Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-12-10


Granger, Reynolds Quartermaster General Meigs ani
numberless Brgaders here from early dawn TILL dark
watching the progress made either Faux, aud hnaly
witnessing the charge upon the centre.
As Ewing discovered hard cd the second time,
Goa Grant concluded the proper lime had arrived for
simultaneous attack from ound the entire line in front
The arrangements for this had been quietly going on all
day Divisions and brgaies hsd been filing across the
plain in OF advanced orhcstOns all day in every
direction They all gained htr assigned positions by two
O'clock and forming rear OF our breastworks, remain
ed quietly under arms awaiting orders to charge The
pckes aud the heavy in their had been pre-
yously instructed that given signal they to de-
ploy III line skrmlshes discharge their pieces at the
rebels and advance at run upon the rlhepits At tie
instant the troops behind the breaswoks were to
start the double-quck from every point and carry
the rifle pits at ali hazards not thought expedient
to order charge up the front Of the ridge in the of
such lire it apparent the bs held in reserve for
u Inc iepts were near the base OF the ridge II the
rebels We're dspossessed Of these could lie under
the worry muzzes OF Bragg's with IMMUNITY The
opinion seemed to prevail that it would be ard
to gam complete possession of the ridge by advancing Sher
mans ard Honkers. corps from the opposite exremtes
than TO attempt the hazardous feat Of carrying the form
dabe works top and in the centre by assault Division
commanders we're especially instructed to make attempt
to scerd the face Of the ridge but 10 content themselves
with gaining the entrenched works below and protecting
themselves IN that position till the next day,
TIE FINAL STRUGGLE
Al four o'clock the savo OF artillery that sgnalled the
ebarga doomed the plain ard armed literally
sprarg from tho earth IN response to TIE call dash
made far the rebel works by the skirmishers The
ro in the marched steAd and rapidly to the at
tach, with II mathematical precision never excelIed
Every piece of ar ry along the circuit of line open.
cd fire. and continued it necessarily for thirty or forty
minutes The 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 cabro went Whzzing and crashing in every d.
recton ar the eye could reach The roaring Of can
non-the bursting If shelsthe deadly, deafening rat
ting report of mskery ncessant and grand beyond
description.
AS our line nearsd the enemy's rae-pits, yoey was
poured into It, and bayonet charge made the instant
he rebels seemed to have presenmeut that the final
struggle upon them, and defeat and discontinue were
certain Our fire returned with ygor and effect but
as our long bristng line Of cold steel emerged from the
brush into plain view and line upon line discovered
IN tie at regular intervals, their courage forsook
them, aud without waiting for second yoley or for
close contest for their deence they scrambled
out at them complete disorder aud made no attempt TO
reform till they had passed the ridge in rear of their
'avy works The cheering and yelling Of our men in the
cenIis were taken up by the whole army, and must
hav- carried CONSERVATION to the reba host Into the
bitches the breastworks aud after the scattered re-
treat ng rebels boys went sweeping every thing be-
fore them At one two points along the line small
attachments Of the enemy remained instant the vain
hope Of checking living avaleuche of brave men; but
they scattered trodden dow and over without
so much AS leaving trace Of their presence behind Many
pris"ners and small arms were taken with small loes.
Our men nspirlted with the aud brilIiancy
Of tie lsnt that their Ulcers longer able TO
them aud whole regiments began dash p the
slope of the ridge il positive dsobedence to orders
Color sergeants plainly dlscernlbe,
encouraging the men to follow, As many regiments were
are dy the top Of the ridge and others scramblng
the ravines tn their support it thought better to
adyaace the whole limo than dapen the ardoI of the men
by what they might consrur into retreat Accordingly
at little after five O'Clock had forced line to the
brow, and d1puy along the ridge charged to the very
mnzzles of brchng canaon under combined musketry
fire and carried the entire centre by direct assault Az
assembled the ridge several teres ran off has
thy bnd escaped capture but the most taken where
they stood and their gunners Killed or captured
We had now the two hnks and centre planted on the
hrights but still the battle rrged The enemy evacuated
that portion between Gen Hooker and cur centre but
toug for time Shermans front before abandon
ing the field Finding their tanks turned and centre bro
ken they up the contest at dark, and began prec
pitae aud dssstous retreat by way Of Chckanaga Sta
ton The rcarguard destroyed All the stores ard ammI-
nton possible blew up many cassons and set fire to the
camps But their time was too shor to accomplish 1.-THE
OF the work, and the remainder fell into our
Over thirty pieces OF cannon and not less than FIVE thou
sand prisoners captured within hour Ii was
noticeable fact that many Of the evinred no great de-
sire to esca When drove ont of their rfepts many Of
them shambled along slowly till overaken by advance
| and surrendered ON very slight proyocaton
G neras Sherman aud Hooker both in pursuit and
will doubtless haraa the retreat greatly If they do not
compel RraE2 to fght again selEdelrnce They are
also taking many pris"ners and tho victory swelling mo-
menarily III its proportions
The Tour weeks campagn of Gen Grant at Chattanooga
may justly be considered the most important of the war
It's direct rrsu IL may be partly computed by ALL but time
will prove its remote Consequences to have been incacu-
liable In purely military point o view it will 90 down
to history of the greatest achievements of the
times 1t has been unsatisying consummation--no
patd accomplishment Of n great plan-no doubtful ad.
vantage bought with the hearts blood Of gallant army
The enemy was outgcnera at every point their strategic
positions wresed from them by one then boldly as
sautd IN their ntenched works routed in confusion
everywhere, like leaves by whirwnd and are being
pursued rmPetuousy The rebels fought obstinaely
were defeated badly and lost Immensely. We attacked
them CALAMITY; unanswered admirably lost lightly and
gained every hing. The victory is glorious and complete
II every particular