Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-07
THE RATTLE OF CHATTANOOGA.
official Account by Quartermaste
General Meigs.
HEADQUARTERS, CHArrANooeA,1
November 20. 1863.
Hon. E III Stanton. Sccrefaru of Var.

HEADQUARTERS, CHATTANOOGA
November %, 1863
Hon. e. NJ Stanton, Secretary of War:
SIR: On the 23d instant, at IL 80 A. NJ, Gen
Grant ordered demonstration against Mission
airy Ridge to develop the force holding it. The
troops marched out, formed in order, and ad-
vanced in line of battle. as IL on parade.
The rebels watched the formation and move
ment from their picket lines and rife pits. and
from the SUBMITS of Missionary Ridge, 500 feet
above us, and thought it was a review and drill
SO openly and deliberately. SO regular was it all
done.
The line advanced. preceled by skirmishers
and at o'clock P NJ. reached their picket lines,
and opened a ratiling volley upon the rebel
pickets, who replied and ran into their advanced
line of rife pits. After them went our skr-
mishers, and into them, along the centre of the
line of % 900 troops which General Thomas had
so quickly displayed, until we opened fire. Pris
oners assert that they thought the whole move
ment Il review and general drill, and that il
too late to send to their camps for reinforce
ments, and that they were overwhelmed by
force of numbers. Ii was a surprise in open day
light. $3.50
At p. NJ the important advanced position oi
Orchard Knob aud the lines right aud left were
in our possession. and arrangements were ordered
for holding them during the night The next
day at daylight Genersl Thomas had FIVE thou
sand men across the Tennessee and established
on its south bank, and commenced the construc-
ton of a pontoon bridge about six miles above
Chattanooga.
The rebel steamer Dunbar was repaired at the
right moment, and rendered effective aid in this
crossing, carrying over 6 1000 men.
BY nightfall Gen. Thomas had seized the ex-
tremity of Missionary Ridge. nearest the river
and was ntrenchng himself Gen. Howard
Wi hrip,tc m wit
him from Chattanooga, on the south side oi
the river
Skirmishing and cannonading continued all
day on the left and center
General Hooker scaled the slopes OF Lookout
Mountain. and from the valley of Lookout Greek
drove the rebels around the point. He cap
tured some 2,nO0 prisoners, and established him
self high up the mountain side. in full view OF
Chattanooga. This raised the blockade, and
now steamers were ordered from Bridgeport to
Chattanooga They had run only TO Kelley:
ferry, wheLce ten miles of hauling over noun
tain roads and twice the Tennessee or
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, blazed with the camp fires
Of loyal troops asa fs
"a The day has been one Of dense mists and rains
and much OF General Hookers battle was fought
above the clouds, which concealed him from ouI
view. but from which his musketry was heard
At nightfall the sky cleared, and thefull moon
'.the traitors DOOM" shone upon the beautiful
scene until A. NJ. when twnkIing sparks upon
the mountain aide showed that picket skirmishins
was going on. Then IL ceased. A brigade. sem
from Chattanooga. crossed the Chattanooga
creek and opened communication with Genera
Hooker. s----.-
General Grants headquarters during the after