Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-02

The general commanding, a. though rebel
bullets were harmless, rode to and fro over
the battle field, accompanied by his staff the
efficient chief, Gen. Garfield acting with
b great composure aud intrepidity The com.
msnders Of McCooh's corps, Gems johnson.
JEFF. c. Davis and Sheridan, as well As those
! Of Crittendens. Generals Wood, Palmer and
Van Cleye took an active part in the two days
! fight, yet suffered TO a less extent than did
the divisions in Thomas corps, commanded
by Generals Negley, Braman and Reynolds
Col. Stanley, commanding brigade 10 Neg
ley's division, was wounded early in Sunday =
fight.
] The cavalry force was under the command
Of Gen Robert b. Mitchell. Gen. Stanley be-
ing confined to his bed. Several cavalry
fights took place on Sunday, the enemy being
worsted every time, notwithstanding heir su-
peuorty in numbers. My informant thinks
that If even our army should be- compelled TO
fail back on Chattanooga, il will not be "a fail
ire, as the programme was lard out in that
wise and at that point he could successfully
resist twice his number.
The strength of the enemy's forces is not
| Ear from one hundred thousand men, nearly
twice the number of our own. Generals Joe
Johnson and Bragg were in command with
Polk on the right and A. =. Hill on the left
All the available men from the different ar
mics of the Coniederacy assisted in this con-
test, Longs,ree's corps. under Generals Jack
son and Ely, arriving after the commen encement
of the battle. The prisoners say that the
troops had been arriving from all quarters for
several weeks. and that several thousand of
Pemberton's men we're in the battle
To Merchants Exchange. The Posts
Washington dispatch states A dispatch
from Rosecrans dated yesterday morning,
reached here to-day. He says that his posi-
ton is impregnsble, and he invites an attack
WAsHIEGToN, Sept. rs
dispatch from Gen. Rosecrans says he
made a Reconnaissance along the enemy's
lines, and found him IN force. They did not
resist the advance of our movement. which
returned after having accomplished its object.
Additional kilograms from Gen. Rosecrans,
p p. m. Of the 24th) give assurance that his
position can only be assailed by regular siege.
The purpose Of Gen. Rosecrans seems to be
to resume offensive operations as soon as the
reinforcements, including Gen. Burnsides
troops, now on their way, reach him. The
mass of the rebel infantry are in Chattaneosa
Creek Valley. A division of the rebel cavai-
~ advanced yesterday or the day before, from
Stevens Gap. threatening d Union regiment
guarding one ofour signal stations. whereupon
the regiment in question retired from its iso-
lated position in the extreme front before it
could be attacked. Gen. Rosecrans expresses
the earnest wish that Bragg will venture
prompt attack upon his position, but j. OF the
opinion that it will not be made. A Il was
quiet along his lines at p. m. yesterday.
FoRTREss MONROE, Sept "a.
The Richmond Wing Of the 23rd has been
received II claims a victory in Northern
Georgia for Bragg, but says: ave suppress
exultation at the thought of what yet remains
to be done, and the possibility Of loosing all
that has been gained by failing to complete
the work. Situated as Kosecrans is, the
victory that does not disperse or capture his
whole army is lost opportunity If he is
permitted to hold Chattanooga, then our vic
tory will be without profit, and we have to
mourn that 80 many brave men have died in
vain, and chiefly that the gallant Hood has
sealed his fate with his blood.
kosecrans must not only be beaten in bat
tie but he must be destroyed or driven from
East Tennessee, otherwise the battle better
not have been fought. Ifthis stronghold is not
wrenched from him now, it will hardly be here
after. II be holds it, he may at anr moment
strike al the very vitals Of the Coniederacy.-
He holds region pestilent with disatisfac-
tion, that needs only the presence of n Yankee
army to ripen into full treason, He holds the
country that must supply meat for our army,
nitre for our powder mills, and coal and iron
for many of our manufacturing establishments
The possession of the country is Of indispen-
sable necessity to us,--it is prize for which
Bragg is contending. Until he has won it we
can but rejoice with fear and trembling over
what he has done Ii he win, it will be the
most superb achievement of the war;
The Times Washington dispatch says it
appears now that ali three of Gen Rosecrans'
grand divisions were engaged in the battles
IN front of Chattanooga, two of which were
driven back in considerable disorder. Gen.
Rosecrans in his dispatch imputes loss of the
battle to disobedienee of orders on the part Of
Gen. McCook, who failed to occupy an i'm
portant position assigned him by Gen. Rose
Grams. Had he done ordered, Cen Rose
Grams opinion is the battle would have re-
suited in splendid uoion victory. Great
anxiety is felt here ia military circles for the
safety of Gen Burnside. In order to rein
force Rosecrans, his only safe course would 4
he to cross the Tennessee river and move down
the river over the mountains or to penetrate
70 some OF lhe Oaps ana move uoWn Oehlnd 7
the mountains. The opinion Of military men [
seems to be that if he attempts to move
down this side of the river he will run great
risks OF being cut off.
The Tribune's Cincinnati dispatch gives
full details of the late battles, closing as fol- |
lows; "Whie the struggle of Saturday end
ed in drawn battle, that of Sunday resulted
in disastrous defeat. The failure of the first
day was partially due to the greater numeri-
cal strength Of the enemy and partly to the
deficient formation OF our line of battle
That of the second is justly ascribed to
improper tatics on the battlefield, and above
all to the absence Of command
The inspiring example set, and influence ex-
ercised by the commander in-chief at Stone
River, were wanting, he having been compel
ed to leave the field and return to Chatta-
yoona before the action was over The early
disappearance Of two corps commanders from
he field also, made ademoralizing impression.
The loyal people have certainly cause for
elf-congratulation that the Army of the
was not completely destroyed,
md owes profound gratitude to Gen. Thomas
md those under him that save it.
The Losses are great. That in killed,
Wounded and missing will probably reach