New-York daily tribune., 1864-04-13

division OF Thomas's corps, which Lad been stationed
along the north bank OF the river convenient TO where
the crossing was be effected, was ready for opera
tlons At hour sufficiently early to secure the south
bank of the river Just below the mouth OF south Chck-
amauga by dawn Of day, the pOntoons In the Nofth
Chckamauga were loaded with 80 armed men each wac
Hoated quietly past the enemys piekets landed anu
captured all but of the guard 20 in number before
the enemy " as aware of the presence OF Zoe Inc
steamboat Dunbar with barge In tow, after having
finished ferrying across the river the horscs proSeu
from sherman with which 10 move Thomass artillery,
was sent up from Chattanooga to aid In crossing
and troops and by daylight Of the morning of the 2it
of November 900 men the south side OF tIe
Tennessee and fortified in rifle trenches.
By IL o'clock M the ponOOn bridges across the len
nessee and the Chickamanga were laid, and the remain
der of Shermans forces crossed over ard at hall pa
D. n the whole of the northern extremity OF mlssoI
airy Ridge to near the railroad tunnel was IN
possession. During the night he erlhed tne fosG; IN
thus secured. making ~ oqnn, ii NOT supcIioi i'
strength to that held by the enemy.
By o'clock Of the same day Col Long with his Orig
ade of cavalry Of Ihomas army crossed r, 20 % 'e CbcIa
mauga Creek and made raid on the enemy INES oi
communication. lie barned Iyners station, VIII
many stores cut the railroad at Cleveland, captured
near n hundred wagons and over TWO huhdreu pfiso"
ers. His own loss was small
Hooker carried out the part assigned him Tor is uay
equal to the most sanguine expectations; Wnn ueary
division Q2th Corps and two brigades oil Staney
division (4th Corps Of Thomas's army, ana Ostcr
haus's division Q5h Corpsl Of Shermans army, nc
scaled the Western slope OF Lookout Mountain onJtv
i
and slope of the mountain capturing many prisoners
without serious loss. - o., -, -. T.
Chattanooga what was intended for the 24tb bettered
and strengthened his advanced positions during lhe
day and pushed the llth Corps forward along the
south bank of the Tennessee River across & ol'lSo
Creek one brigade of which, with Howard In person.
reached sherman just as he had completed the crossing
of the river.
tremity Of Lookout Mountain Carns brigade Of the
18th Corps was ordered 20 cross Chattanooga Creek
and form junction with him; Tbs was ehected ia'e
in the evening, and after considerable lighting.
Thus on the night Of the 2ith our forces maintained
an unbroken line, with open communication, from the
north end Of Lookout Mountain, through Chattanooga
Valley TO the north end Of Missionary Ridge.
On the morning Of the 2Jth. Hooker took possession
Of the mountaintOp with small force, and with the
remainder OF his command, IN pursuance OF or1e,s,
swept across Chattanooga Valley, now abandoned by
the enemy Rossyie. In this march he was detained
four hours building bridge across Chattanooga Creek
From Rossyille he 6seended Missionary Ridge and
moved southwark toward the center OF the now short
ened line.
Shermans attack upon the enemys most northern and
most vital point was vigorously kept up az day Inc
assauiDg column advanced 20 the very fheps OF Tue
enemy and held this position firmly and without wa
yering The right Of the assauting column being ex-
posed TO the danger Of being turned two brgades We're
its support. These advanced In the most gallant
manner over m open field tho mountain side 70 near
the works OF the enemy and laid there partially COW
cred ffom the fire for somo time Tho right oi tLese
two brgades rested the head Of rayine or gorge
In the mountain side which tie enemy took advantage
Of aud sent troops covered Om Wow below them and
TO their right Being Unexpectedly fred into nom
this direction they fell back across the open field below
them and reformed in good order In the edge OF the
timber. The column which attacked them were speed
lily driven TO their nrenchmens by the assauting col
unin proper.
Early In the morning OF the 25th, the remainder Of
Howards corps reported % Sherman and constituted
part Of his forces during that days battle the pursuit
and subsequent advance for the relief OF Knoxville
Shefman's position not only threatened the night flank
Of the enemy but from his occupying line across the
mountain and TO the railroad bridge across chiekA'
mauga Greek his rear and stores at Chieamauga Sta
ton This caused the enemy 10 move heavily against
him. This movement Of his being plainly seen from the
position occupied Orchard Knoll Bairds division
Of the l4th Corps ordered Ia Sbermans supports
but receiving note from sherman informing me that
he had all the force necessary, Baird was put in posi-
ton on Thomass left.
Tie appearance of HookeI's column nj this time
anxiouIy looked for AID momeniery expected moving
north ON the ridge with ms lcu ~ thaitanoofa sasy
and his right east Of the ridge His aPPToach was ia
tended the signal for sorning the ridge III tho CEN
ter with strong columns but the time necessarily con
sumed in the construction Of the bridge near Chatta
nooga Creek detained him 10 later hour than was ex-
pected. Being satisfied from the latest Information
IRON him that he must by this time be on his way from
Rossvile though yet IN sight and discovering that
the enemy In hs desperation 10 defeat or resist the pro-
gress Of Sherman, was weakening bis center ON Mis-
sionary Ridge determined me to order Inc ndVlnce nj
once. Thomas was accordingly directed 10 move Tor
ward his troops constituting cener-Bairds divs
ion (4th Corps) Woods and Sherdans divisions ith
Corpsl and Johnsons division Qhh CoTls), WIN a
supportiug distance BY the whole force nnd carry the
ride pits al the foot of Missionary Ridge and when
carried 10 reform his lines In the ride pits, With view
10 carrying the top Of the ridge.
These troops moved forward. drove the enemy from
the rleps the base ofihe ridge Ike bees ron hive
stopped but moment until the Whole were IN Ine, ana
commenced tie ascent Of the mountain from right 10
left almost simultaneously following closely the retreat
ing enemy without further orders They encountered
fearful vOley Of grape and canister from near tlty
ueccs of artillery and musketry irOm stll WeHhlled
rifle pits on the summit Of the ridge. Not Wayer'
however was IN all that long line OF brave men
Their progress was steadily onward until the summit
was IN their possession In this charge the casualties
were remarkably few for the hre encountered. i can
account for this only the theory that the enemy sur
ise at the audacity OF such charge caused confusion
and purpOseless aiming Of their pieces
The nearness Of night and the enemy siill resisting
the advance OF Thonass left prevented general pur
suit that night but Sheridan pushed forward to MISSION
Mills.
The resistance on Tbomass left being overcome. the
enemy abandoned his position the railroad tunnel
in front of sherman and by ~ o'clock at night In
full retreat; and the whole Of his strong positions on
Lookout Mountain Chattanooga Valley, and Mission
AIRY Ridge in possession. together with large
number Of prisoners artillery and small arms.
Thomas was directed ~ get Granger with his CORPS
and detachments enough from other commands. incud-
ing tho force available at Kingston, 10 make DOUO
men in readiness to go 10 the relief Of Knoxville upon
the termination Of the battle at Chattanooga-these
troops to take with them four days raons and steam
boat loaded with rations 10 follow up the river
On the evening Of the 25th November orders were
given TO both Thomas and sherman to pursue the
enemy early next morning with All their available iorce
except that under OranBer inchued iOr the reei Vi
Knoxville go
On the morning Of the Goth, sherman advanced by
way of Chickamauga Station and Ihomass forces nn,
der Hooker and Palmer moved on tho Ross,Ile road
toward Gfapeyillo and Ringgold.
The advance of 1homass forces reached Idnggold on
tho morning of the 27h where they found the enemy in
Ridge from which they dslodged him after severe
fight in which We lost heavily In valuable officers and