The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-10-14

ner, Harkcr, Nesisy John Beatty, Wood ane
Turchin, recognized the hrigades with won
derful celeritv, and Numerically began max
ing head against the enemy.
From this time McCook disappeared from
the general history of the battle as, Indeed
extricating himself from his denoralized and
routed corps, be headed teward Chattanooga
and about one o'clock. disappeared entirely
from the field
1t was about half past twelve, when, hear
ing heavy canneaade open Upon the right
galloped over IN that direction to see what
it might mean. A longitudinal gap in MIS-
sion Ridge admits the Rossville road into Chat
tanooga valley, and skirts along large corn
field at the mouth of the gap. Looking
across The cornfeld from the gap you see
thick woods upon the other side. The corn
field itself is sort of cove, in the ridge,
and here were numbers of all sorts of army
vehicles mingled with be debris Of disman-
tied and discomhtted batteries. Fragments
Of Davis flying squadrons had also lodged IN
this field.
While stood gazing upon this scene from
the summit of the ridge, some rebel skir-
mishers appeared in the skirts of the woods
opposite the gap have mentioned, and flung
Instantly men, animals, vehicles became a
mass Of struggling, cursing, shouting, fright
ened life. Everything and everybody APP
peared to dash headlong for the narrow gap,
and men, horses, mules, ambulances, baggage
wagons, ammunition wagons, artillery car
rlages and cassons were rolled and tumbled
together in confused, inextricable and final
ly motioniess mass, completely blocking mp
the mouth of the gaps. Nearly all this
booty subsequently fell into the hands ct the
enemy. Sickened and disgusted by the spec
tacle. turned away to watch the operations
of General Thomas corps, upon which alone
depended the safety of the army.
Gen. Thomas had withdrawn his menal-
most entirely from the valley, and taken up
position on the side of Mission Ridge
His left still rested upon Lafayette read, and
his right upon the ridge near the gap have
already spoken of Here were collected the
shattered remnants of the powerful corps
which had so long breasted the fierce assaults
of the enemy in the forenoon.
Not leng was the new line of battle per-
mitsed to remain idle Cannon beloved
against it missiles of every kind were hurled
into it; shells burst above It.; rife balls went
tearing through il; but still it remained firm.
It was certain. however, as truth itself, that
unless assistance should reach it from some
quarter and that right speedily, it must at
length succomh, for the rebel leaders, em-
boldened by the rout of MeGook and Critten-
den. were gathering their hosts TO hurl them
IN a last mighty effort against the feeble band
that confronted them. Whence should that
succor come
Suddenly vast cloud of dust was seen to
rise above the trees, away to the left, and a
few minutes afterward long lines of men
emerged from the woods, crossed the Lafay-
cite road and began advancing toward US ov-
er the fields. Their discipline seemed very
perfect, and it was an imposing pageant when
as they come on, their banners fluttervd above
their heads and their glittering arms flashed
baak the sunlight through the thick clouds
of dust.
Captain johnson, of Gen. Negley's staff,
who, on being severed from his own division,
had immediately reported to Gen. Thomas
for duty, had already, at great personal risk,
ascertained that the advancing battallions were
infantry, and now the question arose, was it
our own or the enemy's Hope and fear al
ternately agitated our besoms, until at last
looking through our glasses, we could clearly
distinguish the red and blue, with the white
crescent It was the battle flag of General
Granger, and the troops we saw We're two
brigades, MtehelPs and w hitaker's, of Stead
mans strong division. These were compar-
ativsly fresh troops. True, they had march
ed some weary miles over roads ankle deer
with dust. True, they had hurried along
rapidly to succor their comrades and partici.
pate in the fight. But they had not as vel
been engaged that day and hence they could
indeed be considered help to the battle SCARED
veterans who held the hill.
As soon as Gen. Granger bad reported tc
Gen. Thomas for duty, he was sent by the
latter to bring over an ammunition train from
the Rossville road. The train had fallen in.
to the hands of the enemy but the march II
search Of it brought Steadman at once into
contact with the rebels, and desperate con
fct Immediately ensued. 1t was now tina
the brilliant courage of Col John G. Mitch
ell, commanding one of Gen. Steadman,
brigades, became conspicuous. Now Gen
Whitaker had an opportunity of baptizing il
glory the star recently placed upon his shoul-
der and now the troops of the Reserve
Corps, comparatively unused to battle, hat
an opportunity of testing their mettle. No
bly, did all pass through the ordeal, and al
though once thrown into confusion by ths
concentrated fire from a score of rebel regi
meBts and half as many batteries, they raj
lied under the fire and drove the enemy from
bill almost rs formidable as that which
formed the key of Gen. Thomas's position
The rebels made one desperate endeavor t,
retake this position, but were bleodilv re
pulsed, and almost for the first time since th
fight began there was lull in the fearfu
storm.
An hour passed by, and it became eviden
that Bragg would not be foiled in his attemp
to annihilate our gallant army without anoth
er effort Folks corps, assisted by the Geor
gia State troops, by Dabney Maury's division
and by various detached fragments of tn
rebel army were to try their hands upon th
heroic band who, as the forlorn hope of th
army still held the bill. Our feeble rank
gathered up The thinned battallions wer
brought closer together. The dozen piece
of artillery were planted to sweep all ap
proaches to the hin !; and each man loolxin
At his ueighbor vowed, some mentally, an
Others audibly. to die right there if it WEI
necessary for their country, for freedom, an
for mankind
All along the woods skirting the cleare
fields al the southeastern foot of the hill J; j