The Morgantown monitor. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1863-1864, 1863-12-05
w A r. II q w S
Summary for the Week.
en- erant. Thankssivins present.


The news of this mornlns VIII
arouse a voice of real thanksgiving
on the lips of all who wish we'll Tor
the country.
Gen, Grant, out of a maze Of tactics
more wondrous than ever before puz-
zled the brains of observers altar on mas
evolved victory for our arms the
Importance Of which it is yet lmpossl-
BILE to fully estimate.
The facts are evident that on Mon
day morning an advance was made
by three corps of army under General
Thomas, resulting in the capture OF
the enemy's first line of rife pits be-
tween Chattanooga and Citer's creek.
On Tuesday, Gen. Hooker, in COM
mand of three divisions, carried the
north slope: of Lookout mountain
taking six hundred prisoners in the
action. Gen. Sherman, before day
light the same morning crossed the
Tennessee river at the mouth OF the
South Chickamauga with three divl-
sions and carried the eastern extremi-
ty of Missionary ridge. Thus, by
three apparently disconnected move
ments, the entire army before Chat
tanooga was put in position by Tues
day night to make the organized and
decisive assault of yesterday.
During Friday night the moral
and military advantages obtained by
Gen. Hooker's troops compelled the
rebels, under Bragg, to evacuate the
summit of Lookout mountain, of
which the Federal forces took posses
sion yesterday morning, thus sparing
that part of the army fight for the
day. Missionary ridge, up the side
of which the enemy had been driven
on Tuesday, was the prize for which
Gen. Sherman s command strove yes
terday in three battles, which the
meager accounts that have now reach
ed us show to have been among the
most desperate and gallant tests OF
heroic endurance the war has furnish
ed. These troops, assisted by two
columns, started against the weaken
ed centre of the enemy. Gen. Grant
at 3 P, M., broke the line of the latter
on the very summit Of the ridge, and
drove his shattered divisions down
the western scope to join their breth-
rem on the banks ofthe Chickamauga.
Our captures of prisoners during the
three days fighting is set down at
from five to ten thousand.
Retreat into Georgia by Bragg, If
this triumph be one half as complete
as it is represented, can scarcely be
delayed, even if it is not now COM
menced, as reported. He has forsaken
the strong positions by which he had
alone tenure before Chattanooga, and
must choose to fight pitched battle
in the field or fall back to some availa-
bic line Of defense. Gen Hooker,
who has been ordered to pursue with
all his force, may have saved the
detected rebel the trouble of choosing;
by intercepting him at disadvantage
near Rossville.
What effect this reverse to the main
confederate army in Tennessee has
had upon the movements Of Long
street, last heard of as investing
Knoxville, is not positively known,
but may be judged. Cut off, with SO
comparatively small force, from all
communication with, and succor from
his recent base, Longstreet's disjoint-
ed army ofinvasion has worse path
before it on the retreat than when it
advanced. Gen. Burnside, therefore
may be considered relieved, and if
the nation is not gladdened with the
news of another surrender before
many days the hero of Vicksburg will
neglect his old tactics.
1t is more because this victory is
not coupled with news ola great and
terrible slaughter that we have faith
i. it. Gen. Grants achievements
have all been "merciful" ones, and
this, that sends cause of thanksgiving
to every hearth in the the North on
this day of merciful traditions, is the
most merciful Of all. - World.