The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-28


soon as the stringers were laid, Osterhaus
managed TO throw over the 9th Missouri
regiment, and soon after, all OF his Infantry.
The former deplOyed, pushed forward ss
skirmishers TO the gorge in Missionary
Ridge, and drew the IRE Of the Artillery
and Infantry holding it-and also dis
covered that the enemy was attempting 70
cover train Of wagons loading with stores
at the Rossyille House.
As the position was one presenting many
advantages for defence, the skirmishers
were directed to keep the enemy engaged in
front, while Woods Brigade was taking the
ridge on the right, and four regiments Of
WilliamsOn's on the left. Two other reCi-
ments of this Brigade were posted on the
road leading 70 Chattanooga 10 prevent sur
prise. In executing these duties, the troops
were necessarily exposed to the enemy's
artillery, but as soon as il was discovered
that his tanks were being turned, and his
retreat threatened, he hastily evacuated the
gap, leaving behind large quantities Of
artillery and small arm ammunition,
wagons, ambulsn6es, and a house full Of
cOmmissary stores. Pursuit was made as
far as consistent with my instructions 70
clear Missionary Ridge.
Meanwhile the bridge had been com
pleted and all the troops over OF crossing.
Osterhaus received instructions to move
with his Division parallel with the ridge,
on the east, Cruft on the ridge, and Geary
IN the valley 10 the west Of it, within easy
supporting distance. The batteries accom-
panied Geary, as il was not known that the
roads could be found for them with the
other Divisions, without delaying the move
ments Of the column.
General Gruft, with his staff, preceded
HE column in ascending the ridge, 20 super
wise the formation Of his lines, and was at
once met by line Of the enemy's skirrn-
ishers, advancing. The 9th and Seth In
diana regiments sprang forward, ran into
line under their fire, and instantly charg-
ing, drove back the rebels, while the resi-
due Of the column formed their lines;
Crosses brigade, with the 5lst Ohio, and 35th
Indiana, Of Whittaker's in advance, the
balance of the latter closely supporting the
front line. 1t was however soon found that
the ridge on top was too narrow to admit Of
this formation, and the Division was thrown
into four lines. BY this time the Divisions
Of Geary and Osterhaus were abreast of il,
and all advanced at charging paoe.
The enemy had selected for his advanced
line Of defence, the breastworks thrown up
by our army, on its return from Chickamau-
ga-but such was the impetuOsity Of our
advance, that his front line was routed be-
fore an opportunity was afforded him 70 pre-
pare for determined resistance. Many of
the fugitives, to escape, ran down the east
slope TO the lines Of Osterhaus, few 70 the
west, and were picked Up by Geary. The
bulk Of them however, sought refuge be-
hind the second line, and they, in their
turn, were soon routed, and the fight be-
came almost q running one. Whenever
the accidents Of the ground enabled the
hala 10 be- 4
ry and 0sterhaus, always in the right place,
would pour whitening fire into their tanks,
and again the race was renewed. This con.
tInued until near sunset, when those Of the
enemy who had not been killed or captured
gave wey, and IN attempting 10 escape along
tie ridge, ran into the arms Of johnson 5
Division, of the 18th corps, and were cap
tured.
Our enemy, the prisoners stated, was
Stuart's Division. But few escaped. Oster-
haus alone captured two thousand Of them.
This officer names the 4th Iowa, 10th Ohio
and 9th Missouri regiments as having been
especially distinguished in this engagement
Landgraeber's Battery Of hoWiIzers also
rendered brilliant service on this field.
Here our business for the day ended, and
the troops went into biyouac, with cheers
and rejOicings which were caught I'D by
other troops in the vicinity and carried
along the ridge until lost in the distance
Soon after dayligh every effort was made,
By reconnaissance and inquiry, to ascertain
the whereabouts of the enemy, but TO no
purpose. The field was as silent as the
grave. Knowing the desperate extremities
to which they must be reduced by our sue
cess, with his retreat seriously threatened
by the only line left him with hope Of sue
cess, l felt satisfied the enemy must be in
full retreat, and accordingly suggested, 70
the commander Of the Department, that
my column march 70 Grsysville, if possible,
to intercept him. This was approved of,
and, reinforced by Pslmer's Corps, all NOV
ed immediately in that direetion-Palms
Corps in advance.
On arriving at the west fork Of the Chick
amauga river, it was found that the enemy
had destroyed the bridge. To provide for
this contingency, Major General Butterfeld,
my Chief OF staff, had, in the morning.
prudently requested that three pontOOns,
with their calks and chesses, might be dis
patched for my use, but as they had not
come up, after a detention Of several hours,
bridge was constructed for the infantry
the officers swimming their horses. Il was
not until after three o'clock the regiments
were able 10 commence crossing-leayinR
the artillery and ambUlances 70 follow Is
soon as practicable-also g regiment Of in
lantry as & guard, TO cOmplete the bridge.
# possible, for the artillery, and>also 70 as
sist in throwing over the pontoOn bridge a.
soon IS il arrived. Partly in consequences
Of this delay, instructions were given 10
Palmer's command 10 continue on 70 GraTs-
vile on reaching the lafayette road, and
for the balance Of the command 70 proceed
to Ringgold, (Cruft now leading.l a. this
would enable me 70 strike the railroad Eve
or six miles to the South Of whore it was
FIRST intended. Palmer was 70 rejOiD me in
the morning.
Soon after dark, word was received from
Palmer, through 8 member Of his staff that
be had come up with the enemy-repOrted
to be battery and two or three thousand
infantry. Instructions were sent him 70
attack them at once, and while forming his
lines 70 the LEFT for that purpose, the re-
naming part Of the column was massed a.
it came up, TO the right Of the road, and
held awaiting the movements Of Palmer.
His enemy was discovered 70 be q battery
Of three pieces, with q small escort, and
was the rear Of the rebel army on the road
from Grsysville 10 RinggOld. Three pieces
Of artillery were captured, and subsequent
ly an additional piece, with, l believe, a
few prisoners. I have received no report
from this officer Of his operations while be-
longing 70 my command, although mine
has been delayed SIX weeks in waiting.
We we're now fairly Up with the enemy
this at ten o'clock at night. Cruf's DiU-
sion advanced and took possession q the
crest Of Chicksmauga Hlls-the enemy's
abandoned campfres still burning brightly
on the side and we all went into bivOusc.
Ny artillery was not yet Up, and in this
connection, desire that the especial atten-
tion Of the Commander Of the Department
may be called 70 thst part Of the report Of
General Osterhaus which relatss tc the con-
duet Of the officers who had the pOntoon
bridge In charge. do not know the names
Of the officers referred to--Bss not furnished
with copy Of their instructious-nOr did
they report 70 me. The pontoOns we're not
brought forward 20 the point Of crossing at
all, and celks and chess planks only reach
ed their destination, between nins and ten,
?. E-distanes from Chattanooga, Ten miles,
and the roads excellent. Then trestlss had
TO be formed, and the bridge was not finish
"a until SIX o'clock the following morning.
The report Of Lieut.. H. c. Wheriou, Of the
Engineers, and temporarily attached 70 ny
staff, who was LETT behind 70 hasten the
completion Of the bridge, Is herewith trans
mittod. No better commentary on this
negligence Il needed, than IS fur
nished By the record Of cur oPeraiions 10
the vicinity Of Ringgold-
The town was distant Eve miiss-at day
light the pursuit was resumsd-OsssThaus
in the advance, Geary following, and Gran
in The rear. Evidences Of the pfeeipitais
aight Of the enemy we're everywhere ap-
wagons, afnbniances, arms,