The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1863-09-29

, thick woods, which rendered the field unfs
yorsble for the effective use of artillery
!; The line proper, as given above, rested neal
ly at the base OF the Missionary Mountains
some distance in advance of its right. Gol
dons Mills, the point of intersection OF tn
road from Chattanooga to Lafayette and tn
Chickamauga afore mentioned, was still
heldon Saturday morning by Woods divis
ion of Crittenden's corps, supported b.
Negley's and Thomas. Their position wa
strong one; but, at an angle with the lin'
proper, appeared like dangerous extension
Of the latter, and was proved such by sub
sequent events. 1t was meant to secure oul
right against turning maneuvres, but Off
GERS of good judgment entertained the be.
lief that both greater compactness from
closer contraction and perfect security ofthe
the right might have been obtained by post.
ing the latter on the eastern abutments OF
Missionary Ridge. The brigades OF McCook
and Mitchell of the reserve corps were or
dered back to Rossville, on Friday after
noon, for the protection of our communi-
cation with Chattanooga, and hence were
not to participate in the struggle of Satur-
day. The night had been frosty, and the
troops not being permitted to kiudle bivouac
fires, the discomfort they experienced, to-
gether with the fatigue from marching and
want Of sleep, left them in a physical condi.
ton by no means as vigorous as it should
have been for the severe work before them.
Fortunately the sun rose clear, and with its
cheering rays, did much ~ revive the spirits
of the army.
THE BATTLE OF SATURDAY.
The early forenoon passed away without
forewarnlng ofthe approaching conflict; but
shortly before IL o'clock the storm that
had been brewing all the morning on the
rebel side burst forth in the expected di-
rection. At that time long mass of rebel
infantry was seen advancing upon Brannan's
division on the extreme left. 1t first came
upon the second brigade, Colonel Croxton
commanding, and soon forced it back de-
spite its determined resistance The two
other brigades of the division at once came
to it's assistance, and succeeded in checking
the progress of the rebels and driving them
back; bat their column being in turn strong
ly reinforced, they advanced again with wild
yells. SO powerful was this assault that
they pushed Brannan back to and beyond
his position in the line, and thus uncovered
the left of Baird's division. Making prompt
use of their advantage, they changed their
course to the left. and speedily enveloped
Scribner's and Kings brigades latter
Of regulars. They were almost surrounded,
but managed to disentangle themselves af-
ter fearful loss.
The crushing rebel masses next came
upon Johnson's division, and rolled it upon
which also became speedily in
volvsd in the desperate struggle. The stub
born resistance Of these divisions, however,
and ths sweeping fire of some batteries
posted under the personal supervision of
General Roseorans, arrested at last their
sweeping advance.
The divisions of Brannan and Baird
having been rallied. General Thomas or.
1ered general advance of the right, and
soon the tide Of battle was decidedly turned
IN our favor: With cheers our line advan
,ed, hating only at times to shatter the
enemy with musketry. Several times the
alters rstreating line stopped and valnly
.ried to retain their gained ground; but
steadily they were driven from position TO
position and by 4 O'Clock all the ground
ost was nearly recovered. Sevaral batteries
belonging to Generals Baird,s and Brannan,s
divisions, whose horses had been killed and
supports were swept away, were retaken,
md sevaral hundred prisoners captured
The enemy left all their dead aud yearly all
heir wounded on the field There were at
east 800 of the former. The rebel troops
Engaging Thomas belorgin to Bucknsr,s and
commands.
At the time the struggle was turning in
our favor on the left, Bragg's army proper
consisting Of the corps Of Polk and Hill
formerly Hardee's), moved to most de-
termined and we'll executed attack upon
Palners and Van Cleve's divisions in the
centre. Its object was obviously to rel eve
the defeated rebel right. Palmer and Van
Cleve soon found themselves overpowered
@ I'd their divisions breaking. Their com.
plete rout was imminent, when Davis's di
vision came to their support on Van Cleve's
right, The timel y rsinforcsments at first
had the effect Of checking the enemy aud
restoring our line; but the rebel attack was
speedily renewed with greater numbers, and
the centre again compelled to yield. DAVIS
was forced to the right and Van Cleve to
the left, and the enemy advanced through
the opening made in our line, threatening
to take the centre and right by their faDks,
as they had done on the left. At this crit
ical juncture Sheridan's division appeared
and was at once thrown upon the enemy
It stood its ground gallantly for a while,
but becoming soon exposed to flank fire
was also compelled to fall back. Fortu,
nately, the divisions Of Generals Wood and
Negley, that had been easily withdrawn
from Gordon's Mills when the rebel attack
on the left threatened to be successful, now
came to the rescue. After brief contest
the rsbsls found themselves at last match
ed, and commenced giving way in their
turn, Reynolds having been also sent to the
assistance Of the centre. After the repnlse
of the rebel right an advance was ordered
and the original position regainad sboui
sunset.
About dark the enemy made another de