Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-10-22
THE FAILURE OF waEELER's RAID.

STEVENSON (ALA.) OCTOBER IA, 1868.
Whoever planned the recent reinforcement of the Army
of the Cumberland saved the country from great disaster
So said distinguished General yesterday and his words
had all the weight Of truth Bragg made desperate effort
prevent the arrival of renforcements and compel
the evacuation of Chattanooga from want of supplies
But he failed IN both, though the execution of his plans
did not fail for want Of energy but because moved
faster than he did portion Of Gen. Hookers force
comphed the distance Of thirteen hundred miles in five
days This prompttude saved the Army of the Cumber-
land and the peril passed Wheelers rebel cavalry,
numbering perhaps five thousand crossed the Tenne
river at Washington, fortyve miles of Chattanooga
Entering the Sequstchee Valley, they moved down to
Andersons Cross Roads where they struck the water
pursued by trains from Stevenson to Chattanooga demo
lshing four hundred wagons. They then moved direct
upon McMinnvie, which place they easily capturedits
garrison Of five hundred makbg resistance of any
consequence. Wheelsrs movements were then accele-
rated somewhat by attack upon his guard before
he got out of thu Sequatchee Valley, by Gen Mitches
Federal cavalry which followed close pursuit. At Nc
Mnnvle the rebel force divided part going to
freesboro and the other to Elk River Bridge Dec
herd Station They destroyed small bridge each place.
and Christians tore up Of tn track, bnt the
mutation Of troops upon the road compelled them leave
without accomplishing any further destruction. A few
venturesome rebels went TO the top of the mountain at
Cowan Station and threw rocks down the venators Of
tn. tunnel which they declared their retreat would
disable the road for month, but which
in an hour The rebels then fell up shebyvlle which
they robbed because ID strong loyal town But hardly
had they got through before Gen Mitchell fell upon
whipped them soundy, AID sent tn rushing southwark
in great haste. learn to-day that Wheeers force finally
crossed the Tennessee at Muscle Shoals Alabama minus
all his plumber four pieces of artillery, six Lun
dred less than he It rted with. Gen. Hooker had
arrived at Stevenson bus day two before Wheeler
struck the road. But be at sent Gen Buered ny
the road with orders TO take all the troops he could ud
dive rebels of and open the and before Wheeler
got back the south side the Tennessee railroad
sgan in operation. Thus the raid failed. 1t might
have amounted t.. something, but it didn't.
The great battle of Chickanaugt lie st the absorbing
subject of discussion in the Army of the Cumberland ADD
after hearing and reading every thing find but e-
climate conclusion to at viz that beaten
simply because were Outnumbertd that right and
repused not because troops panic
stricken but bcsuse the troops really had been sent to
the support of the lett and the right and centre
fearulIy weak The enemy had troops enough not OILY
engage whole force the left but also to assa
right aud centre with sufficient energy to them
to give way This, it seems to is very good reason
why We were beaten. But as is always the case, the
work Of elimination and limitation goes and the
censured 8 demand to be heard. Gems McCook and
Crtendeu who have been relieved passed through here
on Sunday Right their way to Indianapolis General
Negey passed up yesterday his way to Pttsbug They
have all been relieved Dumber of changes, hear,
taking place at the headquarters of the Army OF the Cum
berand. Gen Brannan succerds Col Barrett Chief Of
Artillery and Gen Reynolds takes The place Of Gen Gar
field Chief If staff who will leave to take his seat
10 the approaching Congress In regard to the enemy but
tile seems to be known.
CINCINNATI, OCTOBER H. 1868.
Major Gen Negley, direct from Chattanooga, having
left there the 18th, arrived here to-day, his way Ia
Pittsburgh thirty days leave Of absence He reports
all quiet nothing Of interest having transpred since the
5th when the rebels threw few SHELLS into
When Negley left Hooker was at Stevenson.