The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-10-02

OuuOdVOI0u W CAOOh UuO lOuUs WcI0 luC1-
fectual
After this fatal break our line of battle
was not again reformed during the day.
The army was in fact cut in two; Nc
Cook, with Davis, Sheridan and Wilder,
being thrown off to the right, [Crittenden
Except one brigade Of Wood's) being
broken in pieces, and Thomas, with his
indomitable corps, and Johnsons division
of McCook's remaining alone upon the
left. In the fierce tornado which had
swept over his log breastworks, Thomas
had been much shaken, all his divisions
fighting desperately, all rallying at the
earliest practicable moment, but only
Gen. Reynolds retiring from the works
towards the hills in anything like tolerable
order.
AS soon, however, as the corps had
reached the foot of Mission Ridge, it
formed anew its broken ranks with an
alacrity and rapidity only less remarkable
than the obstinacy with which it SO long
endured the assaults of the enemy upon
the level ground below. The great leader
himself, Gen. Thomas, assisted by Baird,
Reynolds, Brannan, Scribner, Harker,
Negley, John Beatty, Wood and Turchin,
recognized the brigades with wonderful
celebrity, and Immediately began making
head against the enemy.
From this time McCook disappeared
from the general history of the battle, as,
indeed, extricating himself from his de-
moralized and routed corps, be headed
toward Chattanooga, and, at about one
o'clock, disappeared entirely from the
| field. His two divisions, Davis and Sher-
| idans, forced off toward the right, far be-
hind their original position, were assailed
by immense squadrons of the enemy and
fearfully battered. Each had but hand
full left as it retired, toward nightfall, up
on the ROssville road, but the men must
have done gallant fighting or they would
not have come off as well as they did. In
fact wherever Sheridan is, whether iso-
lated or in company, and whether the
odds against him be one or many, there
is certain to be fight.
1t was about half-past twelve, when,
hearing heavy cannonade upon the right,
| galloped over in that direction to see
| what it might mean. A longitudinal gap
in Mission Ridge admits the Rossville road
into Chattanooga Valley, and skirts along
large cornfeld at the mouth of the gap.
Looking across the cornfeld from the gap,
you see thick woods upon the other side.
The cornfield itself is q sort of scOve in
the ridge, and here were numbers of all
sorts of army vehicles mingled with the de-
bris Of dismantled and discounted bat
teries. Fragments of Davis flying squad
rOns had also lodged in this field.
While | stood gazing upon this scene
from the summit of the ridge, some rebel
skirmishers appeared in the skirts of the
woods opposite the gap have mentioned,
and flung perhaps dozen musket-balls
into the field. Instantly men, animals,
vehicles became a mass Of struggling, ours
ing, shouting, frightened life. Everything
and everybody appeared to dash headlong
for the narrow gap, and men, horses,
mules, ambulances, baggage-wagons, an
munition-wagons, artillery carriages and
caissons were rolled and tumbled together
in confused, inextricable, and finally mo-
tionless mass, completely blocking up the
mouth of the gap. Nearly all this booty
subsequently fell into the hands of the
enemy Sickened and disguised by the
SpSSUdSlCS olICb away W WAUGH GIc
operations Of Gen. Thomas corps, upon
which alone depended the safety of the
army.
Gen. Thomas had withdrawn his men
almost entirely from the valley, and taken
up position on the side of Mission Ridge.
His left still rested on the Lafayette road.
and his right upon the ridge near the gap
I have already spoken of Here were
collected the shattered remnants of the
powerful corps which had SO long breasted
the fierce assaults of the enemy in the
forenoon. Here was Johnson, who seems
to have done better work to-day and yes
terday than ever before. Here was the
uncomfortable Wood, with Harker's brig
ade, and here were also such fragments of
Crittendens corps as could be induced to
venture upon another stand. The whole
were drawn up in a line forming a circular
curve, facing the southeast. A hill near
the middle Of the curve was the key of
the position, and Harker's brigade was
appointed to defend the same. Soon after
the hill was occupied, a house upon its
summit was set on fire by the enemy's
shells, and continued to burn for long
time with great fury.
Not long was the new line of battle per-
mitted to remain idle. Cannon beloved
against it; missiles of every kind were
hurled into it; shells burst above it; rifle
balls went tearing through it; but still it
remained firm.
1t was certain, however, as truth itself,
that unless assistance should reach it from
some quarter and that right speedily, it
must at length succumb, for the rebel
leaders, emboldened by the rout of McCook
and Crittenden, were gathering their hosts
to hSrl them in last mighty effort against
the feeble band that confronted them.
Whence should that succor come?
Suddenly vast cloud of dust was seen
to rise above the trees, away to the left,
and few minutes afterwards long lines
of men emerged from the woods, crossed
the Lafayette road and began advancing
towards us over the fields. Their dis
ciplne seemed very perfect, and it was
an imposing pageant when, as they came
on, their banners fluttered above their
heads and their glittering arms flashed
back the sunlight through the thick clouds
of dust.
Capt. johnson, of Gen. Negley's staff,
who on being severed from his own divis-
ion. had Immediately reported tn General