The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1863-12-10
THE SITUATION BEFORE THE BATTLE.

| THE SITUATION BEFORE THE BATTLE.
This has been so often and fully des-
cribed of late, that auy lengthy des-
cripton would be thrown away upon
the public at this time. The enemy's
line, it is understood pretty generaly
was on the summit of Mission Ridge,
with crotchet detachde upon Lookout
Mountain. Mission Ridges a low range
of mountains, not unlike those of the
Kentucky side of the river, from our
beautiful "Queen City," save the fur
rows of the field and the vineyard here
assume the horrible dimensions of the
rife-pit there. This range commences on
the north, at the mouth of Chickmauga
Greek, in cluster ofpeaks, rather iso-
lated from each other, but as they run
south gradually become a connected
ridge with but slight undulations. The
first gap of any Importance is at Ross
vile. The right of the enemy's line
proper rested at the north end of the
connected ridge at the mouth of the
creek, the isolated peaks mentioned
not being occupied. The enemy had
such long line to hold that he did
not think it advisable to attempt to
contest the occupation of the isolated
peaks. On the North end ofthe ridge,
and the right of his line, he had built a
strong bastion fort. AT point nearly
due east of Chattanooga and nearly
two miles south of the fort mentioned
was another. These were. connected by
strong rifie-pits, the outlines of which;
twere plainly visible from Chattanooga
but the naked eye could hardly distin.
guish whether they were men in line
of battle or into bold relief the logs,
brush, and earth which composed these
rude but strong works. From the fort
in the center south a mile, ran rifle pits
to another fort, which was the left of
the rebel line on the ridge. At the
foot of the ridge beginning near the Sec
ond or center fort, Bragg had construct
ed serious of strong ritie-pits which
ran southwark hugging the Noun
tains, bore to a point about due east
from the base of Lookout Mountain to
strong lunette fort called Fort Bragg
Here the line changed directly and ran
across the valley between Lookout and
Mission Ridge to small but deep
stream called Chattanooga creek. 1t
then followd the stream to the foot of
Lookout, but no defenses appear to
have been erected west of the creek
save upon the slope and summit of
Lookout Mountain.
Gen. Grants line was shorter-be-
ing the interior line-very strongly de-
Tended in the center, and hence with
re- e-enforcements arriving under Hook
er and Sherman, he was enabled, by the
time his plans matured, to detaeh two
large forces to attack the enemy's right
and left flanks, in order to keep his
line extended and consequently weak
ened, while at the same time he sue
ceeded in Strengthening the center, the
old Army of the Cumberland, by How
ards corps. Subsequently, however,
this corps joined in the operations on
the right, two brigade of Stanley's divi.
sion, 4th corps, and one brigade of
Johnston's division, 18th corps, were
sent to aid Hooker who was assaulting
Lookout with Geary's and Osterhaus,
division.
The operations were to have on begun
Saturday, Nov. 2lst, but owing to the
heavy rains, and the partial destruction
of the pontoon bridge upon which
Sherman was to have crossed, the
movement was delayed Indefinitely. |
On Monday rumors began to prevail
that the enemy were retiring, and it
was determined to reconnoiter in order
to develop any retiring disposition on
his part. Brig. Gen. Woods division
was selected by Gen. Thomas as the
reconnoitering force, and the whole ar
my in Chattanooga was ordered under
arms and into line to meet any emer-
gency which might arise, and also to
demonstrate in various directions, in or
der to reveal the artillery of the enc.
my.
GEN. WOODS REcoNNoIsANcE.
A few minutes after one a. m., on
Monday, the troops all being in line of
battle, and the enemy. lining the crest
of the hill looking upon the magnif-
cent array below, the heavy siege guns
of Fort Wood, under charge of Lieut..
of the 10Th Wisconsin bat