma eria had
been seec'Sd for this expedition men who
were used to facing danger, and who shrauk
not at the whizzing of bullets nor the boom
ing OF cannon.
After passing down the river some seven
miles past tho enemys batteries on Point
Lookout and along the shore, We arrived at
Il gap or gorge in the high ridge which runs
along the bank of the river. Here We were
ordered TO pull in for shore and land. We
had nearly reached the shore before We we're
discovered by the Rebels pockets. Taey
sent some twenty balls or more whizzing
over our heads and into our midst bus,
happily. did no hurt. We then pulled for
shore with all possible speed. As loon as
our boats struck land, We fixed our bayoners
aud sprang ashore. and charged up the
ridge 10 the lett OF the gorge while Others
, charged through the gorge and to the right.
(rbis ridge is over one hundred and fifty
feet bgb, very steep and rocky. and do.