The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-10-15


during that hard days conflict and the
succeeding sanguinary fight of Sunday.
That we had overwhelming numbers TO
contend with, is also true, and II we did
not gain a regularly pitched battle, il
was not owing b want of courage OF
skill upon the part Of our officers, as far
as we are aware. Gen. McCook may, or
may not have strictly complied with or
ders; but whether be did or did not does
not reflect discreditabiy upon General
johnson, or the noble part bis division
acted. Gen. johnson has won the praise
OF the whole army, by the tact and skill
which he brought 20 bear upon the
bloody field of Ohickamauga; and IL ever
a brave and iudoInitable soldier and a
true and tried officer meriteda country's
applause, that man is the worthy and un-
assuming Gen Il. w. Johnson
Gen. Rosecrans may not have anticipat-
ed having such force TO contend with
as events developed and we know that
he did not court the engagement of Sum
day, as he was waiting for reinforcements
which have not yet arrived. But the
Army OF the Cumberland never backs
out, even under the most palpable dis
advantages, for they have all confidence
IN their gallant leader, Major General
w. 5. Rosecrans, "who never lost
battleP The enemy must have number
ed at least 100000 effective men, whilst
We had not much over one-third that
number, And again, we had 10 oppose
the flower of the rebel army" as Bragg
had received reinforcements from Lees
amy of the Potomac, and it is beyond a
doubt that Longstreet's and d. w. Hills
tra0ps were present, besides attachments
from Buekner, Hardee, Polk, johnson,
etc. Now Braxton Bragg is among the
best If he is not the very best General
which the rebel army can number. He has
shown more endurance, cunning, stead
tastness of purpose apd strategy than all
OF the other Generals combined. We
have been after him, and we have con-
fronted and commended with him for the
past two years, and therefore we have
good reason to know Of his merits. We
| speak OF him thus favorAbly not from
any love which we have for him, or the
cause which he sustains; but circum-
stances makeit polite to do 80. Then,
with such General as Braxton Bragg
| (who is no less brave aud skillful now
than he was during the Mexican war; at
the head of such an army as we have
lately had to contend with-the flower
OF Southern chivalry-gives coloring
| to the picture which other limners have
failed or omitted to place upon the can
vass. Even defeat for US, by such an
army and under such renowned leader,
would not have been strange nor dis
creditable but when we consider every
circumstance connected with the late
battle of Chickamauga Creek, we have
gained a victory unprecedented in the
whole annals Of mis- rebellion.
Our account coming subsequent to all
others will not make it the less truth
full or accurate. We feel confident tha-
what we state is only in anticipation
of what official reports will confirm.
Some correspondents would remark that
official statements are not correct, and
would ostsnsibly eclipse the detail Of
those who were the prime actors in the
great drama, by impudently showing
forth their own sugar coated descrip-
tions.
Our position is a good one. We fell
back for that purpose. Chattanooga is
the key 10 all further developments in
this direction. The famous General who
is at the head of this grand de armee
knew what he was doing when he in
vested this place. 1t belongs TO the
yankees now, and if Mr.. Reb. wishes
to retake it, let him "pitch in" He
evacuated it in the first place as flint
to draw US on; butwith all his cunning he
failed to F" bag us p Perhaps he can do
it yet-let him try. We are strongly
fortified here, and still fortifying, but
we need more men. Reports says we
have had reintorcemeuts, since | COM
menced writing this article, and am
inclined TO give it credence. | do not
consider it good policy to state where
they came from, nor de consider il
: good policy TO make known our strength
here, or the advantages we possess.
The country may rest easy, however.
The army of the Cumberland is in as
good spirits and as good fighting trim
to-day as il ever was-only lacking in
numbers The rebs are in great mum
: bers on the mountains around us, and we
J can distinctly see their camp fires of q
/ night. They threw shell at us day be-
fore yesterday, but with little effect
/ Our batteries responded, but with what
effect of course We do not know How
ever, we silenced them. On picket our
, men and the rebs are very intimate, ex-
{ changing compliments and newspapers
, We do not approve Of this, nor do we
think il should be allowed on our side
GLORY TO THE LIVING.
The gallant Gen. Crittenden needs nc
snoomium from our humble pen. He did
: his whole duty, and maintained the
honor of Kentucky's loyal soldiers. Men
may talk disparagingly of him, but il
only adds fresh lustre to his brilliant
outline. His iron will bends not even Il
the humility Of counting relraction.
Gen. Thomas has covered himself with
| glory,
Gen. McCOOk will bide the approba.
,, ton or censure of "the powers that be-
McOook is hero, not of TO- day.
Rousseau does not figure in the dram,
/, would that he had been present. Palmer
, Van Oleve, Davis, Sheridan, Negley
Wood, Wilder Whitaker Steadman
Baldwin, Which, Mitchell, Granger, anC
; Johnson, are names not born 10 die
They are rendered immortal in connec
ton with the battle of ChickamAugi
Creek. They merit and will obtain th,
appreciation of agrateful country. Thel
have won the laurel-wreath of glory
long may they live TO wear il fadeles
upon their noble brows.
OF the officers of the Sd brigade o
| I'll .. 4