The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1863-10-02
The Battles near Chattanooga,

ready unmistakable signs indicated that
the enemy had discovered the weak points
of our position, and were nassing their
forces IN front of our left centre and for
the manifest purpose Of crushing those
parts of our lines or getting between them
and Chattanooga
On the morning Of the 18th friday
portion OF the expected reinforcements,
consisting Of two brigades of the reserve
corps, respectivey y commanded by Co.'s
McCook and Mitchell made their appear
ance near Chattanooga, and were immedi-
aely ordered to make a reconnaissance
towards Ringgold, and develop the inten,
tions of the enemy from that quarter.
They came upon the advance Of Long
streets corps, pushed it back for some dis
tance, took number of prisoners from it,
and fully established the anticipated con-
centration of the enemy in front of our
left. All dav Friday the cavalry cover
ing our front, skirmished with different
bodies of the enemy. On FRIDAY night
the divisions of Brannan and Baird, to-
ge,her with Johnson's of McCook's corps,
moved from The rear. of Cri,tenden's
corps.
They were in their new positions at
day ybreak. The two other divisions of Nc
Cooks corps, Davis and Sheridan's, were
to move into the position abandoned by
Thomas corps; but had no, lime to as
sumo it fully before the commencement of
the action. The next morning passed
away without for?warning of.he approach
ing conflict.
But shortly teforc l 1 o'clock, the storm
which had been brewing all morning, on
the rebel side, burst forth in the expected
direction. At that time long mass Of
rebel infantry was seen advancing upon
Brannan's division, on the extreme left
They first came upon the second brigade
and forced it back in spite of its deter
mined resistance. The other two brigades
of the division at once came to It's assis-
tance, aud succeeded in checking the pro-
gress of the rebels.
The rebels were then driven back but
their column being in turn strongly rein
forced, they advanced again with wild
y-lls. So powerful was this assault that
they pushed Brannan back to ard beyond
his position in line, aud thus uncovered
the left Of Baird's division.
Making prompt use of their advantage,
they changed their course to !he left, aud
speedily euveloped Scribner's and king's
brigades. They were almost surrounded,
but managed TO disen,anCle themselves
after fearful loss,
The rebel masses next came upon john
sons division, and rolled j, upon Key
nod's which also becsme speedily involy-
ed in the struggle.
The resistance Of these tao divisions,
with the sweeping fire of some batteries
posted under the personal supervision of
Gen. fosecrans, arrested, at last, their
advance.
The Aivisions of Brannan and Baird hav-
ing rallied, Gen. Thomas ordered gems
eral advance of the right, and soon the
tide of battle turned. in our favor with
cheers.
Our lines advanced, EaI;inc only at
dimes to scatter the enemy with mosketry.
Several times The la,,er's re,reatirg line
stopped and valnly tried to retain their
ground, bat they were driven from posi-
lion to position, and by -four clock all tie
ground lost was finally recovered
Several arteries belonging to General
l'aird's and Brannan's divisions, whose
horses hal been killed and supports swept
away, were io::akcp, and several huDdred
prisoners.
The enemy left all their dead and rear
Is all their wounde in the field. There
were at least 500 of tie form,r The
rebel troops engaging Thomas belonged TO
!}uckners and Longstreet's comnsni, -
At the time tie struggle was turning in
our favor on the left, Bragg's army proper,
consisting of the corps Of Polk and lIiIl,
formerly IIardeos, moved to a most deter
pxlmer's ard Van Cleve's divisions in the
centre
It's Object probably was to relieve the
defeated rebel riglt.
Palmer and Van CIeye soon found
themselves overpowered and sher divis.
ions breaking. Their complete rout was
| imminent when Davis division catno to
their support on Van CIeve's right. The
reirforcements at first had The effect of
checking the enemy and restoring orr
| line; !; but the rebel attack was speedily
! renewed with greater numbers, and the
centre was again compelled to yield -
Davis was forced TO the right, and Van
Cle*e to the left, and the eDeiny advanc.
ed through the opening made in our
lines, threatening 10 take he centre and
right by their nanks, as they had done on
! the left
In his critical jnncture. Shctilan's di.
vision appeared and was at orce thrown
upon the enemy. Ii stood It's ground gal
lantly for a while but becolnjng so ex-
posed TO destructive fire, was also com
peIed y fall back. .. .. ..
Fortunately, 'he divisions of General.
Hood and Neglev that had been early
aithdrawh from G5rdeh's Mills, when the
.ebeI attack on the left threatened to he
successful. now came 10 the rescue Af
ter brief contest, the rebels found them
selves at least matched, and commenced
giving way in the turn.
Reynolds having also been sent to the