, 1863-12-04
LATE BATTLES OF CHAT
TAN00GA,


HEADQUARTERS, CHATTANOOGA, Nov. sC.
EpwIs II. STANTON. Secretary Of War:
SIn-On the ed instant, Mt 111z 4. NJ,
General Grant ordered d demonstration
against Mission Ridge, to develop the force
holding 1t. The troops marched out, formed
in order, and advanced in line Of battle, as it
The rcbd steamer Dunbar WIS repaired at
the right moment, ind rendered effective MD
in this crossing, ca1ryfng: over six thousand
men. By nightfa1l, Gen. Thomas had seized
thc extremity Of Missionary Ridge nearest
the river, and was cntrenchinS HIMSELF Gen.
Howard, with brigade, opened communion
south side Of the river. skirmishing and
cannouading continued all day on the lett and
centre. Gen Hooker scaled tho slopes Of
lookout Mountain, and from the wiley Of
Lookout Creek drove tho rebels around the
point He captured some two thousand pris-
mountain side, in full view Of Chattanooga.
This raised the blockade, und now steamers
were ordered from Bridgeport to Chattanoo-
gu, They had run only to Kelly's Ferry,
whence ten miles Of hauling over mountain
roads, and twice across the Tennessee on
pontoon bridges, brought US our supplies.
:. All night the point Of Missionary Ridge on
the extreme left, and the side Of Lookout
Mountain, On the extreme right, blazcd with
the camp-tlres OF loyal troops
Inc uay AaA ncen one Oi uense mlsls anu
rains, and much of Gen. Hooker's battle was
fought above the clouds, which concealed him
fto1nour view, but from: which his musketrY
was heard.
At nfghtfan the sky cleared, and the full
moon, tho traitor's d0om," sfone upon the
ling sparks upon the mountain side showed
tllat picket skirmishing was going on. Then
| It ceased 4 brigade sent from Chattanooga,
crossed the Chattanooga Greek, and opened
communication with Hooker.
Gen. Grants headquarters during the after
in Woods rcdoubt, except when, In the
course Of the day, he rode along the advanced
line, visiting the headquarters Of tho several
| commanders, In Chattanooga Valley.
at daylight on the 18th the stars and
/ Stripes were deserted on the peak of Look
| out, The rebels had evacuated the mountain.
Hooker moved to descend the mountain,
aud striking Mission Ridge at the Rossville
Gap, to sweep on both sides and on its sum
! nit
The rebel troops were seen as soon as It
was light enough, streaming regiments and
| Ridge, either concentrating on the right to
| oyefwhclm Sherman, or marching for the
| railroad, and raising the siege.
| They had eyacuated the valley Of Chatta-
| noogl-would they abandon that Of Chicka-
! manga?
| Inc twenty j-puuuuGto AAN loAl -AuA d 40uA~
/ tcr-inch rifles Of Woods redoubt, opened on
Mission Ridge. Orchard Knoh sent its CON.
| plimcnts to the Ridge, which, with riled
| Parrots answered, and the canuo1adc thus
| commenced continued all day. Shot and
I shell screamed from. Orchard Knob to Mis-
| sionary Ridge, and from Missionary Ridge to
| Crclaf{l Knob, and from Woods redoubt
| over the heads Of Gems. Grant and Thomas
| and their StadS, who were with Us in tliis
/ favorable position, from whence the whole
| battle could be seen as in IN ampAitheatrc.
| The headquarters were under fire all day
| 1ong.
Cannonading and muskctry were heard
| from Gen. Sherman, and Gen. Howard march
| ed tlc Eleventh corps to join him.
Gen, Thomas sent out skirmishers who
drove In the rebel piekets, and chased them
into their intrenchments, and at the foot OF
| Mission Ridge Sherman made an assault
against Briggs right, intrenched on high
| Knob next to that on which Sherman him
eiflay fortified. The assault was gallant1y
| made.
Sherman reached the edge Of the crest, and
held his ground for ut seemed to me) IN
hour, but was b1oodily ropulsed by reserves.
| 4 general advance WAS ordered, and' a
| strong Inc of skfrmishcrs, followed BY de-
ployed Inc of BATTLE, some two miles In
length. At the signal Of leaden shots from
the Headquarters On Orc1ard Knob, tho line
moved rapidly and orderly forward. The
rebel pfckets discharged theft muskets and
followed on their heels.
The line Of batlc WIS not fur behind aud
We saw the gtay rebels swarm out of. the
ledge line of TMe-pits, in numbers which sur,
p1tSed us, and over the hill A few turned
and fired their pieces, but The greater number
collected into the Ina1y roads which c1o7i